We all struggle with procrastination, so if you're currently avoiding something, listening to this re-release of one of our greatest hits is a great way to not do whatever you're supposed to do! In this episode, Chris & Allison talk about the reasons why procrastination is so anxiety-inducing (and anxiety-perpetuating) and the psychology behind why we do it, even though we know it's so bad for us. We hope you enjoy, and remember you can always join us in our Facebook group, "We're Anxious About."  Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Square People, used under a CC BY 3.0 license, via the ..read more

In this episode, Chris and Allison take a trip down memory lane, though probably not in the classic sense of the phrase.  This episode remains consistently in the top ten downloaded episodes for I'm Anxious About, and Allison and Chris would like to think it's for good reason.  It came out at a time when the podcast was really taking off, and your cohosts were starting to get a bit more comfortable diving deep.  We hope you enjoy, and remember you can always join us in our Facebook group, "We're Anxious About."  Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Square People, used under a ..read more

Allison and Chris talk through their decision to take a summer break, which will be the first extended break in the podcast's history. They're be offering up their "greatest hits" of previous episodes for the next couple of months, and then hope to get back at it.  You'll learn all about what spurred that decision here. A huge thanks from both your hosts for the support along the way.  Of course, you can always feel free to join us in our Facebook Group, "We're Anxious About."  Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Square People, used under a CC BY 3.0 license, via the Free Music Ar ..read more

Chris & Allison are both forgetful beings (see: the fact that Allison forgot to send the files to the editor after finishing recording, which is why this episode is a week later than usual.) And of course, that gives them a lot to be anxious about! In this episode, Chris & Allison discuss why forgetting things is particularly fraught for those with anxiety, and how to extend yourself grace about the things you forget, as well as why the anxious brain might be more forgetful than others. If you enjoyed this episode, please join us over on our Facebook group, We're Anxious About, or shar ..read more

Allison and Chris are on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to caffeine. Allison refuses to move a finger without being well-caffeinated where as Chris, once caffeinated, can't really stop moving his fingers.  That, to be fair, is an exaggeration on both accounts, but what are show notes for if not to exaggerate? They explore whether all caffeine is created equal and whether tea may still be a viable option for those who don't drink coffee, how caffeine can both help and hinder the anxious brain, and a whole lot more.  If you enjoyed this episode, please join us over on our ..read more

As the world starts to slowly inch its way back to the old normal, there are some things that Chris & Allison have to face that haven't been A Thing in over a year, like live music. While Chris is excited to start tapping his feet to the beat again, Allison has a little more trepidation and has to confront her fears of crowds and enthusiastic acoustic guitar players who make too much eye contact.  If you enjoyed this episode, please join us over on our Facebook group, We're Anxious About, or share it with a friend who you think will enjoy our show. Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Sq ..read more

In this episode (which, in truth, was long overdue), Allison and Chris explore why looking stupid is actually a central tenant of their anxiety, and also anxiety in general. They break down what it is about "looking stupid" that's actually so hard to stomach, and whether or not most of that is actually to do with their own perspective. It's an episode which is a bit summative in that you could argue that, in a way, all IAA episodes have touched upon this in some way. They discuss how they've tried to overcome their anxiety about looking stupid, while acknowledging, with a dash of humour, that ..read more

You may remember that our first "real" episode after the brief introductory episode is "I'm Anxious About Starting a Podcast." Well, this is essence, is the part two of that episode. At first we were anxious about starting it, and now here we are, one year later, anxious about running it.  In many ways, this episode serves as a bit of an opportunity for Allison and Chris to recap and reflect on the journey thus far. They also have an important announcement to share on how the podcast will run moving forwards (don't worry, it's not ending).  Long time listeners, they hope, will also a ..read more

Compliments may seem innocuous, but for people with anxiety, they can offer trigger thoughts of worthlessness and awkwardness. We discuss the three typical anxious responses to a compliment -- deflect, reciprocate, or discount -- and talk about what our personal approach to handling compliments is. Spoiler alert: we don't handle them well. If you enjoyed this episode, please join us over on our Facebook group, We're Anxious About, or share it with a friend who you think will enjoy our show. Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Square People, used under a CC BY 3.0 license, via the Free Music Arch ..read more

Wherever there are definitive choices to be made, you'll find just a dash of anxiety - and that certainly applies to shopping.  In this episode, Allison and Chris explore their own anxieties around shopping. They talk about how clothing is closely tethered to identity, which can make shopping a stressful experience (especially if you're not feeling like yourself on that particular today). They also explore how the emergence of online shopping might benefit certain folks with anxiety, and in particular, Allison.  It's a wide-ranging discussion filled with the usual appropriate amount ..read more