Fxck Fear

Fear can crush hope for victims and survivors who are trying to leave an abusive relationship. Deciding to leave and following through are sometimes two of scariest decisions that can convince them to remain in the relationship longer than they should. And in turn, abusers often weaponize that fear to maintain control.  On this episode, Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project joins the...

On season five, Fxck Fear podcast host Catenya McHenry steps outside of the studio and records each episode on her Sunday nature walks with her family dog Brody. She opens up about what scares her most, from fear of a world where Trump is in charge to fear of dying before she can realize her dreams, fear of running out of money and so much more. This new season also includes short  YouTube intervi...

"This politics of fear is played out over and over again, I'm so tired–of scaring people into voting, to building more prisons, in putting more police on the street, increasing sentences, even though we know, over and over again, the studies show, this isn't working," says Justin Brooks, criminal defense attorney and author. Justin Brooks, professor of practice, founding Director o...

Many people are afraid to navigate the healing process for fear of being re-traumatized but as discussed in this episode, Fear + Healing , Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Founder of Body Psychology Ani Williams explains, healing is important to the mind, body and soul. "We have to get into the body, dissolve the ego which is fear and have the courage to face that which hurt us," says...

Divorce does not always mean that it is over, especially if your ex-partner displays narcissistic behavior . Sometimes divorce means there will be carryover behavior and a fresh round of narcissistic abuse. Many times the narcissist will try new ways to inflict fear, even after your divorce is final. The difference now though is your response to the bullying. "I was relieved to be out of the r...

Multiple visits to family court, countless chaotic instances during visitation weekends drop offs and pick-ups and so much more, it became clear that healthy co-parenting with the narcissist was not possible. In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks about her narcissistic ex-husband whom she describes as an anti-parent rather than a supportive co-parent who often weaponize fear to stay in cont...

Navigating the family court system and negotiating custody issues, no matter where you reside, can be scary, stressful, a lengthy process and expensive. This fourth episode in the Fear + Divorce series is more like a free legal consultation as guest, Kim Vincent, a highly experienced and credentialed family lawyer in Texas offers tons of helpful information about divorce and understanding what to...

Divorcing a narcissist is hell but navigating the divorce process is still better than the hell one endures in a narcissistic relationship. Episode three in the Fear + Divorce series covers the layered stages of fear one faces while divorcing a narcissist, as told through the personal experience of host Catenya McHenry. "I was afraid the narcissist would retaliate, which he did. I was afraid o...

Deciding to leave a marriage or relationship whether it's with a narcissist is a big decision and one that may come with fear, trepidation and anxiety, as host Catenya McHenry speaks about in this episode. She tried for years to make it work. She tried not to leave. She did not want to be the one to make such an impactful decision that would end it all but ultimately she had no choice–she was...

Sometimes fear is the force that keeps you in a bad relationship far too long. If you are thinking about calling it quits and filing for divorce, fear could also be the thing that's causing you anxiety and trepidation. In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks from personal experience about the long list of fears she faced before she filed. She reads emotional passages from her book, Marrie...

After a six-month hiatus to process, heal and deal with a sudden and unexpected death, host Catenya McHenry returns to talk about who died and how his death has impacted her life and the lives of her children. In this very personal and vulnerable episode, Catenya sorts through a myriad of complicated emotions involving anger, joy and grief and she talks about why, more than anything, she feels a s...

This first episode of the new Fuck Fear season four explores fears one experiences before making the final decision to petition for divorce and explores the difficulty and fear if children are involved. Host Catenya McHenry speaks from deeply personal experience as she reveals why fear kept her in the relationship longer. Reading excerpts from her book, Married to a Narcissist , she reveals, "...

Season 4 of the Fuck Fear podcast is coming soon. This season's theme is about Fear + Divorce. Host Catenya McHenry will speak from first hand experience of fears she faced before deciding to call it quits twelve years ago. "With the divorce rate still riding close to 50 percent, I thought it appropriate to talk about this very relevant and relatable topic and all the fears that one experi...

Happy Birthday! February 22 marks one-year of the Fuck Fear podcast! It's been an amazing year of exploring fears, asking why, and giving listeners tips and strategies on how to conquer and overcome fear. In this episode, host Catenya McHenry takes a look back on some of her favorite episodes and we count down the TOP 5 of all time. Can you guess which ones? Be sure to listen and then enter ou...

"This is a heroic act and whistleblowers help justice reach places where it would never be," says Mitch Kreindler, whistleblower lawyer. From Watergate to Enron, Facebook, and Theranos, throughout history, whistleblowers have activated the demise of a company. Recently, the bravery of whistleblowers in the case of Elizabeth Holmes at Theranos led to her eventual conviction. But revealing i...

Projection is a real thing and when someone projects their own fears onto another person, it can feel weighty. As host Catenya McHenry discusses in this episode, projection happens for many reasons. There are times when people are told by another individual, 'you can't do that, or you won't be able to make that happen,' It's not because they think you don't have the ability...

"Loneliness like joy and wonder, are all part of the human condition but we need to constantly care for our need to connect to others," says Shari Foos, marriage and family therapist at The Narrative Method . In her practice and education, Shari says the topic of loneliness and the fear of being alone is something that comes up in nearly all her sessions with clients. On this episode, Shar...

If you scroll social media, failure is not something you see happening often but failure is something all humans face and not anything to be ashamed of. Yet, failure is real, existing in everyday life, but the fear of failure can sometimes keep people from reaching an attainable goal or even trying in the first place. On this episode, Marika McHenry, sister of the show's host Catenya, joins th...

Power and control are two aspects of sexual assault that create fear, causing victims to stay silent about what’s happened to them. In light of the recent USA Gymnastics Nassar abuse settlement, the #MeToo movement, and so many cases that are underreported, this episode is extremely important!! Host Catenya McHenry speaks with Yulanda McCarty-Harris, J.D., sexual assault researcher at the Institut...

The 3-part series continues with the final episode, 'how fear of losing yourself in a relationship negatively affects children' with guest Pam Benson Owens. Because we know how observant children are, Pam and podcast host Catenya McHenry talk about the importance of demonstrating healthy relationships and teaching their children how to choose a partner, how to create boundaries, and how to...

Our three-part series continues with episode two, 'fear of losing yourself in a relationship' with guest Pam Benson Owens. On the Part 1 episode, Fear of Losing Yourself in Marriage , Pam revealed she keeps a 'getaway box' in the back of her closet that holds $1,000 and a change of clothes in the event it's time to call her marriage quits. "Losing yourself starts with givin...

"Fear is a slow gangster and let’s be clear, many of us came into the relationship, loving the idea of loving that person but in reality not really loving that person," says Pam Benson Owens, CEO and corporate leadership consultant. A two-hour conversation between friends, Pam and host Catenya, turned into a three-part episode about fear of losing yourself in marriage, fear of losing yours...

Protecting your peace is about a lot of things but most importantly, it's about deciding what to let go of that no longer serves you. Whether it's at work or in a relationship, protecting your peace and peace of mind, heart, and soul is also about harnessing your personal power to create a safe space that's free of stress, toxicity, anxiety, chaos, conflict, and confusion. As host Cate...

"Survival and death is a core fear that’s not really spoken, it’s like, hey I’m not afraid of death but we’re talking about these core anxieties that mask it," says April Hannah , spiritual coach and mental health therapist. "If you lose the fear of death, you begin to live life even more and experience life even more.  The Fear of Death  kicks off  Season 3  and although it's a to...

Relationships, whether romantic or professional, can be difficult to maintain. And there are the unhealthy, toxic relationships that your friends would say need a well-planned exit strategy. While there may be many of you who know for sure you need to leave, there could be doubt and fear associated with the impending separation. "There is a fear, most of the time, of leaving relationships beca...