Self-esteem is one of the most misunderstood concepts in mental health. In this episode of The Global Impact Podcast, we take an educational, student-minded deep dive into what self-esteem actually is, how it forms, how it gets disrupted by stress, trauma, illness, and hard seasons — and most importantly, how it can be rebuilt. This episode blends two powerful perspectives: a life coach’s lens, focused on lived experience, identity, behavior, and emotional growth and a psychiatric lens, grounded in neuroscience, psychology, attachment theory, and emotional regulation You’ll learn why self-esteem is not the same as confidence, why negative self-talk is learned (and reversible), and how your nervous system plays a central role in how worthy, capable, and safe you feel being yourself. We explore: how hard seasons and survival mode impact self-worth the neuroscience behind inner dialogue and emotional regulation why illness, caregiving, and chronic stress affect identity and confidence how to unlearn negative self-talk using evidence-based cognitive principles why confidence comes after action, not before the role of self-validation in emotional stability how attachment styles shape relationships and self-esteem This episode is designed for: students of psychology, coaching, social work, and mental health individuals navigating healing, burnout, or identity rebuilding anyone who wants a clear, compassionate, and science-backed understanding of self-esteem This is not motivational hype. This is mental health literacy — explained in a calm, grounded, and human way. If you’re looking for emotional support, therapeutic tools, or professional mental wellness resources, explore support options at GlobalImpactWellness.com