Changeable Podcast
- Episodes
- 400
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Sep 29, 2026
About the podcast
Join psychologist, life coach and author Dr. Amy Johnson for Changeable, a podcast about a new paradigm in psychology that reveals the ironic way change really works. It’s easier than you think.
License: ©2019-2026 Dr. Amy Johnson - All rights reserved
Episodes 400
EP405: The challenge of identity: The sense of self
In this episode, Dan and I go more deeply into how identity — taking yourself to be a limited, separate-from-the-rest-of-life entity — is the key factor behind the ability to explore love and and relationship …
Show notes
In this episode, Dan and I go more deeply into how identity — taking yourself to be a limited, separate-from-the-rest-of-life entity — is the key factor behind the ability to explore love and and relationship in the way we’ve discussed in our episodes thus far. The sense of self demands a lot of attention, which means far less attention is freed up to be fully present with your partner and with life itself. A strong identity also serves as an interpretive filter, in a sense, funneling a lot of attention toward the protection and defense of the sense of “me”. Old conditioning is bolstered by identity; on the flip side, conditioning is dramatically weakened and can fail to arise in some cases when the sense of separate self is seen through. We begin to talk about how one can examine the sense of self and discuss an upcoming video series we’re creating for this purpose. I mention Dan’s book in this episode. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPGKY8YLPlease email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.The post EP405: The challenge of identity: The sense of self appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP404: Dealing with Issues in Relationship — Part 2
In Part 2, we look more deeply at how we work through relationship issues through the lens of our “post mortem” process. We also turn toward the underlying spiritual and identity work that we feel allows us …
Show notes
In Part 2, we look more deeply at how we work through relationship issues through the lens of our “post mortem” process. We also turn toward the underlying spiritual and identity work that we feel allows us room to look at issues with minimal defensiveness and more objectivity. We believe anyone can explore identity this way and achieve similar benefits. Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.The post EP404: Dealing with Issues in Relationship — Part 2 appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP403: Dealing with Issues in Relationship — Part 1
In Part 1 of this two part episode, Dan and I give an example of a conditioned pattern that arises in our relationship and how we work through it. Our approach is rooted in our strong mutual desire to examine …
Show notes
In Part 1 of this two part episode, Dan and I give an example of a conditioned pattern that arises in our relationship and how we work through it. Our approach is rooted in our strong mutual desire to examine anything and everything that arises, and our strong aversion to avoiding triggers or sweeping issues under the rug. We’re willing to let things get uncomfortable and messy to clearly see and work through what’s arising. In Part 2 we’ll talk more about our “post mortem” revisiting process and we’ll look at the role identity plays in the way couples work through issues.Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.The post EP403: Dealing with Issues in Relationship — Part 1 appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP402: Re-engaging with your partner
Since we began recording episodes together, Dan and I have received several emails from people realizing their relationship isn’t where they want it to be. Some of those people want to re-engage with their …
Show notes
Since we began recording episodes together, Dan and I have received several emails from people realizing their relationship isn’t where they want it to be. Some of those people want to re-engage with their partner but aren’t sure how. In episode 402, we share a few steps on how to re-engage with your partner so that you can both get a better sense of what you’re open to with each other and with the relationship. Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.The post EP402: Re-engaging with your partner appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP401: The Deeper Purpose in Relationships
In this episode, Dan and I share the “whale under the boat” sense we’ve had from the beginning of our relationship that there is something very powerful and intelligent behind our union. In conventional …
Show notes
In this episode, Dan and I share the “whale under the boat” sense we’ve had from the beginning of our relationship that there is something very powerful and intelligent behind our union. In conventional thinking about relationships, two people get together for reasons of love, connection, comfort, companionship, etc. While those features are present in our relationship too, they seem more like the “top layer” only, helping pave the way for a bigger, more mysterious purpose that we don’t yet understand but love exploring. If you feel something like this in your relationship, we would love to hear from you!
Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.
The post EP401: The Deeper Purpose in Relationships appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP400: Believing in love versus being in love
Dan and I look at the difference between believing you love your partner — a largely thought-based state– and the active, alive, energetic state of being ‘in love’ with your partner. We discuss being in love as …
Show notes
Dan and I look at the difference between believing you love your partner — a largely thought-based state– and the active, alive, energetic state of being ‘in love’ with your partner. We discuss being in love as an energy cycle that takes both people to keep it going and we explore the vital role of presence when it comes to being in love. We end the episode with a few words about why we are having these conversations and what they may bring up for some listeners. Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.The post EP400: Believing in love versus being in love appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP399: Clarifying direct perception versus thinking
In this episode, Dan and I explore the difference between thinking and direct perception. This distinction is crucial in the spiritual and self-investigative work we’ve done and that we’ll be discussing more in …
Show notes
In this episode, Dan and I explore the difference between thinking and direct perception. This distinction is crucial in the spiritual and self-investigative work we’ve done and that we’ll be discussing more in future episodes. It’s an important difference in how we relate in relationships and in all of life, actually!
Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.
The post EP399: Clarifying direct perception versus thinking appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP398: Asking meaningful questions
In this episode, Dan and I explore the benefits of asking meaningful questions. We discuss what meaningful questions are, the benefits of asking them, and why people don’t ask questions. We also go into depth …
Show notes
In this episode, Dan and I explore the benefits of asking meaningful questions. We discuss what meaningful questions are, the benefits of asking them, and why people don’t ask questions. We also go into depth about how we ask each other meaningful questions and the ways in which that has strengthened our connection and led to significant changes in our lives.
Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.
The post EP398: Asking meaningful questions appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP397: From Independence to union
In EP397, Dan and I share how we went from being quite independent – in part as a way to prioritize our respective spiritual paths – to now being surprisingly (to us!) interdependent and closely enmeshed in …
Show notes
In EP397, Dan and I share how we went from being quite independent – in part as a way to prioritize our respective spiritual paths – to now being surprisingly (to us!) interdependent and closely enmeshed in many ways.
Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.
The post EP397: From Independence to union appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP396: Exploring our connection through eye contact
In this conversation, Dan and I share one of the key ways our deep connection developed in the early days of our relationship; something we called “going into the portal” through sustained eye contact and …
Show notes
In this conversation, Dan and I share one of the key ways our deep connection developed in the early days of our relationship; something we called “going into the portal” through sustained eye contact and feeling into the energies that were present. We discuss how this process went for us and the benefits of it on our relationship. We even do a little “portal dive” while recording so you can get a feel for it yourself!
Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you think and what you’d like to hear more about as we record a new series of episodes for you.
The post EP396: Exploring our connection through eye contact appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP395: The power of attention in relationships
In this episode, Dan and I look at the role of attention in a relationship. We’ll explore what attention and connection have to do with each other, how attention is an open and receptive presence (rather than …
Show notes
In this episode, Dan and I look at the role of attention in a relationship. We’ll explore what attention and connection have to do with each other, how attention is an open and receptive presence (rather than monitoring, watching, or evaluating), the benefits of attention, and the obstacles to giving and receiving attention and what
The post EP395: The power of attention in relationships appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP394: The mystical nature of relationships
Changeable is back and I have a co-host! Dan Kelso and I explore the mystical nature of relationships and unveil our ideas for a new set of dialogues exploring the intersection of identity and relationship …
Show notes
Changeable is back and I have a co-host! Dan Kelso and I explore the mystical nature of relationships and unveil our ideas for a new set of dialogues exploring the intersection of identity and relationship. Please email me at [email protected] with your feedback and suggestions about this episode. We would love to hear what you
The post EP394: The mystical nature of relationships appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP393: Why are outside circumstances affecting me so much? A question from a listener
Martha says she knows that circumstances can’t create suffering, yet she suffers when watching images of some things happening in the world. How can she reconcile this? uGfCbeGyYlpygwNQU7E8 The post EP393: Why …
Show notes
Martha says she knows that circumstances can’t create suffering, yet she suffers when watching images of some things happening in the world. How can she reconcile this? uGfCbeGyYlpygwNQU7E8
The post EP393: Why are outside circumstances affecting me so much? A question from a listener appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP392: Breaking Habits and Ending Self-Doubt: My episode on Gifted with ADHD
This week’s episode is a conversation with Juliet O’Rourke for her brand new podcast, Gifted with ADHD. Gifted with ADHD brings together mental health, wellbeing, and a big-picture spiritual understanding of …
Show notes
This week’s episode is a conversation with Juliet O’Rourke for her brand new podcast, Gifted with ADHD. Gifted with ADHD brings together mental health, wellbeing, and a big-picture spiritual understanding of how the mind works, particularly an ADHD mind. In our conversation, we go deep into the role of thought and emotion, particularly experiences like boredom,
The post EP392: Breaking Habits and Ending Self-Doubt: My episode on Gifted with ADHD appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP391: Pruning life so attention can go where you want it to go
In this episode we’ll look at where attention naturally wants to go…and where attention might be going in ways that are unwanted. The more we have in our lives and around us that demand attention, the less free …
Show notes
In this episode we’ll look at where attention naturally wants to go…and where attention might be going in ways that are unwanted. The more we have in our lives and around us that demand attention, the less free attention there is for exploring direct experience. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico,
The post EP391: Pruning life so attention can go where you want it to go appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP390: Open and closed
This episode explores what it means to be energetically open versus closed, why and how we open and close, and what being open (versus closed) does for our vitality, wellbeing, and relationships. ***I will be …
Show notes
This episode explores what it means to be energetically open versus closed, why and how we open and close, and what being open (versus closed) does for our vitality, wellbeing, and relationships. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep
The post EP390: Open and closed appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP389: More on patterns
I’ll explore how to look at, and ultimately change, patterns in more detail. I discuss how and why to reflect on patterns, how and why to communicate what’s arising, and how and why to examine identity as part …
Show notes
I’ll explore how to look at, and ultimately change, patterns in more detail. I discuss how and why to reflect on patterns, how and why to communicate what’s arising, and how and why to examine identity as part of this exploration. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat
The post EP389: More on patterns appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP388: Beliefs you live by but didn’t choose
In this episode, I strongly encourage you to look at the beliefs you’re living by. There may be conflicting beliefs. You may believe things you swear you don’t believe. The only way to know – and for those …
Show notes
In this episode, I strongly encourage you to look at the beliefs you’re living by. There may be conflicting beliefs. You may believe things you swear you don’t believe. The only way to know – and for those beliefs to change – is to honestly and eagerly look and be willing to see what’s there. ***I
The post EP388: Beliefs you live by but didn’t choose appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP387: Choosing the wrong relationships: A question from a listener
In this episode, I speak to a question from a listener who says she chooses romantic partners who are not right for her because – in her words – they make her feel more worthy. I talk her through some of the …
Show notes
In this episode, I speak to a question from a listener who says she chooses romantic partners who are not right for her because – in her words – they make her feel more worthy. I talk her through some of the ways she can examine this pattern in depth, noticing the beliefs behind her
The post EP387: Choosing the wrong relationships: A question from a listener appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP386: Special Rebroadcast: Unraveling Ego at the Feeling Level
There’s a progression that seems to happen. You might say it’s from gross to subtle. Where attention shifts from being absorbed in abstractions, thoughts, representations, and relationships…to attention moving …
Show notes
There’s a progression that seems to happen. You might say it’s from gross to subtle. Where attention shifts from being absorbed in abstractions, thoughts, representations, and relationships…to attention moving to much more subtle energies like sensations, sensory input, and maybe something like intuition or perception.Identity is viewed in these different ways. From gross thought and
The post EP386: Special Rebroadcast: Unraveling Ego at the Feeling Level appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP385: Special Rebroadcast: Noise is Silence Shouting
Being in silence is not about suppressing anything. It’s also not about creating anything, such as an environment of peace or thoughtlessness or anything like that. It’s the exact opposite, actually. It’s about …
Show notes
Being in silence is not about suppressing anything. It’s also not about creating anything, such as an environment of peace or thoughtlessness or anything like that. It’s the exact opposite, actually. It’s about leaving everything alone to simply be exactly what it is.“What it is” is constantly changing. It is totally unknowable. It’s far too fluid
The post EP385: Special Rebroadcast: Noise is Silence Shouting appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP384: 95/5
What if 95% of attention and energy went toward sensing, feeling, and intuition, and 5% went toward the use of thought? That ratio is typically reversed. I’ll explore this with regard to being with trauma …
Show notes
What if 95% of attention and energy went toward sensing, feeling, and intuition, and 5% went toward the use of thought? That ratio is typically reversed. I’ll explore this with regard to being with trauma, brainstorming and problem solving, and self inquiry.***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will
The post EP384: 95/5 appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP383: Staying open
In this episode, we’ll explore how to end habitual psychological patterns such as reactivity, shutting down, becoming controlling or hypervigilant, or eating or drinking. The way to end a pattern – very …
Show notes
In this episode, we’ll explore how to end habitual psychological patterns such as reactivity, shutting down, becoming controlling or hypervigilant, or eating or drinking. The way to end a pattern – very oversimplified – is to become deeply familiar with the elements of the pattern and stay open, rather than react, when the pattern begins. ***I will
The post EP383: Staying open appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP382: I’m not acceptable unless I’m thin. Questions from a listener with a 45 year history of disordered eating.
Emma believes that she is unacceptable if her weight goes above a particular threshold. This belief is behind 45 years of restrictive and binge eating. Emma is onto the fact that this is a belief, but that …
Show notes
Emma believes that she is unacceptable if her weight goes above a particular threshold. This belief is behind 45 years of restrictive and binge eating. Emma is onto the fact that this is a belief, but that doesn’t feel like enough. If she doesn’t have the ability to simply stop believing this thought, what can she
The post EP382: I’m not acceptable unless I’m thin. Questions from a listener with a 45 year history of disordered eating. appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP381: Attention On versus Attention In
There’s an extremely important distinction to be made when it comes to where and how attention falls. It’s the difference between attention being on something versus absorbed in it. Attention on the fact of …
Show notes
There’s an extremely important distinction to be made when it comes to where and how attention falls. It’s the difference between attention being on something versus absorbed in it. Attention on the fact of thought is completely different from attention being absorbed in the content of thought.Attention on sensation or pain or the sense of self
The post EP381: Attention On versus Attention In appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP380: Chaos is extremely good news
“Chaos should be regarded as extremely good news” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche Chaos seems unwanted and perhaps terrifying to a mind that’s always trying to hold things together.But in Greek mythology, Chaos is …
Show notes
“Chaos should be regarded as extremely good news” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche Chaos seems unwanted and perhaps terrifying to a mind that’s always trying to hold things together.But in Greek mythology, Chaos is viewed as a primordial void or emptiness from which all else emerges. It’s the source of everything. Chaos, emptiness, void…source, aliveness, new life.
The post EP380: Chaos is extremely good news appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP379: The Intelligence in feeling
There seems to be an innate intelligence that guides us when we deeply feel what is present. An intelligence emerges from simply being in what is without resistance. This intelligence is often less about firm …
Show notes
There seems to be an innate intelligence that guides us when we deeply feel what is present. An intelligence emerges from simply being in what is without resistance. This intelligence is often less about firm conclusions and more about doing what feels most right right now. It’s less about security in a vision for the
The post EP379: The Intelligence in feeling appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP378: Prevention
There is a lot of talk about prevention in the physical health world. It makes sense to prevent physical health problems when possible. Does this extend to emotional health?Can we prevent emotional discomfort? …
Show notes
There is a lot of talk about prevention in the physical health world. It makes sense to prevent physical health problems when possible. Does this extend to emotional health?Can we prevent emotional discomfort? Does it make sense to try? Or is it safe to “wear your heart on your sleeve”, even when the world may be
The post EP378: Prevention appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP377: Communicating feelings in a helpful way
How – and why – communicate how you’re feeling with someone else? Dropping into the inner landscape and opening to what’s there…the thoughts, sensations, emotions, and beliefs that are present…and then …
Show notes
How – and why – communicate how you’re feeling with someone else? Dropping into the inner landscape and opening to what’s there…the thoughts, sensations, emotions, and beliefs that are present…and then expressing those to another person feels infinitely helpful.And it feels like something we often shy away from for any number of reasons. We’ll explore some
The post EP377: Communicating feelings in a helpful way appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
EP376: How can I stop being so reactive toward my mom? A question from a listener.
In this episode I speak to a listener’s question about how she can be less reactive and more patient with her mom. We explore how she can watch the reactive patterns that arise with a sense of objectivity …
Show notes
In this episode I speak to a listener’s question about how she can be less reactive and more patient with her mom. We explore how she can watch the reactive patterns that arise with a sense of objectivity, curious about what’s showing up rather than judgmental of it and trying to change it. We also explore
The post EP376: How can I stop being so reactive toward my mom? A question from a listener. appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.
These are the latest 40 of 400 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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