<i>A solo reflection on praise, power, and standing on equal ground</i><br /><br />What if the way we offer admiration is quietly telling a story we never meant to tell?<br /><br />This is a reflection on compliments, cultural friction, and the moment it clicked that equality sometimes sounds like restraint.<br /><br />You’re not behind.<br />You’re not “too much.”<br />And if praise has ever made you uncomfortable, or longing has ever made you feel small—<br />you’re in the right place.<br /><br />🪞 <b>The compliment that changed everything</b> — when praise landed as distance instead of warmth.<br />🍯 <b>“Too much, too much”</b> — the jar of jam that cracked a cultural code wide open.<br />🇳🇱 <b>Why compliments feel risky here</b> — and what equality sounds like in another language.<br />⚖️ <b>Pedestals feel like pressure</b> — even when you meant them as love.<br />🔥 <b>“The awesome in me sees the awesome in you”</b> — not admiration, recognition.<br />🧠 <b>When insecurity borrows a disguise</b> — how pedestal-thinking sneaks in when we feel behind.<br />🌱 <b>Progress as a cha-cha</b> — forward, back, sideways… still moving.<br />🛌 <b>Rest isn’t quitting</b> — it’s part of the contract.<br />🌻 <b>Sunflowers don’t grow in shadow</b> — why comparison isn’t a compliment.<br />🤝 <b>Reading the room without erasing yourself</b> — finding fit without flattening your joy.<br /><b></b><br /><b>This episode isn’t here to fix you.</b><br />It’s here to loosen the grip on comparison, soften the way we give praise, and remind you<br />that standing beside someone can be just as powerful as lifting them up. <br /><b></b><br /><b>We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛</b><br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support</a>.<br /><br />🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕<br />Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  <br />❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  <br />Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   <br /><br />Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  <br /><br />Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  <br /><br />James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  <br /><br />For non-emergencies,<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><b> Psychology Today</b></a> can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  <br /><br />This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  <br /><br />We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  <br /><br />This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios