Have you ever had a great idea in your mind, but when you try to communicate it….it just falls flat? That was us this week. This podcast episode began with a failure—an entire recording session lost to the void🕳️. We’re not going to hide it. Leaning into our failure, we decided to approach this podcast as a live experiment in the tangled emotions of shame and guilt.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

* The fine line between healthy shamelessness and reckless disregard

* Why shame is a social construct—and how cultures shape our experience of it

* Guilt as a learning tool vs. shame as an identity wound

* How McCarthyism, Batman, and even Elon Musk’s take on empathy reveal society’s conflicting views on shame and shamelessness

****Content warning: I do mention research involving suicide at the end of the episode.****

If you haven’t listened to our last episode, it is a good idea to listen to it before this one

As well, Ashley wrote a greater primer on shame that I encourage you check out

If you've ever questioned how to move beyond shame without losing accountability or connection, this one's for you.

Shame and shamelessness shape our world more than we realize—especially in the hands of those in power. But where do we draw the line between accountability and reckless disregard? And is empathy truly at risk?

🎧 As we talk about failure, guilt, and the ‘empathy exploit,’ consider your perspectives on empathy. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation: Do you think empathy is a strength—or a weakness? Drop a comment or reply—We want to hear your take.

If you are in crisis or need immediate support and are in the U.S., you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text 'HOME' to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. If you are outside the U.S., please seek out local crisis services.

If you are interested in coaching or counseling, please feel free to visit our practice, Gainesville Psychology Group

Thank you for reading!

~ Ashley & Alex

Keywords: shame, guilt, failure, empathy, social constructs, mental health, vulnerability, accountability, cultural perspectives, moral dilemmas, individualism, collectivism, ethical decision-making, human connection, societal values, psychological insights, moral development

Get full access to The Colors of Failure: Resilience Through Our Stories at thecolorsoffailure.substack.com/subscribe