# Smart People Do This… and It’s Holding Them Back

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-extraordinary-self-podcast-7205939/smart-people-do-this-and-it-s-holding-them-back
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-extraordinary-self-podcast-7205939/smart-people-do-this-and-it-s-holding-them-back.md
Podcast: [The ExtraOrdinary Self Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-extraordinary-self-podcast-7205939)
Published: 2025-10-26T19:56:11+00:00
Episode link: https://mariadelgaiso.substack.com/p/smart-people-do-this-and-its-holding
Audio file: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/177187366/e555e266f2e3311d1db2ba68095465a4.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-extraordinary-self-podcast-7205939/episodes/smart-people-do-this-and-it-s-holding-them-back
Duration seconds: 357

## Resource

We’re told that smart people learn from other people’s mistakes — and that sounds like solid advice, right? But what happens when that “wisdom” quietly turns into fear? In this episode, I talk about how being overly cautious — always learning, always observing, always analyzing — can actually become a form of control. We call it discernment, but sometimes it’s really just fear wearing glasses. I share how this pattern showed up in my own life — how trying to “be wise” often meant I was avoiding risk, discomfort, and real growth. Because the truth is: you can’t think your way into courage. You have to live it. We’ll explore:✨ How fear disguises itself as “being smart”✨ Why observing others isn’t the same as experiencing life✨ The balance between discernment and daring✨ What it looks like to move from overthinking to actually living If you’ve ever been the one who says, “I already know how that ends,” this episode is for you. It’s time to stop letting wisdom become your wall — and start letting it be your launchpad. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mariadelgaiso.substack.com

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## Transcript

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