In this episode of If You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with singer-songwriter Naomi Sharon for a vulnerable conversation about childhood trauma, anxiety, rumination, and how unresolved experiences can follow us into adult relationships. Naomi sets the tone by opening up about her mental health journey [00:00] and explains how anxiety can turn into cycles of overthinking and rumination [00:53]. She traces many of those patterns back to her parents’ difficult divorce when she was 12 and the relationship triggers that developed from it [03:11], including fears around secrets, hidden truths, and a desire for radical honesty that can become its own emotional loop [04:49]. Naomi discusses building a greater tolerance for emotional discomfort instead of constantly searching for immediate peace [08:09], discovering relationship OCD and recognizing herself in its patterns [09:41], and learning how safety, self-awareness, and healthier coping mechanisms can interrupt behaviors rooted in childhood survival [13:31]. She also reflects on gratitude and transforming pain into art [20:16], balancing mental health with the demands of her music career [23:28], and how her parents’ divorce continues to shape her private life and family relationships [26:29], including hearing her brother’s perspective and confronting the absence of her father [27:00].

The conversation deepens as Naomi explores therapy and the process of finally meeting the younger version of herself who carried responsibilities far beyond her years [30:25]. She discusses learning to let difficult feelings exist without immediately trying to fix them [30:52], reparenting and comforting her inner child [31:26], and what she would tell her 12-year-old self today [33:07], leading to an emotional breakthrough symbolized by a powerful teddy bear story that Amber shares [33:41] and the release that comes from allowing herself to cry [37:25]. Amber and Naomi also explore choosing partners who create emotional safety, understanding different love languages [40:47], and the importance of centering yourself as you enter a new stage of adulthood [45:09]. Amber reframes ego as something that can be adjusted [46:34], reflects on discovering who she is when she's truly alone [49:22], and considers what real love looks like when two people continue changing and growing [52:38]. She closes by discussing the freedom of sharing her authentic self [54:05] and reflecting on a healing journey built around self-compassion, emotional honesty, and learning to give herself the safety she once searched for in others [55:36].

Ask or Share with Amber:withambergrimes@gmail.com

Follow Amber Grimes on Instagram:

@ambergrimes

Follow Naomi Sharon:

@naomisharon

Get Amber's Newsletter on Substack

Watch This Episode on Youtube Thursday at 6pm ET 

Follow Amber's Book Club 

Get Amber's Book Club Merch 

Read Amber's Favorite Books

In this episode of If You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with singer-songwriter Naomi Sharon for a vulnerable conversation about childhood trauma, anxiety, rumination, and how unresolved experiences can follow us into adult relationships. Naomi sets the tone by opening up about her mental health journey [00:00] and explains how anxiety can turn into cycles of overthinking and rumination [00:53]. She traces many of those patterns back to her parents&rsquo; difficult divorce when she was 12 and the relationship triggers that developed from it [03:11], including fears around secrets, hidden truths, and a desire for radical honesty that can become its own emotional loop [04:49]. Naomi discusses building a greater tolerance for emotional discomfort instead of constantly searching for immediate peace [08:09], discovering relationship OCD and recognizing herself in its patterns [09:41], and learning how safety, self-awareness, and healthier coping mechanisms can interrupt behaviors rooted in childhood survival [13:31]. She also reflects on gratitude and transforming pain into art [20:16], balancing mental health with the demands of her music career [23:28], and how her parents&rsquo; divorce continues to shape her private life and family relationships [26:29], including hearing her brother&rsquo;s perspective and confronting the absence of her father [27:00].
The conversation deepens as Naomi explores therapy and the process of finally meeting the younger version of herself who carried responsibilities far beyond her years [30:25]. She discusses learning to let difficult feelings exist without immediately trying to fix them [30:52], reparenting and comforting her inner child [31:26], and what she would tell her 12-year-old self today [33:07], leading to an emotional breakthrough symbolized by a powerful teddy bear story that Amber shares [33:41] and the release that comes from allowing herself to cry [37:25]. Amber and Naomi also explore choosing partners who create emotional safety, understanding different love languages [40:47], and the importance of centering yourself as you enter a new stage of adulthood [45:09]. Amber reframes ego as something that can be adjusted [46:34], reflects on discovering who she is when she's truly alone [49:22], and considers what real love looks like when two people continue changing and growing [52:38]. She closes by discussing the freedom of sharing her authentic self [54:05] and reflecting on a healing journey built around self-compassion, emotional honesty, and learning to give herself the safety she once searched for in others [55:36].
Ask or Share with Amber: <a href="mailto:withambergrimes@gmail.com" data-ogsc="">withambergrimes@gmail.com</a>
Follow Amber Grimes on Instagram:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambergrimes">@ambergrimes</a>
Follow Naomi Sharon:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/naomisharon/">@naomisharon</a>
<a href="https://substack.com/@withambergrimes">Get Amber's Newsletter on Substack</a>
<a href="https://youtube.com/@iykbetter?si=WMEDSWNJOsxlRkD0">Watch This Episode on Youtube Thursday at 6pm ET&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambersbookclub/">Follow Amber's Book Club </a>
<a href="https://ambersbookclub.com/collections/hats">Get Amber's Book Club Merch&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://a.co/d/01GreLFP">Read Amber's Favorite Books</a>

You can’t rewrite the past — but you can learn from it. Amber Grimes did exactly that, going from college dropout to Executive Vice President in the entertainment industry with no map, just mistakes and lessons that turned into power moves.

 

If You Knew Better is where Amber shares that wisdom — alongside artists, creatives, and culture-shifters who open up about the missteps they made, the mindsets that changed everything, and the game they wish they knew sooner.

 

Together, they unpack the highs, the lows, and the pivots in life, career, and relationships — so you either don’t have to go through it, or can move smarter when you do.

 

Every episode delivers real talk, hard-won insight, and practical gems to help you grow into the version of yourself that knows better… and does better.

You can&rsquo;t rewrite the past &mdash; but you can learn from it. Amber Grimes did exactly that, going from college dropout to Executive Vice President in the entertainment industry with no map, just mistakes and lessons that turned into power moves.
&nbsp;
If You Knew Better is where Amber shares that wisdom &mdash; alongside artists, creatives, and culture-shifters who open up about the missteps they made, the mindsets that changed everything, and the game they wish they knew sooner.
&nbsp;
Together, they unpack the highs, the lows, and the pivots in life, career, and relationships &mdash; so you either don&rsquo;t have to go through it, or can move smarter when you do.
&nbsp;
Every episode delivers real talk, hard-won insight, and practical gems to help you grow into the version of yourself that knows better&hellip; and does better.

If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes

Naomi Sharon Knows Relationship OCD Is Real 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0c38d1b1-0276-4f7e-a349-b4a900d25533/transcript