In this special live edition of the Fear Less Podcast, recorded at the 2025 Mountain Valley Reunion, Zack brings together alumni, parents, current residents, and staff to share powerful stories of hope, resilience, and transformation. Against the backdrop of a sunny summer day in Plainfield, NH, voices from across the Mountain Valley family reflect on their personal journeys—overcoming debilitating anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental health struggles—and the pivotal role this community played in their recovery.

From heartfelt testimonies of residents who once felt hopeless to the gratitude of parents who witnessed their children’s growth, the episode captures the unique culture of Mountain Valley: a place where courage is celebrated, vulnerability is honored, and connection fuels change. Through laughter, tears, and words of encouragement, each speaker reminds us that while fear may feel insurmountable, the right support can transform it into strength—and love.

Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote about love to help you Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode Zack sits down with career clarity expert Lisa Marker-Robbins to explore how parents can support their young adults in navigating the often overwhelming path toward school, career, and independence. Drawing on decades of experience and her role as a mom of five, Lisa breaks down the fears, anxieties, and misconceptions that keep both parents and their children stuck. She explains how her three-step framework—focusing on self-awareness, career exploration, and intentional next steps—can bring clarity and confidence to the post-high school journey.

Lisa and Zack dive into the emotional dynamics between parents and teens, discussing how fear and over-accommodation can unintentionally stall growth. They also explore how career coaching can act as a form of exposure therapy, helping young people build real-world experience, assess their fit with different careers, and find purpose. Whether your child is lost after college, stuck in indecision, or avoiding future planning altogether, this conversation offers hope, strategy, and practical tools for taking the first step toward meaningful adulthood.

Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that will help you Fear Less as you try more.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this powerful episode, Zack welcomes back two inspiring leaders—Tim Vaughan, Executive Director of The Trade, and Will Laughlin, CEO of The Trade and Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Together, they introduce The Trade, a new work-life preparatory program for young adults (ages 18–30) who feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure about their next steps. Drawing from decades of experience in education, mental health, and mentoring, Tim and Will explain how The Trade provides meaningful work, mentorship, and a supportive community—all on a 2,000-acre mountain campus in New Hampshire. This episode explores how hands-on learning, and genuine human connection can help young people move forward with purpose and confidence.

The conversation dives deep into the challenges facing today’s young adults—including anxiety, isolation, and lack of direction—and offers a hopeful, practical alternative to traditional therapy or college paths. Rooted in the principles of occupational therapy and self-determination theory, The Trade offers a modern rite of passage where young adults earn real wages, gain skills, and build relationships that help them launch into adulthood. Whether you're a parent, a clinician, or a young adult searching for direction, this episode offers insight, compassion, and a vision for what’s possible when we stop pathologizing struggle—and start building community around purpose.

Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from Mary O’Reily a famous Occupational Therapist!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this solo episode our host and Executive Director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center, Zack Shafer MSOTR/L unpacks one of the most overlooked components of teen mental health: sensory processing. Speaking directly to parents of adolescents who are anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally reactive, Zack explains how teens with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder often experience the world through a different sensory lens—and how those differences can dramatically affect their ability to cope, self-regulate, and function in daily life.

With warmth and clarity, Zack breaks down terms like sensory processing vs. sensory integration, and lesser-known but critical senses like proprioception (body awareness), vestibular input (balance and movement), and interoception (internal body signals). He shares research linking sensory challenges with mental health conditions and helps parents understand why their teen might shut down in crowded spaces, seem “overreactive” to touch or sound, or crave constant physical input. More importantly, Zack offers practical tools and language to help parents support their teen’s sensory needs—whether through environmental modifications, movement-based activities, or simply a shift in perspective.

If your teen’s anxiety or OCD seems tied to “little things” that quickly escalate, this episode offers a new framework for understanding—and a hopeful path forward rooted in science, compassion, and occupational therapy insight.

Zack Hack: In this week’s episode Zack shares an insightful quote from Peter Levine, a famous trauma therapist to help you fear less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this insightful episode, Zack sits down with Cam Sherman, executive director at NeuroDev, to explore the intersection of neurodiversity and anxiety in young people. Cam unpacks how traditional academic and clinical approaches often miss a key component: developmental growth. Drawing from his work at NeuroDev—a mentoring-based program for neurodivergent young adults—Cam explains why young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience anxiety and stress, particularly around identity formation, social connection, and transitions to independence. Parents will gain valuable insights into how developmental mentoring, lived experience, and community support can offer more than symptom management—they can foster security, resilience, and lasting self-confidence.

Together, Cam and Zack also break down the critical distinction between safety and security, a concept that resonates deeply for parents seeking long-term support strategies for their child. Cam explains that while safety seeks to eliminate risk, security builds the capacity to navigate it. Through powerful metaphors and practical examples, this conversation gives caregivers and clinicians a new lens to understand their neurodivergent child’s emotional world. Cam's message is clear: resilience and growth don’t come from avoiding discomfort, but from learning—over time, with support—how to face challenges with confidence and connection.

Zacks Anxiety Hack: Zack shares a powerful quote from Louisa May Alcott.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this heartfelt episode Zack sits down with former Mountain Valley resident Izzy Carosi, who courageously shares her journey through anxiety, depression, and the perfectionism that once consumed her. From the outside, Izzy appeared to have it all—strong academics, athletic talent, and a vibrant personality—but beneath the surface, she struggled with crippling anxiety and perfectionism. Her path led her to Mountain Valley Treatment Center, where she experienced both a painful early departure and a powerful return. In her honest retelling, Izzy opens up about learning to accept help, understanding attachment and perfectionism, and rediscovering her authentic self—"Little Izzy"—through vulnerability and self-compassion.

Soon to be a psychology student at Wake Forest University, Izzy reflects on how her experience in residential treatment taught her to build balance, develop emotional resilience, and embrace her worth beyond achievements. She offers valuable insights for both young people navigating mental health challenges and parents supporting them, including how to re-enter home and school life after treatment, and how to stay grounded in a world that often rewards overachievement. Whether you're a parent of a teen wrestling with anxiety or a young person struggling to find your way, Izzy’s story is a beacon of honesty, hope, and healing.

Zacks Anxiety Hack: Zack shares a heartfelt quote from Amy Julia Becker.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode Zack is joined by Brittany Little, LCSW, clinical director at Moosilauke Counseling Solutions and former therapist at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Brittany shares her deep expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and how it can be a transformative tool for teens struggling with anxiety, OCD, and emotional dysregulation. While often associated with borderline personality disorder, Brittany explains how DBT’s practical, skills-based approach is incredibly useful for adolescents with intense emotions—even before they're ready for exposure therapy. Topics covered include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, as well as how DBT lays a crucial foundation for long-term healing.

Brittany also explores how DBT offers powerful tools for both parents and clinicians, not just clients. From validating a teen’s emotional experiences without reinforcing compulsive behaviors, to learning how to effectively communicate through emotional intensity, this episode provides a framework of hope and clarity for families navigating complex mental health challenges. Whether you’re a parent of a teen in crisis or a clinician looking for fresh ways to support anxious adolescents, this conversation highlights why DBT is more than just a therapy—it’s a life skill set for the whole family.

Zack’s Anxiety Hack- In this episode Zack shares an inspiring quote from Steven King.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this compelling episode Zack is joined once again by clinical psychologist Dr. Roberto Olivardia to explore body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)—a deeply misunderstood and often overlooked condition, especially in adolescent boys and young men. Dr. Olivardia, co-author of The Adonis Complex, shares his decades of clinical and research experience in working with individuals who struggle with distorted body image, anxiety, and co-occurring disorders like OCD and depression. He breaks down how BDD presents, the dangerous cultural messages that fuel it, and why it often goes undiagnosed in young men.

For parents of teens grappling with anxiety, appearance preoccupations, or seeking cosmetic procedures as a solution, this episode offers both a clinical roadmap and emotional insight. Dr. Olivardia discusses the risks of cosmetic surgeries, treatment options including ERP and SSRIs, and the importance of challenging rigid appearance-based beliefs. He emphasizes that recovery is possible—with the right support, education, and structured treatment. If you’re a parent looking for hope and direction for your teen dealing with body image anxiety, this episode is a must-listen.

Zack’s Hack- In this episode Zack shares an inspiring quote from Henry Ford.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.