Someone shares great news and instead of feeling happy, you feel... flat. Maybe even a little sting. And then you feel terrible about feeling that way. Sound familiar? Your brain has a name for what's happening — and it's not what you think. In this episode, Kim and Coach Suzette break down why other people's good news can trigger an unexpected emotional sting — and how to retrain your brain to genuinely celebrate with them. IN THIS EPISODE:• Why hearing someone's good news sometimes feels like a personal threat — and what's actually happening in your brain• Social comparison threat: the survival instinct your amygdala runs without your permission• How your brain treats a friend's promotion the same way it treats physical danger• ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) — the shame spiral that kicks in after the initial sting• Why the sting is a neural response, not a moral failure or a verdict on your character• "Name it to train it" — how labeling your emotions engages your prefrontal cortex and calms your amygdala• Heart-focused breathing: how to shift from threat mode into coherence• Choosing redirect thoughts that are honest, not toxic positivity• How practicing generosity and celebration rewires your default neural pathways EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 — The sting nobody wants to talk about00:28 — Welcome to Unafraid Living00:45 — Meet Coach Suzette + Unafraid Course promo01:40 — Why Kim picked this topic02:24 — Why this feels shameful (and why it shouldn't)03:27 — Your brain's social comparison system explained05:06 — Social comparison threat: when a friend's win feels like danger06:38 — The ANTs arrive: automatic negative thoughts after the sting07:48 — Dr. Amen's ANTs framework and how to fight back09:33 — "The initial response isn't moral failure — it's a neural response"10:26 — You have to tell your brain what you want11:04 — Old wiring vs. new wiring: "their win is just their win"11:39 — Training your brain through virtues and genuine celebration13:03 — Step 1: Notice it and name it13:30 — Affect labeling: why naming emotions lowers their intensity14:09 — Step 2: Heart-focused breathing to shift into coherence14:50 — What coherence means for your brain and body15:37 — Step 3: Choose a redirect thought (not toxic positivity)16:23 — Why honest redirect thoughts work better than forced positivity17:26 — Modeling healthy thought patterns for your kids and family18:30 — The Free Fear Audit19:14 — Wrap-up: your brain learns what you repeat20:58 — Closing and where to follow us THIS WEEK'S PRACTICE:The next time someone shares good news and you feel that little sting, try this three

Why You Feel Bad When Someone Shares Good News

Get Started

Download the App