Toxic Shame

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, George Stull, Scott Reall, Anna Bryant and Seth Abram talk about toxic shame as an identity. Shame can take control by creating a false self, which demands a cover up. This is a significant topic to listen to as we discuss how powerful the false self can be detrimental to our mental, physical and emotional well-being. “I think this is one of the most significant topics for our listeners. It’s just how powerful the allure is of the false self and just how detrimental that is to our mental and physical and our emotional well-being.” -Scott [05:25] “I have learned to live out of the false self and I’ve been doing that for nearly 50 years. And I can say like I am utterly exhausted. I cannot continue to pour out of an empty cup, and to have needs is to be human. So learning to embrace that giving and giving and giving is not a virtue.” -Anna [18:36] “That shame, that toxic shame was so heavy, I was almost ready and willing to just walk off the stage and never come back on. And I just remember I had to make a conscious choice. Like this is not who I am. I made a mistake, but I am not this mistake.” -Seth [24:19] “But I just remember the shame I felt that day, and it lingered. And you would think, people were just going ‘Oh gosh, you made a mistake, George. It’s ok.’ But how deep that can go to our identity.” -George [26:32] TIMESTAMPS [00:05] Intro [01:00] Toxic shame as identity [05:55] The false self and social media [12:08] Shame is dualistic [15:37] What it looks like to live it out [24:51] Places of vulnerability Follow and Contact Facebook: Restore Small Groups Instagram: @restoresmallgroups YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast Website: restoresmallgroups.org