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What To Do When

by Kathleen McBride

For overthinkers, feelers & recovering chill girls.This podcast is part voice note, part pep talk, part “I probably shouldn’t tell this story, but here we are.”We spiral, we cry, we self-reflect and then we figure out what the hell to do next.Messy, hilarious, real-AF healing for people who are tired of pretending they’re fine.Created by Kathleen McBride, a coach, counsellor-in-training & emotionally intelligent chaos human navigating the messy middle too.

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Episodes

  1. 91. Why You Can Never Just Decide (too many options?)

    Decision paralysis. The paradox of choice. They're all real, lets look at the research. If you've ever wondered why you can't decide or why you're always wondering if the grass is greener on the other side, RIGHT after you've made a decision, this episode is for you. In today's episode I share…

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  2. 90. A Long Overdue YAP - I've recorded this 4 times...

    I'm back, and I owe you an honest explanation. I recorded this intro four times, waiting for it to feel perfect. In this episode I share what the last 9 months looked like (studying counselling, the YAP challenge, a trip to Spain, turning 30), what finally got me to hit publish, and why I'm...

  3. 89. Monday Motivation: Do It Messy

    If you’ve been waiting to feel ready before you begin, this episode is for you. In this Monday Motivation, I’m talking about perfectionism, fear, and the quiet ways we talk ourselves out of the life we actually want. I share honestly about love, failure, shame, and the moments that forced me to...

  4. 88: 2026 - The Year You Give Yourself Permission to Fail

    What if 2026 wasn’t about getting it right… but about giving yourself permission to fail? In this episode, I’m sharing a softer way to enter the new year, one that doesn’t require a perfect plan, endless goals, or burning yourself out trying to do everything. We talk about: Why trying to hold...

  5. 87. You Achieved Enough This Year: Crawling to the Finish Line of 2025…

    If you’re crawling to the finish line of 2025 and your brain is doing that end-of-year thing where it starts tallying everything you didn’t do, this episode is your permission slip to exhale. We’re shifting out of measuring success through productivity, and into something softer: self-compassion,...

  6. 86. Where does it hurt? For when you’re not ‘fine.’

    I know we all say “it’s okay not to be okay” but when it’s actually you who’s not okay, it usually doesn’t feel that way, does it? This week I’ve been sitting in that space, the one where your brain is desperate to minimise, distract, and pretend everything’s fine, when it’s really not. And...

  7. 85. When You Feel Behind (again) aka the end of year scaries

    You know that weird energy that hits around this time of year? The “how is it already October?” panic, the guilt of unfinished goals, and the quiet shame that whispers you should’ve done more. In this episode, we’re talking about the end of year scaries, that mix of scarcity, fear, and comparison...

  8. 84. Your Permission Slip to PIVOT (Even When Your Brain Says You Have to Stick It Out)

    Ever felt trapped in a job, relationship, or plan that looks “perfect on paper” but feels completely wrong in your body? This episode is your official permission slip to pivot. We’re breaking down: ✨ Why we cling to things that aren’t working (hello conditioning) ✨ The difference between…

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  9. 83. You’re Craving Soulmate Friendships

    Ever look at other people’s friendships and wonder why it feels so hard for you? Like everyone else has their “soulmate friends” while you’re stuck with surface-level connections, loneliness, or just a nagging sense that something’s missing? In this episode of What To Do When… I’m talking about…

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  10. 82. From Stuck to Starting (I Ghosted My Own Podcast for 2 Months)

    Ever fallen off something important to you — a goal, a project, a practice, a dream — and then found every excuse in the book not to start again? Yep… same. This is my big, messy comeback episode. After ghosting my own podcast for 2 months (🙃), I’m pulling back the curtain on: ✨ Why shame is the...

  11. 81. The Girls Get Off Episode (and Honestly, So Should You): Vibrators, Shame & the Orgasm Gap

    If you’ve ever felt shame around pleasure, been nervous about trying sex toys, or wondered how the hell to ask for what you actually like in bed — this episode is your new safe space. Kathleen is joined by Viv from Girls Get Off — the powerhouse brand behind some very buzzy bedside drawer staples…

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  12. 80. The Rejection Spiral: How to Stop Abandoning Yourself to Be Liked

    Feel like you’re too much, not enough, or one awkward text away from being exiled from the group chat? Yep. Been there. This episode is for the overthinkers, the approval-seekers, the “they took 3 hours to reply so they probably hate me” crowd.(raising my hand here too). In this vulnerable,...

  13. 79. You’re an Overthinker Who Just Wants To Trust Themselves

    If you’ve ever asked everyone else for advice… and still felt more confused, this episode is for you. This one’s for the deep feelers, the spirallers, the ones who’ve built a voting system just to make a decision — only to feel further away from their own gut. Inside this episode: Why self-trust…

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  14. 78. The 5 Stages of Emotional Growth (And Why You’re Not “Behind” in Your Healing)

    Ever felt like you're emotionally self-aware but still stuck? You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, analysed your triggers — but nothing’s really changing? This episode is for you. Inside today’s solo, I’m walking you through the 5 stages of emotional growth and healing — the exact...

  15. 77. You're Doing Everything Right But Still Don’t Feel Like Enough

    You’re ticking the boxes. Doing everything “right.” Showing up, trying, pushing forward. So why does it still feel like you’re falling behind? Or worse—like you’re quietly failing at life? This episode is for the person who looks like they’ve got it all together… but inside, they’re exhausted by...

  16. 76. Boundary Setting for More Love, Not Less

    In this episode, we’re flipping the script on boundaries. If you’ve ever felt like setting boundaries makes you mean, cold, or too much — or if you’ve used boundaries as a way to keep people out rather than let the right people in — this one’s for you. I’m sharing how I used to use boundaries as…

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  17. 75. Getting High on Your Own Supply: The Science of Self-Love

    In a world that teaches us to chase love, validation, and approval from everyone but ourselves—what happens when we flip the script? In this episode, we're talking all things self-love—the kind that's rooted in science, self-compassion, and real inner safety. We unpack the lies we've been fed…

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  18. 74. You're in the Chaos of Change

    Ever expected change to feel exciting and empowering—only to find yourself deep in anxiety, overthinking, and overwhelm the minute you take a step forward? In this episode, we’re getting real about what change actually feels like. Not the Instagram version. The real, messy, chaotic one that…

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  19. 73. You Don't Know Who You Are Anymore

    Ever felt like you’re in between versions of yourself—no longer who you once were, but not quite sure who you’re becoming? Yeah, same. In this episode, we’re talking about that unsettling space where your old dreams, values, and identity no longer fit, but you’re still figuring out what’s next....

  20. 72. Your Past Slides Into Your DMs - letting the past stay in the past

    Ever feel like you’ve moved on, healed, grown… and then BAM! The past comes knocking? Maybe an old relationship resurfaces, a pattern you swore you broke sneaks back in, or you find yourself reacting in ways that feel way too familiar. Here’s the thing: when the past resurfaces, it’s not a sign...

  21. 71. Why NOT you? How to meet the limits stopping you from having it all in 2025.

    Why NOT you? Do you believe you can have it all? Its a new year baby, goals, dreams and resolutions are about to be set — but do you know what’s getting in the way? Limiting stories. Limiting belief systems. Old wounds. Join me in this episode walking you through exercises and mindset shifts to...

  22. 70. You're stuck in an end of year comparison SPIRAL

    Ever feel like the end of the year sneaks up, brings a megaphone, and shouts: “You haven’t done enough!”? As you see other people celebrating their big wins, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparison—questioning your progress, your worth, and your future. Suddenly, you’re knee-deep in a...

  23. 69. you're craving soulmate friendships

    Ever look at other people’s friendships — how close and supportive they are — and get just a little... jealous? Wonder if you’re ever going to have those soulmate friendships like you see on Instagram? SAME. In this episode, we spill the tea on how to actually build those deeper, more meaningful...

  24. 68. you want to build more CONFIDENCE

    In this empowering episode, we dive deep into the world of self-confidence and reveal that it's so much more than just "faking it till you make it." Together, we break down how true confidence is built on a foundation of self-acceptance and authenticity, not perfection or external validation....

  25. 67. you're struggling with perfectionism

    In this episode, we dive deep into the roots of perfectionism, how it often stems from childhood experiences and the pressures we all face in today’s world. For many, perfectionism is more than just striving for excellence—it's a coping mechanism, a way to maintain control and protect our...

  26. you're ready to stop people pleasing for good

    We’ve all been there—saying yes when we really want to say no, bending over backward to keep everyone else happy while feeling totally drained ourselves. 🙋‍♀️In this episode, Kelsey and I get real about how people-pleasing has impacted our lives and share all the juicy tips to break free from…

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  27. your biological clock is TICKING - am I falling behind?

    Ever find yourself panicking about ticking biological clocks, societal expectations, and the feeling of falling behind in life’s milestones? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode, Kelsey and I dive deep into these pressing concerns, sharing our own experiences and insights on the journey of...

  28. you've been LOVE BOMBED

    My friends, its Kathleen here - and I almost got LOVE BOMBED for the 3rd time recently. And Kelsey genuinely had no idea what love-bombing was. Let’s dish and discuss all things that is the phenomenon we call, love-bombing. Join Kelsey and I as she interviews me on the hilarious experiences I’ve...

  29. the fear of being seen

    This one is a raw and honest conversation, Kathleen and Kelsey dive deep into the fear of being seen. TW: SA We explore the complex interplay between trauma, body image, and self-worth that can fuel the fear of being fully visible. From bullying experiences to the pressures of societal...

  30. find your intuition

    I thought my intuition was BROKEN for most of my life because I had NO "gut feel", NO "hell yes" feelings, NO super decisive, Morgan Freeman-esque voice in my head telling me what to do 😂 Turns out, my intuition was just offline as I'd spent years learning to repress it. Join Kelsey and I as we...

  31. dating with an avoidant attachment style

    Imagine someone with an anxious attachment style getting to interview someone with an avoidant attachment style - WELL, this is exactly what this episode is. Kathleen (more anxious) interviews Kelsey (more avoidant) about exactly how she thinks, feels and experiences dating & relationships as an...

  32. dating with an anxious attachment style

    Welcoming in our NEW co-host Kelsey to the show!!!! Kelsey interviews me (aka gets me to spill the tea on my dating life + how she has called me out many times ) on what its been like dating again (after a 2+ year single era) WITH an anxious attachment style. I'm sharing the ins and outs of...

  33. you’re having a bad day (a survival guide)

    Bad days. We all have em, and we don't talk about them enough. In the past, on these “bad days" I felt like I was wasting my life. Shame rained down on me constantly, drowning me and making it feel near impossible to even come up for air, let alone believe in myself enough to take all the big…

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  34. when you want closure

    CLOSURE. The thing that we all want but never seem to have, no matter if it was a situationship or a 6 year relationship. In this episode I’m walking you through my favourite exercise for “closure” + chatting through all the misconceptions we have about closure and how to actually get it. Free...

  35. when you feel like you’ve lost yourself

    Have you ever felt like you've lost yourself? This episode dives into that icky, uncomfortable feeling of disconnection that can strike after major life changes, relationship shifts, or simply the "going through the motions" routine. We explore: Why we lose touch with ourselves: Learn what…

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  36. healing the father wound (pt 2)

    Ready for part 2? Let's talk about helpful tips, tools and practices to heal the father wound, build more love, trust and confidence in yourself + create the relationships you really want. Join the free 5-day Inner Child Healing Challenge here:...

  37. daddy issues aka the father wound (pt 1)

    We've all heard the term "daddy issues" thrown around, and the shameful, somewhat negative connotation created by the media (desperation, low self-esteem etc) but what does it actually mean? Buckle up, because this episode dives deep into the father wound, a complex emotional scar that’s so...

  38. you’re afraid of feeling your emotions

    Feel to heal. Great concept. Harder to put into action. Something clients share all the time is that they are afraid to feel and process their own emotions. That if they open Pandora's box, they won’t be able to get it shut again and they will be overwhelmed. We all know the benefits of feeling +...

  39. self-consciousness & insecurity hold you back

    Feeling self-conscious and insecure is something that most humans experience but we often don’t talk about. Confidence is the dream, but there’s so much holding you back. Pushing away your insecurities isn’t working anymore, and this episode explores all the reasons why insecurity and...

  40. your need for control is blocking your FLOW (learning to surrender)

    If you've been feeling stuck or overwhelmed with the direction of your life, this episode is for you. Its time to stop analysing everything, trying to get everything "right" and blocking yourself from the magic waiting to happen in your life. Its time to surrender to your life's current calling....

  41. your body changes (weight gain + body image struggles & recovery)

    Today's episode is about gaining weight/watching your body change as you are trying to heal body image wounds. This episode speaks to my personal struggle after healing from an ED and challenging negative body-image issues over the last few years. Weight gain has steadily happened and there's…

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  42. you want to work out with your cycle, not against it

    Tired of feeling like your period throws a wrench in your fitness plans every month? Us too! That's why the latest episode of What To Do When dives deep into the fascinating world of your cycle and its impact on training, appetite, and mental resilience. We're joined by the amazing Coach Susan...

  43. you can’t stop overthinking

    This episode dives deep into the habit of overthinking, offering a tool-driven and relatable approach. Listeners will discover the hidden messages behind their overthinking tendencies and learn practical tools to transform their relationship with this common struggle. We'll explore a powerful...

  44. you feel like you aren’t where you think you should be in life

    Feeling like you're falling behind, stuck in the wrong place, or just plain lost? You're not alone! This episode dives deep into the pressure to fit societal molds, explores the science of happiness, and empowers you to create a life that truly aligns with your authentic self. Key Takeaways: *…

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  45. you want to feel more confident at work

    ever feel imposter syndrome at work? Scared to speak up in meetings? and find your butt-cheeks clenching at any mention of the F word — feedback In this episode we tap into the expertise of Tash Pieterse, a renowned leadership & mindset coach who empowers professionals to own their voice, unlock...

  46. you feel burnt out on your healing/self-development journey

    Feeling a little... TIRED, EXHAUSTED, OVERWHELMED? Guess what? Healing burnout is real. And even the most dedicated self-development warriors can get overwhelmed by the constant introspection, emotional excavation, and well, let's face it, inner turmoil that comes with growth. In this episode…

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  47. You want to get back into consistent exercise (gym anxiety + so much more) w Susan Duncan.

    Feeling intimidated by the gym? Struggling to build lasting workout habits? This episode is your roadmap to success! Join Kathleen and fitness expert Susan Duncan as they crack the code on consistent exercise. Uncover the science-backed secrets of building healthy habits, debunk fitness myths…

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  48. What To Do When…you want to feel + process your emotions.

    Ready to ditch the emotional numbness and embrace the glorious, messy (and sometimes downright hilarious) rollercoaster ride of being human? Join us for a deep dive into the world of feelings in our latest podcast episode, "What To Do When...You Want to Feel Your Feelings." We're busting all the...

  49. What To Do When…You’re OVERWHELMED

    Remember those epic New Year's resolutions you made, fuelled by glitter and champagne dreams? That sinking feeling when the sparkly new year wears off and your to-do list turns into Mount Doom is a universal experience called OVERWHELM and we’re here to laugh, cry and break it down: * What is...

  50. What To Do When…You’re LONELY

    We're breaking down some walls this week and addressing something HUGE that none of us really want to talk about. We're talking about the big, bad L-word: Loneliness. Yeah, it's that unwelcome houseguest that loves to crash on the couch and hog the Wi-Fi, making you feel like a solo act in a…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

For overthinkers, feelers & recovering chill girls.This podcast is part voice note, part pep talk, part “I probably shouldn’t tell this story, but here we are.”We spiral, we cry, we self-reflect and then we figure out what the hell to do next.Messy, hilarious, real-AF healing for people who are tired of pretending they’re fine.Created by Kathleen McBride, a coach, counsellor-in-training & emotionally intelligent chaos human navigating the messy middle too.

HOSTED BY

Kathleen McBride

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does What To Do When have?

What To Do When currently has 89 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is What To Do When about?

For overthinkers, feelers & recovering chill girls.This podcast is part voice note, part pep talk, part “I probably shouldn’t tell this story, but here we are.”We spiral, we cry, we self-reflect and then we figure out what the hell to do next.Messy, hilarious, real-AF healing for people who are...

How often does What To Do When release new episodes?

What To Do When has 89 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to What To Do When?

You can listen to What To Do When 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 What To Do When?

What To Do When is created and hosted by Kathleen McBride.
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