Scenic Route, Social Change and Mental Health for Tired Perfectionists

Updated: 05 Dec 2025 • 114 episodes
scenicroutepodcast.com

Scenic Route is a mental health and social change podcast for perfectionists, overthinkers, and high-achievers who are tired of holding it all together. If you're burned out from performing, people-pleasing, and pretending everything's fine — this is your space to finally exhale. Hosted by sociologist and recovering perfectionist Jennifer Walter (MA Sociology, University College Cork) — navigating chronic illness whilst rebuilding life in her 40s and rethinking what resilience actually means. We talk about: Mental health without the toxic positivity Real tools for anxiety, burnout, and the inner critic   Social change that starts within Feminism, capitalism, and how your healing is political Mindfulness for sceptics No crystals, no BS, just what actually works Expect solo deep-dives, expert guests, and the occasional bit of potty humour because healing doesn't have to be so damn serious all the time. This podcast is for you if: You're questioning so many things and trying to stay hopeful You're done with perfectionism but still want to grow You believe inner work and activism go hand in hand New episodes every Tuesday. The longest way round is the shortest way home. That's why we're taking the Scenic Route. Start with the latest episode — or jump into whatever speaks to you. The view here is chef's kiss 🫶

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Pause for a breath you didn"t know you were holding. This soft landing is for the woman who"s been holding it together so well that no one thinks to ask if she"s okay. The affirmation: "I am allowed to disappoint people and still be good." Goodness isn"t measured by how much access others have to you, but by how honest

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Tired of entering a new year already depleted? This 35-minute conversation is your invitation to something slower, softer, yet powerful. Nadia Gabrielle returns to The Scenic Route to talk about the 12 Nights of Magic – her annual program that guides hundreds of participants worldwide through the liminal space between

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Three years, 111 episodes, and countless conversations later — host Jennifer Walter sits down for a full-circle moment with Lauren Best to celebrate The Scenic Route’s third birthday. They flip the mic to talk about what really happens when you stop hustling and start listening: to your body, your luck, your burnout, a

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The Words You Need to Hear When Perfectionism Is Running Your Life Ever find yourself thinking: “I should be further along by now”? Our society is so OBSESSED with finishing things… what if strength lives in what’s still taking shape? I’ve been taking an adult learning programme on resilience at my old university, Univ

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We inherit shame like an unspoken family heirloom — stitched into our bodies, our ambition, our idea of enough. It’s the quiet undertone behind so many brilliant women asking, “Why do I still feel like I’m not enough?” In this conversation, Jennifer Walter sits down with therapist and facilitator Kyira Wackett to unpac

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Gratitude journals. Green juices. Meditation apps. We"ve been taught happiness is a checklist, but what if that"s only half the story? In this episode, we dive into the world of Positive Psychology and the concept of flourishing– living deeply, not just lightly.  We explore the PERMA‑H model (Positive Emotion • Engagem

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