Badass Confidence Coach | Your Personal Trainer for Your Mind
Self-Improvement
About
The Badass Confidence Coach is your go-to podcast for high-achieving women and men ready to step into their full potential. Hosted by Anna Marolin, therapist, life coach, and 20-year triathlete, this show is not your average therapy session. Anna is on a mission to empower everyone to overcome their self-doubt, crush their goals, and live their most badass lives. Tune in to discover practical strategies, candid conversations, and actionable advice to conquer the challenges holding you back. From battling loneliness and anxiety to mastering mindset shifts and embracing self-love, Anna dives deep into the struggles we all face, alongside insightful guest interviews and engaging discussions with her husband, Tim. Expect raw honesty, unwavering support, and a hefty dose of inspiration as Anna shares her expertise gained from over two decades of counseling and coaching experience. Whether you're seeking to boost your confidence, redefine success, or simply kick ass in life, The Badass Confidence Coach is your personal guide to unlocking your full potential. Subscribe now and join the community of badass women and men who refuse to settle for anything less than extraordinary. You can also find Anna on Instagram and TikTok @askannamarcolin.
Episodes
- 284. The Slow Burn of Resentment and What's Really Driving It
In episode 284, Anna and Tim explore the gradual development of resentment through unexpressed needs and unspoken expectations. They discuss why it affects high-functioning women, the difference between direct and indirect anger, and the i…
- 283. Breaking Patterns Feels Worse Before It Feels Better (Part II)
This episode explores the resistance and grief often experienced when breaking old patterns, contrasting it with the immediate positive feelings some expect. Hosts Anna and Tim delve into the complexities of behavior change, touching on un…
- 282. Why You Keep Repeating Patterns That Hurt You (Part I)
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach explores why intelligent, self-aware people repeat harmful patterns. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss how familiarity, past survival strategies, and the impact of shame contribute to these cycles, and why…
- 281. The Real Cost of Avoidance and How to Finally Face It
In episode 281, Anna and Tim explore the hidden costs of avoidance, detailing its subtle manifestations like productivity and people-pleasing. They explain why smart individuals resort to avoidance, its detrimental effects on self-trust an…
- 280. Why You Can't Relax Even When Nothing Is Wrong
High-functioning individuals often struggle to relax due to ingrained patterns of vigilance and a fear of confronting inner feelings when life is calm. This episode discusses how childhood environments, productivity culture, and a dysregul…
- 279. The Real Work of Building Emotional Intelligence
This episode explores the unglamorous work of building emotional intelligence, moving beyond basic emotions like mad, fine, or tired. It covers affect labeling research, separating feelings from stories, and practical regulation strategies…
- 278. What Emotional Intelligence Actually Looks Like in a Partner
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in a partner, differentiating it from knowing psychological terms. Hosts Anna and Tim highlight green flags, such as the ability to name emotions an…
- 277. The Habits That Are Quietly Worsening Your Mental Health
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach discusses everyday habits that can negatively impact mental health, including doomscrolling, overthinking, emotional avoidance, and comparison. Hosts Anna and Tim explain how these seemingly harmless…
- 276. Do Better: Power, Silence, and the Wellness Industry’s Moral Compass
This episode discusses the silence of wellness industry leaders during critical times, examining the ethics of influence, the psychology behind inaction like moral licensing and groupthink, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals se…
- 275. Power Moves That Change How You Think and Feel (Part II)
This episode emphasizes that lasting change comes from behavior, not just insight. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss "power moves" like naming anxiety, looking for evidence, riding emotions, and keeping small promises to build self-trust and resi…
- 274. Mindset Shifts Most of Us Desperately Need (Part I)
In episode 274, Anna and Tim explore essential mindset shifts, addressing issues like childhood scarcity thinking, people pleasing, perfectionism, and catastrophizing. They emphasize viewing feelings as information and the importance of mo…
- 273. When You Shut Down and Don’t Know Why
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach discusses the phenomenon of 'shutdown' where individuals mentally check out during conversations. Hosts Anna and Tim explain that shutdown is not a character flaw but a nervous system response involv…
- 272. Manifestation Is Not a Strategy
This episode unpacks the difference between manifestation, often criticized as pseudoscience, and effective behavioral change. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss the potential shame loop of manifestation, the grift in the coaching industry, and wh…
- 271. Anxiety Isn’t the Enemy, It’s the Signal to Take the Next Step (Part II)
This episode discusses managing chronic anxiety by viewing it as a signal for action. It explores practical tools for calming the nervous system, interrupting rumination, and taking steps forward even when feeling fearful. The discussion a…
- 270. Anxiety Is Not Your Personality, It’s Your Alarm System (Part I)
In this episode, Anna and Tim explore chronic anxiety, differentiating it from panic and diagnosis. They discuss how it manifests through rumination, decision paralysis, and negativity bias, impacting daily life and joy. The hosts explain…
- 269. Why Some Relationships Leave You Emotionally Drained
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach explores how certain relationships quietly drain you, leading to exhaustion and confusion. Anna and Tim discuss patterns that dysregulate your nervous system, the difference between support and self-…
- 268. Excuses vs Reasons: The Hard Truth We Avoid
In this episode, Anna and Tim explore the distinction between excuses and reasons, highlighting how excuses often serve to protect identity and provide short-term relief, ultimately hindering personal growth. They discuss the role of self-…
- 267. What Emotional Maturity Actually Looks Like
This episode defines emotional maturity not as constant calmness, but as the actions taken when triggered, defensive, or uncomfortable. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss practical applications like pausing before reacting, taking responsibility w…
- 266. Habits That Actually Build Confidence
This episode challenges the myth that confidence is innate, explaining it is built through consistent action, self-trust, and emotional regulation. It details how confident individuals handle uncertainty, keep promises to themselves, and r…
- 265. After the Anger: Grief, Identity and Who You Become When Family Disappoints You
This episode discusses the emotional fallout after anger subsides, particularly when family disappointment leads to grief and an identity shift. It covers ambiguous loss, the emotional hangover from conflict, and accepting limitations to f…
- 264. When They Don't Show Up: Anger, Betrayal, and Family Disappointment
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach with Anna and Tim explores the anger and betrayal felt when family members don't show up during crises. They discuss how unspoken contracts and attachment styles influence expectations and why anger…
- 263. Flipping the Script on Shame, Guilt, and Your Past
This episode explores the impact of shame and guilt on identity and behavior, discussing how past experiences can inform rather than define us. Hosts Anna and Tim delve into owning one's story and finding liberation in vulnerability.
- 262. Are You the Controlling One in the Room?
This episode explores subtle forms of controlling behavior that emerge in conversations and relationships, often stemming from fear or old patterns. Anna and Tim discuss the costs of control, the difficulty in naming it, and how awareness…
- 261. The Truth About Control
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach delves into the psychological roots of controlling behaviors, examining their connection to fear, safety, and past trauma. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss how the need for predictability and the illusion…
- 260. The Quiet Power of Courage vs the Loudness of Bravery
This episode distinguishes between courage and bravery, highlighting how outward bravery often follows inward courage. Anna and Tim discuss everyday acts of courage, like seeking help, and the relationship between fear, vulnerability, and…
- 259. Emotional Mastery: Training Your Mind to Override Fear (Part III)
This episode, the final in the Emotional Mastery series, discusses training your nervous system to overcome fear and self-doubt. It covers how the brain signals danger, the central governor theory, and techniques like the STOP skill, cold…
- 258. Emotional Mastery: Regulate Before You React (Part II)
This episode, the second part of a series on emotional mastery, discusses regulating emotions before reacting. Anna and Tim cover how emotions spread, the impact of generational conditioning, the science behind calm, and practical techniqu…
- 257. Emotional Mastery: You Can’t Outthink Your Feelings (Part I)
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach explores emotional mastery, differentiating it from suppression and control. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss recognizing emotional hijacking, the impact of chronic stress, and introduce the ICE Pivot and…
- 256. "That’s Just Who I Am" is the Lie That Keeps You Stuck
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach discusses how the phrase 'that's just who I am' is often a disguise for fear, trapping individuals in fixed mindsets and unhealthy patterns. Hosts Anna and Tim explore how to overcome this, challenge…
- 255. You're Not Average, You're Underestimating Yourself
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach explores the common self-limiting belief of being average. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss how high performers overcome challenges not through talent, but through consistent action, choosing discomfort, a…
- 254. IFS and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy with Curt Kearney
Curt Kearney shares his experience using psychedelics, particularly with Internal Family Systems (IFS), to address trauma and treatment-resistant depression. The episode covers how psychedelics can aid in reconnecting with exiled inner par…
- 253. The Trap of “I Deserve More”
This episode explores the detrimental effects of the 'I deserve more' mindset, which can lead to resentment and self-doubt. Anna shares her personal journey of overcoming feelings of being overlooked by focusing on gratitude and distinguis…
- 252. Porn, Faith, and the Hidden Crisis of Male Loneliness (Part II)
This episode, part two of a series on men's mental health, explores how porn can substitute for genuine connection and the factors contributing to male loneliness, including digital detachment and unmet emotional needs. Hosts Anna and Tim…
- 251. A Biopsychosocial Dive into Men's Mental Health (Part I)
This episode, part one of a series, delves into the biopsychosocial factors affecting men's mental health, particularly in their twenties. Hosts Anna and Tim address issues like the pressure of modern masculinity, isolation, suicide risks,…
- 250. Hope Is Not a Strategy for Success
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach addresses 'hope fatigue,' where relying solely on hope prevents action and leads to stagnation. Anna and Tim discuss how hope without strategy can fail in areas like therapy and relationships, and of…
- 249. When Nostalgia Becomes a Trap
In episode 249, Anna and Tim explore how nostalgia can become a detrimental trap, discussing its neurochemical appeal and emotional pitfalls. They share personal experiences with excessive reminiscing and offer guidance on focusing on the…
- 248. What Are You Tolerating?
Anna and Tim explore the concept of tolerance, differentiating between healthy and toxic forms. They discuss how tolerating certain things, from personal habits to societal issues, can drain energy and peace, and how setting boundaries is…
- 247. Let's Talk About Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
This episode explores revenge bedtime procrastination, where individuals sacrifice sleep for a sense of control. Hosts Anna and Tim discuss the psychological factors, the impact on mental health, and provide practical strategies to break t…
- 246. Teens, Chatbots and the New Attachment Curve
This episode discusses the increasing emotional connection between teenagers and AI companions like chatbots, exploring how this trend impacts attachment, emotional development, and self-expression. It covers the risks of relying on AI for…
- 245. Parasocial Overload Is Making Us Lonely
This episode discusses the phenomenon of parasocial overload, where online relationships create a sense of connection but contribute to loneliness. It examines the neuroscience, a 2024 study on influencer engagement, and offers strategies…
- 244. Schadenfreude, Shame, and the Cost of Going Viral
This episode delves into schadenfreude and public shame, using the viral Coldplay scandal as a case study. Hosts Anna and Tim examine the psychological and cultural factors contributing to the satisfaction derived from others' misfortune,…
- 243. Why We're Disconnected and How to Re-Connect
This episode discusses the paradox of increased connectivity leading to greater feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Anna and Tim examine societal shifts like remote work and AI, and offer strategies for rebuilding meaningful connecti…
- 242. Staying Calm When Everything Blows Up with Ryan Dunlap
Ryan Dunlap, a former SWAT hostage negotiator, discusses staying grounded amidst chaos, drawing from his experiences in high-stakes situations and personal life challenges. The episode explores how emotional intelligence is crucial for lea…
- 241. Navigating Body Changes Through Life
In episode 241, hosts Anna and Tim openly discuss the emotional challenges of living in a changing body, covering topics like weight fluctuations, aging, and the societal pressure linking appearance to worth. They offer guidance on navigat…
- 240. Achievement Addiction Is Draining Your Joy
In episode 240, Anna and Tim explore achievement addiction, where external validation replaces internal worth. They discuss the pressure to be exceptional, the shame of being average, and the ways achievement can mask deeper needs, leading…
- 239. Caregiver Resentment Is Real
In episode 239, Anna and Tim explore the emotional reality of caregiving, addressing resentment, burnout, and self-erasure that arise when personal needs are consistently unmet.
- 238. Where Has Religion Gone?
This episode features a personal conversation between Anna and Tim about their evolving relationships with religion, covering topics like disillusionment, spiritual disconnection, and finding meaning outside of traditional faith.
- 237. When Desire Drifts: The Slow Burnout of Intimacy
This episode explores the phenomenon of 'desire drift' in long-term relationships, where intimacy slowly erodes due to factors like perimenopause, mental load, resentment, and exhaustion. Anna and Tim discuss the impact of stress and other…
- 236. The Mental Load Is Heavy and It’s Making Us Resentful
This episode of Badass Confidence Coach explores the concept of the mental load, the invisible labor women often perform in family life. Anna and Tim discuss how this unspoken workload can lead to resentment and burnout, and offer practica…
- 235. Money Shame, Hidden Debt, and Quiet Regrets
Anna and Tim explore the emotional impact of financial secrets, overspending, and debt, introducing the SAFER framework to address money shame and promote healing.