Us Anxious Folk

In episode 32, I talk about how the heck to open up about your anxiety, especially in settings where it feels incredibly vulnerable to do so, e.g. at work, or in a new relationship. We will cover why it feels so hard to be honest about your anxiety, why you should talk about your anxiety, and what to keep in mind when being open about your mental health. I hope you enjoy this episode, and as alway...

Episode 31 sees me joined by author, mental health advocate and trauma survivor Madeline Popelka. Madeline is the creator of the largest trauma healing community on instagram, @healingfromptsd and has recently published the beautiful book 'You're Going To Be Okay - 16 Lessons on Healing after Trauma'. In this episode of us Anxious Folk, Madeline shares her trauma story, as well as the journey towa...

In episode 30 I talk to fellow Melbournian Jake Evans from the Overcoming Within podcast, all about his anxiety story. Jake takes us through his experiences with panic attacks while driving, depersonalisation and derealisation, avoidance...and the trigger point that finally brought him to work to change his approach to panic. Jake talks about the practices that help him to create positive mindset...

In Episode 29, I talk about the fear of going crazy/losing control of your mind, and how to soften and lean into that fear. I discuss how to find a sense of spaciousness when panic feels overwhelming, and how to bridge the gap between body and mind that can occur during moments of disassociation. Mentioned in this episode: UAF Episode 5 - Fear Of Going Crazy (incl. depersonalisation, derealisation...

In episode 28, I am joined by educator, coach and trauma-informed breathwork facilitator Eliah Prichard from  @ thekaleidoscopechannel   . Eliah shares with us her anxiety story from self-abandonment and fear of being seen/heard and held, to trauma healing, boundary setting, and discovering breath work as a pathway to presence and feeling safe in her body. We talk about learning to hear the genius...

In episode 27, I talk all about repetition as the most important aspect of exposure therapy.  I discuss why it's necessary to do it everyday, and how it can help bridge the gap between the life you envision yourself having, and the life you are living now...featuring a (hopefully relevant) metaphor about painting walls 🧐🎨      -------   If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share yo...

In episode 26, I talk to immersive actor, writer and poet Stepy Kamei. Stepy shares her anxiety story - from her early teenage years experiencing panic and anxiety, to becoming housebound during the pandemic.   Stepy talks about the concept of 'choosing your hard', what willingness looks like, and the act of developing a relationship with your intuition. Which eventually called her to move from SF...

In today's episode, I talk all about the magic of meditation. From why I think it should be a part of your routine - especially for those of us who are particularly anxious - to how I came to meditation, plus the three myths about that seem to hold us back from developing a regular meditation practice.   If you are somebody who has always wanted to include meditation in your daily/weekly practice,...

In this episode, I talk to Felicia from California, all about her anxiety story.  We talk about what it was like for her as a child with health anxiety, her journey on medication, and the different therapies she has utilised to help with her anxiety - from hypnotherapy, to art therapy, somatic therapy, CBT and talk therapy.   Felicia talks about parenting (as a self-confessed crunchy mama!), facin...

In this episode, I talk all about my favourite exercise, yin yoga!  Yin yoga was pivotal in helping me to learn more about my body, my relationship to discomfort, and my femininity. This episode covers my journey towards yin yoga, and the benefits of yin for those who are of the particularly anxious inclination! -------- If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story,...

In episode 22, I had the pleasure of talking to fellow Melbournian and mama, Jess. Jess shared her anxiety story; speaking of her experiences with generalised anxiety disorder and post-natal anxiety, and what happened when she sought help. We also chatted about parenting, and what Jess does to manage her anxiety and mental health - including the sport that has helped her to challenge her fears and...

In this episode, I talk about what to do when you wake up as 'the other': you know those days where you open your eyes in the morning, and for whatever reason, you already feel the dread settled over your skin?  Bad days are normal for everyone, but having a day where you feel heightened anxiety can cause you to wonder  1. what the f**k is going on, and 2. does this mean you're going 'downhill' ag...

In episode 20 of the Us Anxious Folk podcast, I speak to Shannon Jackson from A Healthy Push, all about her anxiety story. Shannon talks about her experience with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and how getting help enabled her to bite the bullet and start doing the things she was most afraid of! We also talk about how Shannon turned her pain into purpose - helping others improve their relationship w...

And we're back for Season 2(!!) of Us Anxious Folk! In the first episode of the season, I talk all about 'The Storm Before The Calm', AKA anticipatory anxiety. Let's delve into the science behind it all, the differences between 'regular' anticipatory anxiety and the more overwhelming, unnecessary anticipatory anxiety, as well as the things you can do to help soothe and ease yourself through the an...

In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I talk all about my experiences with pregnancy and mental health.  From my first pregnancy with antenatal depression and anxiety, being admitted to a psychiatric ward and wanting to control every outcome, including the birth and an elective C-Section, to my second pregnancy with medication, embracing my changing body, and wanting to release and surrender to a na...

In episode 17, I spoke to Sarah J Bowen, a fellow book-worm, writer and mama from Melbourne, who is currently working on her first novel(!) Sarah opened up to me about her history with anxiety - from being diagnosed with PTSD, to dealing with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and breaking down the stigma of mental illness. We spoke about the acceptance around taking medication, working through exposure...

In episode 16, I had the pleasure of speaking to Meg, a mumma from NSW, all about her experiences with health anxiety. From her worries about germs and stomach bugs, to DVT, Meg spoke candidly about the impacts health anxiety has had on her life, and how she's brought up two beautiful children whilst working her way through her fears. We also talked about dealing with the covid19 pandemic and a gl...

On Episode 15 of Us Anxious Folk, I talk to Stacey Fisher from Melbourne about her experience with anxiety after the birth of her daughter. Stacey found herself living in a tropical paradise and having everything she 'should' want, but at the same time, feeling unwell, uneasy, and on the verge of breakdown. We spoke about 'The Crumbling' (something I love to talk about!) about finding yourself, an...

In today's episode, I talk to Ashley from California all about her experiences with agoraphobia, health anxiety - from an obsession with checking her blood sugar to a deep fear of passing out - inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, plus the books that she found really helped her, and how she ended up writing her own treatment program and exposure charts to enable her to travel and graduate...

In today's episode of Us Anxious Folk, I explore procrastination: why we hold ourselves back from the scary things, from the important things, from the things we actually want to be doing.  We look at the chemical reasons behind procrastinating, as well as the habitual and self-belief based reasons as to why we get stuck in a rut of repeating the same behaviours over and over again. Brought to you...

In episode 12 of Us Anxious Folk, I speak to Mikayla from Auckland, NZ. We discuss her experiences with health anxiety: Mikayla speaks candidly about her fears of choking and gagging, and how she became utterly convinced that she was going to have a stroke - and how she worked her way through those fears. As someone who also struggles with agoraphobia, Mikayla spoke about her exposure therapy, and...

In the first episode for 2022 (!) I share something I have never shared before: My Toilet Anxiety Story. I've spoken about my anxiety story (at length) many times over the last decade - and there are many ways in which my toilet anxiety story and my anxiety story intersect and overlap. But while my anxiety story starts about eight or nine years ago, my experiences with toilet anxiety stretch much...

Episode 10 featured not one, but two guests! I spoke to Melbourne sisters Em & Eliza Belleville about their anxiety stories - from emetophobia, sleep anxiety and eating disorders to medication, traveling with anxiety, and how Em found herself jumping out of a plane for fun (....I know.)  These two lovely ladies were so open about what they've been through in their personal lives and had many insig...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts. Please take care if choosing to listen. Today's episode of Us Anxious Folk explores the lessons I've learned from the last fifteen years on antidepressants. My history with SSRI's has been a tumultuous one, and over the years I have changed my mind over and over about being on medication. Is medication right for me? Will this...

On today's episode of Us Anxious Folk, I'm joined by the lovely Annie Hull from South Australia. Annie is a mother of 2 beautiful kids, a wife, and a counselling, psychology and neuroscience student (I know 😳) and someone who deals with OCD, GAD and panic disorder.  In this episode, Annie takes us through the ways in which her OCD manifests, as well as how she navigates studying, and parenting, a...