Episode #288: Why Moms Struggle to Say No and How to Stop People Pleasing with Melissa Urban

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Do you ever feel guilty for having needs, saying no, or even asking for alone time? You are not alone and this episode will help change that. Steph is joined by Melissa Urban, cofounder of Whole30 and author of The Book of Boundaries. Melissa shares her own transformation from people pleaser to boundary queen and offers practical ways moms can protect their energy and parent from a place of calm and clarity.

They talk through the most common challenges moms face, like how to say no without guilt, what to do when family members cross your food rules, and how to advocate for yourself without overexplaining. Melissa shares her favorite scripts, explains how boundaries actually build better relationships, and helps reframe the fear that setting boundaries means you are being mean. Whether you are new to boundaries or want to deepen your practice, this episode will leave you feeling more confident in your communication and more grounded in your parenting.

Topics Covered in This Episode

  • Why guilt shows up when moms set boundaries
  • How to create boundaries with in-laws around food and parenting
  • What to say when someone pushes your limits
  • Boundaries in marriage and co-parenting
  • Why overexplaining your needs can backfire

Show Notes: 

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This episode’s guest

Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30 and an authority on helping people create lifelong healthy habits. She is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author, including the instant best-seller, The Book of Boundaries, debuting at #3. She has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, People, Forbes, Good Morning America, and CNBC; is the host of the Do the Thing podcast; and is a prominent keynote speaker on boundaries, building community, health trends, and entrepreneurship. She lives in Salt Lake City, UT.

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