PODCAST · health
Authenticity Lab
by Kelsey Miles
Welcome to Authenticity Lab, the podcast where we celebrate the journey of reconnecting with our true selves. Hosted by Dr. Kelsey Miles—a musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—this podcast combines real stories, practical tools, and science-inspired frameworks to help you design your own life experiments.Each week, we’ll break down simple, yet transformative experiments that inspire you to live boldly, embrace your truth, and lead with curiosity. Whether it’s building confidence, navigating challenges, or exploring your passions, this podcast is your space to reflect, grow, and create a life that feels authentic to you.
Episodes
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Why Do I Downplay My Wins? S3E13
I won Professor of the Year, and the moment they called my name, I got excited. Then immediately embarrassed about being excited. I used to think that was humility. It's not. In this episode I break down what's actually happening when we downplay our wins. It's not modesty. It's self-protection....
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I Got What I Wanted… Why Do I Feel Off? | S3E12
I was on stage. The crowd was dancing. I was living my dream... And I was having a silent panic attack. Not one person in that room knew. I kept playing because the songs were second nature. I stepped toward the speaker so all I could hear was my guitar because I could hear every noise in the bar...
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Stop Trying to Fix It | S3E11
My band couldn't get Jolene to lock in. Drums and guitars were off. The tempo kept drifting. My scientist brain was running through every possible fix. And then my bass player started noodling a reggae groove in the corner. It was annoying. Then it was interesting. Then it was the answer. This...
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Why Can't I Make a Decision? | S3E10
You’re not stuck because you can’t decide. You’re stuck because of one of two things: You either don’t have enough data or you don’t trust yourself to handle what happens after you choose. And most people never figure out which one it is. You’ve probably tried everything: pros and cons lists…
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Why You Keep Second-Guessing Yourself (And Why It’s Not the Problem) | S3E9
You know that feeling when you say something in a conversation or make a decision and then later, you start replaying it in your head. Did I say the wrong thing? Was that the right choice? Should I have done something different? Most advice will tell you to stop second-guessing. To “trust...
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Why Do I Care So Much What People Think? (Stop Trying to Care Less) | S3E8
How to stop caring what people think… isn’t actually the solution. Here’s what works instead. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation and replayed everything you said, wondering how you came across or what someone thinks about you, this episode is for you. Most people try to solve this by...
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Why Do I Feel Like an Imposter? S3E7
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong… like you’re going to be “found out”… you’ve probably felt this before. We call it imposter syndrome. Most people think it shows up when you’re in a new room, but what happens when you start feeling that way in places that used to feel familiar? In this...
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Why Do Smart People Sometimes Feel Less Confident? S3E6
Have you ever noticed that the deeper you go into a subject, the less confident you sometimes feel? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles explores a surprising pattern that shows up in highly intelligent and thoughtful people. The more knowledgeable you become about a topic, the...
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Why do I overthink everything? (And How to Stop Feeling Stuck) S3E5
If you’ve ever said, “I overthink everything,” this episode is for you. In this episode of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles breaks down why overthinking happens, what rumination actually is, and how to stop feeling stuck in repetitive thoughts. Overthinking isn’t the problem. Directionless...
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Why You Feel Behind in Life (And What It Actually Means) | S3E4
Why do I feel behind in life? If you’ve been comparing your progress, your career, or your relationships to some imagined timeline, you’re not alone. Almost everyone carries a quiet belief that they should be further by now. But feeling “behind” isn’t actually a feeling. It’s a measurement. In…
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Is it normal to talk to yourself? S3E3
Is it normal to talk to yourself? If you’ve ever wondered whether your inner voice means something is wrong with you, this episode is for you. Talking to yourself is not instability. It’s a regulatory tool your brain uses to create certainty and predict outcomes. The real question isn’t whether...
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Why do I feel stuck in my life? | S3E2
Why do I feel stuck in my life? If you’ve been asking that question lately, this episode is for you. Feeling stuck in life is not a personality flaw. It’s a signal. In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Miles breaks down why you feel stuck, why “believe in yourself” advice doesn’t land when you’re...
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How to Trust Yourself Again When Life Feels Uncertain | S3E1
If life feels uncertain lately and you’ve been second-guessing yourself, this episode is for you. When overachieving, people pleasing, and “I can handle this” coping strategies stop working, most of us panic. We fight, flee, fawn, or freeze and then assume something is wrong with us. There isn’t....
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S2E11: Don’t Silence Your Inner Critic, Use It
What if your inner critic isn’t the enemy? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles explores five distinct voices of the inner critic: the Perfectionist, the Catastrophizer, the People-Pleaser, the Comparer, and the Taskmaster. You’ll learn what each one is trying to protect, the...
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S2E10: How to Disarm Your Inner Critic
When your inner critic gets loud the moment you start choosing differently, here’s a simple way to take back the wheel. In this episode, I share a real moment my inner critic shouted “failure,” then show how the line “the story I’m telling myself is…” (a framing popularized by Brené Brown) helps...
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Shadow Work Guided Meditation (15 Minutes) + Free Worksheet S2 Bonus episode
In this short calibration session, you’ll act as a scientist in your own life: pick one moment (judgment, trigger, or shut-down), notice where it lands in your body, listen to the younger part that’s hiding, and capture exactly what it says without forcing a fix. You’ll leave with one clear story...
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S2E9: Shadow Work 101: What It Is & How to Do It (Guided Practice)
Shadow work isn’t “fixing yourself.” It’s creating a safe space to hear the parts you’ve been hiding. In this episode, I break it down clearly, guide you through a short practice, and cover the most common mistakes (plus the fool-proof way to avoid them). What you’ll learn Shadow = the parts you...
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S2E8: Missed my deadline. I'm not hiding.
This month was full of travel and decisions, and I missed my podcast deadline. Instead of pretending that I’m fine or forcing myself to record and edit a full episode, I’m calibrating in real time. If you’ve ever missed a deadline, I share a 2-minute reflection practice to help you stay…
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S2E7: How Body Shame Shapes Your Identity (And How to Heal It)
Authenticity Lab | Season 2: Thrive in Uncertainty | Episode 7 Have you ever skipped a pool party, hid under a towel, or told yourself, “I’m just not confident”? That’s not your truth. That’s shame talking. In this raw, personal episode, Dr. Kelsey Miles shares a childhood memory that planted…
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S2E6 How to Rebuild Self-Trust After Breaking Promises to Yourself
Have you ever broken a promise to yourself, and instead of trying to understand why, you punished yourself with guilt and shame? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles unpacks why breaking trust with yourself can feel so defeating… and why trying to “fix it” through perfection only...
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S2E5: Why You Hide Who You Really Are (and How to Stop)
Do you feel like you’re constantly “performing” just to be taken seriously at work, in relationships, or even with yourself? In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Miles explores why we hide our authentic selves, how masking shows up in everyday life, and the unexpected shame it creates. She shares a…
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S2E4: How to Sit in Uncertainty (Without Losing Yourself)
This month, we’ve been in the Calibration phase: Episode 1, you forgave. Episode 2, you accepted. Episode 3, you embraced. And today, you’re going to learn how to stay present in the uncertainty, without shutting down or abandoning what makes you, you. If this episode resonates, let me know in…
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S2E3: Nothing Is Wrong With You: How to Embrace the Parts You Don’t Like
My first year teaching college chemistry, I got a student review that hit me right in my biggest insecurity: “Be more organized. Stay on task.” Ouch. They weren’t wrong…my brain is chaotic. And for a long time, I hated that about myself. In this episode, I share the real story of how I went from...
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S2E2: Unconditional Self-Acceptance: Real or BS?
Nothing is wrong with you, and today you’ll find out why. In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Miles unpacks how dropping shame and guilt uncovers your deepest strengths. Using her proven Calibrate-Experiment-Optimize method, you’ll discover a clear 3-step process to reframe any perceived flaw into a...
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S2E1: The Truth About Self-Forgiveness No One Tells You
Are you struggling with how to forgive yourself for past mistakes? In this kickoff episode of Season 2 of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles shares a powerful personal story about a mistake that haunted her for years and the truth about self-forgiveness that most people never talk about. You’ll...
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Episode 24 How to Move Forward When Life Feels Uncertain
After 24 episodes of exploring how to experiment in life using the scientific method, I’m wrapping up Season 1 of Authenticity Lab and introducing something new. Something deeper. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How in the hell did I get here?" then this episode is for you. I also share a wild...
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Episode 23: Uncertainty Isn’t a Problem to Solve, It’s a Chance to Practice Being YOU
Have you ever found yourself waiting to feel “clear” before you make a move… rewriting the email, second-guessing the post, holding off on the decision? In this episode, I flip the script on uncertainty and show you why uncertainty isn’t something to fix, it’s a space to practice being you. I…
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Episode 22: Stop Getting Excited About Being Chosen and Start Choosing Yourself
Getting chosen can feel amazing…like you're finally seen, finally enough. But what happens when the person who chose you… suddenly backs out? In this episode, I share the story of my recent breakup that ended over the phone, with no warning. Total emotional whiplash. But here’s what I realized…
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Episode 21: You Did the Work. Can You Let Go of the Outcome?
You studied for the test. You went on the date. You submitted the application. You hit send. And now you wait… stuck in that space between effort and outcome. In this episode, I break down why our brains spiral in the unknown, and why stress feels like control (even though it’s not). We’ll…
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Episode 20: Why Choosing Yourself Feels Wrong Before It Feels Right
In this episode, I talk about what it actually feels like to choose yourself… not the cute, Instagram version, but the real-life version that’s messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright scary. I share one of the hardest choices I ever made in my early 20s, and why saying “yes” to yourself can...
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Episode 19: Navigating the In-Between—What to Do When You Don’t Know What’s Next
In this episode of Authenticity Lab, I explore the power of embracing the "in-between" space—the uncertain, messy middle ground where you're not quite where you want to be yet. I’ll share how letting go of the pressure to have everything figured out can open up the possibility for true growth....
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Episode 18: How to Turn Any Day Around in 2 Steps
Do you ever wish you could hit reset and instantly feel a shift into peace? In this episode, I share a two-step process rooted in scientific observation and soul-deep wisdom to help you move from judgment to curiosity—fast. This is the exact framework that helped me go from burned out (see…
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Episode 17 You’re Not Lazy. You’re Burned Out. I See You!
Burnout isn’t about being lazy. In this episode, I’m sharing my own experience with burnout as the semester comes to a close. I’m tired…like, really tired, and I know I’m not alone in feeling like I’ve been running on fumes for weeks. I talk about what burnout really looks like, how high…
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Episode 16 The Time I Almost Opened for Pat Benatar (And What It Taught Me)
Have you ever had something huge lined up? something you knew was going to change everything only to have it slip right through your fingers? I was booked to open for Pat Benatar… a dream gig. And then? The show got canceled. In this episode, I share how I worked through the disappointment…
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Episode 15: Trusting the Process: My Journey from Madison to Kansas City
In this episode, I share the story of how I trusted myself when I moved to Kansas City to pursue music full-time, only to find an unexpected opportunity in chemistry that changed the course of my life. When my boyfriend passed away by suicide a month later, the stability my chemistry job provided...
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Episode 14: Shining a light on Shame—Darkness Leads You to the Light
Shame thrives in secrecy. I thought if I shared my struggles—especially about body image—it would make the shame worse. But then I ran an experiment. I told a trusted friend about my discomfort with my body and eating habits. The results were shocking—the shame didn’t grow heavier, it got…
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Your Conclusion Isn’t the Final Answer — It’s Just a Snapshot in Time - Episode 13
What if the conclusion you’ve drawn about yourself — like “I’m not creative,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m not capable” — isn’t actually the final answer? What if it’s just… incomplete data? In this episode, we’re wrapping up our series on using the scientific method to guide your personal...
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Steps 4, 5 and 6: Collecting Data, Analyzing Data, and Drawing Conclusions - Episode 12
Every day, your senses collect millions of bits of data—yet only a fraction makes it into your conscious awareness. What if paying attention to this data could transform the way you approach life, creativity, and personal growth? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, we explore how to observe,...
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Steps 2 and 3: Crafting Your Hypothesis and Designing Your Life Experiment
Welcome back to Authenticity Lab, where we celebrate reconnecting with our authentic selves! I'm Dr. Kelsey Miles—musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—and in this episode, part of our mini-series on applying the scientific method to everyday life, we take the next crucial steps: forming…
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Step One: How to Identify Your Question - Episode 10
The first step in any great experiment—whether in science or in life—is making a clear observation that leads you to a clear question. But how do you know what to look for? How do you recognize the patterns, fears, and beliefs that are shaping your decisions? In this episode, I’ll guide you…
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Start Here: Finding Purpose Through Experimentation - Episode 9
This is the perfect episode to start with if you're new to the podcast. It kicks off a special mini-series on how to use experimentation to uncover purpose and create meaningful change. What if you didn’t have to “find” your purpose—but instead, you could discover it through small, intentional...
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Episode 8: Stop Waiting for a Permission Slip
Have you ever caught yourself waiting—waiting for someone to say, Yes, you’re ready. Yes, you can do this? I’ve been there. I almost let someone convince me that I couldn’t stand on my own and that I needed them to succeed. Instead of giving in to this fear, I ran an experiment. I took a risk…
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Episode 7 - Time and Again: Breaking Free From Toxic Relationship Patterns
Are you stuck in the same frustrating patterns, hoping for change that never comes? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, I share a personal story of chasing potential in relationships and the hard truth I had to face to break free. We’ll explore why it’s so easy to fall into these cycles, how…
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Episode 6 – The Real Reason You're Avoiding Opportunities.
Have you ever avoided an opportunity because you didn’t feel ready or didn’t know what to say? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, I'm discussing avoidance and why we do it! I also share a vulnerable story about a moment when imposter syndrome made me hesitate to respond to an exciting email—and...
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Episode 5 How to Balance Self-Critique with Self-Celebration
Do you struggle with an overly loud inner critic? Or find it hard to celebrate your wins without feeling like you’re letting yourself off the hook? In this episode, I share a personal story about competing in the International Blues Challenge—how I almost let self-critique overshadow my...
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Episode 4 Exhale – The Power of Letting Go
🎵 Listen to the song in this episode: Exhale lyrical video: Do you ever feel like you’re holding your breath, trying to control every little thing, even when it feels impossible? In this episode, I share a personal story about the stress and uncertainty I faced while preparing for an…
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Episode 3 - From Shadows to Light: Embracing Hidden Passions
Do you ever feel like you’re hiding parts of yourself from the world—whether it’s a passion, a dream, or a part of your personality? In this episode, I share my story of secretly learning to play guitar and writing songs while juggling the demands of graduate school in chemistry. Through a simple...
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Episode 2 - Finding Joy Beyond the Plan: A Life Experiment in Authenticity
What happens when you challenge the expectations you’ve placed on your life? In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Miles shares a personal story of stepping out of her routine and rediscovering joy in an unexpected place: a karaoke bar. With a simple life experiment based on the scientific method, she...
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Episode 1 - The Power of Experimenting in Your Life
In this debut episode of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles—a musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—shares how one small but life-changing experiment helped her find her voice and trust herself again. Using her background in music, science, and personal growth, she introduces a simple...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Authenticity Lab, the podcast where we celebrate the journey of reconnecting with our true selves. Hosted by Dr. Kelsey Miles—a musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—this podcast combines real stories, practical tools, and science-inspired frameworks to help you design your own life experiments.Each week, we’ll break down simple, yet transformative experiments that inspire you to live boldly, embrace your truth, and lead with curiosity. Whether it’s building confidence, navigating challenges, or exploring your passions, this podcast is your space to reflect, grow, and create a life that feels authentic to you.
HOSTED BY
Kelsey Miles
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Authenticity Lab have?
Authenticity Lab currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Authenticity Lab about?
Welcome to Authenticity Lab, the podcast where we celebrate the journey of reconnecting with our true selves. Hosted by Dr. Kelsey Miles—a musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—this podcast combines real stories, practical tools, and science-inspired frameworks to help you design your own...
How often does Authenticity Lab release new episodes?
Authenticity Lab has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Authenticity Lab?
You can listen to Authenticity Lab on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Authenticity Lab?
Authenticity Lab is created and hosted by Kelsey Miles.
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