Anxiety Warriors Podcast

"Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else." -Fred Rogers For today, the final episode of Anxiety Warriors Podcast, Abby and Margot share their heartfelt and deep gratitude for each other, all of their listeners and guests, and for the opportunity to share anxiety stories these past 4 seasons. They offer parting words of wisdom, practical advice, and hopes for the future of the growing discussion and normalization surrounding anxiety and all mental health challenges. The Warriors reflect on the beginning of the podcasting journey, from the first steps and discussions that were had, all the way to today. The podcast may be over, but this community isn't going anywhere. Email any time at anxietywarriorspodcast@gmail.com, hit them up on Instagram: @anxietywarriorspodcast and most importantly...remember that you are amazing, valued, and so so loved. Til next time.  Support is out there no matter what obstacles you're facing. Dial 988 for immediate assistance. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Trust that an ending is followed by a beginning." On today's episode Abby and Margot wrap up their guest interviews by re-sharing their heartwarming, inspiring, and wonderful responses to two of their signature questions: What does being an anxiety warrior mean to you? AND What advice would you give your younger self? The Warriors reflect on these and all of their amazing guests from over the years, and excitedly look toward new ways to connect with friends of the pod old and new. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"If someone ghosts you, respect the dead and never disturb them again." Is it ghosting or are they just busy? On today's episode Abby and Margot tell some ghoooossstt stories (Said in their best spooky voices). The Warriors share how they define ghosting, and offer stories about times in their life when they were ghosted by others.  Ghosting, while not always comfortable or in integrity, is information. It's also true that sometimes you might think you're being ghosted, but in reality a person is just super busy, they forgot, or some other innocent reason. They discuss how ghosting can happen in more than just the dating world, but with friends, colleagues and more. They talk about how they reacted to being ghosted, reasons why a person might ghost, and ways to navigate this chilling feeling! Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"We interrupt your anxiety with...FUN!" On today's episode Abby and Margot talk about situations that can be both anxiety producing but also FUN. They talk about things like trivia, trying something new, going on a 1st date (or new friend date), stepping out of their comfort zones and more. Most importantly, they examine their personal definitions and relationships to FUN, and why the way we all view it matters to our overall experience of it. Show notes: Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"OH MY GOSH! I'm Anxiety. Where can I put my stuff??" -Anxiety (Inside Out 2) On today's episode Abby and Margot discuss the newest Pixar film, Inside Out 2! Inside Out 2 continues the story of Riley as she turns 13 years old and grapples with puberty and her bevy of personified emotions, now including anxiety. They share things they loved, things that made them wonder, or worry or hope. They talk about how they felt about the way the film depicted this deeply nuanced and complicated emotion, and all the reasons they give it a rave review! It's a must listen, especially if you're an Anxiety Warrior that's seen the movie. Otherwise, spoilers ahead!  Show notes: Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for."On today's episode Abby and Margot share the next installment of the Mundane Anxieties Series!Today's topic: Waiting! They explore the very annoying and mundane task of waiting for stuff. Waiting in line. Waiting at the Dr.'s office. Waiting for packages to be delivered. Waiting on hold with customer service. You name it! If there's waiting involved the Warriors are likely pretty irritated. They discuss recent stories about waiting, and offer some tips for how to handle the wait, offer communication strategies, and acknowledge the discomfort and utter (even irrational) annoyance that comes along with it. Show notes: Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Women are so vocal about being childfree because our society repeatedly treats motherhood as both the default AND the gold standard." On today's episode Abby and Margot talk about being childfree people. They both came to that way of life in very different ways. They share stories about uncomfortable conversations, facing judgments, how it's affected their lives in terms of their anxiety and mental health (for better and for worse). The Warriors offer some of their go-to strategies for  dealing with varying situations and feelings that arise, and provide listeners with some good advice for what to say and more importantly what NOT to say to folks about their family or family plans/decisions and WHY.  Show notes: Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Keep a diary, and one day it'll keep you." On today's next installment of Anxiety Diaries, a mini series, Abby and Margot share about the latest and not so greatest of anxiety struggles that they're grappling with. In this free form discussion the Warriors talk about what's been weighing on them lately and offer each other real time support and reflection as well as just holding space for each other's truths. Today's topics are about Margot's anxiety and annoyance surrounding people always asking vaguely to "collab" on Instagram and the best way to navigate those conversations. Abby shares her anxiety around the current housing market and the ridiculous prices of new homes (and the crazy high interest rates!) and the isolation she feels being stuck in the burbs. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

The most effective way to do it is to do it." -Amelia Earhart On today's episode Abby and Margot welcome their next guest, Brittany Shillingford. Brittany is a mental health counselor, Mom of 2, and a small business owner of Bizzy B Crafts. She shares about her anxiety journey in all aspects of life, but particularly as it relates to being a small business owner. Everything from financial stress, social media, and tying her sense of self worth to her sales, etc. She talks about the lack of certainty that comes with the territory, and the constant inundation of thoughts of "Is this going to be enough?" Even with the challenges of small biz life, Brittany offers so many useful reframes and strategies that she's been able to do to help her take on this and every season of life. She talks about how to combat negative self talk, and show up for herself, and more. A motto that's been instrumental in reminding her of her power is "It's not too late." It's one that's going to stick with the Warriors for a long time. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org https://bizzybcrafts.com

"First impressions are important. but the last impression we leave a person will often leave the most lasting impression." Today's episode is all about first impressions. Abby and Margot share what first impressions feel like in the mind and body and how it can often shape shift both during and then again after a first impression is made. Feelings like awkwardness, feeling misunderstood, worrying about behaviors both verbal and non verbal, and more. They share stories about times in their life when a first impression left a lasting impression (on their psyche at least), and what they did and continue to do to navigate the challenging and uncomfortable feelings that sometimes arise in trying to manage outcomes and expectations. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Accept-then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it." -Eckhart Tolle On today's episode Abby and Margot welcome their next guest, Gabrielle Jacobson. Gabrielle is a former Oxford physics student who has transformed into a dedicated data scientist and coach. She channels her years of anxiety and learning about herself into mentoring others, volunteering to help people with their University applications and she's especially passionate about helping women who've experienced similar pressures on their journey. She shares that she recalls anxiety starting around age 10 and notes that she specifically felt it as a student when each year the coursework became more challenging. She talks about the ripple effect that academic anxiety seeped out into other areas of her life as well. Gabrielle shares that when she entered University, she began to work towards creating healthier habits surrounding her anxiety, such as therapy, tracking feelings, educating herself on the cyclical nature of her anxiety, finding community and more. Gabrielle's superpower is finding acceptance in where she's at, and meeting her needs with a sense of flow and empowerment. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/

"Oh now I get it." -Said no one ever after being mansplained to. On today's episode, Abby and Margot talk about the experience of being mansplained to. It had started with a viral video that they shared of Pro golfer, Georgia Ball being mansplained at while she was filming a video for her IG at the driving range. It unsurprisingly enraged the Warriors, so they knew it was time to chat about this ridiculous phenomenon. That is when a man talks at a woman for any amount of time, usually unsolicited, and often about a subject that she knows a good amount about. Note: Even if she doesn't, that doesn't open doors for 'education' or offering up opinions. They share stories of being mansplained to, and reflect on why they have hope that the situation can continue to improve and some useful steps to take to lessen the mansplaining. Side note: No men were hurt in the recording of this podcast. If you're hurt after listening, feel free to not tell us about it.  Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Life is a balance of holding on and letting go." -Rumi On today's episode Abby and Margot welcome their next guest, Giselle Shardlow. Giselle is a former classroom educator and trained yoga professional. She's the founder of Kids Yoga Stories, a company dedicated to creating valuable resources to bring yoga to kids everywhere and much more. Her story is largely about how she's framed her anxiety into two parts. The first from before she became a Mom and the second from after. Growing up she was labeled as a worry wort or "overly sensitive", but didn't know she'd been anxious until years later. Her story journey's from her early adult years when she was a world traveler and teacher in Guatemala, to what it was like many years later in young motherhood coping with her daughters struggles with anxiety and other needs and how these experiences (and how she related to them) felt different in mind and body. Giselle offers the Warriors a myriad of useful tools and modalities for approaching care, compassion and support for her anxiety. With countless moments of warmth and wisdom, she reminds listeners about the beauty of humanity and how with a bit more effort and surrender... we can all overcome life's obstacles with more ease. Here are some books mentioned in our chat: My Grandmother Hands, by Resmaa MenakemStolen Focus, by Johann HariThe Women, by Kristin HannahBreath, by James NestorThe Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der KolkThe Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translated by Alistair Shearer www.kidsyogastories.com Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"If it's out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too." -Ivan Nuru Easier said than done! On today's episode Abby and Margot talk about what it's like to have second hand anxiety for other people. It's not enough to be anxious about their own lives or circumstances, they need to complicate it even more! :-) The Warriors share experiences with feeling anxiety for others, how it relates to being an empath, how it manifests physically and more. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Details matter. They create depth, and depth creates authenticity." -Neil Blumenthal On today's episode Abby and Margot welcome their next guest, Michelle El Khoury. Dr. Michelle El Khoury is is founder of Yogamazia, a yoga studio specifically focused on maternaland children’s wellness education based in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shebrings over twenty years of healthcare experience, is a published author and speaker, in addition  to being a credentialed perinatal and yoga professional. Michelle's story is filled with the layers and depth that form from living life to its fullest in every way. Her anxiety journey is no different. She shares openly about the many factors that have been part of her experience, such as struggling to manage her 1st pregnancy, juggling  20+ years of climbing the corporate ladder and more. She'd been through many epiphanies along the way, but what cultivated the most change was changing careers during the pandemic. Michelle knew deep down she was meant for something different from the world she (and her girls) had known, so she founded Yogamazia to help others find their support systems and improve their lives. She offers so many tools and tips for coping with anxiety and stress and reminds the Warriors that the best gift we have is to live authentically. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Anxiety isn't you. It 's something moving through you. It can go out the same door it came in." -James Clear  On today's episode Abby and Margot talk about when anxiety caused them to behave "badly." They share stories past and present about situations where their anxious experiences led them to act or react in less than perfect ways. The Warriors reflect on what changed as they realized that they messed up. They offer the steps taken to understand themselves better. and in some cases repair with those on the receiving end of their "bad" behavior. Margot and Abby talk about how we all as a collective could do with a bit more self compassion and knowledge that often behavior is just a way of working out a feeling, and that "when we know better we do better." Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"Talk to yourself like you would someone you love."-Brene Brown On today's episode Abby and Margot welcome their next guest, Rachel Glowacki. Rachel is a mindful movement educator, writer, and thought leader in the kids yoga field specializing in movement for all ages and abilities as well as the author of the Kids Yogaverse storybook apps and Co-Owner of Move With Me Books. Rachel shares how growing up she always thought anxiety was normal, and didn't realize it's impact on her life until her first true panic attack in her late 20's as a Mom to two small kids. She talks about how this moment changed her relationship to anxiety and shaped her understanding of her former and current self. Rachel vulnerably speaks about her experience with eating disorders, being in recovery, and all the strategies she uses to navigate her anxiety. Such as therapy, yoga, meditation and medication, writing and much more. Rachel offers the Warriors so many valuable reframes and tips to try such as cultivating a positive self talk practice, 'insourcing' (as opposed to 'outsourcing'), and showing up for life with more passion and less worry for the 'small stuff.'  Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"In many cases your imagination is much more effective than what can be shown. It primes you to know something is about to happen--the anticipation and anxiety is worse than what ends up happening."- Oren Peli  The quote says it all! On today's episode Abby and Margot talk about the anxiety that comes with anticipation and how it can often be much more stressful and outshine the thing itself! They share about times in their life when their minds told them stories (based on prior experiences or without) and how they navigated the narratives and supported themselves through it. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

On today's episode Abby and Margot celebrate their 150th episode of Anxiety Warriors Podcast! They share some of their favorite things about the podcasting journey so far, high and low lights, memorable moments, and more. The Warriors reflect on how their own experience with anxiety and mental health has been impacted for the better by having these conversations with each other along with their guests. Listen until the end to hear a special and important announcement about the pod going forward. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org

"To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our minds strong and clear." -Buddha  On today's episode Abby and Margot share the next installment of the Mundane Anxieties Series. Today's topic: Eating healthy. This can be a weighty topic for some, so if conversation around food, or the body is triggering, perhaps skip this one. The Warriors talk about the complicated and nuanced nature of what's considered "healthy." They touch on the ways in which diet culture, childhood experiences, marketing around foods, and the ever changing information available regarding what's healthy or not impacts their anxiety and mental health. Shop Anxiety Warriors Podcast Merch at: https://anxietywarriorspodcast.threadless.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anxietywarriorspodcast/ https://abigailwilber.com https://calmcookie.org