How to Trust Yourself

• Ep 61 Overcoming Fear of Visibility: The Upward Spiral Framework for Courageous Self-Expression

  In this episode, I walk you through my personal journey of overcoming the fear of visibility, using my unique Upward Spiral Framework to navigate the emotional tension that often comes with stepping into the spotlight. Whether you’re facing fears around sharing your creative work, starting a new project, or simply expressing your authentic self, this episode is for you.I dive deep into the three pillars of my framework:Clarity – Using the "Melt-Through Method" to uncover and meet the fear head-on.Action – How to take manageable, gradual steps with graded exposure to move through fear without overwhelming your nervous system.Modulation – Techniques for responding to triggers and staying attuned to your body’s signals for a balanced approach to visibility.With real-life examples of my own fears and challenges around sharing vulnerable content, I offer actionable tools and a compassionate approach to help you move through your fears, gain clarity, and take empowered action in your life and business.If you’ve ever hesitated to take the next step because of fear, this episode will inspire you to move forward and stand in your power.Takeaways from this episode:How fear shows up in our bodies and minds and how to compassionately address it.The importance of giving your fear a voice and listening to it with empathy.How to create a step-by-step approach to facing your fears with graded exposure.Tools for emotional and nervous system regulation that support taking action toward your goals.Resources mentioned in the episode:My 1:1 Coaching: Apply now to work with me directly on overcoming your own fear of visibility and building the courage to share your voice with the world. More info at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠If you’re ready to express yourself authentically and need support through the process, don’t hesitate to reach out!You can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

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• Ep 60 Rebuilding Self-Trust After High-Control Faith with Merrill Wood

  Welcome back, dear listener. Today, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with someone whose work aligns so powerfully with the heart of this podcast.Merrill Wood is a licensed therapist and co-founder of the executive coaching group Monday Wellness, who helps leaders and teams cultivate healthy workplace cultures by transforming traditional hierarchies of power into ecosystems of relational support. She’s known for her ability to navigate difficult conversations with gentleness and to set boundaries with both warmth and clarity—skills that are so crucial, not just in leadership, but in every area of life.But today, we’re going beyond workplace dynamics and into something deeply personal: how to trust yourself after being part of a high-control faith community. Merrill has her own lived experience in this realm, and in our conversation, she shares the insights, tools, and lessons that helped her rebuild self-trust — and that now inform the work she does with her clients.If you’ve ever struggled to reclaim your inner voice after being in a rigid system—whether it’s a faith community, a workplace, or even a family dynamic—you’re going to want to stick around for this one. Merrill brings so much wisdom and compassion to this topic, and I can’t wait for you to hear her perspective.So, let’s dive in. Here’s my conversation with Merrill Wood.You can find Merrill at:Website: https://www.mondaywellness.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mondaywellness_/And you can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

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• Ep 59 Healing the Shame that Silences Us

  This episode is a little different from what I usually share. It touches on current events that may feel triggering, but at its heart, it’s about something deeply universal: how to work through the shame that silences us and reclaim our voice when fear threatens to shut us down.In the aftermath of the events of October 7, 2023, I received an email from a non-Jewish former client. In this email, she claimed that, as an ethnic Jew, I had a moral obligation to publicly align with her political beliefs. The tone and content of her message felt like an attack on my personal identity and an attempt to weaponize my ethnicity as a test of my moral worth. And it shook me to my core.I felt instantly afraid, ashamed, and confused, and that swirl of emotions silenced me. I didn’t tell anyone about the email—except for my husband—for months. I didn’t even tell my life coach or best friend. I was so afraid that if this one person thought I wasn’t a good person, maybe everyone thought the same. The email struck such a vulnerable place, dredging up layers of internalized anti-Semitism I didn’t even know were lodged so deeply inside me. Looking back, I realize that because it touched on an unhealed wound carried through generations, through my grandparents’ history of escaping the Holocaust, it triggered a core, primal fear: the fear of not being loved or accepted because of who I am.I want to share how I worked through this experience and used it as an invitation to heal this deep layer of fear and shame. And part of what helped me recognize what was happening was the timing: I received this email one week before stepping on stage to tell a different story that I had carried shame around for over 20 years, which you can hear in its entirety in episode 42 of this podcast.That story, about an experience with non-consensual touch in my teens, had silenced me for so long. The shame had stifled my creativity, my clarity, and my life energy. And as I prepared to share that story on stage, I realized how the email was triggering the same fear and the same impulse to silence myself again.But this time, I knew better, and I had tools. I wasn’t going to let fear and shame bury me for another 20 years. Instead, I used my tools to turn this into an opportunity for inner healing and growth. And that’s what I want to share with you today: how you can use the fear of rejection, judgment, or misunderstanding as a powerful invitation to heal yourself, build deeper self-trust, and free up the life energy you need to share your incredible gifts with the world.You can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

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• Ep 58 My Mentor, The Stepmom Coach: Claudette Chenevert

  Welcome to today’s episode! I’m so excited to introduce you to my personal coach, Claudette Chenevert, who is also known as The Stepmom Coach. Claudette is a Master Stepfamily Relationship Coach with over 35 years of experience helping stepmothers and their partners build stronger, healthier stepfamilies—one STEP at a time.In addition to her coaching work, Claudette holds a degree in the Psychology of Communication and specializes in stepfamily dynamics and conflict resolution. She’s also the host of the annual Stepfamily Summit, which has been running since 2020, creating a much-needed space for stepfamilies to find connection, support, and guidance.I first came to Claudette for support in navigating my role as a stepmom in a way that felt authentic to me. Instead of trying to force myself into stepmom stereotypes that didn’t fit, Claudette helped me trust myself and carve out a role that works for my unique situation.While her work is focused on step-parents, Claudette’s insights on self-trust, communication, and navigating complex family systems are truly universal. In this conversation, we explore themes that will resonate with anyone who’s looking to create stronger relationships or move through life with more confidence and authenticity. Let’s dive in! Here’s my conversation with Claudette Chenevert.You can find Claudette at:Website: https://stepmomcoach.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepmomcoachAnd you can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

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• Ep 57 Riding the Waves of Fear Toward Big Goals (Part 2)

  In this second part of my self-interview experiment, we’re diving even deeper into the waves of fear that inevitably arise on the path toward meaningful goals. Whether you’re dreaming big or just beginning to take the first small steps toward change, this episode will give you new insights and tools to ride those emotional swells without letting fear derail you.If you missed part one, be sure to listen to Ep 56 first!What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Lessons from the Journey So FarI share some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this new chapter of my coaching practice, including why fear feels so intense, how it’s survivable, and how riding through it strengthens your confidence instead of weakening it. “Afraid of Their Dreams”Many of my clients come to me with nervous systems that are afraid of their dreams. What does that mean? I break down this idea and share how I help people move past self-sabotage into aligned action. Patterns and BreakthroughsFrom thinking they’re small and powerless to realizing they have untapped power, I reflect on the common breakthroughs I’ve seen in my work and share a surprising perspective shift that unlocks answers already inside you. Practical Advice for the Overwhelmed DreamerFeeling stuck between a big vision and the fear of how to get there? I offer simple, actionable advice to help you start building momentum while balancing exposure with recovery and leaning into supportive connections.Why You Should Tune In:This episode is about more than facing fear—it’s about transforming it into fuel for your growth. You’ll hear relatable examples, personal reflections, and practical tools to inspire your next step forward, whether you’re starting a new chapter, navigating self-doubt, or pursuing a bold dream.Takeaway for Listeners:Fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path—it’s a sign you’re doing something meaningful. When you balance courageous action with nervous system care, you can move forward with clarity and confidence, one wave at a time.Subscribe & Stay Connected:Don’t miss future episodes! Subscribe to the podcast and follow me with the links below. Let’s ride these waves together.You can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

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