Advertise on podcast: Trust & Thrive

Do you feel like you need to make the best decision and maximize every single experience? Maybe you've felt like you're living life "wrong" and need to "get the most" out of everything...  In this solo episode, I talk about Optimization OCD, which as a reminder, is not a formal clinical term or separate diagnosis. It's simply a term used to describe how OCD can latch onto a desire or need to optimize multiple aspects of our lives. From everyday decisions and routines to relationships, career choices, and major life milestones, OCD can create a sense of urgency and make it feel like we need the "best" answer before moving forward. These thoughts may also latch onto therapy, "healing," and self-development, leading to even more guilt, anxiety, and distress.  I share some examples of what this may look like, including an example of a thought train related to these thoughts and associated compulsions.  As always, this episode is not a replacement for therapy and is for educational purposes only. This episode does not reflect everyone's experience with OCD. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

Tom Smalley is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Employee Success Manager for North America at NinjaOne, and founder of Struggle Into Strength Performance. His work focuses on performance psychology, leadership development, and helping individuals and teams build confidence, resilience, and mental skills.  Diagnosed with OCD at age 16, Tom became passionate about raising awareness and breaking down mental health stigma. He received the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award and became a Lead Advocate for the International OCD Foundation in 2021, where he co-founded the Anxiety in Athletes initiative. He regularly speaks about OCD and mental health advocacy and is also a three-time USA Weightlifting Adaptive Division Gold Medalist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor.  In this episode, Tom shares about his personal experience living with OCD and his journey with OCD advocacy. We discuss the importance of OCD treatment, building resilience, navigating family dynamics, and understanding how OCD can impact both individuals and their loved ones. Tom also shares how his own experiences have helped influence his passion for breaking down stigma and openly speaking about OCD.  We explore the power of community, the importance of meaningful support, and what it can look like to embrace authenticity while navigating the challenges of OCD. We hope this episode can help you feel less alone.  *This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not replace professional support.*  IOCDF Therapist Directory FOLLOW TOM: INSTA: @s2s_smalls WEBSITE: www.struggleintostrength.com Struggle Into Strength x IOCDF Scholarship Fund STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

Rev. Dr. Katie O’Dunne (she/her) is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and founder of Stick with the Ick, a virtual inclusive interfaith community app for those navigating faith and OCD, offering resources across traditions. She spent seven years as Academy Chaplain and Chair of Religious Studies at Woodward Academy in Atlanta while consulting on interfaith programming nationwide.  Katie now educates clinicians and clergy on culturally responsive treatment across religious/spiritual contexts, leads the IOCDF Faith & OCD Leadership Circle, and consults with OCDI Texas on Religion & OCD. She received Vanderbilt’s Doctor of Ministry Award for Distinction in Integrative Care Practices. In this week's episode, we discuss how OCD attaches to faith, values, religion, and morality. Katie shares her experience with OCD as an ordained minister and chaplain, her involvement with the Internal OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and her journey navigating OCD alongside her faith. We discuss how moral and religious OCD can contribute to guilt, shame, and distress, how certain behaviors may be reinforced or praised from a young age, and the grief that can accompany OCD. We also explore religious trauma, ERP related to moral OCD, integrating faith into OCD recovery, and support resources. We hope this conversation can be a reminder that faith and OCD treatment can coexist, and that navigating OCD does not have to mean abandoning your personal beliefs or values. FOLLOW REV. DR. KATIE O'DUNNE: INSTA: @stickwiththeick WEBSITE: www.stickwiththeick.com FAITH AND OCD CONFERENCE STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

We're kicking off OCD Awareness Month with a solo episode. I open up about some of my childhood experiences with OCD, before I even had the language or understanding of what it was. In this episode, I reflect on some of the thoughts, fears, behaviors, and patterns I experienced growing up, while normalizing how confusing and isolating OCD can feel. As always, this episode is not a replacement for professional support. This episode reflects my own personal experience and is just the tip of the iceberg of my own OCD story.  I hope this episode can simply remind you that you're not alone and create a space for honest conversations about the many ways OCD can show up. On the show, we'll be continuing the conversation throughout OCD Awareness Month with more episodes about OCD, including conversations with some wonderful guests. Coming soon! STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

Gilly Kahn, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, writer, and mother with ADHD. She practices in Atlanta and specializes in neurodiversity. She is the author of Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women’s ADHD. You can learn more about Gilly and her work by visiting her website at https://www.drgillykahn.com In this episode, we explore ADHD beyond the common stereotypes, including how it can show up in high-achieving adults and the ways neurodivergence can shape our experiences, relationships, and ability to pursue goals.  We also discuss emotional dysregulation related to ADHD, common misconceptions, ADHD and autism, navigating barriers to diagnosis and support, and the grief that can come with recognizing how ADHD has impacted different areas of your life. We also explore rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), along with overlaps and important differences between ADHD and OCD. We hope this conversation can offer a nuanced look at living with ADHD in adulthood. FOLLOW DR. KAHN: INSTA: @drgillykahn WEBSITE: www.drgillykahn.com BOOK: Allow Me to Interrupt  STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

Kathryn Hope Gordon, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Boston area who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy. For the first 10 years of her career, she was a professor who taught classes and published research focused on eating disorders and suicide prevention.  Currently, she is the Director of Clinical Training for a virtual eating disorder treatment organization. Dr. Gordon is passionate about sharing science-informed therapy tools with as many people as possible through trainings, public speaking, and writing.  She is the author of The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: CBT Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide and The Suicidal Thoughts Guided Journal: CBT Practices to Soothe Emotional Pain, Build Coping Skills, and Find Hope.  In this episode, we share an open conversation about suicide prevention, including common misconceptions, warning signs, reducing stigma and shame, and the importance of talking about suicide openly. We discuss the importance of compassionate listening, meaningful support, and addressing broader societal factors, including access to care, discrimination, and unmet basic needs.  We also touch on how clinicians can approach suicide risk assessment with care, the importance of individualized support rather than responding out of anxiety, and considerations around hospitalization and avoiding further harm.  This episode, like with all episodes, is not a replacement for professional support or crisis care. We hope to remind you that you're not alone and that there is hope.  FOLLOW DR. GORDON: INSTA: @drkathryngordon WEBSITE: https://kathrynhgordon.com WORKBOOK: The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: CBT Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide JOURNAL: The Suicidal Thoughts Guided Journal: CBT Practices to Soothe Emotional Pain, Build Coping Skills, and Find Hope CRISIS LINE: https://988lifeline.org/ - Please call or text 988 for support. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

In this solo episode, I talk about Suicidal OCD, a subtype of OCD in which one may experience obsessions or intrusive thoughts related to suicide.  I also hold space for the importance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the importance of speaking openly about a topic that leaves many feeling isolated.  As a disclaimer, this episode is not a replacement for professional support or a place to differentiate between OCD thoughts and suicidal ideation. If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide or feel unsure of what you're experiencing, I encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health professional who can provide individualized care and assessment or one of the resources below.  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) Call or text 988 or chat through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free and confidential support is available 24/7. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  International Crisis Support If you're outside of the United States, Find A Helpline can connect you with verified crisis and emotional-support services in more than 150 countries. Find A Helpline  International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Information about OCD, evidence-based treatment, support groups, and a directory of clinicians who specialize in OCD and related disorders. IOCDF Resource Directory  OCD & Suicidality The International OCD Foundation also offers information about OCD and suicidality, including considerations for individuals with OCD, loved ones, and mental health professionals. IOCDF: OCD and Suicidality  STAY CONNECTED:  INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

In this solo episode, I talk about what happens when Relationship OCD thoughts and patterns overlap with "real" relationship concerns. I share some of my own experiences and examples of how OCD can latch onto genuine concerns, disagreements, or areas of uncertainty and turn them into something that feels urgent and impossible to stop thinking about.  I also talk about the practice of recognizing when reflection may be shifting into rumination, the pressure to figure out what a concern "means" about your relationship, and the sense of urgency that can make it feel like you need an answer or decision right now.  I hold space for multiple realities: something can be worth addressing in your relationship while OCD or anxiety might also be amplifying the need for certainty around it.  As with all episodes on Relationship OCD, this episode is not intended to address relationships involving harm, abuse, or concerns about safety. Resonating with parts of this episode does not necessarily mean you live with OCD.  STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

In this solo episode, I share some recent reflections on showing up online, dealing with comparison, and learning to be honest with myself about my capacity. I talk about how I'm holding space for personal transitions, navigating social media while living with OCD, the pressure that can come with being consistent, and noticing when comparison creeps in. I also reflect on what it looks like to take breaks, to step away, and to recognize how our capacity can change day to day. This episode is a reminder that it's okay to slow down and to hold space for complex emotions that come up.  STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

Dr. Kevin Chapman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and internationally recognized expert in anxiety, CBT, and sport performance psychology. He is the founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (KYCARDS) and Mental Lock Sport Performance Psychology, where he specializes in anxiety, emotion regulation, and mental performance. A former collegiate track and field and football athlete, Dr. Chapman now works with athletes at the highest levels, including Team USA Weightlifting, Racing Louisville FC, and Louisville City FC. He is also a published author, researcher, and frequent media contributor, with expertise in helping athletes navigate performance anxiety and strengthen their mental skills. In this episode, we explore the psychology of performance anxiety, from athletics and high-pressure environments to everyday moments when anxiety can show up.  We discuss the purpose of emotions, why trying to push anxiety away can often backfire, and the value in taking a nonjudgmental stance toward our internal experiences.  Dr. Chapman also shares more about the concept of emotional conditioning, the brain’s role in storing threatening or traumatic experiences, and how exposure therapy can help us build a different relationship with fear and anxiety. We talk about practical anxiety regulation and management skills, navigating pressure without letting emotions dictate our decisions, and what it can look like to live authentically by taking action in alignment with our values, rather than feeling controlled by our emotional experiences. FOLLOW DR. CHAPMAN: INSTA: @drkevinchapman MORE INFO: Linktree WEBSITE: www.drkevinchapman.com STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

In this solo episode, I explore the pressure many of us feel to optimize everything: our careers, productivity, relationships, interests, self-care, rest, therapy, and even "healing."  I talk about how time-consuming and how mentally draining it can be to try to make the "best" choice every time and make the most out of very experience. I also touch on how optimization can show up in relation to OCD and ADHD. I share how these thoughts and experiences have shown up in my own life, and how I've leaned into making room for imperfection, uncertainty, and doing things despite the outcome - as hard as it may be.  I also talk about how growing up as a child of immigrants can influence one's view of success, productivity, and making the most of opportunities.  As always, resonating with this episode does not mean you live with OCD, ADHD, or any specific diagnosis. You can relate to these topics for a variety of reasons. If you can relate, you're not alone. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

In this solo episode, I break down some differences between rumination and reflection, and explore why rumination can be so sneaky. Using both personal and professional experiences, I share how we can start to recognize rumination, and discuss how it often shows up in OCD and anxiety. I also discuss common signs of rumination, how it can function as a mental compulsion in OCD, why it often feels productive when it keeps us stuck, practical strategies to help you respond differently, and the importance of approaching yourself with self-compassion in these moments, rather than shame or self-criticism. In addition, I talk about the grief that can come with recognizing how much time, energy, and emotional space ruination may have taken over the years. For example, someone may have grown up believing they were just really "self-aware," when in reality they may have been caught in a cycle of distressing rumination.  As always, I hope this episode can remind you that you're not alone. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]

Sarah Ann Saeger, LPC, LCADC, LAMFT, is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist who specializes in complex trauma, addiction, and relationships. She is trained in IFS and an array of somatic,attachment-informed therapies. Sarah shares psychoeducation and reflections on parts work and the healing journey on her Instagram and Substack platforms. She is dedicated to helping survivors embrace the wisdom of their whole selves, and she supports survivors in her PA-based therapy practice. In this episode, we explore parentification: what it is, how it develops, and the ways it can continue to shape our lives after childhood. We discuss what can happen when a child grows up feeling responsible for the emotional well-being of others, learns to suppress their own needs, and takes on roles that were never theirs to carry. We also unpack the many nuances of these experiences, recognizing that family, culture, and generation has its own context.  In addition, we talk about what it can look like to incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS) into the work of complex trauma and parentification. We discuss how these early roles can show up in adult relationships through familiar relational patterns and reenactments. This includes why we may find ourselves drawn to partners who reinforce what once felt familiar, along with the grief that can come from recognizing what we needed but didn't receive. FOLLOW SARAH: INSTA: @sarahannsaeger MORE INFO: Linktree WORKBOOK: The Internal Family Systems Workbook For CPTSD STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

When society says "it's just a pet," Beth Bigler says "your grief is valid and profound." As a double-certified Pet Loss Grief Counselor and founder of Honoring Our Animals, Beth is a pioneering voice in pet loss support, offering personalized care to individuals and families before, during, and after their beloved's transition. After the sudden death of her soulmate cat Arnie, she transformed her loss into a mission they began together: guiding guardians to honor their grief, connect with their beloveds, and integrate loss into their lives. Beth is the author of Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Pet Loss (Quarto/Wellfleet Press, 2025), the first daily grief companion created specifically for pet guardians, available worldwide and a go-to resource for therapists, veterinary clinics, and animal care organizations.  Her second book is forthcoming from HarperCollins in 2027. She has been featured in Forbes, Psychology Today, The Sunday Times, USA Today, Business Insider, Daily Mail, and numerous television and radio outlets including KFI AM 640. Beth also built a 20-year career breaking ground as a writer, producer, and educator across stage, film, and television. Find her on Instagram @honoringouranimals. In this episode, we discuss the complexity of pet loss and grief that can follow. We discuss the societal judgment around grieving animals, why grief does not need to be justified or compared, and why loss of a pet can feel more painful than other losses for some. We hold space for the valid, complex emotions that can come with pet loss and remind listeners that there is no "one right way" to grieve. We touch on the beauty of bonding more deeply with certain animals and discuss the guilt that can arise when bringing a new pet after a loss. In addition, we discuss being able to hold space for both grief and love at the same time. We hope this episode can provide support, validation, compassion, understanding, and hope for those who need it. FOLLOW BETH: INSTA: @honoringouranimals WEBSITE: www.honoringouranimals.com BOOK: Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing after Pet Loss  STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: [email protected]

We're back with a solo episode on Relationship OCD. In this episode, I talk about a common experience many with ROCD may experience: romanticizing the past - whether that's the beginning of your current relationship, past relationships, or past experiences, including being single.  I explore how this pattern can show up in the context of Relationship OCD. I also touch on the anxiety, doubt, shamem and guilt that can arise from these thoughts and experiences.  If you can relate to feeling the need to find meaning in every thought and feeling, you are not alone. As always, resonating to this episode does not necessarily mean you live with OCD. These thoughts can show up for a variety of reasons. As a reminder, I created a Spotify playlist with ROCD-focused episodes. You can listen here. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: [email protected]