When Shame Teaches You to Go Quiet & How to Get Your Voice Back with Leigh “Gal” Marlar

Silence can feel safer than being misunderstood.In this grounded conversation, Brooke and Leigh “Gal” Marlar trace the arc from masking and over-giving to creative honesty—where art becomes a lifeline, shame loosens its grip, and your real voice starts to sound like home.In this episode, we explore how childhood messaging, workplace dynamics, and neurodivergent wiring can train you to perform instead of express. You’ll hear how Leigh uses art, writing, and gentle self-inquiry to rebuild trust with herself, and how Brooke reframed a viral post into clearer boundaries and cleaner intent. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much” (or learned to be “less”), this is a soft landing and a nudge forward.You’ll hear about:Art as regulation, expression, and a path back to yourselfLate discovery of autism/ADHD and releasing shame around labelsThe “you talk too much” wound—and why many of us stop sharingMasks, people-pleasing, and learning to choose yourself without apologyThe diamond-in-the-dark metaphor: pressure, timing, and being seenGenerational patterns, clean boundaries, and practicing new responsesIf you’re holding your breath to stay acceptable, let this be the exhale: one page in a journal, one small tassel, one honest sentence—start there.Links + ResourcesLeigh “Gal” Marlar — Aurtistic Expressions (art + disability advocacy + creative journals)Website: www.aurtisticexpressions.comSocials: Facebook • LinkedIn • EtsyMentioned themes: shadow journaling, creative co-working/crafting circles, imagination as practice→ Connect with me on Instagram: @brooklincbuchanan