Just Like Nana

Amie Penny Sayler
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

Dive into the journey of Just Like Nana, a podcast passionately exploring ancestral trauma, generational healing, and the profound ways our family's past shapes our present mental and holistic health. Amie Penny Sayler shares captivating, research-based fiction stories of her grandmothers' lives and features insightful interviews with leading mental health and wellness practitioners.  Learn how to break cycles of trauma passed down through generations, understand family dynamics, and cultivate a regulated nervous system. Ground yourself in your history, honor your ancestors, and find your own path to trauma healing.  New episodes every Friday. Learn more at https://justlikenana.com/ 

  1. Savannah Brown

    6 DAYS AGO

    Savannah Brown

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Savannah Brown, where they discuss the mental and emotional tolls of breaking generational trauma patterns.  Together, they explore the reality that breaking trauma cycles isn't a clean, linear process—it's messy, imperfect, and requires an incredible amount of somatic awareness and radical self-honesty to move forward. About Savannah An Army veteran and police officer, Savannah is also a student obtaining a Master’s in Social Work. She is the author of In the Wake of Wounds: A Soul's Revival, a raw and unfiltered look at her personal journey through grief and the complexities of family dynamics.  In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Recognize that breaking generational cycles isn't a "one and done" event. It involves navigating a confusing, non-linear path of grief, anger, and acceptance where the goal isn't perfection, but consistent effort and self-grace.Learn to listen to your body’s signals. Identifying physical sensations—like a racing heart or a gut feeling—is a critical first step in regulating your nervous system and stopping a trauma response before it takes over.Discover how the act of conscious parenting can actually accelerate your own healing. By choosing to react with patience instead of the autopilot of your past, you aren't just protecting your children; you are re-parenting yourself.Shift your perspective on relationships by prioritizing reciprocity and safety. Healing involves the difficult but necessary work of setting boundaries with people who do not support your peace or growth.Adopt a mindset of ancestral sovereignty. Even when you are breaking their cycles, you can carry the strength and resilience of those who came before you, entering every space with the confidence that you belong there.Resources Mentioned TacMobilityThe Workout WitchI connected with Savannah on #PodMatch.  Connect with Savannah In The Wake of Wounds: A Soul’s Revival Instagram Connect with the Show Do you have a family story you want to share? We want to hear from you! Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    38 min
  2. Dr. Frances Champagne

    17 APR

    Dr. Frances Champagne

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Dr. Frances Champagne to delve into the world of epigenetics to discover how your environment and experiences shape your brain and behavior.  This episode explores how understanding these interactive pathways can actually lead to greater resilience and personal agency, regardless of the past.  About Dr. Champagne After completing a B.A. in Psychology at Queen’s University (Canada), Dr. Frances Champange delved into the genetic and environmental risk factors in psychopathology at McGill University in the M.Sc. program in Psychiatry. She then started a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at McGill University examining the role of mother-infant interactions in shaping the brain. In 2004, Dr. Champagne received a fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to conduct postdoctoral research at Cambridge University (UK), examining the role of imprinted genes in development and social behavior. From 2006-2017, She was a faculty in the Department of Psychology at Columbia University and established a research group examining the epigenetic influence of early life experiences. Her interests focus on the interplay between genes and environment that shape neural and behavioral outcomes and the implications of this dynamic interplay for inheritance of traits.  In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Research shows that the quality of maternal care doesn't just affect the immediate offspring; it shapes the brain systems of generations to come.Beyond pure biology, trauma can be transmitted through family stories and learned behaviors, which eventually become "embodied" in our stress systems and nervous system reactivity.Despite the potential for transmitting stress, the most common biological response to adversity is resilience. Because the epigenetic system is designed to be malleable, there is always room for change and intervention.Resources Mentioned Agouti mice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2822875/Överkalix study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24552514/Odor study: https://news.emory.edu/stories/2013/12/smell_epigenetics_ressler/index.htmlConnect with Dr. Champagne University of Texas at Austin Department of Psychology Bio: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/faculty/fac752 Connect with the Show We would love to feature your family's story.  Please visit the website! Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    38 min
  3. Amy Pons

    10 APR

    Amy Pons

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Amy Pons to discuss the importance of reconnecting with one's soul blueprint and breaking generational trauma. Together they explore the benefits of finding a deep connection to your ancestors, the connection between the brain and nervous system as it responds to trauma, and the importance of listening to your soul’s truth. About Amy Amy Pons is the Founder and CEO of Unlock the Magic; Host of Women Making Moves; and Head of Marketing for End Workplace Abuse. Amy is a conqueror, a healer, a truth teller, and an activist. She's reached the highest of ladders in the corporate world realizing that the call toward creating for others was now hers to blaze. Amy is at the forefront of re-introducing the divine feminine to create the balance we've never seen in this lifetime. Through Amy's magic, you unlock your own and she guides you to walk in your highest path.  In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Healing is often a process of remembering rather than awakening. It is the act of tapping into the ancient wisdom stored in your bones and DNA that has been passed down through your lineage.You may have been born into a line of generational trauma, but you can choose to be the one who heals it on behalf of your ancestors. Recognizing that ancestors often did the best they could allows for healing without blame.Your brain is designed to keep you safe, not necessarily happy, and it often tells stories based on fear. True intuition often bypasses those stories, manifesting as a felt sense or a deep knowing in the gut or chest.We arrive with a "soul blueprint"—a purpose for being here at this specific time. Embracing personal sovereignty means trusting your own truth over the copy-paste expectations of society. Connect with Amy Website: https://www.unlockthemagic.org/@unlockthemagic_ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlockthemagic_Women Making Moves Podcast: https://www.unlockthemagic.org/podcast@chicagosfavewitchycoach on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chicagosfavewitchycoach Connect with the Show Are you curious about the "Elizabeths" in your own family tree? We want to hear from you! Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    38 min
  4. Harriet Shearsmith

    3 APR

    Harriet Shearsmith

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Harriet Shearsmith to discuss the balance between honoring our ancestors and drawing firm boundaries around destructive behavior.  Together, they explore how ancestral trauma is unintentionally passed down through generations, share stories of personal family estrangements, and dive deep into what it truly means to be a cycle breaker.  About Harriet Harriet Shearsmith is an accredited empowerment and life coach, trainee therapist, best-selling author, and content creator of over 10 years. She specialises in working with clients who have experienced childhood trauma and are navigating estrangement or toxic family relationships. Harriet is an award-winning blogger and writer of Unfollowing Mum (2024) and Mummin’ It (2021), and has written for and been featured in publications like Happiful Mag, Guardian, Telegraph, BBC, Daily Express, Metro, Internet Matters and more. Harriet is also an award-winning blogger, content creator behind @unfollowing_mum and @harrietshearsmith, and podcaster with over 250,000 social media followers and 100,000 downloads.  In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Generational trauma often moves through sneaky messages that evolve with each generation but maintain the same underlying thread of "you aren't good enough".Estrangement is rarely a whim; it is often the result of one party repeatedly asking for changed behavior and being met with gaslighting or a lack of accountability.Becoming a parent often gives you what you need to recognize unhealthy patterns, as we realize we would never want our own children to experience what we endured.Being a cycle breaker doesn't mean never making mistakes; it means having the courage to apologize to your children, own your "stuff," and engage in the repair process that builds secure relationships. Resources Dr. Emma Svanberg: https://dremmasvanberg.com/  Connect with Harriet Website: https://harrietshearsmith.com/ @harrietshearsmith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrietshearsmith/?hl=en Unfollowing Mum Podcast: https://harrietshearsmith.com/podcast/ @unfollowing_mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfollowing_mum/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsharrietshearsmith Harriet’s Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Harriet-Shearsmith/author/B08N6LV3ND?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1738847828&sr=1-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true  Connect with the Show Do you have a story about your family? We want to hear from you! Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    43 min
  5. Dr. Daphne Fatter

    27 MAR

    Dr. Daphne Fatter

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by licensed psychologist, Dr. Daphne Fatter to explore the world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and its link to ancestral healing.  They explore how trauma isn’t just a personal experience but a legacy burden that can be handed down through DNA, attachment patterns, and energetic imprints. The flip side is that we can also be the recipients of ancestral gifts. About Dr. Daphne Fatter Dr. Daphne Fatter is a licensed psychologist, clinical trainer, and international speaker specializing in integrative, trauma-informed therapies. As a certified practitioner in IFS, EMDR, and Ancestral Lineage Healing, she is a leading expert in resolving complex intergenerational and historical trauma. Dr. Fatter has authored significant works on these topics, including a book chapter on integrating IFS with ancestral healing and her own guide, Integrating Internal Family Systems into EMDR Therapy. Her work bridges the gap between evidence-based psychotherapy and the profound, often non-verbal realm of ancestral connection.  In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Trauma is multi-dimensional, including personal events as well as collective and ancestral traumas passed down through epigenetics. Ancestral trauma often shows up non-verbally as a sense of heaviness, unexplained dreams, or emotional reactions that feel "too big" for the situation at hand.You don't need a perfect family history to heal. By connecting with "well" ancestors, you can access a powerful support system.Integrating IFS with ancestral work encourages cultural humility, allowing us to recognize our place within a massive, nested system and treat ourselves and others with deeper curiosity and grace. Resources Mentioned IFS Integration by Jenna Riemersma: https://a.co/d/08wsDuTj Dr. Daniel Foor: https://ancestralmedicine.org/bio/  Connect with Dr. Daphne Fatter Website: https://www.daphnefatterphd.com/ Integrating IFS (Internal Family Systems) into EMDR Therapy: https://a.co/d/0dKkitKs  Connect with the Show Are you curious about the "Elizabeths" in your own family tree? We want to hear from you! Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    33 min
  6. Erica Wallace Moore

    20 MAR

    Erica Wallace Moore

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Reiki practitioner Erica Wallace Moore, as they explore how Reiki can help with “stuck” emotions or chronic stress caused by unintentionally carrying the energetic imprints from generations past.  Together, they explore how empathy and intuition serve as spiritual superpowers to help you navigate trauma, dissolve gunky energy, and finally create a safe space your soul needs to rest and restore.  About Erica Wallace Moore Erica Wallace Moore is a Reiki Practitioner, Instructor, healer, and Akashic Records reader currently in practice at Wellness Paradigm, a wellness and healing collective in Minneapolis. Her Reiki journey began in 2014 after receiving the practice for the first time. As a mother of four, Erica found herself feeling frazzled, stressed, and disconnected from her body. Those initial sessions proved life-changing, helping her return to her center and grounding her in a way she hadn't experienced before. While it began as a personal tool for healing, Reiki quickly evolved into one of her essential daily spiritual practices. What started as curiosity has since transformed into higher vibrations of connection, compassion, love, and wisdom. Erica is particularly passionate about how Reiki and the Akashic Records expand energetic pathways for self-discovery, forgiveness, joy, and peace. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Reiki can be an incredible tool to dissolve "stuck" energy, allowing you to expel what no longer serves you and make room for new vitality.Recognizing that trauma is energetic information processed by our cells can help us understand why it often feels physically "trapped" in our central nervous system.We can carry the grief and hardships of our ancestors within our own energetic field, and healing involves raising our own vibration to move forward.  Resources Mentioned Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://a.co/d/028xQZJ1  Connect with Erica Wallace Moore Website: https://ericawallacemoorereiki.com/  Connect with the Show Are you curious about the "Elizabeths" in your own family tree? We want to hear from you! Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    28 min
  7. Jen Shaffer

    13 MAR

    Jen Shaffer

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by “The Formidable Genealogist,” Jen Shaffer, to discuss how uncovering the histories of our ancestors allows us to move forward with empathy and understanding.  They discuss how professional genealogy can be a powerful tool for exploring ancestral trauma and finding a path toward healing, and how you can get started uncovering your own family tree. About Jen Shaffer: Born in Iowa and currently residing in Minnesota, Jen Shaffer has had a lifelong passion for history, which she has channeled into a career as a professional genealogist. Jen is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, where she also serves as the Booth Coordinator for both in-person and virtual industry events. She possesses a remarkably broad knowledge base covering diverse time periods, geographic locations, and languages. A graduate of St. Olaf College with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Russian Language and Russian Studies, Jen particularly enjoys working with Slavic and Scandinavian records. Her linguistic background includes the formal study of Russian, Spanish, German, Latin, and Norwegian. She has developed a specialized talent for "brick wall" research, expertly distinguishing between individuals with identical names to identify the correct ancestor with precision. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Modern DNA testing can help break through long-standing “brick walls” to identify unknown ancestors and connect distant relatives.Genealogy is more than names and dates; it’s about learning the historical circumstances that shaped your ancestors’ lives and decisions. Genealogy is a team sport and collaborative tools can help you build a shared history with others.  Resources Mentioned Metamora Historical Society: https://metamorahistoricalsociety.org/ Ancestry.com WikiTree: https://www.wikitree.com/ Family Search Tree: https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/  Connect with Jen Shaffer The Formidable Genealogist: https://www.theformidablegenealogist.com/ Discovering the Free Side of Ancestry.com [Free Research Guide]: https://www.theformidablegenealogist.com/product-page/discovering-the-free-side-of-ancestry-com-pdf-research-guide  Connect with the Show Do you have stories about the "Elizabeths" or Nanas in your own family tree? We want to hear from you! Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    24 min
  8. Kenlee Valleskey

    6 MAR

    Kenlee Valleskey

    In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Kenlee Valleskey, as they discuss Internal Family Systems (IFS) as it relates to the weight of generational cycles and ancestral trauma. This work is so important in understanding how our internal world of wounded and protective parts is shaped by the experiences of our ancestors.  About Kenlee: Kenlee Valleskey is a licensed professional counselor with extensive experience in Internal Family Systems (IFS). As a lover of questions and the intersections of our lives, she explores spaces that don't have neat, easy answers or a neat, easy arrival. From exploring the evolving terrain of grief and identity and deconstructing systemic narratives to learning what it means to love and trust ourselves in new ways, Kenlee has so much to teach us about accepting and working with all aspects of ourselves and our ancestors. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Every one of us has a core self, characterized by qualities like compassion, clarity, and courage, that remains inherently whole and safe, regardless of the trauma experienced.We also consist of “exiled” wounded parts that carry burdens and “protectors” that keep us from feeling pain.  Healing begins when a wound (whether our own or our ancestors’) is fully witnessed and acknowledged, rather than just managed.  Resources Mentioned No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz: https://a.co/d/08nxdmbU It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn: https://a.co/d/0gEpUOf7 IFS Institute: https://ifs-institute.com/ Dr. Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford: https://a.co/d/0cV34FW4 What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo: https://a.co/d/00MvSpSW Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson: https://a.co/d/06J3NKyQ Decolonizing Therapy by Jennifer Mullan: https://a.co/d/0cNaMrxT Francis Weller: https://www.francisweller.net/Harriet Lerner: https://www.harrietlerner.com/Mark Nepo: https://www.marknepo.com/Connect with Kenlee:  Website: https://www.kenleevalleskey.com/ The Grief Room, St. Paul, MN: https://www.thegriefroom.com/ The Fallows: https://www.stayatfallows.com/  Connect with the Show Do you have a story about the "Elizabeths" in your own family tree? We want to hear from you! Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website. A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. Theme music by Carter Penny.

    42 min
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About

Dive into the journey of Just Like Nana, a podcast passionately exploring ancestral trauma, generational healing, and the profound ways our family's past shapes our present mental and holistic health. Amie Penny Sayler shares captivating, research-based fiction stories of her grandmothers' lives and features insightful interviews with leading mental health and wellness practitioners.  Learn how to break cycles of trauma passed down through generations, understand family dynamics, and cultivate a regulated nervous system. Ground yourself in your history, honor your ancestors, and find your own path to trauma healing.  New episodes every Friday. Learn more at https://justlikenana.com/ 

Information

  • Creator
    Amie Penny Sayler
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Just Like Nana
  • Show Website
    Just Like Nana