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After a few weeks away from the microphone, I’m back—and getting honest about why it’s been hard to record. The political overwhelm, the self-doubt, and the question: Does anyone care what I have to say?

Your check-ins reminded me that we don’t need to have everything figured out to say something meaningful. Sometimes we need to hear someone say, “I see it too. I’m still here.”

In this episode, I explore feminism, women’s worth, and what it means for men to stand beside us. I reflect on the sexual assault allegations at Cornell, the difference between strength and dominance, and why respect needs to show up in everyday conversations—not just public statements.

Of course, there’s a little astrology, too: Pluto in Aquarius, its historical overlap with the French Revolution, and the questions that symbolism raises about power and collective change.

In this episode:

• Political overwhelm, self-doubt, and finding my voice again.
• Feminism, autonomy, and women’s right to be heard.
• What I mean by the “divine masculine.”
• Raising daughters who trust themselves and a son who respects boundaries.
• How men can challenge disrespect and support women.
• Staying engaged while making room for rest.

My invitation this week: Call out disrespect. Give women credit. Listen without immediately defending or explaining. Choose one action that helps turn concern into participation.

We don’t need you to have all the answers. We need you to stand beside us.

Content note: Includes discussion of sexual assault allegations, without graphic details.

If this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be ready for this conversation. And to everyone who asked when I’d be back—thank you. You helped me find my way to the microphone.

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What happens when you’ve spent most of your life thinking politics “isn’t really your thing”—until suddenly, doing nothing no longer feels like an option?

In this episode of That’s What She Said, Amanda sits down with Greta Roberts, Board Chair of the New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy, for a conversation about civic duty, intuition, activism, community, and the courage to show up.

Greta spent more than 40 years building a career in technology, including founding and eventually selling a predictive analytics company. Political activism was never part of the plan. But after watching the political landscape change, she felt an unmistakable pull to get involved.

That pull eventually led her to the New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy, a statewide grassroots movement making resistance to authoritarianism visible on bridges across New Hampshire.

Greta shares what it was like to go from political observer to grassroots organizer, how the Bridge Brigade grew from a handful of people into a statewide network, and why something as simple as standing on a bridge with a sign can actually matter.

We talk about:

• What finally moved Greta from the sidelines into action
• Trusting your intuition—even when everyone around you says, “Wait and see”
• The power of making resistance visible
• Why people take courage from seeing other people show up
• How small acts of civic participation can create momentum
• Building inclusive spaces where people feel safe enough to participate
• The importance of “Democracy for All”
• Why community can be an antidote to political exhaustion
• Finding hope by connecting with people instead of constantly consuming the news
• Why no act is too small when it comes to civic engagement

And because this is That’s What She Said, we end with a little tarot.

Amanda pulls cards for Greta and finds a beautiful message about resilience, new beginnings, stepping into your power, and sharing what you've learned with others.

Whether you consider yourself politically active, completely overwhelmed by politics, or someone who has never thought of yourself as an activist at all, this conversation is a reminder that civic duty doesn't have to look a certain way.

Sometimes it's a rally.

Sometimes it's a conversation.

Sometimes it's a sign.

Sometimes it's simply showing up.

And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is take courage—and then give it to someone else.

Want to get involved?
Learn more about the New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy and find a bridge near you at NHBBD.org

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What if making a difference in your community starts with something much smaller than running for office?

In this episode of That's What She Said, Amanda sits down with her first guest in this new series exploring the intersection of community, democracy, and civic engagement. Kaitlyn is a longtime volunteer, parent advocate, and elected budget committee member who shares how one seemingly small issue—trying to make an inclusive playground truly accessible—sparked a journey into local politics and community leadership.

Together, Amanda and Kaitlyn discuss what it really looks like to become involved in your town, why local government matters more than most people realize, and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact simply by paying attention and speaking up.

This conversation isn't about being a political expert. It's about finding the courage to use your voice.

In this episode, we explore:

• How one accessibility issue became the catalyst for civic engagement
• Why local politics affects our daily lives more than we often realize
• The surprising power of attending your first town or school board meeting
• Moving beyond self-doubt and learning to trust your voice
• Advocating for public education and inclusive communities
• Why courage grows every time we choose to participate
• The importance of community over complacency
• How civic engagement can become part of your spiritual practice

One of Kaitlyn's biggest takeaways:

Amanda also reflects on listening to her own local school board meeting for the first time and realizing something unexpected: despite political differences, there are still adults showing up, listening, debating, and working toward solutions together.

The episode closes with a tarot reading that beautifully mirrors Kaitlyn's journey of transformation—from personal hardship to meaningful service—and reminds us that new beginnings often emerge from the moments that challenge us the most.

Resources Mentioned

• Five Calls – Find your representatives and make your voice heard: https://5calls.org
• NH Deserves Better – Learn about New Hampshire candidates and legislation: https://nhdeservesbetter.com
• New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy – Find peaceful community actions and bridge events: https://nhbbd.org

Connect with Amanda

Visit Amanda Bryan Therapy for retreats, Reiki trainings, yoga classes, and upcoming events:
https://www.amandabryantherapy.com

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters.

Because democracy isn't something we watch.

It's something we practice.

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Have you ever been in a country where you don’t speak the language — and somehow still got your point across? That’s energy healing. You’re already doing it. Reiki just teaches you to speak it fluently.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of my most passionate topics: **Reiki.** What it actually is, what the science says, and why I believe this practice belongs in every single person’s life. Whether you’re brand new to the concept or you’ve been curious for years, this one’s for you.

I’m also sharing details about my upcoming **April 11th & 12th Reiki trainings** — and why I think you should be there

What We Cover

- The analogy that finally makes Reiki *click* — think: traveling abroad, language barriers, and a 603 area code

- What Reiki actually is — the history, the Japanese roots, and how it works

- The science behind energy healing (yes, there are real studies — we go there)

- **Reiki I vs. Reiki II:** what each level is really about and why we never rush the process

- Why you might already be doing energy healing without knowing it

- The truth about energetic transference — and why training protects you

- Myth-busting: Does it require belief? Is it religious? Can you hurt someone?

- The 5 Reiki Principles — a simple daily practice that can shift everything

Science & Studies Mentioned

- Research on **electromagnetic fields emitted from practitioners’ hands** — measured in the same frequency range (0.3–30 Hz) used by medical PEMF devices

- **2019 meta-analysis** in the *Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine* — Reiki shown more effective than placebo for pain, anxiety, fatigue, and mood

- **2010 study** in the *Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine* — Reiki produced significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in heart rate variability

- The **NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health** recognizes Reiki research

- Reiki programs at **Yale, Johns Hopkins, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center**

Upcoming Reiki Trainings

I would love to see you in person this April. These are small, intimate trainings — you’ll receive your attunement, practice with the group, and leave with a manual and a practice you can use that same night.

**Reiki I — Self Healing**

April 11th + April 12th

*Perfect for beginners. No experience needed. This level is all about you — learning to practice Reiki on yourself for healing, grounding, and self-care.*

REGISTER HERE

Questions? Just DM me — I mean it. I’d rather answer a hundred questions than have you talk yourself out of something that could change your life.

Connect With Me

- Instagram: @amandabryantherapy

- Website: https://www.amandabryantherapy.com/

- Email: amanda@amandabryantherapy.com

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We are not living in normal times—and your body knows it.

In this episode, Amanda explores collective trauma: what it is, why so many of us feel anxious, reactive, or exhausted, and how prolonged stress impacts the nervous system and our sense of safety. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, come back into the body, and take responsibility for our own healing in the most loving, compassionate way.

Through personal stories, energetic insight, and grounded spiritual wisdom, Amanda shares how what we see on the outside is often a reflection of what’s happening within, why self-healing practices like Reiki matter more than ever, and how tending to our own energy is an act of both personal and collective care.

This episode also explores the role of selfless service—a core teaching found across ancient traditions—as a path back to meaning, connection, and true happiness.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to stay human in an inhumane world, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• What collective trauma is and how it shows up in daily life
• Why so many people feel on edge, anxious, or emotionally raw right now
• How trauma lives in the body—not just the mind
• The connection between energy, personal responsibility, and lived experience
• Why Reiki and self-healing practices help regulate the nervous system
• How embodiment supports healing during uncertain times
• The role of selfless service in restoring meaning and connection
• Why returning to our roots—community, ritual, presence, humanity—matters

Key Takeaways:

• You are not broken—you are responding normally to abnormal conditions
• Healing doesn’t require fixing yourself, but listening to yourself
• Nervous system regulation is essential in times of collective stress
• What we tend internally shapes how we experience the external world
• Acts of compassion and service are powerful medicine—for ourselves and others

Resources & Offerings Mentioned:

• Reiki & self-healing practices
• Embodiment and nervous system regulation
• Ongoing workshops and healing spaces with Amanda
  (Details shared at the end of the episode)

Reflection Prompt for Listeners:

Where in your life are you being invited to slow down, come back into your body, and take loving responsibility for your own well-being?

Closing Reminder:

Healing the collective begins with tending the self—gently, honestly, and with compassion.

Learn More about Lucy and Violet:

https://violetleclaire.com/

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In this episode, Amanda dives into one of the most common questions she hears from parents:

“If we don’t practice a religion… what do we teach our kids about life, death, intuition, and meaning?”

Whether you’re spiritual-but-not-religious, deconstructing old beliefs, or simply wanting to raise emotionally intelligent, intuitive children in a grounded way — this episode will give you clarity, language, and confidence.

Amanda explores the developmental psychology behind intuitive children, how to talk about spirituality without fear or dogma, and how nature can become a family’s greatest teacher. She shares personal stories from her own children, practical tools for grounding intuitive kids, and guidance on breaking your own inherited religious fear cycle.

This is a warm, grounding episode filled with wisdom, real-life examples, and permission to let your child trust themselves.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• The developmental stages that support spiritual openness
• Why kids are naturally connected to intuition, energy, and symbolism
• How adults unintentionally close that channel

How to talk to kids when you don’t follow a religion

• Explaining beliefs using the “paths on a mountain” metaphor
• Teaching children all belief systems instead of choosing one
• Encouraging kids to trust what resonates with their soul

Nature & love as a spiritual foundation

• How Amanda uses gardening, seasons, and cycles to teach her children about life and death
• Real conversations Amanda has had with her kids about grief, heaven, and reincarnation

What psychology says about children’s spirituality

• How kids understand big concepts before age 12
• Why imagination, symbolism, and sensory experience help them feel safe
• How to support spiritual development without indoctrination

Practical tools for grounding intuitive kids

• Language to normalize intuition
• Supporting kids who sense energy or feel other people’s emotions
• How to respond when they say they’re scared or “felt something”

Breaking your own fear cycle

• How your religious upbringing affects your parenting
• Moving from fear-based to curiosity-based spirituality
• Giving kids permission to evolve their beliefs over time

A guided grounding moment (perfect to replay with your kids!)

27:00 – Guided grounding practice

Books Mentioned:

• Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution — Cat Bohannon
  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706822/eve-by-cat-bohannon/
  
  
• Who Cooked the Last Supper? The Women’s History of the World — Rosalind Miles
  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/117073/who-cooked-the-last-supper-by-rosalind-miles/
  
  

Amanda’s Yoga Studio + Offerings:

• https://www.amandabryantherapy.com
  
  
• https://www.sonewyoga.com
  
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If this episode supported you, please share it with another intuitive parent or someone raising children in this new era of consciousness. Your shares help this show grow and help other families feel seen, supported, and empowered.

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