Fear Less

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.

In this powerful episode of Fear Less, Zack sits down with Dr. Ken Huey to explore how childhood trauma wires fear into the brain — and how healing rewires it. Dr. Huey shares his personal story of abuse, complex trauma, and post-traumatic stress, and how he transformed those experiences into a life dedicated to helping others heal. With more than 35 years in residential treatment, Dr. Huey explains the connection between trauma, anxiety, and PTSD, unpacking how the limbic system encodes fear and how trauma triggers shape behavior. He outlines how relational and repetitive corrective experiences can help the brain relearn safety and restore growth. This conversation moves beyond diagnosis into transformation. Dr. Huey challenges the "victim identity" mindset with a clear and empowering message: trauma may not be your fault, but healing is your responsibility. Parents, clinicians, and individuals navigating high ACEs scores will gain insight into trauma recovery, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. If you're searching for guidance on healing from childhood trauma, overcoming PTSD, or understanding how anxiety and trauma intersect, this episode delivers both clarity and hope.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Helen Keller, that helps you to Fear Less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What does it really take for a young person to rebuild their life after anxiety derails high school and college plans? In this powerful episode Zack sits down with Mountain Valley Treatment Center resident Becca Gorelick, just 48 hours before her graduation from the program. Becca shares how a traumatic home invasion intensified her anxiety, school avoidance, and panic attacks—ultimately leading her to seek residential treatment at Mountain Valley. With honesty and insight, she reflects on her first stay, her return to college at the University of Utah, and how unresolved anxiety, identity struggles, and academic pressure led her back for a second round of support.

For parents of teens and young adults struggling with anxiety, OCD, trauma, or college transitions, Becca's story offers real hope. She speaks candidly about exposure therapy (including a memorable and life-changing public "smoothie" exposure), EMDR work around trauma, learning to tolerate uncertainty, and rebuilding trust in herself. Most importantly, she shares how Mountain Valley's structure, community, and anxiety-specific treatment helped her move from simply surviving to rediscovering who she is. This episode is a moving reminder that recovery isn't linear—and sometimes asking for help again is the bravest step forward.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Mariann Williamson, about ways to grow as a person and learn to Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What actually helps a young person overwhelmed by anxiety or OCD—and how do parents know when it's time for something more than weekly therapy? In this episode Zack sits down with Ashley Metz, a longtime clinician at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, to reflect on her years working closely with adolescents and families. Ashley shares what she has learned from walking alongside young people who felt misunderstood, stuck, or unable to access daily life—and how healing often begins when pressure is reduced and kids are given space to be themselves.

This conversation offers parents a thoughtful look at why anxiety and OCD can become so consuming, especially in today's world of constant technology, academic pressure, and identity stress. Ashley explains how residential treatment can help by removing distractions, creating safety, and allowing kids to practice real-life skills in a supportive community. She also speaks about the importance of joy, play, and feeling truly seen—not just "fixed." For parents wondering how to support their child while holding onto hope, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a deeper understanding of the healing process.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Benjamin Franklin, about ways to Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What happens when anxiety, self-doubt, and a major life transition collide?—and how do you find your way back? In this episode Zack sits down with Shane Holcomb, a former Mountain Valley resident and current University of Colorado Boulder student, to explore the real challenges of anxiety during the transition to college. Shane reflects on how social anxiety, loss of confidence, and impulsive behaviors—including sports gambling—began to take hold when he assumed his struggles would disappear just by going to college.

Through candid storytelling, Shane shares how treatment helped him rebuild self-trust, confront fear through exposure work, and rediscover joy, confidence, and purpose. From learning to ride a bike at 19 to reclaiming his passion for sports without addiction attached, this conversation highlights recovery as a process—not a quick fix. It offers hope to young people who feel stuck and reassurance to parents navigating high-stakes decisions about support, treatment, and the path forward.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Susie Kassam,who is an American writer, poet and philosopher.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.