Nicole LePera: "Your nervous system is screaming at you!" Healing anxiety and panic

Happy Place with Fearne Cotton

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Monday, 4 May 2026 - 1 hour 17 minutes

Were you praised as a child for being ‘good’, for keeping quiet, or not making a fuss? Psychologist Dr Nicole LePera reckons that praise may have taught you to disconnect from your emotions entirely.In this chat with Fearne, Nicole explains how even well-intentioned parenting can leave us with patterns that run our adult lives on autopilot. She talks through the practical process of reparenting your inner child, starting with something as simple as finding a childhood photograph. We hold our emotions in our bodies, so she also shares ways to tune in with your body throughout the day to release stress.Nicole also explains why your nervous system keeps you stuck in familiar patterns even when you logically know better, and why shame, people pleasing, and perfectionism are all protective strategies we developed to survive childhood.Plus, why does healing require what Nicole calls a return to ‘radical honesty’?Nicole’s book, Reparenting the Inner Child, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Chiwetel EjioforPhilippa PerryBreak Free From People Pleasing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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