Interview: In this episode of the Fear Less Podcast, Nevada firefighter, paramedic, ultra-runner, and adventurer Jill Andersen, describes her epic life of risk with humility and humor.  Jill fights wildfires and structure fires; conducts aquatic, helicopter, and backcountry search and rescue operations; and provides life-saving medical care as part of the very busy Lake Tahoe/Incline Village Fire Department.   Oh, and to wind down between disasters, she runs ultra-marathons!   Jill gives us an inside look at how first responders experience and copes with the high-intensity, high-stakes, high-risk situations they see every day.   Despite her courage in the face of towering flames and her ferocity as a trail runner, Jill reveals the more everyday fears she contends with—including an intense fear of lightning. Dive in as we uncover the intricate dance of fear and bravery in Jill’s life. 

Zack’s Hack: Don’t forget to listen to the full episode to learn about another useful Zack’s anxiety hack!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode hosts Zack and Will explore how restorative practices such as mindfulness, breathing, yoga, rest, and play can turbocharge the hard work of exposure-based therapy, vastly improving outcomes. They compare this combination of complementary approaches to the work-rest approach of athletes and other high performers. This episode also delves into our physical responses to anxiety, the benefits of exposure therapy, and the importance of engaging the parasympathetic nervous system through relaxation. It also addresses the challenges faced by high achievers in slowing down and the role of breathwork in anxiety treatment. Listen to learn a variety of strategies to not just manage anxiety but to transform it into a superpower!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

If you’ve ever heard exhortations like “Get back on the horse!” or “Face your fears!” or “Do something that scares you every day!” then you are at least vaguely familiar with the concept behind exposure therapy.  But these quotes belie the highly sophisticated, evidence-based nature of actual exposure therapy, known more formally as exposure and response prevention therapy, or ERP.  In today’s episode, we take a deep dive into ERP with our guest, Sharon McCallie-Stellar, a psychotherapist and exposure therapy expert.  

Sharon reveals that exposure therapy is not just about facing fears head-on; it's also about compassionately coming alongside the client, understanding the root causes of their fears, building therapeutic rapport, and creating a plan that addresses the client's unique needs at a pace that works best for them. We'll explore the different aspects of social anxiety and how it manifests differently for everyone, especially during challenging times.  Sharon will also detail the process of conducting a functional assessment—the foundation of ERP—and will even take Co-Host Zack Schafer through his own exposure process!

The exposure process is a crucial aspect of anxiety treatment and Sharon guides us through the gradual steps and personalized plans for confronting fears. We learn the importance of "what if" questions in guiding the exposure process, which can begin with imagined or in vivo experiences depending on the individual's comfort level.

Throughout the episode, we gain insight into the physiological manifestation of anxiety in the body and the role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sharon explains how Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is derived from CBT and aims to challenge avoidance behaviors.

Join us as we explore the journey of confronting fears and the transformative power of exposure therapy. We'll uncover the techniques behind Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and the importance of normalizing anxiety.

And be sure to stick around until the end of the episode for a useful “Zack’s Hack” to help address anxiety in everyday life!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode, hosts Will and Zach delve into the pressing issue of teenage anxiety, a struggle that many parents are seeking to understand and address. They explore the concept of 'Hikikomori,' a term born in Japan that encapsulates the all-too-common response to fear: avoidance.

Will, drawing on his unique experience as a college president in Japan in the late 90s, shares insights into how this concept of Hikikomori can be applied to today's youth in the United States. He reflects on his learnings about fear and how they can help us comprehend the growing trend of anxiety-induced withdrawal among teenagers in the increasingly intimidating world we live in today.

Not to miss out, Zach promises to reveal one of his effective anxiety hacks - a tool that could be transformative in addressing fear. So, tune in for an enlightening conversation that promises to equip you better in supporting your anxious teen or yourself.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this inaugural episode of the Fear Less podcast, hosts Will Laughlin, MA, M.Ed., and Zack Shafer, MS, OTR/L, kick off their mission to help listeners gain freedom from limiting fear and anxiety.

As they share anecdotes from their personal and professional journeys, Will and Zack discuss their shared goal of helping listeners make Fear Less—less bossy, less controlling, less limiting and, well, less scary! 

At the end of the episode, stay tuned for a segment entitled Zack’s Anxiety Hacks where Zack Schafer outlines a simple, practical, effective strategy to begin right-sizing your fears.