EP 0095 – Grieving Regrets and Woke is Shameful (Subscription)

Joe stresses that vulnerability is strength, not weakness. Owning your flaws—shame-based patterns, codependency, abandonment fears, addiction—takes away their power to shame or trigger you. He admits he’ll never fully become the idealized “perfect” version of himself he once chased (a fantasy built on shame), but beating himself up for it only creates more self-hate and setbacks. Instead, the path is acceptance: let yourself off the hook, forgive the messy parts, and focus on incremental growth—being a little better today than yesterday. Life isn’t pass/fail; it’s messy, human, and imperfect.

Joe then turns to the broader cultural landscape, critiquing the pressures of “woke” culture and political correctness. Living in New York City, he feels like a “dinosaur”—a straight white male constantly judged as toxic by shifting, arbitrary rules. He argues that true evolution comes from internal integrity and a personal moral compass, not enforced external standards that shame and cancel people for imperfection. Humans are flawed animals; trying to force everyone into a perfect box breeds more anger, division, and fear. He calls for allowing space for growth instead of instant judgment—people evolve at their own pace, and canceling someone for a mistake cuts off the connection rather than fostering understanding.

The episode closes with a clear message: focus on becoming the person you respect by doing your own inner work, treating yourself with kindness, and letting the rest fall into place. When you stop chasing impossible ideals and start accepting your humanity, you become less triggered by others, less needy in relationships, and more compassionate toward everyone’s imperfections—including your own.