Happy & Healthy with Amy

When Your Inner Critic Runs The Show

Amy Lang Season 2 Episode 6

What if the reason you keep attracting relationships that drain you isn’t bad luck—but your brain?

This week on Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang, we’re exploring how your inner critic shapes your self-worth, hijacks your brain’s wiring, and keeps you stuck in a cycle of “not enough.” I'm also sharing 3 practical, research-backed tools to help you turn that inner bully into a voice of compassion.

Tune in for powerful mindset shifts and brain-based tools that will change the way you relate—to yourself and others.

What to Listen For (with timestamps):

  • [00:02:00] Why your inner critic isn’t just hurting your feelings—it’s literally reshaping your brain.
  • [00:03:00] The difference between self-worth and self-esteem (and why it matters).
  • [00:05:00] How a hyperactive amygdala keeps you stuck in patterns of poor self-worth.
  • [00:07:00] Client story: Why a single negative comment overshadowed nine compliments.
  • [00:09:00] The “Tolerance Trap”: Why you start accepting less and feeling grateful for scraps.
  • [00:11:00] How your brain mistakes familiar for safe—even when it’s painful.
  • [00:12:00] The “Overcompensation Cycle”: Are you trying to earn love through performance?
  • [00:14:00] Why self-compassion activates your brain’s care system—and rewires your emotional resilience.
  • [00:17:00] 3-Step Self-Compassion Break: Use this in the moment to stop a shame spiral.
  • [00:19:00] 4 Rewiring Tools to reprogram your brain and heal your self-worth from the inside out.

Your inner critic might be loud, but it doesn’t have to be in charge. With consistent practice and the right tools, you can rewire your brain for self-compassion, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships. Start with one of the rewiring tools from today’s episode and give your brain a new narrative—one rooted in worth, not shame.

👉 Tune in now and hit subscribe so you never miss an episode that helps you stay happy and healthy through midlife and beyond!


RESOURCES: