This week I’m joined by Maggie Nick, a recovering burned-out overachiever, people-pleaser, perfectionist, pushover, and shape-shifting chameleon, what she calls a Recovering Good Kid. Now a trauma therapist, parenting expert, and cycle-breaking mother, Maggie knows firsthand what it’s like to grow up as “the one nobody ever needed to worry about.” For years, she thought her perfectionism and people-pleasing were simply part of her personality, until therapy at 25 revealed they were actually lifelong relational trauma responses.In this episode, we dive into what relationships look like after trauma, the challenges and breakthroughs of parenting after trauma, and how to begin breaking free from old survival patterns to build something new.Maggie Nick, LCSW, MSWFollow Maggie on TikTokFollow Maggie on InstagramLearn more about Maggie's Camp Loveable and her other offerings here.BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast
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9. What do I need?
When you grow up in a dysfunctional family system, you are conditioned to silence your needs to keep the peace, avoid conflict, or gain approval. Over time, it can feel impossible to even recognise what you truly want or need. In this solo episode, I discuss how that conditioning takes root, how to start recognising the needs you’ve been taught to ignore, and how to meet them in ways that feel safe, nourishing, and free from guilt or shame.BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast
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8. Relentless Whispers
In this solo episode, I explore the relentless whispers of the inner critic - that constant, internal voice that undermines, judges, and shames. I delve into where it comes from, how it develops (especially in childhood), and what function it might have served. Most importantly, I share practical ways to challenge, quiet, and reduce its power so you can start relating to yourself with more compassion and clarity.BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast
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7. 'The Cult of Family' with Daniella Mestyanek Young
The Cult of Family explores the reality of growing up in a narcissistic system that demands silence, obedience, and self-erasure.In this episode, I sit down with Daniella, a scholar of cults, extreme groups and extremely bad leadership, who also brings her own lived experience of being raised in a cult. Together, we unpack the unsettling parallels between cults and narcissistic families; the control, the domination, the rigid rules, how perception is distorted, and how identity is supressed in the name of loyalty and “love.”But this conversation goes deeper than the system, it asks; What happens after you leave?We discuss the lasting psychological impact, how these environments stunt development and self-trust, and what it really takes to heal. We explore the blocks that so often emerge in recovery, shame, confusion, disconnection, and how to start rebuilding a self that was never allowed to fully form.This conversation is for anyone who’s broken free, or is beginning to, and is asking: What now?Click here to follow Daniella on TikTokClick here to follow Daniella on InstagramBEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast
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6. 'Never Enough' with Claire Fealy
Exploring the Fear beneath Perfectionism and High AchievementIn this deep dive, Podcast Host & Mindset Coach Claire Fealy joins me to unpack the fear that hides beneath high achievement and perfectionism, and how we can begin to heal what's really driving it. We identify the inner critc and discuss the hidden beliefs driving our anxiety, how fear often masks deeper emotional wounds, and what it really takes to move past survival mode and step into a more intentional life, especially for those of us who grew up in dysfunctional or emotionally unsafe environments. Find Claire on InstagramBEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast
About Beyond Survival - The Therapy Podcast with Katie McKenna
This Podcast is for anyone who grew up up in a dysfunctional or narcissistic family system and now finds themselves stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, anxiety or unhealthy relationships.Each episode offers real-world insight into trauma recovery, relationships, boundaries, nervous system healing and reconnecting to your true self. Whether your just starting your healing journey or looking to deepen it, you’re welcome here - just as you are
Listen to Beyond Survival - The Therapy Podcast with Katie McKenna, Finding Freedom with Peter Crone and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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