Scenic Route, Social Change and Mental Health for Tired Perfectionists
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 🫶
Episodes
12 Nights of Magic: Tarot, Rauhnächte & Intentional Planning for 2026
Luck, Burnout & Lemon Cake: What 3 Years of The Scenic Route Taught Me About Slowing Down
Why “Getting Your Life Together” Might Be Making You Less Resilient
Body Image, Burnout & Belonging: Unlearning the Shame We Carry
Flourish > Happy: The Positive Psychology Shift You Didn’t Know You Needed
Stop Falling for Pretty Cookbooks That Lowkey Hate You aka Food is Political
Freedom Inside the Edges: How to Build a Life That Holds You
Default Male Lens and Abortion Myths: Two Feminist Snapshots That Fired Me Up
Self-Sabotage Isn’t What You Think: Why It Happens and How to Change It
SMART Goals Don’t Work (Here’s What Does)
Does Body Size Affect Your Grades? The Latest Truth About Fat Bias in Education
The Knowing–Doing Gap: Why Smart Women Stay Stuck (and How to Finally Change)
Who Were You Supposed to Be? The Ache of Doing Everything Right
What Makes a Woman (And Who Gets to Decide?)
The Weight We Carry: How Our Bodies Hold Stress – And What to Do About It feat. Michelle Sabatini
Smiles and Sacrifices: The Modern Motherhood Performance
Your Brain’s Blind Spots: How to Think Critically in the Disinformation Age with Dr. Brie Kara
Is Your Empathy Overwhelming You? Here’s How to Fix It.
What We Eat Is Political: Reframing Veganism with Joy feat. Matthew C. Halteman
Feeling Behind in Life? You're Not Alone: Redefining Success as a Millennial in 2025
Redefining Luxury: Join the Slow Fashion Revolution with Lora Gene
The Invisible Filter: How Nationalism Shapes Everything You Think Is 'Normal'
Political Burnout is Real: How to Change the World Without Breaking Yourself
Lonely Hearts Club: Vanishing Third Spaces and Adult Friendships
Wild Kindness: Breaking Free from the 'Nice Girl' Trap