<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[What's Within U, LLC]]></title><description><![CDATA[Neuroscience-informed coaching to support executives and entrepreneurs end the mental traffic jams that keep them stuck, stalled and stressed out.]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:16:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.whatswithinu.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[How I Learned to Take My Power Back from the Inner Critics in My Head]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most people have an inner critic. I somehow ended up with an entire miniature boardroom filled with them. At the head of the boardroom table is Bitty Bitch. She’s only a couple of inches tall, but she carries herself like she’s running a global empire. Picture a power suit with shoulder pads reminiscent of the 80s, super large and in charge. And her heels? Sharp and pointy, just like her personality. Her specialty is locating my dreams and aspirations, marching right up to them, and digging...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/how-i-learned-to-take-my-power-back-from-the-inner-critics-in-my-head</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699f56711e425c151a8e1bfa</guid><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:25:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_0c4a798c8dd2467cab4175771a216464~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lava, Old Emotional Buttons, and Lessons from the Scorched and Torched]]></title><description><![CDATA[Apparently, I’ve got an internal volcano that still gets activated when it comes to family-related drama and chaos, or at least that’s what it feels like. Maybe you know the feeling, when your insides start to shake, you see red, and the heat starts to sizzle upward from your chest into your face. Then out of your mouth comes words and a tone that you wish you could suck back into your face. Let me introduce you to Mount Pam. Here’s the thing, she doesn’t erupt often. She stays dormant most...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/lava-old-emotional-buttons-and-lessons-from-the-scorched-and-torched</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698de7ee40503ec65be929dc</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:59:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_a83b7521edc74bce98c4984fb781d821~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Five-Minute Reset for Busy, Noisy Mornings]]></title><description><![CDATA[I used to start off my mornings with a social media check-in and an email inbox scan. Heaven forbid I missed out on what was happening in the world before my day even started. And I wondered why I sometimes felt so on edge and anxious even before I pulled back the covers. Feeding my brain noise from the time I cracked an eyelid wasn’t just fodder for stress, it was fodder for my Itty-Bitty Shitty Committee (the inner critics between my ears) to have a go, spewing a litany of nastiness before...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/a-five-minute-reset-for-busy-noisy-mornings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69835eda99fa9e70ea6500f0</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:15:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_875cb3582310403391fc6936b95d40cb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Day a Leaf Taught Me About Awe ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I used to think awe was reserved for the “big stuff.” The Northern Lights. The Eiffel Tower. Those cinematic, once-in-a-lifetime moments that feel rare and luxurious. But lately, I’ve realized awe can be something that’s sitting right under our noses, just waiting for us to slow down long enough to notice it. I was reminded of this recently while reading about awe and its impact on the brain. Something in the text sparked an awe-filled memory I hadn't visited in decades. When suddenly, I was...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/the-day-a-leaf-taught-me-about-awe</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696f8d327ec7696eebb5e0cf</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:19:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_4ed04880c9a64cb58af085c1359ff872~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Experiments to Try When "Thinking" Our Way Out of Stress and Tension Doesn’t Work]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your mind rationalizes a hard week, but your body keeps the score. Learn why physical tension sticks around and how to release it without overthinking.]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/experiments-to-try-when-thinking-our-way-out-of-stress-and-tension-doesn-t-work</link><guid isPermaLink="false">693982d652e0714bcdd3444b</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:34:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_5f428a535a7e492c9c8311a26cdae244~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The End of Year Crunch: Is it just me, or is your calendar mocking you too?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Is anyone else feeling that vibrating hum of panic right now? The one that usually starts the moment the calendar flips to December. And where suddenly, every email subject line is shouting about "Finishing Strong!" or "Crushing Your Q4 Goals!" or "Planning Your Best Year Yet!" I’m raising my hand really high right now. December 1 st  came and I looked at my list of all the things I wanted to accomplish before the holidays. (Somehow that list now seems to have multiplied while I slept.) And...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/the-end-of-year-crunch-is-it-just-me-or-is-your-calendar-mocking-you-too</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69305518644b95bce4b31e4f</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:27:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_094765b6ed1342119afee5de16481070~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Overcoming Mental Traffic Jams: Befriend Your Inner Guard Dog]]></title><description><![CDATA[Does this feel familiar? You've got a brilliant idea for your business, a new service, a marketing campaign, or even just a long-overdue client follow-up. You sit down, coffee in hand, ready to tackle it. And then... poof. It’s like your brain suddenly decided to start arguing with itself, throwing up all sorts of reasons why now  isn't the right time, why it’s too hard, or why it won’t work anyway. It happened to me just last week. I had the best intentions in the world to dive deep into...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/how-to-identify-the-hidden-mental-traffic-jams-in-your-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6911fb6978b89eb84bba31bf</guid><pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:02:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_6988835fc2a147ec8fa4a535afa23139~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Comparison Steals Your Mojo... Here's a Brain-Friendly Way to Get It Back]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'll be honest, I have a long history with the comparison mental traffic jam . It’s a pattern I can trace all the way back to high school. I was kind of shy back then. Going to parties and being around larger groups always made me a bit nervous. My best friend, on the other hand, was a social butterfly; crowds were her jam. She was so confident, so bubbly, and people were just attracted to her like moths to a flame. I’d be standing right next to her, feeling like a beige wall, wondering, "Why...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/when-comparison-steals-your-mojo-here-s-a-brain-friendly-way-to-get-it-back</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6902502c2cbbfcaa9e1024d4</guid><pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:51:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_0aa2594966ca4017bbf26b6bc0c4abd6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When the Outside World Is So Noisy, You Just Want to Scream: "Please Make It Stop!"]]></title><description><![CDATA[I opened LinkedIn last week and felt it instantly. That subtle tightening in my chest. Not because of anything dramatic. Just the usual scroll. Posts promoting. DMs pitching services I didn’t ask for. A general hum of what seemed to me to be desperation. With all things considered, I get it. But it felt like noise. Not the kind you hear with your ears, but the kind that clutters your mind and drains your energy. So, I stepped back. Why I Hit the Pause Button The decision to step away for a...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/when-the-outside-world-is-so-noisy-you-just-want-to-scream-please-make-it-stop</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f8e336fb9ae7f6c0c95d0d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:12:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_e0b2e1ba03f040e1bce15f82bcac0966~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Neuroscience of the “Pep Talk”: Why It Feels Good but Doesn’t Stick]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’ve read the books. We’ve underlined the quotes that made an impact or turned on a lightbulb. We’ve felt the rush of possibility, the flicker of “maybe this is it…maybe this is the time it changes.” And then… back to the status quo we go. Not because we don’t care. Not because we aren’t trying. But because the pep talk ended, the self-help or personal development book came to the end, and life continues on as always. Dishes that need to be done, meals to prepare, obligations to meet, and a...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/the-neuroscience-of-the-pep-talk-why-it-feels-good-but-doesn-t-stick</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68efb7dcf5e90f9c2c560798</guid><pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:15:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_0aebb95fea584ce2905791b01dce8fe0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mental Traffic Jam: “I’ll Be Happy Once I…”]]></title><description><![CDATA[(The next  mental traffic jam  in our mental traffic jam series.) I used to believe that happiness had a finish line. Not a metaphorical...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/mental-traffic-jam-i-ll-be-happy-once-i</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e66ecc335b984f1adcd35c</guid><pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:10:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_557b560b2eab475cbae1e419979b97ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Constant Go-Mode Leads to Burnout Instead of Success (and How to Change That)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Feeling foggy, fried, or stuck in constant go-mode? Here’s what your nervous system might be trying to tell you, and a simple experiment to help you reset your brain and body before burnout takes over. ]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/when-constant-go-mode-leads-to-burnout-instead-of-success-and-how-to-change-that</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68dd6e8c8946efd18a050df1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:36:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_98a8ae0e93f14b5c89516ed1ddbce5ed~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mental Traffic Jams: "Not Good Enough"]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let's talk about jams. Not the kind you spread on toast. Not the bumper-to-bumper kind. The mental kind. The ones that sneak in, stall momentum, and make even simple things feel complicated. I call them Mental Traffic Jams . They tend to show up when we're stretching outside our comfort zone, creating, or trying something new. They don't always announce themselves. Sometimes they feel like procrastination. Or perfectionism. Or a sudden urge to clean the fridge instead of working on something...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/mental-traffic-jams-not-good-enough</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d597076b49d024306707a1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:35:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_7a9d568bb908406989390cce298fa5ef~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grace Isn't Just a Name]]></title><description><![CDATA[I had a realization that I’d thought I’d share... One of the most important times to give ourselves and others grace is during the most...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/grace-isn-t-just-a-name</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68cac8385eaf42e09b5e17c3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:42:09 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fixing Things For Others Cost Me My Energy and My Identity]]></title><description><![CDATA[I used to think being helpful meant being available all the time . Emotionally, mentally, energetically…ready to jump in at a moment's...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/fixing-things-for-others-cost-me-my-energy-and-my-identity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c1bef56a86232558272975</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:25:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_b1ae59f210a44480926e209392426ed5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Has Anyone Seen My Long Fuse?]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've always been someone with a pretty long fuse. It takes a lot to really get under my skin or make me feel edgy and reactive. I'm...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/has-anyone-seen-my-long-fuse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b982a54c40c4b0142c186c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:23:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_1825292bff194127b4bff3e7f8d3e438~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Mystery of Why Some People Love Networking Events (And Others Want to Exit Stage Left)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've been to my fair share of networking events over the years, and I'll be honest: I haven't usually walked away having made a genuine...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/the-mystery-of-why-some-people-love-networking-events-and-others-want-to-exit-stage-left</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ae15e76e26accbc6cd98c2</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:19:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_7150c7e7a20a49788e54ee54c6ed2189~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Leading with Heart: The Power of Heart Intelligence]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this post, I'm sharing why your heart's 40,000 neurons aren't just being dramatic. They're giving you important data for leading and making decisions.]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/why-leading-with-your-heart-isn-t-soft-it-s-strategic</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6893411c9ff79a84b4c0fe83</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:08:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_0166560ea6d4410b94d90e319fa9b337~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding Stress: Why Everything Feels Urgent]]></title><description><![CDATA[You know that feeling when you're drowning in your to-do list? Suddenly, your brain decides that everything needs to happen right now. An...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/why-stress-makes-your-brain-think-everything-s-an-emergency</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68778054b902341f3e9a53a4</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:42:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_f9cd0505d1b84de4b94a2920f774d029~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Everyone Else's Life Made Mine Feel Small]]></title><description><![CDATA[Can we talk about social media for a hot minute? Because I used to have this ridiculous relationship with it. Picture this everyday...]]></description><link>https://www.whatswithinu.com/post/when-everyone-else-s-life-made-mine-feel-small</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68700aa9d66bd0ae0c481ef2</guid><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:50:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6de4f_18d143da6f754fbcaa846ba6d34f2def~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Pam Aks</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>