Fragmented to Whole: Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery
Why Avoiding Discomfort Keeps You Stuck and How to Get Unstuck | Episode 338
Feb 09, 2026
Barb Nangle
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In this week’s episode of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast, I’m unpacking a topic that sits at the core of emotional healing and change: discomfort. Not all discomfort is the same, and confusing them is one of the main reasons people stay stuck far longer than they need to. One form of discomfort is the kind that keeps us trapped, the other is the kind that helps us grow.
This episode is about learning how to tell the difference between chronic, soul-draining discomfort and the finite discomfort that leads to real healing, and how internal safety and support make all the difference.
Some of the talking points I go over in this episode include:
- The difference between the endless discomfort of staying stuck and the temporary discomfort that comes with growth and change
- Why experiential avoidance numbs not only pain, but also joy, meaning, and aliveness
- How manageable discomfort creates learning, flow, and forward movement instead of shutdown
- Why a “safe base,” internally and externally, is essential for sustainable growth
- How boundaries, emotional regulation, and support systems create the safety needed to tolerate change
Discomfort isn’t the enemy. But unsupported, overwhelming discomfort keeps us frozen. When you choose the finite discomfort of growth and pair it with enough safety, healing becomes possible and sustainable.
Be sure to tune in to all the episodes for grounded insights, emotional tools, and practical guidance on living a more whole and connected life.
Thank you for listening. If this episode resonated, take a screenshot and share it in your stories, tag me, and let me know what stood out. And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.
Learn more about Fragmented to Whole at:
https://higherpowercc.com/podcast/
Feeling drained or stuck? Take my free Boundaries Drain Quiz to find out where your energy is leaking and how to reclaim it:
https://higherpowercc.com/drain/
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