Now What Therapy

Amy Neufeld
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Self-Improvement

Now What is a therapy podcast for people who don’t want more insight—they want real change. Hosted by Amy Neufeld, a licensed therapist based in Laguna Beach, CA, this podcast goes beyond traditional talk therapy to help you understand what’s actually happening in your mind, your nervous system, and your relationships—and most importantly, what to do next. Each episode breaks down the emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, and internal conflicts that keep you stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Using a clinically grounded but practical approach—including Amy’s innovative IAT (Insight-Action Therapy) method—you’ll learn how to move from awareness to action, and from insight to real-life transformation. This isn’t therapy that lives in a once-a-week appointment. It’s therapy that meets you in real time, helping you build resilience, regulate your nervous system, and create healthier, more connected relationships. If you’ve ever thought: I understand why I do this… but I still don’t know how to change it—this podcast is for you. Because insight is powerful. But insight without action keeps you stuck. Now that you see what’s happening… Now What?

  1. Sep 21

    What Happens When You Stop Caring What Everyone Else Thinks?

    What Happens When You Stop Caring What Everyone ThinksPeople love to say that when women hit 50, they stop caring what anybody thinks. Amy thinks that misses the point entirely. In this episode of Now What? with Amy Neufeld, Amy starts with a painfully awkward story from a friend’s 40th birthday party: a conversation about a pair of terrible leggings that took a very unfortunate turn when Amy discovered the woman she was talking to owned the company. Cue the long drive home. The replaying. The secondhand embarrassment. The imaginary conversations. And the absolute certainty that the other person must be thinking about it just as much as she was. Except…she probably wasn’t. That realization gets at something Amy has noticed more and more with age: most people are not paying nearly as much attention to us as we think they are. And that is actually fantastic news. This episode looks at what really changes as we get older. It isn’t that we suddenly stop caring. In a lot of ways, we care more deeply. We care about our people, our relationships, our health, our work, how we treat others, and the kind of life we’re living. What starts to change is where we put our energy. Amy talks about the difference between being thoughtful and trying to manage everyone else’s reaction to you, why someone being disappointed in your choice does not automatically mean you made the wrong choice, and how much energy can disappear into trying to control how other people perceive us. You can care about people without making yourself smaller, quieter, easier, more agreeable, or endlessly explainable. And you can let someone have their own reaction without making it your job to fix it. In This EpisodeAmy talks about: Why the idea that women “stop caring” around 50 misses what is really happeningHow one incredibly awkward party conversation became a perfect example of how much we overestimate other people’s attentionWhy we replay our own embarrassing moments while everyone else is usually busy replaying theirsHow life experience gives us evidence that embarrassment, judgment, disagreement, and disappointment are survivableThe enormous amount of energy we can spend managing other people’s possible reactionsThe difference between genuine consideration and approval-seekingWhy someone being disappointed in you does not mean your decision was wrongHow to tell the difference between feedback that deserves your attention and discomfort caused by someone else not approvingWhy caring less about universal approval can actually make room for caring more deeply about the things that matter Your Now What?Catch yourself one time this week spending energy on someone else’s possible opinion of you. Not real feedback. Not something you need to repair. The reaction you are imagining. Maybe it’s the text you’re adding another paragraph to because you need them to understand why you said no. The apology you don’t actually owe. The decision you keep defending. The outfit you’re second-guessing. Or something you want to say no to while already worrying about how the other person will take it. When you catch it, ask yourself: Does this actually deserve my care? Getting older isn’t about caring less. It’s about getting much better at deciding what is worth caring about. And remember: sometimes the thing you’re losing sleep over, the other person is lying awake wondering if her tag was out all night. Stay Connected with AmyFollow Amy for more candid conversations about midlife, parenting growing kids, relationships, mental health, and figuring out who you are now. Instagram: @amyneufeldtherapy Podcast: Now What? with Amy Neufeld Website: amyneufeldtherapy.com Email: amy@amyneufeldtherapy.com If this episode made you think of someone, send it their way. And if you’re enjoying Now What?, follow the show so you don’t miss the next episode. Relevant Keywordsmidlife, women over 50, caring what people think, people pleasing, approval seeking, confidence after 50, midlife women, self confidence, setting boundaries, fear of judgment, overthinking, people pleasing women, stop over explaining, emotional boundaries, self trust, women in midlife, getting older, aging and confidence, other people’s opinions, personal growth, midlife mindset, mental health podcast, therapist podcast, Amy Neufeld, Now What podcast

  2. Sep 14

    Parenting Teens: How to Stay Close and Step Back

    Parenting Teens: How to Stay Close and Step BackParents of teenagers are asked to do something that sounds almost impossible when their child is struggling: move closer and step back—at exactly the same time. Your teen needs to know that you are there, that their feelings are safe with you, and that they do not have to handle hard things alone. But they also need enough room to think, make decisions, solve problems, and begin experiencing themselves as capable. So how do you stay emotionally close without taking over? And how do you step back without making your teenager feel as though you have disappeared? In this episode of Now What? with Amy Neufeld, Amy talks about one of the most confusing parts of parenting teenagers: knowing when to get involved, when to give them space, and how to manage your own parental alarm system when your child is in pain. You’ll learn: What it actually means to stay emotionally close to your teenagerWhy a parent’s reaction can sometimes become so big that a teen’s feelings get smallerHow listening, silence, and body language can help your teen feel understoodWhy stepping back is not the same as detaching or leaving your child aloneHow to tell the difference between a true emergency and something that feels urgent because it is painful to watchWhy “letting them fail” is too simple for every teenager and every situationHow to give your teen room while staying within reachWhat staying close and stepping back can sound like during a real friendship problemHow to repair when you realize you jumped into fixing—or stepped too far away Amy also explains why the support you give must fit the teenager and the situation. Safety, mental health, development, capacity, neurodivergence, disability, and the actual level of risk all matter. Stepping back does not mean parents should ignore a situation that requires adult involvement or professional support. Your Now WhatThe next time your teenager is struggling, pause before deciding that your only choices are taking over or doing nothing. Remind yourself: I can move closer emotionally without making my reaction the center of this. I can step back enough to let my teenager remain in the driver’s seat. Their feelings get to take up the space. Their experience gets to remain theirs. And I can remain available. You may not be able to make the hard thing go away, but you can give your teenager two incredibly important messages at the same time: You are capable of handling difficult things. And you do not have to handle them alone. If you know another parent trying to figure out how to stay close without taking over, send this episode their way. Parents of older kids need the support. Stay Connected With AmyInstagram: @amyneufeldtherapy Website: amyneufeldtherapy.com Email: amy@amyneufeldtherapy.com

  3. Sep 7

    Can't Get Started? Skip the Beginning.

    Can’t Get Started? Skip the Beginning.There’s something you need to do, or maybe even want to do, but you cannot seem to get yourself started. You already know what you’re supposed to tell yourself: You’ll feel so much better afterward. You’ll be glad you did it. Just get up and go. But when you’re tired, overwhelmed, procrastinating, or staring at a beginning that feels way too big, knowing how good you’ll feel afterward isn’t always enough to get you moving. In this episode of Now What? with Amy Neufeld, Amy shares the simple mental trick that helped her get out of a warm bed for a very early Pilates class: instead of picturing the finish line, she pictured herself already five minutes into the experience. Research suggests that imagining yourself inside the process may be more effective than focusing only on the final outcome. This isn’t about visualizing your perfect future self or convincing yourself that everything will be wonderful. It’s about making the next scene feel real, ordinary, and close enough to help you take the first physical step. If getting started is the hardest part, maybe it’s time to skip the beginning. In This EpisodeWhy picturing how wonderful you’ll feel afterward doesn’t always create motivationThe counterintuitive difference between visualizing an outcome and visualizing the processHow picturing yourself five minutes into an activity can make starting feel more manageableWhy the mental picture should be ordinary, specific, and realisticHow to use this strategy for exercise, difficult phone calls, work, social situations, and other things you’ve been avoidingThe first physical move to make before your brain begins another negotiation Your Now WhatThink of one thing you’ve been having trouble starting. Now skip the beginning and picture yourself five minutes in. Where are you? What can you see? What are you physically doing? Is anyone with you? What does that ordinary moment look and feel like? Stay with the picture for a few seconds. Then, before your brain starts negotiating again, make the first physical move. Put your feet on the floor. Open the computer. Put on your shoes. Dial the number. You don’t have to picture yourself finishing. For now, just skip the beginning and picture yourself five minutes in. Stay Connected With AmyInstagram: @amyneufeldtherapy Website: amyneufeldtherapy.com Email: amy@amyneufeldtherapy.com Have a question or an idea you want Amy to cover on a future episode? Send her a message or email her. Stay connected and stay curious. Keywordshow to get started, difficulty getting started, procrastination, motivation, mental imagery, visualization, process visualization, outcome visualization, behavior change, overcoming procrastination, taking action, task initiation, feeling stuck, building motivation, practical psychology tools, mental health podcast, therapy podcast, personal growth, Now What with Amy Neufeld, Amy Neufeld therapist

  4. Sep 1

    The Unsexy Part of Change

    In This EpisodeThere’s a very unsexy part of behavior change that matters more than we give it credit for: consistency. In this episode, I’m talking about what it actually looks like to rebuild a habit after you’ve fallen out of a routine, why something that used to feel automatic can suddenly take so much effort again, and why that effort doesn’t mean you’re failing. We’ll talk about: why consistency matters more than a perfect fresh startthe difference between knowing how to do something and having it built into your lifewhy new habits require so much conscious effort at firstwhy missing once does not mean you’ve lost the habithow to come back without shame, drama, or waiting until Mondaywhat it feels like when a behavior finally starts becoming automatic again Your Now WhatPick one habit or pattern you’re trying to build right now. Instead of asking yourself, “Why isn’t this easier yet?” ask: What would make it easier for me to keep coming back to this? Because consistency is not never missing. It’s returning. Stay Connected With AmyInstagram: @amyneufeldtherapy Website: Amy@amyneufeldtherapy.com Keywordshabit change, behavior change, consistency, building habits, creating routines, how to build habits, getting back on track, sustainable habits, motivation, healthy routines, self-compassion, personal growth, behavior patterns I like this much better for the episode than the first version because it gives people enough to know exactly what they’re getting without basically handing them the whole podcast in the show notes.

  5. Aug 23

    No Phone Zone: What We're Missing

    We talk a lot about kids and phones. How much screen time should they have? Should phones be allowed at school? When should they get their first one? Should we take them away at night? Meanwhile, most of us are having that conversation with our own phone somewhere within arm’s reach. In this episode of Now What, therapist Amy Neufeld looks at the research behind no-phone zones, parental phone use, attention, and family connection—and asks a slightly different question: What are our phones interrupting that we may not even notice? This isn't an anti-phone episode. It's about attention, connection, and what can happen when we intentionally create a few places where our phones don't get invited. In This EpisodeWhat technoference is and why researchers are studying itWhat happens when phones interrupt parent-child interactionsWhy those little “Mom, look!” moments matterHow our own phone habits model technology use for our kidsWhat research on adults found when mobile internet was taken away for two weeksWhy no-phone zones may be more realistic than trying to simply “use your phone less”How to create a phone-free space with your kids instead of just making another rule for them Your Now WhatPick one no-phone zone. One place. One time. One little pocket of your life where the phone doesn't get invited. Maybe it's dinner. The drive to school. The first 15 minutes when everyone gets home. Your bedroom. Dinner out with your partner. Not because phones are altogether bad. Because there might be something in front of you that's better. Stay Connected With AmyInstagram: @amyneufeldtherapy Website: amyneufeldtherapy.com Email: amy@amyneufeldtherapy.com Have a question or an idea you want Amy to cover on a future episode? Send her a message or email her. Stay connected and stay curious. Keywordsno phone zones, phone free zones, kids and phones, parenting and technology, screen time for kids, parental phone use, parental modeling, family connection, technology and parenting, technoference, healthy phone habits, family phone rules, parental screen time, attention and phones, how to get kids off their phones, therapist parenting advice, Amy Neufeld therapist, Amy Neufeld podcast, Now What podcast

  6. Aug 17

    What Do You Actually Want? How to Start Investing in Yourself

    When was the last time you asked yourself what you actually want? Not what your kids need. Not what your partner needs. Not what your boss needs. Not what the house needs. What do you want to be different in your life right now? In this episode of Now What, therapist Amy Neufeld is talking about why we can want something to change for years and still never actually do anything about it—and why investing time, money or energy in ourselves somehow always seems to feel optional. Follow Amy! @amyneufeldtherapy Learn more about Amy Neufeld. www.amyneufeldtherapy.com Fall and back-to-school season naturally bring a shift in routines. Schedules change. Kids go back to school or head off to college. Life starts to feel a little more structured again. And while Amy is definitely NOT suggesting that you use September to reinvent your entire life, she does think it's a pretty good opportunity to notice where all of your resources are going. Your time. Your money. Your attention. Your energy. And whether any of them are actually going toward you. Because somehow, give us three extra hours and within seven minutes we've decided to clean the garage, organize everyone's closets or make a dentist appointment for another adult who is fully capable of making their own dentist appointment. We are very, very good at filling our lives with things that need to be done for other people. But there's a difference between caring for the people in your life and arranging your entire life so that you're always the last person considered. Why Is It So Hard to Invest in Yourself?Amy sees this especially clearly when it comes to money. Spending money on our kids? No problem. They need shoes, something for school or some bizarre thing that has apparently become a basic human necessity because everyone else their age owns one? Put it in the cart. But buy something for ourselves? Suddenly we're conducting a full financial audit. Do I really need it? Is there a cheaper one? Can I wait? Couldn't I just do this myself? And sometimes the answer should absolutely be no. This isn't an episode encouraging you to spend money you don't have or buy every expensive pair of very soft pajamas you encounter. But Amy wants you to notice when spending money on yourself automatically gets categorized as unnecessary. Because sometimes spending money on yourself isn't indulgent. It's an investment. Maybe it's therapy. Maybe it's a trainer because you know you do better with accountability. Maybe it's taking a class, investing in your health, buying equipment you actually need, paying for help with something you hate doing or finally putting resources behind a project you've been talking about forever. The question isn't simply whether you want something. It's whether you're willing to take what you want seriously. Wanting Something and Investing in It Are Two Different ThingsAmy is currently getting ready to launch a new program she's been working on around changing your relationship with food, your body and yourself. And creating it has made her think a lot about the difference between these two questions: Do I want this? And: Am I willing to invest in myself enough to do something about it? We can want to feel better and keep saying maybe later. We can want to get stronger but not want to spend the money. We can desperately want to change a pattern but decide we'll try to figure it out ourselves first. And sometimes figuring it out yourself makes perfect sense. But sometimes “I'll figure it out myself” becomes another way of staying exactly where you are. You Don't Need to Reinvent Your LifeThis isn't about creating a new vision board. You don't need a five-year plan. You don't need to journal for four hours. You don't need to discover your life's purpose before lunch. Start with one question: What do I want to be different? Pick one thing. Your health. Your body. Your work. Your relationship. Your friendships. Your finances. Your schedule. Your sleep. Your day-to-day life. Then ask: What would it look like if I actually took this seriously? Maybe it requires money. Maybe it requires time. Maybe you need to say no to something else. Maybe you need help. Or maybe you simply need to admit that this thing matters to you—and that you matter enough to do something about it. Your Now WhatThis week, Amy wants you to ask yourself two questions: What do I want to be different? And: What would it look like to actually take that seriously? That's it. You don't need to overhaul your entire life because fall is coming. But as routines change and schedules shift, take a look at where your time, money, attention and energy are going. And ask yourself whether you want some of them to go toward you. Not because you've earned it by doing enough for everyone else. Not because you've finally checked everything off your list. Because you're a person in your own life, too. And you're worth investing in. Stay curious. Amy's got you next week. In This EpisodeAmy talks about why we put ourselves last without even realizing it, how back-to-school season can create an opportunity to reassess our routines, why wanting change isn't the same as investing in change, the guilt that can come with spending money on ourselves, how “I'll figure it out myself” can sometimes keep us stuck, and the two simple questions that can help you decide what you actually want next. SEO Keywordshow to invest in yourself, investing in yourself, how to prioritize yourself, putting yourself first, what do I want in life, how to make a change in your life, self investment, personal growth, how to stop putting yourself last, back to school reset, fall reset, changing your habits, making yourself a priority, women putting themselves first, relationship with food and body, therapist Amy Neufeld, Amy Neufeld podcast, Now What podcast

  7. Aug 10

    Parenting Adult Children: How to Stop Missing Who They Were and See Who They Are Now

    There’s a strange kind of grief that comes with watching your kids grow up. You miss the little shoes, bedtime routines, funny words, and the version of your child who once needed you for absolutely everything. But what if all that looking back is keeping you from seeing the incredible person standing in front of you right now? Learn more about Amy at www.amyneufeldtherapy.com Follow Amy on social media @amyneufeldtherapy In this episode of Now What, therapist Amy Neufeld talks about the emotional transition of parenting adult children, letting go as your kids grow up, and learning how to build a new relationship with the person your child has become. After finding one of her son Ben’s tiny childhood shoes in the garage, Amy found herself thinking about the little boy she misses—and the 21-year-old man she genuinely loves spending time with now. It sparked a realization: someday, this version of him will be a memory too. Amy explores how parenting changes when your children become adults, why nostalgia can sometimes keep us stuck in the past, and how curiosity can help us truly know our grown children as the independent people they are becoming. In this episode: The bittersweet grief of watching your children grow upHow your relationship changes when your kids become adultsWhy parenting adult children requires a different kind of curiosityLetting go of being at the center of your child's lifeHow nostalgia can keep us from appreciating who our kids are todayWhy you don't have to “cherish every second”Learning to notice the ordinary moments before they become memoriesAmy's simple “Remember Now” practice for parents You don't have to stop missing the little kid they used to be. You just don't want to miss the person they've become while you're doing it. This week's Now What: Look at your child as they are right now—whether they're 7, 17, or 37. What do you genuinely like about this version of them? What's new? What surprises you? What do you want to remember about who they are today? Because we're really good at saving the little shoes. Maybe we should get a little better at saving this. SEO Keywordsparenting adult children, parenting grown children, kids growing up, empty nest parenting, relationship with adult children, letting go as a parent, parenting older children, children leaving home, empty nest syndrome, how to parent adult children, motherhood and grown children, adjusting to kids growing up, relationship with grown kids, nostalgia and parenting, therapist advice for parents

  8. Aug 3

    The Lie We Tell Ourselves: "I'll Start When I'm Ready"

    I'll start dating when I lose weight." "I'll apply for the job when I feel more qualified." "I'll invite people over once my house is clean." Sound familiar? In this episode of Now What?, therapist Amy Neufeld challenges one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves: that life begins after we're ready. If you enjoy this show, and we hope you do, please support it by clicking that "subscribe" or "follow" button in the top corner of your screen. Better yet, leave Amy a review! Follow Amy on social media! @amyneufeldtherapy Amy shares a funny—and surprisingly vulnerable—story about delaying the recording of her own course while convincing herself she just needed one more piece of equipment. A better camera. Better lighting. A teleprompter. Before long, she realized she wasn't preparing anymore—she was protecting herself from being seen. That's when it clicked. Self-sabotage isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it looks responsible. Sometimes it sounds productive. And sometimes it's simply fear wearing the disguise of preparation. If you've been waiting to lose weight before dating, waiting to feel confident before applying for the job, or waiting until everything is perfect before sharing your gifts with the world, this episode will help you recognize what's really keeping you stuck—and how to finally take the next step. In This EpisodeWhy self-sabotage doesn't always look like self-destructionThe difference between preparation and avoidanceHow perfectionism quietly delays your lifeWhy confidence comes after action—not before itThe psychology behind "I'll start Monday"Why fear often disguises itself as responsibilityHow to stop waiting until you're readyThe small mindset shift that creates real momentum Key TakeawaysPreparation is valuable—but only if it's moving you toward action.Fear often disguises itself as planning.Waiting to feel ready keeps many people stuck for years.Confidence is built through action, not before it.You don't need a perfect plan to take the next step.Progress begins with one imperfect decision. Memorable Quotes"Preparation can move us toward action, but it can also become a substitute for action.""Confidence comes after we begin.""You may not be waiting for the right time. You may be waiting for the risk to disappear.""Monday is not where change begins. Change begins the moment you remember you still have a choice.""The goal isn't to eliminate discomfort. The goal is to stop requiring yourself to be fearless before you live." Learn more about Amy's work and how Amy can help you at www.amyneufeldtherapy.com self-sabotage, procrastination, perfectionism, fear of failure, confidence, waiting until you're ready, personal growth, therapist podcast, mindset, emotional growth, avoidance, fear of judgment, self-worth, anxiety, taking action, overcoming fear, psychology, mental health, Now What podcast

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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Now What is a therapy podcast for people who don’t want more insight—they want real change. Hosted by Amy Neufeld, a licensed therapist based in Laguna Beach, CA, this podcast goes beyond traditional talk therapy to help you understand what’s actually happening in your mind, your nervous system, and your relationships—and most importantly, what to do next. Each episode breaks down the emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, and internal conflicts that keep you stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Using a clinically grounded but practical approach—including Amy’s innovative IAT (Insight-Action Therapy) method—you’ll learn how to move from awareness to action, and from insight to real-life transformation. This isn’t therapy that lives in a once-a-week appointment. It’s therapy that meets you in real time, helping you build resilience, regulate your nervous system, and create healthier, more connected relationships. If you’ve ever thought: I understand why I do this… but I still don’t know how to change it—this podcast is for you. Because insight is powerful. But insight without action keeps you stuck. Now that you see what’s happening… Now What?

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Neufeld
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Amy Neufeld
  • Show Website
    Now What Therapy

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