A Well Cared For Human: self-love strategies for transforming your pain into power

Will your goals destroy you? 24.04.2026 24min

Will Your Goals Destroy You? The Hidden Cost of Ambition Ambition can drive your greatest success—but it can also quietly burn you out. In this episode, Kory explores the complex relationship between ambition and self-worth, and what happens when your goals start working against you instead of for you. Through personal stories and grounded insight, you’ll learn how to pursue success without sacrificing your mental health or sense of self. In this episode, you’ll learn: How ambition fuels growth—and where it turns into self-criticism The hidden signs your goals are creating stress, burnout, or dissatisfaction How to define success based on your values (not external pressure) Practical strategies to set sustainable, realistic goals How to stay motivated without losing your wellbeing If you’ve ever felt driven but exhausted, motivated but never satisfied, this episode will help you reset your relationship with ambition—and build a path that actually supports your life. 💚 Please leave a review of the show and recommend the show to your friends. 💚 Have a question? Ask Kory! Email kory@awellcaredforhuman.com with any question or concern you have and the answer could be featured in an upcoming episode. Show Description After completing her show Who Killed My Mother? a true crime podcast, Kory received countless emails from all over the world asking: "How did you heal from everything that happened? How did you move away from all of the abuse, trauma, and mental illness to become the (mostly) happy, (mostly) healthy, and (mostly) successful person you are today? How can I be happier, healthier, and more at peace with myself and my life?"This wellness podcast will explore the answers to those questions. Disclaimer: Kory M. Shrum is not a healthcare professional. This podcast is not a replacement for professional treatment or medication. The show and its episodes were created for the purposes of relaxation, inspiration, and entertainment only. If you have any health conditions please consult a healthcare provider. Support this creator on Patreon: www.patreon.com/korymarie Visit this show’s website to join Kory’s free newsletter and receive your free wellness blueprint (full of self-care strategies you can start today): https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com Freebies (fiction and poetry) https://www.korymshrum.com/free-starter-library Follow on Instagram https://instagram.com/koryshrum Thank you for listening ! 💚

Healing, Purpose, and the Power of Storytelling with Zac Diamanti 10.04.2026 44min

What happens when a warrior comes home—but no longer knows who they are? In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Kory sits down with award-winning fantasy author Zac Diamanti to talk about storytelling, trauma, and the long journey of healing after service. Zac shares how his time in the military—and the difficult transition out of it—shaped his writing, especially in his cozy fantasy novel Guard in the Garden. We explore what it means to lose your sense of purpose, how creativity becomes a lifeline, and why the smallest moments—gratitude, connection, quiet joy—are often the ones that save us. We also talk about: PTSD, isolation, and the search for identity after the military Why cozy fantasy is a powerful tool for healing The role of creativity in processing trauma Building a meaningful life after everything changes How storytelling helps others feel seen and understood This is a conversation about becoming human again—after everything that tried to take that away. If you’ve ever struggled with purpose, burnout, or finding your place in the world, this episode is for you.Learn more about Zac at https://zsdiamanti.com/

How to Stop Fighting Your Thoughts 27.03.2026 14min

Many of us were never taught how to work with our thoughts and emotions. Instead, we were taught to fear the control they had over us. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory shares an audiobook excerpt exploring the Mind and Emotions Pillar, one of the Four Pillars of Wellbeing. Growing up in an environment where her thoughts and feelings were constantly dismissed, criticized, and invalidated, Kory learned to distrust her own mind. Like many people who experienced emotional neglect or trauma, she came to believe that her inner world was something dangerous that needed to be controlled or suppressed. But healing requires something very different. In this episode, she explores how learning to befriend your thoughts and emotions can transform your relationship with yourself. You’ll learn: • Why many people grow up distrusting their thoughts and emotions• How trauma can create chaos in our inner world• The difference between accepting feelings and being controlled by them• Why your thoughts and emotions contain valuable information• Practical tools for building self-awareness and emotional balance If your mind sometimes feels chaotic, overwhelming, or impossible to understand, this conversation offers a compassionate path toward clarity. Your thoughts and emotions are not enemies. And learning to work with them can change everything. If you want more tools like these, visit www.awellcaredforhuman.com

How to Heal Your Relationship With Your Body 13.03.2026 19min

Many of us grow up learning to criticize our bodies long before we ever learn how to care for them. Maybe someone made hurtful comments on your appearance. Maybe you were bullied. Maybe the messages about what a body “should” look like slowly taught you to see your own body as a problem to fix. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, I share an excerpt from the audiobook of A Well Cared For Human, introducing the Four Pillars of Wellbeing and exploring the first pillar: your relationship with your body. In this chapter, I talk about my own complicated history with my body, growing up with criticism, trauma, self-harm, eating disorders, and the long journey back toward healing and respect for the body I live in. Your body carries your history, your experiences, and your survival.And no matter how damaged your relationship with it may feel right now, it is still possible to rebuild that relationship. In this episode we explore: • The Four Pillars of wellbeing and why self-care is really about your relationship with yourself• Why generic self-care advice often fails• How early criticism shapes our relationship with our bodies• My personal story of body shame, self-harm, and eating disorders• Why forgiveness and compassion are essential to healing the body relationship• Practical mindset shifts that can help you rebuild respect for your body If you struggle with body image, body shame, or feeling disconnected from your body, I hope this episode reminds you that healing is possible. Your relationship with your body can change. And it can become one of the most supportive relationships in your life.

A Meditation for When You Feel Overwhelmed 27.02.2026 16min

When your mind is racing and your nervous system feels unstable, you don’t need to solve your life. You need to slow your body down. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, I guide you through a grounding meditation I use when I feel internally chaotic, a simple practice called “Be Like a Log.” Inspired by a verse from the 8th-century Buddhist text The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, this meditation is about stillness, stability, and choosing not to react when emotions surge. You’ll learn: How to settle your body into a relaxed but ready posture How to breathe in a way that calms your nervous system Why longer exhales signal safety to the brain How visualization can anchor you in the present moment This is a short (15-minute), practical reset you can return to anytime you feel racy, reactive, or overwhelmed. If you’d like more tools for transforming pain into power, sign up for my free, resource-packed newsletter at awellcaredforhuman.com.

The 4 Foundations of Self-Love (That No One Teaches You) 13.02.2026 30min

What does it actually mean to have a healthy relationship with yourself? In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory explores the four essential attributes that change everything: honesty, trust, respect, and open communication. Drawing from Chapter Three of A Well Cared For Human, she examines how trauma, self-doubt, gaslighting, and survival mode interfere with these qualities, and how we can begin rebuilding them. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, struggled to trust your instincts, or found self-care unsustainable, this episode offers a grounded, practical framework for rebuilding your foundation. Because self-care is so much deeper than a checklist. Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

The Self-Care Shift That Changes Everything 30.01.2026 17min

What if self-care isn’t about habits — but about the relationship you’re building with yourself? In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory explores the most important mindset shift behind sustainable self-care: moving from isolated self-care tasks to intentional relationship-building across the Four Pillars of Wellbeing. Through personal reflection and an extended audiobook excerpt from A Well Cared For Human, this episode covers: Why traditional self-care often fails How trauma shapes our ability to feel safe and cared for The role of creativity, self-trust, and meaning in healing Insights from the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study What changed between survival and true wellbeing This conversation is for anyone healing from trauma, burnout, or chronic self-doubt — and for those who want self-care that leads to real transformation, not just coping. Learn more and sign up for Kory's free newsletter at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Leverage Your Losses (& Audiobook Chapter 1 Preview) 14.01.2026 26min

This episode features Chapter One of the audiobook A Well Cared For Human, presented as a full audio reading. It introduces the tone, voice, and emotional foundation of the book, offering an immersive entry point into the audiobook, along with the author’s introduction and commentary. In this episode: Kory shares insights into the audiobook production process An introduction to the core idea that losses can be leveraged for growth (the focus of Chapter One) The complete author-narrated reading of Chapter One: A Well Cared For Human — Self-Love Strategies for Transforming Pain into Power Like, comment, and subscribe for more audiobook content, podcast episodes, and audio storytelling. Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Why New Year’s Resolutions Are Hurting You (And What to Do Instead) 31.12.2025 21min

New Year’s resolutions often sound motivating—but they can quietly damage your relationship with yourself. In this episode, Kory offers a gentler, more sustainable way to set goals—one that prioritizes wellbeing over self-criticism. Using the A Well Cared For Human framework, she walks through how to align your goals with your body, mind, spirit, and relationships, while paying close attention to the thoughts, language, and actions that shape how growth actually feels. This episode explores: Why results-based goals can harm your mental health How to replace self-judgment with compassion A practical framework for setting supportive, realistic intentions Why the action itself—not the outcome—is the real win If you’re craving growth without shame, this episode is for you. Learn more about how to become A Well Cared For Human by visiting www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World 17.12.2025 20min

Episode 145: Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World In this week’s episode, Kory explores why so many of us feel exhausted, anxious, overwhelmed, or “out of sync” — and why none of it is a personal failing. Living in a fast-moving, hyperconnected world constantly pulls us off center. Add in the pressure to “get it together,” stay productive, and keep up with endless expectations, and balance becomes nearly impossible to maintain. Drawing from the four pillars of wellbeing — Body, Mind & Emotions, Spirit, and Connection — Kory breaks down what imbalance really looks like, how quickly it shows up in our daily lives, and how to use gentle “counterweights” to restore harmony. You’ll learn: • Why awareness is the key to finding balance• How to identify imbalances before they spiral• What your energy, emotions, creativity, and relationships are telling you• How overworking, under-resting, or overstimulation quietly drain you• Why systemic narratives make us feel like we’re failing• Simple, compassionate ways to get grounded again — no shame, no pressure This episode is for anyone who feels tired, stretched thin, creatively stuck, or disconnected from themselves. You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel whole again — just a few mindful shifts and a lot of self-kindness. Listen now to reconnect with your center, replenish your energy, and remember that balance is something you practice, not something you perfect.Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

What’s Keeping You Overwhelmed, Overworked, and Undervalued 02.12.2025 24min

Author James Clear said, “"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The only problem is that most systems that dictate our lives are not built by us, let alone for us. In this episode, host Kory discusses how systemic structures impact our relationship with ourselves and our ability to nurture the four pillars of wellness: body, mind and emotions, spirit, and connection. Kory explains how societal expectations, particularly within American culture, often undermine our self-care efforts. From productivity pressures affecting our physical health to consumerism influencing our mental and emotional state, Kory details how these systems manipulate our well-being. Despite systemic challenges, Kory emphasizes the importance of investing in self-care and cautions against self-blame. Learn more about Kory and her work at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Gratitude When Life Is Hard: 3 Practices to Be Thankful for Yourself 07.11.2025 26min

Gratitude can feel impossible when life feels chaotic, uncertain, or overwhelming — and yet this is when we need it most. In this episode, we explore why gratitude often feels out of reach during stressful seasons, and why shifting your practice inward (toward gratitude for yourself) is one of the most powerful healing tools available. I share three simple, grounding practices that help you: Build internal stability when the world feels unpredictable Strengthen resilience and emotional safety Reconnect to your worth, enoughness, and inner strength Experience gratitude as empowerment — not performance This episode is a gentle invitation to honor where you are, celebrate who you are, and remember that gratitude begins with you. Note: This podcast shares ideas for personal development, reflection, and healing. It is not a substitute for professional mental-health support.

Shifting Fear Through Self-Belief and Curiosity 24.10.2025 31min

Remember how fun it was to be scared as a kid? Haunted houses, scary stories, and Halloween thrills made fear feel playful — even exciting. But as adults, fear often feels heavier: anxiety, doubt, and self-criticism replace curiosity and courage. In this Halloween-inspired episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum shares two powerful tools for transforming fear: self-belief and curiosity. You’ll learn how to reframe fear as an opportunity for growth instead of paralysis, and how to bring back the light-hearted bravery we once had as children. Plus, Kory introduces her newest release, Final Cut — a chilling new collection of Halloween ghost stories — and other spooky reads to keep you company this season. Tune in to reconnect with your courage, rekindle your curiosity, and remember that fear doesn’t have to control you. Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Are You Addicted? If You’re at Risk, Here’s What You Can Do About It 10.10.2025 27min

Addiction can take many forms: substances, screens, shopping, work, or even relationships. In episode 141 of A Well Cared For Human, your host Kory opens up about her personal journey of overcoming several addictions over the years and share the five practices that helped her break the cycle. You’ll learn: What addiction really looks like (and how to spot it in your own life) The mindset shifts that make recovery possible Five simple, compassionate steps to start healing How to rebuild trust with yourself along the way This episode was made with love and lived experience, but it is not a substitute for professional help. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a qualified mental health or addiction professional. 💙

5 Ways to Use Play for Better Mental Health 17.09.2025 23min

Most adults forget to make time for play — but play is one of the most powerful (and free!) mental health tools we have. In this episode, Kory explains why play matters, how it reduces stress and sparks creativity, and five simple ways to add more play into your daily life. If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or craving more joy, this episode will give you lighthearted, practical tools to reset your mind and reconnect with what makes you feel alive. 💛 Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com💙Join Kory LIVE for a Virtual Play Date on YouTube: Thursday, Sept 25 at 8PM ET

Why Birthdays Feel So Emotional (and what happened to me this year) 03.09.2025 23min

Birthdays are supposed to feel joyful, but for many of us, they bring something else: anxiety, self-doubt, or a quiet sadness we can’t quite name. In this personal and honest episode, I share what my most recent birthday revealed about aging, self-worth, and the passage of time, and how I want to move into the year ahead with more clarity, joy, and compassion. Whether birthdays fill you with excitement or dread, this conversation will help you see them differently: not as proof of what’s slipping away, but as an invitation to live more fully, right now. Aging doesn’t have to mean fear, regret, or invisibility. It can mean stepping into wisdom, freedom, and deeper self-love. Your next birthday isn’t a deadline. It' s a doorway into who you’re becoming. Learn more self-empowerment strategies at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Do you think TOO much? 20.08.2025 32min

Overthinking isn’t who you are—it’s a habit you learned to survive. In this episode, we explore how overthinking and over-intellectualizing often start as self-protection after trauma, but later keep us stuck. Learn why your mind races, how to spot when it’s holding you back, and gentle ways to quiet your thoughts so you can trust yourself and start thriving. Get more resources at www.awellcaredforhuman.com #overthinking #traumahealing #mindfulness #selfgrowth

How to Shine: be fully, authentically YOU 07.08.2025 28min

Do you ever feel like you’re hiding who you really are? In this episode, we explore why you may fear being seen, how shame makes us play small, and what it takes to finally shine with confidence. Whether it’s childhood conditioning, imposter syndrome, or just not wanting to “take up too much space,” these fears are real—and they keep so many of us from showing up fully. But the truth is: you’re not too much. You were meant to shine. You’ll learn: What’s really holding you back from being visible How fear of judgment or rejection shapes your self-image Why “playing small” feels safe—but costs you joy How to build the confidence to take up space and speak your truth This is your permission slip to be bold, to be seen, and to stop shrinking in order to belong. You are worthy. You are powerful. And it’s time to stop hiding. 🌿 Explore more tools for healing + growth:www.awellcaredforhuman.com

You're Not Broken - Just Disconnected (This will help) 23.07.2025 21min

EP 136: Journaling for Self-Healing — How Writing Can Help You Reconnect with Yourself In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, we explore how journaling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship with yourself. Whether you feel disconnected, lost, or unsure of who you are, journaling offers a path back to clarity, self-trust, and inner peace. ✨ Why journaling works for emotional healing✨ The difference between “just writing” and deep self-inquiry✨ Prompts to help you explore who you are and what you need✨ How to use journaling to break patterns and build self-trust If you’ve ever felt like you’re a stranger to yourself—or if you want to deepen your self-awareness—this episode will show you how to use your journal as a safe space for growth and healing. Self-healing starts with self-understanding. 💛 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on mental health, healing, and personal growth📩 Grab your free self-care guide: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6🌿 More from Kory: https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/📸 Instagram: @koryshrum

Meditation isn't the only way 11.07.2025 20min

In this episode, we dive into one of the most common misconceptions about meditation: the belief that it's the only way to be mindful or grow in awareness. Topics covered:- What mindfulness really means- Why meditation isn’t the end goal- Practical ways to build awareness in daily life- How to stop feeling like you're "doing it wrong" Meditation is powerful—but it's not the only tool for transformation. If you're looking for healing, change, or greater peace, this episode will help you understand how awareness works and how to practice it in a way that fits your life. Mindfulness isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. ✨ Subscribe for more episodes on self-care, healing, and personal growth. 👍 Share this episode it with someone who needs it. 💬 Watch the video version on YouTube and comment your current struggles with meditation / mindfulness / awareness and I'll offer more tips if I can!#meditation #mindfulness #healingjourney #awareness #selfcare #awellcaredforhuman #mentalhealth 🛑 Disclaimer: Kory M. Shrum is not a healthcare professional. This podcast is not a replacement for professional treatment or medication. The show and its episodes were created for the purposes of relaxation, inspiration, and entertainment only. If you have any health conditions, please consult a healthcare provider. Learn more about Kory and her work at: 🌿 https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/ Support this creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/korymarieDownload your free wellness blueprint (an ebook full of self-care strategies): https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6 Don't forget your freebies (fiction and poetry): https://www.korymshrum.com/free-starter-library Follow Kory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koryshrum/Follow Kory on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/korymarie