Feb 23, 2026
Many small-town people carry more than their fair
share and, in some cases, tie their self-worth to how much they do
for others or to their role in their small town (we’re lovingly
looking at you, farmers and ranchers and Heads of Everything).
In this episode, therapist Anna and our host Rebecca explore
burnout, boundaries, and why emotional awareness and resilience can
coexist. It’s a grounded conversation about choosing alignment over
obligation and building healthier communities from the inside
out.
About Anna:
Welcome! I’m Anna. I am dedicated to helping individuals and
families find peace and healing through life’s challenges using a
holistic approach to therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(LCSW) with a Master’s degree in Social Work, I have the privilege
of supporting youth and adults facing anxiety, depression, life
transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, behavioral
concerns, ADHD, and other challenges.
I integrate evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), mindfulness practices, and solution-focused techniques. These tools help youth and adults gain insight, develop effective coping strategies, and move toward a more emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually fulfilling life.
I believe therapy is a safe space for honest reflection, growth, and healing. Whether you’re feeling stuck or simply seeking support in achieving your goals, I’m here to walk with you on your journey in a supportive and compassionate environment. Let’s connect—you deserve to feel supported and heard.
Outside the therapy room, I find joy in spending time
with family and friends, being outdoors, gardening, and enjoying a
good cup of coffee.
In this episode, we cover:
How self-worth often gets tied to roles, productivity, and people-pleasing
What burnout really looks like—emotionally and physically
Why “grit” doesn’t require suppressing feelings
How shame and comparison keep people overextended
Practical ways to notice when something no longer aligns
Links + Resources Mentioned:
Anna’s website: www.betterdaystw.com
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We are looking for podcast sponsors!
Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business
Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life
and big ideas.
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Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those
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It’s for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials
who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better
leadership.
Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All
support.
We Want to Hear From You!
We really, really do, and if you’ll let us, we’d love to feature
your actual message just like we did with Terri’s (with your
permission, of course!)
Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener
call-ins, so we’ve decided to make those a part of the Growing
Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We’re
have two “participation dance” elements of the show:
“Small town humblebrags”: Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.
“Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges”: Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we’ll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We’re suave like that.
If you’ve got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can’t wait to hear from you!
Get In Touch
Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a
question, or just want to chat? Email us at
hello@growingsmalltowns.org
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