We Relational Humans and Inner Critic and the Courage to Ask for Help

We Relational Humans and Inner Critic and the Courage to Ask for Help | With Elias Bohunicky & Shay Seaborne What makes asking for help so difficult? And whose voice do we hear when we tell ourselves, “There’s something wrong with me”? In this episode of We Relational Humans, Elias Bohunicky and Shay Seaborne explore the inner critic, shame, and the courage it takes to reach out—especially when earlier experiences taught us that needing support wasn’t safe. Through personal stories of friendship, unshaming, and unexpected kindness, we reflect on how being witnessed with compassion can change the way we relate to ourselves. From a friend reaching out after a breakup to a bowl of chicken soup arriving during illness, small moments of care can open possibilities we didn’t know were available. We also explore receiving: allowing a sincere compliment, a gift, or an offer of support to reach us, and noticing what happens when our first instinct is to dismiss it. Together, we discuss: • Recognizing the inner critic in our words, gaze, and touch • How early relationships can shape the way we treat ourselves • Listening with compassion without rushing to give advice • Building trust through repeated experiences of safe connection • How asking for help can bring people and communities together • Receiving kindness and compliments with a heartfelt “thank you” • Listening to bodily signals and honoring our needs • Recognizing when apparent strength is actually stress or self-protection What might change if we could meet ourselves with the kindness we needed from others—and let supportive people meet us there, too? Has asking for help, or receiving unexpected care, changed something for you? Share your story, questions, or reflections in the comments. Like, share, and subscribe to We Relational Humans with Elias Bohunicky and Shay Seaborne for more conversations about connection, trust, and being human together. #WeRelationalHumans #EliasBohunicky #ShaySeaborne #InnerCritic #AskingForHelp #Unshaming #HumanConnection