The Sexist Programming that Leads to People Pleasing in Women

Why do so many women feel responsible for everyone else’s comfort—often at the cost of their own?

In this revealing solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith digs deep into the roots of people pleasing and how it’s tied to sexist societal programming that starts in childhood. From the pressure to "be nice" to the hidden toll it takes on women’s mental health, Elyssa unpacks why so many women find themselves stuck in cycles of overgiving, anxiety, and self-abandonment.

She offers empowering insights on how to identify these ingrained behaviors, regulate your nervous system, and reclaim your right to take up space. This is a must-listen for any woman ready to choose authenticity over approval—and learn the life-changing power of setting boundaries.

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• Why people pleasing is more than just a personality trait—it's a learned survival strategy
  
• How childhood messages around “being nice” shape adult behavior
  
• The link between people pleasing and anxiety, burnout, and self-neglect
  
• Why authenticity often feels unsafe for women—and how to reclaim it
  
• Tools for nervous system regulation to break reactive patterns
  
• How to set healthy boundaries without guilt
  
• The importance of understanding societal conditioning in order to break free
  
  

🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to People Pleasing and Sexist Programming
03:06 – The Roots of People Pleasing in Childhood
06:11 – The Consequences of People Pleasing
09:00 – Breaking the Cycle of People Pleasing
11:46 – Nervous System Regulation and Self-Discovery
15:00 – Empowerment and Setting Boundaries

Get a free call with Elyssa:
​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!

Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus