Episode 19: The Power of Being Seen
How Courage Grows When Someone Believes in You, Even Before You Believe in Yourself
In this deeply personal follow-up to last week’s live episode, Dr. Amber Sessoms and her 10-year-old daughter Emma return to reflect on what happens after the mic drops: When the fear lingers, the cheers echo, and belief begins to bloom.
Fresh off her first keynote, Emma shares what it felt like to be the youngest person in the room and how the voices of over 200 seventh-grade girls helped her push through her fear. From “butterflies in the heart” to bold truths about self-confidence, this episode explores the quiet power of being seen, celebrated, and called on, especially when you’re still shaking.
Together, Amber and Emma talk about confidence, compliments, intergenerational healing, and why baking (yes, baking) might be Emma’s next brave move.
This conversation is filled with laughter, truth-telling, gentle coaching, and the real-time unfolding of what it means to do something afraid, with love in the room.
Chapters:
02:58 – Emma's Perspective on Facing Fear
03:55 – Reflections on Courage and Community
12:33 – Emma's Musical Talent
16:05 – Challenges and Triumphs of Being Seen
18:04 – Respect and Titles: A Generational Perspective
20:26 – The Impact of Belief: Confidence and Support
23:08 – Celebrating Small Wins: The Journey of Growth
25:19 – The Power of Compliments: Confidence vs. Cockiness
30:55 – Emma's Wisdom: Courage and Community
32:18 – Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Key Themes:
The emotional shift that happens when someone believes in you
Building confidence through affirmation and action
Community as a source of courage
Intergenerational healing and storytelling
The fear of being seen—and the joy of being celebrated
Small wins as sacred momentum
Modeling emotional awareness and bravery for young people
Curiosity Card Prompts for Reflection:
Can you remember a time someone cheered for you?
What did it feel like in your body and heart when they believed in you?
What are you really good at, even if you sometimes forget?
What’s something you’re proud of, even if it’s just for fun?
When someone says they believe in you, how does that change how you feel?
What’s one brave thing you want to try next?
References
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." —2 Timothy 1:7
Connect with Me
Instagram: @natural_inclination
Youtube: @naturalinclination
TikTok: Amber Sessoms
LinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSP
Bluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.social
Facebook: Natural Inclination
Substack: livingin3dpower.substack.com
Like, Comment, Share, Engage
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!
