After Hours With Amanda

In this episode Amanda shares about how the last two years and the pursuit of her dreams has been a journey of self development. How continuing to spend the time on the way to her goal learning to lean into the "becoming" vs the arriving at your desired dream or goal. Because what happens when a dream comes true, or we meet goal? We find a way to bring a new one!If you are on your own journey and feel yourself worn down, feeling overwhelmed or just that tinge of anxiety take a moment to give a listen and know you are not along. I can't wait to talk with you~XO, Amanda

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2026

Welcome to EPISODE 70!! In this episode Amanda dives into the hot topic of marriage and shares some pixie dust magic that came here way. But that's all we're gonna share for now- you will just have to listen for all the deets and tea!#marriage #relationships #disney #parenting #adulthood #wifelife

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2026

In this Episode Amanda dives into the idea of how how we spend so muchof our adult life trying to escape the boxes we feel were build for us as kids and defining who we are in terms of our emotions, reactions, and overall experience. Yet, somehow and sometimes as parents we turn right back around and start to build those boxes for our own tiny humans calling it the terrible two's, a threenager, and labeling the experiences they have as just being a preteen or teen instead of diving into the idea of what their experience actually looks like. So join Amanda with your fav bevie as we challenge ourselves to look beyond the label. #toddlers #terribletwos #teenagers #emotions #preteens #parenting #labeling

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2026

In this heartfelt episode of After Hours with Amanda, we’re ditching the pressure to be the “perfect” mom and embracing progress and presence over perfection—especially when it comes to parenting tweens and teens. Inspired by two raw, real TikTok videos I shared today about the messy, beautiful realities of raising bigger kids, I open up about the shift from chasing flawless moments to showing up fully in the everyday chaos. Whether it’s just trying to connect when life feels nonstop, or finding ways to be truly present amid the whirlwind of family, work, and everything in between, this episode is a cozy reminder that your presence matters way more than getting it all “right.” Grab your favorite bevie (iced coffee for me!), settle in, and let’s talk about letting go of perfection so we can actually enjoy the journey with our growing tiny queens. You’re not alone in this—progress looks different for every family, and that’s more than okay.#ProgressOverPerfection#PresenceOverPerfection#ParentingTweens#ParentingTeens#MomOfTeens#TweenMomLife#RealMomTalk#AfterHoursWithAmanda#MomPodcast#ParentingPodcast#PersonalGrowthMom#WorkingMomLife

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2026

Most of us unknowingly are knocking our own crowns off- because the biggest obstacle to achieving your dreams isn't always outside forces but more about the way you talk to yourself. In this episode we will uncover why self sabotage, perfectionism, and fear of failure are often the real barriers and not always the world around us. In this episode I will share how small habits like walking, meditating, and setting boundaries can dramatically boost our confidence and resilience without all or nothing thinking. I share practical frameworks from my favorite read right now The Courage to Be Disliked, revealing how becoming more self -aware and owning responsibilities transforms our confidence. Plus, being on the journey of learning to trust our own voice, share our biggest dreams, and stop seeking external approval to do so. Looking at why this all matters and realizing that continuously knocking your crown off leads to self doubt of your own worth and stalls your life and sometimes your dreams. The real power lies in the tiny consistent promises you keep to yourself- reminding yourself of your own value everyday. This episode is the perfect one for moms, dreamers, and anyone tired of self imposed limits to live fully in 2026 for a stronger, braver, and unapologetic year. If you're ready to reset your crown and lean into our ptential this episode is that invitation. Remember delulu is the solulu- dream big, act brave and lets do exactly what we said and make 2026 our year. We don't have to wait for someday- we can reset our crown today. #selftrust #overcomeselfdoubt #empowermentn #DreamBig #confidenceboost #mindsetshift #2026goals #momlife #personalgrowth #disney

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2026

Compairson happens in all areas of life and score keeping can become a pitfall. But when we actually take a moment to look around what do we see? In this episode we dive into the idea that even when things aren't working out on "our timeline" we are never not right where we need to be even if we can't see it yet. So grab your cup and settle in for an episode with Amanda that will encourage you to be reminded there is no need to measure where you are or what others are doing where you are right where you need to be.

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2025

Join Amanda with your favorite cup of whatever your bevie of choice is a settle in for an episode that will remind you on the airplane of life you need to put your mask on first but not for the reason you think. And what happens when the person making you feel small is YOU. So get ready for an episode you didn't see coming.

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2025

Join Amanda for an extra magical episode as she shares the magic behind her recent trip to Walt Disney World for the Disney Princess Product Experience for World Princess Week! But this episode is not just about the joy and fun that was had. Here Amanda dives into the meaning behind World Princess Week of Creating Your Own World & that in life we don't the journey alone. We meet friends and sidekicks along the way! So grab a cup of your favorite bevie and settle in for some time with a friend to leave you encouraged and reminded that the Princess and their dreams don't happen in isolation but in partnership and that can be found in the most unexpected and exciting places with sidekicks in life! #disney #worldprincessweek #disneyprincesscreateyourownworld #momlife

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2025

Let's jump back in with some exciting life updates and work updates as well that will just have you absolutely excited for the adventure we are about to go on! Then lets jump into a lesson I learned this last weekend when as a parent or just a human we think our communication is doing what it has before or have we gotten to the point where are strategies may need a little refresh to help us both continue to grow.

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2025

There is no time like the present to jump back in! I can't wait to share all about Disney's House of Mouse event, La La Land coffee, and how this 27 hours helped to internalize a mindset shift that has changed everything. So grab a cup of whatever you enjoy and settle in for some afterhours with a friend!

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025

Hey besties! We definitely kicked it old school since the camera wasn't working but being back on the closet floor was the best and spoiler alert the chicken pot pie was 100/10. In today's episode we dive into the idea that sometimes walking away and proving nothing is the move. Maybe our energy doesn't need to be spent convincing others and instead spent on what we love and enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

So often when it comes to making decisions we are plagued with the desire to make the "right decision" or we are haunted by the guilt afterwards. It's time to step out of the shadow of who we were and stepping into the Light of who we've become.

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

In this episode, we talk about our Disneyland trip that didn't go our way. We dig into the idea of timing and how our mindset determines how we can move forward, not just in life but also in understanding our journey and the gate that we are meant to leave and arrive at, at the airport. So grab your fav bevie and settle in for a bestie facetime conversation.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

In this episode, we dive into the idea of today's world being so focused on mindset, internal voices, and affirmations yet we fail to correct our own misconceptions and continue to label developmental stages with a negative attachments. Instead of us seeing these stages for what others have placed on it what if instead we choice the road of discovery to learn not only about the tiny humans but ourselves as well. So grab a cuppa whatever you enjoy and settle in for another coffee chat! Tag me if you listen !

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2024

WE'RE BACK BABY! After several months besties, we are back and jumping right in! After we were visited this week and got to hear the one and only BOB GOFF speak. To say I was inspired would be an understatement. So with the Holiday and Christmas Season in full swing, I knew it was the perfect time to share these nuggets with you to free ourselves from the people and things we let creep in to dictate our moods as well as learn that sometimes the person we need to tell to be kind is ourselves to ourselves. Thank you for being here and I am so happy to be BACK WITH YOU!!

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2024

In Episode 56 Amanda dives into answering all your questions from marriage & parenting, to Disney and her favorite early riser tips and tricks.

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2024

In Episode 55 Amanda shares more about her current therapy journey and how learning about the inner conflict inside fueled by her younger self has led her towards choices to bring her safety, joy, and structure in her the present.

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2024

In Episode 54 Amanda discusses the idea of what happens when we start to feel as though the plans we had are being changed and "taken away" and this idea that a path is being cleared rather than a "no" we get to start the adventure of a "new opportunity". So get ready for another conversation with your favorite online bestie!

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2024

If I had one Episode you listened to, I hope it would be this one. In this episode, we dive into the idea that in a world that bombards us with all the things "we need" in all honesty what we need more than anything is to edit our environment and check in with ourselves. We dive into this idea of all our parts, who we are, and how that is made up. How the meaning of "aesthetic" has changed from perfection to identity and how we can exist in this new version of expectations we seem to be putting on ourselves and valuing. I hope you have your favorite bevie to settle in with a little chair chat together!

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2024

Grab yourself a bevie and settle for a chat! In this episode we dig into the idea of not just limiting ideas but boxes we build around ourselves as well as our children when it comes to growth and change and how that journey is for each of us.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2024

Description

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2024

Back for another of life and laughter we talk all things life updates after a week away and dive into the idea of a girls girl. Learning, loving, teaching, and growing how to become better humans than the hurt ones we were. Loving ourselves for our past but growing into new people who can help tiny humans create a kinder encouraging world of girls girls while still holding ourselves up to growth and empath for the past with fresh hope for the future.

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2024

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m sharing about my brother Adam, grief, addiction, and the complicated pain of loving someone while also needing boundaries. This one is tender, personal, and heavy, because grief after addiction does not fit into a neat little box. I talk about mourning someone while they are still alive, protecting memories that feel too precious for everyone to hold, and learning that grief is not linear. If you have loved someone through addiction or lost someone in a complicated way, I hope this feels gentle and honest.00:00 Welcome and Why This Feels Nervous 02:19 What Grief Does and Does Not Feel Like 03:41 Adam’s Story and Losing Him in 2019 06:04 How Addiction Started 08:06 Watching Addiction Change a Sibling 10:36 Loving an Addict Is Complicated 13:35 Grieving Someone Before They Die 16:54 You Can Change Your Story 18:16 Shame, Faith, and Addiction 21:05 Motherhood and Seeing Every Person as Someone’s Baby 24:15 Grieving While They Are Still Alive 27:03 The Life I Imagined for Him 30:11 Loving Someone in Addiction Is Hard 33:09 Dopesick and Grief Triggers 35:24 Protecting the Snow Globe of a Memory 40:20 Bringing Addiction Into the Light 43:14 Grief Is Not Linear 47:55 Finding Safe People for Grief 50:27 Holding Hope and Boundaries 52:30 If No One Has Told You Lately

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2024

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about marriage, communication, household labor, and the sneaky little scoreboard that can show up when we are tired, overwhelmed, and not saying what we actually need. I share what I’ve learned in my own relationship with Blake, including the tap in method, why social media can feed resentment, and how asking “what do you mean by that?” has helped us slow down before everything turns into a whole thing. This is not relationship advice from a pedestal. It is a long voicemail from someone still learning how to communicate, not condemn.00:00 Getting Comfy and Welcome Back 00:46 I Got the Cheer Coach Position 01:51 The Besties Picked Relationships 02:31 Don’t Hear What I’m Not Saying 03:16 Will Blake Come on the Podcast? 05:15 Marrying the Person and the Family 06:32 People Get More Pronounced With Age 08:56 What Makes Marriage Hard? 11:01 Stop Expecting Someone to Change 12:07 Almost Not Walking Down the Aisle 13:52 Household Labor Is a Loaded Question 16:20 The Danger of Keeping Score 18:00 The Tap In Method 20:05 Social Media Can Feed Resentment 23:25 The Stair Meltdown and Therapy 24:14 Communicate, Don’t Condemn 27:14 Keep Getting to Know Your Partner 30:17 Listening to Your Partner’s World 34:59 What Do You Mean By That? 37:05 Put a Pin in the Argument 38:38 Pluck a Weed, Don’t Grow a Root 40:14 How We Tap Out and Tap In 43:15 Cheap Dates and Real Connection 45:18 Your Partner Was Once a Tiny Person 47:08 Relationships Are the Best Kind of Work 49:30 If You Have Not Heard This Lately

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2024

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m finally sitting back down with y’all and talking about why the podcast paused, what judgment and comparison did to my heart, and why I’m choosing to come back anyway. This one is about ordinary life, social media consumption, grief, motherhood, therapy, boundaries, and the kind of steady season that can feel boring until you realize the house is not on fire anymore. If your normal life has started to feel small next to everyone else’s, I hope this feels like a reminder that you are not behind. You are in your chapter.00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast 01:06 Why the Podcast Paused 02:43 What This Season Will Hold 04:15 Saying Dreams Out Loud 05:22 Purpose, Pain, and Still Being Here 07:01 Finding Joy in the Ordinary 08:16 When Life Changes Overnight 10:30 Social Media and Community 12:03 Gratitude Without Toxic Positivity 13:18 What We Choose to Consume 14:41 When Comparison Becomes the Dictator 16:15 Other People’s Opinions 18:10 Coming Back in the Most Me Way 19:29 You Are in Your Chapter 20:45 When the House Is Not on Fire 22:26 Existing Is Extraordinary 24:10 Relationships, Gifts, and Expectations 26:14 Raising Tiny Kind Humans 28:34 What Is Coming This Season 29:32 Ordinary and Normal Can Be the Goal

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2024

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about pain, self worth, surgery recovery, friendship, therapy, faith, and what happens when life strips away the version of you who can perform, produce, help, and hold everything together. This is not medical advice, just lived experience from a year that changed me. I talk about chronic pain, the anniversary feeling around last year’s anal fissure, little Amanda, Hoover people, food and fiber, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the belief I am trying to unlearn: that I am only worthy when I am useful. You are allowed to be loved at 0 percent.00:00 Back Again and Working on Consistency 00:32 A Special Episode About Pain 01:30 Surgery, Healing, and Being Honest 02:39 The Sound That Finally Fit 03:30 Sharing Health Without Overwhelming People 04:23 Turning 37 and Finding the Real Me 05:19 The Anniversary of Pain 06:57 Pain and the People Who Show Up 08:29 When You Stop Reaching First 09:40 Pain as a Catalyst 11:22 Feelings Are Indicators, Not Dictators 12:21 Food, Fiber, and Body Changes 16:24 What Surgery Brought Up 17:43 The Let Them Theory and the Fire 19:24 Little Amanda and the Apple Core 22:26 Going Internal Instead of Blaming 23:30 Self Worth Tied to Achievement 25:58 What Pain Taught Me to Notice 29:30 You Do Not Have to Niche Yourself 30:06 Losing My Mom and Brother 31:49 When the Friendship Circle Gets Smaller 34:41 Standing in Your Own Fire 36:00 Chronic Pain Warriors 36:18 Sitting With the Younger Part of Me 38:25 Talking Back to the Trigger 39:27 Someone Will Always Have a Version of You 40:21 The Message for Whoever Needs It 41:35 Your Pain Is Valid 42:11 Loved at 0 Percent

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m sharing the story of the day Disneyland called. This is not just about a Disney Junior event or a brand opportunity. It is about inner child healing, grief, motherhood, dreams, and why Disneyland has always felt like home to me. I talk about the phone call, the Winnie the Pooh table, the Disney Junior Playdate, my tiny queens, my mom and brother Adam, and why this felt like a hug for little Amanda. If you have a soul dream that feels hard to explain, come sit with me for a bit.00:00 Welcome Back and Disneyland Joy 00:46 The Year My Inner Child Dreams Collided With Work 02:04 Why Disneyland Was the Biggest Dream 03:15 The Snow Globe and Childhood Disney Memories 04:13 Main Street, Family Stories, and Pixie Dust 05:12 When I Learned Disney Worked With Creators 06:22 Why This Was More Than a Brand Opportunity 08:13 The Call From My Manager 12:41 Making the Trip Work in Real Life 14:06 Getting the Disney Junior Event Details 15:43 Arriving at the Hojo 18:06 Lanyards, Scavenger Hunts, and Very Important Pixie Energy 19:00 The Winnie the Pooh Table 21:08 Disney Junior, Doc McStuffins, and the Dance Floor 22:35 The Disney Junior Parade 23:33 Animation Academy and Alice’s Bakery 24:37 Disneyland as a Family Memory 28:26 Sharing Disneyland With My Tiny Queens 29:49 A Hug for Little Amanda 31:57 Winks From Heaven and Winnie the Pooh 34:18 You Never Know Whose Heart You Are Touching 35:26 Do Not Give Up on Your Soul Dream 38:06 One Day the Fairy Godmother Calls 39:12 A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes 40:05 Thank You for Dreaming With Me 41:07 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about imposter syndrome, Cinderella, the glass slipper, motherhood, identity, and why you do not have to force yourself into someone else’s version of success. We get into back to school prep, becoming a room mom, content creation pressure, changing my college major five times, negative self talk, faith, tiny queens, and why Cinderella was always Cinderella, with or without the dress. If you have been doubting yourself or trying to fit into a life that does not feel like yours, come sit with me for a bit. The glass slipper was always yours.00:00 Back on Video and Out of the Closet 01:27 Back to School Brain Prep 02:10 Resetting the Alarm Clock 03:17 School Supplies and Overwhelm 04:17 Becoming a Room Mom 05:09 Imposter Syndrome and Cinderella 06:44 The Cinderella Story Revisited 08:14 The Dress Was Not the Point 09:38 Only Cinderella Fit the Shoe 10:02 Social Media and Feeling Like an Imposter 12:03 Everyone Has a Glass Slipper 14:13 When People Try to Steal Your Shoe 16:03 The Imprint You Leave 17:25 When Your Inner Voice Gets Cruel 18:37 Gus Gus and the Key 19:56 The Slipper Was Always With Her 21:22 You Had It All Along 23:31 The Shoe Analogy Continues 24:21 Trying to Fit Someone Else’s Life 27:09 Trying New Shoes Without Losing Yourself 28:18 Motherhood and the Mold I Tried to Fit 30:17 You Can Be More Than One Version 32:03 Communicating With My Tiny Queens 34:01 There Is Only One of You 35:03 The Pumpkin Was Just the Ride 36:10 Things Do Not Make Us Who We Are 37:15 Why Cinderella Still Matters 38:09 Do Not Lock Yourself Away 39:33 Changing Majors and Choosing Your Own Path 40:35 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2023

Welcome back to the all new After Hours With Amanda. In this episode, I’m catching up on life, health, fiber, therapy, fall pressure, tiny queens, and the tools I’m learning for emotional regulation and control. We talk about redirecting instead of refereeing, witnessing and walking away when something no longer serves you, not letting someone else’s projection become your reflection, and what Inside Out teaches us about sitting with people in their feelings. If you are heading into a busy season and trying not to carry everything, come sit with me for a bit.00:00 Welcome to the All New After Hours With Amanda 00:50 Back to School and Summer Sunset 01:41 Swim Season, Therapy, and Catching Up 02:52 Making Time for What Matters 03:49 Health Update, Fiber, and Food Responsibility 06:09 Why I Do Not Do Resolutions 07:09 Scientists of Life 07:53 Heading Into Fall Pressure 09:11 Therapy, Control, and the Illusion of Plans 10:03 Redirect Instead of Referee 12:19 Your Kids Are Not You 14:18 Teaching Problem Solving Without Refereeing 15:17 When Red Flags Keep Showing Up 16:23 Stress, Control, and Holding Too Tight 18:35 Holiday Triggers and Protecting Your Peace 20:10 Not Holding People Accountable for Someone Else 23:10 Projection Is Not Your Reflection 25:45 Cheap Seats Do Not Get a Front Row 26:27 Holding Their Mad With Them 28:16 Witness, Walk Away, and Redirect 29:01 Inside Out and Sitting With Emotion 30:48 Scientists of Life Together 31:13 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 16 August 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about time passing, feeling behind, dreams, motherhood, Disneyland, grief, and the version of me who once could not see how the story would unfold. I read from the journal I started when I was pregnant with London, back when I was working retail and aching to be home with her, and I talk about why Disneyland feels like coming home to my mom, Adam, and younger me. If you feel stuck, scared, or like everyone else got the map except you, this is your reminder that time is passing, but it is not leaving you behind.00:00 Sixteen Days Until Disneyland 01:11 Jeans, Socks, and Parent Jokes 02:54 The Disney Trip Plot Begins 05:39 No Means Not Yet 06:55 Page Joins the Disney Campaign 09:06 Sometimes I Do Not Want to Grow Up 11:39 We Are Going to Disneyland 12:18 Why Disneyland Feels Like Home 13:50 Grief, Cremation, and Having No Place to Visit 15:08 Main Street Memories 16:09 Disney and the Younger Parts of Me 17:31 My Simple Goal Journal 18:37 Reading My Pregnancy Journal 25:45 Missing My Mom While Becoming a Mom 27:10 Time Passing and Working Retail 30:15 Wanting London to Know Me 31:48 Watching the Game When You Know Who Wins 33:27 The Page Turned Six Months Later 34:11 Coming Home Full Time 36:44 The Pressure We Put on Tiny Things 38:04 Time Can Work for You Too 39:38 You Do Not Have to Have the Whole Plan 44:30 Time Is Not Leaving You Behind 45:23 Learning Is Not Getting Everything Right 46:20 It Is All Happening for You 48:27 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about dreams, self worth, purpose in pain, and what it means to be refined, not broken. This is a long voicemail about the new podcast sign, dream journals, the Macy’s Day Parade, Disneyland, chronic pain, tiny queens growing up, Whitney Houston, and learning to kick other people’s voices out of your head. I’m not pretending hard seasons are easy, but I do believe future you may look back and say, “Look at us. We made it.” If your inner voice has been loud or your dream feels far away, sit with me for a bit.00:00 Welcome Back and the New Sign 00:23 Academy Awards and Dreams 01:31 Life Does Not End at 40 02:09 Loving the Process 03:04 Dream Journals and Big Goals 04:02 Disneyland, Dissociation, and Looking Ahead 05:12 Changing Your Mind Is Allowed 07:41 Change Means Growth 08:17 Pain, Fire, and the Uncut Diamond 10:42 Testing, Faith, and Proving It to Yourself 12:04 There Is Purpose in Your Pain 13:32 Bitterness Does Not Heal You 14:09 Empathy After Physical Pain 16:11 You Are Stronger Than You Think 17:40 Whitney Houston and the Greatest Love 18:41 Who Is Living in Your Head? 19:16 Boundaries Are Not Always Simple 20:42 The Village Can Be One Person 22:41 Learning to Love Yourself 23:16 Getting to Know Your Kids Again 25:33 Getting to Know Yourself Again 27:25 The Last First Tooth 30:21 Raising Them to Leave You 32:27 Getting to Know Yourself in Every Stage 34:13 The Diamond Analogy 35:43 Your Best, Hottest Version 36:17 Ten Years Ago Amanda 38:01 The Hard Season Can Still Refine You 39:09 Sing Whitney in the Car 40:49 Shine Light on the Dream 41:55 Planning the Week and Fighting the Inner Voice 43:19 You Are Being Refined 44:02 Calling Out the Lies in Your Head 46:40 Becoming the Future You 47:26 Creating a Safe Space 48:27 Big Dreams for the Podcast 50:33 You Are a Diamond 51:35 One Day, a Live Tour 52:02 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about comparison, content creation, women judging women, motherhood, childfree conversations, working moms, stay at home moms, and what we teach our tiny queens when we tear each other down. This is a long voicemail about fake nails, ASMR rage, Comparison Katie, Julie Jealousy, losing my job in 2020, falling into content creation, and why someone else’s life does not have to threaten the value of yours. If comparison has been loud lately, come sit with me for a bit. We are doing our best.00:00 Rerecording the Lost Episode 00:33 Is Life Better After 30? 01:12 Video Podcast Anxiety 01:28 Fake Nails and Hyperfixation 03:25 Harvest Snaps and ASMR Rage 04:11 Comparison Katie Shows Up 05:02 Content Creation and Job Loss 06:27 Brand Deals, Auditions, and ROI 08:35 Metrics, Money, and Feeling Behind 09:04 Julie Jealousy and Emotional Regulation 10:12 More Is Caught Than Taught 10:36 DINK Life and Tiny Humans 11:39 The Viral Friday Night Video 13:13 Women Judging Women 14:30 Working Moms and Stay At Home Moms 15:27 The TikTok Stitch 16:01 What You Put In Your Brain Matters 17:25 Choosing Not to Engage 20:26 Losing My Job and Finding This Community 21:11 Mom Culture Fighting Itself 22:03 Moms Helping Moms 23:15 Sharing the Hard Without Scaring People 24:25 You Do Not Have to Want Kids 26:19 Making Each Other’s Lives Better 28:09 Stop Measuring Women’s Worth 28:59 There Is a Right Way to Treat People 29:47 The Transcript Cuts Off

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about the illusion of control, the routines that make us feel safe, and what happens when life changes enough that the old systems do not fit the same way. This is a long voicemail about overbooking myself, somatic therapy, emotional hijacking, Starbucks rituals, food routines, In N Out Mondays, motherhood, faith, and learning that structure can support us without becoming the measure of whether we are okay. If your habits have shifted, your body feels different, or you are trying to hold everything together because you love your people, sit with me for a bit.00:00 An Unintended Episode 00:32 Overbooking Myself Again 01:23 Teacher Features and Mini Golf 02:18 Valentine’s Parties and Garden Class 03:17 Thriving on Chaos 04:01 Somatic Therapy and Inside Out 06:11 When One Emotion Hijacks Everything 07:20 When the Body Holds the Feeling 08:00 Journaling Feels Too Honest 09:15 Reporting Versus Really Feeling 10:38 Family Photos and Full Circle Moments 14:32 Swim, Schedules, and Being Voluntold 15:16 The Illusion of Control 16:33 The Starbucks Ritual 20:31 When the Old Systems Break Down 22:19 Trying Decaf and Feeling Anxiety Rise 25:30 What If This Is Not My Jam Anymore? 26:16 Strawberries, Structure, and Flexibility 28:11 Habits Are Helpful Until They Hijack You 30:49 In N Out Mondays and Holding On 33:08 Faith When Everything Falls Apart 34:38 Control, Birth, and Sacred Moments 36:10 When Systems Become the Bar 37:19 Learning to Slow Down 38:10 Control Can Come From Love 40:24 Shaking Up the Systems 42:10 Parenting the Younger Parts of Me 43:27 Pivoting Without Calling It Failure 44:26 Valentine’s Day and Being Loved

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about restriction versus restraint in parenting, food, iPads, friendships, exercise, marriage, and the way I treat myself. This is not advice. It is me learning out loud about raising tiny humans who can build judgment, confidence, and trust instead of just hearing “no” at every turn. We get into sugar, screens, peer pressure, food fear after surgery, getting back to movement for mental health, and the joy of hearing my tiny queen call me out when I needed it. If you are trying to parent without making everything all or nothing, sit with me for a bit.00:00 Still Figuring Out the Video Podcast 00:23 Delilah Radio Energy and Mic Noises 01:08 Bodily Functions and Being Real 02:11 Getting Back in the Gym 04:23 Starting a New Kind of Therapy 06:02 Living Again After Surgery 06:28 Catching the Good Old Days 08:07 Past Me, Present Me, Future Me 08:51 Avatar, Toy Story, and Disney Tangents 10:35 Parenting an Almost Ten Year Old 11:18 Friends, Restriction, and Control 13:07 Restriction Versus Restraint 16:16 Teaching Safety Instead of Just Saying No 17:05 iPads, Sugar, and Building Judgment 21:16 Why Peer Pressure Gets Tricky 24:06 Parenting Is Not a Group Project 26:07 Restriction Versus Restraint With Myself 30:43 Marriage Is Not All or Nothing 33:23 Tools for Friendships and Toxic Relationships 35:31 I Trust Your Judgment 37:01 Conversations With My Tiny Queen 40:16 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about people over productivity and the way we measure ourselves and each other by what gets done, what gets missed, and which balls get dropped. After months of pain and recovery, I started thinking about how quickly we take things personally instead of asking what might be going on. This is a long voicemail about motherhood, friendship, mental health, hot lunch, tiny queens, boundaries, empathy, and remembering that we are all more than our checkboxes. If you have felt behind, quiet, overwhelmed, or not enough, sit with me for a bit.00:00 Trying a New Video Podcast Setup 00:44 Mall Walker Energy and Sephora Chaos 02:46 Welcome to After Hours With Amanda 03:28 Feeling the Love After Last Week 04:08 Starting Somatic Therapy 04:35 Why Do I Go on the Defense? 06:21 The Stress of “Can We Talk?” 07:03 Where My Value Comes From 08:34 When the Balls Start Dropping 10:23 Asking What Happened First 12:24 Seeing Our Tiny People More Clearly 13:38 Why Are They Dropping the Ball? 16:10 Chronic Pain and People Over Productivity 18:28 Noticing When Someone Seems Off 21:00 When a Tiny Queen Finally Says the Week Was Hard 23:21 The Village Does Not Have to Be Large 25:07 When People Show Up in the Dark 26:17 Boundaries, Peace, and Collaboration 30:25 Hot Lunch and Letting Go of Mom Rules 33:43 Asking Why Before Moving On 36:03 The Frozen Lake Analogy 38:00 Mental Health Should Not Be Whispered About 41:24 You Are More Than Your Productivity 43:05 Do Something Kind for Someone Else 45:04 People Over Productivity 46:10 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m sharing where I have been for the last four months. This is my personal medical story, not medical advice, about an anal fissure, chronic pain, health anxiety, food fear, advocating for myself, and finally being believed. It is vulnerable, chaotic, and yes, somehow includes the phrase “Botox for my butthole.” I talk about pain, surgery, motherhood, faith, asking for help, and what it felt like to have life stop long enough for me to see how much control I was trying to carry. If you are in something life altering, I hope you feel less alone here.00:00 Filming the Podcast and Feeling Awkward 01:36 Welcome Back After Four Months 02:18 Trigger Warnings and Why I’m Sharing 03:35 When I Thought It Was Hemorrhoids 04:49 Years of GI Issues and Bathroom Shame 07:19 Suppositories, Burning, and Things Getting Worse 08:26 The Night the Pain Took Over 11:51 Getting Diagnosed With an Anal Fissure 14:53 Creams, Pain, and No Clear Answers 17:15 Fiber Counting and Food Fear 20:14 The 50/50 Phone Call 23:24 Spasms, Baths, and Losing Weight 26:22 The Light Leaving My Eyes 28:02 Disneyland in Survival Mode 35:13 The Appointment I Thought Would Fix Everything 36:11 A Triggering Medical Exam 40:14 Needing a Female Surgeon 44:10 Fighting Insurance and Feeling Unheard 50:18 Advocating for Myself Like I Would for My Girls 52:42 Finally Getting the Appointment 55:01 Being Believed Without Explaining Everything 56:14 Surgery, Botox, and Finally No Pain 01:02:25 Why Validation Matters 01:03:30 Faith, Anger, and Feeling Deserted 01:04:34 Motherhood, Control, and Missing Christmas Programs 01:08:09 Finding Joy in the Small Things 01:09:20 Water, Fiber, and Food Exposure 01:11:27 Life Altering, Not Life Threatening 01:12:45 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2023

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about parenting, trust, emotional safety, and the tiny everyday moments that decide whether our kids feel safe coming to us later. It starts with Christmas decorating and a broken ornament, but really, it becomes a conversation about communication beating condemnation, trust breaking in tiny fractures, and wanting to be the lighthouse my girls can come back to. This is not me saying I get it right every time. I mess up too. But I’m learning that if I want my tiny humans to trust me when life gets bigger, it starts with how I meet them now.00:00 Two for Two and Taking the Small Wins 00:36 Disneyland Countdown Joy 01:14 Let’s Talk Hemorrhoids, Because Besties 04:12 Christmas Decor Before Thanksgiving 06:18 Halloween, Allergies, and Early Christmas Vibes 07:39 Amazon Storefronts and Life Updates 09:22 Christmas Decor and Holiday Campaigns 10:08 Building Trust With Tiny Humans 11:19 The Windshield Crack Analogy 12:45 Ornament Stories and Family Memories 14:00 The Broken Ornament Moment 16:05 Meeting Mistakes With Safety 17:32 I Want You to Talk to Me Later 19:22 Trust, Acceptance, Love, and Empathy 20:55 The Lighthouse and the Dock 23:33 Teaching Through Our Own Mistakes 26:15 Forced Apologies and Internal Repair 28:19 Teens, Power Struggles, and Communication 33:35 Trust in Marriage and Owning Impact 36:16 Relationship Building, Not Control 38:29 Teaching Emotions as Superpowers 42:23 It Is Never Too Late to Rebuild Trust 47:00 Communication Beats Condemnation 49:17 Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 2 November 2022

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m back with a long voicemail between friends about the holiday season, mom guilt, gift giving, social media comparison, and the pressure to do all the things. I love the cozy magic of the holidays, but I also know how quickly it can turn into a checklist. This is me reminding myself that sometimes giving less means giving more, and the memories that stay with us are often made in the being, not just the doing. If the holidays feel heavy, exciting, lonely, or overwhelming, you can sit here with me for a bit.00:00 Welcome Back, Friend 01:41 A Long Voicemail Between Friends 02:08 The Bathrobe Story 05:00 Heading Into the Holidays 06:02 Gift Giving and Social Media Comparison 07:43 What Tiny People Really Want 08:49 Sometimes Giving Less Means Giving More 10:35 Giving Without Expecting 11:48 The Hickory Farms Christmas Story 15:06 Being, Not Just Doing 16:20 Bedtime Books and Mom Guilt 18:15 Breathe In Good, Breathe Out Night 19:21 The Holiday Checklist Trap 20:45 When the Holidays Feel Lonely 22:20 Giving Your Time and Presence 23:23 Watching for the Small Moments 25:20 Holiday Activities, Money, and Pressure 28:32 Choosing Where You Want to Be 31:31 Avoiding the Holiday Haze 31:56 Grief, Memory, and What Stays 35:28 You Are Not Alone Here

Transcribed - Published: 26 October 2022

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about clean plates, forced apologies, food, body cues, empathy, and the tiny ways we teach kids to trust or ignore themselves. This is not me telling anyone how to parent. It is me thinking out loud about what happens when we focus more on the performance of gratitude, manners, or obedience than the internal tools our kids are building. From dinner tables to apologies to gift reactions, I’m asking what it looks like to raise tiny humans who can listen to their bodies, say no politely, repair with empathy, and trust themselves as they grow. 00:00 Sleepytime Tea and a Late Night Hello02:15 Forts, Toy Story, and Tiny Humans04:26 The Almost New York Trip07:03 Phantom, Les Mis, and Big Questions10:39 What This Podcast Really Is12:24 The Clean Plate Problem16:16 Forced Apologies and Real Empathy18:42 Walking Kids Through Repair20:38 Teaching Kids to Listen to Their Bodies23:33 Food Rules, Dessert, and Boundaries26:34 Trusting Intuition Beyond the Dinner Table29:19 Teaching Kids to Say No Politely31:17 When Kids Learn to Perform33:10 Cruise Control Parenting37:09 Gift Reactions and Gratitude40:35 Food for Thought and Final Encouragement

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2022

Hey friend. In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m taking a deep breath with you and talking through a tender week. I share why I took time off social media, how grief and addiction memories around my brother Adam came back up, and why I’m reminding myself that mental health is not a finish line. We also get into therapy, body image, old family patterns, Dopesick, motherhood, and the ache of wanting every human to feel seen, loved, and needed. This is not expert advice. It is just a very honest, very human check-in from someone still becoming. 00:00 Hey Friend, Let’s Take a Breath02:37 Remembering to Actually Breathe04:59 Why I Took a Week Off07:02 Why This Podcast Feels Safe07:53 Body Image, My Mom, and Old Patterns12:39 When Our Wounds Start Bleeding14:31 Working Out, Therapy, and Mental Health16:02 Adam, Addiction, and Being Triggered23:30 Watching Dopesick Hit Too Close27:31 Mental Health Is Not a Finish Line31:15 Be Careful What You Consume32:36 Can We Celebrate Going Back to Therapy?34:34 Sharing Adam’s Story38:51 The Gift of Unconditional Love40:34 This Is a Safe Place42:31 We’re All Different, and That’s Okay45:25 You Are Loved, Valued, and Needed

Transcribed - Published: 5 July 2022

TW: In this episode, I broadly touch on sensitive subjects so I wanted to give you a heads up. So many of you have requested a dating episode speaking specifically to my dating life and experience and as always I wanted to be honest with you.  Substance Abuse Hotline- 1-800-662-4357National Suicide Prevention Hotline- 1-800-273-8255National Sexual Abuse Hotline- 1-800-656-4673 National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1-800-799-7233 In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m sharing the dating story y’all have been asking for, but not as advice. This is a vulnerable look at toxic relationship patterns, gaslighting, boundaries, and what happens when chaos becomes your baseline for love. I talk about wanting to feel seen, ignoring red flags, mistaking attention for care, and slowly learning that peace is not boring and love should not make you feel less than. If you have ever played the highlight reel to convince yourself something “wasn’t that bad,” this one is for you. 00:00 Coke, Gas Tanks, and Chaos06:16 Why I’m Sharing My Dating Story08:49 Wanting to Feel Seen12:21 Gaslighting, Lies, and the Promise Ring14:28 When Chaos Becomes Your Baseline21:29 The Tarzan Swing Into Another Relationship28:23 When One Green Flag Felt Like Everything35:02 Addiction, Boundaries, and Feeling Responsible38:10 The Hole No Relationship Could Fill40:12 Disneyland, Blake, and Faith That Felt Safe42:41 Why I Used to Create Conflict48:10 You Deserve More Than Just Good Enough

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2022

This week, I’m talking about achievement culture, parenting pressure, and the way we can accidentally make our tiny humans’ milestones, grades, emotions, and behavior about us. From swim week and school decisions to pacifiers, homework, gentle parenting, hugs before correction, and the phrase “fair means you get your needs met,” this episode is about separating our kids’ growth from our own self worth. I’m sharing what I’m learning in real time as a mom who is doing her best, trying to disrupt before I erupt, and remembering that our children are whole people, not reflections of our performance. 00:00 Thursday Night Podcast Vibes00:29 Welcome to the Coffee Chat01:40 Swim Week and Tired Kids04:36 Getting Ready for My Mental Health06:20 Achievement Culture07:15 Choosing a Different School Path09:45 The Pacifier Question12:18 What Do I Actually Care About?13:37 Achievement Starts in Pregnancy16:32 Milestones Are Not a Report Card18:33 Gentle Parenting and Identity23:34 Homework After a Full Day26:25 Why I Started This Podcast29:26 You Might Just Not Fit That Job31:33 Your Achievements Are Not Your Identity37:00 Tiny Triggers and Looking Inward38:47 Disrupt Before You Erupt42:03 Why I Offer a Hug First45:04 Fair Means Needs Are Met46:58 Stop Tying Worth to Achievement49:49 You Are Good Enough

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2022

This week, I’m talking about what it feels like to be a mom, wife, friend, and human who does not always know what she is doing. From protecting my kids’ privacy to making uncertain parenting decisions, advocating for my tiny humans, and learning not to go straight into defense mode, this episode is about being certainly uncertain. I’m sharing the six words that have helped me in relationships, parenting, and conflict: “What do you mean by that?” If you feel unsure, overwhelmed, or like everyone else got the manual, come sit with me. We’re doing our best and giving God the rest. 00:00 Second Week in a Row01:24 The Podcast Intro Goal02:12 Protecting My Kids’ Privacy03:29 Topics Y’all Asked For04:42 I’m Not an Authority05:32 Feeling Ill Equipped as a Parent07:05 The Identities We Step Into09:23 Learning Means Making Mistakes10:35 Making Big Decisions for Tiny Humans18:38 Giving Yourself Grace to Change Your Mind19:05 Advocating for Corey20:28 The Finger Scale for Big Feelings22:28 Who Made the Rule?23:19 The One Thing I’m Certain Of25:21 Why We Go on Defense27:19 Asking Before Reacting31:50 Six Words That Change Conversations34:08 Wait, Assess, Then Decide38:11 It’s Okay to Be Certainly Uncertain42:09 You Matter

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2022

Hey y’all, I’m back and this one is a full catch up. From therapy and inner child work to platform Converse, clip in extensions, self sabotage in the school drop off line, and marriage conversations with Blake, I’m unpacking the freedom of letting myself be a little inconsistent. This is about the rules we carry from childhood, the lie of “I’m not that girl,” and the way relationships get healthier when we choose solving over winning. Parenting, marriage, personal growth, and doing our best, all in one long voicemail between friends. 00:00 Hey Girl, We’re Back02:26 Back in Therapy08:17 The Inner Child Year09:26 The Converse Shoes Story13:23 Identity and Imposter Syndrome17:21 Dedicated to the Inconsistencies19:40 Self Sabotage in the Car23:16 The Lie of “I’m Not That Girl”26:19 Tiny You Gets a Yes31:35 Marriage Therapy Before Marriage32:49 There’s No Me in We35:19 Two Kinds of Arguments40:50 Never and Always Are Dangerous Words44:18 You Are Loved and Needed

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2022

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m catching up on life, therapy, trauma work, Disneyland prep, and what I did not realize about healing: you can work through trauma and still be holding it. I share how intrusive thoughts about my kids led me back to therapy, how losing my mom and brother shaped my fear, and how migraines, dizziness, jaw clenching, and exhaustion made me realize my body was sending an SOS. This one is about asking for help, releasing survival habits, letting go of control, and giving ourselves grace when healing looks inconsistent. 00:01 Welcome Back And Catching Up00:50 Missing The Moment And Disneyland Prep01:11 Trauma Does Not Have To Be Comparative02:19 How I Found My Therapist03:02 Intrusive Thoughts About My Kids04:50 Crying In The Closet06:22 Mental Health Support For Kids07:03 What Therapy Did Not Tell Me07:26 Trauma Responses In Marriage10:17 Holding Trauma In Your Body11:24 The Doctor Appointment14:27 When The Tension Finally Lifted16:11 Cutting Caffeine And Finding Quiet18:24 Self-Care Versus Real Care19:32 Trauma Habits As Identity20:13 Asking For Help And Feeling Strong22:07 Peace, Control, And Letting Go24:14 Identity, Social Media, And Showing Up26:42 It Is Okay To Be Sporadic29:14 Fear Before Disneyland31:06 Questioning Old Rules34:13 Accepting Who I Am Becoming35:07 Thank You For Showing Up

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2021

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about mental health, therapy, shame, faith, anxiety, and why getting support should not feel like something we have to hide. I share what mental health looked like in my family growing up, how my mom’s breakdown shaped the way I saw therapy, how my brother’s addiction keeps me passionate about people not suffering alone, and why I think therapy is more like taking the car in for a tune up than admitting failure. I’m not sharing this as a therapist. I’m sharing as someone who is still learning that needing support does not mean you are weak. 00:00 Welcome Back And Hawaii Anxiety00:24 Why Mental Health Should Not Be Taboo01:35 Therapy Is Asking For Support02:48 My Family’s Mental Health Story03:50 My Mom’s Breakdown05:32 My First Introduction To Therapy07:32 Addiction, Anxiety, And Fear Around Mental Health09:34 Stop Invalidating Your Own Pain12:09 Ignoring My Own Need For Help13:43 Mental Health Is Like A Car Tune Up16:19 Why Do We Apologize For Crying?17:42 How I Found My Therapist18:19 I Turned Out Fine, But Did I?19:27 Why I Refuse To Stay Quiet20:33 Kids, Therapy, And Support21:50 Mental Health Days Should Be Normal24:51 Mental Health Is Not A Lack Of Faith26:47 Therapy Is A Lifelong Journey28:09 Anxiety In The School Drop Off Line29:14 Tools That Help My Mental Health31:01 Therapy Is For Everyone32:01 Boundaries Around Mental Health Shame

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2021

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about gentle parenting, humanizing kids, autonomy, emotional regulation, and why seeing my tiny humans as people does not mean I am just trying to be their friend. I get into why I call them tiny humans, building responsibility through little daily moments, the myth that gentle parenting is permissive, yelling, silent treatment, apologies, boundaries, and why I want home to be the safe place where my kids learn what to do when the real world is hard. This one is about giving kids a voice, not handing them the whole house. 00:00 Welcome Back And Maui Prep01:13 A Hodgepodge Parenting Episode03:25 Why I Say Tiny Humans04:35 Autonomy Before The Teenage Years06:17 Teaching Responsibility In Daily Life08:20 Three Year Olds And Clean Rooms10:54 Making Chores Functional For Kids12:38 Gentle Parenting Is Not Permissive14:15 Big Emotions Need Tools15:28 I Turned Out Fine, But Did I?16:35 Preparing Kids For The Real World17:23 Yelling And Losing The Message20:12 Hearing The Whine, Not The Words21:51 Silent Treatment Is Emotional Manipulation22:46 The Homework Apology24:05 The Gentle Parenting Thought Process26:26 Asking If They Need A Hug28:55 When My Kid Called Me Out31:55 Humanizing Parenting34:07 Protecting Their Emotional Space38:43 Lucy The Doll And Building Trust41:32 Seeing Them As Human Is Not Being Their Friend43:20 The Middle Ground Nobody Talks About45:36 You Get To Build The Relationship You Want

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2021

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about the first day of school, mom guilt, motherhood, and why I do not think motherhood is just something happening to me. I think it is also something happening for me. I share the note one of my girls left me, the poem that wrecked me, why I miss my tiny humans when they go back to school, and how motherhood has helped me become more myself instead of less. This one is about coexisting, growing alongside our kids, letting go of mom-culture comparison, and remembering that they are having a hard time, not giving us one. 00:00 First Day Of School Feelings00:50 Welcome To After Hours With Amanda01:25 A Disclaimer For Moms02:24 Encouragement Is Not Discouragement03:47 The Mom Who Misses Her Kids05:22 Lucy The Doll And The Paper Towel List07:43 The Poem That Wrecked Me09:03 Caterpillars, Butterflies, And Mom Life11:45 Motherhood Is Not Happening To You14:21 Bad Bitch Butterfly Energy15:12 Feeding Yourself Better Thoughts17:03 Are The Kids Really Stopping You?19:12 They’re Having A Hard Time21:09 Kids Are Not A Power Struggle23:22 Letting My Kids Help Me Become26:14 Missing Them Without Judging You29:01 Stop Blaming The Tiny Humans32:12 Functional Needs Versus Emotional Needs36:29 Coexisting While We Both Grow41:33 Encouragement And First Day Grief42:29 My Mom’s Breakdown And Second Grade45:31 Healing Through My Daughter’s First Day47:27 What I Want You To Know

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2021

In this season two episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m talking about empathy, self-love, self-sabotage, therapy, and what it actually means to be kind to myself when nobody else is listening. This one starts with therapy and physical activity, but it turns into a bigger conversation about Doc Martens, old wounds, motherhood, online criticism, comparison, and why empathy helps me parent my tiny humans with more softness. I’m learning that pain does not have to be a competition, self-love has to become an action, and sometimes empathy is the thing that protects my energy. 00:01 Welcome Back To Season Two00:44 The Heinz 57 Podcast01:13 Missing You And Taking A Hiatus03:08 Should The Podcast Change?04:01 Joy And Empathy In The Unknown05:01 Empathy For Myself06:09 Therapy And Self-Sabotage07:23 The Call Was Coming From Inside The House09:17 Empathy As Real Self-Love10:14 The Doc Martens Story14:02 When The Silence Feels Too Loud16:13 How I Talk To Myself17:18 Why We’re Hard On Our Kids20:03 Movement As Self-Care23:53 The Facebook Comments28:33 Empathy Saves Your Energy31:30 Empathy As Armor34:17 People Are Really Wounded36:11 Social Anxiety And Feeling Seen38:45 Don’t Compare Your Pain39:57 Lead With Empathy43:00 Season Two Is Back44:17 You Are Loved, Valued, And Worthy

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2021

In this episode of After Hours With Amanda, I’m sharing a therapy revelation about trauma, EMDR, fear, grief, and learning to lean into the happy instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop. This one gets tender. I talk about my fear of death, the sudden loss of my mom, my brother’s death, dissociation, faith, and the Harry Potter metaphor that cracked something open for me in therapy. The scar protected me for a long time, but I am not in that trauma anymore. I am not sharing this as a therapist. I am sharing it as someone in the middle of the work, learning that I deserve happiness outside of survival mode. 00:00 Welcome Back After Two Weeks01:03 Heat, Garage Cabinets, And Life Updates02:31 Therapy, EMDR, And Movie Revelations04:29 Jelly Belly Factory And Belly Flops05:14 Getting Into It To Get Through It05:56 What EMDR Has Been Like For Me08:33 Talking Through Fear Of Death11:38 Sudden Loss And The Other Shoe14:01 Life Feels Too Good Right Now15:30 Leaning Into The Happy17:22 The Harry Potter Therapy Moment19:24 Harry’s Scar And Lord V22:37 The Scar Protected Me Until It Hurt Me24:05 Living In Trauma While Preaching Joy26:14 Dissociation As Survival29:39 Ron, Hermione, And Having People In Your Corner32:04 Healing Yourself To Love Better34:26 Picking Fights To Prove The Trauma Right36:23 Behaviors Born From Pain And Survival37:22 You Deserve Happiness Outside Of Trauma

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2021