PODCAST · health
Holding Space On The Mountain
by Amber Sirstad
It's a place where we talk about grief, growth, and mental health.
Episodes
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Practicing Clear Communication around Grief
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Procrastination Is Not Laziness
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Grieving Someone Who Is Still Here
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When The Alarm Won't Stop
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Why Rest Can Feel Unsafe
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When Survival Mode Becomes Who You Are
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Why Our Minds Crave Certainty
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When Love Loses Its Anchor
Send us Fan Mail When someone we love dies, it can feel as though a part of us has been amputated. Not because we are weak, but because attachment changes us. In this episode, we explore the profound connection between attachment and grief, why loss feels so disorienting, and how healing often...
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Talking to Your Deceased Loved Ones
Send us Fan Mail A gentle conversation about the healing power of continuing our bond with loved ones after death. In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we explore how talking to those we’ve lost can become a meaningful ritual of love, remembrance, and connection. Through personal...
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Climbing The Mountain of Self Compassion
Send us Fan Mail This episode explores how self-compassion transforms grief and mental health, highlighting the dangers of comparison and offering clinical insights, practical tools, and real-life stories for authentic healing. Support the show
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Ambiguous Loss
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space On the Mountain, we journey again into the world of ambiguous loss—a form of grief that arises when closure is impossible, relationships are changed, or loved ones are physically or emotionally absent. Through storytelling, psychoeducation, guided...
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The Inner Critic--Part II
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space On the Mountain, we explore the inner critic—where it comes from, why it develops, and how it shapes the way we see ourselves. Blending psychology, attachment theory, and real-life tools, this conversation offers a compassionate path toward…
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The Quiet Weight of the Scroll
Send us Fan Mail In this reflective episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we explore the emotional impact of social media—how it shapes our mental health, influences our relationships, and quietly pulls us into cycles like doomscrolling. Together, we slow down and notice what’s really…
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Why The Final Words In Therapy Matter
Send us Fan Mail In therapy, something interesting often happens—the most important truth comes out in the final moments of the session. In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we explore why the things people say right before walking out the door often carry the deepest emotion.…
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When The One Who Anchored You Is Gone
Send us Fan Mail Grief isn’t just missing someone — it’s losing the attachment that made the world feel safe. In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we talk about what happens when an attachment is severed, why the nervous system reacts the way it does, and how we slowly learn to feel...
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"You're only responsible for yourself."---Myths and Truths.
Send us Fan Mail That phrase sounds empowering—but is it always healthy? From an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) lens, this episode unpacks how “you’re only responsible for yourself” is often misunderstood, misused, and sometimes harmful in relationships. We explore where the idea came from…
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Unpacking Memories
Send us Fan Mail Drawing parallels between moving and grief, Amber explores how we carry memories with us, honor those we’ve lost, and create spaces that hold both sadness and joy. Tune in for reflection, gentle guidance, and an invitation to hold space for your own memories and emotions. Support...
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Christmas, Grief, and The Year of Firsts
Send us Fan Mail Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year—but for those who are grieving, it can also be one of the hardest. In this episode, Amber shares vulnerably about her first Christmas without her Grandma and Grandpa Sirstad, who passed away just six days apart…
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Understanding Seasonal Depression
Send us Fan Mail An informative conversation about Seasonal Affective Disorder—why it happens, how it impacts mood and energy, and practical ways to find light in the darker months. This episode offers compassionate insight, evidence-based strategies, and hope for anyone navigating seasonal...
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Holding Grief With Gentleness on Thanksgiving
Send us Fan Mail A gentle Thanksgiving episode exploring the meaning of the empty chair—how grief shows up at the table and how we can honor love, memory, and our own emotional pace today. A soft, reflective space for anyone missing someone this holiday. Support the show
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Holding Space For Grief On The Mountain
Send us Fan Mail Grief changes us. This episode offers a soft place to land as we explore loss, love, and the slow work of finding our footing again. Support the show
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When Loss Has No Clear Ending
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we explore ambiguous grief — the kind of loss that doesn’t have a clear ending or closure. Whether it’s the fading presence of a loved one through illness, a relationship that ended without answers, or the ache of someone still...
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Restoring the Caregiver's Soul
Send us Fan Mail Caregivers often give endlessly — until there’s nothing left to give. In this episode, Amber explores how chronic caregiving impacts the mind, body, and spirit, and how to find renewal through rest, boundaries, and community. A compassionate conversation for anyone feeling…
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Pushing Yourself Without Crushing Yourself
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on The Mountain, Amber explores how to navigate life’s hard days with both perseverance and compassion. She shares practical strategies for moving forward—even when everything feels overwhelming—while emphasizing the importance of self-compassion...
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The Layers of Loss
Send us Fan Mail Explore the complexity of grief in this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain. We discuss the emotional, physical, and non-linear nature of loss, how it intersects with mental health, and practical ways to navigate grief while finding support and growth. Support the show
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Understanding The Nervous System
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber starts to explore how the nervous system shapes our emotions, reactions, and healing. Learn how stress, trauma, and grief impact your body’s rhythms — and discover gentle, practical ways to help your mind and body find calm...
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Losing Vision and Finding Strength
Send us Fan Mail In this moving episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber sits down with her dear friend, Letea, to talk about her journey of losing vision — a diagnosis she received in her early teens after first noticing changes at age 11. Together they explore the physical adjustments,...
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The Power of Acceptance
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber opens the door to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — a mindful, compassionate approach to emotional healing. Learn how acceptance isn’t giving up, but rather making space for the full human experience while still…
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Understanding ADHD with Compassion
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we start to explore what ADHD really is — beyond the stereotypes. From how it affects attention, emotion, and daily life, to how we can show ourselves (and others) more compassion, this short episode brings clarity and hope to a misunderstood diagnosis. Support…
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The Healing Power of Sleep
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we explore the quiet, restorative power of sleep — and why rest is essential for healing both body and mind. When we’re grieving, anxious, or overwhelmed, it can be hard to slow down, but sleep is where our nervous system resets…
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Introduction to Attachments
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we explore how early connections shape the way we love, trust, and relate to others through the lens of attachment styles. Support the show
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The Changes of Seasons
Send us Fan Mail As the seasons shift, so do we. In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, I explore how the change of seasons can stir up memories of loss, impact our mental health, and remind us of the rhythms of grief. Together, we’ll lightly reflect on what it means to care for...
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The Gift Of Holding Space
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, we lightly explore what it really means to hold space—both for yourself and for others. We’ll talk about how presence, compassion, and non-judgment can create room for healing, and why it’s just as important to extend that same…
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Talking About The Heavy Backpack (Depression)
Send us Fan Mail Depression can feel like climbing a mountain weighed down by fog and heavy packs. In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber explores what depression is—and what it isn’t—while offering gentle, practical ways to hold space for yourself or someone you love in the…
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Caring for Yourself in the First Months of Grief
Send us Fan Mail In the early months after loss, even simple daily tasks can feel impossible. In this episode of Holding Space on The Mountain, Amber explores gentle, realistic ways to care for your body, mind, and spirit in the midst of grief. Small acts of survival—like drinking water, resting,...
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Rachelle's Story of Facing the Unthinkable at age 19
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, I sit down with my friend Rachelle Bisbee as she shares her story of losing her mom at just 19 years old. Rachelle paints a vivid picture of the moment she walked into the hospital room and saw her mom on life support. She opens…
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When The Inner Critic Isn't Kind
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amber begins to explore the inner critic and how to quiet it with compassion. Support the show
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The Silent Language of Grief
Send us Fan Mail Amber opens the door on the topic of grief as a silent language, showing how it speaks through our bodies, memories, and rituals—and why honoring it can bring healing. Support the show
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The Pressure To "Move On" From Grief
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber explores the pressure many grievers feel to ‘move on.’ She touches on why society struggles with ongoing grief, the harm of this expectation, and how to embrace moving forward in your own time. Support the show
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Anticipatory Grief: Part 1
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber introduces the complexities of anticipatory grief. She touches on the emotions it can bring, the challenges it creates, and gentle ways to begin coping — with plans to explore each more deeply in future episodes. Support the...
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A Gentle Introduction To Holding Space
Send us Fan Mail In this first episode of Holding Space on the Mountain, Amber introduces the podcast and touches on several types of loss, with plans to explore each more deeply in future episodes, offering a compassionate space for reflection and healing. Support the show
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Holding Space On The Mountain have?
Holding Space On The Mountain currently has 41 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Holding Space On The Mountain about?
It's a place where we talk about grief, growth, and mental health.
How often does Holding Space On The Mountain release new episodes?
Holding Space On The Mountain has 41 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Holding Space On The Mountain?
You can listen to Holding Space On The Mountain on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Holding Space On The Mountain?
Holding Space On The Mountain is created and hosted by Amber Sirstad.
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