{"podcast":{"title":"Sit Around the Fire","slug":"sit-around-the-fire-7092992","podcast_index_feed_id":7092992,"rss_url":"https://api.riverside.fm/hosting/p7CgHNTy.rss","website_url":"http://www.sitaroundthefire.org","image_url":"https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/a1a89402-3cb2-4d0e-8271-1dc3f9195458/logos/1ca2cda6-5777-4806-9283-839da608aef6.png","author":"Ashlea Dillard","episode_count":62,"summary":"Welcome to Sit Around the Fire — the space where stories ignite transformation. Hosted by a former first responder turned licensed professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist , this podcast blends real-life experiences , powerful teachings, and practical tools for mental and physical health . Each episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and find your spark again. Together, we explore mindfulness, stress management, trauma recovery, and PTSD healing — all through the lens of someone who’s lived it. You’ll hear raw conversations with first responders, veterans, and mental health experts as well as other incredible human beings with amazing stories and missions who share their wisdom on how to move from burnout to balance, from survival mode to thriving. If you’re ready to break free from old patterns and beliefs , reclaim your peace, and live your most abundant, limitless life , this is your community. ✨ What you’ll learn: How to manage stress and trauma while building emotional resilience. Practical mindfulness and mental well-being techniques that fit your lifestyle. Real stories of healing from first responders and military families . Tools to strengthen both mental an…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-28T08:19:32.620717+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992"},"episode":{"title":"#043: The Hidden Cost of Always Being the Strong One: Emotional Exhaustion, Vulnerability & Healing","slug":"043-the-hidden-cost-of-always-being-the-strong-one-emotional-exhaustion-vulnerability-healing","published_at":"2026-03-24T13:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992/043-the-hidden-cost-of-always-being-the-strong-one-emotional-exhaustion-vulnerability-healing","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992","url":"https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/50a8290e914da958e2bf3d0753b5f677f4e29dc0b0dd39119766efe3ff22b9dd/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmOWNmNzhhMi0xMzA1LTRkNTItODA3OS1mMWZmNGZhZjVmMGMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJhMWE4OTQwMi0zY2IyLTRkMGUtODI3MS0xZGMzZjkxOTU0NTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTFiODUwMTcyODQxMTU2YjI2M2VmY2QiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjljMWI4NWIxM2MzMTIzMmQxMjEyNmMwL2FzaGxlYS1kaWxsYXJkcy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTIzX18yMy0yLTMubXAzIn0=.mp3","audio_url":"https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/50a8290e914da958e2bf3d0753b5f677f4e29dc0b0dd39119766efe3ff22b9dd/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmOWNmNzhhMi0xMzA1LTRkNTItODA3OS1mMWZmNGZhZjVmMGMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJhMWE4OTQwMi0zY2IyLTRkMGUtODI3MS0xZGMzZjkxOTU0NTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTFiODUwMTcyODQxMTU2YjI2M2VmY2QiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjljMWI4NWIxM2MzMTIzMmQxMjEyNmMwL2FzaGxlYS1kaWxsYXJkcy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTIzX18yMy0yLTMubXAzIn0=.mp3","summary":"Are you the one everyone relies on… but secretly feel exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed? In this solo episode of Sit Around the Fire , therapist and hypnotherapist Ashlea Dillard explores the hidden cost of always being the strong one —and why this role, while admirable, can lead to emotional exhaustion, nervous system dysregulation, and deep disconnection from yourself and others . If you’ve ever felt like you have to “hold it all together,” struggle to ask for support, or find yourself constantly pushing through despite burnout… this episode will resonate deeply. Ashlea breaks down how the “strong one” identity is often learned and adaptive , rooted in past experiences where vulnerability didn’t feel safe. She shares how this pattern can show up in your daily life—and more importantly, how to begin releasing emotional suppression, embracing vulnerability, and allowing support back in . This episode also includes a guided hypnosis-style integration to help you gently let go of what you’ve been carrying and reconnect with a sense of internal safety and support. ✨ You don’t have to do life alone. And you don’t have to earn rest. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The emotional toll of always being the strong one Signs of emotional repression, burnout, and nervous system exhaustion How hyper-independence keeps you stuck and disconnected Why vulnerability is essential for healing and personal growth Practical reflection prompts to help you shift patterns A guided integration to release pressure and reconnect with support 🔥 Key Takeaways: You don’t have to earn rest or support Strength isn’t just holding it all together—it’s allowing yourself to be seen Awareness is the first step toward real healing and change 🎯 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Healing Conversation…","meta_description":"Are you the one everyone relies on… but secretly feel exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed? In this solo episode of Sit Around the Fire , therapist and…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1526,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/sit-around-the-fire-7092992/episodes/043-the-hidden-cost-of-always-being-the-strong-one-emotional-exhaustion-vulnerability-healing/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992/043-the-hidden-cost-of-always-being-the-strong-one-emotional-exhaustion-vulnerability-healing.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}