Fxck Fear

"This politics of fear is played out over and over again, I'm so tired–of scaring people into voting, to building more prisons, in putting more police on the street, increasing sentences, even though we know, over and over again, the studies show, this isn't working," says Justin Brooks, criminal defense attorney and author.

Justin Brooks, professor of practice, founding Director of the former California Innocence Project and recent author of the book, "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" joins the podcast to talk about the politics of fear and the various ways fear is weaponize in politics to pass unprecedented and suppressive laws, control mass audiences, manipulate voters into making decisions and so much more.

Brooks now directs the LLM (Masters of Law) Program in Comparative Law in Spanish at the University of San Diego School of Law and his work with the Innocence Project has freed 40 innocent people from prison.

*Episodes on Thursdays*

Purchase a copy of "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" here

Many people are afraid to navigate the healing process for fear of being re-traumatized but as discussed in this episode, Fear + Healing, Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Founder of Body Psychology Ani Williams explains, healing is important to the mind, body and soul.

"We have to get into the body, dissolve the ego which is fear and have the courage to face that which hurt us," says Williams.

She also points out that healing requires work and if healing doesn't occur, unresolved stress and trauma can lead to negative impacts on one's health and wellness.

"Every single part of your body holds on to a different kind of trauma and if you do not heal from the trauma, then you cannot heal from the stress and it will cause disease," says Williams.

Fear + Healing is the seventh and final episode in the Fear + Divorce series. Listen to the Fear + Divorce series here.

*New Episodes on Thursdays*

Find Ani Williams at Body Psychology in Austin, Texas here

Grab a copy of Married to a Narcissist book here

Divorce does not always mean that it is over, especially if your ex-partner displays narcissistic behavior. Sometimes divorce means there will be carryover behavior and a fresh round of narcissistic abuse. Many times the narcissist will try new ways to inflict fear, even after your divorce is final. The difference now though is your response to the bullying.

"I was relieved to be out of the relationship but in the early days of my divorce, I was also experiencing fear–fear of the what the narcissists would do to stay relevant and engaged, fear of his continued attempts at manipulation and so much more," host Catenya McHenry admits in this episode. "But what I know for sure is, maintaining boundaries, healing and regaining my strength helped me manage my response and reaction."

"What I know for sure is, I am a new person after my divorce. Difficult situations happen as a chance for us to make change in our lives and it also gives a chance to heal and teach our children how to model better behavior."

*NEW EPISODES on THURSDAYS*

– Grab a copy of Married to a Narcissist Book here

– 7 Things to Anticipate if You're Planning to Leave an Abusive Relationship with a Narcissist. Read More

– Fear + Leaving a Narcissistic Relationship. Tune In

Multiple visits to family court, countless chaotic instances during visitation weekends drop offs and pick-ups and so much more, it became clear that healthy co-parenting with the narcissist was not possible.

In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks about her narcissistic ex-husband whom she describes as an anti-parent rather than a supportive co-parent who often weaponize fear to stay in control.

Reading excerpts from her book, Married to a Narcissist, Catenya speaks from personal experience about her difficult and traumatic experience of co-parenting with her ex-husband but advises her listeners about the importance of "staying above the fray" in order to achieve internal peace and sanity.

*New Episodes on Thursdays*

Navigating the family court system and negotiating custody issues, no matter where you reside, can be scary, stressful, a lengthy process and expensive. This fourth episode in the Fear + Divorce series is more like a free legal consultation as guest, Kim Vincent, a highly experienced and credentialed family lawyer in Texas offers tons of helpful information about divorce and understanding what to expect before your day in court. 

Host Catenya McHenry asks a series of common questions like how do you prepare your case when there's a narcissist or an abusive person involved? What information that you're collecting about your soon to be ex spouse is important to the court, how do you ease one's fear and anxiety, how do you face an abusive partner in court and so much more.

Catenya speaks candidly about her own horrible family court experience but together, she and Kim hope this episode helps a family find much needed knowledge, relief and peace.

Find free family resources here. Contact attorney Kim Wilson Vincent here

*NEW EPISODES on Thursdays*

Divorcing a narcissist is hell but navigating the divorce process is still better than the hell one endures in a narcissistic relationship.

Episode three in the Fear + Divorce series covers the layered stages of fear one faces while divorcing a narcissist, as told through the personal experience of host Catenya McHenry.

"I was afraid the narcissist would retaliate, which he did. I was afraid of continued verbal abuse, which there was more than anything, I was afraid of feeling deeply guilty for pursuing divorce in the first place– knowing there was no hope of continuing the marriage," says Catenya.

Reading chapters from her book Married to a Narcissist, Catenya recalls how fear kept her in the relationship five years too long. And she talks about the positive ways that fear propelled her forward into more peace and happiness.

*NEW episodes on Thursdays*

Article: 7 Things to Anticipate If You're Planning to Leave an Abusive Relationship with a Narcissist. Read more.

Book: Married to a Narcissist. Buy here.

Deciding to leave a marriage or relationship whether it's with a narcissist is a big decision and one that may come with fear, trepidation and anxiety, as host Catenya McHenry speaks about in this episode.

She tried for years to make it work. She tried not to leave. She did not want to be the one to make such an impactful decision that would end it all but ultimately she had no choice–she was fighting a losing battle. 

As she reads from her book, Married to a Narcissist, Catenya realized that if she stayed, nothing would change and the abuse would continue. "I was afraid that if I stayed, I would die and who would be there for my children?" 

Tune in to hear Catenya talk through the various stages of leaving the relationship, the ways that fear showed up and how she found the courage to exit.

*NEW episodes on Thursdays*

Sometimes fear is the force that keeps you in a bad relationship far too long. If you are thinking about calling it quits and filing for divorce, fear could also be the thing that's causing you anxiety and trepidation.

In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks from personal experience about the long list of fears she faced before she filed. She reads emotional passages from her book, Married to a Narcissist and she speaks candidly and honestly about how fear kept her in the toxic, narcissistic relationship five years too long. She was scared of a lot of things; how would she live, how would she raise her three children on her own, how would she survive, how would divorce negatively impact her children, and so much more.

Season 4 includes seven episodes about Fear + Divorce.

*Listen on Thursdays where ever you get your podcasts.

After a six-month hiatus to process, heal and deal with a sudden and unexpected death, host Catenya McHenry returns to talk about who died and how his death has impacted her life and the lives of her children.

In this very personal and vulnerable episode, Catenya sorts through a myriad of complicated emotions involving anger, joy and grief and she talks about why, more than anything, she feels a sense of relief. From being sued for full custody to a dramatic trial in family court and psychological abuse, she feels an enormous burden is lifted.

Catenya is not afraid to talk about the essence of release and relief and she talks about the experience of gratitude and peace– to finally be able to breathe.

*New episodes every other Thursday. Listen to other episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

This first episode of the new Fuck Fear season four explores fears one experiences before making the final decision to petition for divorce and explores the difficulty and fear if children are involved.

Host Catenya McHenry speaks from deeply personal experience as she reveals why fear kept her in the relationship longer.

Reading excerpts from her book, Married to a Narcissist, she reveals, "I stayed five years too long thinking I would be the one responsible for dismantling the family unit, and I was afraid that would be too much guilt to live with."

Vulnerability envelopes this episode as she talks about her fears, trepidations and anxiety during the decision-making process. Catenya shares how fear also propelled her to move forward with filing even though she was afraid of hurting her children.

"I was afraid that I might die an early death from crushing stress, and emotional turmoil and I realized there was no way I could continue to live that way. The divorce was my personal rescue mission."

**New Episodes on Thursdays*

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