Advertise on podcast: Breaking Free from OCD, Anxiety & Stress with Matt Codde

A real OCD recovery story: How Jaro broke the fear loop after 10+ years — and what finally worked. If you've been struggling with OCD for years — trying therapy, reading books, understanding everything intellectually, but still feeling stuck — this episode is for you. Matt Codde, LCSW, sits down with Jaro, a member of the Taking Back Control (TBC) program, for an honest conversation about his 10+ year journey with OCD: from compulsive behaviors he couldn't explain, to fear-based decisions that damaged relationships, to finally breaking the loop and experiencing what real recovery feels like. Whether you're just beginning your OCD recovery journey or you've tried everything and feel hopeless, this episode offers real insight into what it takes to get to the other side. 🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅Understand why intellectualizing about OCD is not the same as recovering from it ✅Learn why talk therapy can actually make OCD worse (the reassurance trap explained) ✅See why group recovery creates breakthroughs that solo work cannot replicate ✅Discover how the fear loop shows up across different themes over a lifetime ✅Learn what 'expanded consciousness' and embodied healing actually feel like in practice ✅Understand the 'good person' persona driving OCD and how healing it creates real transformation ✅See why recovery is a practice, not a destination — and what that means for your journey 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery Guide Start your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to Unstuck Learn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life .👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) Program Learn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode: 👉https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthcodde.restoredminds 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps• 00:00 — What This Episode Is About •01:10 — Jaro's Background: 10+ Years With OCD •06:28 — The Breaking Point: When Fear Damaged a Relationship •11:23 — Why Talk Therapy Didn't Help• 16:33 — What Changed in TBC: Group, Embodiment & Consciousness •27:36 — Where Jaro Is Now & Advice for Anyone Stuck ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

One of the most common questions Matt receives is: "How long will OCD or anxiety recovery take?" In this episode, he gives an honest, clinically-grounded answer — and it's not what most people expect. Rather than a specific timeline, Matt reframes recovery as a journey that depends entirely on your clarity of purpose and your willingness to keep going no matter what. Matt shares that his own path from the onset of OCD to feeling genuinely free took over a decade — but that the entire Restored Minds mission exists to condense that timeline for you. The goal of Taking Back Control is to give you everything he learned (including what not to do) so you can bypass years of trial and error. If you're stuck wondering whether you'll ever get better — or comparing your timeline to others — this episode is for you. Matt offers two key principles that have consistently accelerated recovery in people he's worked with: knowing what you actually want (not just what you don't want), and releasing time as a metric altogether. 🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅• Understand why no one can give you a specific OCD or anxiety recovery timeline ✅•Learn why knowing your "why" dramatically accelerates the healing process ✅•See why focusing on what you want (not just escaping what you don't) changes everything ✅•Discover the mindset of relentlessness that Matt credits with his own recovery ✅•Understand why letting go of time as a metric is itself a recovery skill ✅•Learn what spiral ascension means and how it reframes your recovery journey 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery Guide Start your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to Unstuck Learn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life. 👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) Program Learn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root. 👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode: 👉https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthcodde.restoredminds 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps • 00:00 — What this episode is about: how long OCD recovery takes • 00:44 — Why Matt won't give you a specific timeline • 01:50 — Matt's own recovery journey: over a decade, and what changed • 03:26 — The #1 thing that expedites recovery: knowing your "why" • 04:55 — Why letting go of time is the key to moving through it faster • 06:00 — The relentlessness mindset that accelerates real recovery ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support

If you've been working on your OCD or anxiety for months — or even years — and still feel stuck, this episode is going to reframe everything. Most people believe recovery means the intrusive thoughts stop. The anxiety disappears. They finally feel "normal." But chasing that version of recovery is exactly what keeps so many people trapped. In this episode, Matt Codde, LCSW breaks down what real OCD and anxiety recovery actually looks like — and why it has nothing to do with eliminating thoughts or fixing external triggers. At the core of OCD and anxiety is chronic resistance to emotion. Fear isn't a disease — it's a human experience. And when you understand that recovery is about becoming non-resistant to emotion rather than eliminating it, everything changes. The loop doesn't break from the outside in. It breaks from the inside out. Matt also addresses why ERP is so often misunderstood, why OCD themes keep switching, and why recovery is better understood as an ascension in consciousness rather than a linear path from broken to healed. 🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Understand why the common idea of OCD recovery is actually keeping you stuck ✅ Learn what non-resistance means and why it's the foundation of real recovery. ✅ See why OCD themes keep switching — and what that tells you about the real problem ✅ Understand why you can't force acceptance from a place of resistance ✅ Learn how consciousness and emotional states relate to OCD and anxiety recovery ✅ See what the OCD loop actually looks like — and how to dismantle it from the inside ✅ Understand why fear is not a chronic condition — and why that matters for your recovery 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery Guide Start your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to Unstuck Learn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life. 👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) Program Learn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root. 👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode: 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthcodde.restoredminds 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps •00:00 — What This Episode Is About •01:28 — What Recovery Really Means (And What It Doesn't) •03:38 — The Role of Emotional Resistance in OCD •07:00 — Fear Goggles: How Fear Distorts Your Reality •09:20 — Why ERP Is Often Misunderstood •11:52 — Recovery as an Ascension in Consciousness •14:00 — How to Begin Breaking the Loop

If you can't stop thinking about your partner's past — obsessing over their ex, replaying old memories, or demanding reassurance — this episode is for you. Retroactive jealousy OCD isn't really about the past. It's a present-moment insecurity that gets projected backward, creating an exhausting loop of doubt, questioning, and compulsive reassurance-seeking. In this episode, Matt Codde, LCSW explains exactly what retroactive jealousy OCD is, how it operates as part of the broader OCD cycle, and why treating it as a relationship problem actually makes things worse. Most importantly, he walks you through what you actually need to do to break the loop — not by resolving the past, but by addressing what's happening inside you right now. Whether you're the one struggling or a partner trying to understand what's happening, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need. 🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Understand what retroactive jealousy OCD actually is — and why it's not about the relationship ✅ Learn the two most common RJ OCD patterns and how to recognize them ✅ See why reassurance-seeking and questioning your partner makes the loop worse ✅ Understand the real cause of RJ OCD: present-moment insecurity projected onto the past ✅ Learn why the past and the theme are never the true source of the disturbance ✅ Discover what non-resistance means and why it's the foundation of recovery ✅ See how RJ OCD connects to relationship OCD and why addressing it early matters 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery Guide Start your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to Unstuck Learn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) Program Learn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root. 👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds /🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps• 00:00 — What This Episode Is About: Retroactive Jealousy OCD• 01:22 — What Is Retroactive Jealousy OCD? 04:52 — Present-Moment Insecurity Projected onto the Past 07:54 — OCD as Chronic Escapism of Unwanted Emotion 08:39 — How to Break the Loop: Non-Resistance and Safety Behaviors 10:04 — How RJ OCD Connects to Relationship OCD ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

If you or someone you love is caught in relentless doubt about a relationship — questioning feelings, hyperfixating on a partner's flaws, or seeking constant reassurance — this episode is for you. Matt Codde, LCSW breaks down what relationship OCD really is, why it has almost nothing to do with your partner, and what real recovery actually looks like. Relationship OCD is one of the most misunderstood forms of OCD because it feels so real and relationship-specific. But underneath the doubt, the analysis, and the fear is a fear loop driven by internal emotion — not by your partner. Learning to see this distinction is the first and most important step toward breaking free. Whether you're the one experiencing it or a partner trying to understand what's happening, this episode offers a clear, compassionate framework for navigating relationship OCD and beginning to heal from the inside out. 🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Understand what separates relationship OCD from normal relationship doubts ✅ Learn the most common obsessions and compulsions in relationship OCD ✅ See why the fear loop has nothing to do with your partner — and everything to do with internal emotion ✅ Understand how 'fear goggles' distort your perception of your partner ✅ Learn why seeking reassurance and analyzing feelings makes relationship OCD worse ✅ Discover what real recovery looks like — and why it starts with the OCD loop, not the relationship ✅ See how the AAA Response can help you break the loop and restore nervous system stability 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery Guide Start your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to Unstuck Learn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life. 👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) Program Learn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root. 👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode: 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 What This Episode Is About: Relationship OCD Overview 01:00 A Theme Is Just a Projection of Fear 03:15 Relationship OCD vs. Normal Relationship Doubt 05:00 Common Obsessions & Compulsions 11:50 The Real Driving Force: Internal Pain & the Certainty Trap 14:10 What Real Recovery Looks Like 19:00 Shifting States: How Perception Changes Everything ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

How to Build an ERP Hierarchy for OCD — And Why Most People Do It Wrong If you've been trying ERP for OCD and feel like you're spinning your wheels, there's a good chance your exposure hierarchy is missing something critical. In this episode, Matt Codde, LCSW walks you through how a traditional ERP hierarchy works — and, more importantly, the key shifts that actually create lasting recovery. Whether you're dealing with contamination OCD, relationship OCD (ROCD), harm OCD, or any other theme, this framework applies. If you've felt frustrated with traditional ERP, this episode will give you a new way of understanding and applying it. What You'll Learn: ✅Understand what an ERP hierarchy is and how it's traditionally structured ✅Learn why response prevention is more important than the exposure itself ✅ See why doing exposures while ruminating is not real ERP ✅ Understand the two critical steps Matt recommends before adding intentional exposures ✅Learn how to reframe fear as something within you — not outside you — for deeper healing ✅ See why over-tracking and extreme exposures are often counterproductive ✅ Understand why working with a guide helps you spot compulsions you can't see yourself 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery Guide Start your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to Unstuck Learn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life. 👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root. 👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode: 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 🔹 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/matthew.codde 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — What This Episode Is About: Building an ERP Hierarchy 00:20 — What a Traditional ERP Hierarchy Looks Like 01:15 — Understanding the SUDS Scale 02:50 — Why Consistency Matters More Than One Big Exposure 03:20 — The Real Problem: Doing Exposures Without Removing Compulsions 05:30 — Step 2: Reframing Fear as Something Within You 08:00 — How Pride Keeps People Stuck

ERP for OCD & Anxiety | Why Hierarchies Alone Don’t Break the Loop ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is often called the “gold standard” for OCD and anxiety treatment. But if you’ve tried ERP and felt like it didn’t quite work—or you got partial results and then new fears popped up—you’re not alone. In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW breaks down what ERP really is, how it targets the OCD and anxiety loop, and why so many people struggle to make lasting progress with it. He explains the difference between focusing only on external triggers (like doorknobs, elevators, or driving) versus working directly with the internal fear that keeps projecting onto new themes. If you’ve been doing exposures, building hierarchies, and “white-knuckling” your way through extreme ERP exercises, but still feel stuck in anxiety, rumination, and compulsions, this episode will help you reframe ERP as an ongoing integration process—not just a worksheet or a one-time challenge. 🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ What ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) actually is and how it targets the OCD/anxiety loop ✅ Why fear itself is not a “disorder” — and how getting stuck in lower emotional states creates suffering ✅ The difference between desensitizing to triggers vs. releasing fear from within ✅ Why ERP hierarchies and “doing more exposures” alone don’t create recovery ✅ How mental compulsions (like rumination, checking how you feel, and overanalyzing) secretly block real ERP ✅ Why consistency beats intensity in ERP — and how to integrate ERP as a lifestyle, not a one-off event ✅ How to understand ERP from a consciousness/emotional-release perspective so you can transcend fear instead of just chasing new themes 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance. 👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life. 👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) Program Learn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root. 👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD 👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode: 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck 👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – What Is ERP & How It Targets the OCD/Anxiety Loop 04:15 – The Contamination Example: Exposure + Response Prevention in Real Life 06:10 – Two Ways of Seeing ERP: Nervous System vs. Consciousness & Projection 12:05 – The Hierarchy Myth: Why Exposures Without Response Prevention Don’t Work 16:00 – ERP as a Lifestyle: Rumination, Daily Choices, and Ongoing Practice 21:20 – Transcending Fear: Proper ERP, Higher States, and Getting the Right Guidance

If you’re stuck in your head, constantly overthinking, replaying thoughts, or trying to “figure it out”… this episode will show you how to stop rumination the right way. Rumination isn’t just thinking—it’s a compulsion that keeps you trapped in the OCD and anxiety loop. And the more you try to solve it mentally, the worse it gets. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Why trying to “stop rumination” actually keeps you stuck ✅ The real reason you overthink (it’s not what you think) ✅ How rumination acts as a hidden compulsion in OCD & anxiety ✅ The emotional trigger behind your thinking loop ✅ Why solving thoughts will never bring relief ✅ The 3-step process to break free from rumination ✅ How to shift from fighting the problem → building a solution ✅ What to focus on instead to truly regain control of your life 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: How to Stop Rumination 00:36 – Why “Stopping” Isn’t the Real Goal 01:19 – Step 1: Define What You Actually Want 02:14 – Identifying the Gap in Your Life 03:58 – Why Knowing Isn’t Enough 04:47 – Step 2: Awareness of Rumination 05:52 – The Real Cost of Overthinking 06:24 – Why You’re Actually Ruminating 07:47 – The Emotional Root of Rumination 08:13 – Step 3: Implement the Right Solution 09:02 – Why Most Approaches Fail 10:24 – The Correct Way to Break the Loop 10:33 – Final Framework Recap 11:05 – Closing Thoughts ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

If you feel stuck overthinking, replaying thoughts, or trying to “figure things out,” this Rumination Episode will change how you understand it completely. In this episode, we break down what rumination really is, why it feels so automatic, and how it silently keeps you trapped in the OCD and anxiety loop. More importantly, you’ll learn why trying to solve your thoughts doesn’t work—and what actually leads to freedom. If you’ve been stuck in your head, constantly analyzing, or chasing certainty, this episode will help you see the pattern clearly and begin shifting out of it. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ What rumination really is (and why it’s more than “just thinking”) ✅ Why overthinking is actually a compulsion in OCD and anxiety ✅ The hidden trap of chasing certainty—and why it keeps you stuck ✅ How rumination feeds the fear → thought → compulsion loop ✅ Why trying to “figure it out” never brings relief ✅ The real reason you feel stuck in your head ✅ How rumination disconnects you from your life and relationships ✅ The key shift to break the loop and stop overthinking 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 01:24 – What Rumination Really Means 02:55 – Why You Keep Ruminating 04:01 – Fear → Thought → Projection 05:51 – Rumination Is a Compulsion 06:39 – The Illusion of Certainty 08:13 – The Real OCD Trap 09:52 – The Problem With Rumination 10:04 – You’re Missing Your Life 11:44 – Why Rumination Is So Serious 13:46 – People Don’t Take It Seriously 15:21 – Rumination = Addiction Pattern 16:40 – Obsession vs Compulsion Explained 18:31 – How to Stop Rumination 19:00 – Install a Solution (AAA Response) 20:32 – Why You Must Take This Seriously ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

If you’re struggling with harmful intrusive thoughts, this episode will change how you understand everything. Harm OCD isn’t a disease — it’s a self-reinforcing loop driven by fear, thoughts, and compulsions. In this episode, we break down why trying to “fix” the thoughts keeps you stuck, how the OCD loop actually works, and what it really takes to break free and reclaim your life. If you’ve been feeling trapped in anxiety or intrusive thoughts, this will give you a completely new perspective. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Why Harm OCD isn’t a disease, but a self-reinforcing loop ✅ The real mechanism behind fear → thought → compulsion → loop ✅ Why focusing on thoughts keeps you trapped in anxiety ✅ How the mind tricks you into thinking you’re staying safe ✅ The difference between understanding the loop vs. breaking it ✅ Why your life feels smaller the longer the loop runs ✅ The key shift needed to break free from Harm OCD ✅ How changing your state of consciousness changes everything 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Harm OCD Isn’t a Disease 01:00 – Why You Stay Stuck in the Loop 02:51 – Fear → Thought → Compulsion Cycle 03:19 – How OCD Shrinks Your Life 04:04 – Why Understanding Isn’t Enough 04:45 – The Trap: Feeling Safe vs Being Stuck 05:24 – What Actually Creates the Disorder 05:57 – How to Break the Loop 06:03 – Shift in Consciousness Changes Everything ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

Harm OCD and harmful intrusive thoughts can feel terrifying — especially when your mind produces violent or disturbing thoughts that feel completely against who you are. In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW explains Harm OCD and harmful intrusive thoughts, what they really mean, and why having these thoughts does not make you a dangerous person. If you’ve ever wondered why these intrusive thoughts appear and why trying to control or analyze them only makes them worse, this episode will help you understand the real mechanism behind the OCD loop. Rather than focusing on eliminating thoughts, Matt explains why recovery from Harm OCD comes from changing how you respond to thoughts, emotions, and compulsions. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ What Harm OCD and harmful intrusive thoughts actually are ✅ Why intrusive thoughts do not reflect who you are ✅ The difference between intrusive thoughts and real harmful intent ✅ Why trying to control or suppress thoughts strengthens OCD ✅ How shame and guilt reinforce the intrusive thought cycle ✅ Why compulsions keep harmful intrusive thoughts stuck These insights will help you start breaking the OCD loop and understand why intrusive thoughts lose power when you stop reacting to them. 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media:🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Harm OCD & harmful intrusive thoughts 01:31 – Harmful intent vs intrusive thoughts (key difference) 03:02 – Why Harm OCD thoughts feel so frightening 04:41 – Why intrusive thoughts don’t reflect who you are 06:01 – Why the brain produces disturbing thoughts 07:30 – You are not your thoughts 09:03 – How shame and guilt intensify Harm OCD 11:03 – The compulsions that keep the OCD loop alive 13:01 – Why trying to control thoughts makes them worse 16:00 – The real problem: the OCD loop, not the thoughts 17:23 – Why talk therapy often fails with intrusive thoughts 19:52 – Thoughts vs emotions: what’s actually driving OCD 21:30 – Three steps to start breaking the Harm OCD cycle 24:03 – Final encouragement and recovery message ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

In this episode, we explore why consciousness needs to be integrated in mental health and why understanding awareness itself may be essential for lasting recovery from OCD, anxiety, panic attacks, and emotional suffering. Matt explains how many traditional treatment models overlook the role of consciousness and identity in the healing process. Instead of only trying to eliminate symptoms, this episode explores how expanding awareness can help people disidentify from their thoughts and emotions — allowing true transformation rather than temporary coping. If you've struggled with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or feeling trapped in your own mind, this conversation offers a deeper perspective on recovery and why consciousness-based work may be the missing piece. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Why many mental health models focus only on symptom management ✅ The difference between awareness and identification with thoughts ✅ Why anxiety may be a state of consciousness rather than a disease ✅ How identifying with emotions can keep people stuck in anxiety loops ✅ Why lasting recovery requires expansion rather than suppression ✅ The connection between consciousness, identity, and emotional healing 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal: 📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media:🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why consciousness matters in recovery 02:02 – The 5 reasons consciousness should be integrated in mental health 02:34 – Why mental health without consciousness becomes symptom management 06:10 – Anxiety is not the enemy — it’s a state of consciousness 08:01 – Why OCD and anxiety are also identity problems 09:31 – “Your mind is driving you crazy” – who is observing the mind? 12:02 – Why understanding consciousness changes how recovery works 12:56 – Sustainable recovery requires expansion, not suppression 14:16 – Why coping behaviors prevent real healing 16:00 – Expansion of consciousness and emotional capacity 16:39 – Avoiding spiritual bypass and clinical reductionism 18:26 – Why integrating consciousness transforms mental health recovery ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW shares some thoughts on medication and anxiety, including the role of SSRIs, benzodiazepines, placebo research, and how medication fits into a broader recovery journey.If you're struggling with anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, or other fear-based symptoms, you’ve probably wondered whether medication is the answer. In this episode, Matt explores the research, discusses common experiences people report with anxiety medication, and explains why medication may help some people — while not addressing the deeper cause of anxiety. Rather than taking an extreme position for or against medication, this conversation explores how medication might fit into a balanced recovery approach focused on emotional healing, exposure work, and long-term integration. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ Some thoughts on medication and anxiety treatment ✅ What recent research suggests about SSRIs and placebo effects ✅ Why anxiety may not be caused by a chemical imbalance ✅ When medication might help people engage in recovery work ✅ The risks of long-term benzodiazepine use ✅ Why emotional and psychological healing are essential for lasting recovery These insights can help you better understand the role medication may play in your own anxiety recovery journey. Sources & Further Reading • Moncrieff, J., et al. (2022). The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Molecular Psychiatry.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12104218/ • University College London (2022). Analysis: Depression is probably not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain – new study.https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/jul/analysis-depression-probably-not-caused-chemical-imbalance-brain-new-study 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media:🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 01:02 – Why medication decisions should be personal 02:02 – The middle ground between anti-medication and over-prescribing 03:03 – SSRIs and why they’re commonly prescribed 04:07 – What placebo research reveals about SSRIs 05:51 – Can emotional healing change brain chemistry? 09:01 – Why chemical imbalance may not be the true cause 10:08 – The risks of benzodiazepines for anxiety 11:52 – Why long-term healing requires more than medication 14:01 – How belief and placebo may influence treatment 15:02 – Finding doctors aligned with your recovery goals 16:04 – The importance of emotional healing and consciousness work ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

Many people struggling with OCD and anxiety spend years searching for the root cause. Is it genetics, brain chemistry, past trauma, or something deeper? In this episode, we explore what causes OCD & anxiety by breaking down four different frameworks often used to explain these conditions: genetics and environment, biochemical factors, emotional patterns, and deeper psychological or spiritual processes. Understanding these layers can help you shift how you approach recovery and identify the level where real transformation happens. If you’ve ever wondered why intrusive thoughts, panic, or chronic anxiety keep returning despite trying different treatments, this episode will give you a new perspective on the mechanisms behind fear and how true healing may occur. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ The four main frameworks used to explain what causes OCD & anxiety ✅ Why the genetics and environment explanation may not tell the full story ✅ The role of brain chemistry and why medication alone may not resolve anxiety ✅ How fear and suppressed emotions can drive the OCD and anxiety loop ✅ Why intrusive thoughts often project internal fear onto external themes ✅ How unprocessed emotional experiences from the past can influence anxiety patterns ✅ The connection between fear, emotional resistance, and compulsive behaviors ✅ Why true recovery often involves confronting and releasing stored emotions ✅ How OCD and anxiety can become a path toward deeper self-awareness and integration ✅ A different perspective on recovery that focuses on healing at the root level 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start 📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT 📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc 🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds ✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30 ✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media:🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – What Causes OCD & Anxiety? 01:55 – The 4 Frameworks That Explain Anxiety 02:40 – Genetics & Environment Theory 05:45 – The Biochemical / Medication Model 09:15 – Fear & Emotional Projection Explained 11:50 – Why Repressed Emotions Drive Anxiety 14:00 – The Fear of Emotion Behind OCD 17:30 – Why OCD Can Be a Path to Growth 19:30 – Choosing the Path to Healing ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

In this episode, we explore Entrepreneurship, Fear, & Returning to Wholeness, and why building a business often forces us to confront our deepest fears, beliefs, and emotional patterns. Many entrepreneurs believe success, money, or achievement will resolve internal struggles — but true fulfillment comes from inner work, self-integration, and emotional healing. You’ll learn why fear is internal (not external), how entrepreneurship becomes a path toward self-actualization, and how doing the inner work allows your business — and your life — to evolve naturally.If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or leader experiencing anxiety, pressure, or burnout, this episode reframes entrepreneurship as a powerful vehicle for personal growth and returning to wholeness.🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ Why entrepreneurship is fundamentally an inner journey, not just a business pursuit ✅ How fear in business actually originates within you — not from external circumstances ✅ The psychological reason many entrepreneurs feel anxiety, pressure, or emotional highs and lows ✅ Why success, money, or achievement cannot resolve internal struggles ✅ How entrepreneurship becomes a path toward self-actualization and returning to wholeness ✅ The hidden emotional patterns and beliefs that drive hustle, overwork, and burnout ✅ Why fear is often a signal pointing toward unprocessed emotional experiences ✅ How doing inner work transforms both your personal life and business performance ✅ The shift from seeking validation through success → to creating from inner completeness ✅ How integrating your inner world allows entrepreneurship to become a more aligned and fulfilling journeyWhy past emotional wounds drive present anxiety 🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT📘 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramLearn how to apply these principles daily and dissolve anxiety at the root.👉 Apply Now: https://www.restoredminds.com/tbc🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461 ✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book Follow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media: 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcodde.restoredminds/ 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/restoredminds/ 📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us! ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – The Inner Work Behind Entrepreneurship 00:25 – Entrepreneurship, Fear & Wholeness Explained 01:18 – Why Entrepreneurs Must Learn Emotional Resilience 02:00 – Fear Comes From Within (Not Business Problems) 03:03 – Entrepreneurship as Self-Actualization 04:01 – The Real Journey: Who You Become 05:04 – Why External Success Doesn’t Fix Internal Struggles 06:03 – Working on Yourself Changes Everything 07:00 – What Fear Is REALLY About 08:03 – Hustle Culture vs Inner Healing 09:00 – Entrepreneurship as a Vehicle for Growth 10:05 – Business Problems as Inner Signals 11:01 – Stop Hiding in Work & Face Yourself 12:00 – Returning to Wholeness Through Inner Work⚠️ DisclaimerThis content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional for personalized support.