Dear Insecurity - What Your Coping Mechanisms are Trying to Tell You episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 7, 2026 · 1H 2M

Dear Insecurity - What Your Coping Mechanisms are Trying to Tell You

from Afternoon Snack · host Meredith Root and Alex Parker

In this episode, we are diving headfirst into coping mechanisms. Aka adapted survival skills. They develop for a reason and yet we judge ourselves so harshly for using them. And while it's tempting to think that they are what keep us stuck, we'd challenge you to consider how embracing them may be the key to getting unstuck. We're also going to introduce you to our adaptive child alter-egos, Taz and Ursula. Key Topics in this episode: The "adaptive child" vs. "wise adult" framework Why coping mechanisms persist even when they're no longer helpful How shame creates loops that prevent change The role of nervous system safety in building new habits Identity shifts and the grief that comes with change Practical approaches: naming your inner child, self-compassion over self-bullying 💪 Train With Us: Get access to expertly designed daily workouts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tacticworksout.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🥦 Need Personalized Nutrition Support? Work 1-on-1 with a coach to tailor your nutrition to your goals at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tacticmethod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 Want More? Get bonus episodes, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes access by supporting us on Patreon 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/teamtactic⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we are diving headfirst into coping mechanisms. Aka adapted survival skills. They develop for a reason and yet we judge ourselves so harshly for using them. And while it's tempting to think that they are what keep us stuck, we'd challenge you to consider how embracing them may be the key to getting unstuck. We're also going to introduce you to our adaptive child alter-egos, Taz and Ursula. Key Topics in this episode: The "adaptive child" vs. "wise adult" framework Why coping mechanisms persist even when they're no longer helpful How shame creates loops that prevent change The role of nervous system safety in building new habits Identity shifts and the grief that comes with change Practical approaches: naming your inner child, self-compassion over self-bullying 💪 Train With Us: Get access to expertly designed daily workouts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tacticworksout.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🥦 Need Personalized Nutrition Support? Work 1-on-1 with a coach to tailor your nutrition to your goals at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tacticmethod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 Want More? Get bonus episodes, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes access by supporting us on Patreon 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/teamtactic⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Dear Insecurity - What Your Coping Mechanisms are Trying to Tell You

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This episode is 1 hour and 2 minutes long.

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This episode was published on January 7, 2026.

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In this episode, we are diving headfirst into coping mechanisms. Aka adapted survival skills. They develop for a reason and yet we judge ourselves so harshly for using them. And while it's tempting to think that they are what keep us stuck, we'd...

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