– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

[Music]

Hello everyone and welcome back to the

English Dialogue podcast. I'm Mike and

as always I'm joined by my fantastic

co-host Emma. Today's topic is something

we all deal with but rarely talk about

openly. Overcoming bad inner voices.

Hi everyone, I'm Emma. We're excited to

dive into this subject because negative

self-t talk can really hold us back.

Let's figure out where those bad inner

voices come from and how we can replace

them with healthier thoughts.

>> So when we say bad inner voices, we're

talking about those harsh critical

thoughts that pop into our heads. Things

like you're not good enough, you'll

fail, or people will judge you.

Yes, these voices might sound like

they're protecting us from danger or

embarrassment, but most of the time they

just limit our potential. We should

learn to recognize them for what they

are, unhelpful mental chatter.

>> Absolutely. It's one thing to be

cautious, but it's another to berate

ourselves so much that we become

paralyzed by fear. Let's talk about

where these negative thoughts originate.

Often

these voices develop from our past

experiences,

things we heard growing up, comments

we've internalized, or even societal

expectations that weigh on us.

>> Right? For example, maybe a teacher once

criticized your presentation style. That

comment can linger and years later you

might still believe you're terrible at

public speaking even if you've improved.

>> Yes. Or sometimes parents try to

motivate us by pointing out our flaws.

Thinking we'll work harder, but that

criticism can morph into a relentless

inner critic as adults.

>> Exactly. Our environments shape us.

Recognizing that these bad inner voices

are learned can be the first step to

unlearning them. I used to have a

terrible inner voice about my writing

skills. In high school, an English

teacher once told me that my essays

lacked creative flare. I was crushed.

Every time I tried to write something,

whether a paper or even an email, I'd

hear that voice saying, "You're boring.

You have no creativity."

For years, it stopped me from sharing my

ideas. But when I finally mustered the

courage to write a blog, I discovered

people actually liked my content. That

was eyeopening.

It wasn't that I lacked creativity. I

was just letting a single piece of

feedback define my entire identity as a

writer. That's a perfect example. A

single negative comment can grow into a

deeply rooted belief about ourselves if

we're not careful. For me, it was public

speaking. I remember being in a school

play when I was around 10. I forgot a

line on stage and the audience giggled.

I internalized that moment as I'm a

terrible speaker. Later in life,

whenever I had to give a presentation at

work or speak up in a meeting, I'd hear

that same voice telling me I'd freeze or

embarrass myself. It took a lot of small

steps like speaking up in casual group

discussions and practicing with friends

to realize I wasn't actually doomed to

fail. I just needed practice and

self-compassion.

Thank you for sharing, Emma. It's

amazing how one childhood memory can

echo for years if we don't address it.

So, what happens when we let these bad

inner voices run wild? For one, it can

keep us from taking risks or trying new

things. We get stuck in our comfort

zones.

>> Absolutely. It can also damage our

self-esteem and sabotage relationships

because we might assume people see us

the way our inner critic does unworthy

or not interesting enough.

>> Yes. Or we might become overly

defensive, lashing out at others to

protect our fragile sense of self. In

short, negative self-t talk can really

affect every area of life.

>> It's so true. The good news is we can

learn to quiet those voices and rewrite

the script. A huge step is simply

noticing when that inner critic starts

talking. Often it's so automatic we

barely realize we're doing it

right. One technique is to mentally

label those thoughts as they arise. Ah,

that's my inner critic. Naming it

creates a bit of distance so you're less

likely to believe every negative

thought.

>> Yes, some people even give their inner

critic a goofy name. It sounds silly,

but it helps you remember that this

voice isn't a wise authority. It's just

a repetitive loop of negativity.

>> And humor can deflate it. If you name

your inner critic Debbie Donor or

something like that, you can say, "Oh,

Debbie's at it again." It shifts the

power dynamic. Once you spot these

thoughts, the next step is challenging

them. Ask, "Is there real evidence for

this or am I catastrophizing?"

For instance, if the voice says, "I'll

never succeed at this new job." Question

it. Have you truly never succeeded at

anything before? Probably not. You

likely have skills and experiences that

can help you.

>> Exactly. It's about collecting evidence

against the negative claim. List your

achievements, your compliments from

peers, or recall times you overcame

similar challenges.

>> This logical approach helps ground us in

reality instead of the worst case

scenario we imagine.

Challenging is one part, but we also

need to replace those negative

statements with something more balanced.

It doesn't have to be falsely positive.

Instead of I'm a total failure, you

might say I'm learning and improving.

And it's normal to make mistakes.

Over time, these new affirmations or

balanced thoughts become the default. If

you tell yourself, "I'm resourceful,"

and can figure things out. Eventually,

you start believing it because it's

often closer to the truth than your

harsh self-criticism.

>> Absolutely. We're not talking about

deliluding ourselves. We're talking

about reframing. Reframing from I can't

to, I can try, and I'll learn in the

process. Small shifts in language can

have a huge impact on our mindset.

Another big piece is self-compassion.

Think about how you'd talk to a good

friend who's struggling. Chances are

you'd be gentle and encouraging.

>> Yes, but we rarely give ourselves that

same kindness. We can be our own worst

critics. Practicing self-compassion

means extending that same empathy

inward.

>> That might involve literally telling

yourself it's okay to feel upset. I'm

going through a rough patch, but I'll

get through it. Everyone makes mistakes.

Some people find it helpful to journal

these compassionate statements.

Yes, journaling or even recording voice

memos of affirmations can make them feel

more tangible. Then when the negative

voices come back, you have a

counternarrative ready. Surrounding

yourself with supportive people also

helps. If you're constantly around

individuals who criticize or belittle

you, your inner critic thrives.

>> This kind of forgiveness breaks the

cycle of self-criticism.

It allows you to say, "I'm doing the

best I can with what I know now."

>> Exactly.

You make room for compassion. And with

compassion, you're more likely to

improve naturally rather than forcing

yourself through blame and shame.

>> Another aspect, forgiving your younger

self. Many of us cringe at who we once

were naive, reckless, or too afraid to

act. but that younger you made choices

with the knowledge and experience they

had at the time. Forgiving them respects

the journey you've traveled.

>> By recognizing that growth is a process,

you allow yourself to be proud of how

far you've come instead of ashamed of

where you started.

>> It's a quiet internal embrace of all

you've been and all you can become. And

what about forgiving societal

influences, expectations, pressures, and

cultural norms that shaped our fears and

insecurities?

>> That's another form of release. We can

recognize that society isn't always

kind, fair, or supportive. Forgiving it

means not letting it dictate our worth.

>> It allows us to step beyond inherited

beliefs and claim our own values, no

longer resenting the world for

misleading us.

Yes. And this forgiveness can help us

become agents of change rather than

prisoners of resentment.

>> Now, all this sounds meaningful, but how

do we actually practice forgiveness?

>> One way is through acknowledging your

feelings honestly. Write them down.

Speak them aloud. Recognize the hurt,

the anger, the disappointment.

>> Then consider the humanity of whoever

hurt you, including yourself.

Understand that people act from their

own wounds, fears, and

misunderstandings.

>> Visualize letting go of the anger. Some

people imagine it as a heavy stone they

set down. Others write a letter they

never send. The act is symbolic but

powerful.

>> Patience is key. Forgiveness often takes

time. You don't wake up one day suddenly

free of all resentment. It's a process.

And during that process, you might feel

resistance. That's normal. Sometimes

anger feels safer than letting go

because it keeps us vigilant.

>> But over time, as we soften, we realize

that holding on to that anger is a heavy

burden. Life is lighter without it.

>> Also, forgiveness doesn't have to mean

forgetting. You can remember what

happened and learn from it without

reliving the pain.

It's about integrating the lesson into

your life, not being chained to the

hurt.

>> This integration can deepen your

empathy. When you know how hard

forgiveness is, you respect the courage

it takes to let go.

>> And ironically, forgiveness can make you

stronger. It's not weak to forgive. It's

an act of courage and emotional

maturity.

>> Think of forgiveness as clearing clutter

from your home. Your mind and heart are

like rooms filled with old boxes, anger,

regret, disappointment. If you never

forgive, you never clear those boxes,

and they take up space where joy and

connection could thrive. By forgiving,

you're making room. Room for new

relationships, deeper creativity,

laughter, hope. It's about creating a

livable space inside yourself. After

all, how can you truly live if you're

constantly tripping over old

resentments?

>> As we've said, forgiveness isn't about

condoning harmful behavior. It's about

refusing to let that harm define you

anymore.

>> Exactly. We all deserve to live without

the weight of old wounds dragging us

down.

>> The journey might start small. Maybe you

forgive yourself for a minor mistake

today. Then over time you tackle bigger

hurts

>> or you begin by acknowledging that you

are ready or at least willing to

consider forgiveness.

That's a seed that can grow.

>> Even a small shift in attitude can

loosen the chains of resentment.

>> And as you practice, you realize that

forgiveness can become a way of life, a

habit of the heart.

>> A habit that frees you to be more

present, more kind, more engaged with

the world.

So if you've been carrying hurts,

consider what it would feel like to set

them down.

>> Imagine stepping into your future

without that heavy load. Feel that

lightness.

>> That's what forgiveness can bring. The

freedom to live not in spite of what

happened, but beyond it.

>> Well said, Emma. I think that's a good

place to close today's episode.

>> Thanks for joining us, everyone. We hope

this conversation inspires you to

explore forgiveness in your own life.

>> Take care, be gentle with yourselves,

and we'll see you next time on the

English Dialogue podcast.

[Music]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
overcome /ˌoʊvərˈkʌm/ B2	verb - to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty
negative /ˈnɛɡətɪv/ A2	adjective - expressing refusal or denial
criticize /ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz/ B1	verb - to express disapproval of someone or something
internalize /ɪnˈtɜːrnəlaɪz/ C1	verb - to absorb an idea or experience into one's mind
relentless /rɪˈlɛntlɪs/ C1	adjective - unrelenting; not stopping or easing
recognize /ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz/ A2	verb - to identify someone or something from previous encounters
unlearning /ʌnˈlɜːrnɪŋ/ B2	verb - to forget or discard something previously learned
muster /ˈmʌstər/ B2	verb - to gather or summon (courage, strength, etc.)
eye-opening /ˈaɪ ˌoʊpənɪŋ/ B2	adjective - revealing or surprising
reframing /riːˈfreɪmɪŋ/ C1	noun - the act of changing the way one thinks about something
compassion /kəmˈpæʃən/ B2	noun - sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of others
journaling /ˈdʒɜːrnlɪŋ/ B2	noun - the practice of keeping a diary or journal
forgiveness /fərˈɡɪvnɪs/ B2	noun - the action or process of forgiving
integrate /ˈɪntɪɡreɪt/ C1	verb - to combine one thing with another to form a whole
resentment /rɪˈzɛntmənt/ C1	noun - bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly
symbolize /ˈsɪmbəlaɪz/ C1	verb - to represent something abstract through a symbol
patience /ˈpeɪʃəns/ A2	noun - the capacity to accept delay without becoming annoyed
vigilant /ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/ C1	adjective - keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
condone /kənˈdoʊn/ C1	verb - to accept or allow behavior that is considered morally wrong
maturity /məˈtʊrɪti/ B2	noun - the state of being fully developed physically or emotionally

Key Grammar Structures

• Things like you're not good enough, you'll fail, or people will judge you.

  ➔ Reported speech (indirect questions/statements)

  ➔ This uses reported speech to rephrase direct thoughts like "You are not good enough" into indirect forms, softening the criticism.

• It wasn't that I lacked creativity. I was just letting a single piece of feedback define my entire identity as a writer.

  ➔ Past continuous vs. past simple for expressing habits/ongoing actions

  ➔ The past simple "lacked" indicates a state or general fact, while past continuous "was letting" shows an ongoing process of allowing the feedback to dominate.

• Chances are you'd be gentle and encouraging.

  ➔ Modal verb 'would' for hypothetical situations (second conditional)

  ➔ This expresses a hypothetical or typical response, equivalent to an if-clause like "If you were in that situation, you'd be gentle and encouraging," using 'would' for politeness and supposition.

• If you never forgive, you never clear those boxes, and they take up space where joy and connection could thrive.

  ➔ Zero conditional for general truths and modal 'could' for possibility

  ➔ The structure uses a zero conditional "If you never forgive, you never clear" for unchanging facts, with 'could' indicating unrealized potential in the present.

• That's not how you'd talk to a good friend who's struggling.

  ➔ Conditional 'would' in implied conditions (second conditional form)

  ➔ Implies "If you talked to a friend," using 'would' to describe a hypothetical polite interaction, contrasting rude self-talk.

• That's a perfect example. A single negative comment can grow into a deeply rooted belief about ourselves if we're not careful.

  ➔ Passive voice ('can grow') and conditional 'if' clause

  ➔ Passive 'can grow' shifts focus to the process, while the 'if' clause introduces a condition for transformation, emphasizing caution.

• We can recognize that society isn't always kind, fair, or supportive.

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' for ability and infinitive clause ('that...') for indirect statement

  ➔ Modal 'can' expresses our ability to perceive societal issues, with the infinitive clause 'that society isn't...' as an object complement specifying what we recognize.

• Forgiving them respects the journey you've traveled.

  ➔ Present perfect continuous ('have traveled') for completed actions with present relevance

  ➔ The present perfect continuous 'have traveled' emphasizes the ongoing process of life experience that continues to impact the present empathy.

• It's about refusing to let that harm define you anymore.

  ➔ Gerund ('refusing') and infinitive ('to let') in complex verb structures

  ➔ Uses a gerund 'refusing' as the subject, followed by infinitive 'to let' to indicate purpose or indirect object, creating a nuanced expression of empowerment.

• Imagine stepping into your future without that heavy load.

  ➔ Imperative mood ('Imagine') and gerund ('stepping') for command and action

  ➔ The imperative 'Imagine' directly commands visualization, paired with gerund 'stepping' as the object to describe the ongoing action into futurity.