Nuance Needed

109: The Truth About Emotions

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if everything you learned about emotions is actually wrong?In conversation, we tackle: The 1960s research that convinced everyone facial express...

108: Why You Feel So Empty (And What's Actually Missing) with Jennifer Wallace

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why can you have friends, a career, a family, and a full calendar and still feel like something fundamental is missing. Journalist Jennifer Wallace c...

107: The Kennedys: When Legacy Becomes the Trauma (Love Story)

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone calls it the Kennedy curse. Sam calls it something else: a family system doing exactly what it was designed to do.If you watched Love Story ...

106: Punching Pillows Doesn't Work & The Myth of Catharsis

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the most popular anger advice on the internet — punch a pillow, go to a rage room, scream it out — is actually making you angrier?In conv...

105: Depression, Anxiety, and the Myth of the Chemical Imbalance

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the entire “chemical imbalance” story about depression was oversimplified… and it’s actually keeping you stuck?In conversation, we ta...

105: Taylor Frankie Paul & The Cost of Reality TV

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is this reality tv... or are we watching real people's lives unravel in front of us.In conversation, we tackle:  The storyline that somehow includes...

103: Men's Mental Health with Dr. Audra Horney

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sam sits down with psychologist Dr. Audra Horney to talk about what therapists — and the internet — are getting wrong about men ...

102: The Female Ambition Penalty with Stefanie O'Connell

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For years, women have been told that success comes down to confidence: negotiate your salary, advocate for yourself, and lean in. But what happens wh...

101: Q+A: Echo Chambers, Critical Thinking & Friendship

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We're doing something different this week: we went through our giant list of listener questions and topic suggestions and gave our top-of-the-dome th...

100: America's Next Top Model & Its Cultural Impact

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Did America’s Next Top Model actually empower women or did it just package trauma, body shame, and misogyny as inspiration?In conversation, we tack...

99: How to Have Healthy Relationships with Nedra Tawwab

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Nuance Needed, host Amanda White is joined by therapist and bestselling author Nedra Tawwab. In conversation they discuss: The gray...

98: We're Labeling the Wrong Things

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're unpacking why everything from nail polish to dating behavior now needs its own branded term and how that's making us more para...

97: Are We Over-Therapized?

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It seems like everyone on the internet is obsessed with the idea that we are over-therapized! We decided to dig in on this topic while also exploring...

96: Excellence isn't a Dirty Word with Brad Stulberg

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is “excellence” just another word for hustle culture nonsense now?In this episode, Amanda sits down with Brad Stulberg to reclaim effort, care, a...

95: Creating Routines in Times of Crisis

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When the political landscape feels chaotic, exhausting, and impossible to control, staying grounded is very important. This episode is a real-time ca...

94: Bachelorettes & Wedding Culture

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why do celebrations surrounding weddings bring out so much stress, pressure, and weird tension in friendships? Today we’re talking about bridal sho...

93: Friendship Breakups (The Ashley Tisdale of it All)

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When did not inviting the whole friend group become a toxic personality trait? In this episode, we’re digging into friend groups, friendship breaku...

92: Is Influencer Culture Dead?

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why does influencer culture feel so exhausting—for everyone? In this episode, Amanda and Sam get honest about what influencer culture has turned in...

91: Rerun: Stop Flaking on Your Friends

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this candid episode, therapists Sam and Amanda discuss Sam's recent experience with a Tiktok going viral. After posting about friendship and flakin...

90: Rerun: The Weaponization of Boundaries

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Licensed therapists, Amanda White, LPC and Sam Dalton, LCSW discuss the topic of boundaries and how they are often misconstrued. They explore the diff...

89: What People Get Wrong About Estrangement with Whitney Goodman

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if estrangement isn't about ungrateful kids—but about parents who can't let go? This week we chat with Whitney Goodman, LMFT to discuss the myt...

88: How to Reflect On A Year That Felt Like Being Awake During Surgery

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Pep Talk with Sam, we're talking about how to actually process your year—without getting swept up in what everyone else says you should feel...

92: Therapy Speak is not Therapy

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're breaking down what people get wrong about therapy and why therapy speak has nothing to do with actual therapy. In conversation,...

86: What 2025 Taught Us

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of 2025 (HOW?!) and we're both in very different places: Sam just moved her entire life (again), and Amanda is navigating her mom's cance...

84: Why In-Law Relationships Are So Complicated with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of the villain vs. victim narrative in mother-in-law conflicts? In this episode, we're diving into why in-law dynamics are so much more complex ...

85: Not Everything is About You: The Bean Soup Theory

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're tackling the internet phenomenon that's ruining actual discourse: the bean soup theory, aka "what about me-ism." * The viral b...

83: Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're breaking down the viral British Vogue article and why it touched such a nerve about modern relationships, dating, and what women actually owe th...

82: Fight Right: How to Have Healthy Conflict & Repair Relationships

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of people on the internet say that healthy conflict is important, but WTF does that actually mean? In this episode, we're breaking down what actu...

81: What Moms Don't Talk About: Postpartum OCD and Alcohol with Suzanne Wayre

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When your brain becomes your worst enemy after having a baby, nobody talks about it. In this raw conversation with author Suzanne Warye, she and Amand...

80: Things We're Weirdly Passionate About That Don't Matter

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We started recording to talk about our Disney hot takes and somehow ended with Amanda defending cruise ships like her life depends on it. This episode...

79: You're Not Too Busy to Have People Over with Chelsea Fagan

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you really too busy to see your friends, or have we gotten too comfortable being lonely? Sam sits down with Chelsea Fagan (author of "Having Peopl...

78: Our Self Care and Self Sabotage Patterns

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Happy anniversary to us! After a year of this podcast, we’re getting real about how we're surviving the chaos of content creation, life changes, and...

77: The Reality of Caregiving: How Sam's Experience Shaped Her Life

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to love someone and resent them at the same time? In this episode, Sam shares what it's been like to grow up alongside her brother A...

76: The Critical Thinking Crisis Started in Schools with Dr. Jennifer Weber

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the mental health crisis starts with how we learned to read? Dr. Jennifer Weber reveals the shocking connections between educational practices...

75: Ultimate Trauma Episode: Everything You Want to Know

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've all seen the posts: "That's trauma." But the truth is less straightforward. Today we're unpacking the complex reality of trauma—what it actual...

74: When to Stay, When to Go, & How to Know (Sam's Moving!!)

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We started talking about building community but ended up discussing personal transitions, knowing when to make big changes, and trusting yourself thro...

73: Sabrina Carpenter: Are We Critiquing Art or Policing Women?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're unpacking the internet's reaction to Sabrina Carpenter's "Man's Best Friend" album cover - which sparked intense debate about feminism, sexualit...

72: Stop Fighting Your Anxiety (What to Do Instead)

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to feel less anxiety, the key is acceptance and tolerance rather than trying to eradicate it! In conversation, we discuss * The difference...

71: Messy Consistency: The Antidote to Perfectionist Paralysis

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of analyzing your way to nowhere? In this pep talk with Sam she shares about the concept of messy consistency aka how to break free from perfect...

70: The Antidote to Political Doomscrolling: Building Hope and Community with Amanda's Mild Takes

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling overwhelmed by the political moment and unsure how to channel your anxiety into meaningful action? In this conversation with political content...

69: Self-Care or Conformity? Navigating Modern Beauty Culture

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's the line between self-expression and conformity when it comes to how we present ourselves? Per usual, we have no definitive answers, but we hon...

68: Are we allowed to feel joy right now? (A Taylor Swift Episode)

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The world is burning, are you allowed to feel joy? In this episode, we dive into the complex balance between staying informed and protecting your ment...

67: The Girl Who Fell In Love with Her Psychiatrist (AI, Social Media, & Mental Health)

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We tried to stay out of this one, we REALLY DID. But when a 50+ part TikTok series about a woman falling in love with your psychiatrist becomes the pe...

66: How to Build Better Friendships w/ Danielle Bayard Jackson

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of feeling anxious about every friendship interaction? In this episode with friendship expert Danielle Jackson, we're breaking down how to actua...

65: Loneliness & The Myth of "I'll be Happy When"

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of waiting for the "right" circumstances to start living your life? In this episode, we're diving into the difference between being alone and be...

64: What Watching People Die Taught Me About Living

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sam reflects on the finite nature of time and how witnessing death as a hospital worker has shaped her perspective on living boldly. She challenges li...

63: How to Process Your Emotions

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So many people say you need to process your emotions. But WTF does this mean and how do you actually do it? In this solo episode, Amanda dives deep an...

62: I don't want to have sex with my husband: FAQ

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are tackling two listeners questions about sex! Questions we answer: * "I'm 28 and I've never had sex - the shame is paralyzing me and I feel...

61: Sexual Shame & Purity Culture

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When did masturbation become an "addiction" that requires recovery? Licensed therapists Amanda White and Sam Dalton tackle the viral story of former B...

60: Have you ever thought you hit someone with your car?

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sam realizes she might have had OCD as a teenager - an unedited, real-time processing session. For a year as a teenager, Sam was secr...

59: Coping with OCD with Kimberly Quinlan

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Licensed therapist and OCD expert Kimberly Quinlan joins us for a raw, honest conversation about what OCD really is. In a vulnerable discussion, both ...

58: Living with Chronic Suicidal Thoughts: Suicide FAQ

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your questions about suicide answered with honesty and nuance. In this follow-up episode, we're tackling the questions you were brave enough to ask - ...

57: The Suicide Conversation Nobody's Having

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this deeply personal episode, we're getting real about the topic nobody wants to discuss - suicide and suicidality. Drawing from both our professio...

56: Princess Treatment & Feminine Energy

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From "feminine energy" dating tips to refusing to tie your own shoes - we're unpacking how Princess Treatment content is actually political messaging ...

55: No Isn't Always a Complete Sentence: Boundaries Part 2

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When did "no is a complete sentence" become the ultimate boundary flex? In this episode, we're unpacking why this oversimplified advice might actually...

54: How to Combat Misinformation with Matthew Facciani

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we chat with misinformation researcher Matthew Facciani, PhD to explore the psychological factors behind how we process information in our incre...

53: Q+A- My Therapist Won’t Confirm my CPTSD & more!

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this follow-up episode, we dive into your most pressing questions about navigating the complicated world of mental health labels. When is a diagnos...

52: The Pros & Cons of Self Diagnosis

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this very NUANCED episode, we're diving into the the pros and cons of self-diagnosis and why that moment of clarity might be both helpful and misle...

51: Is "Therapy Culture" Really to Blame for Estrangement & Child Free Adults?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss our thoughts on a recent NYT article claiming a link between therapy culture and childlessness. In conversation, we explor...

50: How Wellness Culture Weaponizes Women's Health & Ferility

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this rant-y episode, we dive into the intersection of wellness culture, toxic positivity, and women's reproductive health after a viral clip from L...

49: Resting Girl Summer

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling exhausted despite your nightly "relaxation" routine? In this episode, Sam challenges our collective delusion about what true rest actually loo...

48: The Truth About Tradwives with Jo Piazza

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s really happening behind the dreamy farmhouse aesthetic of tradwife content? In this episode with journalist Jo Piazza, we're exploring the co...

47: The Problem with #ShadowWork

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we examine the explosion of "shadow work" content on social media and why psychological tools in untrained hands may do more harm than good. * T...

46: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wanted a therapist's take on reality TV? In this episode, we're breaking down "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”. We discuss- * The emotional i...

45: Raising Resilient Kids: Finding Balance in an Anxious World (Pt 2)

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

44: Are We All Just Intensive & Anxious Parenting? (Pt 1)

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When did raising children become a high-stakes competitive sport? In this extremely nuanced conversation, we are examining the culture of intensive pa...

43: Rethinking Borderline Personality Disorder with Britt Frank

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of the stigma and oversimplification around BPD? In this episode with trauma therapist Britt Frank, we're diving into why this controversial dia...

42: The Illusion of Being Cool & Exhaustion of Pretending Not to Care

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the 'cool girl’ trope just a patriarchal trap designed to exhaust women? Amanda and Sam tackle this question while sharing their drastically dif...

41: Sam's Reflections on Starting Over (Pt 2)

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of our conversation about Sam's Mormon deconstruction, we dive into her emotional journey leaving Utah and the church. In conversat...

40: Mormon Culture & Utah Life: Sam's Journey of Deconstruction (Pt 1)

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 navig...

39: Finding Hope in History: What Eleanor Roosevelt Taught Sam About Taking Action

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

38: Stop Calling Everyone a Narcissist with Britt Frank

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of hearing everyone labeled a "narcissist"? In this episode with therapist Britt Frank, we're diving into the nuanced reality of narcissism and ...

37: Your Vacation Won't Fix Your Burnout : FAQ (Pt 2)

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you're completely depleted, even the smallest decisions feel impossible. In Part 2, we tackle your most pressing questions about recognizing, nav...

36: Burnout: Stop Stealing From Tomorrow To Fix Today (Pt 1)

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 connect...

35: Why Money Issues Are Mental Health Issues with Chelsea Fagan

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of the oversimplified financial advice flooding social media? In this episode, we're diving into the uncomfortable truth about why money managem...

34: BONUS: Pep Talk About Economic & Political Uncertainty

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are here today with a bit of a last minute casual episode. We recorded this on Thursday April 3rd after watching panic and anxiety on social media ...

33: We Need to Talk About SkinnyTok

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

IDK about you but we have THOUGHTS about SkinnyTok trend on Tiktok and how its infiltrating other social media platforms. In this episode, we're divin...

32: Manifesting, Magical Thinking & Grief: Coping When Things Fall Apart

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when the trendy concept of "manifesting" collides with real-life tragedy? In this vulnerable episode, we start discussing manifesting and...

31: Not Everything is "Trauma Dumping"- How Therapy Speak is Killing Friendships

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When did telling a friend about a tough time become "trauma dumping"? In this episode, we dissect how misusing therapy concepts is creating barriers t...

30: Millennial Friendship, Parenting and Social Media with Kate Kennedy

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Kennedy, author of One in a Millenial and host of Be There in Five Podcast, is here (!!) for a deep dive into how friendship has fundamentally ch...

29: The Problem with the "Let Them" Theory & Why Overly Simplistic Advice Fails Us

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of oversimplified self help advice? US TOO! Today we are diving into our controversial take on why we don't like the "Let Them" theory by Mel Ro...

28: Why People Pleasing Makes You Angry & How to Stop Part 2

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to get uncomfortably honest about why being "the nice one" is leaving you feeling resentful? This is part 2 of our people pleasing episode. Go l...

27: Why People Pleasing Can Be Manipulative Part 1

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up! We get radically candid about our own (very different) journeys with people-pleasing. We share: * How Amanda discovered her "thoughtful gif...

26: Your Fear of Discomfort is Keeping You Stuck

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of understanding all your patterns but still feeling stuck? In this episode, we're diving into the uncomfortable truth about why all that self-h...

25: How to Break Free from Perfectionism & Live Your Values

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your commitment to being perfect or good actually the enemy of your growth? In this episode we discuss: - The subtle ways perfectionism masquerad...

24: How to Prevent Parental Estrangement with Whitney Goodman, LMFT

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Want to prevent estrangement in your kids? This is the second part of our conversation with Whitney Goodman, LMFT. For the first part, please listen t...

23: You Do Owe People Things: The Myth of Zero Obligations

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Has "setting boundaries" turned into an excuse for treating people like they're disposable? We're seeing a concerning trend in our therapy rooms: peop...

22: BONUS: Post- Inauguration Processing & Pep Talk

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this raw and personal bonus episode, Sam and Amanda process their feelings on Inauguration Day, sharing a candid conversation about: Dealing with ...

21: Stop Flaking On Your Friends!

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this candid episode, therapists Sam and Amanda discuss Sam's recent experience with a TikTok going viral. After posting about friendship and flakin...

20: Mental Health Advice That Changed Our Lives Part 2

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Nuance Needed podcast, Amanda and Sam delve into their favorite mental health advice and life lessons. They explore the concept...

19: Mental Health Advice That Changed Our Lives Part 1

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Nuance Needed podcast, Amanda and Sam share their best mental health tips, focusing on the importance of understanding emotions...

18: Why We Hate Resolutions: What to do Instead

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We hate resolutions, but we love setting realistic goals. In this episode, we discuss their thoughts on the New Year, resolutions, and explore the dif...

17: Holiday Pep Talk!

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this holiday episode of the Nuance Needed podcast, Amanda and Sam discuss the emotional complexities of the holiday season, offering insights on ho...

16: Taylor Swift Therapy: The End of The Eras Tour

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How are we feeling post Eras Tour? Amanda and Sam delve into the aftermath of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, discussing the mixed reactions from fans, the ...

15: How to Actually Change: The Messy Truth No One Talks About

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How exactly do people change? In this episode we dive deep into the messy reality of personal change, sharing Sam's recent cross-country move from Uta...

14: How to Break free from All-or-Nothing Thinking & Find Joy Online

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, licensed therapists Amanda White and Sam Dalton, we explore the pervasive impact of all-or-nothing thinking in our digital world and ...

13: How to Decide If You Want To Have Kids & Why It's Okay to Question It

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this conversation, Amanda and Sam discuss the topic of whether or not to have children. They explore their own experiences and Amanda shares her pe...

12: How to Be Happy Being Single (Even If You Want a Partner)

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Nuance Needed podcast, Amanda White, LPC and Sam Dalton, LCSW delve into the complexities of being single in today's society. W...

11: Parental Estrangement: Trend or Necessity?

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Nuance Needed podcast, Amanda White, LPC and Sam Dalton, LCSW delve into the complex topic of family estrangement, exploring it...

10: Post Election Processing: Grief & Hope In Hard Times

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this emergency episode of the Nuance Needed Podcast, Amanda and Sam discuss their emotional responses to the recent election results, exploring the...