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Improving vs. Optimizing in Anxiety RecoveryIn this episode of Disordered, Drew and Josh tackle a topic suggested by the community: the hidden trap of the "optimization culture" and how it intersects with anxiety and OCD.There is a distinct difference between wanting to improve your health and falling into compulsive, perfectionist territory where every metric must be flawlessly managed. For an anxious mind fixated on certainty, the modern wellness industry's obsession with biohacking, strict routines, and endless supplements can quickly become a tool for emotional avoidance. If you are optimizing your life just to prevent feeling anxious, you are inadvertently teaching your brain that you cannot handle discomfort.Drew and Josh break down why checking out of the optimization loop and building psychological flexibility is essential for long-term recovery. They also share a couple of incredible "Did It Anyway" audio wins from the listener community, highlighting real-world victories over agoraphobia and situational panic.--Want to ask questions about this episode or interact with Josh, Drew, and others that share your experience? We're hanging out in the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community---Improvement vs. Optimization: Improving is about a flexible desire for growth; optimization often stems from a rigid need to control variables and avoid difficult feelings.The Routine Trap: When your wellness routine gets the credit for you feeling okay, you miss out on learning that you are capable of tolerating distress on your own.The Illusion of Control: Optimization culture survives by capturing your attention through fear, selling the false promise that you can micromonitor your way out of the human condition.Managing Actual Health Conditions: When dealing with legitimate medical issues, recovery means learning to distinguish between practical, non-anxious monitoring and urgent, compulsive checking.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is available as a paperback or on Kindlehttps://www.disordered.fm/the-disordered-guide-to-health-anxiety/---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? Send us an email or voicemail on our website.https://disordered.fm
Tell me what 'cha want, what ya really, really want... But... do you really know? In his 1941 essay titled, The Weight of Glory, author CS Lewis writes, "It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us; like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." We're working our way through a series we've titled, Gravity: Breaking Free From the Weight of Sin. This week, we're looking at desire... a gift from God that has been deeply misunderstood in the Church. And as a result, we've learned to settle for and even pursue, that which is much less than God's best for our lives. Join us this Sunday at 11 AM as we begin our series on sin. You'll find us online by clicking the "Join Us Sunday" button on our website, or connect with us via our YouTube channel. Or come worship with us in person! Arrive early and enjoy coffee, cookies and conversation in the Lobby. We do know that 11 AM on Sunday doesn't work for everyone. If that's you, the service will be available on-demand, so you can watch at a time that works better for your schedule. We look forward to worshipping with you! ----------------------------------- TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP ----------------------------------- Let us know that you were watching with us and you will be entered to receive a free prize by completing our Connection Card: http://dsf.church/ecard Give Online: https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/dsf Message Notes: https://www.dayspringfellowship.com/messages Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayspringkeizer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DayspringKeizer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dayspringfellowship Website: http://dsf.church #dayspringkeizer #dayspringfellowship #2026sermon ___________________ Thanks for watching Dayspring Fellowship's worship service! At Dayspring Fellowship, we believe there is nothing more important than your spiritual growth.
Pastor Patrick Cobb Acts 5:1-11
Can distraction be a compulsion in anxiety recovery? It is a question that comes up constantly in the anxiety community. Many people are told to simply "distract your mind" when they feel anxious, but if you are doing it specifically to escape a feeling, it can quickly turn into a safety behavior or a compulsion.---Want to talk about this episode with Drew, Josh, and others that are sharing your struggle and understand? We're hanging out in the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community---In this episode of Disordered, the guys break down the crucial difference between using distraction as an urgent escape mechanism and choosing to intentionally shift your attention toward something meaningful. Drew and Josh look at how the intent and the presence of urgency dictate whether an action is helping your recovery or keeping you stuck in the anxiety loop.Intent vs. Escape: Why how and why you distract yourself matters far more than the activity itself.The Role of Urgency: How sprinting to an activity to stop an anxious feeling turns a healthy action into a compliance mechanism.Attentional Control: The practice of moving your focus to value-driven actions even while anxiety chats away in the background.Rewiring the Amygdala: Why teaching your brain that you are safe requires turning your attention away from the threat response.Listener "Did It Anyways": Inspiring stories from the community, including overcoming a years-long fear of flying and navigating major life challenges while continuing to take brave steps forward.Recovery is not about achieving perfect distraction to prevent difficult feelings. It is about building psychological flexibility and learning that you can coexist with discomfort while choosing where to put your focus.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is available as a paperback or on Kindlehttps://www.disordered.fm/the-disordered-guide-to-health-anxiety/---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? Send us an email or voicemail on our website.https://disordered.fm
How did we go from prophet to profit with Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Deepak Chopra... one by one, the curtain got lifted? And we're left asking: who do we actually trust? Religious ethicist Dr. Liz Bucar has spent 25 years studying exactly that question. Her answers will surprise you. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the guru era is collapsing and what a good teacher actually looks like versus a predatory one The hidden Orientalism behind Deepak Chopra and Jay Shetty's appeal — and the latent racism nobody's talking about How a 19th century minister literally named after the Graham cracker gave us our food guilt Why a single question from a tarot card reader reversed years of orthorexia when therapy and church couldn't touch it What happened when a straight-edge religious studies professor did ayahuasca three times a day for three days in an Oregon yurt — and what it broke open about death, grief, and living well What sangha means and why real community requires you to be inconvenienced Prefer to watch on YouTube? https://youtu.be/5kXU5Cf2heE Resources & Links: ORDER Beyond Wellness book: https://amzn.to/4wQJypx Liz's website: https://www.lizbucar.com/books Liz's Substack (Religion, Reimagined): https://lizbucar.substack.com/ Liz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizbucar/ Liz on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lizbucar Work with Allison: https://allisonhare.com/freecall NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Intro: Prophet to profit. The guru era is over. 02:25 — Welcome Dr. Liz Bucar 03:25 — Is the guru era over? Jay Shetty, Deepak Chopra, and what cracked 07:35 — The halo effect: how platform-built gurus get their power 09:23 — Red flags of a bad spiritual teacher 10:57 — What a good teacher actually looks like 11:47 — The Orientalism and latent racism behind the wellness guru industry 13:43 — What is wellness — and why it's too low of a bar 15:05 — Women, optimization, and the anemic version of human life we've been sold 16:22 — What if dying well is part of living well? 17:56 — What a "none" borrows from religion without belonging to it 21:21 — Religion's PR problem and who's controlling the narrative 24:01 — Safety, belonging, and the search for somewhere to land 25:24 — Disordered eating, orthorexia, and the tarot reading that reversed it 30:01 — How bad theology gave us food moralizing (the Graham cracker guy) 34:26 — Ayahuasca: the plan Liz did NOT have 36:58 — Santo Daime, the sacrament of Daime, and a legal ayahuasca church in the US 39:12 — Why the religious container was everything 41:53 — Confronting her father's death in an Oregon yurt 43:18 — Death doulas, dying well, and the epiphany that changed everything 44:01 — Sangha: what community actually means 45:23 — Hope vs. optimism — and why the difference matters right now 48:20 — Rage has good intel. Embrace the ugly parts. 49:05 — Why individualism has done us dirty 50:33 — Biohacking, hustle culture, and inviting friction back in 51:06 — Real community requires showing up, not just extracting 52:46 — Where to find Liz and preorder Beyond Wellness Allison's Offer: Schedule a free podcast clarity call: https://allisonhare.com/freecall Be sure to rate, review, and follow this podcast on your player and also, connect with me IRL for more goodness and life-changing stuff.Schedule a FREE podcast clarity call with me - Your future audience is out there. Talk to them!Sign up for the free weekly emailAllisonHare.comFollow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.DOWNLOAD the free podcast equipment guide- No guesswork, no google rabbit holes, start recording todayReb3l Dance Fitness - Try it at home! Free month with this link.Feedback and Contact:: allison@allisonhare.com
Read OnlinePeter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” John 21:20–22Just before today's Gospel, Jesus foretold Peter's martyrdom and concluded by saying, “Follow me,” calling Peter to focus on his mission of discipleship. Upon learning of his own fate, however, Peter became curious about John's: “Lord, what about him?” Jesus gently redirects him: “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” Jesus' words remind us of a crucial truth: We must focus on our personal call to follow Him rather than giving in to unhealthy curiosity.Knowing and loving others as friends, listening to their joys and struggles with charity, differs from idle curiosity. True knowledge of someone builds selfless and loving relationships, giving us a share in God's relational nature. The Father knows and loves the Son, and the Son knows and loves the Father, and from that love the Holy Spirit proceeds. In contrast, idle curiosity—“knowing about” someone for the wrong reasons—can lead to pride, judgment, or distraction.In and of itself, the desire for knowledge is neither good nor bad; it is a natural inclination given to us by God. It becomes good when it leads to a desire to know the truth, particularly about God, Creation, and all matters that lead us to greater holiness. Saint Thomas Aquinas distinguishes between curiosity, the disordered pursuit of knowledge, and studiousness, a moral virtue that directs our natural desire for knowledge toward good and necessary ends. He describes studiousness as a form of temperance for the mind—a habit that moderates and orders our desire for knowledge so that it serves truth, virtue, and ultimately, God's glory.The desire for knowledge becomes disordered when it serves no good purpose, distracts us from our duties, or stems from pride, sensual desire, or an unhealthy fascination with evil. It is also disordered when worldly knowledge dominates our minds, drawing us away from God and spiritual matters. For example, our world is often flooded by shocking and sensational stories. Though there is a value in news stories, they can distract us from our mission and lead us into sin. Adam and Eve's fall resulted from pride and an unholy desire for knowledge they did not need, as the fruit was “desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3:6). Like Peter's question about John, their distraction led them away from trust in God's plan. Jesus' gentle correction reminds Peter—and us—of what truly matters.Reflect today on the importance of getting to know others and the danger of being overly curious to know about them. There are many things we do not need to know; it takes temperance of the mind to discipline ourselves so that we remain focused on our God-given responsibilities. Intemperance of the mind, stemming from pride, leads to gossip and judgment. Hence, we must continuously hear Jesus remind us: “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”All-knowing Lord, You know me through and through, my every action, thought, and desire. You know my sin and my virtue, my weaknesses and joys. Please give me a healthy desire to know You and all that is necessary for me to fulfill Your will. Please also purify my disordered curiosity so that I remain charitable to all and undistracted from my mission. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Christ's Charge to Peter by George BaxterSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
OCD is a difficult condition to navigate, but it becomes significantly more challenging when obsessions center on taboo topics. Themes involving harm, pedophilia (pOCD), sexual orientation (HOCD), or moral and religious failure often carry a heavy burden of shame. This shame frequently drives people into silence, preventing them from seeking the help they need.---Want to talk about this episode with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered community that share your struggle?https://disordered.fm/community---In this episode, Drew is joined by Jess Marriner, an OCD specialist based in the UK. They discuss why the human brain can latch onto these specific themes and why having a "taboo" thought does not reflect your character or your actual desires.Key Topics Discussed:The Nature of Taboo Thoughts: Recognizing that intrusive thoughts about harm or socially unacceptable acts are common mental occurrences and do not make you a dangerous person.The Role of Shame: How the socially unacceptable nature of these themes feeds the OCD cycle and keeps sufferers isolated.Common Compulsions: Identifying sneaky mental rituals like reassurance seeking, thought neutralizing, and "testing" to see if a thought feels true.Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): How to approach treatment by leaning into the discomfort and uncertainty rather than fighting the content of the thoughts.The Goal of Recovery: Moving from a state of constant panic and checking to a place where thoughts are seen as irrelevant mental noise.If you are struggling with taboo obsessions, this conversation highlights that you are not alone and that recovery is possible through evidence-based approaches like ERP and acceptance-based strategies.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
The Christian DNA of suspected White House Correspondents’ dinner gunman and Why Hillsdale? The Christian liberal arts school hosting Erika Kirk for commencement… GUEST Kathryn Post … Pittsburgh-based reporter for RNS covering topics such as Gen Z spirituality, pop culture and abuse in religious contexts … her writing has appeared in the WashPost, Sojourners, the Christian Century, Broadview Magazine and more. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - The spiritual exercises 101. Who was Ignatius? What happened? What are the exercises? Foundation and Principles? Disordered? What happens? What’s a desired outcome? Kathy Yarzebinski … spiritual director, Pneuma Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Christian DNA of suspected White House Correspondents’ dinner gunman and Why Hillsdale? The Christian liberal arts school hosting Erika Kirk for commencement… GUEST Kathryn Post … Pittsburgh-based reporter for RNS covering topics such as Gen Z spirituality, pop culture and abuse in religious contexts … her writing has appeared in the WashPost, Sojourners, the Christian Century, Broadview Magazine and more. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - The spiritual exercises 101. Who was Ignatius? What happened? What are the exercises? Foundation and Principles? Disordered? What happens? What’s a desired outcome? Kathy Yarzebinski … spiritual director, Pneuma Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Daily Morning Prayer (5/9/26): from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN) Psalms 44-46; 1 Kings 22; Matthew 7; Metrical Psalm 20:6-9, and a brief reading from the Books of Homilies6 Our hopes are fixed, that now the Lord our sov'reign will defend; From heav'n resistless aid afford, and to his prayer attend. 7 Some trust in steeds for war designed, on chariots some rely; against them all we'll call to mind the pow'r of God most high. 8 But, from their steeds and chariots thrown, behold them through the plain, Disordered, broke, and trampled down, whilst firm our troops remain. 9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed our rightful cause to bless; Hear, King of Heav'n, in times of need, the pray'rs that we address. If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/
Daily Morning Prayer (5/9/26): from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN) Psalms 44-46; 1 Kings 22; Matthew 7; Metrical Psalm 20:6-9, and a brief reading from the Books of Homilies6 Our hopes are fixed, that now the Lord our sov'reign will defend; From heav'n resistless aid afford, and to his prayer attend. 7 Some trust in steeds for war designed, on chariots some rely; against them all we'll call to mind the pow'r of God most high. 8 But, from their steeds and chariots thrown, behold them through the plain, Disordered, broke, and trampled down, whilst firm our troops remain. 9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed our rightful cause to bless; Hear, King of Heav'n, in times of need, the pray'rs that we address. If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/
In this episode, Josh and Drew discuss a common hurdle in anxiety recovery: the desire to "win" against your anxiety. For many, especially those with perfectionist tendencies, anxiety is viewed as an adversary that has taken something away. This leads to a constant, habitual checking to see if the anxiety is gone, which inadvertently keeps you stuck in a cycle of monitoring and frustration.---Want to talk about this episode with us and interact with others that are sharing your experience?https://disordered.fm/community---We look at why defining recovery as a "win" can be counterproductive.The Lack of Closure: Unlike a sports match, there is no final bell or celebration when you recover. Recovery often just peters out until you realize you haven't thought about how you feel in weeks.Examination Compulsions: When you are hell-bent on winning, you might find yourself checking how you feel 50 times a day. Because anxiety involves a doubt response, even a "good" check is often met with more doubt, leading to increased frustration.The Perfectionist Hurdle: Perfectionists often want to get recovery "exactly right," looking for a certificate or absolute proof that the battle is over.We explore the idea that true progress isn't measured by the absence of symptoms, but by your willingness to experience them.Surrender vs. Resistance: While "winning" implies a fight, recovery is found in surrender—not to the anxiety, but to the reality of the moment.Functional Impact: We discuss measuring success by how much you are living your life, regardless of how you feel. If an adrenaline spike used to stop you for a week and now it only stops you for an hour, that is progress.The Paradox of Recovery: You know you are winning when you stop asking if you are winning.We share inspiring stories from our community members who practiced these principles.The 5K Race: A listener shares how she completed a 5K and set a personal best despite dealing with stomach cramps and the urge to stop.The London Trip: A community member discusses traveling to London and using the tube while experiencing high anxiety and physical sensations, choosing to lean into the discomfort to attend an important event.The Wedding Day: A past caller shares her experience of getting married while navigating Relationship OCD (ROCD), proving that you can have a beautiful, meaningful day even when your internal experience is difficult.Ultimately, the win isn't when the anxiety leaves; the win is when it doesn't matter that it's there.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
Everything is technically there. Nothing is missing. But the order is completely wrong - and it changes everything. That's the image Pastor David opens with. Socks over boots. And it's the perfect picture of what disordered desire actually does to a human soul. Johnny Cash wrote "I Walk the Line" as a pledge to himself - play it straight, be faithful, hold the line. Then came the pills. The drinking. The unraveling. Turns out watching your own heart isn't enough. You cannot walk the line on your own. In Ephesians 4:17–24, Paul traces what happens to a soul when desire gets inverted - from futility, to darkened understanding, to callousness, to insatiable craving for more. And then he shows the only way out: not reform, not self-improvement, not trying harder. Put off the old self. Be renewed. Put on the new through Christ alone! You cannot fix what is corrupting at the core. You need transformation from outside yourself. In this message: Why desire itself is not the problem - the order is The serpent's strategy in Genesis 3 and why nothing has changed Paul's word for the Gentile mind: mataiotes - futility, vapor, breath The insatiable craving that disordered desire always produces Why "put on the new self" is not self-improvement - it's restoration to original design Key Scriptures: Ephesians 4:17–24 • Genesis 2–3 • 1 John 2:16 • James 1:14–15 • John 14:6 • Romans 1 • Acts 2:38
Let's start with a success story from the UK. While being medically monitored for four hours, our listener realized how much attention she was giving to her physical symptoms. Her story highlights the difference between noticing a sensation and compulsively monitoring it.--Want to talk about this episode and interact with others that share your experience in a supportive and encouraging environment? Check the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community--Which leads us to a conversation about the urge to ALWAYS talk about how you feel - either out loud or silently in an internal dialogue.We discuss the "telling compulsion," which is a common behavior for those struggling with anxiety and OCD. This is the urge to immediately report every physical sensation or intrusive thought to someone else.The Safety Seek: Telling others how you feel is often a safety behavior used to gain temporary reassurance.The "Problem Shared" Myth: While talking about emotions is generally seen as healthy, in the context of an anxiety disorder, it can become a repetitive loop that keeps the brain in a state of high alert.Internal Monitoring: You don't have to say it out loud for it to be a compulsion. Constantly checking in with yourself and asking "how do I feel now?" is the internal version of the same behavior.Conventional wisdom suggests you should always express your feelings. However, for someone with an anxiety disorder, focusing intensely on every "buzz" in the head or "jelly leg" sensation actually reinforces the idea that these feelings are dangerous.Therapeutic Missteps: We acknowledge that even therapists are sometimes trained to push clients to "probe" and "feel more deeply" into sensations that are actually just symptoms of a misfiring threat response.The Goal of Discernment: Recovery involves learning when it is productive to talk about an emotion (like anger from a fight with a partner) and when it is better to disengage from a physical anxiety symptom.A few key principles you may bring with you from this episode: Labeling Feelings: People often wrap every emotion in the label of "anxiety." You are allowed to feel angry, sad, or even happy without it being a "symptom" that needs to be reported.Psychological Flexibility: Recovery is about learning to be with difficult internal experiences rather than trying to control or prevent them.The Amygdala: Constantly talking about your anxiety to seek relief keeps your threat response turned on.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
Are you dealing with thyroid symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and depression, and still feeling out of control around food? How does nervous system regulation affect cravings, cortisol, insulin, sleep, and hormones, especially if you're in fight or flight mode around dieting and exercising? This week on the She Talks Health podcast, I sat down with Sherry Shaban from Make Peace With Food to talk to you about why having “all the knowledge” around diet and exercise still doesn't create sustainable results if your nervous system is stuck in protection mode. Sherry shared how her obsession with finding the “right” way to eat led her through every diet fad imaginable — low-fat, calorie-counting, Atkins, paleo, macros counting, keto, and even veganism — until the constant rule changes resulted in stress, secrecy, and binge eating issues.We talked about the nervous system as the “software” running the body, and how our thoughts can control so much of how we feel and react to things that happen to us. Sherry also called out how the phrase “nervous system regulation” has become overused in our industry, so regulation can become another form of perfectionism or avoidance if we're trying to erase uncomfortable emotions instead of learning to sit with them. Sherry also broke down how chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated beyond its normal rhythm, and why that can drive cravings for refined carbs and salty/sugary foods. The real rollercoaster often comes from insulin spikes and drops, creating more cravings, and this cascade can disrupt sleep and dysregulate hunger and fullness hormones. We close things out talking about why the most disciplined, “go-getter” women often struggle the most. Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overachievement as trauma responses, and even dopamine rewards, can reinforce the cycle of bad habits. Sherry emphasized that less is more, rather than obsessing over calories and macros. If we can get out of a perfectionist headspace and take small steps toward healthier habits, we can get sustainable results that still give us the reinforcement we need to keep going. Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.In This Episode: [3:02] How trauma shaped Sherry's health journey[5:10] The slippery slope into disordered eating from diet confusion[7:52] Why knowing what to eat isn't enough for weight loss[10:27] How the nervous system affects our diet and health[14:03] Nervous system regulation explained[16:50] Disordered eating habits are fear-driven[18:40] Common eating patterns in clients[24:02] The hormonal connection between cortisol, cravings, and belly fat[28:22] How to reset your metabolism and hunger cues[31:58] Why perfectionists often struggle the most[36:52] Sometimes doing less is more productive[40:05] Thinking about your relationship with food in terms of hormones, not caloriesFind more from Sherry online:Website: https://sherryshaban.com/Instagram: @makepeacewithfoodofficialThe Hormone Reset Guide: https://sherryshaban.com/hormoneresetPodcast: https://makepeacewithfood.com/podcast/Connect with Sophie: Instagram: @shetalkshealthWebsite: shetalkshealth.comApply to work with us: www.shetalkshealth.com/callThe Mineral Reset (HTMA): https://shethrives.shetalkshealth.com/htma-packageMineral Mocktail (get your energy back now!: https://shetalkshealth.com/mineral-mocktail-guide/Stop guessing with your thyroid & Get Answers Now: https://ace.shetalkshealth.com/home-front
Have you ever felt like a supermarket was a high-stakes obstacle course you just couldn't wait to escape? In this episode of Disordered, Josh and Drew dive deep into a struggle that almost everyone with an anxiety disorder knows well: anxiety in the supermarket or grocery store.Whether it is the harsh fluorescent lighting, the narrow aisles, or the trapped feeling of standing in a long checkout queue, the grocery store is often a primary trigger for panic and agoraphobia. We discuss why this mundane chore feels so confronting and share our own personal histories of running out of stores and abandoning shopping carts.Sensory Overload: Why the music, lights, and crowds create a maelstrom for the anxious brain.The Exit Mentality: The habit of scanning for fire exits and the urge to rush through shopping as a hit and run experience.Cognitive Sequencing: The difficulty of making simple decisions when your brain is stuck in panic mode.Real Success Stories: We share a did it anyway from a listener who navigated a new store despite her agoraphobia.Practical Strategies: Why trying to think logically does not work in the moment and how to practice willful tolerance instead.We also touch on the 7% Slower rule and how intentionally slowing down your physical pace can teach your brain that you are not actually in danger. If you have ever felt like reality was collapsing while you were just trying to buy ingredients for lasagna, this episode is for you.--Want to talk about what you heard today? We're hanging out in the Disordered community space:https://disordered.fm/community---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to approach food with flexibility, ease and peace of mind?To just…listen to your body, eat what sounds good, and move on with your day?Well, this episode is going to show you! I'm taking you inside my internal world to share how I eat as a recovered disordered eater. Not WHAT I eat, exactly - but how I think about it. The filters behind my decisions. The difference between choosing from fear and choosing from self-knowledge.I walk through a few days of eating, but the real takeaway isn't the food. It's the mindset behind it. One that took years to build, and that you can build too.In this episode: why the same food choice can come from two completely different places, why "just listen to your body" advice falls flat for so many women, and what it looks like when eating decisions finally become effortless.
If you've ever wondered why the person who hurt you seems completely unbothered — even convinced they did nothing wrong — this episode is for you.I break down why people with personality disorders genuinely don't experience themselves as disordered, how shame avoidance rewrites their reality, and why no amount of explaining, evidence, or emotional appeals will get them to "see it."Understanding this isn't about giving up — it's about stopping the cycle of trying to reach someone who doesn't have the capacity to meet you there.Support the show*Please Note: there is a long intro that explains my services. If you do not want to listen, just fast-forward 5 mins past. This intro will be changed in future recordings to be shorter. I am not paid to record this podcast and it is a free offering. Offering my work is the only way I can sustain the podcast*Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/Youarenotcrazy*New Course*: Unhooked: Map the Cycle of Abuse in your RelationshipWebsite: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.comInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner
The core of relationships are found in the ordering of our desires. Join us for the introduction of "Wholehearted" as we discuss the central nervous system of all relationships.
Want to talk about what you heard here? We're hanging out in the Disordered community space:https://disordered.fm/community---This episode of Disordered dives into the concept of sneaky compulsions. Many people struggling with anxiety or OCD often find themselves performing behaviors that they do not immediately recognize as compulsions. These can look like productive research, seeking reassurance through a joke, or even "checking" to see if you still feel calm.Drew and Josh discuss how these behaviors are often avoidance or escape mechanisms in disguise. Whether it is asking a therapist if you are the worst case they have ever seen or using AI to obsess over a body sensation, these actions are designed to provide short term relief while keeping you stuck in the anxiety cycle.Key topics covered in this episode:* Why we mask compulsions as personality traits or curiosity.* The "reassurance seeker's workaround" of projecting issues onto others.* How gathering more information can actually be a form of avoidance.* Real life examples from the community about catching sneaky compulsions in the moment.* The importance of psychological flexibility and learning to be with difficult feelings instead of trying to fix them.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.---Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
That Anxiety Guy - Straight Talk And Help With Anxiety, Panic and Agoraphobia
Want to talk about what you heard today? Interact with me and others that understand your experience on the Disordered Community app.https://disordered.fm/community----In this episode, we tackle a common trap: viewing every uncomfortable emotion through the lens of anxiety recovery. When you spend months practicing desensitization, acceptance, tolerance, and exposure, it is easy to mislabel normal human stress as a setback, a relapse, or a recovery problem.Disordered vs. Non-Disordered AnxietyDisordered Anxiety: This is defined by a fear of the internal experience itself. You become afraid of your own symptoms, thoughts, and sensations.Non-Disordered Anxiety: This is a natural response to external stressors like grief, job loss, or relationship conflict. You cannot "float" or "mindfulness" your way out of a legitimate life crisis.The Recovery TrapMany people "hijack" normal human emotions and try to apply recovery techniques to them. Trying to use willful tolerance, acceptance, or principles of exposure on a situation that requires practical action or just feeling emotions only keeps you stuck. We often do this because the recovery framework feels more familiar and safe than facing complex life problems.Moving ForwardCheck the Context: Before assuming you are having a "relapse," look at your life. Are you under actual pressure from work, finances, or family?Validate the Stress: It is expected and healthy to feel stressed by difficult circumstances. This is not a failure of your recovery.Take Action: If the problem is external, it requires a practical solution, not just a psychological one.Accept Your Humanity: There are no "hacks" for being human. Recovery means learning to live with a full range of emotions, not eliminating discomfort.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/341Send in a question or comment via text.Support The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. Other ways to support my work like buying a book or signing up for a low cost workshop can be found on my website. None of this is never required, but always appreciated! Interested in doing therapy with me? For more information on working with me directly to overcome your anxiety, follow this link.Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducational purposes. As always, when you have questions about your own well-being, please consult your mental health and/or medical care providers. If you are having a mental health crisis, always reach out immediately for in-person help.
Want to talk about what you heard today? Check out the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community----In this milestone episode of Disordered, we discuss the concepts in Josh's upcoming book. The conversation focuses on the gaps in anxiety recovery and the modern hurdles that prevent people from effectively practicing desensitization.They break down how the obsession with "optimization" and the "wellness brosphere" often becomes a distraction from the actual work of recovery. Using case studies from the book, they examine the different ways people try to avoid vulnerability by using hacks or curated identities.CASE STUDIES:Magnus: A young man with agoraphobia who tries to "alpha" his way out of his annex. He relies on supplements and wellness protocols rather than facing the fear directly.Lia Su: A wellness influencer who hides severe OCD behind a perfect online persona. Her story explores how making mental health an identity can lead to more avoidance.Ruben Kane: A retired boxer dealing with gambling issues and the shame of no longer feeling like the tough guy. His story looks at how anxiety can infiltrate a singular identity.Miriam: A student therapist learning to navigate imposter syndrome. Josh and Drew discuss why self doubt is actually a valuable tool for growth and curiosity.CORE CONCEPTSDelayed Gratification: This explores the struggle to be patient in a world where everything else is instant.Vulnerability: Recovery involves moving away from fixing or regulating and moving toward being okay with being afraid.The Gaps: This involves identifying the subtle things we do that keep us stuck in the anxiety cycle.Real Fear vs Real Danger: This episode emphasizes that while the fear you feel is real, you are not in actual danger.Psychological Flexibility: You benefit more from learning to be with difficult internal experiences like anxiety and fear rather than trying to control or prevent them.Gradual Progress: Recovery is about taking small, practical steps rather than looking for a magic solution.BOOK INFORMATIONJosh's new book, Same Time Next Week, is available for pre order. If you pre order before May 14th, you can receive an exclusive ebook on intrusive thoughts and a morning anxiety audio guide.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
What does it mean to truly ground yourself in God's truth? Pastor Mark takes us into Jesus' wilderness temptation, revealing how even the Son of God anchored Himself in Scripture when facing life's deepest challenges. We discover that spiritual warfare isn't about dramatic displays but about daily choices to trust God's Word over the enemy's lies. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, identity, or purpose, this message shows how to find unshakeable footing in God's promises. Don't miss this teaching on winning life's battles through biblical grounding! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Want to talk about what you hear on this episode? Join us in the Disordered community space:https://disordered.fm/community---In this episode, Josh and Drew tackle a common hurdle in anxiety recovery: what happens when an exposure feels like a "failure" or when you choose to "bail."An exposure is the deliberate act of evoking an anxious response. It is a way to rewire the brain by intentionally lighting up the threat response and practicing response prevention. The goal is to teach your brain that you are safe even when you feel scared, rather than trying to force yourself to feel calm.Many people believe that feeling high levels of anxiety during an exposure means they have failed. This is a misconception. The exposure is designed to make you feel anxious; therefore, feeling those symptoms is exactly what is supposed to happen."Failure" is often a label generated by your Inner Critic based on perfectionist expectations. True growth comes from being willing to experience the discomfort, even if the execution feels "messy".Bailing occurs when the discomfort becomes overwhelming and you choose to retreat. While this can feel like a setback, it is often a signal that you need more self-compassion. We discuss the "punch in the face" moment. That's the the point where the plan goes out the window because the physical sensations or intrusive thoughts become intense.The "Bad Day Playbook": Don't try to make it up on the fly when you're panicked. Have a pre-planned set of actions to take if an exposure doesn't go as intended.Avoid "White-Knuckling": Simply "pushing through" while counting down the seconds to escape is not the same as a willing exposure.The Goal is Willingness: Recovery is about changing your relationship with the anxiety, not eliminating the feeling. Even an "unplanned" exposure—like a sudden intrusive thought or a physical symptom—is an opportunity to practice these principles.Go Through the Peak: If possible, try not to leave the situation at the height of your distress. Leaving on the "back end" of the peak, on your own terms, provides the best learning opportunity for your brain.We also share "Did It Anyway" stories from the community, including a powerful example of navigating health anxiety during a family party.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? Send us an email or voicemail on our website.
Want to talk about what you're hearing today with Josh, Drew, and others that are sharing your experience? Check out the Disordered Community Space:https://disordered.fm/community---This episode of Disordered addresses the experience of constant, simmering anxiety that fluctuates in intensity throughout the day without fully disappearing. We refer to this as undulating panic or a loop of peaking anxiety.The Nature of Rolling Anxiety: Many people that they are different because they don't have anxiety that appears, then disappears. It rolls and undulates throughout the day. This is the rule, not the exception. We explain how an internal fixation on bodily sensations and thoughts creates a cycle where anxiety rises and falls continually.The Monitoring Trap: Using scales like Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) can become a compulsion. When you constantly scan your body to check if you are a "four" or a "nine," you maintain the rolling, undulating sensitized state you are trying to escape.The Sand Timer Analogy: Physiological and mental arousal (yes, even a full panic attack) has a beginning, middle, and end. Once the "sand timer" of an adrenaline spike is flipped, it must run its course. Attempting to "shake the timer" through frantic coping mechanisms only slows down the natural process of settling.Recovery Through Action: We share listener stories of "doing it anyway" despite monophobia and physical pain. These examples illustrate how recovery involves moving forward while discomfort is present rather than waiting for it to stop.Recovery is grounded in the principle of psychological flexibility. The goal is to learn to be with difficult internal experiences like fear and physical sensations rather than trying to control or prevent them. By treating these fluctuations as a background noise rather than a defining event, you teach your brain that the state is not a signal of danger.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
Disordered Speech, ReorderedSeries: James: Lived Faith Preacher: Cory BrockSunday MorningDate: 8th March 2026Passage: James 3:1-12
Want to discuss what you hear on this episode with Josh and Drew and others that are sharing your experience? Check out the Disordered Podcast Community Space.https://disordered.fm/communty----In this episode of Disordered, we celebrate the "Global Edition" of Did It Anyway. We're sharing inspiring stories from our community members around the world who chose to face their fears and take action despite experiencing intense anxiety.From navigating health anxiety at a drum and bass gig in London to managing emetophobia while being physically ill, these stories highlight the power of psychological flexibility. We discuss how recovery isn't about the absence of anxiety, but rather the shortening of the time between "oh my god" and "oh well".The "Did It Anyway" Mindset: How listeners applied this approach to return to work, travel, and social situations despite panic and agoraphobia.Desensitization in Real-Time: Using exposure therapy principles to stay present with uncomfortable physical sensations rather than retreating.Challenging Safety Behaviors: Stories of individuals staying home alone for the first time in weeks or eating "fear foods" to reclaim their lives.Overcoming the Inner Critic: Learning to move into productive problem-solving mode instead of self-berating when anxiety spikes and thinking isn't perfectly clear.Recovery as a Journey: Emphasizing that while these principles are simple, implementing them is a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.We also touch on the importance of self-compassion and acknowledging that even when life is genuinely difficult—such as dealing with family health struggles—you can still apply these principles to your recovery and desensitization work.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
One of the most critical and underexplored pieces of healing your relationship with food, exercise, and your body is understanding how your identity is shaping your struggles. When you begin to unpack this, you not only uncover the beliefs about yourself that are keeping you stuck, but you also learn how to build a more authentic and aligned version of who you truly are. In this episode, you will learn exactly how to start doing this with tangible, real life examples you can apply right away. Let's connect: Mallory's Instagram & Tiktok Free Community Food Noise Quiz Work With Me Freedom from Food Noise Course Submit Podcast Requests
Say It Brave On Campus, Episode 3 What if eating disorders aren't simply individual illnesses, but rational responses to disordered systems? In the third and final episode of our college-focused miniseries, Shannon Kopp speaks with Sophie Szew - mental health justice advocate, master's student at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, and Forbes' 30 under 30 honoree - about how her lived experience opens up a broader conversation concerning schools, healthcare, and the societal forces that shape student mental health. Sophie reveals her early experiences with learning differences and disordered eating, and how attempts to "fix" these issues hurled her into educational and medical systems that often stratify and harm young people. She masterfully flips the script by reframing eating disorders as responses to disordered societies rather than individual pathologies — challenging us to tap into our own creativity and imagine what it means to build systems that allow all of us to live more vibrant lives. Links: Sophie Szew: amstudies.stanford.edu/people/sophie-szew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophie_szew/?hl=en Mental Note Podcast www.mentalnotepodcast.com Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com Free Group Support: https://www.pathlightbh.com/support-groups Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist: (877) 850-7199
Want to talk about what you're hearing in this episode with Josh and Drew and others that share your experience?https://disordered.fm/community----In this episode, Josh and Drew break down the "Stress Jug"—a metaphor designed to explain why anxiety and panic often seem to appear out of nowhere. The guys discuss how accumulated stress, both positive and negative, can cause your "threat response" to overflow, leading to sensitization and the search for a threat where none exists.The Mechanics of Overflow: How the amygdala misinterprets a full "stress jug" as immediate danger, triggering unexpected fear and physical symptoms.The Role of Meaning-Making: Why your brain creates narratives (like health anxiety or fear of "going crazy") to explain internal discomfort.Beyond "Emptying the Jug": Why recovery isn't about avoiding stress or keeping the jug empty, but learning to tolerate the overflow when life gets heavy."Meta-Stress": Understanding the additional weight of being stressed about being stressed, and how that contributes to the cycle of disordered anxiety.The "Gunk" at the Bottom: Addressing long-term factors like grief, self-esteem, or unprocessed emotions that occupy space in your jug.We're also sharing "Did It Anyway" stories from the community, including a listener's trip to Jamaica despite anxiety and a first-time solo drive after years of avoidance. These stories highlight the importance of taking action even when you don't yet believe you are safe.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
Dr Natasha Barnes returns to share her expertise on climbing and strength training and how these principles apply broadly to everyone, including thoughts about:-Are lighter climbers better climbers-The problem with focusing on weighing less as a performance enhancer in climbing-Is disordered eating more prevalent in climbing and weight class sports?-Are more climbers coming around to the value of strength training-The story behind Natasha saying “The lightest I've ever been was also the most broken I've ever been”-Why climbing may be a great outlet for adults to put more fun and play into their lives-When you would benefit from putting on weight and muscle for your sport-How to enhance strength without gaining weight-Why squatting is better than doing pistol squats for most training goals-The problem with feats of strength on social media, that aren't useful training methodologies-How can someone reduce the chance of injury when starting a new program-Is climbing a safe activity-How people end up increasing their risk of injury in training and climbing-And much moreIG: @natashabarnesCHAPTERS00:46 Are lighter climbers better02:10 Free solo and El Capitan03:24 Calculated risk and preparation05:34 Strength to weight myth07:07 Technique over weight loss07:47 Eating disorders in climbing09:22 Leg strength and injuries10:48 Olympic climbing explained11:36 Sponsor break — RP app12:59 Why strength training matters14:00 Longevity and pro trends15:44 “Lightest and most broken”17:43 Disordered eating behaviors19:56 Strength without weight gain21:42 Programming for strength23:41 Body fat sweet spot24:43 Society and being smaller26:14 Ozempic and media extremes28:27 Role models and responsibility28:48 Celebrity body scrutiny30:19 Pistol squats vs real strength33:54 Climbing parlor tricks35:27 New program new injury38:12 Autoregulation with RPE40:13 Underprepared tissue injuries42:52 Why climbing feels like play44:02 How to start climbing46:54 Climbing injury rates48:05 Aging vs undertraining53:33 Bone density comebacks54:40 Where to find NatashaSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you rethink body weight, strength, or performance, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I'll respond)• Sending it to someone interested in climbing or athletic performanceFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you'll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you
That Anxiety Guy - Straight Talk And Help With Anxiety, Panic and Agoraphobia
Want to discuss this episode with me and others that share your experience?https://disordered.fm/community-------In this episode of The Anxious Truth, we look at why the lessons of floating, mindful acceptance, and exposure can feel out of reach. While the principles of recovery are simple, they are difficult to execute because they are counterintuitive and require facing the things you fear most. Beyond the initial fear, deeper obstacles rooted in background, culture, and personal experience often stop people from embracing a mindful approach.I discuss two primary belief systems that keep people stuck in control-based strategies:The "Anxiety as Failure" Belief: The idea that being anxious means you have already failed. This leads to a harsh, self-critical view where having an anxiety disorder is seen as a structural or moral defect rather than a challenge to navigate.The "Managing Others' Emotions" Belief: The fear that fully feeling and showing your anxiety will ruin someone else's day or cause distress to those around you. This belief often stems from childhood environments where you were taught to stay neutral to avoid triggering a parent or caregiver.If you hold these beliefs, you may be trapped in an endless cycle of trying to control your internal state because you feel that being "impacted" or "impaired" is not allowed. We talk about how to recognize these invisible rules and why recovery requires more than mechanical exposure—it requires challenging these long-held beliefs about your value and your responsibility for others' happiness.Recovery takes time to work through these layers. If you have been struggling to "get it," this episode explains why.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/338Listen to Disordered every Friday:https://disordered.fmSend in a question or comment via text.Support The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. Other ways to support my work like buying a book or signing up for a low cost workshop can be found on my website. None of this is never required, but always appreciated! Interested in doing therapy with me? For more information on working with me directly to overcome your anxiety, follow this link.Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducational purposes. As always, when you have questions about your own well-being, please consult your mental health and/or medical care providers. If you are having a mental health crisis, always reach out immediately for in-person help.
In this episode, Mary dives into one of the most harmful myths in the disordered eating and food addiction world: the idea that you can “see” disordered eating by looking at someone's body.If you've ever been told “It can't be that bad you don't even look big enough,” this episode is for you. Disordered eating doesn't have a “look.” It isn't defined by weight, size, or BMI. It's a behavior rooted in excessive restriction, shame, emotional distress, and survival and people of all body types struggle with it.Mary breaks down why eating disorderly is so misunderstood, how weight stigma keeps people from getting help, and why your pain is real and valid even if you “don't look sick.” You'll learn what binge eating actually is, how it shows up, and why compassion, not judgment, is essential for recovery.This episode is a powerful reminder that if you're struggling with disordered eating, emotional eating, or food addiction, you deserve support no matter what your body looks like.Listen in for validation, clarity, and hope as you continue your food sobriety journey.Grab your copy of my FREE 9 page Beginner's Guide to Food Sobriety https://www.foodfreedomwithmary.com/foodsobrietyguideFood Freedom Online Course: https://www.foodfreedomwithmary.com/foodfreedomcourseFood Sobriety Mini Course -https://www.foodfreedomwithmary.com/foodsobrietymcWant to learn more about me and my coaching programs? Do you need private coaching and intensive daily contact with a coach? Fill out my application so we can chat about whether or not my program is for you and which option is best for you. Payment plans available. Don't see a payment option that works for your pay schedule? Let's chat about a custom pay plan.www.foodfreedomwithmary.com/chooseyourpath Join my online community The Food Freedom Tribe! An online community of support, eduction, inspiration, accountability….. Learn more here: https://www.foodfreedomwithmary.com/tribemembership Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1upnWHYK0RXfmyRTqlsF_R06z3NA8LZYHIMWFykq7-X4/viewformInstagram: www.instagram.com/coachmaryroberts Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ketomary71 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4915319108493196/?ref=share_group_linkWebsite: www.foodfreedomwithmary.com Join the email list.Email: mary@foodfreedomwithmary.com
Questions about this episode? Want to interact with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered audience? Check out the Disordered Community Space!https://disordered.fm/community-------This week we're discussing the relationship between anxiety and self-compassion. Self-compassion is often dismissed as a way to avoid difficult tasks or "whine" about struggles, but it is actually a functional part of the desensitization process.Drew shares how he originally viewed self-compassion as a weakness that would lead to more avoidance, only to realize that berating himself was not actually an effective motivator. Josh explains how a lack of self-compassion can lead to "re-sensitization" when you turn recovery into a performance you have to perfect.What We Discuss:The "No Self-Compassion" Mistake: Why driving yourself with brute force and criticism often backfiresAccepting The Current Version of You: The importance of acknowledging that you are currently afraid or avoidant without berating or rejecting yourself for it.Self-Compassion vs. Coddling: Distinguishing between being kind to yourself while doing hard things and using "kindness" as an excuse to stay on the sofa.Navigating Misunderstanding: How to handle friends or family who do not understand anxiety disorders and the importance of validating your own experience instead of waiting for them to do it.Recovery requires the flexibility to be afraid and move forward simultaneously. Using self-compassion means letting the scared version of yourself into the experiential classroom so you can actually learn the lessons found in acceptance, tolerance, surrender, floating, and exposure!---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners? The Disordered app is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.
Questions about this episode? Want to interact with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered audience? Check out the Disordered Community Space!https://disordered.fm/community-------This episode of Disordered explores the vital role of attention in anxiety recovery. Josh and Drew discuss the core skill of moving your attention while feeling high levels of fear.Many people struggling with anxiety disorders feel their attention is glued to symptoms or intrusive thoughts. Josh describes this as "threat-induced attention," which is a survival mechanism where the brain locks onto perceived danger. You always have agency over your attention. Recovery involves building an "attention muscle" to acknowledge the fear and choose a different focus.Confidence in Attention: Josh shares a personal breakthrough where he felt a massive adrenaline rush on a bus but chose to read a newspaper anyway. This desensitization happened because he trusted his ability to move his attention despite the discomfort.The "Checking State" Trap: Drew explains that many common calming techniques backfire. If you use them to force anxiety away, you end up hyper-focusing on your internal state to see if they worked. This keeps you trapped in the threat cycle.Facing the "Bear": Using a metaphor of a bear in a campsite, the hosts explain that looking away from the anxiety tells the brain the emergency is over. Staring at the anxiety only confirms to your nervous system that you are still under threat.Practical Application: Whether going to the dentist or taking a train, the goal is to move attention toward meaningful tasks rather than internal monitoring."The only way to show the brain and the amygdala that this isn't a threat is to show it with our attention... that this isn't important." — Josh"We cannot operate directly on your anxiety... we can only operate on the way you interact with it." — DrewBuilding confidence in your attention is a gradual process rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Metacognitive Therapy. It requires bravery to look away from the fear to find the path to long-term psychological flexibility.
After many months of building and planning, the Disordered Community space is now live. We could not be more pleased about this!Check out the community space here:https://disordered.fm/communityWhy did we do this?Endless scroll, algorithm-driven, attention focused platforms that only want to monetize your struggle are awful places to support anxious people.A smaller, more focused, intentional community where we can interact in a meaningful way and foster education, inspiration, and encouragement is actually useful in the real world.There are way too many anxiety "communities" that make egregious promises to fix you, cure you, lead you to freedom, and make you better - often at a very high cost. That's not how to do that. We're personally tired of dancing for Meta and Google. It's a huge amount of work to reach a small number of people (even with lots of followers) on platforms that don't really value the topic and the discussions we're having.We built this space to foster interaction, sharing, cheerleading, and encouragement. We've jammed it full of articles, tips, ideas, podcast episodes, and all the psychoeducational workshops we've produced over the years. All included in the community.You do NOT have to join the community to get better. This is absolutely optional and we're not going to hide things behind the paywall. Our content will continue to be out here on the Internet at large. But we do think we've made something useful and reasonable and that's where we're gonna be hanging out.
HEADLINE: Autism, PTSD, and Depression via Prediction. GUEST: Professor Andy Clark. SUMMARY: Clark interprets autism as sensory overweighting, views PTSD as reacting to unexpected negatives, and describes depression as disordered internal bodily predictions regarding energy budgeting. 1941
This episode of Disordered examines the fundamental "Golden Rules" of anxiety desensitization. Josh and Drew break down two core principles designed to guide long term desensitization for those struggling with panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, and health anxiety. They move away from promising cures or quick fixes, focusing instead on changing the listener's relationship with discomfort.Rule One: Do what non-anxious you would do while anxious. The guys explain that this involves engaging in life tasks regardless of the presence of fear.Rule Two: Don't make anxiety the most important thing in the room. While anxiety is allowed to be present, it should not sit at the top of the decision making tree. Desensitization happens when values and intentions are prioritized over the urge to monitor internal feelings.Acceptance vs. Control: Josh and Drew discuss the necessity of recognizing that attempts to control or escape anxiety are often ineffective. They advocate for psychological flexibility, where a person learns to be with difficult internal experiences rather than fighting them.The Power of Agency: The guys emphasize that even in highly sensitized states, individuals retain agency over their attention. They describe how to tolerate physical symptoms without letting those sensations govern behavior."Did It Anyway" Stories: The episode features community members who applied these rules during high stakes moments like public speaking or travel. These stories serve to encourage others to face fears that are uncomfortable but not dangerous.Josh and Drew frame desensitization as a journey requiring patience and persistence rather than a destination reached through "hacks" or secret solutions. This episode provides a practical framework for listeners ready to stop avoiding their feelings and start moving forward.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners? The Disordered community space is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.
In this episode, Kim sits down with eating disorder specialist Sarah Burney to unpack what's really going on beneath "food noise," body dissatisfaction, and chronic struggles with eating. This conversation moves beyond surface-level advice and into the deeper emotional, neurological, and relational drivers of disordered eating. They explore why food is rarely the actual problem, how shame quietly fuels the cycle, and why changing your body never resolves the underlying distress. Sarah also clarifies common misconceptions around body dysmorphia versus negative body image, explains when professional support is warranted, and offers a grounded framework for helping both yourself and loved ones without reinforcing shame. This episode is for anyone who feels consumed by food thoughts, stuck in body-based self-worth, or confused about where healing actually begins. Guest: Sarah Burney Licensed in CA, AZ, OR, and PA burneytherapygroup.com Timestamps 00:00 – What "food noise" actually feels like 02:31 – Stress eating, dopamine, and emotional regulation 03:54 – Food as self-soothing vs avoidance 05:06 – When food thoughts cross the line into needing support 05:26 – Medical vs psychological red flags 06:03 – How shame initiates and sustains disordered eating 07:19 – Why changing your body never solves the real problem 08:21 – Is body image ever the root issue? 09:00 – Core beliefs, trauma, and self-worth 10:15 – Why success and appearance don't fix internal distress 11:15 – What treatment actually looks like 12:11 – Body dysmorphia vs negative body image (important distinction) 14:12 – Separating self-worth from self-improvement 15:35 – Being treated differently based on appearance and why it matters 17:18 – Why reaching the "ideal" body doesn't bring relief 21:04 – The belief underneath "I need to look different" 24:33 – Disordered eating vs diagnosable eating disorders 25:26 – Why eating disorders are not about food 26:48 – How loved ones can help without causing harm 29:47 – What to look for in an eating disorder specialist Kim's website: https://www.kimpolinder.com/ Kim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kp_counseling/ Kim's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@engineeringlovepodcast
This week, Jake and Bob reflect on a few topics that were discussed during a recent "Holy Desire" Priest's retreat with the JPII Healing Center. They discuss the connection between communion with God and the removal of pain, how woundedness redirects good desires, and why coping strategies are not usually virtuous. Jake and Bob also answer a few questions received from priests at the retreat, such as—Am I using wounds as an excuse for sin? What is the difference between soul ties and enmeshment? And should I share my wounds with my parents? Key Points: Healing is best understood as an ongoing encounter with God's love that restores communion and is not simply the removal of pain. Pain relief can be a fruit of healing, but it should never become the primary goal over intimacy with God. Broken communion is the reason we experience pain. Wounds often lead us to develop maladaptive responses that we mistakenly elevate into "virtues." Holy desires naturally draw us toward love and communion with God and others. When wounds and vows press down on holy desires, those desires often emerge sideways as disordered desires. Disordered desires are not evil at their core but are distorted expressions of something originally good. Enmeshment reflects a lack of healthy differentiation and often develops within family systems. Soul ties are distorted bonds that form through sin, wounds, or misplaced dependency. Learning to recognize the good desire beneath another's behavior transforms how we relate to them. Love grows when we respond to a person's holy desire rather than reacting to their maladaptive behavior. Discernment, timing, and freedom of heart are essential when considering sharing one's wounds with parents. Resources: Principles of Catholic Theology by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Holy Desire Workbook (In the dropdown menu select the "Workbook" as the type) Rick and Dick Hoyt Video Deadly Wounds and Holy Desires Chart Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 06:34 What does "I Experienced Healing" Mean? 13:40 Can the Way I Cope with a Wound Actually be a Virtue? 18:42 How are Disordered Desires Formed? 29:36 How Do I Find the Holy Desire Behind My Sin? 35:55 Am I Treating Woundedness as an Excuse for Sin? 42:54 What is the Difference Between a Soul Tie and Enmeshment? 51:07 Should I Share My Wounds with My Parents? Connect with Restore the Glory: Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!
Pastor Caleb Cole closes the Rhythms series with “Disordered Desire (Physical Health),” a message about honoring God with our bodies. Teaching from 1 Timothy 4, Philippians 3, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 9, he explains how sin distorts desire and how healthy rhythms of movement, rest, and self-control support spiritual growth. This episode calls believers to glorify God with their whole lives.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Closing the Rhythms series (02:00) - Why physical health matters spiritually (04:30) - Training for godliness is primary (06:05) - When physical health makes faith harder (08:05) - Physical health is rhythm, not effort (11:00) - The real problem: disordered desire (13:55) - We were made to work, not be lazy (17:15) - Discipline your body (1 Corinthians 9) (19:40) - Fitness as worship vs idolatry (22:00) - You were called to rest (28:50) - Food, fasting, and self-control (33:55) - Honor God with your body & salvation invitation
In this episode of Disordered, guest co-host Kimberley Quinlan joins Drew to pull back the curtain on one of the most persistent hurdles in anxiety recovery: rumination. Whether you call it overthinking, worry, or mental "problem solving," the process is a universal constant across panic disorder, OCD, health anxiety, depression, and other related issues.We examine why rumination feels like a productive tool when it is actually a mental compulsion designed to avoid the discomfort of uncertainty. Kim and Drew break down the "tax" that rumination imposes on your life, specifically the deep physiological and emotional exhaustion that leaves you without the energy to make the actual changes you want.What You'll Learn This Week:The Process vs. The Content: Why the specific thing you are worried about matters less than the fact that you are stuck in a circular thinking process.The "What If" Statement: How to recognize that "what if" is a statement of fear, not a question that requires an answer.Problem Solving vs. Rumination: Identifying the moment thinking stops being an investment and starts becoming a drain.Beliefs About Worry: Challenging the "positive" beliefs we hold, such as the idea that worrying makes us a better parent or more prepared for disaster.Attention Control Training: Practical ways to re-engage with the present moment, even when your brain is screaming for certainty.Recovery is about learning to put the thoughts down and returning to whatever is next in your day. It is hard work, and you might "suck at it" initially, but managing rumination is a skill for life that reduces suffering and brings you back to your own experiences.Find Kim's podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@youranxietytoolkitKim's courses and workshops:https://cbtschool.comKim's Instagramhttps://instagram.com/YourAnxietyToolkit---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners? The Disordered app is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.
In Episode 12, we look at how to explain anxiety to a loved one. Disordered anxiety can be difficult to describe and even harder for others to understand. In this episode, I break down what anxiety actually is, how it feels from the inside, and why reassurance or logic alone often misses the point. This is an episode you can share with partners, family, or friends to help them understand what's going on and how they can better support you.
In this episode, Drew and Josh discuss the world of anxiety cures and the "miracle" solutions often marketed to those struggling with panic, OCD, and health anxiety. They share personal stories of the various methods they tried during their own recoveries and explain why many popular trends fail to provide long-term relief.The Magnetism of the Miracle Cure: Why we are drawn to supplements like magnesium or specialized "breathing devices" when we are desperate to feel better.Control vs. Acceptance: How many anxiety cures are actually just hidden control strategies that prevent true psychological flexibility.The Reality of "Natural" Supplements: A look at the laxative effects of magnesium and the empty promises of "science-based" miracle powders.The "Secret" Rituals: Why techniques like EFT tapping or specialized humming might feel helpful in the moment but often reinforce the idea that anxiety is a danger to be managed.The Risks of "Gurus" and Online Cults: How to identify predatory marketing and why a "lived experience" qualification does not replace professional, evidence-based training.The guys break down why the search for an external fix often leads to more discouragement. They discuss how true recovery is found in learning to tolerate and be with difficult internal experiences rather than trying to engineer them away with bracelets, essential oils, or "secret" techniques.If a solution is marketed as a "miracle" or "what nobody tells you," be cautious.Recovery is an internal process of building distress tolerance, not an external process of finding the right product.Support people are there to cheer you on through the fear, not to keep you "safe" from a feeling.About Disordered: Drew Linsalata and Joshua Fletcher are therapists and authors who have both recovered from severe anxiety disorders. They use evidence-based principles from ACT, CBT, and mindfulness to help you navigate your recovery journey without the empty promises of "magic" cures.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners? The Disordered app is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.
Spiritual drift rarely announces itself. It doesn't show up as rebellion or collapse. It shows up as subtle disorder, numbed discernment, and a slow loss of fire in the ordinary rhythms of life. Most people don't abandon discipleship; they simply stop training for it. This week on Win Today, Ian Simkins, lead pastor of The Bridge Church in Tennessee, joins me as part of our Formed discipleship series to expose the quiet ways formation breaks down and to recover the daily practices that restore spiritual clarity, hunger, and endurance. We talk about why the wilderness of everyday life—not the mountaintop—is where God does His deepest work, and how discernment must be trained intentionally if we're going to mature in godliness. If your faith feels cluttered, distracted, or quietly cooling, this conversation will help you recognize the fingerprints of disorder and reclaim the fire of discipleship to Jesus, right where you are. Guest Bio Ian Simkins is the lead pastor of The Bridge Church in Tennessee and a longtime pastor and teacher focused on spiritual formation, discernment, and everyday discipleship. Known for practical, Scripture-rooted teaching, he equips believers to develop resilient faith through disciplined rhythms, community, and faithful obedience to Jesus. Show Partner We spend a third of our lives asleep, so stop treating your bed like an afterthought. Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheets are a game-changer. They're silky smooth, breathable, and cool to the touch. And they're more than bedding; Cozy Earth also makes bath essentials, pajamas, and men's and women's loungewear designed to bring calm and comfort to everyday life. Try their sheets risk-free with a 100-Night Sleep Trial and a 10-Year Warranty. Start the New Year right. Head to cozyearth.com and use code WINTODAY for up to 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, tell them you heard about Cozy Earth on Win Today. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Have you ever felt anxious about admitting you're doing better? Like saying "I'm okay" out loud might somehow jinx your progress or tempt fate?In this episode, Drew and Josh explore that uncomfortable feeling when someone asks "How are you doing?" and you're caught between wanting to acknowledge improvement and being afraid that talking about it will make everything fall apart again.What we discuss:Why the question "How are you?" can feel triggering when you're recovering from an anxiety disorderThe superstition around "tempting fate" and what's really happening beneath itHow different contexts change what we mean by "doing okay" (spoiler: anxiety can be present while you're still doing okay)The authenticity trap - feeling like you're lying either wayWhy "I'm doing okay at the moment" might be the most honest answer you can giveHow this fear shows up in OCD, health anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobiaThe difference between attention-driven fear and superstitious fearWhy letting go of control can feel like tempting fate (and why that's exactly the practice)Featured segments:Community "Did It Anyway" stories highlighting real progress without promising outcomesDiscussion of how exposures work when they feel risky or recklessPractical suggestions for navigating social questions about your wellbeingThis episode may be helpful for anyone struggling with the fear of acknowledging improvement, or who finds themselves avoiding conversations about their anxiety recovery.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners? The Disordered app is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.
The rise in outsource parenting and why a vibe check might help. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.