Mary Laura Philpott, award-winning writer and Anxiety Sister extraordinaire, is our guest on today's episode. Listen to our discussion about Mary Laura's latest memoir as well as how she manages her anxiety and perfectionism. We do a lot of laughing, but there are some really poignant moments, such as when Mary Laura shares her struggles as a parent of a child with a chronic illness and our conversation about being caregivers for both aging parents and young children. We dare you not to fall in love with Mary Laura's warmth and sense of humor!

Meet Cali Werner, award winning collegiate distance runner, licensed clinical social worker, and fellow Anxiety Sister who has been diagnosed with OCD. Her areas of expertise include perfectionism, burnout, anxiety, and obsessive thinking; we dive into these topics and more during our conversation which is searingly honest and revelatory. If you've ever lived with (or wondered what it's like to live with) debilitating anxiety, this podcast is for you!

For those of us who suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses, romantic partnerships can be real minefields. This episode features Allison Raskin, an expert in the intersection between anxiety and relationships and author of the book Overthinking About You: Navigating Romantic Relationships When You Have Anxiety, OCD and/or Depression. Listen in as we chat about real world ways to help yourself and your partner manage your anxiety disorder. We even tackle our own personal romance disasters and what we now know in hindsight.

This is absolutely one of our favorite episodes we've ever recorded because we are joined by our friend and fellow mental health advocate Gabe Howard, host of the podcast Inside Mental Health. Having suffered from bipolar disorder since he was a child, Gabe definitely walks the walk. He understands what it is like to live with persistent mental illness and also how to manage it and live well anyway. Gabe does not sugar-coat anything--he tells it like it is and we love him for it. Do not miss this informative and often hysterical conversation.

In our first episode of Season 6, Abs & Mags chat about the anxiety superstorm that comes with parenting. This BFF-cast focuses specifically on launching children (into daycare, kindergarten, college, a new job or whatever life transition crosses their paths) and how to manage all that surrounding anxiety. Do we hear the whirring of helicopter blades????

Our discussion in this episode is with Dr. Pauline Boss, the researcher who coined the term "ambiguous loss" in order to study unresolved grief--which is so anxiety-provoking and difficult to manage. Listen in as we talk about the pitfalls of resilience, the myth of closure, and how the pandemic has shaped our view of grief and anxiety. We also discuss concrete ways to process ambiguous loss and the anxiety it creates.

If you are a people-pleaser like Abs, this is such an important podcast for you. This episode features special guest Susie Pettit, a certified life and wellness coach and boundary expert. What's a boundary? We didn't know either, but now we do and boy does it help with anxiety management! And relationships. And communication. Really, setting and keeping clear boundaries may just be the answer to everything so be sure to listen in and learn all about it with us.

In our last BFF-cast of Season 5, Mags and Abs tackle shame and its effect on our mental health. We talk about how shame and anxiety are related and what to do to manage both. As usual, we get up close and [too] personal...? You be the judge!

Meet Dr. Ellen Vora--holistic psychiatrist, yoga teacher, acupuncturist, self-proclaimed "witch" and all-around fantastic human. If only all of our psychiatrists (and doctors) thought like she does! You do not want to miss this episode in which we discuss her own healing journey as well as her new book, The Anatomy of Anxiety. Our convo is funny, poignant, and very thought-provoking.

Join us as we talk with two of our favorite anxiety sisters: Colleen Rosenblum and Bridgett Biagi Garratt--the women behind the popular podcast Hot Flashes & Cool Topics, which focuses on women in midlife and beyond. We learned so much that our doctors never told us such as the difference between peri-menopause, menopause, and post- menopause and the surprising factors that influence happiness in midlife. Colleen and Bridgett are smart, caring, and funny. And they have so much expertise to share.

We loved speaking with Michelle Chalfant, the woman behind The Adult Chair--a model that explains how we move in and out of our child, our adolescent, and our adult selves. It is an experiential and fascinating way of learning to witness and change how we think and how we respond to situations in our lives. And it is a wonderful tool for managing anxiety. Michelle has so much wisdom to share. Join us for our conversation (and a special offer for listeners at the end of the podcast).

Join us as we chat with Jen Kirkman--podcaster, television writer, comedian, author, actor, and proud Anxiety Sister. In addition to making us laugh(a lot), Jen talks to us about childhood anxiety, phobias, and health anxiety. She also explains how our imaginations can actually help us manage our anxiety through creative storytelling.

Join us in our conversation with Stephanie Foo about childhood trauma, Complex PTSD, and anxiety treatments. We learned so much from her about healing from prolonged trauma and her new book, What My Bones Know, is outstanding.

On this episode, our first BFF-cast of the year, we are talking about social connection and its effect on our mental health. We discuss what the research says and, of course, talk about practical ways to increase our connection in small but meaningful ways. Join us!

Welcome to Season 5 of the Spin Cycle! We are kicking off 2022 with a very special guest--Dr. Dan Peters of the Parent Footprint podcast. Our convo gets right into it--COVID and kids, social media, anxious parents, neurodiverse kids and perfectionists just to name a few of our topics. Don't miss Dr. Dan answering the million dollar question (you'll have to listen to find out!)...

This is a must-hear episode for anyone who is feeling anxious about those holiday gatherings coming up. We get it and we know how to make it easier! Join us as we discuss real-world ways to manage difficult people and your anxiety during the holiday season.

Join Abs and Mags in their fascinating conversation with neuroscientist and fellow Anxiety Sister Dr. Wendy Suzuki about “good anxiety.” Learn new techniques to manage anxiety such as “joy conditioning” as well as how to give your brain a neurochemical “bubble bath” and make your hippocampus “bigger and fluffier.” Not sure what a hippocampus is? Tune in to find out!

Join Abs and Mags in their conversation with self-compassion pioneer Dr. Kristin Neff, author of the new book Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive. In this episode, you will learn the difference between tender self-compassion and fierce self-compassion, and why both are necessary in a balanced, happy life. We also talk about gender roles and anxiety, and why anger can be so challenging for women to show.

Anxious about going back to work, school or just out in the world after spending a year in isolation? We get it. We feel it too. So many of our community members have reached out to us about their "re-entry" fears and anxieties that we felt we should interrupt our planned schedule and do a podcast about it. No guests, no fuss--just 2 BFFs talking about why we are feeling so anxious about getting back to "normal" and what to do about it.

If you or someone you care about has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD), you do not want to miss this episode where Abs & Mags chat with Shala Nicely, OCD Sister and licensed therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD and other anxiety disorders. Their conversation goes from the tame (types of OCD) to the wild (fecal transplants as a future treatment!) and everywhere in between.

Today's episode features Dr. Jud Brewer, psychiatrist, habit change specialist, bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety and all-around great guy. You do not want to miss Dr. Jud's convo with Abs and Mags in which they discuss how anxiety is actually a habit and strategies to manage it accordingly. And, if you get panic attacks, there's some really helpful info for you in this show. As always, there's a lot of laughing and even a special prescription from Dr. Jud...

You probably know Joey Pantoliano (aka, Joey Pants) from his roles in blockbuster movies such as The Matrix, Memento, and Risky Business or for his award-winning portrayal of Ralph in The Sopranos, but after this episode, you will remember him as unflinchingly honest in his role as mental health advocate. Together with his daughter Daniella--who is also in the film industry and an Anxiety Sister--Joey joins us to discuss his own journey through depression, addiction, and anxiety and how these disorders affected his acting career and family life. We had so much fun interviewing this father-daughter pair who show us all how to talk about mental health struggles with honesty, compassion and humor. Lots and lots of humor. This is definitely one of our favorite shows!

In this episode, Abs & Mags are joined by Dr. Robert C. Smith--University Distinguished Professor and a Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University. With many publications, awards, and strong grant support, he has been involved in teaching and research in patient-centered communication and in primary care mental health since 1985. Our sometimes shocking conversation about "How Medicine Has Lost Its Mind" (which is also the title of Dr. Smith's forthcoming book)will change your view of the practice of medicine, particularly regarding mental health care. It is a must-listen!

Join the Anxiety Sisters in their deeply personal conversation with Alison Malmon, the Founder and Executive Director of Active Minds, the largest nonprofit mobilizing young adults to change the conversation about mental health in America. As a suicide loss survivor, Alison is determined to normalize and destigmatize the subject of mental health so that young people struggling with anxiety, depression and other issues can receive the help they need. Listen to this powerful and sometimes difficult discussion and learn real ways you can help the people in your life who face mental health challenges.

Join Abs, Mags and their special guest, Dr. Aron Tendler (Chief Medical Officer of Brainsway)as they discuss Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which is a relatively new treatment for depression and now Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Learn how it works and if you may be a good candidate for the treatment.

We are back!! After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, we are beginning Season 4 of The Spin Cycle with a very appropriate topic:  catastrophizing. Our special guests are 2 of the world's most celebrated catastrophizers (us!). Join us for our conversation about what causes catastrophizing and how to manage it. We guarantee you will laugh!

In response to the current public health crisis, we are interrupting our regular monthly episodes to bring you 2 "mini-pods" each week. This first mini episode features the technique of diaphragmatic breathing with a step by step tutorial.

If you have a “quirky” brain (or if anyone you work with has one), this episode is for you! Joining the Anxiety Sisters is Denise Brodey–author, former editor of several big publications including Shape and Fitness, reporter for Forbes.com and founder of Rebel Talent, an organization dedicated to improving workplaces and productivity for people with neuro-diverse minds and those who work with them. Abs, Mags and Denise–quirky workers themselves–have a lively discussion about mental health issues in the workplace and some possible solutions for the challenges being an Anxiety Sister in a traditional office can present.

This episode is all about BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors) including skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting. Joining Abs and Mags are Ellen Crupi, trichotillomania sufferer and Director of Awareness at HabitAware and Lauren McKeaney, dermatillomania sufferer and founder/CEO of Picking Me Foundation. You do not want to miss this highly informative conversation!

Got a mother? Or a daughter? Then you will not want to miss this episode in which Abs and Mags chat with Karen C. L. Anderson, author of Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters, A Guide For Separation, Liberation & Inspiration and the forthcoming The Difficult Mother-Daughter Relationship Journal: A Guide For Revealing & Healing Toxic Generational Patterns (January, 2020). Listen in as we discuss why the mother-daughter relationship can be so challenging as well as how to manage the anxiety that often accompanies challenging relationships. We also talk about the path to healing and a new definition of forgiveness.

Season 3 opens with this episode featuring Claire Bidwell Smith, author, grief counselor and Anxiety Sister. Join us as we discuss grief, anxiety, motherhood, daughterhood, great books and techniques for managing both anxiety and grief. Claire's latest book, Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief can be found wherever books are sold. We highly recommend that book as well as her memoir, The Rules of Inheritance, for anyone who has ever lost someone they loved.

In this episode--the last in Season 2--our listeners are our guests! Join Abs and Mags as they answer your questions about all things anxiety and beyond...

Join Abs and Mags for a chat with psychotherapist and former Buddhist monk Donald Altman about all things mindfulness. His new book, Reflect, is a wonderful guided journal and, for our listeners, can be purchased at a substantial discount using the code REFLECTSISTERS at https://www.pesi.com/store/detail/26448/reflect.

Meet our new BFF Achea Redd--author, mental health advocate, wife of an NBA star and mom of two. Founder of Real Girls F.A.R.T., Achea, aka "Keys," is smart, compassionate and so much fun. She is also willing to share really painful stuff in the name of de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Join us for this very special episode in which we tackle some really tough subjects with unflinching honesty and, of course, lots of laughs.

In this episode, Abs and Mags are joined by licensed mental health counselor Shiri Macri who is an expert in meditation and mindfulness based stress reduction(MBSR). Shiri explains how meditation affects the brain, including how it can reduce anxiety and tells us how to begin a meditation practice. She also shares her own story as both a breast cancer survivor and Anxiety Sister.

In this episode, Jeff Fink, Founder of Go Fetch Wellness, drops by for a chat about his own experience with persistent mental illness and how getting his Golden Retriever, Earl, started him on a path to healing. We also talk about Jeff's mission to educate about and advocate for the integration of animals into mainstream mental health treatments and what you can do if you are interested in getting involved.

We all know how hard it can be to find the right medication and the right dosage to treat depression(and anxiety)--in fact, for many of us, the whole process can take years to get it right. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Sagar Parikh, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center, talks with Abs and Mags about a recent study he conducted on using genetic testing to allow doctors to personalize the prescription process, thus making it easier for doctors to "get it right" more quickly (and with much less suffering for the patient). Joining the conversation is Carmala Walgren, Depression Sister for 50 years!! who believes using GeneSight, one of the available pharmacogenetic tests, has literally saved her life.

In this episode, Abs and Mags chat with Jessie Gill, RN--aka, the Marijuana Mommy--about all things cannabis including CBD oil. We cover everything you've always wanted to know about how marijuana and/or CBD can help with anxiety, depression and chronic pain.

In this episode, Abs and Mags talk about Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD)--what it is and how to manage it.

In this episode, Abs and Mags talk about driving phobias and how to treat them.

In this episode, The Anxiety Sisters are joined by Jen James--attempt survivor, cancer warrior, brain illness sufferer, and tireless mental health advocate (she is the Founding Supervisor of the Crisis Text Line). Winner of the 2018 Voices of the Year Courage Award, Jen has dedicated her career to helping others who are struggling with anxiety and depression on both the personal and policy level. Her example of how to live well with anxiety and how to give back to the community is inspiring. You do not want to miss our conversation with Jen--she is zany and brainy and hilarious!

Join Abs and Mags for the first episode of Season 2 of The Spin Cycle, in which they have a conversation about why summer can be the worst season for Anxiety Sisters and what can be done to ease the discomfort.

On this episode, Abs and Mags discuss the causes and treatments of phobias, including their own experiences with irrational fears and how they overcame them.

On this episode, Abs and Mags talk about eating and anxiety--specifically, how dieting can feed both anxiety and eating disorders. Join them for this very personal and often hilarious conversation.

Join Abs and Mags for part two of "Ask the Anxiety Sisters." In this episode, topics include sleep, vitamins, grief, natural remedies, postpartum anxiety, and so much more!

Join Abs and Mags as they answer questions sent in by fellow Anxiety Sisters. Topics include the stigma surrounding mental illness, CBD oil as a treatment for anxiety, sensory issues brought on by anxiety, lithium's effect on anxiety and so much more!

This episode features Rebecca Scritchfield--registered dietician and nutritionist, certified fitness expert, wellness coach, and author of the wonderful book, Body Kindness. The Anxiety Sisters chat with Rebecca about her work, coping with her own challenges, and using Body Kindness as a tool for managing anxiety. Join us!

After a short hiatus, the Anxiety Sisters are back with a discussion of some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding anxiety disorders and mental illness in general. Listen and laugh with Abs and Mags!

Self-Compassion Break (Kristen Neff) by The Anxiety Sisters

In this episode, the Anxiety Sisters talk about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with a special guest who has been suffering from this disorder for more than 30 years. Join them for an honest and revealing look at this form of anxiety--and laugh a bit too!

In their fourth episode, the Anxiety Sisters tackle panic (spinning) and how to manage it, with and without medication.

In this episode, Abs and Mags discuss medications typically prescribed to treat anxiety.

Thanks to your wonderful feedback, we are back for a second show. Our main topic for this episode is "what causes anxiety?" We explore lots of culprits, including the connection between the brain and the gut. Join us!

The Spin Cycle is hosted by Abbe Greenberg and Maggie Sarachek, the Anxiety Sisters, who having interviewed hundreds of anxiety sufferers of all ages (including themselves), have developed an arsenal of real-world strategies for living well with anxiety. Join them for an informative and often hilarious conversation about anxiety in all its forms.