How to Trust Yourself: Overcome Imposter Syndrome, Feel Confident, and Let Yourself Be Seen

• Ep 91 Coaching vs Therapy: How Taking Action Transforms Visibility and Growth

  Episode Description / Show Notes:I’ve been getting this question a lot lately: what’s the difference between coaching and traditional talk therapy? In this episode, I break it down using a client story (pseudonym: “Kathy”) that illustrates common patterns of hesitation, fear, and overthinking.You’ll hear how coaching is different: we don’t just talk—we take action. I share how taking the first step, even when you don’t feel ready, opens the door to real progress, how processing fear in real time supports sustainable growth, and why nervous-system-informed guidance is essential for stepping into visibility without burning out.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The key difference between coaching and traditional therapyWhy taking action—even small steps—is central to transformationHow fear and resistance show up and why that’s a feature, not a bugThe importance of nervous-system support, co-regulation, and reflectionHow to sustain progress while showing up authentically for your workWho This Episode is For:Sensitive creatives, healers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who want to take aligned action, show up authentically, and move past patterns of freeze or hesitation.Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:Learn more about working with me: www.annaholtzman.comApply for private coaching if this episode resonatesFollow & Connect:Instagram: @anna_holtzman

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• Ep 90: From Golden Child to Self-Led Healer with Lauren Smallcomb

  In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Anna talks with Lauren Smallcomb—a certified mind-body practitioner, trauma-informed healer, and author of the forthcoming memoir Golden Child: My Descent to Scapegoat and Rise to Freedom (coming September 2025).Lauren shares her story of growing up as the golden child in a conservative Christian family system—and the painful unraveling that led her to reclaim her autonomy, identity, and voice. We talk about the hidden cost of perfectionism, the complexities of family estrangement, and the grief and liberation that come with choosing your own wholeness over external approval.If you’ve ever wrestled with the question, “How much of my story should I share?” or struggled to reconcile your need for connection with your need for authenticity—this episode will speak to your soul.We explore:​What it means to be cast as the golden child (and how that role can harm)​The double bind of family estrangement: “Do I stay and erase myself, or leave and be erased?”​Rebuilding self-trust after leaving a family system or belief structure​How to share personal stories without retraumatizing yourself​The healing power of grief, creativity, and telling the truth✨ Connect with Lauren:​Website: flourishtherapy.kartra.com/page/goldenchild​Instagram: @flourish_therapy​Substack: @laurensmallcomb​Book 📖 available now on Amazon: Golden Child: My Descent to Scapegoat and Rise to Freedom​Email: [email protected]​YouTube: @flourishtherapy🌀 Want support building self-trust in your own creative or entrepreneurial journey?Work with Anna 1:1, join a live workshop, or explore resources at annaholtzman.comFollow Anna on Instagram: @anna_holtzmanEmail: [email protected]

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• Ep 89 Visibility Wounds: What They Are and How to Heal

  Have you ever had a moment where being visible suddenly felt… dangerous?In this episode, I share a story I’ve never forgotten—from second grade, when I was the eager kid raising her hand… until my teacher said something that made me shrink. It was one sentence that planted a seed of shame and taught me that being seen might not be safe.That moment became what I now call a visibility wound—an early experience where being visible led to shame, rejection, or punishment. And the thing is: those wounds don’t stay in childhood. They resurface every time we go to share something that feels vulnerable and meaningful.Whether it’s launching an offer, posting on Instagram, speaking up in a meeting, or just sharing your voice in a group—you might notice fear, procrastination, or even total shutdown. That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means your nervous system is doing its job to protect you.But the good news is: visibility wounds can be healed. Not through pushing harder—but through compassion, safety, and gentle, consistent practice.In this episode, I talk about:What a visibility wound actually is (and how to spot yours)How it shows up in creative and professional lifeWhy these moments hit so hard—and how to work with themThe 4 tools I use with myself and my clients to move through fearHow visibility becomes easier when we stop going it aloneIf you've ever frozen at the first step, ghosted your own goals, or judged yourself for not being more confident—this episode is for you. 🌱 Want Support Healing Your Visibility Wounds?💻 Watch the free workshop:Let Yourself Be Seen — a nervous-system-safe approach to being visible without burning out or abandoning yourself. www.annaholtzman.com/beseen👥 Join the membership:Seen & Safe — our cozy group coaching circle where you’ll get biweekly support, practical tools, and a safe place to melt fear and take meaningful steps toward your next creative or business leap. www.annaholtzman.com/seenandsafe

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• Ep 88 Trusting Your Voice & Healing Chronic Pain with Sean Hershey

  In this heartfelt and revealing episode, Anna sits down with New York City-based psychotherapist Sean Hershey, LCSW, to explore what it really means to heal—from chronic pain, from emotional repression, and from the lifelong habit of hiding parts of yourself to survive.Sean is the host of the podcast Mind-Body Medicine for Chronic Pain, where he brings raw honesty, depth, and humor to the complex world of chronic symptom recovery. In today’s conversation, he shares what led him to this work, how his own experiences with pain and identity shape his approach as a therapist, and why expressing your truth—even when it’s scary—is a crucial part of healing.We talk about:What it means to be “a highly functioning zombie”The emotional root causes of chronic painWhy Sean launched his podcast (and what it brought up for him emotionally)How telling your story can be a healing actThe role of community and mentorship in building self-trustIf you’ve ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to get through life, or if you’re on your own healing path and looking for inspiration to keep going, this episode will speak directly to you.Learn more about Sean and his work:🌐 mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com📸 Instagram: @my_gay_therapist🎧 Podcast: Mind-Body Medicine for Chronic Pain (available wherever you listen) Work with AnnaIf you’re a sensitive, purpose-driven human—like a coach, creative, or entrepreneur—who wants to build a life and business that feels deeply aligned (without overriding your nervous system), I’d love to support you.✨ Learn more and apply to work with me, visit annaholtzman.com or find me on Instagram @anna_holtzman

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• Ep 87 Soft Scripting Your Life: How Reality TV Taught Me to Find My Voice and Purpose

  Episode Description / Show Notes:Ever feel like your story is messy, scattered, or unclear—and that’s holding you back from stepping fully into your purpose? In this episode, I share a metaphor from my 10 years working in reality TV—soft scripting—and how it taught me to find the through threads in the chaos.I’ll break down how this concept applies to your life and work:How to sift through the raw material of your experiences to discover your unique voice.Why trying to force your story or follow someone else’s blueprint backfires.How to nurture your emerging story so it grows naturally into its fullest expression.Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, stepping into visibility as a sensitive creative, or exploring a new identity, soft scripting is a practical, nervous-system-friendly approach to clarifying your purpose and showing up authentically.I also share a new opportunity to practice this in community: my Seen & Safe group membership, a supportive space for sensitive creatives, coaches, and entrepreneurs to grow in visibility without burning out.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The reality TV concept of soft scripting and why it’s a powerful metaphor for life and work.How to find the through threads in your experiences and start shaping your story.A gentle, collaborative approach to visibility that respects your nervous system.Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:Join Seen & Safe: AnnaHoltzman.com/seenandsafeEmail me with your thoughts or reflections: [email protected] This Episode is For:Sensitive creatives, coaches, healers, and entrepreneurs who want to show up authentically, discover their voice, and step into purpose without burning out.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @annaholtzman

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