On today’s podcast I have the special opportunity to interview my husband Mark. It’s been a long time coming and I’m super excited to share him with you.

Mark Russell has had OCD his whole life. He just didn’t know. He also has struggled with depression most of his adult life. The two finally converged and brought him to his knees about 7 years ago with the passing of his mother. Since then, he has gone to hours of therapy, tried dozens of medications, and found healing and come to peace with his mental illness.

Today we talk about his journey. He takes us into his life and mind and what it’s like to be tormented by OCD. He shares helpful advice with specific things we can look for in ourselves and loved ones who may be silently suffering.

This episode is a wonderful intro into OCD and how it can stay hidden within us, quietly eating away at us. Mark offers hope and redemption from this tormentor. I hope you’ll join us.

To find more support message me on IG or FB:

Instagram @untanglinganxiety

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Learn about anxiety and how to face your worry with:

Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook

On today's podcast we talk about the 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

All stages have purpose. We can find healing in them all. They can all be rather uncomfortable places as well. Radically accepting loss and healing and pain and suffering and happiness and elation are part of the wonderful privilege of being human.

Thank you for listening today. Thank you for joining me. I hope you find acceptance in your life. I hope you find your beautiful within your terrifying and ugly. And I hope you always remember that it will come back again. There will be contrast – good times and hard times. Surrendering and finding gratitude in all places will help us ride the waves and find our shore of happiness every time.

Some statistics and facts were found here:

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/grief/grief-statistics/

Join me on social media:

@untanglinganxiety on Instagram

Untangling Anxiety on Facebook

Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook- Available on Amazon

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

On todays podcast I welcome Karen Beacock of Just One Simple Hope and Andrea McGrath from Out of Darkness Candle Company. Karen and Andrea host a fabulous podcast called The Mental Roadmap Podcast that takes you on a transformative journey. You can dive deep into the intricacies of mental health, navigate the twists, turns, and all the feelings in between. They are so great at sharing stories, insights, and laughter as they guide you through the highs, lows, and detours of life.

You can find a link to their podcast, social media links, and amazing websites. Karen website Just One Simple Hope has plethora of gifts that are so unique and full of hope – from jewelry to candles, to mugs, to stickers. Andreas website Out of Darkness Candle Co has the most wonderful all natural soy candles. Her products are clean and toxin free. Her candles are great for gifts, and you’ll find yourself finding excuses to buy some for your own too.

Both companies have a very strong mental health awareness component that as you know really resonates with me.

Check them out!!

The Mental Roadmap Podcast

On Instagram

Connect with Karen

On Instagram

Just One Simple Hope Website

Connect With Andrea

On Instagram

Out of Darkness Candle Co Website

Betsy's Anxiety Workbook

Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook - on Amazon

Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook is now AVAILABLE on Amazon.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY

This episode takes you through the creative process and inspiration behind the workbook. It is a labor of love and passion and I'm so excited to have it in a place where is it so accessible.

Share this episode with those you love. Let's put an end to silent suffering and bring knowledge, awareness, strength, and compassion to the mental illness world.

Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook

On todays podcast I welcome Stephanie Parsons. Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker with a Masters Degree from the University of Chicago and has experience in clinical capacities in multiple countries, including Canada, Slovakia, and Thailand. At her core, she is most passionate about treating OCD and anxiety-related disorders having spent the last few years of her career becoming an expert in exposure response prevention therapy.

Stephanie firmly believes that all humans are capable of doing hard things, and she recognizes that for many, therapy can feel overwhelming and intimidating. That’s why it’s important to her to offer a space of non-judgement, support, and humor while walking through challenges with her clients.​

Today we talk about the levels of therapy and deciding which is best for each set of circumstances and needs. Steph informs when to reach out to a therapist and not needing to know what’s wrong before you go. She clarifies that meeting with a therapist isn’t a binding contract, it is a step in a journey towards finding the right care. She walks us through some of the common subsets of OCD that she sees in her practice and how her clients face their fears and what support people can do to ensure proper healing for those they love that are suffering.

Some pieces we didn’t get to but I would love to visit about in future episodes:

Stephanie has also spent significant time treating PANS/PANDAS disorders and has a special place in her heart for these clients and their families. Additionally, she has worked with clients who need support with family therapy, attachment therapy, and play therapy.​ When not at work, Stephanie is usually in the mountains with her puppy Samson, dunking in ice baths, or traveling the world.

It is a jam-packed interview filled with wonderful advice and so much validation and empathy.

Connect with Steph:

Psychology Today Bio

Ellie Mental Health

RESOURCES:

The OCD and Anxiety Treatment Centers

The IOCDF Website

Follow Betsy on Social Media:

@untanglinganxiety - IG

Untangling Anxiety - FB

Buy Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook HERE

On today’s podcast I welcome Kasen Garrett, a family friend and fellow mental health advocate.

Kasen has OCD and graciously shares his story and some of the personal details his life with OCD. We talk about how it started. The devastation it created. And how he found knowledge and help to now live a full life that isn’t controlled by OCD.

Kasen’s OCD didn’t show up in his life until he was serving a mission for his church in Ghana. He struggled to understand what was going on and what his disturbing, intrusive thoughts meant for him as the good, decent human he always thought he was.

Things settled down for bit post-mission, but came roaring back when the pandemic hit in 2020.

Kasen has found hope through the knowledge he received at the OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center. It literally saved his life. Today he lives with hope, compassion, and a lot of humor in his sometimes unpredictable life with OCD.

His story will leave you more informed, empowered, and inspired.

Find more of Kasen:

@battle__tested

Kase in Point Podcast

Buy Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook HERE

On today’s podcast I give you several mindfulness practices you can start today. Pick and choose. Find what works for you. And start reconnecting with yourself and finding more joy and peace in your life.

Some mindfulness practices I discuss:

🌀Breathing

🌀Mindful Walking

🌀Meditation

🌀Dragon Breathing

🌀Mindful Eating

🌀Toes in the Grass or Grounding

And More!

Resources for YOU!

ALL 24 Mindfulness Cards Click Here to access

Meditation Apps:

For Adults and Teens-

🌟Insight Timer (for kids too)

🌟Three Good Things

🌟Headspace (for kids too)

🌟Calm (for kids too)

🌟Happy Not Perfect

For Kids-

🌟Mightier

🌟Moshi

🌟Cosmic Kids – YouTube

🌟GoZen.com

🌟Childmind.org

Buy Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook HERE

Struggling to figure out how to help your child or loved one with their anxiety?

On today’s podcast I explain step by step what your loved one needs in order to live a life that isn’t controlled or held back by anxiety.

The Anxiety Relief Technique is a three part method that identifies, untangles, and manages anxiety.

Download the 12 page PDF workbook that accompanies this podcast episode. Send $5 to venmo @Betsy-Russell-6. Once you’ve paid, I’ll send you the link to download.

Part One – Knowledge: This helps those with anxiety put a name to their anxiety. This helps with validation and separation from the anxiety.

Part Two- Mindfulness Skills: Like I always say – “Don’t face your fears alone.” Mindfulness is like a wet suit in cold water. Learning to manage anxiety is futile without mindfulness skills.

Part Three- Mental Strength Training: Practice, practice, practice. Just like we lift weights to build our physical muscles, repetition, resistance, and practice help build mind muscles. This strength will help those with anxiety to withstand any fear that comes their way.

I am not a therapist. I am a mother and wife of those with OCD and other anxiety disorders. I live this everyday. This is my life. This is my reality. This stuff WORKS!!

Please seek professional help if you feel you’re in over your head. Find a therapist that specializes in ERP therapy. Talk therapy will not fully heal anxiety. It needs to by ERP.

As always, reach out via social media with any questions.

Follow Betsy on Instagram @untanglinganxiety

Buy Quiet Your Worry Monster - A Children's Anxiety Workbook HERE