Episodes

Symptoms & Diagnoses: Anxiety

Symptoms and Diagnoses Series

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...

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 be...

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 ...

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 ...

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....

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 h...

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 obses...

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 tyr...

In this episode of This Way In, Amy and Brittney explore one of the most central and authentic aspects of self: the Kid Part.

3: Parts of Self Series: Overview Welcome to the first installment of our Parts Series, where we explore the Ego State Model of Parts of Self. In this foundational episode, Brittney breaks down the six primary parts and how they show up in our everyday lives—and in therapy. Amy asks insightful questions along the way (as always), and the two discuss real-world examples, from doom-scrolling to happy hour, and even how protector parts can take over in moments of fear or trauma. Whether you're b...

In this episode, Amy and Brittney explore the powerful and misunderstood world of emotions. Brittney breaks down what emotions really are (hint: they’re just signals!), why we feel them, and how they relate to the stress response system. Together, they dive into the brain–body connection and how emotional responses can be triggered by both real and perceived threats. You’ll learn: · Why emotions aren’t “good” or “bad”—they’re information · How the autonomic nervous system drives emot...

Welcome to the very first episode of This Way In! In this kickoff conversation, co-hosts Brittney Baxter Dameron (a licensed mental health therapist) and Amy Lotsberg (curious podcaster, everyday human, and your resident “lay person translator”) share how this show came to life and what you can expect as we move forward. We talk about: · How a ghost-themed podcast sparked a whole new collaboration. · Brittney’s background in trauma therapy, EMDR, and ego state/parts work. · Why...