And now it's time to ask the shrink.

Hey, welcome to this bonus episode of shrink for the shy guy.

This one's going to be called fan mail, because this is someone that wrote in and shared

something, and I don't think there's a clear question in here, so it's not an ask the shrink,

but so much of what he's shared,

I love how authentic, bold, vulnerable he's being. And I think it's just going to be valuable

to listen to because it can be so relieving to just hear about someone else's experience that you can

relate to. And that's what I love about the mastermind group program that I have is we have

these group calls. And one of the main benefits people get is they get to realize

on a deep level that they're not alone. And it's like, oh, wow, you were scared to speak up in that

meeting at work. I have that too. Let's talk about how we can break through it. I'm just going to say his first name. I'm going to leave out all the names of people in his life, so it's anonymous.

But I think you'll relate to his story and then I'll have some comments at the end.

So this comes from John. John says, first, I would just like to thank you.

You haven't done much yet, but nonetheless, you've helped me begin to understand the way I think

and how I may be able to change it. I've just started listening to your podcast drink for the shy guy.

I'm only a few episodes in over the course of two weeks, but I'm starting to apply some of the

techniques you've laid out into helping myself. My conversation isn't so much starting conversations, or sorry,

my problem isn't so much starting conversations with people I don't know, but really opening up

to people I care for, like my family, my friends, my girlfriend. I think the more I get to know

someone, or better, the more they get to know me, the more I close

myself off.

I have that inner critic, and as I get close with someone, I begin to think to myself that there

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