Fear Less

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/]

85. What If It's Not About Food? Understanding Fear and Eating Disorders

What if your child's struggle with food isn't really about food at all—but about fear? In this powerful episode of Fear Less, host Zack sits down with Libby Parker, a registered dietitian, certified eating disorder specialist, and author of Permission to Eat, to explore how fear, anxiety, and control often lie at the heart of eating disorders. Drawing on both her personal recovery and clinical expertise, Libby explains how restrictive or binge cycles develop, why they can be so difficult to break, and how compassionate, evidence-based approaches—like exposure therapy—can help young people find freedom and self-trust again. Parents will gain practical insight into recognizing early warning signs, understanding the role of fear in their child's behaviors, and responding with curiosity instead of panic. Together, Zack and Libby illuminate the deep connection between anxiety and disordered eating—and offer hope that recovery begins when families and clinicians work together to loosen fear's hold. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Jenni Schaefer, author of "Life without Ed" to help you Fear Less! To find out more about Libby Parker check out her Theraden weblink- https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/libby-parker-ms-rd-cdn-ceds-c-new-york-ny [https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/libby-parker-ms-rd-cdn-ceds-c-new-york-ny] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

84. From Avoidant to Values Driven: How ACT Helps Teens Embrace Anxiety

Licensed professional counselor Kelsey Irving joins Zack to demystify Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how it helps teens with anxiety and OCD—especially when paired with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Kelsey breaks ACT down into parent-friendly language: accept tough thoughts and feelings without wrestling them, then commit to actions that serve your child's values (family, school, friendships). She shares clear metaphors teens actually remember (leaves on a stream, "bring the monkey with you") and explains "defusion" and mindfulness as practical skills that make scary moments doable—like showing up for a game, riding in the car, or eating with friends. Parents will also hear why family involvement matters at every age, how to stop unintentionally accommodating compulsions, and what to do when a teen says, "I don't want to feel this way anymore." Kelsey draws on her OCD-specialist training (IOP/PHP), her virtual therapy & coaching work across state lines, and her children's ACT book, Jacob in the Cloud, to offer simple—but not always easy—steps that build psychological flexibility, reduce reassurance cycles, and move teens toward a bigger life. Zack Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Les Brown to help you Fear Less! To find out more about Kelsey Irving and the resources she talks about check out her website: https://steadfastpsychology.com/ [https://steadfastpsychology.com/] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]