Nuance Needed

How do we raise children who can navigate life's challenges when our instinct is to protect them from every discomfort? We are not parenting experts, but Amanda is a parent and together we come up with some ideas for how we may be able to parent without losing our minds and falling into intensive parenting.In this conversation, we tackle:* The "harbor and ship" metaphor: how parents can provide a safe port while allowing children to venture into the world* How our cultural fear of risk has limited children's independence and growth opportunities* Why parenting choices are so much more scrutinized and criminalized for mothers than fathers* How the erosion of community and third spaces has isolated parents and made raising children harder* The cruel irony of a society that claims to value families while providing minimal supportThis very nuanced episode offers a more balanced vision of parenting—one that acknowledges both the challenges of modern parenthood and the importance of allowing children to develop the skills they need to thrive.WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

When did raising children become a high-stakes competitive sport? In this extremely nuanced conversation, we are examining the culture of intensive parenting from a parent (Amanda) and a non-parent (Sam). In this conversation, we tackle:* How social media algorithms reinforce parental anxiety by promoting rigid, conflicting approaches* The rise of intensive parenting and the pressure to optimize every aspect of childhood* The confusion around "gentle parenting" and why it often slides into permissive parenting* Amanda's experience navigating food choices with her toddler while healing from her own eating disorder* The suffocating pressure on mothers that begins during pregnancy and only intensifies after birth* How fear of judgment keeps parents from sharing their real experiences and decisionsWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

Tired of the stigma and oversimplification around BPD? In this episode with trauma therapist Britt Frank, we're diving into why this controversial diagnosis deserves a complete rethinking.In conversation, we tackle:* Why BPD may be better understood as a response to trauma rather than a "personality disorder"* How clinicians' fear of "difficult clients" perpetuates harmful stigmas* The problematic gender bias in BPD diagnosis (it's diagnosed predominantly in women)* The problem with social media creating identity around mental health diagnoses* Why suicidality needs to be discussed openly rather than feared* Why Britt believes recovery is possible, despite what clinical wisdom suggestsBritt Frank, MSW, LSCSW, SEP, is a clinician, educator, and trauma specialist. She is the author of the bestselling book, “The Science of Stuck.” GET HER NEW BOOK, “Align Your Mind” anywhere you get books.WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comSkip to minute 11 to get right into burnout contentTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

Is the 'cool girl’ trope just a patriarchal trap designed to exhaust women? Amanda and Sam tackle this question while sharing their drastically different approaches to being unpopular in school. In conversation, we explore:The phenomenon of "coolness" and how it shapes our identitiesHow social media has created a never-ending popularity contest that extends far beyond high schoolBreaking down the iconic Gone Girl monologue that perfectly captured women's impossible balancing actHow maintaining "coolness" requires constant adaptation to rapidly shifting trendsFinding liberation in recognizing these systems and choosing what actually works for youThis revealing discussion examines how we internalize cultural pressures and the freedom that comes when we finally stop trying so hard to fit impossible standards.WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In the second part of our conversation about Sam's Mormon deconstruction, we dive into her emotional journey leaving Utah and the church. In conversation, we explore:- The powerful moment of driving away from Utah and feeling unprecedented relief- The unexpected grief that followed - not about leaving, but about staying so long- The complicated process of deciding what beliefs and values to keep versus discard- How to rebuild trust with yourself after leaving a high-demand religious environment- Finding peace with being a "late bloomer" and embracing a more authentic lifeWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In this deeply personal episode, Sam shares her experience growing up Mormon in New York and her eventual move to Utah, where she spent 15 years navigating a much more intense religious culture. In conversation, we explore:- Sam's unique experience as a "non-Utah Mormon" and how her family's more relaxed approach differed from the mainstream- The cultural quirks of Mormonism that most people don't understand (like special undergarments and dating pressure)- How personal choices about substances (coffee, alcohol, cigarettes) are influenced by religious upbringing- The overwhelming pressure to marry young and have children in Mormon culture- What it's like trying to build a social life in Utah when you don't fit the traditional Mormon template- The gradual realization that trying to make it work wasn't serving her anymoreThis candid conversation sheds light on the subtle ways high-demand religious cultures can shape identity and limit personal growth, even when you're trying to carve your own path within them.WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In this preview episode of Sam's History Corner, Sam shares why she's launching this special series on Substack and gives us a deep dive into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.In this episode, Sam explores:Eleanor Roosevelt's tragic childhood marked by parental loss and emotional abuse- Why Eleanor's lifelong insecurities never stopped her from taking meaningful action- How we can apply Eleanor's approach to making change in our own -lives- The importance of starting where you are—whether that's with family or community- Why concrete action matters more than online outrageThis monthly series is where Sam discusses inspiring people from history to use as inspiration, is available on the Nuance Needed Substack, along with weekly videos from Sam, bonus episodes, mental health guides and more. Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In a thought-provoking conversation, Britt Frank, a clinician and trauma specialist, challenges the overuse of the term 'narcissist.' She explains the difference between narcissism, narcissistic traits, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Britt introduces the 'Narcissist Relationship Matrix,' revealing how these individuals categorize people in their lives. She highlights that confusion often signals narcissistic dynamics and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection over blame. Her insights aim to empower listeners to reclaim their narratives and establish healthier boundaries.

When you're completely depleted, even the smallest decisions feel impossible. In Part 2, we tackle your most pressing questions about recognizing, navigating, and recovering from burnout.In Part 2, we discuss:* The crucial difference between "cosmetic" changes and "structural" problems at work* Why adding self-care tasks can feel like poison when you're exhausted (but it's actually medicine)* How to support someone with burnout* The uncomfortable truth about making changes when you have no energy left to make them* Why we need to treat burnout like a physical injury* How setting boundaries with news and social media creates crucial breathing roomWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Now in Collingswood NJ!Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

Is the world rigged for burnout or are we just not trying hard enough?In this episode, we unpack why we're collectively exhausted and how our connected world has created the perfect conditions for burnout to thrive - in ways our brains simply weren't designed to handle This is a two part episode- second one comes out tomorrow!In Part 1, we explore:* Why our brains aren't wired to process information about billions of people* How constant exposure to others' interpretations (not just facts) is draining our capacity* The vulnerability of living in uncertain times and what that does to our nervous systems* Sam's powerful story of trauma and burnout in hospital emergency settings* Why measuring your worth through productivity makes burnout an identity crisis* What happens when you've been running on empty for too longWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comSkip to minute 11 to get right into burnout content To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!