The Anxiety Compass Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Did you know your lunch, your hormones, your sensitivity levels, and even your breakfast choice can change the way anxiety feels?  In this two-part series, Nat and Sammy dive deep into how food affects the nervous system... starting with the foundations your body absolutely depends on to stay calm. In Part 1 , we break down why certain foods steady your inner compass… while others...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Part 2 of our nervous system nutrition episode! In part 1, we unpacked the foundations... blood sugar, gut–brain, hormones, protein anchors and healthy fats. In part 2, we’re diving into the rest of the puzzle… the part that brings everything together. Nat and Sammy explore how carbs, nutrients, portion sizes and meal structure can either calm your nervous system or lea...

Send us Fan Mail Every year, as the clock strikes midnight, we’re hit with the same message: “New year, new you!”   And honestly… that pressure can send even the calmest nervous system into a spiral. In this episode, Natalie and Sammy unpack why the start of a new year can feel overwhelming, emotional and strangely anxiety-fuelled... especially when it feels like everyone else is suddenly reinvent...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel a bit… strange between Christmas and New Year?   That foggy, floaty, unmotivated, slightly “off” feeling is more common than you think (and no, there’s nothing wrong with you!) In this episode, Nat and Sammy dive into what actually happens to your body and brain in the “in-between days” of the year. You’ll hear: • why your nervous system feels ungrounded after Christmas...

Send us Fan Mail We all know the Christmas season comes with twinkly lights, carols… and a whole lot of hidden anxiety triggers no one warns you about. In this episode, Nat and Sammy unpack the five biggest holiday anxiety triggers and why your body might feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, or one mince pie away from combusting. You’ll hear: 🎄 The family dynamics that fire up your nervous system  ...

Send us Fan Mail We’ve all had that moment...when your body goes into full panic mode at the worst possible time...like in the middle of a supermarket!! In this episode, Nat and Sammy share what happens inside the body during a panic attack especially when you’re surrounded by fluorescent lights, background chatter, and discount signs. You’ll hear: What triggered our attacks How to recognise the b...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we unpack one of our favourite minerals: magnesium . Magnesium is a true game-changer for anxiety, stress, and low mood. We’ll cover: Why it's often called “nature’s chill pill” . The different forms of magnesium and how to pick the right one for your needs. How magnesium supports sleep, muscle relaxation, and mental calm. Why food sources matter just as much...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on your digestive drama club where your gut microbes are all part of the cast. We explore: How your microbes create brain chemicals like serotonin and GABA that shape mood and calm. Why your gut is more like a first brain than a second brain. What your poop can reveal about your microbial “cast members” (and why stool testing isn’t a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we crack open one of the messiest and most human parts of living with anxiety... that feeling of going a little bit cuckoo . From the spiral of overthinking to the weird physical sensations that make you question your sanity, we share the raw reality behind the word “crazy.” You’ll hear: Why anxiety can make even the most grounded people feel unhinged  How we lear...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you’re running on pure adrenaline, as if your nervous system is sipping on a triple shot of espresso all day long? In this episode, we dive into the world of “Stresspresso”... that wired-but-tired state where stress keeps you buzzing but also slowly burns you out. We'll unpack what’s really happening in your body when you live in this mode, why it leaves you ji...

Send us Fan Mail When life gets overwhelming, it’s tempting to believe the only way to heal is to escape... book a retreat, run away to a spa, or fly off on holiday. But here’s the truth: healing doesn’t just happen when you leave your life… it happens when you live it. In this episode, Sammy & Natalie unpack why the small, everyday choices matter more than the once-a-year getaway. We share:  ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever rush through your meals and wonder why you feel bloated, tired, or stressed after? In this episode, Sammy and Natalie break down (literally) why chewing your food is one of the most underrated superpowers for your body. They explore: How chewing jump-starts digestion and nutrient absorption The surprising link between chewing, your nervous system, and stress Simple mindful ea...

Send us Fan Mail What if the direction you’ve been searching for isn’t out there at all but already within you? In this episode, we unpack the idea of true north and why it’s not something you’ll ever find on Google Maps (or from gurus, apps, or the next wellness trend). Instead, it’s about tuning into your body’s compass (the subtle signals, sensations, and yes, even anxiety) that can reroute you...

Send us Fan Mail SENSITIVE CONTENT WARNING . the mention of childhood sexual abuse, miscarriage and infertility are in this podcast. We don't go into detail, but please take care while listening and feel free to skip ahead if you need to.   Anxiety doesn’t usually show up out of nowhere... it starts as a whisper. A little nudge from your body saying, “Hey, something’s not right.” Maybe it’s w...

Send us Fan Mail Now you know what "The Anxiety Compass" is, let’s start walking with it.  In this episode, we unpack what it means to find your true north... that steady place we return to when our health and anxiety tries to throw us off course. Then we explore a few of the compass points and how they show up in real life: East → Chemical and nutritional roots West → Emotional roots an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we continue to introduce the Anxiety Compass points, looking at the in between points.  The compass doesn’t just have four points... it has in-betweens too. And sometimes, that’s where the sneaky stuff hides. In this episode, we shine a light on: Northeast → Hormonal roots like puberty, PMS, and the rollercoaster of cycles Northwest → Environmental roots like scree...

Send us Fan Mail We’ve reached the last stops on our Anxiety Compass tour and they’re two of the most powerful.  In this episode, we explore: Southeast → The nervous system route: fight, flight, freeze, or being stuck in “on” mode Southwest → The spiritual route: disconnection, emptiness, soul hunger, and the search for meaning  These final points help us see how deeply anxiety can affect both our...

Send us Fan Mail It’s official...we’ve launched! 🚀  In this very first episode, we’re sharing what this journey is all about. You’ll get to know Sammy and Natalie ... two women who’ve been through the storms of anxiety (from panic attacks to overthinking spirals) and found surprising gifts along the way. We chat about how anxiety has shaped our lives, what brought us here, and why we believe a po...