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!

In this final episode of our Parts of Self series, we take a deep dive into the Logical Part. We explore what it does best, how it works with other parts, and what happens when it gets pushed out of the driver’s seat.

Logical is not emotionless or cold. When it is unburdened, it helps us problem-solve, reflect without spiraling, and navigate stress in a grounded and realistic way. When it becomes overwhelmed or co-opted by other parts, especially Critical or Protector, it can shut down or begin justifying behaviors that do not actually align with our values.

We also zoom out to look at how all parts work together, why balance matters more than control, and how logical thinking intersects with intuition, spirituality, and lived experience.

As part of the series wrap-up, Brittney walks through a practical overview of Parts of Self work, including how to create a mental meeting space, how to work with parts even if you cannot visualize, why physical sensations are often the clearest signal that parts work is active, and when doing this work on your own is appropriate versus when it is time to bring in a therapist.

We talk honestly about trauma containment, why parts exist in the first place, and how to approach this work safely and compassionately.

This episode brings together everything we have covered in the series and sets the stage for what comes next. This is not the end of the conversation, but a solid place to pause and integrate.

This episode was recorded on January 5, 2026 and released on January 14, 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

00:00:23 Welcome to Your Logical Part

00:00:55 The Logical Part’s Job

00:06:53 Burdened Logical Parts

00:09:49 Logical Parts vs. Intuition

00:16:04 Parts of Self Dream Team

00:20:10 Mental Meeting Spaces

00:25:29 When Sh*t Gets Real

00:28:51 Self-Control

00:29:16 Good vs. poor Mental Health

00:30:53 Aphantasia: Can You Visualize?

00: 39:48 Brittney’s Thank Yous

00:43:52 Disclaimer/Outro

00:44:32 Outro

Episode links:

Julie Dubovoy Aguggia: https://juliedubovoy.com/

Fraser's Dissociative Table: https://newhopecounselling.com/psychology/frasers-dissociative-table-technique/

You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/4gy3NAE

Easy Ego State Interventions by Robin Shapiro (accessible and clinician-friendly) https://amzn.to/3IaKkcx

EMDR Toolbox by Jim Knipe https://amzn.to/42H3AVP

Works by Sandra Paulsen on preverbal trauma

The Dynamic Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) by Shirley Jean Schmidt MA LPC https://amzn.to/4mugMV3

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!

This one is a tearjerker.

This week on This Way In, we continue our “Parts of Self” series by diving into the Nurturing Part. We explore how our inner nurturer shows up, how it gets shaped (and sometimes burdened) by gender roles and life experience, and what it really means to love and be loved. Amy shares a vulnerable and timely story about navigating care for her mom, while Brittney offers deep insights into what happens when our nurturing part is overworked, unauthentic, or misunderstood.

We also touch on topics like:

• The dynamic between nurturing and protector parts
• What happens when nurturing goes too far (hello, savior complex)
• Gender norms around who gets to be “the nurturer”
• Medical aid in dying, caregiver fatigue, and difficult end-of-life decisions

Plus, we talk about how to nurture ourselves in small and meaningful ways—from meditation and support groups to the underrated power of just showing up for one another.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of pet loss, elder care, assisted living/memory care transitions, and medically assisted death.

This episode was recorded on December 8, 2025 and released on December 31, 2025.

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

00:01:49 Recap of Protector Part

00:04:29 Gender Roles: Protector and Nurturer

00:10:15 Nurturing Part

00:12:48 Short and Long-Term Nurturing

00:18:19 When Nurturing Parts Can’t Do Their Jobs

00:22:26 Burdened Nurturing Parts

00:32:50 Nurturing Too Much

00:41:59 What We Can Do to Nurture Yourself

00:47:38 Staying Nurturing in Relationships

00:50:55 Disclaimer/Outro

00:51:34 Credits

Episode links:

Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood, (1990)

https://amzn.to/47YAmnm

Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection by Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD & John Gottman PhD

https://amzn.to/3KYsaMr

Other John Gottman books: https://amzn.to/4q41itT

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!

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood — and most powerful — parts of the internal system: the Protector Part.

The Protector is the part of us that steps between us and anything that feels threatening… which, as Brittney explains, can mean real threats OR the ones our brain just perceives as dangerous. Sometimes that looks heroic and loving. Sometimes it looks self-sabotaging. And sometimes, when paired with the Critical Part, it can go to some dark places.

It’s heavier material, but it’s important material. And as always, we keep it real, grounded, and practical.

Content Warnings

This episode includes discussion of:

· Suicide and suicidal ideation

· Domestic violence and abuse

· Power, control, and harmful ideologies

· Real-world violence and systemic oppression

Please listen gently and skip sections as needed.

This episode was recorded on November 17, 2025 and released on December 17, 2025.

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

00:00:15 Welcome

00:03:20 Real vs. Perceived Threats

00:16:17 When Protector Parts are Challenged

00:31:05 When Protector Interacts with Other Parts

00:45:00 Protector Parts and Suicide

00:50:08 Medically Assisted Suicide

00:53:00 When Protection Mode is Always On

00:54:40 What Can We Do?

01:01:03 Disclaimer and Outro

Episode links:

Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood, (1990)

https://amzn.to/47YAmnm

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!

This week, we’re tackling one of the most powerful—and complicated—parts of self: the Critical Part. You know that inner voice that claims it’s “just being helpful” but somehow leaves you feeling like garbage? Yeah, that one.

Brittney breaks down how our critical parts can either build us up or tear us (and everyone around us) down. When unburdened, they help us make solid decisions, set boundaries, and stay true to our values. When burdened, they morph into bullies—judgy, rigid, and obsessed with control.

We explore how these parts get shaped early on (hello, critical parents), why they can hijack relationships and even fuel abuse, and how our protectors often tag-team with them in the name of “safety.” The tradeoff? Freedom, joy, and genuine connection.

Amy shares personal reflections on how the critical part shows up in everyday life—from podcast goals to family dynamics—and Brittney offers practical ways to spot when this part’s in the driver’s seat. Together, they unpack how to shift from self-sabotage to self-awareness.

And yes, Paul Rudd makes another cameo as our unofficial Parts of Self mascot—because who better to remind us that you can be serious and stay playful?

And if your inner critic pipes up while you do—just tell it to chill. You’re doing great.

This episode was recorded on October 27, 2025 and released on December 3, 2025.

Chapter Markers

00:00:15 Intro

00:01:45 When Criticism Turns Toxic

00:05:35 Self-Criticism and Inner Abuse

00:10:03 Critical Parents

00:10:52 Control, Power, and Relationships

00:25:20 Critical Thinking vs. Judging

00:34:27 Freedom vs. Safety

00:37:16 Generational Patterns

00:42:43 Taming the God Complex

00:48:12 Harness Your Power

00:59:56 Domestic Violence Joined the Chat

01:03:14 Next Time: Protector Part

Episode links:

Visit us at: https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

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!

In this illuminating episode of our Parts of Self series, Brittney and Amy dive deep into the Responsible Part—what it looks like when it's balanced and unburdened, and what happens when it hits burnout and critical parts step in like stressed-out understudies.

We explore the fascinating (and sometimes maddening) relationship between responsible and kid parts, how social conditioning and gender roles shape emotional labor, and what to do when our inner to-do list manager becomes a joyless tyrant. Amy shares how tech glitches turn her into a one-woman rage spiral, and Brittney offers powerful insights from therapy, life, and the beach (spoiler: pink Speedos are involved).

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overfunctioning, or over-it—this one's for you.

Chapter Markers

00:00:15 Intro

00:01:12 Review of Kid Part – Onto Responsible Part

00:03:12 When Critical Comes to the Party

00:07:12 That Glorious Responsible Part High

00:08:00 When Responsibility is Kinda Fun

00:10:03 Crushed by the ToDo List

00:13:01 When You’re Not Allowed to be Authentically You

00:19:38 Emotional Labor: What is it Really?

00:24:58 Growing up with Kid Parts at the Helm

00:33:01 Wait. Was that Mania?

00:38:02 Balance Your Responsible with your Kid

00:40:30 Vacations and Paul Rudd

00: 44:17 Next Up: Critical Part

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!