What happens when time passes between texts, calls, or visits—and shame fills in the gaps?

In this episode, I explore theory of mind and how our ability (and tendency) to assume what others are thinking can quietly sabotage friendships. When we haven’t heard from someone in a while, our brains often jump to self-blaming stories: I did something wrong. They’re upset. They don’t care anymore.

But what if none of that is true?

I share how shame convinces us to stay silent and how we can move forward with courage: by reaching out without over-explaining, releasing relationships that have naturally run their course, and making peace with the fact that not every friendship is meant to last forever.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever stared at their phone, wanting to reconnect—but letting shame stop them.

In this episode:

• What theory of mind is—and how it works against us in adult friendships
• Why silence often has nothing to do with rejection
• How shame convinces us to assume the worst about ourselves
• The difference between grief and shame when friendships change
• When reaching out is brave—and when letting go is healthy
• How to stop making neutral situations mean something about your worth

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn’t protecting ourselves from rejection—it’s refusing to let shame write a story that was never true in the first place.

In this honest and grounding conversation, I sit down with Allie Van Fossen, founder of The Body Mind Soul Studio, former travel blogger, and creator of the Yoga with Allie Van Fossen YouTube channel, to explore what happens when passion alone is no longer enough.

After years of building a thriving yoga business and online community, Allie reached a quiet but undeniable truth: she no longer felt like she was giving her work her all. Rather than pushing harder or forcing herself to keep going, she chose a braver path—taking a year-long sabbatical from her studio and embracing what author and entrepreneur Neha Ruch calls The Power Pause.

Inspired by Neha Ruch’s book, The Power Pause, Allie shares what it looks like to step back without guilt, redefine success beyond productivity, and trust that rest can be an intentional, strategic choice—not a failure.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why pausing can be a powerful leadership move for founders and creatives
• The identity shift that comes with stepping away from a business you’ve built
• How burnout often whispers before it screams
• What clarity, creativity, and alignment can emerge when you stop forcing momentum

Allie continues to support her community through accessible online yoga practices on her YouTube channel, Yoga with Allie Van Fossen (https://www.youtube.com/c/YogawithAllieVanFossen), even as she honors this season of rest and recalibration.

In this Sunday Shortie, Christy reflects on being ten weeks post-corporate—fully in motion, yet quietly questioning what success is supposed to feel like after leaving a decades-long career.

This episode explores the tension many women face after a big transition: staying productive without turning life into a constant cycle of self-promotion, metrics, and visibility. Christy shares why she’s choosing to prioritize joy, meaning, and alignment over relentless output—and what it looks like to trust yourself when the old structures are gone.

If you’ve left a corporate role, started a business, or are navigating an identity shift where busyness doesn’t equal fulfillment, this honest reflection will resonate.

In this episode:

• Life after corporate identity and why “busy” can still feel disorienting
• The pressure to self-promote—and why it can quietly drain joy
• Redefining success beyond productivity and external validation
• Choosing joy as a strategy, not a reward

Perfect for women in transition, former people-pleasers, and anyone learning how to build a life that feels good—not just looks good.

To learn more about what I'm up to now, check out thrivewithchristy.com