Banish the Lies: Outsmart Your Inner Critic
Banish the Lies is a podcast for women who overthink, self-sabotage, and secretly feel stuck, even when life looks “together” on the outside.
Each week, host Tania Cervoni explores the quiet fears and false stories that shape how we see ourselves, lies like “you’ll never be enough” or “if it’s not perfect, it doesn’t count.” Through honest reflection, lived experience, and simple mindset shifts, she invites you to loosen your grip on fear, soften perfectionism, and step out of performance.
You’ll hear conversations about identity, self-trust, and what it actually looks like to live from truth instead of fear, with practical ways to quiet self-doubt and return to what matters.
Because healing doesn’t mean fixing who you are. It means remembering you were never broken.
Thanks for listening to Banish the Lies.
If something in this episode resonated and you want to talk about it, connect with me on Instagram at @taniacervoni_
Banish the Lies: Outsmart Your Inner Critic
Monday Moment: The Story After the Story
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In this Monday Moment, Tania explores how the real pain often comes not from what happens, but from the story we tell about it. After a small misstep triggered a spiral of self-criticism, she began questioning the narrative that followed.
From job loss to critical feedback to everyday frustrations, the story we layer on top can shape our stress response and our next move. What if there’s another interpretation available, one that’s honest but less punishing?
A brief reflection on self-talk, emotional resilience, and choosing a healthier narrative.
Okay, happy Monday moment, friends. Today I wanna talk about how much of our pain has less to do with what happens and more to do with the story we tell about it. Recently I said something to someone I care about. I meant well, but it wasn't my most emotionally intelligent moment, and they were upset and rightfully so, and in the face of that upset, I could feel it starting that inner spiral. How could I be so stupid? I knew better. Why did I say that? You know that voice. And in that moment I realized I had a choice. I could keep berating myself or I could give myself some grace. I knew that I hadn't intended any harm, and after all, I'm human and I'll mess up sometimes. But that moment got me thinking about how often the event and the story get tangled together. Someone unfriends you. You get reorged out of a job. You receive critical feedback. The event happens, then the story comes rushing in. This means I'm not wanted. This means I'm failing. This means I'm behind. This means I'm in danger. Now, I'm not suggesting we pretend hard things aren't hard. Losing a job can obviously shock your system. But after the initial hit, the story we build on top of it often creates the ongoing suffering. One story says that's it. This is the end, and another says, Hmm, maybe this is a pivot. Those two stories will create very different nervous systems, very different behaviors, and very different futures. Even something small like getting caught in traffic, you can go to. Like, why does this always happen to me? Or you can go to, I guess I have an extra 10 minutes to breathe or to listen to a Monday moment. Same traffic, different story. And sometimes the harshest story isn't even about the situation. It's about ourselves. Calling yourself stupid or tearing yourself down obviously doesn't make you any better, but it's your nervous system trying to regain control. The story goes, if I can make it my fault, then at least it's predictable. And if it's predictable, maybe I can prevent it next time. It's a very painful way to operate, but it does give the illusion of control. So today my invitation is simple. I would just ask you to notice when something doesn't go your way. What story forms first? Is it fear, catastrophe, self attack, and this is the important part. Is there another story available? Not a fake positive one, not a bypass, just one that feels a little less punishing because sometimes the pain isn't coming from the event. It's coming from our own narrative. Okay. And you may have more say in that than you think. Okay. Many blessings. Cheers. I.