Quiet Toxicity At Work | High-Functioning Anxiety Unmasked

Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Nice people can still be unsafe people. That sounds harsh until you’ve lived the quiet version of workplace stress: the meetings where everyone speaks calmly, the smiles that don’t match the outcomes, the slow shift in access and warmth that leaves you tense, over-responsible, and second-guessing your own judgement. I’m Cheryl Parris, and I’m naming the uncomfortable truth that costs so many of us time, confidence, and career energy: nice is not the same as safe. We go deeper into discernment and psychological safety at work, especially for high-functioning women who’ve been trained to “be reasonable” no matter what it does to their body. I break down what safety actually looks like in day-to-day behaviour: consistent fairness, clear expectations, real support, respect for your role, and a pattern that steadies your nervous system instead of shrinking it. We also talk about why resilience becomes dangerous when it turns into self-abandonment. You’ll get practical tools you can use immediately: keeping grounded notes (date, time, what changed, impact, response), spotting patterns across relationships, support, roles, and change, and a simple micro-step I call the three-column people map: warmth, pressure, evidence. The goal is not to label anyone a villain, but to decide who gets access to your honesty, your trust, and your career decisions based on reality, not performance. If this helped you see your workplace more clearly, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s been doubting themselves, and leave a review so more people can find Work Stress Anxiety.The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have a specific health concern or condition, please consult a qualified Healthcare professional for more details. Check out herguru dot uk forward slash disclaimersSupport the showIf this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes:https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxietyIf you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first:https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxietyGot feedback, a question, or a future episode suggestion?https://podcastfeedback.com/workstressanxietyWork Stress Anxiety by ABGW is part of HerGuru Hypnotherapy and Coaching™ and grounded in the ABGW Method®.Calm first. Reality first. Then change.™Connect with Cheryl ParisLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/abgwblogShared stories are anonymised.This podcast is provided for educational and self- reflective purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, legal, workplace, or professional advice.Disclaimer:https://herguru.uk/disclaimers/© Cheryl Paris. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.