In this deeply personal and wide-ranging episode Zack welcomes therapist Keeleigh Mahler back to Mountain Valley Treatment Center for a candid conversation about anxiety, loneliness, vulnerability, and identity. After leaving residential treatment work to practice outpatient therapy in Washington D.C., Keeleigh reflects on burnout, personal growth, fear-driven decision making, and the emotional challenges many young adults face while trying to figure out who they really are. Together, Zack and Keeleigh explore how modern culture, social isolation, perfectionism, and fear of being misunderstood are contributing to a growing loneliness epidemic among teens and young adults.

The conversation also dives into exposure therapy, authenticity, relationships, grief, self-compassion, and the courage it takes to embrace change. Keeleigh openly shares her own fears around career transitions, starting a private practice, purpose, belonging, and learning to slow down emotionally and professionally. This episode is an honest and relatable discussion for anyone struggling with anxiety, uncertainty, fear of vulnerability, or the pressure to constantly have life figured out.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Mary Morrissey of the Brave Thinking Institute to help you fear less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What happens when the pressure to succeed in sports quietly turns into anxiety, perfectionism, or OCD? In this powerful episode, Zack talks with elite runner, therapist, and former Olympic Trials marathoner Dr. Cali Werner about her personal journey growing up as a high-achieving athlete while secretly battling OCD and anxiety. From compulsive pre-race rituals and overwhelming fear of failure to intrusive thoughts and perfectionism, Cali shares how mental health struggles can hide behind athletic success for years.

This episode is especially valuable for parents of athletes, coaches, and young people navigating competitive sports. Cali explains the difference between healthy routines and anxiety-driven rituals, how sports pressure can amplify OCD symptoms, and why early support matters. Zack and Cali also explore topics like reassurance seeking, shame, sports psychology, exposure therapy (ERP), identity outside of athletics, and how recovery is possible even after years of struggling. A hopeful and deeply relatable conversation for families trying to support anxious teens and young adults in sports.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from mixed martial artist and fighter Ronday Rousey to help you Fear Less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What does it really mean when a young adult receives a late diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder? In this thought-provoking episode, host Zack sits down with clinical psychologist Eric Beaudoin, Psy.D., Executive Director of Cornerstones of Maine, to explore a growing trend in mental health: the rise of late autism diagnoses in teens and young adults. Together, they unpack the complex overlap between autism, developmental delays, anxiety, and social skill deficits—raising important questions about whether some individuals are being misdiagnosed due to limited life experience, environmental factors, or gaps in comprehensive assessment.

More importantly, this episode shifts the focus away from labels and toward what truly matters: helping young people build meaningful, independent lives. Eric shares a powerful, function-first approach that emphasizes identity, purpose, and real-world engagement over diagnostic categories. For parents navigating uncertainty about their child's diagnosis—or wondering how best to support a struggling young adult—this conversation offers both clarity and hope, highlighting that growth, resilience, and capability are often far greater than a label might suggest.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from inspiring author, Norman Vincent Peale to help you Fear Less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What if your child's anxiety isn't just a phase—but something more? In this episode, Zack sits down with OCD clinician Victoria Lane of the OCD Institute of Texas to explore how obsessive-compulsive disorder can quietly take hold in teens and young adults. Drawing from both her professional role and lived experience with OCD, Victoria helps parents recognize early warning signs that are often missed and understand when anxiety may have crossed into something more serious.

Together, they break down Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold-standard treatment for OCD—and explain why it works, even when it feels counterintuitive. Parents will gain practical insight into how to support their child without reinforcing anxiety, what it means when a teen is "half in, half out" of treatment, and how real recovery is possible. This conversation offers both clarity and hope for families navigating OCD.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares lyrics from a song from Ziggy Alberts, an Australian acoustic artist who's really terrific.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Why does school feel overwhelming—or even impossible—for some children, especially those with autism, ADHD, or learning differences? In this episode, Zack sits down with Brandon Moffitt, executive director of Black Mountain Academy, to explore the rising challenge of school anxiety and how it uniquely impacts neurodivergent students. Together, they unpack how anxiety often coexists with autism and ADHD, and why it can be easily misunderstood or overlooked by parents and educators alike. From school avoidance to perfectionism and emotional shutdowns, this conversation helps parents better recognize what may really be driving their child's struggles.

Brandon offers a hopeful and practical framework for supporting kids—emphasizing the importance of addressing both anxiety and underlying learning differences through a balanced, individualized approach. The episode highlights how integrated support between parents, educators, and clinicians can help children not only succeed academically, but also socially and emotionally. For parents feeling overwhelmed, this conversation provides reassurance, clarity, and actionable insights to better understand their child—and to help them move from fear and avoidance toward confidence and engagement in school.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a lyric from famous American singer and songwriter, Jack Johnson.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Why do so many women feel anxious, overwhelmed, and like they're never doing enough? In this episode, Zack sits down with Madi Harper, co-founder of Emerge Treatment, a women only mental health treatment center, to explore the unique ways anxiety shows up in women's lives. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to emotional labor and societal expectations, Maddie shares how many women are conditioned to prioritize others while suppressing their own needs—often leading to chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, and a loss of identity.

Drawing from both her personal journey and clinical experience, Maddie explains how anxiety in women often hides beneath high achievement and caretaking roles rather than obvious distress. She highlights the importance of shifting from self-blame to self-understanding, helping women see their anxiety as an adaptive response rather than a personal flaw. This episode offers a compassionate and insightful look at how women can begin healing—by reconnecting with themselves, setting boundaries, and learning that their worth is not defined by performance, but by who they are.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from famous American writer and feminist activist Andrea Dworkin.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What if improving your anxiety wasn't just about therapy—but about how you live your everyday life? In this episode Zack sits down with Josh Gardner, COO and CFO of The Hope Group, to explore how foundational habits like sleep, nutrition, movement, and connection can dramatically impact mental health. Drawing from both his leadership in behavioral healthcare and his personal life as an endurance athlete, Josh shares how optimizing daily routines can become one of the most powerful tools in recovery.

Together, they unpack why many people struggle to make progress when they overlook basic physiological needs—and how small, strategic changes can create meaningful shifts in well-being. From habit stacking and discipline to the role of discomfort in growth, this conversation offers a practical and refreshing perspective for anyone navigating anxiety, burnout, or emotional challenges. If you're looking for actionable ways to improve your mental health beyond traditional therapy, this episode provides a roadmap grounded in both science and real-world experience.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from social worker, author and researcher, Dr. Brene Brown.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this special 100th episode of the Fear Less podcast, host Zack Schafer celebrates the milestone by revisiting some of the most downloaded and talked-about conversations from the show's history. Instead of a traditional interview, this episode features a compilation of clips from ten of the most popular episodes, chosen based on overall downloads, early listener engagement, and long-term impact. Each segment highlights powerful moments from past guests who shared personal stories of anxiety, OCD, exposure therapy, recovery, and the process of learning how to live a meaningful life despite fear.

Throughout the episode, listeners hear key insights from individuals who have experienced anxiety firsthand, as well as clinicians who specialize in evidence-based treatment. The clips reflect the core themes of the podcast—facing fear instead of avoiding it, understanding how anxiety works, and learning practical strategies that help young people and families move toward growth and independence. Whether you are new to the podcast or a long-time listener, this compilation offers a strong introduction to the most impactful ideas shared on Fear Less and highlights why the show has become a trusted resource for people looking to better understand anxiety and how it can be treated.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What does it take for a young person living with anxiety, autism, and a severe speech stutter to step forward and share their story publicly? In this powerful episode, Zack speaks with Mountain Valley alumnus Cam Rainey, who courageously joins the show to talk about his journey through anxiety, depression, and substance use before entering treatment. Cam reflects on the struggles that once defined his life—including social fears, isolation, and feeling stuck—and how coming to Mountain Valley helped him begin confronting those challenges through exposure therapy and supportive community.

Cam shares candid insights about the small but meaningful exposures that helped him rebuild confidence—from initiating conversations and advocating for himself to facing awkward social situations that once felt impossible. Now continuing his growth at The Bridge program in Costa Rica, Cam discusses how living abroad has expanded his perspective on life, relationships, and purpose. His story is an inspiring reminder that recovery from anxiety is not about eliminating fear, but learning to move toward it with courage, honesty, and even humor.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Don Miguel Ruiz who is the author of The Four Agreements and is a wise sage of wisdom

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What happens when climate change starts affecting your mental health? In this week's episode Zack sits down with clinical psychologist and climate psychology pioneer Dr. Thomas Doherty to explore the growing experience of eco anxiety, climate grief, and the emotional toll of living in an era of environmental uncertainty, drawing from insights in his book "Surviving Climate Anxiety: A Guide to Coping, Healing, and Thriving." Dr. Doherty explains how anxiety about global warming, extreme weather events, and environmental loss is often a natural response to real-world threats—not a personal weakness. Together, they break down the difference between healthy concern and overwhelming anxiety, and why so many young people and families are struggling with climate-related stress.

This conversation offers practical tools for coping with climate anxiety, including how to validate your fears, reduce catastrophic thinking, and build resilience through values-based action and community connection. Zack connects these strategies to broader anxiety treatment principles, showing how fear can be reframed as a signal rather than a sentence. If you or someone you love feels overwhelmed by climate change, environmental grief, or fears about the future of the planet, this episode provides clarity, hope, and actionable steps toward emotional balance in an uncertain world.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Dr. Doherty's book, Surviving Climate Anxiety: A Guide to Coping, Healing, and Thriving to help you Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.