Holding Space On The Mountain

Send us Fan MailThis 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

Send us Fan MailIn 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 reflection, and practical coping strategies, we explore the emotional impact of ambiguous loss and how to hold space for ourselves and others in the midst of uncertainty. This episode offers validation, support, and tools for healing when loss is hardest to name.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 quieting self-judgment and building a healthier, more grounded inner voice.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 happening beneath the surface, while gently unpacking how to recognize when it’s time to step away. This episode offers compassionate insight and practical alternatives to help you reconnect—with yourself, your relationships, and the present moment.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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. Drawing from insights in Emotionally Focused Therapy, we talk about how vulnerability unfolds in layers, why primary emotions like grief, fear, and longing take time to surface, and why healing doesn't have to be rushed. If you’ve ever left a conversation wishing you had said something sooner, this episode will remind you that sometimes the heart simply needs time to find its words.Support the show

Send us Fan MailGrief 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 grounded again. This is a quiet, compassionate conversation for anyone walking through loss.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThat 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, how it’s meant to be used, and what emotional responsibility actually looks like when we’re wired for connection. A grounded, compassionate conversation about boundaries, accountability, grief, and staying human with one another.Support the show

Send us Fan MailDrawing 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 the show

Send us Fan MailChristmas 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 in March.This episode explores the year of firsts, how grief shows up in small traditions and everyday moments (like the absence of flannel bed sheets), and how faith can meet us in both sorrow and comfort. With honesty, warmth, and compassion, Amber reminds listeners that grief does not mean Christmas is ruined—it means Christmas is different.Support the show

Send us Fan MailAn 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 depression.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA 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

Send us Fan MailGrief 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

Send us Fan MailIn 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 alive but emotionally gone — ambiguous grief asks us to hold two realities at once: hope and heartbreak.Support the show

Send us Fan MailCaregivers 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 unseen, exhausted, or longing to breathe again.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 and gentle persistence.Support the show

Send us Fan MailExplore 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

Send us Fan MailIn 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 again. A grounding conversation about understanding your body’s signals and returning to safety, one breath at a time.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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, emotional challenges, and the deep resilience that comes with adapting to life in new ways. This is a story about courage, faith, and redefining what it means to see the world.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 moving toward what matters most. Through reflection and encouragement discover how to drop the tug-of-war rope with your pain, align with your values, and find peace even in life’s storms.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 and our heart begins to mend. Join Amber for a gentle reflection on how sleep impacts mental health, emotional balance, and spiritual restoration — and learn simple ways to reclaim rest in a world that rarely slows down.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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

Send us Fan MailAs 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 ourselves during times of transition.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 care inward. Whether you’re supporting a loved one through grief or learning how to care for your own heart, this conversation offers gentle guidance and encouragement for the journey.Support the show

Send us Fan MailDepression 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 midst of it.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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, or reaching out to a safe friend—become meaningful steps toward healing.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn 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 up about the ways she coped—sometimes through dark humor, sometimes by leaning on her community—and offers a raw, heartfelt look at grief and resilience.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Amber begins to explore the inner critic and how to quiet it with compassion. Support the show

Send us Fan MailAmber 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

Send us Fan MailIn 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

Send us Fan MailIn 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 show

Send us Fan MailIn 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