How To Stress Less What Other People Think of You (This Insight CHANGED My Life!)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Release Date: 03/20/2025
Why "Just Stay Motivated" Is BS: The Science of Actually Achieving A Goal
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
You're three weeks into your goal. The excitement's worn off. You're questioning everything. Your brain is screaming at you to quit. And then someone tells you to "just stay motivated." Here's the truth: motivation doesn't last. It's not supposed to. And the reason you keep quitting your goals has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or not wanting it badly enough. There are five predictable emotional stages every single person goes through when making real change—and most people quit at Stage 3 because no one told them it was coming. In this episode, you'll discover: Why that...
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My New Year Wish For You..
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After such a heartbreaking, life-shattering year, I wanted to record this little message for you as we head into 2026. ❤️ Ready to Stop Forcing Happiness and Actually Start Healing? You can know all the "right" things to say to yourself, all the strategies, all the steps—but if you're still trying to push through grief, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone, nothing truly shifts. That's where coaching comes in. I help women navigate the messy, non-linear process of healing—not by forcing happiness or bypassing pain, but by figuring out what YOU actually need (not what others...
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Why My Mum Wouldn't "Want Me to Be Happy" Right Now - Happiness vs. Healing
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
If you've lost someone, you've probably heard people say "they would just want you to be happy." Well-meaning? Absolutely. Helpful? Not always. In this episode, I'm sharing why that phrase hasn't been landing for me—and what I wish people would say instead. Because grief isn't about forcing happiness. It's about something much more important. Whether you're navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this one's for you. You don’t owe anyone happiness. But you do deserve healing. Take this episode slowly. Pause when you need to. Let it meet you wherever you are today. Ready to Stop...
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Losing Both Parents Before You're 30 - Real Talk About Grief with Tara Accardo
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
There's a loneliness that comes with loss that's hard to describe until you've felt it. That moment when you realize the person you'd normally call isn't there to answer anymore. Tara Accardo knows this pain intimately. In December 2019, she lost her mom to cancer. Six months later, her dad. Then, her beloved dog of 19 years. Each loss compounding the one before, leaving her asking: "What am I going to do?" But this conversation isn't about finding silver linings or moving on. It's about the messy, visceral reality of grief—and the unexpected strength that emerges when you're forced to...
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How to Actually Validate Yourself (When No One Else Does)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever find yourself waiting for someone to notice how hard you're struggling? Waiting for your partner to ask if you're okay, your doctor to take you seriously, or someone—anyone—to validate that yes, what you're going through really IS that hard? Here's the truth: you can't control if someone else gives you that validation. But you can give it to yourself. And no, that's not the same as toxic positivity or forcing yourself to "look on the bright side." It's about giving yourself the same compassion you'd give a friend going through the exact same thing. In this episode, I'm sharing a...
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How to Respond to Feedback Without Spiralling (The Pistachio Nut Method)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever gotten feedback at work that just... stung? Like, you worked your ass off on a project, pulled off what felt like a miracle given the circumstances, only to be told you "weren't enthusiastic enough" or "should have felt more excited"? Yeah, that's the kind of feedback that can send you spiraling. In this episode, I'm breaking down why feedback hits us so damn hard in the first place, and more importantly, what to do about it. I'll share my pistachio nut framework for figuring out what feedback is actually worth keeping versus what's just... someone else's baggage you don't need to carry....
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How to Prevent a Panic Attack With Your Exhale (Not Your Mind)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After the hardest year of my life, I discovered something I'd been taking for granted—the one thing that held me when everything else fell apart. This isn't your typical gratitude episode. Because when you're barely holding it together, "just be thankful" doesn't cut it. In this episode, you'll discover: Why one deep breath does nothing (and what actually works) The science behind why your exhales matter more than your inhales The 60-second tool that can stop you from spiraling before a difficult conversation What happens in your nervous system when you sigh (hint: it's not dramatic,...
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Feeling Resentful at Someone? One Sentence That Changes Everything
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever caught yourself smiling on the outside… while dragging around that heavy, invisible rock of resentment on the inside? Yeah. Me too. In this episode, we’re pulling apart that quiet tension so many of us live with — the resentment that comes from unspoken needs, swallowed frustration, and hoping people will magically “just get it.” And I’m sharing the one sentence… the one simple structure… that finally helped me stop feeling like a doormat and start feeling like a grown woman with a spine and a soft heart. If you’ve ever: • dreaded a text from that person • walked on...
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We Are The Leaders We've Been Looking For - With Meaghan Barakett
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
This week, I sit down with Meghan Barakett—founder & CEO of One Girl—a woman who embodies everything this show stands for: courage, community, and choosing to create the good when life doesn’t hand it to you. We talk leadership that starts on the inside. The kind that asks you to get quiet, get honest, and then get moving. We talk about grief, advocacy, and what happens when your identity is used against you online—and why that moment became a turning point, not a dead end. I won’t spoil the full story (you’ll feel it when you hear it), but here’s what you’ll learn: In this...
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The Two Words That Don't Help Someone Grieving (And What Actually Does)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
When someone you care about loses someone they love, it’s hard to know what to say. You want to comfort them, to make it better, but most of us were never taught how to show up in the face of raw grief. After losing both my mum and sister in separate tragedies, I realized we're walking through one of the most universal human experiences - grief- with zero training. No wonder we're all fumbling through it. In this episode, I'm sharing the grief education we all missed: Why we freeze up and don't reach out (and how to get past that) The well-meaning words that actually invalidate pain What...
info_outlineWhether we care to admit it or not, a lot of us waste A LOT of mental energy overthinking what other people think of us and include their opinions on our decision making criteria in life. And as I've learned the hard way, that's a one way ticket to a life that doesn't even really feel like yours.
So why do so many of us fear being judged? And more importantly, how do we stop taking things so personally, even when we hear critical opinions about us?! That's exactly what we explore together in this episode and share with you the life changing example that my coach shared with me that FINALLY helped me breakfree from the grip of other people's opinions, and I am hopeful it'll help you have that same break through too!
If you're tired of family criticism about your choices, judgmental friends, or that constant voice in your head wondering if you're doing life "right"—this episode will be a breath of fresh air for you to finally chase that dream, make that change or to just be yourself without apology.
This isn't just another feel-good podcast; it's a roadmap to taking your power back, one deliberate thought at a time.
If this episode hit you in the heart and you're ready to break free from the prison of other people's opinions, I want to personally help you. Book a free 30-minute coaching consult call with me (yes, WITH ME—not some team member).
Visit my website here to submit for a coaching call with me!
Bring whatever problem or struggle you're overthinking, and I'll walk you through exactly how to get unstuck. These spots are limited each week, and they're for you—the person who's tired of putting your dreams on hold because you're afraid of what someone might think. Schedule your a coaching call and let's create a life that makes YOU proud, regardless of anyone else's opinions. Because trust me, the view from the other side of fear? It's breathtaking.
CLICK HERE to ORDER my book "Okay. Now What?" - How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough.
Want to download a free chapter of my book to give it a read first? CLICK HERE.
To hire me to speak at your organization or next event, visit https://www.kategladdin.com/
Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)
Kate welcomes listeners and shares her excitement about recording during a snowstorm.
Keynote Speaker Experience (00:01:03)
Kate reflects on her recent speaking engagement in Indiana, focusing on resilience and confidence.
Upcoming Speaking Engagements (00:01:50)
She discusses her upcoming talks in Las Vegas, Iowa, and Minnesota, emphasizing women's leadership.
Importance of Practical Strategies (00:02:20)
Kate highlights the need for actionable strategies based on science to build confidence.
Fear of Judgment (00:02:50)
She introduces the episode's main topic: how worrying about others' opinions erodes confidence.
Taking Things Personally (00:03:32)
Kate discusses the challenge of not taking criticism personally, especially from close relationships.
Understanding Human Nature (00:05:19)
She explains that the desire for acceptance is a natural human instinct.
Responding to Negative Thoughts (00:06:10)
Kate shares strategies for managing automatic negative thoughts about others' judgments.
Creating Emotional Space (00:07:00)
She emphasizes the importance of creating space between instinctive reactions and chosen responses.
Book Reference (00:07:57)
Kate mentions a chapter from her book that addresses resilience and responding to fear.
Reality of Judgment (00:08:53)
She acknowledges that judgment is inevitable and reflects on how often we assess others.
Taking Opinions Personally (00:09:50)
Kate discusses the tendency to take others' opinions personally and its impact on decision-making.
Example of Perception (00:10:44)
She illustrates how different people can have varying opinions about the same person.
Judgment Reflects Insecurities (00:13:44)
Kate explains that others’ judgments often stem from their own insecurities and experiences.
Self-Reflection on Fear (00:14:44)
She encourages listeners to identify areas in their lives where fear of judgment holds them back.
Redirecting Focus (00:15:39)
Kate emphasizes the importance of redirecting focus from others’ opinions to personal decisions.
Embracing Diversity of Opinions (00:16:37)
She discusses the value of differing opinions and preferences in making life interesting.
Authenticity Over Approval (00:17:24)
Kate concludes with a reminder to be true to oneself rather than seeking external validation.
Understanding Feedback and Opinions (00:18:13)
Explores how to evaluate feedback from others without letting it overshadow personal beliefs.
The Fear of Judgment (00:19:20)
Discusses the instinct of loved ones to protect us from failure and its impact on our decisions.
Pursuing Passion Over Comfort (00:20:18)
Shares a personal story about choosing passion over a stable career path despite external doubts.
Gratitude for Courage (00:21:22)
Encourages listeners to appreciate their past courage in pursuing meaningful goals despite fear.
The Reality of Support (00:22:31)
Acknowledges that not everyone will support our dreams and that's acceptable.
Living True to Yourself (00:23:30)
Emphasizes the importance of prioritizing one's own opinion over others' judgments in achieving success.
Coaching Opportunity (00:24:42)
Offers a free coaching consult to help listeners overcome obstacles and take action towards their goals.
Invitation to Connect (00:25:43)
Encourages listeners to reach out for coaching and follow on social media for further inspiration.