#OurAnxietyStories Season 2 – The Anxiety Canada Podcast

Charlie Demers, is a Canadian comedian, political activist, voice actor, and writer.

In this episode, Charlie shares how he has navigated obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, discussing how anxiety has impacted his work as a Comedian. Charlie dives into his experience with cognitive behavioral therapy, highlighting the financial barriers that many face when seeking treatment. 

Charlie also touches on his most recent novel, ‘Primary Obsessions’, which was inspired by his psychologist. ‘Primary Obsessions’ follows practicing clinician, Dr. Annick Boudreau, and involves themes of mental health.

 

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Nickie Lewis is a creative Vancouver resident who has dabbled in costume design, theatre and most recently the creation of art installations that focus on nature and sustainability. 

In this episode, Nickie shares that she is solution-oriented, and perceives challenges as something she has control over “fixing". However, unlike the challenges of her past, COVID-19 isn’t something she can “fix”, which has led to her first experience with anxiety. Nickie mentions how she uses art as a coping mechanism, sharing that throughout this pandemic, she has been creating installations using twigs and twine in a Robert Burnaby Park. Nickie also touches on her experience raising a son with anxiety and what it has been like helping him navigate back-to-school despite concerns around COVID-19. 

 

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Alayna Joy is an LGBTQ+ content creator with over a quarter of a million followers on Youtube. 

In this episode, Alayna shares her journey with anxiety, discussing experiences with aviophobia (a specific phobia that involves a fear of flying), as well as panic attacks. Alayna notes that her lived experiences with anxiety led her to discovering mindfulness and compassion, tools that she now actively shares with her followers. Alayna also touches on the feelings of anxiety she experienced while ending an engagement and navigating her sexual identity while in the public eye. 

 

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our free app MindShift™ CBT.

Judith Law is the Executive Director of Anxiety Canada, a non-profit organization devoted to developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

In this episode, Judith shares a brief history of the nationalization of Anxiety Canada (formerly AnxietyBC), touching on how a nation-wide need for accessible evidence-based resources on anxiety influenced the organization’s re-brand. Judith discusses the various avenues of treatment available, including MindShift CBT Groups, Anxiety Canada’s heavily subsidized virtual group therapy program. Judith also touches on how Anxiety Canada has responded to the growing demand for resources fueled by COVID-19.

 

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Maya Fleischmann is a post-secondary student on track to pursuing a career in family law.

In this episode, Maya shares how as a child, anxiety manifested for her as perfectionism, and that she was unaware that what she felt was considered to be anxiety until she received a formal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as a teenager. Maya also touches on the tools and techniques, such as mental health apps, that help her cope on a day to day basis.

 

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Marlisse McRobie is a parent in residence at FamilySmart who provides peer support for parents and caregivers whose children have mental health and/or substance use concerns. In this episode, Marlisse shares her experience seeking support for her son who showed symptoms of anxiety from a young age. Marlisse also touches on how her son’s experience with anxiety opened her eyes and allowed her to recognize feelings of anxiety in her own life.

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Anastasia Williams is a registered nurse (RN), currently working as a case manager in home and community care.

In this episode, Anastasia touches on her lived experience with anxiety, emphasizing the lack of awareness and support she encountered growing up. Anastasia recalls being labeled as “problematic” and “attention seeking”, and states that only recently was she able to label the feelings she experienced as anxiety. Anastasia also touches on her volunteer role as a mental health educator, which includes teaching a cognitive behavioural therapy course.

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Graeme Partridge-David is a parent in residence at FamilySmart who provides peer support for parents and caregivers whose children have mental health and/or substance use concerns.

In this episode, Graeme shares his family history with mental health challenges, emphasizing his own lived experience with anxiety and panic attacks. Graeme also touches on how his lived experience with anxiety has allowed him to help others, including his son, navigate various mental health challenges.

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Katrina Correa is a mental health advocate, dedicated to raising awareness around anxiety.

In this episode, Katrina shares her experience with lived anxiety, which began as early as age 5 and progressed until she was ultimately diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in high school. Katrina also touches on the lifestyle changes she has made, particularly in regards to social media, in order to better cope with feelings of anxiety.

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.

Elizabeth May is a Canadian politician who served as leader of the Green Party of Canada from 2006 to 2019 and has been a Member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands since 2011. Elizabeth also founded and served as the Executive Director of the Sierra Club Canada from 1989 to 2006.

In this episode, Elizabeth shares how her daughter's experience with anxiety allowed her to truly understand the debilitating nature of anxiety. Elizabeth also touches on her efforts as a parliamentarian to increase accessibility to mental health resources to meet the growing demand.

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This podcast is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

For more information and resources, please visit our website and download our app MindShift™ CBT.