This Way In cover art

This Way In

This Way In

Written by: Collected Sounds Media
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About this listen

This Way In is a therapist-guided, layperson-led journey into mental health, healing, and self-discovery. Brittney (the therapist) and Amy (the curious one) explore trauma, emotions, and the parts that make us who we are—with compassion and clarity.

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Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • 8: Parts of Self Series: Nurturer Part
    Dec 31 2025

    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!



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/this-way-in/donations
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    52 mins
  • 7: Parts of Self Series: Protector Part
    Dec 17 2025

    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!



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/this-way-in/donations
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 6: Parts of Self Series: Critical Part
    Dec 3 2025

    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!



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/this-way-in/donations
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
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