What Is Toxic Shame? John Bradshaw on What Sets It Apart

A gloomy image of a person looking down with their head in their hands illustrates the question "What is toxic shame?"

What is toxic shame? How is it different from healthy shame? How do childhood experiences shape our relationship with shame? John Bradshaw’s exploration of shame reveals the complex nature of this emotion, distinguishing between its healthy and destructive forms. His insights help us recognize how early experiences with caregivers influence our ability to process shame throughout life. Keep reading to understand shame in general and toxic shame in particular.

Toxic Shame and Childhood Trauma: 3 Experiences That Harm

A mother speaking harshly to her frightened young son illustrates the link between toxic shame and childhood trauma

What causes toxic shame to develop in childhood? How do early experiences shape our emotional responses and relationships later in life? The connection between toxic shame and childhood trauma runs deep, affecting how we view ourselves and interact with others. Three specific childhood experiences contribute to toxic shame development, and understanding these patterns can help break the cycle of emotional distress. Keep reading to discover the crucial experiences that shape our emotional health.

3 Common Ego Defenses Caused by Toxic Shame

A sad woman with curly brown hair holding a glass of red wine illustrates common ego defenses

What drives our unconscious behaviors when we face potentially shameful situations? How do our minds protect us from experiencing emotional pain? In Healing the Shame That Binds You, John Bradshaw asserts that ego defenses are automatic protective mechanisms that shield us from feeling shame. These unconscious behaviors can manifest in various ways, from emotional detachment to addiction, and often operate without our awareness. Keep reading to understand how these defense mechanisms work and learn to recognize when they’re affecting our daily lives.

Our False Selves: 3 Ways We Disown Ourselves to Avoid Shame

A smiling young woman who isn't really happy illustrates the concept of the false self

What drives people to create different versions of themselves? How do childhood experiences shape the roles we play in our relationships? False selves emerge when shame becomes deeply rooted in our identity. People often develop these alternate personas as protective shields, crafting different versions of themselves for their culture, their life path, and their relationships. Keep reading to discover the three types of false selves and how they influence our daily interactions, relationships, and life choices.

Self-Awareness in Entrepreneurship: The Benefits of Being Realistic

A professional woman with brown curly hair looking at herself in the mirror illustrates self-awareness in entrepreneurship

What role does emotional intelligence play in running a successful business? How can your unique perspective become your greatest entrepreneurial asset? Self-awareness in entrepreneurship shapes how effectively you navigate challenges, handle feedback, and make decisions. Understanding your emotional responses and staying grounded during both triumphs and setbacks can mean the difference between success and failure in business ventures. Keep reading to discover practical ways to harness your self-awareness and turn it into a competitive advantage in your entrepreneurial journey.

Women in a Patriarchal Society: Dr. Shefali on Female Identity

A woman who lacks confidence listening to her male supervisor at work illustrates women in a patriarchal society

What happens when women try to meet society’s impossible standards? How does living in a male-dominated world affect women’s authentic identity and mental health? Women in a patriarchal society face unique pressures that shape their behavior, appearance, and life choices from childhood. From an early age, girls learn that their worth depends on meeting strict social expectations—expectations that only grow more demanding as they age. Keep reading to discover how these societal pressures impact women’s wellbeing

Shameless Behavior Is an Attempt to Rid Ourselves of Shame

A man with curly brown hair and glasses talking loudly in a restaurant illustrates shameless behavior

Why do people who feel deep shame often act shamelessly? What drives someone to develop behaviors that seem to contradict their inner feelings? Understanding shameless behavior helps unlock the complex relationship between shame and our coping mechanisms. When we feel ashamed, we might develop strategies to either fix perceived flaws or shift our uncomfortable feelings onto others. Keep reading to discover how perfectionism, power-seeking, and blame-shifting all connect to our deeper struggles with shame.

Who Is Tarana Burke? The Activist’s Childhood, Explained

Activist Tarana Burke giving a speech in front of a black background

Who is Tarana Burke? What was Burke’s childhood like? Burke’s involvement in anti-sexual violence activism is rooted in her own experience of childhood sexual abuse. In her book Unbound, she briefly describes how her victimization and other experiences inspired a deep-seated sense of shame. Let’s look at the experiences that encouraged her to start the “me too” movement.

Mental Shortcuts: 3 Common Ways the Brain Synthesizes Data

A cartoon of a walking brain on a path in the woods illustrates mental shortcuts

What happens when your brain processes constant input from your environment? How do mental shortcuts influence the way you perceive reality? Mental shortcuts help your brain manage the nonstop flow of complex information from your surroundings. Three of these automatic processes—simplifying, filtering, and modifying—shape how you interpret experiences and make decisions, often without your awareness. Keep reading to discover three common mental shortcuts and how they impact your daily life.

Dr. Shefali: Motherhood Myths Based on Tradition Harm Women

A mother holding her baby, who is looking at her, illustrates motherhood myths

What myths about motherhood might be shaping your perspective as a woman? How can these societal expectations affect your relationship with yourself and others? According to Dr. Shefali, motherhood myths that arise from traditional beliefs are only hurting women. Her insights reveal how patriarchal expectations can impact women’s identities, relationships, and overall well-being—whether they have children or not. Read more to explore Dr. Shefali’s ideas that could transform your understanding of motherhood and womanhood.