Sleep. We all need it. Most of us aren’t getting enough of it. And somehow we still treat it like an optional side quest instead of basic human maintenance.

In this episode of This Way In, Amy and Brittney tumble headfirst into the strange, fascinating world of sleep. From circadian rhythms and sleep hygiene to stress dreams, lucid dreaming, REM cycles, and the very real effects poor sleep can have on your brain and body, this conversation wanders through both the science and the deeply human side of what happens when we close our eyes.

Amy's Note: At the time we were recording we were having some technicians here installing our furnace. So I had to stop a few times to talk to them, and also the little dog barked incessantly. I tried to cut her out, but it was only possible when I was not talking

They talk about:

· Why sleep affects far more than just energy levels

· The connection between sleep and long-term brain health

· Sleep routines that actually work in real life

· Why some people are night owls and others aren’t

· Dream symbolism, lucid dreaming, and those “wait… was that real?” dreams

· Emotional dreams that stick with you all day

· Why alarms are basically tiny panic attacks

· The myth of “catching up” on sleep

· Dogs who believe breakfast should happen at 5:42 AM sharp

There’s science. There’s woo. There’s laughter. There’s existential dread about dementia. Basically: classic This Way In.

And yes... there is also a very vocal tiny dog making her opinions known throughout portions of the recording. At the time, Amy was also dealing with furnace technicians in the house, so despite editing efforts, some background chaos survived the final cut. Honestly? It feels on-brand for a conversation about disrupted sleep.

So fluff your pillow, silence your notifications (or don’t, we discuss that too), and join us as we wander This Way In… to your sleep.

This episode was recorded on February 23, 2026 and released on June 24, 2026.

If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Chapter Markers

00:00:20 Intro

00:01:19 How Important is Sleep

00:12:16 Chronic Lack of Sleep

00:14:18 Sleep Hygiene & Circadian Rhythms

00:19:23 Why Teenagers Need More Sleep

00:21:52 Sleep Cycles, Alarms & Waking Up Groggy

00:29:03 Dreams, Lucid Dreaming & Emotional Processing

00:43:57 Sleep & Brain Health

00:53:01 Getting Your Circadian Rhythm Back on Track

00:56:02 Tools for Falling Asleep

01:04:31 Sleep Paralysis

01:08:49 Dreams vs. Visitations

01:13:33 Wrapping Up

Disclaimer

This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.

Credits:

Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg

Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.

Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio

Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

What does it actually mean to “reset your nervous system”? Is that even a real thing… or just another TikTok buzz phrase floating through the algorithm swamp?

In this episode, Amy and therapist Brittney Baxter Dameron dig into what the nervous system actually does, why our bodies react the way they do to stress, and why “calming down” is a lot more complicated than somebody yelling “just relax!” from across the room like an emotionally constipated camp counselor.

They explore the difference between real threats and perceived threats, how cortisol and adrenaline affect the body, and why chronic stress can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally fried, and stuck in survival mode. The conversation also covers the vagus nerve, fight/flight/freeze responses, and practical ways to give your nervous system a much-needed reprieve during difficult times.

Amy shares some of the tools that genuinely help her sleep and regulate stress, including guided sleep meditations, binaural beats, color-noise soundscapes, sleep stories, and even a surprisingly soothing color-by-number app that apparently relaxes her enough to convince her smartwatch she’s unconscious. Which honestly feels like a glowing review.

Brittney also explains:

· Why meditation doesn’t have to look like sitting cross-legged chanting “ohm”

· How creativity and sensory comfort can help regulate stress

· Why sleep is one of the most powerful nervous system reprieves we have

· The difference between healthy coping mechanisms and stress-relief behaviors that create even bigger problems later

· How to recognize when your body is trying to tell you something important

This episode also contains a very honest conversation about living through stressful and uncertain times, navigating fear and helplessness, and finding sustainable ways to care for yourself without shutting down completely.

So grab your coziest blanket, your comfort beverage, and maybe a pair of headphones for those binaural beats… and join us as we find our way into the strange, complicated world of stress, survival, and nervous system reprieves.

This episode was recorded on January 26, 2026 and released on June 10, 2026.

If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Chapter Markers

00:00:21 Intro

00:00:54 What IS the Nervous System?

00:02:58 “Resetting” Your Nervous System

00:04:38 Controlling our Autonomic Nervous System

00:06:39 Breathing Exercise

00:07:35 “Calm Down” Rarely Works

00:09:56 Tips for Regulating Your Nervous System

00:11:02 Meditation

00:15:38 Binaural Sounds

00:18:47 Other Forms of Meditation

00:21:41 Other Nervous System Reprieves

00:23:03 Stress Responses in Everyday Life

00:25:18 A Cozy Environment

00:26:38 Sleep Hygiene

00:27:39 Cortisol Explained

00:31:57 Healthy Reprieves

00:32:18 Unhealthy Ways to Relieve Stress

00:36:06 Real and Perceived Threats

00:45:57 Credits

Episode links:

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

Please see our blog post for the list of all the podcasts Amy recommends.

Disclaimer

This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.

Credits:

Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg

Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.

Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio

Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

WE'RE BACK!!!

After a "short" hiatus we are back!

Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming. What do all those letters after their name mean? What’s the difference between therapy and counseling? And how do you know if the person sitting across from you is actually the right fit?

In this episode of This Way In, we unpack what therapy really is (and what it definitely isn’t), how to clarify what you want from the process, and how to tell if a therapist is helping you move forward—or if it’s time to try someone new. We also talk about telehealth, online therapy platforms, insurance realities, and the red flags to watch for. If you’ve ever wondered where to start—or whether you’re even “doing therapy right”—this conversation will help you feel more confident taking that next step.

This episode was recorded on January 12, 2026 and released on May 27, 2026.

If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Chapter Markers

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:53 Therapy vs. Counseling

00:02:15 Credentials and What They Mean

00:06:29What Do You Want Out of Therapy

00:07:59 Reasons for Seeking Therapy

00:10:29 Dialectical behavior Therapy

00:17:16 Looking for Growth?

00:18:27 Looking for Trauma Healing?

00:19:56 Is This a Good Fit?

00:21:13 Reflective Listening

00:23:13 Treatment Plan

00:24:14 Things to Avoid

00:27:31 When it is NOT Therapy

00:30:08 When it’s the Parent’s Responsibility

00:33: 13 Your Responsibility in Therapy

00:36:07 When To Try a New Therapist

00:46:43 Popular Online Therapy Companies

00:51:13 Walking through the Search Process

00:52:57 Insurance or No

00:55:20 End Credits

Episode links:

“How to Behave So Your kids Will Too” by Dr. Sal Severe: https://amzn.to/4cchCEM

EMDR International Association: https://www.emdria.org/

Marsha M. Linehan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsha_M._Linehan

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

Amazon links could generate a small commission to the show, at no additional cost to you.

Disclaimer

This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.

Credits:

Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg

Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.

Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio

Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!