Fear Less

90. Learning to Live with Anxiety: A Young Women's Journey to Acceptance

What does effective anxiety treatment actually look like for teens and young adults—and how do you know when it's time for a higher level of care? In this powerful and deeply thoughtful episode Zack speaks with River, a college student who has lived with anxiety and OCD since early childhood. River shares how her anxiety intensified through adolescence, leading to depression, self-harm, hospitalizations, and ultimately residential treatment. She walks listeners through her experience with OCD, somatic anxiety, fear of illness, and how untreated anxiety can quietly derail school, relationships, and self-confidence. This episode offers parents and young people a rare inside look at what anxiety treatment can involve—from inpatient care to residential OCD treatment, exposure and response prevention (ERP), trauma work, and the challenges of transitioning to college. River reflects on returning to treatment as a motivated young adult, learning skills to manage intrusive thoughts, people-pleasing, and uncertainty, and eventually rebuilding her confidence through independent living and college re-entry. Her story is both reassuring and practical, reminding families that anxiety recovery is not linear—but with the right support, healing is possible. If you're a parent wondering how to help a teen with anxiety, or a young person feeling stuck and overwhelmed, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and real-world insight into what effective anxiety treatment can look like. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from the inspirational Helen Keller to help you open up to Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

89. Why Teens Are Struggling Now More than Ever: Expert Guidance for Parents Navigating Today's Challenges

Why are so many teens struggling with anxiety right now—and what can parents actually do to help? In this episode, Zack speaks with psychologist Dr. Rachel Gingold, who brings nearly 30 years of experience treating adolescents and families. Together, they unpack how the COVID years disrupted social development, increased avoidance, and intensified anxiety for teens everywhere. Dr. Gingold explains why previously confident kids may now fear everyday tasks, how to recognize when anxiety is driving behavior, and why supportive challenge—not protection—is the key to rebuilding confidence. Parents will learn practical ways to help teens re-engage with life, strengthen identity, and move toward healthy independence. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Tracee Ellison Ross, actor and to help you open up to Fear Less! Dr. Gingold's private practice is- https://www.fhwsonline.com/rachel-gingold-phd [https://www.fhwsonline.com/rachel-gingold-phd] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

88. From "Man Up" to Opening Up: A Candid Conversation on Men, Anxiety, and Fatherhood

In this episode Zack talks with Dr. Will White about the hidden ways men experience fear, anxiety, and major life transitions. Will shares candid stories from fatherhood, leadership, loss, and aging, while Zack reflects on overworking, anger, and becoming a father again. Together they highlight how men often express anxiety through anger, shutting down, or work—rather than naming it for what it is. They also explore healthier alternatives: men's retreats, movement, meditation, community, and asking for help before things reach a breaking point. Will explains why nature, honest conversation, and structured support can help men "turn the compost heap" of stress, rather than let it build into isolation. The episode closes with a reminder for men—and those who love them—that you don't have to carry everything alone. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Terry Crews, actor and mental health advocate to help you open up to Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

87. Fear and Fatherhood Pt. 2: Reflections on Becoming A Dad for a Second Time

Is having another child an anxiety provoking experience? Our host Zack Shafer returns for a solo episode reflecting on the arrival of his second child, baby Meli and how becoming a parent again reshaped his understanding of fear and anxiety. He revisits the worries he had before his first child's birth—fears about not having life perfectly organized—and how becoming a dad taught him that anxiety doesn't disappear, but you learn you can handle uncertainty anyway. With more experience under his belt, Zack describes approaching this second birth with less panic and more presence, recognizing how exposure—doing something hard once—builds confidence the next time around. He also explores the unique fears that surfaced as he became a father to a daughter and how societal expectations shaped his protective instincts. The episode expands into a powerful conversation about men's mental health, the pressure many fathers feel to "hold everything together," and how rarely dads are asked how they're coping. Zack encourages parents—especially fathers—to talk openly about stress, seek support, and remember that you don't need to be perfect to be a good parent. You just need to show up, stay aware, and keep going. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Ama H. Vanniarachchy, author and anthropologist to help you Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/] Zack's episode about anxiety related to his first child was first released in July of 2024- 36. Fear, Fatherhood, and Transformation: Zack's Journey to Becoming a Dad [https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/84afdcd4-a86d-430b-bd43-736dbbc0eed9/id/32163052] https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/84afdcd4-a86d-430b-bd43-736dbbc0eed9/id/32163052

86. Anxiety Journey: From Mountain Valley Client to Anxiety Clinician

What happens when a teen who once struggled with anxiety and OCD grows up to help others face those same fears? In this episode Zack welcomes former Mountain Valley client, now Child Mind Institute clinician John Wyetzner, as he shares his powerful journey from school avoidance and OCD to evidence-based recovery. This episode unpacks what Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) truly looks like, how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports values-driven change, and the vital role of community in healing. For parents and clinicians, John offers practical insights into tackling intrusive thoughts, reassurance-seeking, and family accommodation. Discover actionable tips to help teens generalize their therapeutic gains back to home and school environments. This podcast provides clear resources, real hope, and essential next steps for effectively treating teen anxiety and OCD. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Jim Morrison, songwriter and musician to help you Fear Less! To find out more about John Weitzner and the Child Mind Institute check this website out- https://childmind.org/ [https://childmind.org/] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]