Fear Less

On this episode Zack talks with Mountain Valley alumna—and current OT grad student—Amelia Teta about what truly helps when anxiety and OCD take over. Amelia traces her path from school avoidance to meaningful engagement, highlighting how Mountain Valley’s evidence-based approach—especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—taught her to “be with” difficult emotions instead of resisting them. She unpacks the role of community, stewardship (chores and contribution), routines, and mental-health-informed occupational therapy in building confidence and everyday function. Candid, practical, and hopeful, this conversation offers families and caregivers a clear view of what effective anxiety/OCD treatment looks like—and how to keep the momentum going after discharge. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote about fear from Eleanor Roosevelt. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

In this special back-to-school episode Zack sits down with Mountain Valley’s Director of External Affairs and Enrollment, Everett Logan, to share practical strategies for parents whose teens are struggling with school avoidance and anxiety. Everett draws on his background as a teacher, school counselor, and leader at Mountain Valley to outline five key tips that can help families manage back-to-school stress: normalizing anxiety without enabling avoidance, managing your own parental anxiety, setting predictable routines, being proactive with plans, and looking beyond academics to support your teen’s overall development. Together, Zack and Everett offer real-world advice to help parents foster resilience, hold healthy boundaries, and prevent school avoidance from derailing their child’s year. If your teen is anxious about returning to school—or you’re a parent looking for practical guidance—this episode is packed with insights to help your family approach the new school year with more calm, confidence, and connection. Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from Dr. Harriet Lerner about fear and courage. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

In this episode Zack sits down with Patrick Cooke, Assistant Director of Studies at https://www.knoweracademics.com/Knower Academics [https://www.knoweracademics.com/], to explore the powerful intersection of mental health and education. Patrick shares how the partnership between Knower Academics [https://www.knoweracademics.com/] and Mountain Valley Treatment Center [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/] has created therademics—an approach where therapeutic goals are woven directly into academic work. Together, they discuss how anxiety and OCD often show up in the classroom, the impact of common accommodations like extra time, and how parents and educators can better support students without unintentionally reinforcing avoidance. Drawing from both his years as an educator and his experiences as a rock climbing coach, Patrick explains how lessons from adventure sports—facing fear, staying present, and building resilience—apply directly to helping teens and young adults navigate academic stress. This conversation offers parents practical insights into balancing academic progress with therapeutic growth, while giving their child the tools to manage anxiety long after school ends. Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from life coach, Mastin Kipp. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

In this special live edition of the Fear Less Podcast, recorded at the 2025 Mountain Valley Reunion, Zack brings together alumni, parents, current residents, and staff to share powerful stories of hope, resilience, and transformation. Against the backdrop of a sunny summer day in Plainfield, NH, voices from across the Mountain Valley family reflect on their personal journeys—overcoming debilitating anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental health struggles—and the pivotal role this community played in their recovery. From heartfelt testimonies of residents who once felt hopeless to the gratitude of parents who witnessed their children’s growth, the episode captures the unique culture of Mountain Valley: a place where courage is celebrated, vulnerability is honored, and connection fuels change. Through laughter, tears, and words of encouragement, each speaker reminds us that while fear may feel insurmountable, the right support can transform it into strength—and love. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote about love to help you Fear Less. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

In this episode Zack sits down with career clarity expert Lisa Marker-Robbins to explore how parents can support their young adults in navigating the often overwhelming path toward school, career, and independence. Drawing on decades of experience and her role as a mom of five, Lisa breaks down the fears, anxieties, and misconceptions that keep both parents and their children stuck. She explains how her three-step framework—focusing on self-awareness, career exploration, and intentional next steps—can bring clarity and confidence to the post-high school journey. Lisa and Zack dive into the emotional dynamics between parents and teens, discussing how fear and over-accommodation can unintentionally stall growth. They also explore how career coaching can act as a form of exposure therapy, helping young people build real-world experience, assess their fit with different careers, and find purpose. Whether your child is lost after college, stuck in indecision, or avoiding future planning altogether, this conversation offers hope, strategy, and practical tools for taking the first step toward meaningful adulthood. Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that will help you Fear Less as you try more. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]