Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

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Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Amanda Armstrong

134 episodes

22 hours ago

I (Amanda) signed up to chaperone my kindergartener's field trip. Then childcare fell through. Suddenly I'm responsible for my feral 2-year-old AND five other 5-year-olds. My nervous system panicked—heart racing, adrenaline spiking, pure chaos mode. But here's the thing: I wasn't dysregulated. In this episode, I'm using my chaotic morning to show you what nervous system regulation actually looks like in real life (hint: it's not about staying calm). In this episode, you'll learn: Why activat...

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Health & Fitness

All content for Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast is the property of Amanda Armstrong and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

I (Amanda) signed up to chaperone my kindergartener's field trip. Then childcare fell through. Suddenly I'm responsible for my feral 2-year-old AND five other 5-year-olds. My nervous system panicked—heart racing, adrenaline spiking, pure chaos mode. But here's the thing: I wasn't dysregulated. In this episode, I'm using my chaotic morning to show you what nervous system regulation actually looks like in real life (hint: it's not about staying calm). In this episode, you'll learn: Why activat...

Show more...

Health & Fitness

Episodes (20/134)

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

dYsReGuLaTiOn & Activation Are Not The Same Thing

I (Amanda) signed up to chaperone my kindergartener's field trip. Then childcare fell through. Suddenly I'm responsible for my feral 2-year-old AND five other 5-year-olds. My nervous system panicked—heart racing, adrenaline spiking, pure chaos mode. But here's the thing: I wasn't dysregulated. In this episode, I'm using my chaotic morning to show you what nervous system regulation actually looks like in real life (hint: it's not about staying calm). In this episode, you'll learn: Why activat...

6 days ago

26 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

My Postpartum Crashout (and the Robot That Talked Me Off the Ledge)

Ever feel like you're failing, no matter how hard you try to organize, optimize, or just push through? In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Amanda pulls back the curtain on her own postpartum season—navigating life as a new mom of three while running a business. She shares the story of a recent "crash out" spiral and the unlikely tool that gave her the reality check she desperately needed. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the feeling that you’re constantly "failing" is often a s...

2 weeks ago

25 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Eldest Daughter Syndrome

A deeply personal exploration of eldest daughter syndrome—the invisible load that comes with being the responsible one, the second mom, the example. If you're an eldest daughter who learned that being helpful mattered more than being carefree, this episode is for you. We explore how love and responsibility got tangled up early on, the connection to anxiety and depression, and the path toward healing while honoring both the gifts and the weight of this role. In this episode, you'll learn...

3 weeks ago

34 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Why We Underestimate Our Ability (Part 3 - Anxiety Equation Series)

In the final episode, Amanda tackles the most empowering part of the equation: the “Underestimation of Ability.” Discover the science behind why we forget our own capacity and resources in the exact moments we need it most and learn how to actively reconnect with your deep well of resilience. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why anxiety makes you shrink and feel like a younger, less powerful version of yourself.That stress hormones can temporarily block your access to memories of past successes...

1 month ago

14 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Why We Overestimate Threats (Part 2 - Anxiety Equation Series)

Welcome to part two of our series! Today, Amanda’s diving into the first half of the anxiety equation: the “Overestimation of Threat.” Learn why your brain is wired to assume the worst-case scenario and discover three practical tools to help your nervous system calibrate to the actual level of danger, not just the perceived one. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why your brain’s “negativity bias” is a survival skill that’s poorly adapted for modern lifeHow childhood experiences can turn your int...

1 month ago

11 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

The Anxiety Equation (Part 1)

Ever wonder why anxiety shows up and feels so overwhelming? In this episode, Amanda kicks off a mini-series by re-introducing a game-changing formula that makes sense of it all, what she calls, “The Anxiety Equation”. Once you see anxiety as a math problem, you realize you have the power to change the variables. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The simple but powerful Anxiety Equation: Anxiety = Overestimation of Threat + Underestimation of CapacityHow this equation plays out in real-life scena...

1 month ago

9 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

How I Turned a Potentially Really Bad Day Around With Regulation

I woke up anxious today and this conversation is about what I did to not let it ruin my day. 4am kid wake up, a bad dream, excitement, crappy sleep, all had my system wired from the minute I opened my eyes. I'd love to tell you I used this magic tool to regulate my nervous system and get on with my day, but instead what I want to share is the roller coaster of regulated, and re-regulated, and re-regulating that my day called for. ps. This is an episode re-post from 2024. It got deleted in a t...

2 months ago

29 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Traumatizing or Resilience Building? Supporting Children Through Hard Things

When hard things happen to our children (our ourselves), our instinct is often to protect them from discomfort at all costs. But what if the goal isn't to shield them from difficult experiences, but to support them through those experiences in ways that build resilience? In this episode, I share a recent scary experience with my 5-year-old son getting industrial paint in his eye, and how understanding nervous system principles helped turn a potentially traumatic moment into an opportunity for...

2 months ago

28 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

The Link Between Anxiety, Depression & Chronic Illness

Have you ever felt like you're chasing symptoms across your body—from anxiety and depression to gut issues, chronic fatigue, or autoimmune flares? In this episode, we discuss the direct biological link between your mental and physical health. We explore how a dysregulated nervous system can be a root cause of both chronic anxiety and chronic illness, and why healing requires a whole-person approach that looks beyond siloed symptoms to support the entire system. In this episode, you’ll learn: ...

2 months ago

36 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Bringing It All Together - Nervous System Understanding in Real Life

To wrap up our series on nervous system states, we move from theory to real life. This special episode features a powerful voice message from a listener named Brit, who shares a personal story of navigating a stressful travel day with her family. Her experience perfectly illustrates what it looks like when nervous system concepts become a lived reality. If you've ever wondered how this work actually unfolds over time, this episode offers a hopeful and practical look at the messy, imperfect, a...

2 months ago

33 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Understanding Regulation – Why We Need This As Our Default State (Part 5)

In this episode of our series on nervous system states, we explore the ultimate goal: more regulation. Amanda breaks down the physiology and psychology of this "green zone" state and provides a rich toolkit for moving to make it your new normal as she compassionately discusses understanding what regulation truly is, why your system might resist it, and how to proactively create more moments of it. *This episode serves as Part 5 in our "Different States Series" In this episode, you’ll learn: W...

3 months ago

22 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Understanding Shut Down— Depression and Your Body’s Protective Disconnection (Part 4)

Shut down is your nervous system's most protective response. If you've ever felt heavy, numb, and completely disconnected from life—like you're moving through a thick fog with no energy or motivation—you've likely experienced a nervous system state called "shutdown." This episode offers a deeply compassionate guide to understanding this protective state and provides a roadmap of gentle, micro-steps to help you slowly and safely reconnect with yourself and the world. *This episode serves as Pa...

3 months ago

33 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Understanding Freeze— The “Wired-But-Tired” State (Part 3)

"Freeze" is arguably the most confusing, nuanced, and self-blame-inducing state for people to understand. We often mistake it for laziness, depression, or some character flaw — it’s not. It's a protective state that your nervous system creates when it's had too much for too long and doesn't know what to do next. This episode takes a compassionate deep dive into this common but misunderstood experience. We untangle what's happening when your body's gas and brake pedals are pressed at the...

3 months ago

35 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Understanding Activation– Anxiety & Your Fight/Flight Response (Part 2)

In this episode we explore the activated nervous system state—better known as fight-or-flight. If you’ve ever felt anxious, tightly wound, or like your body just can’t stop, this one’s for you. We explore why your system gets stuck in this high-alert state and, most importantly, provide a practical toolkit to help you work with your nervous system, not against it. Learn why "just calm down" doesn't work and what to do instead to find real regulation. *This episode serves as Part 2 in our "Dif...

3 months ago

37 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Why Different Tools Work for Different Nervous System States (Part 1)

Ever wonder why a breathing exercise that works for your friend makes your own anxiety worse? The problem isn't you - it's that we've been treating nervous system regulation like it's one-size-fits-all. Your nervous system has different states (activation, freeze, shutdown, and regulation), and each one needs different kinds of support. In this episode, we explore why tailored approaches work better and set the foundation for understanding your nervous system's unique needs. This episode serv...

3 months ago

33 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Uphill Healing: Why Everything Feels Harder (and How to Make It Easier)

Using a personal story about a difficult uphill walk versus an easy downhill one, this episode offers a powerful and validating analogy for the healing journey. Amanda explores why life and healing can feel so hard when you're dealing with anxiety or depression, diving into the real physiological and biological reasons your body is working overtime. This episode is a compassionate reminder that your struggle is not a personal failing and that the hard "uphill" work you're doing now is what cr...

4 months ago

22 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Your Nervous System and the News: Staying Informed Without Staying Dysregulated

Living in the world right now can feel overwhelming, especially when every news alert seems like another crisis demanding your attention– the news can feel like both a moral obligation and a fast track to burnout. If you find yourself caught between wanting to stay informed and feeling completely dysregulated by constant alarming updates, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the news is designed to activate your stress responseThe difference between staying informed and...

4 months ago

30 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Nervous System Prep for Summer as a Parent

When school ends and summer begins, many parents expect a break—but what often comes instead is a spike in stress. In this episode, we explore why summer can feel more dysregulating than restful and how to support your nervous system through the transition. Learn how small, intentional shifts can help you move through this season with more calm, connection, and compassion—for yourself and your kids. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the transition into summer can overwhelm your nervous syste...

4 months ago

30 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

Why Safety Can Feel Scary After Trauma (Simplified)

This is a simplified version of the conversation we had last week about how it's common for trauma survivors to feel anxious or scared when they finally experience moments of calm or regulation. This episode explores why this paradoxical response happens and offers gentle ways to help your nervous system learn that regulation doesn't have to mean danger. We dive into the "safety-danger equation" and how to build your capacity for feeling safe, one small moment at a time. In this episode, you’...

5 months ago

22 minutes

Regulate & Rewire: An Anxiety & Depression Podcast

When Safety Feels Scary: Why Regulation Can Be Terrifying After Trauma

Have you ever felt anxious about not feeling so anxious? Or had a moment of regulation trigger anxiety? In this follow-up we explore a counterintuitive but common phenomenon in trauma recovery: when finding safety and regulation actually triggers fear and anxiety. Drawing from research by Bessel van der Kolk, Stephen Porges, and Deb Dana, we examine why the regulated "green zone" can feel threatening to trauma survivors. In this episode, you’ll learn: → Why trauma survivors often feel most vu...

5 months ago

41 minutes