349. Annalie Howling: A Shameless Life Is Possible — Here’s How

05/13/25 • 64 min

What if the reason you’re exhausted, disconnected, or stuck... isn’t failure — but shame?

In this deeply vulnerable and transformational episode, performance coach and trauma expert Annalie Howling joins Matt to reveal how shame shapes our identity, fuels burnout, and keeps us from experiencing real connection — with others and ourselves.

Annalie shares her raw story of overcoming childhood trauma, healing internalized beliefs like “I am bad,” and learning to live a truly shameless life — one filled with freedom, self-compassion, and unshakable inner peace.

If you’ve ever felt like a black sheep, unworthy of love, or driven by pain instead of purpose... this episode is a mirror, a roadmap, and a permission slip to finally come home to yourself.

🔑 What You'll Learn:

Why shame is a belief system, not a behavior
The link between burnout and unresolved trauma
How your inner critic guards your comfort zone
Why self-compassion is the antidote to shame
Signs that shame is still running the show in your life
The difference between being seen and just performing

📚 Grab Annalie’s Book:

👉 Unapologetic: Unshackle Your Shame, Reclaim Your Power — out May 13th Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Unshackle-Shame-Reclaim-Power/

🔗 Connect with Annalie:

Instagram: @annaliehowling
Website: annaliehowling.com

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode spoke to your soul. Welcome back to Decoding Success — the podcast for the black sheep ready to come home.

What if the reason you’re exhausted, disconnected, or stuck... isn’t failure — but shame?

If you’ve ever felt like a black sheep, unworthy of love, or driven by pain instead of purpose... this episode is a mirror, a roadmap, and a permission slip to finally come home to yourself.

🔑 What You'll Learn:

Why shame is a belief system, not a behavior
The link between burnout and unresolved trauma
How your inner critic guards your comfort zone
Why self-compassion is the antidote to shame
Signs that shame is still running the show in your life
The difference between being seen and just performing

📚 Grab Annalie’s Book:

👉 Unapologetic: Unshackle Your Shame, Reclaim Your Power — out May 13th Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Unshackle-Shame-Reclaim-Power/

🔗 Connect with Annalie:

Instagram: @annaliehowling
Website: annaliehowling.com

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode spoke to your soul. Welcome back to Decoding Success — the podcast for the black sheep ready to come home.

Previous Episode

348. Happiness Isn't a 10/10 Every Day — Here's What It Really Is

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what really makes us happy. And spoiler alert: it’s not about chasing a perfect 10/10 every single day.

In this episode, I’ve got the fellas in the studio with me, and we’re diving deep into the real meaning of happiness — and how you can create it for yourself starting right now. We’re unpacking the myths we’ve been sold about what happiness should look like, why “being present” isn’t just a buzzword, and how giving (even when you feel like you don’t have much) can unlock a level of joy you didn’t expect.

In this conversation, I’m sharing: 👉 Why presence is the foundation of happiness 👉 The power of giving — no matter what you have to give 👉 How taking an honest audit of your life can show you what really matters 👉 Why chasing “ecstatic highs” leaves you feeling empty 👉 How to stop defining happiness by someone else’s standards 👉 A fresh perspective on love languages, fulfillment, and showing up for yourself and the people around you

Whether you’re in a funk or just want to feel more fulfilled, I really think this episode is going to help you reconnect with what’s real.

🎧 Give it a listen — and let me know what you think happiness really is.

👉 If this conversation resonates with you, do me a favor: share it with someone who needs it. 👉 Want to watch the conversation or take it with you on the go? Check the links in the show notes for YouTube and podcast platforms.

Until next time — be blessed. Peace.