We all need someone to reach out to. But what happens when reaching out becomes handing over?

In this episode, Julia explores our tendency to create our own Personal Jesus: the boss, partner, therapist, guru or even AI tool that we hope might have all the answers.

From idealisation and dependency to transference and our very human dislike of uncertainty, she looks at why handing someone else the map, compass and keys to the car can feel so reassuring.

Support is one thing. Asking someone else to tell us who we are is quite another.

So by all means, reach out and touch faith. Just be careful who, or what, you’re asking to become it.

Here are the highlights of this episode:

(2.18) Nobody’s perfect

(3.06) Liesl and Kurt

(4.31) The need is not irrational

(6.18) Am I reaching for support, or because I want someone to make it all better?

Connect with Julia:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Dynamics of Everyday Life explores the psychological patterns shaping how we think, work and relate to others; bringing psychodynamic thinking into coaching, leadership and everyday life.

If you're a coach interested in learning more about psychodynamic approaches to coaching, you can explore Julia's training programmes on her website.

FOLLOW THE PODCAST

If you're enjoying The Dynamics of Everyday Life, follow the podcast on your listening app so you don't miss future episodes.

“The cold never bothered me anyway.”

Except perhaps it did.

In this episode, Julia looks at the stories we tell ourselves when reality feels a little too uncertain, disappointing or downright uncomfortable. Why are we so quick to fill in the blanks? And how does an idea we’ve created with remarkably little evidence suddenly become a cast-iron fact?

From Elsa’s frozen wasteland to Oscar-worthy narratives at 3am, Julia explores how the stories we tell ourselves can become a rather impressive cocktail of defence mechanisms.

Because sometimes the story isn’t there to fool us. Sometimes we simply need it to get through the day.

Here are the highlights of this episode:

(1.55) Why do we tie ourselves in knots?

(4.32) Everything happens for a reason toxic positivity

(5.10) White knuckling the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

(6.00) Cauldrons of defence

Connect with Julia:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Dynamics of Everyday Life explores the psychological patterns shaping how we think, work and relate to others; bringing psychodynamic thinking into coaching, leadership and everyday life.

If you're a coach interested in learning more about psychodynamic approaches to coaching, you can explore Julia's training programmes on her website.

FOLLOW THE PODCAST

If you're enjoying The Dynamics of Everyday Life, follow the podcast on your listening app so you don't miss future episodes.

Bond. James Bond.

Nobody gets that one wrong. So why are some people apparently incapable of getting everybody else’s name right?

In this episode, Julia looks at why names matter far more than we might think. From being repeatedly called Julia Roberts (sadly without the hair or bank balance) to the people who continue to use the wrong name even after being corrected, she asks what might really be going on.

Is it habit? Laziness? A lack of attention? Or could getting someone’s name wrong communicate something about how important we think they are?

Because recognising someone starts with seeing the person who is actually in front of you.

Even if their name is Flumptibella Moonbeam.

Here are the highlights of this episode:

(1.23) Jack Bond

(1.50) Julia Roberts

(4.12) Our names are intrinsically linked with who we are

(5.25) If we aren’t using people’s correct name, what’s that telling us?

Connect with Julia:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Dynamics of Everyday Life explores the psychological patterns shaping how we think, work and relate to others; bringing psychodynamic thinking into coaching, leadership and everyday life.

If you're a coach interested in learning more about psychodynamic approaches to coaching, you can explore Julia's training programmes on her website.

FOLLOW THE PODCAST

If you're enjoying The Dynamics of Everyday Life, follow the podcast on your listening app so you don't miss future episodes.