Why do we procrastinate, overthink, avoid, or hold back just when things matter most? Your social media feed at 2 am calls this self-sabotage, but is it?

In this episode of the Scenic Route, we unpack fresh psychology research that flips the story of self-sabotage on its head. You’ll discover three hidden patterns that shape how we repeat harmful choices:

• Sensitives: quick learners who adapt after mistakes
• Unawares: people who miss the cause-and-effect until it’s explained
• Compulsives: those who know better but can’t break the cycle

You’ll hear why common advice like “just use willpower” or “learn from your mistakes” fails so many of us, and what actually works instead.

Because here’s the twist: you’re not broken, lazy, or your own worst enemy. What looks like sabotage is often safety in disguise. And once you see that, everything changes.

Paper mentioned:
Zeng, L., Park, H. R. P., McNally, G. P., Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel, P., et al. (2025). Causal inference and cognitive-behavioral integration deficits drive stable variation in human punishment sensitivity. Communications Psychology, 3, Article 103.

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Visit jenniferwalter.me – your cosy corner where recovering perfectionists, misfits, and those done pretending to be fine find space to breathe, dream, and create real change."

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September rolls in and suddenly life speeds up – school runs, work deadlines, holidays on the horizon. And with it comes the pressure to “get organised,” “finish strong,” and set bigger, better goals.

But here’s the truth: SMART goals don’t work for most women juggling kids, work, and real life. They focus on outcomes you can’t fully control — which often kills momentum before you even get started.

In this episode of The Scenic Route, we’re rethinking goal-setting from the end of summer to the end of the year. You’ll learn a framework that actually fits real life: lead and lag goals. Instead of chasing perfect outcomes, you’ll discover how to focus on the small, repeatable actions that build momentum, create daily wins, and carry you through even the busiest seasons.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why SMART goals often backfire (and why you’re not failing – the method is)
• The difference between lag goals (outcomes) and lead goals (actions you can control)
• Two simple ways to start setting goals using this framework, whether you’re outcome-driven or action-driven
• How to shift from chasing results to building momentum
• Practical examples for family life, work, self-care, and even the holiday season

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always behind on your goals, this episode will give you a gentler, smarter way forward.

See you on the Scenic Route!

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Visit jenniferwalter.me – your cosy corner where recovering perfectionists, misfits, and those done pretending to be fine find space to breathe, dream, and create real change."

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Follow on Threads

🔮 DAILY DOSE OF CHILL
The Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online permission slip to trust your inner compass again. What does your card say? Share it with us!

👉 Pull Your Free Card

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
Leave a rating and review. Your words help other wandering souls discover the Scenic Route podcast.

Can a student’s body size affect their grades? Research says yes. In this episode of The Scenic Route, Jen explores how fat bias and socioeconomic bias shape grades, opportunities, and self-worth.

You’ll hear:

• A personal story of how weight stigma shows up in healthcare.
• A German study of 14,000 students showed that overweight and lower-income kids receive lower grades than equally capable peers.
• Why grades often reflect compliance, neatness, and bias more than actual learning.
• How to judge whether a study is credible using reliability, objectivity, and validity and why validity is the trickiest.
• Practical steps for parents, teachers, and students to challenge fatbias in schools and beyond.

Grades don’t just decide report cards. They decide futures. When body size and class bias affect grades, kids are taught that some people matter less.

This episode is a call to question those systems and to push for a world where all kids can thrive.

👉 Listen now and share this with another parent, teacher, or friend who cares about equity in education.

Mentioned study
Nennstiel, R., & Gilgen, S. (2024). Does chubby Can get lower grades than skinny Sophie? Using an intersectional approach to uncover grading bias in German secondary schools. PLOS ONE, 19(7), e0305703. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305703

All other mentioned resources are listed on scenicroutepodcast.com

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit jenniferwalter.me – your cosy corner where recovering perfectionists, misfits, and those done pretending to be fine find space to breathe, dream, and create real change."

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Follow on Threads

🔮 DAILY DOSE OF CHILL
The Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online permission slip to trust your inner compass again. What does your card say? Share it with us!

👉 Pull Your Free Card

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
Leave a rating and review. Your words help other wandering souls discover the Scenic Route podcast.