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Ever felt guilty for setting a boundary with someone who's "just trying to help"? In this week's Friday Funday, Dr. Julie shares the hilarious (and slightly mortifying) story of the day she fired her therapist – and what happened in her nervous system when she tried to people-please her way through it.

You'll learn:

• The neuroscience behind why setting boundaries feels so dangerous for helping professionals
• How your polyvagal system keeps you stuck in fawning mode
• A 5-minute Boundary-Setting Nervous System Reset you can do anywhere (yes, even in your car between patients)

This episode is packed with research-backed strategies and practical tools specifically for women over 50 in healthcare who are struggling with burnout.

Featured Research:

• Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory
• Dr. Kristin Neff's research on self-compassion and backdraft
• Dr. Andrew Huberman's physiological sighing technique
• Journal of Clinical Psychology (2019) – Neural activity in helping professionals

Key Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Hook: Why firing your therapist might be the boundary you need
• 1:30 – The bubble bath incident (aka the moment everything changed)
• 4:30 – The neuroscience of boundaries in helping professionals
• 7:00 – Activity: The Three B's Boundary-Setting Nervous System Reset
• 9:00 – Closing & your weekly challenge

Resources Mentioned:

• FREE Soul Joy Starter Guide
• Book: "In Pursuit of Soul Joy: A 12-Week Guide for Overcoming Burnout and Compassion Fatigue"

This podcast is for: Women over 50 in healthcare and helping professions who are brilliant, burned out, and ready to reclaim their joy without leaving their calling.

Connect with Dr. Julie:

• Website
• Instagram: @dr.juliemerriman
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Facebook