One of the quiet questions many of us carry through life is surprisingly simple: Am I doing it right?

In this episode of Permission Slip-ups, Kate and Dave explore the pressure we place on ourselves to get life "right" — to follow the correct path, make the correct decisions, and somehow meet an invisible standard we believe exists.

Together, they unpack where this mindset comes from and how it quietly shapes the way we live, the risks we avoid, and the choices we second-guess.

Through personal reflection and conversation, Kate and Dave challenge the idea that life has a single correct formula. Instead, they explore what might happen if we loosen our grip on being "right" and begin trusting our own experience, curiosity, and instincts.

Because sometimes the most freeing permission slip we can give ourselves is letting go of the idea that there is only one right way to live.

In this episode, Dave takes the host seat and turns the microphone toward co-host Kate Turner. Instead of their usual back-and-forth conversations, Kate shares more of her own story—her background, the experiences that shaped her, and the moments that pushed her to start questioning the expectations placed on her life.

Kate opens up about the winding path that brought her here, the courage it takes to challenge old narratives, and what it really means to begin giving yourself permission to live differently.

This conversation sets the tone for the new season: honest, curious, and willing to explore the uncomfortable questions many of us quietly carry.

If you've ever felt the pull to rethink the life you've been performing, this episode is an invitation to start asking your own questions.

Because sometimes the first permission slip is simply telling the truth about where you are.

In this episode of Permission Slip-Ups, we sit down with somatic coach Marina Triner — known as "The Compassionate Somatic Coach" — for a conversation about identity, vulnerability, nervous system safety, and the masks we wear to survive.

We explore how early adaptations — the traits that once kept us safe — can become both our superpowers and our shields. Marina shares her journey of discovering her Enneagram type, confronting self-criticism, and learning that compassion isn't about being positive all the time — it's about being honest about what is present.

This conversation dives into:

• The difference between being strong and being armored
• Why high-achievers often struggle with vulnerability
• The nervous system and the "window of tolerance"
• Letting go of control without losing yourself
• Learning to speak your needs — and receive support
• How ease isn't the absence of struggle, but the ability to move through it

Kate shares her experience of working with Marina while leaving corporate life. David reflects on how charisma and confidence can sometimes be protection strategies. And together, they explore what it really means to give yourself permission to be seen — not just as competent, but as human.

If you've built an identity around being the strong one, the achiever, the helper, or the challenger — this episode might gently ask you: what would it feel like to loosen the armor?

Contact Information:

Marina Triner (email)

Kate Turner

David Cooke