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 confusing
• What's happening neurologically in the adolescent brain
• Survivor's guilt and silent fear
• How to talk to your teen about death without forcing it
• Signs your child may need additional support
• What to do if it's not your child, but someone in their circle
• When grief may be turning into something more serious
• How schools, coaches, and community play a protective role

If 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 Lifeline

If 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 broken
• why skipping connection can feel harmless....until it's not
• what to do when you're busy, sick, or tempted to hide

If 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.