The Freedom of Being Disliked
Theresa Hubbard and Walker Bird
“There is freedom in being able to be disliked, but I put effort into not being careless with it.”
Most of us long to be liked, but that desire sometimes keeps us quiet, reactive, or people-pleasing. What if the path to freedom lies in speaking with integrity, even when it means being disliked?
In this conversation, Theresa and Walker explore the tension between people-pleasing and presence, why abandonment fears often fuel silence, and how practicing honesty with kindness can reshape our relationships. They share vulnerable personal stories—from navigating client feedback to family disagreements, and even the moment of saying goodbye to their beloved dog—that reveal how self-trust, curiosity, and compassion guide us through the discomfort of not being liked.
What you’ll learn:
→ Why the fear of being disliked is often rooted in abandonment and nervous system patterns
→ How to distinguish between reactivity and integrity in communication
→ Ways to practice having a voice with kindness, responsibility, and care
Walker and Theresa bring decades of professional and personal experience into this conversation, offering insight into how presence, maturity, and self-love help us reclaim our voices without falling into aggression or avoidance.
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Episode Chapters
00:00 What freedom in being disliked really means
03:20 Speaking truth as a lawyer and beyond
07:00 Integrity, hesitation, and finding your voice
14:59 Online comments and “what about me” reactions
23:38 When clients or friends don’t like you
33:00 Walker’s story of Hughie and protecting a loved one
42:00 Practicing honesty in vulnerable spaces
50:00 Choosing responsibility over people-pleasing
Topics we explore in this episode include:
freedom of being disliked, people-pleasing and abandonment, nervous system patterns, compassionate boundaries, integrity in communication, practicing honesty, curiosity in conflict, resilience in relationships