Episodes

Welcome to 2023! For today’s podcast I received another audio question from Jenn asking a GREAT question about what to do when the typical OCD “what if” obsession question isn’t a what if at all, but just a statement of fact?! I also have a great question from an Instagram follower who asked about how they can deal with the fear of people telling others about her former porn and sexting addiction. This Real-Event OCD question took some courage and vulnerability to ask, so I really appreciate the...

For today’s podcast, I was joined by Justin Hughes, MA, who discusses his passion for reconnecting to, or building new, community as part of his treatment for people with OCD and anxiety disorders. This was a very fun conversation with Justin, and he offers some great points on how to find community, connect with the one you have, make reasonable steps to strengthening it, and building your willingness to have vulnerability part of your treatment (and why). The post #127- How Community Needs To...

Dr. Michael Greenberg joins me again to continue our discussion of his Rumination Focused CBT treatment method for OCD! Additionally, he was kind enough to answer a few listener questions about his methodology. We discuss Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) from his approach, including in-vivo and imaginal exposures, and how to begin facing your fears and thoughts in a meaningful and direct way. If you have further questions for Dr. Greenberg, please send me the questions here, or send me a ...

On today’s episode, I answer Jessica’s questions about what to do with a new obsession after losing weight. She now wonders whether she really knows what she looks like and checks herself in the mirror and ruminates about past events. The post #125- I Lost Weight, Now I obsess That I Don’t Know What I Look Like appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For this episode, I answered an audio question sent in through Instagram. The questioner asks about what they can do with their SO-OCD when it suggests they are not Bi-curious, but are actually “just gay.” I also answer a question from someone wondering what they can do with their anxiety when it returns after a long stretch of little to no anxiety. The post #124- SO-OCD On LGBTQ+ Spectrum and What To Do With Terrible Anxiety During Relapse appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For today’s episode, someone shared their awareness of Casadastraphobia story after listening to the Phobia Phriday episode on that phobia. After that, I answer a question from someone wondering how to get their mom’s support when they’ve already tried sharing articles about OCD with them. Last, I answer a question from someone who has made a lot of progress in treatment, but the thoughts suddenly come back and it leaves them feeling like they are back at square one. The post <strong>#123- Casa...

On this episode, I discuss two listener questions. The first is from a listener wondering whether it is important and necessary to decide whether their obsession is true before pursuing treatment. Their examples related to SO-OCD and POCD, which many people believe it important to get to the bottom of those. The next question is from a listener wondering how to deal with her Religious Scrupulosity and how to help her believe again. Both great questions, and I had a great time answering them. I ...

Today is another installment in the Anxiety in the Arts series. For this episode, I was joined by Erica who shares her story about music, performance, teaching, OCD, reconnecting with music, and podcasting. For more from Erica, check her out here: Just Say Maybe Podcast Instagram: Just Say maybe The post #121- Anxiety In The Arts With Erica appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

On this episode, I answer an audio question from someone struggling to deal with SO-OCD and he wants to know how he can deal with the thoughts returning now that he’s effectively practiced disengaging from the thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Next, I answer a question about whether thoughts stopping is an effective technique for dealing with OCD (specifically SO-OCD), how it differs from redirection, and whether it is ever OK to use logic to challenge your obsessions. Great questions this week...

Today I was joined by Dr. Lauren Wadsworth who shared her thoughts and recommendations for changes in treatment for Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD). In addition to our discussion about Justice Oriented treatment for SO-OCD, we touch briefly on some recommendations for changes to racially focused obsessions. Dr. Wadsworth is a compassionate and steadfast advocate for justice and effective treatment, and it was a delight to have her on the podcast. The article discussed in the episode: “Call To ...

Today I was joined by Jon Hershfield, MFT (The Peaceful One), to talk about mindfulness, meditation, and how to use them in OCD and anxiety recovery. I always like talk with Jon (TPO) and today was no different as he was able to go into mindfulness at length and give some insight into his personal practice and how this practice influences and informs his work with OCD sufferers. Check out his most recent blog entry about his trip to a weekend long silent meditation retreat (click here). The po...

This will be a short episode thanks to a scratchy and painful throat, but still a good one nonetheless. I answer two questions today. The first is from a woman struggling to remember whether she promised to pray when joining a group and now wonders if she is still obligated to pray now that the group no long meets. The next is from a man wondering how to turn “shame language” into “guilt language” after listening to the Real Event OCD episode. Overall a good episode, though probably the shortest...

On this episode of the FearCast, I finish out the Anxiety in the Arts series with my friend Noel Dumont. She is a talented, multinational singer who was kind enough to share her story about her singing career and her struggle with anxiety and ADHD. For more on Noel, check here out here: facebook.com/NoelDumontMusic The post #116- Anxiety in the Arts with Noel Dumont appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

We have another audio question! This question comes from Markus who asked about how he can deal with his job better. Markus is a bank teller who is working with a therapist, but struggles with counting, checking, and other mental compulsions when dealing with money. I offer some advice for doing exposures, accepting uncertainty, and challenging the legitimacy of the obsessional doubt. Bonus: Christine responded to Elizabeth’s question from episode #113 about dealing with “loud environments. Bel...

On this episode, I answer a listener’s question about how he can de-associate songs and memories he has about a past relationship. I also talk about how he can fight against his ruminations about that past relationship while he’s at it. The next question is from a 16 year old who wants to get started treating their SO-OCD, but they can’t start therapy and self-guided ERP sounds too daunting. Lastly, I answer a listeners ROCD question about a feeling they call “Not Wanting Us.” I speculate about ...

On this episode, I answer a question from someone struggling with panic attacks while feeling nauseous for several hours! The next question is about someone struggling with “loud” environments and dealing with “bossy” spaces. For this question, I’m asking for the FearCast family to reach out with their suggestions and ideas! Last, I answer a father’s question about how to help his son deal with Pure OCD as he starts college. As I mention in the episode, here is a link to the Phobia Phriday Epis...

For this episode, I was joined by Kristina Orlova, the host of the OCD Whisperer Podcast and the author of the new eBook, Your Guide to Compulsive Rumination +30 Day Journal. She spent some time with me discussing what mental ruminations are, how they impact people living with OCD, and what you can do to minimize their impact on your life. For more about Kristina Orlova, you can check her out here: www.korresults.com Your Guide to Compulsive Rumination +30 Day Journal Podcast: OCD Whisperer Sh...

On this episode, I answer Alex’s questions about symmetry obsessions. Specifically, Alex asks about whether symmetry and asymmetry can both be obsessions, and what exposures can be done to deal with these “just right” kind of obsessions. On this episode I discuss what Just-Right OCD is, how symmetry commonly appears in some OCD manifestations, and how to differentiate between personal preferences for symmetry/ asymmetry and when it is OCD related. The post #111- Asymmetry Just Right Obsessions,...

On today’s episode, I discuss an audio question about Real Event OCD and False Memory OCD. I go over what these two subtypes are, how they are similar, and how they interact and influence one another. I also discuss some things they can do to help combat their obsession and focus the idea of trusting the conclusion they typically come to or fight for after their compulsive efforts. I recorded this episode while being exhausted and late at night, so things go off the rails periodically, but it wa...

WARNING: This episode has A LOT of profanity and I am not editing it out. If I did, the episode would probably 2 minutes long. 3 minutes tops. So, you’ve been warned. On this episode, I was joined by tattoo artist Rick Fitzwater who was kind enough to share his story of how he expresses his passion for art through the medium of tattooing. Rick also talks about how he got into the world of tattooing, how he works to expand his skills, and how he manages anxiety and doubt throughout his career. I...

On this episode, I answer a listener’s question about the idea of “late bloomers,” or people who discover their sexuality later in life, and how the idea serves as a tremendous trigger and rocket fuel for their Sexual Orientation OCD. Next, I discuss a listener’s concerns about not feeling anxious when they do imaginal exposures, i.e. scripts, for their anxiety. Lastly, I discuss someone’s fear that they are truly gay due to genetics and whether this is genuinely their sexuality talking, or thei...

For today’s episode and edition of Anxiety in the Arts, I was joined by Lefty-Lucy, a professional actor, performer, podcaster, producer, and educator for theater and burlesque. She was kind enough to spend some time with me discussing how she manages to work and perform despite the pressures of the pandemic and her own anxiety. Below, you will also find links to some of the projects she is connected to, as well as pictures of her calendar system that she describes in the episode. https://www.w...

On this week’s episode, I answer three questions! The first is from someone who’s partner says that love isn’t a choice, and that their partner with ROCD should leave unless they have constant strong feelings. Next, I answer a listener’s questions about breaking up a relationship because of the guilt they feel about having ROCD related obsessions. Lastly, I follow up with someone who previously asked a POCD question, but their compulsions have shifted into needing to explain why it’s wrong to be...

For today’s episode, I was joined by artist, graphic designer, and cartoonist JSalvador who discusses his journey through his career as an artist and his experiences with mental health along the way. I had a great time catching up with JSalvador and learning more about how he started in his art career, his decision to go into art full time, and his motivation behind his most popular art endeavor. For more about JSalvador, check out SuperEmoFriends. The post Anxiety in the Arts with JSalvador ap...