Advertise on podcast: The Anxiety Project Podcast

On today's episode, I break down the brain circuits behind anxiety—the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and the HPA axis—and show how they create panic, overgeneralization, and sleeplessness. I then explain, in plain terms, why anxiety feels overwhelming and how chronic stress weakens the brain's safety signals. The episode also outlines practical recovery steps, especially exposure therapy: intentionally facing feared situations, creating prediction errors, and building new safety memories so the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus can override the alarm. It’s a clear roadmap for moving from fear to freedom.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

On todays episode, I speak with Dana Hargus founder of Restore of Ada and we discuss trauma-informed approaches to calm the nervous system, biofeedback strategies, and rebuilding resilience after chronic stress. Dana explains how trauma can affect anyone and why treating the body (sleep, gut health, hydration) alongside the brain speeds recovery. Practical takeaways include Restore of Ada's six-week prep plus a two-week intensive day-treatment with multiple biofeedback sessions, and everyday steps you can start now—consistent sleep, drink water, grounding, reduce screen time, improve nutrition, and small steady changes to reduce anxiety and regain clarity.   —My Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —My Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

Today, I break down why people with health anxiety obsessively check their bodies, how that checking fuels a loop of fear and hyper-awareness, and how intolerance of uncertainty and misinterpreting normal sensations keep the cycle going. I outline clear, practical steps to break the habit: identify checking behaviors, delay urges, use gradual exposure and acceptance, build internal trust through voluntary discomfort (exercise, cold exposure), and reframe fear into courageous action so anxiety loses its control.   —My Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —My Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

In this episode, I explain depersonalization and derealization—what they feel like, why they happen, and how many people experience emotional numbness, robotic sensations, and feeling detached from their body or surroundings. I also summarize research showing depersonalization as a protective response to extreme anxiety, the strong link with panic, and how internet catastrophizing and hyper-focus on symptoms make it worse. Then I offer clear, practical steps to break the cycle: surrender and reframe thoughts, shift attention outward through routines, exercise, mindfulness, journaling, consistent sleep/wake times, and treating depersonalization as harmless background noise so the brain can stop producing it.   —My Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —My Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

In this episode, I explore Aaron Beck’s CBT approach to treating anxiety by changing thoughts to shift emotion. I explain cognitive distortions, core beliefs, the cognitive model (situation → automatic thought → anxiety → avoidance), and practical tools like thought records and the S.T.A.Y. acronym to reduce anxiety and build resilience through exposure and reframing.   —My Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —My Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

In this episode, I announce the podcast rename to "From Fear to Freedom" and explore why health anxiety has surged since the 1980s and especially after COVID. I explain the body’s fear response, common triggers (distraction, social media, upbringing, lifestyle), and offer practical starting steps—breathing, journaling, exposure to discomfort, and healthier habits—to reduce symptoms and rebuild trust in your body.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —My Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

On today's episode, I talk with Jeremy Lipkowitz about his journey from porn addiction to recovery and coaching. We explore the addiction cycle, underlying causes, mindfulness and meditation, building equanimity, and practical strategies for men to regain control, improve relationships, and find lasting fulfillment. This episode offers insights, personal stories, and actionable steps for anyone struggling with pornography or supporting someone who is.   Jeremy's Website & YouTube Channel: https://www.jeremylipkowitz.com/about https://www.youtube.com/c/JeremyLipkowitz   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

This episode explores the nature of desire — from dopaminergic cravings and consumer addiction to the spiritual and practical path of surrender. It examines how modern stimuli (screens, food, games) tap into core human needs, and offers perspectives from David R. Hawkins, Buddhism, the Bible, and Tony Robbins’ human needs framework. Listeners are guided on how to recognize unconscious wants, replace harmful habits with higher-purpose desires, and reclaim freedom, connection, and meaning.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

On todays episode, I explore the film Groundhog Day as a metaphor for anxiety, repeated routines, and the journey from nihilism to meaning through service, skill-building, and better habits. Drawing on my own recovery, I offer practical takeaways—practice social interactions, break micro-routines, pursue difficult growth, and use journaling to uncover hidden fears—so you can "perfect the day" and rise above anxiety.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

In this episode, I walk through my biggest life lessons from 2025, reflecting on how becoming a parent shook my routine and forced growth in patience, service, and faith. I share practical strategies for managing anxiety and distraction—widening your gaze to improve focus, creating sacred time, resisting materialism and phone habits, and maintaining a disciplined foundation of sleep, diet and exercise.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/   —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/   —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

On the episode, I am featured as a guest on the Shift Weight Mastery podcast with Rita Black. We discuss my personal journey through anxiety, health anxiety, depersonalization, agoraphobia and social anxiety.  I also share practical strategies like CBT, NLP, habit changes, visualization, sleep routines and social preparation for navigating the holidays.    Rita Black's Website/Podcast: https://shiftweightmastery.com/about/   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

This episode dissects the "anxious identity" — how beliefs, values and daily habits (like doomscrolling or bingeing) shape who you are and fuel anxiety. I explore the higher self versus the lower self, explain how confronting discomfort rewires the brain, and show how small, challenging actions build competence and emotional regulation.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

This episode explores the cycle of addiction—especially pornography—through neuroscience, personal narrative, and practical recovery steps. I explain how dopamine, triggers, and withdrawal create craving, outline a seven-step sequence of addiction, and offer strategies (replacements, blockers, identity changes, and supportive narratives) to break free and build a healthier life.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

Dr. Kate Lund joins the Anxiety Project to share her journey from childhood illness to clinical psychologist and author of Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting. We discuss building resilience through small, consistent habits—relaxation responses, journaling, routines, social support, and exercise—plus strategies for facing panic, agoraphobia, and daily stress. Dr. Kate's Website: https://www.katelundspeaks.com/   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

In this episode, I speak with clinician Anthony Verdino about his new book, CBT Simplified. We cover core CBT ideas — the cognitive triangle, self-monitoring, acceptance, cognitive restructuring, the ABC model, and behavioral activation — and how simple, repeatable practices can break rumination, catastrophic thinking, and avoidance. We also discuss building habits, using positive self-talk and mindfulness, confronting fears to build confidence, and practical steps listeners can use daily to improve mental clarity and emotional resilience. Resources mentioned include Anthony Verdino's website and his book on Amazon. Anthony's Book: CBT Simplified  Anthony's website: https://www.anthonyverdino.com/#about   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com