This week on Banter, Anu reflects on something deceptively simple but surprisingly powerful: self doubt.
After a thoughtful dog walk and a conscious decision to rearrange her day around good weather and daylight, she began questioning the way we think about confidence. What if confidence isn’t a personality trait at all but a nervous system state?
In this episode, she explores:
• Why self doubt often shows up just before growth
• The idea that “self doubt is fear in disguise”
• Why fear tends to appear right before expansion
• Rearranging your life around what regulates and restores you
• Asking better questions when you feel stuck
Instead of asking “Am I good enough?”
Perhaps we should be asking:
Have I seen daylight today?
Have I moved my body?
Is my nervous system calm?
Sometimes the shift is physiological before it is psychological.
As always, the episode ends with Banter Recommendations:
📺 TV Recommendations
• Waiting for the Out (BBC iPlayer) - thoughtful and intelligent, following a philosophy teacher who teaches inmates whilst navigating OCD and personal challenges
• The Walsh Sisters (BBC iPlayer) - adapted from Marian Keyes' book - sharp, funny and messy family dynamics with strong emotional themes
• Bridgerton (Netflix) - 2nd part of the latest series, Episode 1 - pure escapism, joyful and indulgent
🍽️ Restaurant Recommendation
• Ruth’s, Lower Richmond Road, Putney - a new neighbourhood-style bistro with a lovely menu, delicious cocktails and a standout lemon tart! The staff are incredibly friendly and it’s the kind of place you want to return to.
🍣 Listener Recommendation
• Tomoe, Upper Richmond Road - a Japanese sushi gem kindly recommended by one of Banter’s lovely listeners. An absolute delight and very reasonably priced.
📚 Book Recommendation
• The Names by Florence Knapp - a compelling sliding doors style novel exploring three different life trajectories shaped by what a child is named. Intriguing, reflective and deeply engaging.
🥗 Recipe of the Week
Chicken Salad with Bagel Croutons
Dressing is adapted and inspired by Baked by Melissa.
Bagel Croutons
• 1 seeded bagel, chopped into chunky squares
• Olive oil
• Maldon salt
Mix together. Pop in the oven and roast until golden and crisp.
For the Chicken
• Ready-made chicken breast, sliced lengthways
• Drizzle of olive oil
• Paprika
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Dried parsley
Mix together and pop in the already hot oven with the croutons.
Salad Base
• Chopped iceberg lettuce
• Chopped red cabbage
• Grated carrot
• Avocado (or whatever you have in the fridge)
Dressing (Inspired by Baked by Melissa)
• 3–4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 generous tbsp miso paste
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 large garlic clove, grated
• Salt and pepper
Shake really well. Toss everything together. Dress generously.
Quick. Healthy. Really delicious. Perfect for lunch.
If this episode resonated, follow the podcast so you never miss us on a Monday. Ratings and reviews genuinely help more people discover Banter and keep these conversations going.
For more behind the scenes, the full recipe and weekly recommendations, head over to Instagram @banter.pod where Anu shares everything in real time.
