EPISODE · Dec 1, 2025 · 55 MIN
16. Too Smart to be Struggling - When Insight Isn’t Enough to Make Life Easier
from Too Much, Apparently · host Alice Tew and Carly Radford
Ever felt like you’re too smart to be struggling? Yeah. Us too.In this episode of Too Much, Apparently, we (Carly and Alice — two therapists and recovering perfectionists with squishy brains) unpack why intellect doesn’t protect you from emotional pain, and why being “high functioning” often means hiding distress really well.We explore the tension between looking capable on the outside and quietly falling apart on the inside — and the shame that creeps in when your life looks fine but feels impossible.This time we talked about: 🎙️ We’ve felt this thing too (and we still do): being praised for coping, hiding exhaustion behind achievement, and feeling like a fraud for struggling. 👀 What it looks like in real life: clean houses on Instagram, messy kitchens offline, and high achievers who secretly can’t cope. 🧠 Why our brains do it: perfectionism, masking, trauma, rejection sensitivity, and social conditioning that equates success with worth. 🧍🏽♀️🧍🏻 The different ways it shows up: overworking, comparing, self-criticism, and chasing the next “fix” of validation. 🧰 Coping mechanisms: therapy, slowing down, compassion, redefining success, and learning to accept being ordinary. 🌱 How to make peace with it: you’re not broken for struggling — you’re human.Thanks for listening 💛💜🩷🩵🧡💬 New episodes every Monday.🎧 Follow now to join the conversation.🧡 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ Podcast socials: → Instagram: @toomuchapparently → TikTok: @toomuchapparently → YouTube: Too Much, Apparently → Website: www.toomuchapparently.com👩💻 Carly Radford: → Website: www.carlyradford.com → Instagram: @the_sensitivity_therapist👩🏻💻 Alice Tew: → Website: www.alicetew.com → Instagram: @reparentingwithalice📩 Email us: [email protected] 🗓️ New episodes every MondayThis is a podcast that says: bring your too-muchness… we’re here for it.Disclaimer: Just a quick note to say this podcast isn’t therapy, and it’s not a substitute for professional support. We’re here to share ideas and experiences, but if you’re struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a support service near you.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------too smart to be struggling, high functioning anxiety, sensitivity podcast, perfectionism podcast, therapy podcast, neurodivergent podcast, mental health podcast, emotional burnout, high achiever shame, overthinking podcast, imposter syndrome, gifted burnout, ADHD podcast, autism podcast, self-worth podcast, deep chat podcast
What this episode covers
Ever felt like you’re too smart to be struggling? Yeah. Us too.In this episode of Too Much, Apparently, we (Carly and Alice — two therapists and recovering perfectionists with squishy brains) unpack why intellect doesn’t protect you from emotional pain, and why being “high functioning” often means hiding distress really well.We explore the tension between looking capable on the outside and quietly falling apart on the inside — and the shame that creeps in when your life looks fine but feels impossible.This time we talked about: 🎙️ We’ve felt this thing too (and we still do): being praised for coping, hiding exhaustion behind achievement, and feeling like a fraud for struggling. 👀 What it looks like in real life: clean houses on Instagram, messy kitchens offline, and high achievers who secretly can’t cope. 🧠 Why our brains do it: perfectionism, masking, trauma, rejection sensitivity, and social conditioning that equates success with worth. 🧍🏽♀️🧍🏻 The different ways it shows up: overworking, comparing, self-criticism, and chasing the next “fix” of validation. 🧰 Coping mechanisms: therapy, slowing down, compassion, redefining success, and learning to accept being ordinary. 🌱 How to make peace with it: you’re not broken for struggling — you’re human.Thanks for listening 💛💜🩷🩵🧡💬 New episodes every Monday.🎧 Follow now to join the conversation.🧡 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ Podcast socials: → Instagram: @toomuchapparently → TikTok: @toomuchapparently → YouTube: Too Much, Apparently → Website: www.toomuchapparently.com👩💻 Carly Radford: → Website: www.carlyradford.com → Instagram: @the_sensitivity_therapist👩🏻💻 Alice Tew: → Website: www.alicetew.com → Instagram: @reparentingwithalice📩 Email us: [email protected] 🗓️ New episodes every MondayThis is a podcast that says: bring your too-muchness… we’re here for it.Disclaimer: Just a quick note to say this podcast isn’t therapy, and it’s not a substitute for professional support. We’re here to share ideas and experiences, but if you’re struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a support service near you.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------too smart to be struggling, high functioning anxiety, sensitivity podcast, perfectionism podcast, therapy podcast, neurodivergent podcast, mental health podcast, emotional burnout, high achiever shame, overthinking podcast, imposter syndrome, gifted burnout, ADHD podcast, autism podcast, self-worth podcast, deep chat podcast
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16. Too Smart to be Struggling - When Insight Isn’t Enough to Make Life Easier
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