Episode Details

What if the voice in your head could help you move through fear instead of keeping you small?

In this episode of the She Talks Confidence Podcast, Tony talks with Sarah Jakle, a trauma-informed women’s leadership educator, about how to train your inner best friend and quiet the inner critic.

Sarah explains how the amygdala can interpret unfamiliar opportunities, leadership roles, and professional spaces as threats. That response can appear as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, hesitation, and the belief that you need one more certification before taking action.

The conversation offers practical confidence tools for women navigating self-doubt, career transitions, leadership, adversity, and personal growth.

Three Biggest Takeaways

Identify your inner critic without letting it control your choices:
The inner critic may be trying to protect you, but acknowledging it creates space to choose a different response.

Create an inner best friend who offers unconditional support: Ask, “What would my inner best friend say?” This supportive voice can help soothe the amygdala and reconnect you with your values and ambitions.

Train your brain to notice positive experiences: Through “savoring the good,” you can consciously recognize moments of beauty, joy, and encouragement instead of allowing criticism to dominate your attention.

Sarah Jakle also shares how she used these tools after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and told she would never work again. Her experience led her to develop practical training for women and high school girls who want to pursue opportunities they may have previously considered too frightening or out of reach.

If you’re working through imposter syndrome, perfectionism, nervous system dysregulation, fear of failure, or uncertainty about your next step, this episode offers a practical way to build a more supportive inner voice.

Connect with the Guest

Learn more about the training at democrashe.org.

You can connect with Sarah Jakle on LinkedIn or follow @innerbestfriend on Instagram.

Connect with the Host

Visit theconfidencedoc.com or email Tony at tony@theconfidencedoc.com.

Time Stamp

00:00 Start

02:00 Talking about emotional regulation

05:28 Challenges women face in politics

08:26 Programs for Empowering Young Girls

11:48 Listening to your inner best friend

15:27 Finding Your Inner Best Friend

17:46 Immersing in neuroscience for resilience

22:01 Choosing positivity over negativity

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