Episode 30: Comfortable with being Uncomfortable ft. Ben Aldridge

Shaun Flores is an OCD advocate, public speaker, former model and influencer, aiming to have the right influence on the world. focusing on mental health, well-being, and lifestyle. He is also a public speaker with two TEDx Talks,  TEDx 2022 & TEDx 2018. A third TEDx Talk remains in his periphery to help raise awareness of OCD, and in turn, raise funds for a mental illness that remains severely underfunded and under-researched. He is determined to be the worst thing to ever happen to OCD. He also is a volunteer advocate for Orchard OCD, the only UK-based charity that is researching faster and better treatment for those with OCD. https://linktr.ee/theshaunflores @theshaunflores/ Twitter @theshaunflores/Instagram Flores Shaun | Facebook "He who has a why can endure any suffering."

In December 2016, 36 year-old Chester resident Sara Jane Harvey started producing educational, yet entertaining videos about what it's like to be autistic. She is a proud parent to her eleven year-old son, who is also autistic. With lively interviews, video essays, weekly vlogs and live streams; Agony Autie aims to share and foster autistic pride and culture, raising not just awareness but true understanding of autism, whilst advocating for autistic people's rights and identity. Sara holds a Media & Culture honors degree and was Sabbatical Women's & Diversity Officer at Lancaster University. A self-employed photographer for many years with noted creative projects like Admiring Autism. Her achievements include speaking at the Crown Prosecution Service, Civil Service, The Autism Shows & with leading recruiters to discuss autistic inclusion in the workplace Current projects include working with • Nuffield Health to bring Neurodivergent awareness to the gym •Panel speaker for the disability Exposition in 2023 •appearing at the Peoples History Museum exhibition on Disability Activism

Summer is here and it's the time of year when many people and families are heading of on their annual vacation. For those struggling with disordered anxiety, what 'should' be a nice relaxing time away with loved ones can feel like a panic-stricken week full of challenges. This topic has been requested by my audience and so this week, I'm joined by one of my favorites, Drew Linsalata. We discuss the various struggles anxiety sufferers face when going on holiday, our own experiences with holiday anxiety, and some practical advice for managing those trips away. Enjoy this week's episode!

Today, you have the pleasure of listening to my northern accent for 30 minutes. There is no special guest this week but I am covering an incredibly important topic. Many anxiety sufferers also experience depression. But what I want to bring to your attention today is the difference between experiencing depression and having a fear of depression. As anxiety sufferers, our minds are skilled at ruminating and stewing over those 'what if' thoughts. Depression often becomes a source of worry and then only goes on to contribute to the anxiety we are already trying to manage. Listen in on today's episode to help distinguish between the two and approach depression from a different perspective, allowing depression and anxiety to feel more manageable.

Talking about poo, is taboo. Yet, it is very common for anxiety sufferers to experience symptoms of IBS. Today we are joined by Dr Sula Windgassen as we talk about all things irritable bowel syndrome. We cover everything from the basics of IBS, how it is interlinked with anxiety, and how to identify symptoms. Although it can often be an embarrassing topic for many, it is one that needs to be addressed. Without further knowledge and understanding of how our anxiety may affect our stomach and bowels, it may only contribute to greater stress and panic. Dr Sula Windgassen's background and mission: I am a Health Psychologist, Chartered Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and EMDR Therapist. I am accredited by the Health & Care Professional Council (HCPC), British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP). I am also a mindfulness practitioner, with certificates from Bangor University & Breathworks. ​ My specialism is using evidence-based psychological approaches for people with persistent physical symptoms and chronic illnesses. My work with clients can focus on the improvement of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, bowel symptoms and urinary urgency, in addition to improved overall wellbeing. You can find Dr Sula on Instagram @the_health_psychologist_ Enjoy!

OCD is often misunderstood and because of this, many feel a great deal of shame surrounding their obsessions and compulsions. So, I am pleased to have qualified OCD specialist, Jenna Overbaugh on The Panic Pod today to discuss the ins and outs of OCD. We're covering all ground in this introductory episode to OCD: What is OCD? What are compulsions? What are intrusive thoughts? What are the lesser-known (but still highly common) OCD subtypes? Jenna has battled with her own anxiety throughout her life and so, like myself, Jenna not only has the expertise to support those in need but she also has the experience to understand them on a personal level. Jenna's experience with treating OCD: "I've been a licensed therapist since 2014, with many years of experience at an OCD residential unit at Rogers Memorial Hospital where I saw some of the most debilitating cases of OCD. I learned about Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the most effective form of OCD treatment, in college and decided to focus on ERP in both undergrad and grad school. It’s been my intent to help people with OCD get through their challenges, so I’m happy that I’m able to show you how to manage OCD on your own with confidence." You can find Jenna online at the popular Instagram page @treatmyocd. Jenna is also one of the many qualified OCD therapists working with the team at NOCD.com. Enjoy!

Joining me today on The Panic Pod is special guest, Kimberley Quinlan. I do not consider myself an expert on eating disorders so it is a privilege to have Kim on the show today who is not only an expert in her field but has also lived with and overcome her own battle with an eating disorder. Not only does Kim help us identify the symptoms of eating disorders, but she also busts some common myths that keep people from going undiagnosed and shares her own personal story. I hope you enjoy this insightful episode. You can find Kim on Instagram through her popular OCD and Anxiety account @youranxietytoolkit. You can also find her online via her personal practice website - www.kimberleyquinlan-lmft.com or check out The CBT School where she has a plethora of courses available to help you in your own ocd/anxiety recovery - thecbtschool.com Enjoy!

Mindfulness is a hot topic at the moment, but is there a 'right' way to do it? According to our special guest today, Dr Leah Katz - yes, there is! Today we discuss the difference between formal and informal mindfulness and alternative approaches to focusing on the breath, which can often increase anxiety and panic for anxiety sufferers. Dr. Katz is a am a clinical psychologist practicing in Portland, Oregon. Originally from New York, Leah completed her doctorate training at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She currently works in a group practice where she specializes in working with teenage girls and women, with a focus on treating anxiety and depression. Dr Katz utilizes a hybrid of cognitive behavioral, ACT, and mindfulness techniques in her therapy work. Her new book 'Gutsy' is now available and offers practical mindfulness practices for every day bravery. Enjoy!

"We don't have to be in danger to feel afraid" - Dr. Dave Carbonell. We have a very exciting episode for you today on The Panic Pod, as I am joined by someone I hold in very high regard, Dr. Dave Carbonell. Dr. Dave and I cover two topics in this episode - rumination and the fear of going crazy. Dr. Carbonell offers some incredible insights that will resonate and benefit so many of my listeners. We touch on the truth behind anxiety, which is that we aren't often afraid of the trigger itself, we are actually afraid that our response to the trigger will be out of control and this is what truly scares us. Doctor Carbonell is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders as a therapist, author, and teacher. He offers exposure based treatment of fears and phobias in Chicago; is the author of four anxiety self help books; and teaches workshops for therapists who want to learn more about the treatment of anxiety disorders He is the author of four self-help books:  Panic Attacks Workbook (2004) and Fear of Flying Workbook (2017) are both published by Ulysses Press. The Worry Trick (2016) and Outsmart Your Anxious Brain (2020) are both published by New Harbinger. You can find out more about him on his website - www.anxietycoach.com Enjoy!

The language we use in anxious recovery is so important and yet it is one of the things I see clients not giving the attention it requires. The language you use to describe yourself in anxiety, or yourself during recovery, is so crucial to your progress because the brain is always listening. I often need to gently remind my clients to look at how they are speaking to themselves and ask them to reframe their words in a more positive and helpful way. One of the main pillars of my teaching is wilful tolerance. Recovery is the wilful tolerance of anxiety, and it's a skill that we must practice. If we constantly criticize the inevitable blips in the road, if we dismiss the small victories, we aren't giving ourselves the best possible support we can give. And so the language we use around our recovery is so important. And that is what this episode is dedicated to today. Please enjoy!