Anxiety Makes Me Poop

All episodes are based on true experiences, so please be kind. “You should just relax.” “You should stop overthinking.” “You should look on the bright side.” Most of the time, the people saying these things mean well. They’re trying to help, fix, or improve the situation. But intention isn’t everything — timing and delivery matter. In this episode, we talk about the full circle of “shoulds”: the e...

Well shoot! Our audio was recorded through our laptop rather than the microphones, and we didn't encounter any issues during sound check - so this is an official rough, rough cut. Anyway, if you can put up with the sound, we talk about gift giving and receiving and why we may get a little anxiety during both. All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop We are so grateful you’re here. THANK...

If you’re listening to this right now, I’m really glad you’re here. This episode is for anyone whose anxiety shows up uninvited, sometimes emotionally or physically, and sometimes in ways that make you think, wow… my body and mind really chose chaos today. If that’s you, welcome. You’re in good company. Today isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s not about optimizing, hustling, or becoming a brand-new...

We recorded this for our other podcast, The Clopen Effect, but thought this was an incredible interview that should be shared on both! Judy and Holly are here from Home of the Sparrow! Here is their mission and some insights from their website: "Home of the Sparrow’s mission is to provide Hope, Opportunity and Support that empowers women and children as they journey from homelessness to self-suffi...

Just because something felt loud doesn’t mean it mattered. Let's talk about it! ✓ Your real friendships didn’t disappear ✓ Your job didn’t vanish ✓ Your safety didn’t change ✓ Your income didn’t change ✓ Your reputation didn’t collapse ✓ Your access to joy is still intact ✓ You’re still allowed to take up space ✓ You didn’t lose anything that was meant for you All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxi...

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge what we do have. Gratitude for health, stability, the ability to learn, and the opportunity to change direction when needed. Even if the next step isn’t obvious, the process still moves forward. All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, host...

For mature audiences only, please! Meredith and Cassandra talk about some trending words (and some not-so-new ones), where they originated, and what they mean. Disclaimer / Safety Guidance The trends, terms, and phrases discussed are  observational and cultural , not substitutes for professional advice. If you experience anxiety, depression, or distress , seek guidance from a  licensed m...

Meredith opens up about a recent moment when her ego took a punch to the gut. She works her butt off for a certain group - pours in the effort, the energy, the stress, the ‘I could’ve been napping, but here I am being responsible’… and yet? Nothing. Not even a polite nod. Not a ‘thanks.’ Not even a ‘we see you.’ BUT the fun fact here - it's OK, because what we really need is confidence on the insi...

Talking to all my fellow overachievers, fixers, and idea machines (you know who you are), the ones who go  all in  on a project, a line of work, a team, or a solution… only to realize you’re basically the  only one doing the work . And then, just like that, your brain hits 0% and you mentally check out. Let's talk about it! All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop We are...

We burn ourselves out not because of the big stuff, but because we give too much of our energy to the small stuff. Every tiny frustration, every little thing we can’t control, gets a piece of us until there’s nothing left for what really matters. So this week, try something different: Care with intention. Set emotional boundaries. Give your energy to what feeds you — not what drains you. Remember,...

Self-trust, Repetition, and Emotion = Confidence Just as on Halloween, when we feel free to be anyone we want, we can carry that same freedom into real life without a mask. Because the costume might make you feel safe, but authenticity makes you powerful. So this week, practice taking off the invisible masks. Stand tall, breathe deep, and remind yourself that you don’t need a costume to shine. You...

Today, I want you to think about your childhood dreams. What did you want most as a kid? And how can you honor that today? Remember, it’s never too late to let your imagination lead the way. Your dreams still matter. And if you nurture them, you never know what might happen next. All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support....

Why did Meredith allow herself to get so stressed? She needs to take her own advice! Just when life is moving fast and going great, it hands you a slow-down sign, and you stress out. Slow down and breathe. Take care of yourself even when you have a crazy day. All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month help...

"I love this episode!" There are seasons where we just park ourselves. We get tired. Worn down. Life gets messy, or heavy, or we need to shut everything off for a while. So we pull back into our own little barn. We close the doors, let the dust settle, and think,  I’ll deal with this later. You might be covered in dust today, but one day someone’s going to open that door and say, “Wow… look a...

On this episode of  Anxiety Makes Me Poop , we’re putting our overthinking to the test! Can we really tell what someone meant in that text or email… or are we just hearing it through our anxiety filter? We also discuss how Cassandra sends messages and how Meredith always knows when she’s happy (hint - it's her exclamation marks). Plus, Meredith finally dropped her guard to ask a personal ques...

Wowee - a reflection on turning 50. I don’t usually talk about my faith on social media, because everyone has different beliefs. But today feels different. I’m a believer in God, and His guidance has shaped my journey. Whatever you believe in: God, spirit, faith, your own path - I encourage you to stay strong in it and let it guide you. I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve a...

Music Credit: GarageBand Loop, Meson Meditation. #mesonmeditation I’m breathing in… and letting it out. Today, I’m grateful for this moment, for the chance to pause and really feel. I’ve found that peace comes when I let go of the questions I can’t answer and trust the timing of life. May we carry a little more kindness, a little more hope, and a little more calm with us through the rest of the da...

Opening story:  The New Prescription Supplier. Then Meredith goes seven full days without sugar or carbs — and somehow  gains weight . What the heck?! In this solo episode, she gets real about what happens when you try to break your sugar addiction, why your body might freak out in the process, and how to keep going even when the scale seems to betray you. From exhaustion and migraines t...

Meredith opens up about one of life’s hardest lessons — realizing that no matter how kind or thoughtful you are, you can’t make everyone happy. She explores why people sometimes get mad at you for reasons that have nothing to do with you, and how learning to release that need for approval can bring real freedom. With honesty, humor, and heart, Meredith reminds listeners that being nice doesn’t mea...

Today, we talk about the importance of alone time; why it matters, how to recognize when you need it, and, most importantly, how to ask for it without guilt. Alone time isn’t selfish; it’s maintenance. It keeps us from turning into that cranky, overstimulated version of ourselves. We discuss a few signs you’re running on empty, such as snapping at small things or feeling overstimulated, and shared...

Today, I talk about something that might feel really familiar: those moments when you feel uninspired, or like no matter how much effort you put in, it might not be making a difference. Maybe it’s a project, a goal, or even just managing life, and it feels like you’re standing still. All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly supp...

JUST A QUICK CHAT - there's so much more to this, but here's a quick reminder. Meredith quickly talks about what it  really  means to be a great leader and why a title alone doesn’t cut it. Being a leader isn’t about the word on your name badge; it’s about how you show up, treat people, and inspire others. Meredith breaks down the difference between a boss and a leader, shares the key qu...

Today, we explore the wild, wonderful, and sometimes weird world of dreams. Both the ones we sleep through and the ones we carry with us in life. Example of Life Dreams: A little girl dreaming of being a ballerina, spinning under stage lights. Kids imagining themselves as astronauts, explorers, or superheroes. Adults holding onto dreams of writing books, opening businesses, or traveling the world....

Yes - I said manipulation 500 times in this episode. The Silent Treatment is a form of manipulation and it is HURTFUL for the recipient. While silence can sometimes be a temporary response, prolonged use is detrimental to relationships. Open, honest communication is essential. Recognizing and addressing it early can prevent long-term emotional harm and foster healthy relationships. All the links:...

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System reports that over 600,000 people go missing in the United States every single year. Many are found safe, but some are not. And some stories start just like this: walking alone, a vulnerable moment, the wrong place, the wrong time. Here are some real talk reminders for us: We don’t go out alone. I know it sounds obvious, but sometimes we forget....