Advertise on podcast: The Greater Self Vibes

In Episode 171, Dr. Z shares why October has consistently been one of her busiest months and how she navigates it without completely abandoning herself. She reflects on the mix of therapy clients, events, birthdays, parenting, relationship time, business growth, personal commitments, and recovery time that all collide during Q4.  This episode is also a reminder for recovering strong friends: being busy does not mean being endlessly available. Dr. Z talks about protecting her peace, using a paper planner, planning for her nervous system, saying yes on purpose, letting no be temporary, and not taking other people’s availability personally. Show Notes: Why October is always a packed month for Dr. Z Looking at Q4 as the final push of the year Balancing therapy clients, events, family, friends, and personal life Why Freedom Friday matters Protecting weekends for community, recovery, and rejuvenation Scheduling around nervous system capacity Saying yes on purpose instead of saying yes to everything Keeping parts of life private while still showing up publicly Showing up every Tuesday as a commitment to consistency Using a paper planner to manage ADHD time blindness Not taking missed calls or delayed replies personally Owning your time, peace, and energy as a recovering strong friend October events, including Rewire Your Mind Rich, Unclench Your Pearls, Disconnect to Reconnect, Paws for Wellness Fair, and birthday celebrations Letting your yes be a real yes and your no be “not for the moment” Timestamps 00:00 – 01:17 | Welcome and introducing why October is always busy 01:17 – 03:33 | Q4 energy, exhaustion, and the final push of the year 03:33 – 05:37 | Weekly client schedule, Freedom Friday, and protecting recovery time 05:37 – 07:45 | Birthdays, events, and having a packed but intentional schedule 07:45 – 09:57 | Private life, nervous system planning, and saying yes on purpose 09:57 – 11:35 | Showing up consistently every Tuesday at 7 PM 11:35 – 13:43 | Daughter’s birthday month, paper planners, and ADHD time blindness 13:43 – 16:18 | Delayed replies, not taking things personally, and communication boundaries 16:18 – 18:04 | Friendship, availability, and conserving energy 18:04 – 21:47 | October events: Rewire Your Mind Rich, Unclench Your Pearls, and Disconnect to Reconnect 21:47 – 23:46 | Paws for Wellness Fair, coaching cohort, daughter’s birthday, and personal celebrations 23:46 – 26:16 | Owning time, peace, and strong friend recovery 26:16 – 28:39 | Giving yourself permission to disappoint people sometimes 28:39 – 31:25 | October reflection, Q4 questions, and final invitation Key Takeaways: A packed schedule can still be intentional when it aligns with your values. Being busy does not automatically mean being unavailable forever. Protecting your time is part of protecting your nervous system. Quotes from the Episode: “October is always the busiest month of the year for me.” “I do keep a packed schedule, and I also schedule a lot of time for myself.” “Just because I might not be working and seeing clients doesn’t mean that I’m available.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 170, Dr. Z asks listeners to consider whether someone is really plotting against their happiness—or if they are accidentally plotting against themselves by holding on to old versions, past opinions, rumors, and fear of judgment. She explores how people can become so worried about who they used to be, or what others may think of them, that they stop showing up fully in the present. This episode is a reminder that other people’s opinions do not have to become the script for your life. Dr. Z encourages listeners to stop giving too much power to people who are not actively shaping their real lives, and instead focus on who they are becoming now, how they want to show up, and how much joy, play, and freedom they are willing to let themselves experience. Show Notes: Asking who is really blocking your happiness Letting go of old versions of yourself Why past rumors and opinions do not have to define you Worrying about how people remember you from high school, reunions, or old seasons The difference between people knowing you and knowing of you Why other people’s opinions are not your business Giving yourself permission to evolve Meeting people as they are today, not only who they used to be Asking if you are the barrier to your own success Choosing fun, play, productivity, and ease Unclenching your pearls instead of overthinking everything Disconnect to Reconnect invitation for October 17 in Azusa 00:00 – 01:42 | Welcome, setup, and introducing the episode 01:42 – 03:17 | Who is really preventing your happiness? 03:17 – 04:24 | Past opinions, old versions, and social settings 04:24 – 06:20 | Did you actually change, or are you still living under old stories? 06:20 – 07:40 | Other people’s opinions are not your business 07:40 – 09:35 | Living beyond rumors and other people’s narratives 09:35 – 11:38 | Are you plotting against yourself? 11:38 – 13:38 | Meeting people as they are today 13:38 – 15:34 | Clearing the air, choosing your response, and moving accordingly 15:34 – 17:35 | Evolving into a version of yourself you actually like 17:35 – 19:17 | Play, productivity, and not taking yourself so seriously 19:17 – 21:24 | Disconnect to Reconnect: sunset flow, yoga, release, and sound healing 21:24 – 22:35 | Final invitation and closing reflections Key Takeaways: The person blocking your happiness may not be someone else—it may be the old story you keep replaying. You do not have to live by who people thought you were years ago. Other people’s opinions only deserve power if you keep handing it to them. People can know of you without truly knowing you. Quotes from the Episode: “Who’s plotting against your happiness?” “Is it somebody else, or is it really you?” “Other people’s opinion of you is not your business.” “They didn’t know who I was then. They knew of me.” “You could be the most amazing person in the world to one person, and another can have an opinion and experience of you that is the complete opposite.” “Are you plotting against yourself?” “The part you have most control over is where your attention lies.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross

In Episode 169, Dr. Z asks a powerful question: what if being a “good person” is costing you your life? She challenges the idea that goodness means being endlessly available, agreeable, forgiving, useful, or self-sacrificing. Instead, she invites listeners to redefine goodness through alignment, self-respect, values, responsibility, and boundaries. This episode speaks directly to strong friends, over-givers, people-pleasers, and anyone who has tolerated disrespect, overextended themselves, rescued others from consequences, or abandoned their own needs just to be seen as good. Dr. Z reminds listeners that being a good person should not require losing peace, time, money, health, creativity, relationships, or trust in yourself. Show Notes: Redefining what it means to be a good person Why being “good” can become tied to being useful, agreeable, and available The difference between being good and being perceived as good How guilt can be used to manipulate people into saying yes Why love does not require you to abandon your boundaries Tolerating disrespect because someone is “going through something” Overextending yourself to keep others comfortable Rescuing people from consequences they may need to experience Making yourself smaller so others do not feel threatened Confusing compassion with access Asking what your goodness has cost you Becoming a good person to yourself first Disconnect to Reconnect invitation for October 17 Timestamps 00:00 – 01:16 | Welcome and introducing the topic 01:16 – 02:34 | Who taught you that being good means giving people access? 02:34 – 04:09 | Redefining goodness through values, responsibility, and alignment 04:09 – 05:26 | Being good vs. being perceived as good 05:26 – 06:39 | Guilt, boundaries, and the pressure to say yes 06:39 – 08:45 | What have you tolerated to prove you are good? 08:45 – 10:38 | The cost of goodness, gossip, and fitting in 10:38 – 12:42 | Self-respect, growth, and allowing others to be disappointed 12:42 – 14:54 | Boundaries do not make you hard or unkind 14:54 – 16:43 | Hidden sacrifices and being good to yourself first 16:43 – 18:36 | Questions for redefining goodness 18:36 – 20:27 | Self-respect, professional support, and October event invitation 20:27 – 21:29 | Final reminder and closing invitation Key Takeaways: Being a good person does not mean giving everyone unlimited access to you. You can love someone and still say no. Guilt can become a leash when you let other people’s needs override your own. If your goodness requires self-abandonment, it is costing too much. Boundaries can be gentle, loving, and necessary at the same time. Someone else’s disappointment does not automatically mean you did something wrong. Quotes from the Episode: “Who taught you that being a good person means allowing people to have access to you that they haven’t earned yet?” “Do you want to be good, or do you want to just be perceived as being good?” “You can love someone and still choose not to do what they ask you to do.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 168, Dr. Z reframes gossip as a form of power. She explains that when you speak about someone who is not in the room, you are holding the floor and shaping how others may see them. The question is whether you are using that power to build someone up or tear them down. This episode challenges listeners to look at their motives when talking about others, notice whether gossip is being used to connect, vent, project, or harm, and choose conversations that reflect integrity. Dr. Z reminds listeners that speaking well of people behind their backs can become a form of leadership, kindness, and community-building Show Notes: Why gossip is more powerful than people realize The difference between gossip that uplifts and gossip that harms How talking about others can reveal your own insecurities Why people often use gossip to bond or avoid talking about themselves The responsibility of speaking about someone who is not in the room How negative gossip can shape someone’s reputation unfairly Why hyping people up behind their backs builds trust and integrity Choosing conversations that make people feel better, not smaller The connection between gossip, bullying, and harm Asking yourself why you are sharing someone else’s business Speaking about people the way you would want to be spoken about Timestamps 00:00 – 01:38 | Welcome and introducing the topic 01:38 – 03:57 | Why gossip is usually seen negatively 03:57 – 05:45 | Gossip as connection, venting, and self-revelation 05:45 – 07:19 | The power of speaking when someone is not in the room 07:19 – 09:35 | Tearing people down vs. giving people their flowers 09:35 – 12:44 | Motives, projection, and why you are talking about someone 12:44 – 15:49 | Choosing conversations that build people up 15:49 – 17:42 | Gossip, bullying, and removing yourself from negative spaces 17:42 – 19:21 | Saying it to someone’s face vs. speaking behind their back 19:21 – 21:30 | Using your words with integrity and closing reflections Key Takeaways: Gossip is not neutral; it carries power. When you speak about someone who is absent, you shape the room’s perception of them. Negative gossip often reveals more about the speaker than the person being discussed. Talking badly about others can make you look smaller, not stronger. Positive gossip can build trust, credibility, and community. Before speaking on someone, ask why you are sharing the information. Not every private detail needs to be repeated. You can process your experience without smearing someone’s name. Choose conversations that create goodness instead of harm. Speak about others in the way you would want others to speak about you. Quotes from the Episode: “Some relationships don’t come with an exit door.” “Mature, not muted.” “You can be mature without muting yourself.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 167, Dr. Z explores what it means to be mature, not muted when navigating relationships you cannot easily walk away from, such as co-parenting relationships, family dynamics, business partnerships, close friendships, or shared communities. She talks about the challenge of staying grounded when someone has hurt you, disrespected you, or harmed something you care about. This episode is a reminder that maturity does not mean silence, people-pleasing, or accepting disrespect. It means choosing your response with intention, speaking from facts instead of only feelings, protecting what matters, and deciding whether to stay, create distance, or walk away with integrity. Show Notes: Navigating relationships that do not have a clean exit door Co-parenting, business, family, community, and shared responsibilities What happens when hurt people choose to hurt others The temptation to retaliate or “cuss someone out” Why being the bigger person does not mean being silent Protecting children, clients, businesses, or communities from adult conflict Choosing facts over feelings when addressing conflict Taking the issue to therapy instead of causing more harm Knowing when to stay, create distance, block, or walk away Mature communication without muting yourself Preserving your integrity when someone else is disrespectful Upcoming events, email list, Wellness Wednesday, and Freedom Friday Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:02 | Welcome and introducing the topic 01:02 – 03:46 | Relationships you cannot easily walk away from 03:46 – 06:10 | When history, betrayal, hurt, and shared interests collide 06:10 – 09:36 | Co-parenting, children, and innocent people caught in adult pain 09:36 – 12:20 | Choosing maturity instead of retaliation 12:20 – 15:12 | Business partners, clients, and preserving what can be preserved 15:12 – 18:01 | Addressing the issue without losing your character 18:01 – 20:30 | Facts over feelings, boundaries, and knowing when to walk away 20:30 – 22:52 | Being mature without muting yourself 22:52 – 25:11 | Strong friends, energy, and choosing the evolved response 25:11 – 27:18 | Upcoming events, email list, and final reminders Key Takeaways: Some relationships require maturity because walking away is not simple. Being mature does not mean allowing disrespect. You can speak up without becoming destructive. The goal is to protect the shared interest, not win the argument. Children, clients, family, and community should not become collateral damage. Sometimes the healthiest response is creating distance or removing access. Facts help keep the conversation focused when feelings are intense. Quotes from the Episode: “Some relationships don’t come with an exit door.” “Mature, not muted.” “You can be mature without muting yourself.” “Being the bigger person does not mean you go mute.” “You don’t have to address them the same way they chose to address you.” “How do I show up and address what needs to be addressed?” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  ----------- Timestamps & Topics:

In Episode 166, Dr. Z reflects on the recent Disconnect to Reconnect experience and the deeper meaning of giving yourself a “permission slip” to show up, receive, play, and stop performing for everyone else. She shares gratitude for the people who supported the event and the women who attended, emphasizing how powerful it is when strong friends allow themselves to be held for once. This episode is about listening to the pull on your heart, trusting the thing you know you are called to do, and creating spaces where people can feel safe, seen, playful, and supported. Dr. Z reminds listeners that when you give yourself permission to show up for yourself, you also create opportunities for community, connection, joy, and expansion. Show Notes: Reflecting on the recent Disconnect to Reconnect event Giving yourself permission to show up and receive Thanking Crystal, Dr. Z’s daughter, and the women who attended Why strong friends need spaces where they do not have to perform The importance of community after isolation Creating safe spaces for play, vulnerability, and connection Learning to facilitate by reading the room Letting go of ego and allowing people to receive what they need Why showing up creates access to new opportunities Listening to intuitive nudges and heart-led callings Using fun and rest to become more productive afterward Inviting others to create spaces for healing, play, and reconnection Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:00 | Welcome and introducing “The Permission Slip” 01:00 – 02:39 | Reflecting on Disconnect to Reconnect and thanking the support team 02:39 – 04:23 | Permission to receive, stop performing, and show up as enough 04:23 – 06:13 | Community, intuitive nudges, and making the offer 06:13 – 08:27 | Reading the room, adjusting the plan, and creating the right experience 08:27 – 10:10 | Safety, introductions, play, and letting people loosen up 10:10 – 11:34 | Following the heart and creating joyful spaces for others 11:34 – 13:34 | Showing up, trying something different, and building community 13:34 – 15:35 | Signing your own permission slip and doing what calls you 15:35 – 17:30 | Expanding the experience, online access, and carrying the energy forward 17:30 – 18:16 | Final invitation and closing reflections Key Takeaways: You do not need to perform, provide, or prove yourself to be enough. Strong friends also deserve to be held and supported. Community is still needed, even after seasons of isolation. Safe spaces allow people to play, open up, and reconnect with themselves. Quotes from the Episode: “In this moment, you are enough.” “You do not have to perform.” “Just show up and receive for once.” “Everyone felt comfortable to not only be them, but to not try to perform.” “There’s play and then there’s play play.” “Showing up puts you in a position to see what’s available or possible.” “Why not sign your own permission slip?” “Let it be easy.” “Go have fun so you can see how you can take that energy into being more productive afterward.” “How can we be great together?” “If you need an invitation to have your permission slip signed, this is it.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 165, Dr. Z breaks down the difference between individual therapy, couples therapy, and yoga, explaining when each one is helpful and why yoga may be one of the most underrated tools in healing and self-awareness. She explains that individual therapy helps you understand yourself, couples therapy supports two people who are both willing to grow together, and yoga helps you access the body’s wisdom in ways talk therapy alone may not reach. Dr. Z also reminds listeners that therapy is not about proving who is right, and yoga is not just a workout—it can reveal where life, trauma, tension, and truth are being stored in the body.  Show Notes: The difference between individual therapy, couples therapy, and yoga Why individual therapy does not automatically make you better in relationships What individual therapy is actually meant to support Why couples therapy only works when both people are willing to grow The danger of using couples therapy to prove your partner wrong Why a neutral couples therapist matters How your partner can mirror areas that still need healing Why yoga is more than movement or a workout How the body stores trauma, tension, emotions, and life experiences Using yoga as a roadmap for individual or couples therapy How physical sensations can reveal emotional and relational patterns Why Disconnect to Reconnect blends yoga, reflection, play, and healing Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:28 | Welcome, housekeeping, and introducing the topic 01:28 – 03:11 | Why therapy alone may not solve relationship struggles 03:11 – 05:04 | What individual therapy is for and when to start 05:04 – 06:31 | Couples therapy misconceptions and why it does not “fix” everything 06:31 – 07:27 | Yoga is not just a workout 07:27 – 10:13 | When individual therapy is helpful and where it can fall short 10:13 – 13:43 | When couples therapy is useful and why both people must do the work 13:43 – 18:54 | Neutral therapists, taking sides, and asking the right questions 18:54 – 22:54 | How yoga gives body-based insight for deeper healing 22:54 – 25:02 | Using body signals to choose the next healing step 25:02 – 28:28 | Disconnect to Reconnect as a holistic experience 28:28 – 31:59 | Final recap, event invitation, and closing reflections Key Takeaways: Individual therapy helps you understand yourself, your patterns, and your history. Going to individual therapy does not automatically make you a great partner. Couples therapy works best when both people are committed to growing together. Couples therapy is not meant to make one person right and the other person wrong. A neutral therapist can help both partners feel safer and more supported. Quotes from the Episode: “You can be in individual therapy for a million years doing all the work and still be struggling in your relationships.” “Individual therapy is meant to help you understand how you function. “Couples therapy is not a space to make somebody else be someone who they are not.” “Yoga is just a workout. It’s not.” “Moving your body intentionally gives you the physical intel that can’t come from traditional therapy.” “Your body is telling you all the answers to the test that you refuse to keep listening to.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links

In Episode 164, Dr. Z continues the conversation around play, productivity, and feminine flow by exploring how to gamify life so growth does not feel like constant pressure. She reflects on how growing up watching hard work modeled around her shaped her strong friend energy, her desire to mature quickly, and her habit of trading time for productivity. This episode invites listeners to use games, points, challenges, rewards, and personal scoreboards to make life feel lighter and more sustainable. Dr. Z explains how play, productivity, and pleasure can work together, especially for strong friends, high achievers, and people navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma. The goal is not to stop being productive—it is to make life feel more enjoyable, intentional, and aligned. Show Notes: Sound check and getting back into the conversation How childhood ideas about work shaped adulthood Watching hard work modeled early in life The strong friend pattern of doing all the jobs Why trading hours for dollars can lead to burnout Using play to reinvent productivity How gamifying life can support motivation Turning anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma into tools for growth Creating rewards, points, challenges, and personal scoreboards Making boring tasks feel lighter and more playful The connection between masculine productivity and feminine nourishment Moving from PP to Triple P: play, productivity, and pleasure Saying no without guilt or FOMO Disconnect to Reconnect invitation for in-person and virtual access imestamps: 09:31 – 10:14 | Sound check, reset, and returning to the conversation 10:14 – 12:33 | Childhood lessons around work, responsibility, and growing up fast 12:33 – 13:56 | Strong friend burnout and the need to bring play back 13:56 – 15:12 | Gamifying life, productivity, and personal motivation 15:12 – 16:33 | Using ADHD, rewards, and small challenges to complete tasks 16:33 – 17:46 | Saying no, choosing rest, and protecting time 17:46 – 18:38 | Triple P: productivity, play, and pleasure 18:38 – 20:13 | Disconnect to Reconnect and learning to play in real time 20:13 – 21:53 | Consulting the inner child and building tools for daily life 21:53 – 23:31 | Retiring strong friend energy and redefining winning 23:31 – 24:16 | Final invitation to play, be productive, and experience more pleasure Key Takeaways: Hard work matters, but it should not be the only way you experience life. Strong friends often burn out from trying to do everything for everyone. Play can make productivity feel more sustainable. Gamifying tasks can help people stay motivated, especially with ADHD or overwhelm. You can use points, rewards, challenges, and friendly competition to move your life forward. Productivity works better when it is balanced with pleasure and nourishment. Saying no can become a game that protects your energy. Your inner child can remind you how to play, not run your adult life. Triple P means play, be productive, and experience pleasure. Life can feel lighter when you stop taking every task so seriously. Quotes from the Episode: “I’m here for the games.” “Strong friends do hit a brick wall, and hard.” “Why not make life funner for yourself?” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/ • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross

In Episode 163, Dr. Z explores the relationship between play, productivity, and feminine flow, inviting listeners to stop treating adulthood like it has to be serious all the time. She reflects on how growing up too fast, taking on responsibilities early, and living in constant productivity mode can disconnect people from joy, lightness, creativity, and play. Dr. Z shares personal stories about rushing into adulthood, learning to reclaim play, and using humor, movement, yoga, and curiosity as ways to bring balance back into life. This episode reminds listeners that play is not a distraction from productivity—it can actually support creativity, emotional regulation, deeper connection, and a more sustainable life. Show Notes: Why adults need play as much as productivity Growing up too fast and losing access to fun How childhood responsibilities can push people into masculine energy early Reclaiming play after years of overworking and overperforming The connection between play, feminine flow, and creativity Why productivity without play can lead to burnout How rest, snacks, naps, movement, and laughter support adult life Dr. Z’s personal reflections on being “too serious” as a child Why play can help people soften without losing responsibility Bringing humor into therapy, yoga, business, and relationships Creating a life that includes both discipline and joy Using play as a way to reconnect with yourself The invitation to Disconnect to Reconnect Timestamps: 00:00 – 02:35 | Welcome, live setup, and introducing the topic 02:35 – 05:43 | Adulting, growing up too fast, and losing play 05:43 – 08:46 | Revisiting the inner child and what was put away too soon 08:46 – 11:26 | Responsibility, productivity, and masculine energy 11:26 – 14:26 | Reclaiming play through fun, movement, laughter, and ease 14:26 – 17:22 | Bringing play into therapy, yoga, work, and leadership 17:22 – 20:45 | Creating a harmonious flow between productivity and feminine energy 20:45 – 23:42 | Why play belongs on your calendar and goal sheet 23:42 – 26:39 | Parenthood, stress, and returning to joy 26:39 – 29:16 | How play supports productivity and self-connection 29:16 – 31:41 | Disconnect to Reconnect invitation and final reflections Key Takeaways: Play is not childish; it is part of a healthy, balanced adult life. Productivity and play can support each other. Growing up too fast can disconnect you from joy, curiosity, and ease. Feminine flow invites softness, creativity, humor, and flexibility. You can be responsible without being serious all the time. Play can help regulate your nervous system and restore emotional capacity. Quotes from the Episode: “Play and productivity go together.” “When people say work hard, play hard, it would be nice if we actually did that more on purpose.” “Why are you taking yourself so serious that you can’t play?” “For as hard as I work, how am I going to give that play back to myself?” “You could enjoy a little more fun for fun’s sake.” “Part of your business should include how you play.” “Life is a flow.” “Play should be one of those things you place on your calendar.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 162, Dr. Z challenges the common idea of “healing your inner child” and offers a different perspective: maybe your inner child does not need to be fixed, healed, or put in charge of your life. Instead, she suggests firing the inner child from the CEO role and hiring her as a consultant. Dr. Z explains that younger versions of us often did the best they could with the information, resources, and safety they had at the time. Rather than erasing or forcing those younger parts to become adults, this episode invites listeners to honor them, learn from them, and let the present-day adult self lead with more wisdom, resources, and choice. Show Notes: Why Dr. Z questions the phrase “healing your inner child” The difference between honoring your inner child and letting her run your life Why younger versions of us were doing the best they could Seeing yourself as the CEO of your own life Hiring past versions of yourself as consultants Learning from your seven-year-old self, teenage self, college self, and past wounded selves How unmet needs from the past show up in adult behavior Asking younger versions of yourself what they needed Using adult wisdom to meet old needs in healthier ways Why play, rest, snacks, naps, movement, and joy still matter Upcoming invitation to Disconnect to Reconnect Timestamps: 00:00 – 02:10 | Welcome, sound check, and introducing the episode 02:10 – 04:45 | Why “healing your inner child” may not be the full answer 04:45 – 07:15 | Younger you did the best she could with what she had 07:15 – 09:20 | Viola Davis’ story and the CEO metaphor 09:20 – 11:40 | Firing your inner child from running your life 11:40 – 14:15 | Hiring past versions of yourself as consultants 14:15 – 16:35 | Asking what younger you needed and using adult wisdom now 16:35 – 18:20 | Play, rest, joy, and incorporating younger you into adult life 18:20 – 19:58 | Disconnect to Reconnect invitation and final reminder Key Takeaways: Your inner child does not need to run your adult life. Younger versions of you were not faulty; they were surviving with the tools they had. The adult version of you has more wisdom, resources, and choices now. Instead of trying to erase the past, ask past versions of yourself what they needed. Your inner child can be a consultant, not the CEO. Different life stages hold different information and lessons. Healing can include honoring, listening, playing, resting, and meeting old needs differently. You can use present-day awareness to make better choices now. Past pain can inform you without controlling you. Adult you gets to lead the organization called your life. Quotes from the Episode: “Fire your inner child.” “Instead of healing your inner child, hire her instead.” “That child served its purpose.” “You are the CEO of your life.” “The person running your life should be physically present right now.” “The best consultants you could ever hire would be past versions of yourself.” “What did you need so we can do it better right now?” “That version of you was not faulty.” “You can only know what you know.” “Fire your inner child as the CEO and hire them as a consultant.” “Do the play that you didn’t do.” “I don’t need to heal that version of me. I get to incorporate it into the adult version of me now.”

In Episode 161, Dr. Z reflects on her full-circle relationship with yoga from once believing it was not meant for people like her, to becoming a yoga teacher and integrating yoga into her life, therapy work, and healing practice. She shares how a friend’s invitation opened the door to exploring yoga, how her early fears and religious assumptions shifted, and how yoga became more than poses on a mat. Dr. Z explains yoga as a lifestyle, a breath practice, a healing tool, and a way to reconnect the mind, body, and self. She also discusses trauma-informed yoga, accessibility, community, reciprocity, and why she is returning to sharing yoga more intentionally with others. Show Notes: Dr. Z’s personal history with yoga Why she once believed yoga was not for people like her Religious assumptions, fear, and opening up to new experiences How a friend introduced her to yoga First yoga classes at LA Fitness Learning to trust the practice through breath, movement, and stillness Yoga beyond poses and flexibility The eight limbs of yoga and non-attachment Yoga teacher training in South LA Making yoga accessible for people with different bodies and backgrounds Opening and releasing a yoga studio Teaching yoga at the YMCA and building community Trauma-informed yoga and creating safe spaces Why movement can unlock emotional and energetic healing Returning to yoga as a public offering, not just a private practice Upcoming in-person yoga and healing opportunities Timestamps: 00:00 – 02:55 | Welcome, reschedule update, and introducing the episode 02:55 – 05:35 | The truth about Dr. Z’s early beliefs about yoga 05:35 – 08:30 | Religious assumptions, fear, and trusting a friend’s invitation 08:30 – 10:45 | First yoga classes, flexibility, and learning to stay open 10:45 – 12:42 | The deeper gift of yoga: non-attachment, sutras, and lifestyle 12:42 – 15:12 | Yoga teacher training, opening a studio, and learning business lessons 15:12 – 18:21 | Trauma-informed yoga and creating accessible, safe spaces 18:21 – 21:39 | Breath, prana, community classes, and teaching at the YMCA 21:39 – 24:38 | Becoming more private with yoga and learning reciprocity 24:38 – 26:51 | Yoga as emotional healing, body release, and therapeutic support 26:51 – 29:58 | Full-circle reflection, upcoming offerings, and final invitation Key takeaways: Yoga is not just about poses; it is a way of living, breathing, and reconnecting with yourself. Being open to something unfamiliar can lead to deep healing and transformation. Yoga can be accessible to every body, background, and ability level. Breath is already a form of yoga. Trauma-informed yoga requires safety, choice, consent, and awareness. Movement can help unlock emotions and stories stored in the body. Yoga can support therapy by helping people process what words alone may not reach. Quotes: “If you love your life, believe it or not, you actually love yoga.” “Yoga is not just on the mat.” “My whole assumption was yoga is something for other people.” “Just because you know something at this point doesn’t mean it can’t change.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 160, Dr. Z takes listeners behind the screen of therapy to explore what both clients and therapists may be hiding, especially when ADHD, masking, cultural fit, trauma, and expectations are involved. She invites clients to ask deeper questions before choosing a therapist, including what kind of support they actually want, whether they prefer an interactive therapist, and whether the therapist’s style truly fits their needs. Dr. Z also shares her own experience as a therapist with ADHD and explains why movement, fidgeting, typing notes, changing locations, and clear boundaries can be part of showing up authentically and professionally. This episode reminds listeners that therapy is not one-size-fits-all, healing is not passive, and the right therapeutic relationship should feel supportive, honest, and real. Show Notes: What clients and therapists may both hide in therapy Why therapy is not automatically a perfect fit The importance of asking what kind of therapy you actually want ADHD, masking, and trying to “perform” in session Why clients should research therapists before starting Cultural competency and why lived context matters Interactive therapy vs. passive listening Why therapists should be transparent about their working style Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:25 | Welcome and introduction to the episode theme 01:25 – 03:20 | ADHD, bracing to sit still, and what therapy can feel like 03:20 – 05:10 | The question clients rarely ask: What kind of therapy do I actually want? 05:10 – 07:20 | Therapy as a relationship and choosing the right fit 07:20 – 09:25 | ADHD, masking, and creating your own version of normal 09:25 – 11:35 | Strong friends, trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD in therapy 11:35 – 14:49 | Cultural competency, therapist style, and interactive support 14:49 – 17:19 | Therapist self-disclosure, movement, typing, and staying grounded 17:19 – 20:58 | Boundaries, client performance, and showing up honestly in session 20:58 – 23:45 | Glasses, screens, multitasking, and paying attention in virtual therapy 23:45 – 25:30 | Healing is not a spectator sport 25:30 – 27:20 | Taking breaks, capacity, and what clients can expect 27:20 – 30:55 | Final reminders: find the right therapist, ask questions, and keep going Key Takeaways: Therapy is not one-size-fits-all; the therapist-client fit matters. Clients should ask themselves what kind of therapy they actually want. A therapist being recommended does not automatically mean they are the right fit for you. Masking in therapy can prevent clients from receiving the support they actually need. Therapists are human too, and transparency can help clients understand their style. ADHD may show up as movement, fidgeting, tangents, or needing different ways to stay engaged. Quotes: “What kind of therapy do you actually want?” “Every single therapist is not going to be the right fit for you.” “Therapy does not solve and fix everything.” “You need to create your own normal.” “If your therapist cannot handle what you have going on, did you do a consultation beforehand?” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 159, Dr. Z explores what happens when high-achieving women become so accustomed to planning, pushing, producing, and caring for others that they stop listening to their own bodies. She explains how overriding fatigue, emotions, intuition, pleasure, and the need for rest may lead to success externally while creating disconnection internally. Through reflections on trauma, feminine energy, nervous-system regulation, and somatic healing, Dr. Z invites listeners to rebuild trust with their bodies. She offers practical ways to reconnect, including breathwork, grounding, body scans, movement, journaling, and asking for support. Healing is not about fixing isolated parts—it is about allowing the mind, body, and sense of self to communicate and work together again. Show Notes: Learning to trust your body and intuition again How “overing” disconnects you from yourself Why external success can hide internal depletion The relationship between the mind, body, identity, and nervous system How trauma trains the body to remain in survival mode Why slowing down can feel unsafe The cost of constantly overriding fatigue Emotional flooding after prolonged suppression Losing access to pleasure, play, and joy Why rest does not have to be earned Feminine energy as intuition, receptivity, sovereignty, and flow The difference between softness and playing small Timestamps: 00:00 – 03:15 | Technical difficulties, settling in, and welcoming listeners 03:15 – 06:05 | Introducing the mind, body, and self connection 06:05 – 09:40 | When did you stop trusting your body? 09:40 – 12:55 | Trauma, survival mode, and why slowing down feels unsafe 12:55 – 15:34 | High achievement, fatigue, and overriding the need for rest 15:34 – 18:25 | Emotional flooding and the consequences of suppressed feelings 18:25 – 22:54 | Losing pleasure, play, softness, and emotional openness 22:54 – 27:48 | Feminine energy, magnetism, flow, and rebuilding trust 27:48 – 32:28 | Somatic practices: grounding, breathing, movement, and body scans 32:28 – 34:20 | Listening to your body before discomfort intensifies 34:20 – 36:01 | Healing as an ongoing process and upcoming opportunities to reconnect Key Takeaways: Your body is constantly communicating, even when your mind chooses to ignore it. Planning, pushing, and overperforming can create external success while leaving your inner self behind. Healing cannot happen only through talking or thinking; the body must also be included. Trauma can train the nervous system to view rest and slowing down as unsafe. Fatigue is not always laziness or a lack of discipline—it may be a request for rest. Emotional flooding often happens after feelings have been suppressed for too long. Quotes: “When did you stop trusting her?” “Your body, your nervous system, and that deep quiet knowing—it has been speaking to you.” “The problem is that strategizing, planning, pushing, and overing actually worked.” “It got you the degrees, the roles, the titles, and the bag—but something got left behind.” “You cannot heal things in parts.” “Integration means the parts of you are actually talking to each other.” ---------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross  -----------

In Episode 158, Dr. Z opens an honest conversation about men’s mental health and the lack of spaces where men can safely express their emotions without being judged, emasculated, exposed, or having their vulnerability used against them later. She explores how boys are often taught from an early age to suppress pain, “man up,” and measure their worth through performance, protection, and provision. Dr. Z also reflects on the contradiction of asking men to become emotionally available without teaching families, partners, and communities how to receive that vulnerability with care. Through personal accountability and real-life observations, she challenges women and men to create relationships where emotional safety, confidentiality, support, and emotional intelligence can grow. Show Notes: Honoring men’s mental health beyond one awareness month Why boys are often taught to suppress emotions The pressure placed on men to perform, protect, and provide The contradiction between “man up” and “open up” Why some men keep important friendships and struggles private How vulnerability can be weaponized in relationships Dr. Z’s reflections on emotionally hurting and emasculating men Why men need emotionally safe friendships with other men The importance of therapy, mentorship, and supportive communities How women can become safer listeners Why emotional safety does not have to be romantic Raising emotionally intelligent boys and girls Choosing trustworthy people before sharing deeply personal information Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:40 | Welcome and introduction to men’s mental health 01:40 – 04:20 | The question: Where can a man truly feel safe? 04:20 – 07:10 | Boys, emotional suppression, and being told to “man up” 07:10 – 10:10 | How masculinity became tied to performance and provision 10:10 – 12:40 | The double bind: Be strong, but also be emotionally available 12:40 – 15:35 | When vulnerability is exposed or weaponized 15:35 – 18:20 | The emotional cost of always being the strong one 18:20 – 21:10 | Therapy, mentorship, and finding trustworthy support 21:10 – 24:15 | How women can become emotionally safer for men 24:15 – 27:25 | Male friendships, intimacy, and emotional intelligence 27:25 – 30:55 | Final reflections, resources, and creating safer spaces Key Takeaways: Men have deep emotions, even when they have been taught not to express them. Boys often learn that pain should be hidden instead of processed. Asking men to open up is not enough; people must learn how to receive their honesty safely. Vulnerability should never become ammunition during future disagreements. Emotional safety is built through consistency, confidentiality, and respect. Men need meaningful friendships with other men where honesty is welcomed. A therapist, mentor, coach, friend, or family member can become a safe emotional resource. Women can support men by listening without immediately judging, correcting, or sharing their private experiences. Quotes: “Men were told to man up, then told to open up, but no one taught people how to receive them.” “Men have whole, real, big feelings.” “Who sees the man who is expected to hold everything together?” “Boys learn early that their best survival skill may be hiding their emotions.” “A man was often classified by what he could produce and how he performed.” “You cannot ask someone to be vulnerable and then use that vulnerability against them.” ------- 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z

In Episode 157 of The Greater Self Vibes Podcast, Dr. Z introduces the concept of "overing"—the unconscious pattern of overgiving, overperforming, overcommitting, and overcompensating in the name of love, care, and responsibility. She explores how many strong friends, caregivers, high achievers, and helpers learned early in life that being useful was safer than having needs. What often looks like generosity can actually be fear-based giving rooted in survival strategies developed during childhood. Dr. Z explains how chronic overing gradually disconnects people from their own needs, desires, identity, and emotional well-being, creating burnout, resentment, and self-erasure. She challenges listeners to stop measuring their worth through usefulness and begin building relationships rooted in reciprocity, boundaries, and self-respect.———Show Notes:Men's Mental Health Month and honoring fathersUnderstanding the concept of "overing"Why overing often disguises itself as loveOverperforming, overgiving, overcommitting, and overcompensatingChildhood origins of people-pleasing behaviorsThe Parentified Child archetypeThe Overachiever archetypeThe Hypervigilant Empath archetypeGenerous love vs. compulsive givingHow overing creates burnout and self-erasureReconnecting with your own needs and identityLearning to receive without overcompensatingBuilding healthier boundaries and relationships———Timestamps & Topics:00:00 – 04:05 | Welcome, Men's Mental Health Month, and honoring fathers04:05 – 08:30 | Introduction to "overing" and how it shows up in everyday life08:30 – 12:30 | Survival strategies, conditional love, and becoming useful to be loved12:30 – 17:45 | Childhood roots: The Parentified Child, Overachiever, and Hypervigilant Empath17:45 – 22:15 | Why strong friends become trapped in overgiving and overperforming22:15 – 26:45 | Self-erasure, identity loss, burnout, and nervous system consequences26:45 – 30:30 | Reflection questions: Who are you when you're not helping everyone else?30:30 – 33:30 | Boundaries, receiving support, and ending compulsive giving33:30 – 35:31 | Final challenge: Stop overing and start caring for yourself first———Key Takeaways:Overing is often a survival strategy, not a personality trait.Many strong friends learned that being useful earned love and approval.Overgiving from scarcity is different from giving from abundance.Compulsive helping can disconnect you from your own identity.Self-sacrifice is not the same thing as healthy love.Burnout often begins long before the body finally forces you to stop.You cannot sustainably give what you do not have.Being "easy" or "low maintenance" can become a form of self-abandonment.Healthy relationships require reciprocity, not martyrdom.The strongest act of love is often learning how to care for yourself first.———Quotes from the Episode:“Overing is not who you are. It's how you learned to survive.”“You got so good at learning what everyone else needed that you forgot your own needs.”“Being useful is not the same thing as being loved.”“Trying to reduce your needs doesn't get your needs met.”“Compulsive giving comes from scarcity and fear.” 🔗Links and Resources: • Events: https://www.greaterself.org/hello • Join our mailing list: https://greater-self.com/mailing-list2025  • Grab your FREE self-care guide here: https://greater-self.com/paymefirst  • Hemp, Mushroom and Health: http://drz.greencompassglobal.com/  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bZqi7vOeiX0TUO94zwKgg#_=_ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterself_dr.z/ • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greaterself_dr.z  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zerri-gross-1a033978/%20/   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterself.dr.z  • Website: http://greaterself.org/  • Tools/Products I use: https://greater-self.com/affiliate-links  • Let’s book a Therapy Consultation: https://mentalhealthmatch.com/therapist-profile/california/dr-zerri-gross