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!

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!

In this illuminating episode of our Parts of Self series, Brittney and Amy dive deep into the Responsible Part—what it looks like when it's balanced and unburdened, and what happens when it hits burnout and critical parts step in like stressed-out understudies.

We explore the fascinating (and sometimes maddening) relationship between responsible and kid parts, how social conditioning and gender roles shape emotional labor, and what to do when our inner to-do list manager becomes a joyless tyrant. Amy shares how tech glitches turn her into a one-woman rage spiral, and Brittney offers powerful insights from therapy, life, and the beach (spoiler: pink Speedos are involved).

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overfunctioning, or over-it—this one's for you.

Chapter Markers

00:00:15 Intro

00:01:12 Review of Kid Part – Onto Responsible Part

00:03:12 When Critical Comes to the Party

00:07:12 That Glorious Responsible Part High

00:08:00 When Responsibility is Kinda Fun

00:10:03 Crushed by the ToDo List

00:13:01 When You’re Not Allowed to be Authentically You

00:19:38 Emotional Labor: What is it Really?

00:24:58 Growing up with Kid Parts at the Helm

00:33:01 Wait. Was that Mania?

00:38:02 Balance Your Responsible with your Kid

00:40:30 Vacations and Paul Rudd

00: 44:17 Next Up: Critical Part

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!

In this episode of This Way In, Amy and Brittney explore one of the most central and authentic aspects of self: the Kid Part.

Together, they unpack:

· The difference between unburdened Kid Parts (playful, joyful, free) and burdened Kid Parts (shy, anxious, stuck in the past).

· How Kid Parts shape our dreams, desires, and even our adult responsibilities.

· Pop culture examples (yes, Paul Rudd makes an appearance!) that bring the Kid Part to life.

· How unprocessed childhood experiences can linger in our Kid Parts and influence how we react as adults.

· Ways to recognize, acknowledge, and support our Kid Parts without pushing them away.

From funny pet stories to reflections on childhood dreams, this episode balances lighthearted laughter with real talk about healing, validation, and making peace with the little kid still inside us all.

Tune in to learn how connecting with your Kid Part can bring more authenticity, play, and compassion into your life.

Chapter Markers

00:00:14 Welcome

00:01:07 What are Kid Parts?

00:09:46 Unburdened Kid Parts

00:11:42 Burdened Kid Parts

00:21:04 Importance of Knowing our Parts

00:24:12 Parental Expectations

00:27:36 How to Recognize and Help Our Burdened Kid Parts

00:32:57 Next Time: When Kid Parts Interact with Other Parts

00:35:09 Sign Off

This episode was recorded on September 15, 2025 released on November 5, 2025.

Episode links:

Visit us at: https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

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!

3: Parts of Self Series: Overview

Welcome to the first installment of our Parts Series, where we explore the Ego State Model of Parts of Self. In this foundational episode, Brittney breaks down the six primary parts and how they show up in our everyday lives—and in therapy. Amy asks insightful questions along the way (as always), and the two discuss real-world examples, from doom-scrolling to happy hour, and even how protector parts can take over in moments of fear or trauma.

Whether you're brand new to parts work or already on your unburdening journey, this episode lays the groundwork for deeper self-understanding—and for the rest of the series.

Chapter Markers

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:14 Parts of Self- In a Nutshell

00:40:24 History of Ego State

00:50:40 How Brittney Got Here

00:57: 41 Cautionary Message

01:02:45 Help of Crystals

01:05:55 Society’s Impact on Therapy

01:07:40 Next Time – Kid Part

01:08:20 Outro

A Word of Caution:

Parts work can bring up forgotten memories or painful emotions. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you're human. If it feels overwhelming, take a break. Consider working with a trained ego state or IFS therapist to go deeper safely.

Next Time on This Way In:

We’ll be diving into the Kid Part—the source of joy, curiosity, and sometimes… chaos. Don’t miss it!

Episode Links:

Books for Laypeople:

The Shadow Work Journal: A Guide to Integrate and Transcend Your Shadows by Keila Shaheen:

https://amzn.to/48jhS2x

You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/4gy3NAE

Easy Ego State Interventions by Robin Shapiro (accessible and clinician-friendly) https://amzn.to/3IaKkcx

Therapist-Oriented Books (for deeper reading):

EMDR Toolbox by Jim Knipe https://amzn.to/42H3AVP

Works by Sandra Paulsen on preverbal trauma

The Dynamic Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) by Shirley Jean Schmidt MA LPC https://amzn.to/4mugMV3

Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation: An illustrated guide for EMDR therapists and clients by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D. https://amzn.to/48bbCKv

Visit us at: https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

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

This episode was recorded on August 18, 2025 released on October 22, 2025.

Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

In this episode, Amy and Brittney explore the powerful and misunderstood world of emotions. Brittney breaks down what emotions really are (hint: they’re just signals!), why we feel them, and how they relate to the stress response system. Together, they dive into the brain–body connection and how emotional responses can be triggered by both real and perceived threats.

You’ll learn:

· Why emotions aren’t “good” or “bad”—they’re information

· How the autonomic nervous system drives emotional response

· What the fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown reactions feel like in everyday life

· How to actually calm your nervous system (hint: it starts with the exhale)

· The role of mindfulness and meditation in emotional regulation

· How trauma shapes our emotional lens (hello, shit-colored glasses)

Amy also shares a personal story about how meditation unexpectedly helped release years of physical tension, proving that our emotional and physical health are more intertwined than we often realize.

Plus: Get a sneak peek at the upcoming series on Parts of Self, which begins in the next episode.

Takeaway:

Emotions are messengers. They’re not out to get you—they’re trying to guide you. When we learn to listen without judgment, we open up space for healing and clarity.

This episode was recorded on August 20, 2025 released on October 8, 2025

Chapter Markers

00:00:00 Welcome/Intro

00:01:34 Emotions, what are they good for?

00:05:07 Do Our Brains Lie?

00:08:16 Meditation/Mindfulness

00:12:11 Perceived Threats

00:13:04 Branches of the Stress Response

00:17:20 Recognizing Trauma Responses in Others

00:18:43 Emotions are Signals

00:19:53 Next week

00:21:27 Disclaimer/Outro

Episode links:

Visit us at: https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

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!

Welcome to the very first episode of This Way In!

In this kickoff conversation, co-hosts Brittney Baxter Dameron (a licensed mental health therapist) and Amy Lotsberg (curious podcaster, everyday human, and your resident “lay person translator”) share how this show came to life and what you can expect as we move forward.

We talk about:

· How a ghost-themed podcast sparked a whole new collaboration.

· Brittney’s background in trauma therapy, EMDR, and ego state/parts work.

· Why Amy wanted to bring a “regular person perspective” to big, complex mental health concepts.

· The unique woo-friendly approach we’ll take to exploring mental health, intuition, and everyday wellbeing.

· Future plans: deep dives into “parts of self,” TV and movie breakdowns (Shrinking, anyone?), listener Q&As, and guest conversations.

· Why sometimes the best ideas hit at 4 a.m. or while playing video games.

This episode is lighthearted, a little rambling (in the best way), and sets the stage for a podcast that mixes practical psychology with curiosity, humor, and real talk.

Resources Mentioned

US Crisis Line: Call or text 988 for 24/7 free support.

UK Crisis Line: Call 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss our upcoming episodes—we’ll be releasing every two weeks. And if you have questions you’d love us to explore, send them our way.

Chapter Markers

00:16 – Disclaimer & Crisis Resources

01:08 – Meet Amy & Brittney

03:10 – What Is Parts Work?

05:39 – Inspiration & Creativity

09:00 – Real Talk: ADHD, Autism & Half-Burgers

12:15 – From Freud to Looney Tunes

14:18 – What Makes This Show Different

17:18 – What’s Ahead

21:11 – Closing & Resources

Episode links:

Visit us at: https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com

Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/

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!

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.