Anxiety Uncovered

EP8 - The Truth About Starting Year 7 (And What Really Matters)

If you’d like to work with me- in your school, college or event - for a workshop or a talk, just head to anxietyuncovered.com [http://anxietyuncovered.com/] for more info. Starting secondary school can feel like stepping into a whole new universe. In this episode, I chat with students about the real worries that come with Year 7, from getting lost to making new friends, and even those wild myths about older kids that everyone swears are true. You’ll also hear from Annabelle, fresh out of Year 7 with brilliant advice, plus Mrs Clarke from pastoral support sharing her best tips for both students and parents. With practical strategies, mindset shifts, and a plenty of laughs throughout, this episode will leave you feeling ready to handle the big move with confidence. 04:12: Charlie and Harry share their biggest Yr7 worries 05:09: How to flip worries into opportunities 11:14: Why being yourself is the best strategy 14:02: Top 10 tips for making new friends 16:28: Annabelle busts more hilarious school myths 18:40: Mrs Clarke’s turbo-charged transition tips 22:17: Joe’s weekly anxiety-busting takeaway This week’s Downloadable Resource for the show is HERE [https://anxietyuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-8.-Anxiety-Uncovered-Podcast-Techniques-Top-20-Transition-Tips-for-Year-7-2025.pdf] Disclaimer:  The content shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Please don’t ignore or delay professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters- and getting the right support is key. If you are in crisis, please contact your Doctor. If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now If you need urgent help for your mental health, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.  And if you’re listening from outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services or support line. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Anxiety Uncovered Website [https://www.anxietyuncovered.com/] Anxiety Uncovered on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578716177788] Anxiety Uncovered Instagram [https://instagram.com/anxietyuncovered] Anxiety Uncovered on Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@anxiety.uncovered] Connect with Joe: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] X [https://x.com/joerowntree] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@joerowntree] Joe's Website [https://www.joe-rowntree.com] Email [joe@anxietyuncovered.com]: joe@anxietyuncovered.com

EP7 - Facing Fear, Finding Voice: Daisy’s Rise from Silence to Head Girl

If you’d like to work with me- in your school, college or event - for a workshop or a talk, just head to anxietyuncovered.com [http://anxietyuncovered.com/] for more info. In this episode of Anxiety Uncovered, I share one of the most powerful transformations I’ve ever witnessed. Daisy went from being too anxious to say her name in a small workshop to standing up as Head Girl and preparing to speak in front of 1400 people! So we break down exactly how she did it, using a simple but life-changing technique called systematic desensitisation. I explain why avoidance keeps anxiety alive, what an “exposure ladder” really looks like, and how you can use the same approach to rewire your brain, say “see ya!” to your fears, and finally feel more in control. Here are the Highlights: 03:05 Why avoiding fear feels safe but keeps you stuck 06:01 Daisy explains her “ladder effect” for overcoming assemblies 07:34 The role of trust and why you can’t do this alone 10:54 Breaking down Daisy’s seven steps to confidence 14:37 Where Daisy is now, and how different life feels for her 15:19 My takeaway: humour, small wins, and why nerves aren’t the enemy 19:27 Your free tool: how to build your own exposure ladder Resource for this episode is available to download HERE [https://anxietyuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-7.-Anxiety-Uncovered-Podcast-Techniques-The-Exposure-Ladder.pdf] Disclaimer:  The content shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Please don’t ignore or delay professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters- and getting the right support is key. If you are in crisis, please contact your Doctor. If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now If you need urgent help for your mental health, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.  And if you’re listening from outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services or support line. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Anxiety Uncovered Website [https://www.anxietyuncovered.com/] Anxiety Uncovered on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578716177788] Anxiety Uncovered Instagram [https://instagram.com/anxietyuncovered] Anxiety Uncovered on Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@anxiety.uncovered] Connect with Joe: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] X [https://x.com/joerowntree] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@joerowntree] Joe's Website [https://www.joe-rowntree.com] Email [joe@anxietyuncovered.com]: joe@anxietyuncovered.com

EP6 - Mind Training, Not Mindfulness: Rethinking Teenage Anxiety

If you’d like to work with me- in your school, college or event - for a workshop or a talk, just head to anxietyuncovered.com [http://anxietyuncovered.com/] for more info. This episode is a special one. I’m talking to the incredible team behind the MAC programme - that’s Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers - and honestly, it might just be one of the most exciting approaches to mental health I’ve come across. It’s an eight-week skills-based course that brings young people and their parents into parallel groups to learn practical tools together, in a way that actually works. We’re not talking about endless talking circles or sitting in silence pretending not to be anxious -  this is real, science-backed stuff that helps you train your mind, spot the spiral before it kicks off, and finally feel like you’ve got a grip on things. Whether you're a parent or a young person... you’re going to get a lot from this episode. Here are the Highlights: (04:15) – Mindfulness… but make it actually useful. (08:50) – What MAC is, why it works, and why it’s not just sitting in a circle humming. (11:30) – Kat shares how this programme changed her relationship with her parents. (22:45) – The spider's web of thoughts: a genius analogy from a teen. (31:10) – “Tried mindfulness once, didn’t work.” Sound familiar? (36:00) – Why sceptics are exactly who this programme is for. (43:30) – From Michael Jordan to classroom panic: mindfulness for real life. (49:00) – How to take part in the MAC study (and why you’ll want to). (59:57) – Top Takeaway of the week (over to you, Jerry) Resource for this show available to download HERE [https://anxietyuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-6.-Anxiety-Uncovered-Podcast-Techniques-Jerrys-5-Step-Mindfulness-Practice-2025.-pdf.pdf] Disclaimer:  The content shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Please don’t ignore or delay professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters- and getting the right support is key. If you are in crisis, please contact your Doctor. If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now If you need urgent help for your mental health, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.  And if you’re listening from outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services or support line. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Anxiety Uncovered Website [https://www.anxietyuncovered.com/] Anxiety Uncovered on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578716177788] Anxiety Uncovered Instagram [https://instagram.com/anxietyuncovered] Anxiety Uncovered on Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@anxiety.uncovered] Connect with Joe: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] X [https://x.com/joerowntree] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@joerowntree] Joe's Website [https://www.joe-rowntree.com] Email [joe@anxietyuncovered.com]: joe@anxietyuncovered.com

EP5 - Fitting In, Failing, and My Inner Critic Geoff . Why do we Experience Anxiety? (part 2)

If you’d like to work with me- in your school, college or event - for a workshop or a talk, just head to anxietyuncovered.com [http://anxietyuncovered.com/] for more info. In this episode, I’m talking about one of the biggest drivers of anxiety - that pressure to fit in.  From being kicked out of a WhatsApp group to that sinking feeling of being bullied and humiliated. I’m looking at why rejection feels so intense and what our brains are actually doing when it happens. I’ll also share how failure links back to survival, why social media messes with our heads, and how I’ve learned to work with my thoughts instead of getting dragged around by them.  Oh, and you’ll hear from Geoff. He’s my inner critic. Bit much, but means well. (04:01) The teenage brain and social rejection (05:18) That all important dopamine kick (12:01) Social media exploits your insecurities (12:57) I got bullied at a panto (oh no you didn’t) (13:47) Uh-oh…Geoff’s back (28:16) Fail once. Fail better (37:12) The average lifespan of an emotion Resource for this episode available HERE [https://anxietyuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-5.-Anxiety-Uncovered-Podcast-Techniques-Thought-Watching-2025.pdf] Disclaimer:  The content shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Please don’t ignore or delay professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters- and getting the right support is key. If you are in crisis, please contact your Doctor. If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now If you need urgent help for your mental health, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.  And if you’re listening from outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services or support line. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Anxiety Uncovered Website [https://www.anxietyuncovered.com/] Anxiety Uncovered on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578716177788] Anxiety Uncovered Instagram [https://instagram.com/anxietyuncovered] Anxiety Uncovered on Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@anxiety.uncovered] Connect with Joe: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] X [https://x.com/joerowntree] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@joerowntree] Joe's Website [https://www.joe-rowntree.com] Email [joe@anxietyuncovered.com]: joe@anxietyuncovered.com

EP4 - Caveman Code on a Tik Tok timeline: Why do we experience Anxiety? (part one)

If you’d like to work with me- in your school, college or event - for a workshop or a talk, just head to anxietyuncovered.com [http://anxietyuncovered.com/] for more info. Ever wondered why anxiety shows up even when you’re doing something good for yourself? In this episode, I go back to our evolutionary roots to unpack why our brains still think we’re being chased by lions when we’re just trying to go to school, hit the gym, or post something on Tik Tok. I share my own story about being attacked in Barcelona and how that moment rewired my brain. You’ll hear how I’ve learned to see anxiety as a survival tool, not a flaw, and how distanced self-talk (and a little humour) can help you take back control when Jeff, your inner critic, kicks off. Here are the Highlights: (02:09) Anxiety-a survival mechanism (06:20) Our inner critic - what’s yours called? (11:36) Some practical tips (breathe!) (13:26) My Barcelona story (23:50) Social Judgement - yay! (33:45)  This Week’s Top Takeaway  Resource for this episode is available HERE [https://anxietyuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-4.-Anxiety-Uncovered-Podcast-Techniques-Distanced-Self-Talk-2025.pdf] Disclaimer:  The content shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Please don’t ignore or delay professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters- and getting the right support is key. If you are in crisis, please contact your Doctor. If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now If you need urgent help for your mental health, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.  And if you’re listening from outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services or support line. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Anxiety Uncovered Website [https://www.anxietyuncovered.com/] Anxiety Uncovered on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578716177788] Anxiety Uncovered Instagram [https://instagram.com/anxietyuncovered] Anxiety Uncovered on Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@anxiety.uncovered] Connect with Joe: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] X [https://x.com/joerowntree] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/joe.rowntreecomedian/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@joerowntree] Joe's Website [https://www.joe-rowntree.com] Email [joe@anxietyuncovered.com]: joe@anxietyuncovered.com