In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes back Beatriz (Béa) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP—nurse practitioner, somatic life coach, and host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast. Béa returns to discuss her upcoming book, End Emotional Outsourcing: A Guide to Overcoming Codependent, Perfectionist, and People-Pleasing Habits (Hachette Balance, Sept. 30). Béa introduces the term “emotional outsourcing”—her reframe of the outdated concept of codependency. Rather than pathologizing love, care, and connection, she explains how people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-erasure are survival strategies we once needed to stay safe. Now, however, these patterns keep us disconnected from our authenticity, self-trust, and worth. Through personal insights, metaphors (like “baby sweaters” and “newborn kitten steps”), and clinical wisdom, Béa and Dr. Castagnini explore how emotional outsourcing is deeply tied to body image, diet culture, and perfectionist pressures. Together, they outline pathways toward reclaiming self-trust, rebuilding body awareness, and setting loving boundaries—so we can live lives rooted in authenticity rather than external validation.

Beatriz (Béa) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP (she/her) is a UCSF-trained Family Nurse Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Master Certified Somatic Life Coach, author of the forthcoming "End Emotional Outsourcing: a Guide to Overcoming Codependent, Perfectionist and People Pleasing Habits" ( Sept 30, Hachette Balance) and Breathwork Meditation Guide with a passion for helping humans socialized as women to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems and rewire their minds, so they can break free from codependency, perfectionism and people pleasing and reclaim their joy. She is the host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast, holds a Masters degree in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health and a BA in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College. Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Béa grew up in the great state of Rhode Island. She has been working in health & wellness for over 20 years and lives with her wife, Billey Albina and their handsome all-black cat Wade.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Why Béa coined the term “emotional outsourcing” as a more compassionate reframe of codependency.
  • How survival strategies like people-pleasing and perfectionism develop as ways to stay safe, connected, and loved.
  • The link between diet culture, body image, and emotional outsourcing—and how perfectionism reinforces shame and self-erasure.
  • Why small, “newborn kitten-sized steps” are essential for building self-trust and lasting change.
  • How to begin rebuilding self-trust, body awareness, and boundaries—the three pillars of healing from emotional outsourcing.
  • The concept of “change back demands” and why loved ones may resist when we set boundaries or stop people-pleasing.
  • Why authentic relationships and genuine love can only exist when we stop outsourcing our safety, belonging, and worth.

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THIS EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 00:55 Welcoming Back Victoria Albina
  • 01:07 Victoria's New Book: End Emotional Outsourcing
  • 01:36 Understanding Emotional Outsourcing
  • 03:35 The Impact of Codependency and Perfectionism
  • 04:45 Redefining Codependency and Emotional Outsourcing
  • 06:17 The Metaphor of Baby Sweaters
  • 11:12 The Cult of Thinness and Body Image Issues
  • 23:09 Boundaries and Resentment Prevention
  • 26:52 The Limits of Emotional Outsourcing
  • 27:37 The Problem with Justifying Yourself
  • 31:23 Rebuilding Self-Trust and Body Awareness
  • 37:30 Setting Boundaries with Consequences
  • 39:20 Celebrating Small Wins for Big Changes
  • 42:04 Navigating Family Dynamics and Change
  • 46:03 The Importance of Authenticity in Relationships
  • 49:19 Pre-Order the Book and Support Libraries
  • 51:24 Podcast Conclusion and Free E-Course

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Part of the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network, produced by the Tweaky Tales.

**Disclaimer:**

The content of this podcast episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or affiliated organizations. If you have any medical or mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Listener discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to topics related to body image, weight stigma, and eating disorders.