From People Pleasing to Self-Trust: Breaking the Cycle of Fawning with Ingrid ClaytonFrom People Pleasing to Self-Trust: Breaking the Cycle of Fawning with Ingrid Clayton
The One You Feed
Dr. Ingrid Clayton discusses breaking the cycle of fawning by developing self-trust and understanding trauma responses. The episode offers insights into healing and reclaiming one's authentic voice.
1:06:44•3 Feb 2026
From People Pleasing to Self-Trust with Ingrid Clayton
Episode Overview
- Fawning is a survival mechanism, not a conscious choice.
- Healing involves connecting with your body and truth.
- Self-trust is foundational in overcoming people-pleasing.
- Therapy can offer tools to break the fawning cycle.
- Embrace complexity to reduce shame and enhance healing.
“"I didn't fawn because I was doing anything wrong; I fawned because my body was doing everything right."”
What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? Dr. Ingrid Clayton joins host Eric Zimmer to unravel the complex dance between people-pleasing and self-trust. This episode is a heartfelt journey into breaking the cycle of fawning, a trauma response that often masquerades as mere people-pleasing. Ingrid, a trauma therapist, shares her personal experiences and professional insights, highlighting how fawning can develop and affect one's self-identity. Dr.
Clayton explains how the fawn response is not a conscious choice but an instinctive survival mechanism. She shares anecdotes from her own life, illustrating how fawning has shaped her relationships and self-perception. The conversation touches on therapy approaches, the importance of self-trust, and practical steps to reclaim one’s authentic voice. You'll hear about the magic of trusting yourself and how gradual, body-based healing can help restore boundaries.
The dialogue also explores the differences between fawning, people-pleasing, and codependency, providing clarity on these often-confused concepts. Ingrid emphasizes that healing isn't about becoming tougher or more independent but about connecting with your body and truth. The episode encourages listeners to embrace their complexities and take small, mindful steps towards healing. If you've ever felt trapped in the cycle of people-pleasing or wondered how to find your voice, this episode offers both compassion and actionable advice.
Are you ready to start trusting yourself more?
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