[203] What Do I Do When Someone Shuts Down?

"What do I do when someone shuts down?" is one of the most common questions asked — and one of the hardest to answer, because the real answer always depends on the person and the situation. This episode unpacks the many possible reasons behind a shutdown: shame, safety, exhaustion, feeling unheard, sensory or emotional overload, or a buildup of hard moments across the day. A candid personal example about managing blood sugar levels shows how naming your own state ahead of time can change the whole dynamic of a conversation.