Research, real-life stories, and science-backed tools to help you heal

Have you ever found yourself feeling completely disconnected, numb, unmotivated, depressed, or unable to move forward? Perhaps you feel like you’re watching life through a foggy window, your energy depleted, your motivation gone. If so, you may be experiencing what’s known in polyvagal theory as a “shutdown state” or “dorsal vagal shutdown.” This state isn’t […]

If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know how terrifying they can be. Your heart races, your breathing becomes shallow, and you might even feel like you’re having a heart attack or dying. The experience is so overwhelming that many people end up in the emergency room, only to be told: “It’s just anxiety.” […]

Does your mind ever feel like a hamster wheel, endlessly replaying conversations, forecasting worst-case scenarios, or dissecting problems until you’re more tangled than when you started? If so, you’re not alone. This exhausting mental loop, known as overthinking, is a common experience, often fueled by underlying stress and anxiety. And it doesn’t just drain your […]

Anxiety and depression are not just in your head. That might sound surprising, especially if you’ve spent years in talk therapy or cycling through medications trying to find relief. But if you’re still feeling stuck, there may be a missing piece in your healing journey: your nervous system. Through the lens of nervous system science, […]

Episode 112: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTubeView transcript on Buzzsprout Most people assume anxiety starts in the mind. A stressful thought sparks a racing heart, shallow breath, maybe even panic. But what if that sequence is sometimes reversed? What if your anxiety doesn’t start in your brain—but in your gut? Today’s episode was sparked […]

Episode 111: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTubeView transcript on Buzzsprout Let’s be honest—healing rarely goes according to plan. Sometimes your go-to tools stop working. Or your body (or life) throws a curveball. You can’t rely on what used to work—and that shift can feel disorienting or even defeating. In this episode, Amanda shares a […]

Episode 110: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTubeView transcript on Buzzsprout Derealization can feel disorienting at best, and completely terrifying at its worst. If you’re not sure if you’ve ever experience this take a moment to reflect. Have you ever feel like the world around you suddenly looks strange, fake, or far away—like you’re watching […]

Episode 109: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTubeView transcript on Buzzsprout Welcome to the final episode in Amanda’s Back to the Basics series—a 9-part journey to help you understand anxiety and depression through a nervous system and whole-human lens. In this episode, Amanda ties it all together. She offers a comprehensive review and roadmap to […]