Nuance Needed

Nuance Needed
  • 4.9 (175)
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In a world obsessed with quick fixes, licensed therapists Amanda White and Sam Dalton cut through black-and-white thinking to explore the messy reality of mental health. Drawing from both evidence-based practices and personal struggles, we have candid conversations about perfectionism, burnout, relationships, and cultural trends. No oversimplified advice—just honest dialogue about what healing actually looks like in our complicated human lives. For more information check out therapyforwomencenter.com

  1. 97: Are We Over-Therapized?

    3D AGO

    97: Are We Over-Therapized?

    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 the difference between intellectualizing, ruminating and processing.  In conversation, we discuss: The misconception that intellectualizing IS therapy (when it's actually a defense mechanism) How the fire hose of self-help content can make us hyper-fixated on what's wrong with us The signs you're intellectualizing How you can honor the full breadth of your feelings while still showing up for what matters The trap of self-awareness without action: understanding your patterns but never changing them Amanda's story: teaching her daughter to do hard things (even when she's scared) and realizing she needs to take her own advice Sam's story: moving to a new city, being tired from actually living, and realizing her quiet life was just safe, not full How energy spent trying to control everything robs you of actually living Big thanks to our sponsor Cozy Earth! Use code NUANCE for 20% off your order! If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.com To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

    59 min
  2. 96: Excellence isn't a Dirty Word with Brad Stulberg

    JAN 29

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

    Is “excellence” just another word for hustle culture nonsense now? In this episode, Amanda sits down with Brad Stulberg to reclaim effort, care, and ambition from the internet grifters who ruined them. Why “excellence” got hijacked by 4am cold plunges, supplement stacks, and performative grind The epidemic of nonchalance  and why “not caring” is often just fear in a cooler outfit Why consistency beats intensity every time  The difference between real growth and the performance of hard work on social media The arrival fallacy: why hitting the goal so often feels emptier than you expect Why fierce self-discipline requires fierce self-kindness Brad Stulberg is a writer and author whose work explores sustainable success, mental health, and what it actually means to live in alignment with your values. You can find him on Instagram and Substack @bradstulberg, and The Way of Excellence is available wherever books are sold. If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.com To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com. We’d love to hear what you think!

    45 min
  3. 95: Creating Routines in Times of Crisis

    JAN 27

    95: Creating Routines in Times of Crisis

    When the political landscape feels chaotic, exhausting, and impossible to control, staying grounded is very important. This episode is a real-time case for why routines, not reinvention, are what actually help people stay regulated right now. In conversation, we tackle: Why routines matter more than hobbies when your nervous system is already fried The myth that self-care has to be impressive, aesthetic, or time-consuming to “count” How having one predictable touchpoint can ground you when everything else feels out of control The overlooked mental health power of making your bed (yes, really) Why being a leader in your own life hits different than constantly reacting to what’s happening to you Please note, we recorded this before the weekend.  If you want to hear the extended conversation—including Sam diagnosing Amanda’s “hobby problem” and several off-the-rails existential detours—join us on Substack at nuanceneeded.substack.com. If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.com To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com. We’d love to hear what you think!

    45 min
  4. 94: Bachelorettes & Wedding Culture

    JAN 20

    94: Bachelorettes & Wedding Culture

    Why do celebrations surrounding weddings bring out so much stress, pressure, and weird tension in friendships? Today we’re talking about bridal showers, bachelorettes, weddings, and how these milestones quietly become overwhelming for everyone involved. In conversation, we cover: How weddings shifted from celebrations into multi-event marathons The role social media plays in raising expectations around “perfect” moments Why bridesmaids often feel stretched thin — financially, emotionally, and logistically The friendship strain that shows up when expectations aren’t clearly communicated What weddings reveal about boundaries, loyalty, and showing up for each other How to approach these events with more honesty, flexibility, and care for everyone involved If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com. We’d love to hear what you think!

    1h 6m
  5. 93: Friendship Breakups

    JAN 13

    93: Friendship Breakups

    In this episode, we’re digging into friend groups, friendship breakups, and how therapy-speak and social media are hurting us. In conversation, we discuss: The Ashley Tisdale article calling out toxic behavior while completely missing the point Not all friendships require a formal breakup conversation, sometimes you can let it fade out How therapy language gets weaponized in friendship to avoid accountability and having hard conversations Why reality TV and social media are reshaping what we expect from friends (and not in a good way)  Why “protecting your peace” has quietly become an excuse to opt out of repair Our tips and ideas for having lasting and fulfilling friendships If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.com To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com. We’d love to hear what you think!

    1h 9m
  6. 92: Is Influencer Culture Dead?

    JAN 6

    92: Is Influencer Culture Dead?

    Why does influencer culture feel so exhausting—for everyone?In this episode, Amanda and Sam get honest about what influencer culture has turned into, why both creators and consumers are burned out, and how algorithms quietly shape our mental health.We get into: How influencer culture shifted from “fun side hustle” to full-blown pressure cooker. Consumer fatigue: when everything starts to feel like an ad and nothing feels real. How constant luxury content messes with expectations, especially during the holidays. The pressure to perform happiness, success, and productivity online—even when real life looks nothing like that. The underrated power of boredom in a world addicted to stimulation. What it looks like to create real boundaries with social media instead of pretending “just logging off” is simple. This isn’t a “delete your apps” episode. It’s a real conversation about balance, authenticity, and how to live a meaningful life in a digital world that’s constantly asking for more of your attention.

    53 min
  7. 91: Rerun: Stop Flaking on Your Friends

    12/30/2025

    91: Rerun: Stop Flaking on Your Friends

    In this candid episode, therapists Sam and Amanda discuss Sam's recent experience with a Tiktok going viral. After posting about friendship and flaking culture, Sam faced unexpected backlash leading to a broader conversation about social media, nuance, and connection in today's world. The hosts explore: - How legitimate concerns about accessibility and mental health can sometimes be weaponized to avoid discomfort - The erosion of our collective ability to say "this doesn't apply to me" and keep scrolling - The importance of maintaining friendships despite busy lives and different life stages - Practical ways to maintain connections when you have limited capacity - The difference between genuine barriers to connection and avoidance - How social media has complicated our expectations for socializing - The long-term investment of friendship and why it matters.  If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.com To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

    51 min
  8. 90: Rerun: The Weaponization of Boundaries

    12/23/2025

    90: Rerun: The Weaponization of Boundaries

    Licensed therapists, Amanda White, LPC and Sam Dalton, LCSW discuss the topic of boundaries and how they are often misconstrued. They explore the difference between boundaries, norms, and expectations, emphasizing the importance of understanding intentions and allowing for mistakes. They highlight the need for nuance and grace in navigating boundaries, both in personal relationships and online interactions. The conversation also touches on the impact versus harm debate and the role of repair in building trust and understanding. In this conversation, Amanda and Sam discuss the importance of flexible boundaries and the dangers of rigid boundaries. They explore the idea that boundaries should be adaptable and considerate of others' boundaries. They emphasize the need for communication and context when setting boundaries, as well as the importance of self-reflection and self-trust. They also discuss the role of vulnerability and the power of articulating why certain boundaries are in place.  If you’d like to support the show one of the best things you can do is leave us a review and share the pod! THANK YOU! We have some incredible BONUS episodes on our SUBSTACK! nuanceneeded.substack.com To learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area. Want to join the conversation? You can email us podcast@therapyforwomencenter.com or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

    52 min
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4.9
out of 5
175 Ratings

About

In a world obsessed with quick fixes, licensed therapists Amanda White and Sam Dalton cut through black-and-white thinking to explore the messy reality of mental health. Drawing from both evidence-based practices and personal struggles, we have candid conversations about perfectionism, burnout, relationships, and cultural trends. No oversimplified advice—just honest dialogue about what healing actually looks like in our complicated human lives. For more information check out therapyforwomencenter.com

Information

  • Creator
    Nuance Needed
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Amanda E. White, LPC and Sam Dalton, LCSW
  • Show Website
    Nuance Needed

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