Hi everyone, I'm Susie Weiss, and I've noticed there's just simply not enough podcasts in the world. So I'm launching my own. Let's go. Let's go, baby. Second Thought is a weekly show about pop culture. The stuff everyone's been binging, arguing about, obsessing over. Here's the thing about heated rivalry. I mean, even the most devoted swifties, I think we can agree, not our best work. We'll be hosting thoughtful conversations with culture's most important figures. Talk about genius.

Talk about generational talent.

Coming to headphones near you on can agree not our best work. We'll be hosting thoughtful conversations with culture's most important

figures. Talk about genius. Talk about generational talent. Coming to headphones near you on April 17th,

with a first guess you won't want to miss. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Before we get

started with today's episode, I wanted to give you a heads up. This conversation includes brief

descriptions of a minor, experiencing abusive power and

sexual dynamics from a parental figure. If that sounds triggering, take care of yourself,

and we'll see you next episode. There comes a point where you don't know where you end and the

fawn response begins. Meanwhile, your family and society, everyone's sort of

applauding these behaviors. We think of it like you're being a good girl, a good kid,

going along to get along. Don't make them upset. Just like these countless messages,

override yourself, override yourself.

This is how-to. I'm Courtney Martin. I'm guessing you've heard of fight, flight, or freeze,

three responses that many of us have to trauma. But today we've got a new one for you,

or at least it was new to me. It's called fawning.

When I first heard the word, I imagined a slow, blinking Disney dough trying to convince a hungry wolf not to eat her.

And then I sort of sat with it more and I thought about my own tendency, intense social

situations to kind of play it cool.

Disarm the asshole at the bar with an apology

he doesn't deserve or give my uncle a little chuckle after a sexist joke to show I too can take

it lightly, but I actually don't. I don't think it's fun in games, not at all, and I always leave

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