Wanting vs. Needing vs. Choosing: A Map for Emotional Clarity With Nicole Shapiro

In this expansive episode of Helping the Heard, the crew dives deep into the nature of wanting—how it gets tangled with guilt, how to recognize it without judgment, and how to use it as a compass for long-term growth and clarity.

Show notes

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Topics discussed:

The Wanting Game and how it cultivates presence
Differentiating short-term pleasure from long-term fulfillment
“Find what feels good” — challenged and reframed
Wanting in abundance vs. scarcity mindsets
The emotional cost of chronic people-pleasing
Fence-sitting and the paralysis of big life decisions
Observing desires without shame or judgment
Willingness vs. wanting in communication and consent
Derrick’s vision: The Middle Way Wellness Center
Honoring complexity and learning to want clearly

Helping the Heard is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming communication patterns and fostering deeper connections in personal and professional relationships. Founded by empowerment coach Ian Mychal, the organization operates on the belief that many negative communication habits—such as defensiveness, reactivity, and avoidance—stem from individuals not feeling truly heard. By emphasizing curiosity, personal responsibility, and authentic expression, Helping the Heard teaches others how to create environments where individuals feel safe to speak their truth and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Curious to know more about your communication style? Take this quiz: https://www.helpingtheheard.com/take-the-our-communication-style-quiz

Website link https://www.helpingtheheard.com