The Middle of It

In this episode of The Middle of It, I talk about teen grief, parenting through peer loss, and how to support your child when death hits close to home.After a tragic loss in my daughter's community, the tone in our home shifted.  In this conversation, I explore what happens inside the teenage brain after loss, why grief looks different for every child, and how parents can show up in ways that actually help.This is not just a reflection, it's practical guidance.In this episode, we cover:Why teen grief feels intense and confusingWhat's happening neurologically in the adolescent brainSurvivor's guilt and silent fearHow to talk to your teen about death without forcing itSigns your child may need additional supportWhat to do if it's not your child, but someone in their circleWhen grief may be turning into something more seriousHow schools, coaches, and community play a protective roleIf you're parenting through something heavy, you're not alone. If your teen is carrying something too big, this conversation is for you/We don't skip the hard parts here.  We walk through them- together.If you are in the US and need immediate support:Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis LifelineIf your child is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.Share this episode with another parent or educator who may need it.Comment below: What has helped your family navigate grief????Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Slumps don't always look like rock bottom.  Sometimes they show up when life is busy...or even when things are going well.In this episode of The Middle of It, Amanda talks about the quiet slumps.  The ones where you slowly pull inward, stop showing up, or tell yourself you're "fine" when something feels off.She gets into"how isolation sneaks in when routines are brokenwhy skipping connection can feel harmless....until it's notwhat to do when you're busy, sick, or tempted to hideIf this resonates, consider subscribing so you don't miss future episode.  And if someone came to mind while listening, maybe share this with them.You're not broken.This isn't the end.It's the middle...and you don't have to do it alone. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

This is your 30-day goal-setting check-in.Whether you started strong, fell off, or are just finding this now, you're not behind.  You're right on time.  We revisit positive goal framing, small daily actions, mindset, and how to recenter, adjust, and recommit without shame.Goal setting isn't a one-time event.  It's a practice.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Whether you're trying to show up better for someone else or learning how to ask for help yourself, this episode is a reminder that love and support are service in and of themselves.  And that no one is meant to do hard things alone. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

One day at a time isn't about avoiding reality.  It is about protecting your peace.  In this episode, Amanda talks about how ODAT helps stop spinning, regulate emotions, and build trust in the process when life feels overwhelming.  If you're craving certainty, control, or answers that haven't come yet, this is your reminder: you do not have to carry tomorrow today. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

This episode is about real goal setting - not resolutions, shame, or trying to reinvent yourself overnight.We talk about why winter is the right time to reflect, how the voice in your head can quietly sabotage your goals, and why positive framing and small daily actions matter more than motivation.  We also explore manifestation the right way through identity, intention, and action.If you're sober, starting over, or expanding a life you've already built, this episode offers a simple, realistic way to set goals that actually stick.You're not behind. You're in the middle - and that's where change happens. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this light and honest episode, Amanda shares her favorite sober treats: the small, meaningful acts of self-care that helped her stay sober, rebuild confidence, and find real joy again.  From early gel manis to running gear, morning routines, and marathon training, these treats became reminders of who she was becoming.  If you're in sobriety, sober-curious, or breaking any unhealthy habit, this episode will help you see why giving yourself kindness can change everything.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this episode, Amanda explores what happens when "life gets lifey." Those seasons when stress piles up, plans fall apart, and everything feels heavier than it should.  Through personal stories, emotional sobriety tools, and practical grounding strategies, she shares how she stays centered when life presents both the big challenges and the small, but relentless, ones. This episode is an honest look at trusting the process, reaching out for support, and remembering that what's meant for you will be yours.  Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Today's episode is a safe place to land if you're heading into the holidays feeling overwhelmed, sober-curious, newly sober, f=grieving, or just trying to get through the day. Amanda talks about sober holidays, letting go of expectations, navigating family dynamics, and creating exit plans that protect your peace.  She shares practical tools, grounding exercises and a short meditation to help you stay present and sober.  Plus, reminders for anyone who feels lonely or out of place this season.You don't have to do the holidays perfectly.  You just have to get though them, one moment at a time.  If you need support, you can find it here. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this episode, Amanda shares a real moment from her week as a mom navigating the challenges of raising a teenager who suddenly stopped checking in while out with a friend.  It's not a recovery story, it's a parenting one, and she talks honestly about the fear, the boundaries, and the tough love required to keep her daughter safe.  A grounded, vulnerable look at boundaries, safety, and the messy middle of motherhood. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

What if "having it all" doesn't mean doing it all? In this episode, Amanda shares how peace comes from choosing what truly matters and letting go of the rest.  It's about redefining success, releasing expectations, and finding freedom in a life that fits you, not one that performs for others.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this episode, Amanda unpacks what it really means when life becomes unmanageable and how "I'm managing" can sometimes be another way of saying "I'm barely holding it together."  From control and perfectionism to body image, relationships, and drinking, she explores how powerlessness can show up in everyday life and why naming is the first step toward real strength.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

After losing her husband, Barbara turned to alcohol to cope, until faith and resilience led her to sobriety later in life.  She shares how grief became her turning point, what it's like to get sober in her sixties, and how she's learning to love her children without enabling.  A story of faith, family, and the strength to begin again. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Sometimes love and fear sound the same.  Amanda explores how enabling keeps us stuck - and how letting go, with love, can be the start of real healing. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Sobriety isn't a punishment, it's permission.  In this episode, Amanda shares how she learned to actually have fun in recovery: the concerts, the laughter, the friendships, and the freedom that comes with remembering it all.  This is a reminder that we didn't get sober to be miserable... we got sober to live. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Nina opens up about growing up in chaos, losing a baby, and learning to break generational patterns through recovery.  This conversation explores love, grief, motherhood, and what it really means to heal the parts of you that were never safe.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Always chasing approval?  In this episode of The Middle of It, we dig into why we crave constant validation, how it feeds unrealistic expectations, and why it so often leads to resentments.  From social media and people-pleasing to parenting and recovery, you'll learn practical ways to validate yourself, release expectations, and break free from the cycle. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

Amanda reflects on how easy it is to lose yourself in roles, relationships, and expectations.  She shares her journey of finding the pieces of life that truly fit and the strength she's discovered in staying true. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

The world’s a mess — but shutting down won’t save us.In this episode, Amanda shares how to stay human, hopeful, and grounded when everything feels like too much. You’ll hear practical ways to protect your peace, find purpose in chaos, and keep showing up — even when the world feels heavy.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this episode, Amanda shares how the gifts of sobriety and the ongoing work behind them have given her a life she never imagined.  From chickens to a new baby at 40, it's not what was on her vision board, but it's a life beyond her wildest dreams. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this honest episode, Amanda shares how female friendships, deep acceptance, and imperfect love have helped her slowly rewrite the story of her own worth.  From downplaying compliments to letting love in, she reflects on how the love of others planted the first seeds of self-love and how that changed the way she now shows up for others.  This one's for anyone who's still learning to stay.  Still learning to soften.  Still in the middle of it. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this solo episode, Amanda explores boundaries, ego, and how to say no without guilt.  Whether you're in recovery or simply trying to live more intentionally, this conversation invites you to check your motives, protect your peace, and show up with integrity.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

This week, Amanda sits down with her friend, Jaci, to talk about what it really looks like to keep showing up for yourself after relapse.  Her road hasn't been simple or straight.  She has faced relapses, struggled with an eating disorder, and has been working on her mental health.  In this conversation, Jaci shares what she's learned through starting over, what has helped her stay grounded this time, and what hasn't. If you're in the middle of something similar or looking for hope, you'll find that and a whole lot of honesty here.Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

You've stopped hiding.  You've told the truth.  You're trying to build something new, but the middle is still messy.  This episode is about what to do when you hit the tough times in the middle, when you want to quit, and when you're tempted to go back to the things that once numbed the pain.  These are the tools Amanda used to get through without giving up, and she is sharing them with you now, too. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

We don't hide things we're proud of.  We hide the things we're ashamed of, whether it's drinking, eating, sex, shopping, or staying in toxic relationships.  In this episode, Amanda shares stories from her past and explores the power of naming what we're doing in secret and asking the bigger question: not "Am I really that bad?" but "Is what I'm doing actually helping me feel better?"Because often, the clarity only comes after we stop the behavior.  And that messy in-between space? That's where the real work begins. Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.

In this kickoff episode, Amanda shares her story: how getting sober, navigating parenting, and rebuilding her life led her to this exact moment: the middle.From side-by-side transformations on social media to the quiet, unseen wins of recovery, she breaks down what real growth actually looks like (messy, non-linear, and deeply human).If you've ever compared your life to someone else's "after" and wondered why your middle feels like a failure, this one's for you.Expect raw truth, humor, reflection, and a reminder that the middle matters... and so do you. vl1pGWHQEDHtdePWPPB6Still in the middle of something? Same!! Come hang out with me on Instagram @middleofitpodcast and tell me what you're navigating right now.