Best Chris Leins Podcasts (2024)

1
OCD - the C = ERP 21:27

3h ago21:27

21:27

Chris discusses a few cliches that inform his work in therapy in order to orient and empower patients and listeners as to the "active ingredient" in the therapeutic process. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to @ocdstraighttalk on IG or chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving it a 5-star r…

1
The Trifecta of Ingredients Yields the Right Result 16:43

23m ago16:43

16:43

Chris discusses the correct way to do exposure therapy and continues the discussion on why many people don't get what they want from the process: they're not doing it the right way. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing…

1
MicroCompulsions: the Rituals You DON'T See 14:54

34m ago14:54

14:54

Chris discusses the reality that people fall back on the habits that they know when the anxiety-related "shit hits the fan." They're going to use the so-called "coping behaviors" with which they're familiar to try and feel better, even though it is often these very responses that keep their thoughts and anxiety strong and coming back again and agai…

1
Pull the "C" out of the OCD 20:09

3d ago20:09

20:09

Chris encourages listeners with the idea that they don't "have to" do compulsions, explaining that often people confuse intrusive thoughts and anxiety with compulsions. They in turn think they "can't" stop the compulsions. The clarity between them and the choice to stop compulsions makes a big difference, especially over time. Feel free to reach ou…

1
The Ultimate OCD Hack 14:21

20d ago14:21

14:21

Chris discusses the OCD and anxiety disorders hack: that thoughts and feelings following the leadership of behavioral patterns. There are a few pitfalls to keep in mind... Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the…

1
OCD Straight Talk: The Backstory 24:23

17d ago24:23

24:23

Chris discusses some personal experiences that led to the launching of OCDST in March of 2020. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with your anxiety- or OCD-symptoms.…

1
Is It Objective Danger or OCD? 17:05

26d ago17:05

17:05

Chris recaps several concepts that raise the question: How do you tell the difference between OCD and objective danger? While a number of answers could be presented to the question, Chris offers two. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to Chrisleins04@gmail.com.If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star ra…

1
I Got Anxiety but Not OCD 23:05

2M ago23:05

23:05

Chris responds to an oft' repeated phrase, "Well, I have anxiety, but I don't have OCD. And for fun, he also addresses several myths and misunderstands relative to the diagnosis and treatment of the anxiety-related disorders. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCDST helpful, consider …

1
What Causes A Relapse of OCD? 17:05

2M ago17:05

17:05

Chris discusses several ideas and studies, and works through conversations he typically has with patients at various points of the clinical process. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com.If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more …

1
Do Intrusive Thoughts Show Up Differently for Some People? 23:46

3M ago23:46

23:46

Chris responds to a listener's question regarding how obsessions or intrusive thoughts might be experienced differently across the OCD-population. He lists kinds and categories of intrusive thoughts and provides several cases examples from his own experience. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you…

1
How Can Family Members Help OCDers? 16:18

3M ago16:18

16:18

Chris discusses the difference between the style and persona of a good OCD-therapist and the supportive way of a truly helpful family member. It's about balancing two opposing ideas. But many family members fall too far to one side or the other. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've OCD Straig…

1
Obsession + Evidence + Possibility = Oh Sh*t? 12:08

3M ago12:08

12:08

Chris presents the idea that there's always some evidence, some reason to perceive intrusive thoughts as reality. This coupled with the reasonable possibility of feared outcomes heightens anxiety for OCDers. Evidence makes the thoughts feel real ... even if the evidence can point to several conclusions. So the question isn't, Can I dismantle or dis…

1
How Do I "Get Rid" of My Thoughts? 16:35

4M ago16:35

16:35

Chris presents a conversation he often has with patients at the beginning of treatment. Expectations are powerful things, including if they're unrealistic. So having healthy and reasonable expectations is important, especially when it what we should expect to get out of therapy. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins…

1
What Exactly Is OCD? 11:57

4M ago11:57

11:57

Chris presents a definition for OCD that extends outside of the diagnostic criteria. "Why?," you might wonder. The answer is because the diagnostic criteria is so inclusive that it doesn't actually exclude very much at all. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consi…

1
Focus More; Ruminate Less - Here's How 15:10

4M ago15:10

15:10

Chris discusses an attentional principle that is readily observable for most people. You can't both ruminate and engage the goings-on of the here-and-now at the same time. You're either doing one or the other, even if that means that you're quickly switching back and forth between the two. Chris builds on this concept and provides a practical strat…

1
The Versatility of Behavior-Change, Pillar 5 20:37

4M ago20:37

20:37

Chris discusses a personal journey with interpersonal boundaries, confrontation, and self-esteem. He chronicles a time he confronted a person in his life who historically treated him badly; and described how he felt about himself after having done that. He then ties this into OCD-treatment, and works to show the power of behavior-change, no matter …

1
Pillar 4 is about Letting Go of Both Thoughts & Compulsions 22:16

5M ago22:16

22:16

Chris presents by starting with a question that lingers in the air at this point: What am I supposed to do about my intrusive thoughts? The answer may not be what you want to hear. But it is echoed by the literature, and has been for nearly six decades. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com If you've fou…

1
What's So Wrong with Trying to Manage Risk? 11:04

5M ago11:04

11:04

A listener responds to Pillar 3 with a question. Chris responds. There's ALWAYS risk; but there's only sometimes danger. Listen to find out more. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, feel free to give it a 5-star rating, and subscribe to the podcast for more s…

1
Accepting Uncertainty Reduces Your Need for Compulsions, Pillar 3 12:10

5M ago12:10

12:10

Chris explains a logical dynamic that goes two ways: the more we have a felt need for certainty, the harder we pursue it. And we pursue it, of course, by doing compulsions. But the harder we pursue it, the more elusive it proves to be. And then, we're back to the beginning. We have a deep and urgent need for certainty. But that street travels two w…

1
"Practice Makes Perfect," Pillar 2 15:09

5M ago15:09

15:09

Chris recaps Pillar 1 with a few subtype-examples, and moves to Pillar 2. This is the idea of "reps," or repetitions. Doing something over and over again increases both our competence in executing a task, and sharpens our understanding of it - big picture. The same is true of exposure therapy. Reps are the backbone of getting better.…

1
You Gotta Go to Therapy, Pillar 1 18:13

6M ago18:13

18:13

Chris tackles the first of the Five Pillars, showing that generally OCDers generally don't make a lot of progress without structured, expert help. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCDST helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured he…

1
What is My Role in Getting Better? 14:17

6M ago14:17

14:17

Chris launches a new series on the role of the patient or the listener in the process of getting better. He reviews a document, forged from clinical experience, and written for his patients that explains their specific responsibilities in the act of getting as much out of their therapeutic journey as possible.…

1
When OCD Turns Itself Inside-Out and Backward 16:29

6M ago16:29

16:29

Chris discusses a couple of cases that illustrate that idea that sometimes OCD and anxiety disorders flip the script on you, and completely change the behaviors that feed them. All of the sudden, the behaviors that previously were healthy are now compulsive; and the behaviors that were compulsive are now healthy.…

1
You Need Both Will and Strategy 13:57

7M ago13:57

13:57

"Life's a fight!" Chris discusses a personal slogan and explains what that means in the context of OCD. Fighting means both the will to win and a strategy to succeed. In the fight against OCD, you need both. Why? Because OCD has both, too.

1
Everybody's Pure-O ... Sometimes 14:12

7M ago14:12

14:12

Chris responds to a listener's question about the ever-popular topic, Pure-O. He highlights the concept of identifying compulsions; as Pure-Oers do compulsions, they just don't properly identify them. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com If you've OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving it a 5-star r…

1
Mistakes You're Probably Making in Exposure Therapy 16:17

7M ago16:17

16:17

Building off of the last two episodes, Chris discusses common errors made in exposure-work. These concepts aren't new to the podcast; but they are ... common mistakes. What that means is that you're probably doing them. And the reality is that exposure therapy generally doesn't work very well if we're committing one or both of these mistakes. Feel …

1
Chris Conducts an Imaginal Exposure ... on Himself 45:17

8M ago45:17

45:17

In this episode, Chris faces his relationship-OCD and does what's called, an imaginal exposure. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star review, and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with your anxiety- or OCD-symptoms.…

1
The Four Bosom Buddies of Good Exposure Therapy 19:16

8M ago19:16

19:16

Chris talks through a few erroneous but common ideas of exposure therapy. These are mistakes made by both consumers and inexperienced therapists. He then explains four components of good exposure therapy. If done properly, these generally render exposure-work effective but uncomfortable. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to c…

1
When OCD Says "This" Means "That" 10:07

8M ago10:07

10:07

Chris discusses fears and case-examples that involve physical symptoms and environmental experiences, and that the OCD says "this" is evidence of, or means "that." These can be difficult to deal with, because there's something real and observable thrown into the obsessive-compulsive "mix." Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to…

1
Is My Anxiety Interfering with My Sex Life? 15:30

8M ago15:30

15:30

Chris discusses some literature and case-examples relative to how anxiety- and OCD-symptoms can interfere with individuals' sex life. Most notably, he shows that most common forms of sexual dysfunction, in both men and women, are caused or maintained by Sexual Performance Anxiety. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrislei…

1
Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT of Your Anxiety Toolkit 32:32

9M ago32:32

32:32

Chris sits down with Kimberley Quinlan of the great podcast, Your Anxiety Toolkit. They discuss various topics from the history of their careers and supervisors who were pivotal in shaping who they are as clinicians today to what techniques they favor in therapy and why. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail…

1
2 Rules of Thumb: the Difference between OCD and Skin Picking Disorder 11:29

9M ago11:29

11:29

Chris responds to a listener's question about the difference between OCD and excoriation disorder. This is an important question, because many OCDers report that they pick at their skin "as a compulsion." In many cases, they can just stop. But what happens when they can't? Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gma…

1
The Chain is Only as Strong as its Weakest Link 16:05

10M ago16:05

16:05

Chris finishes the series on SCAMP and the Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors. In this episode, he focuses on the last two trigger-categories (Movement and Place) represented in the acronym. This episode was made possible by NOCD. Feel free to reach out with any question you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk hel…

1
Manage Feelings; but F*** Anxiety 14:20

10M ago14:20

14:20

Chris continues to series on OCD-Related disorders, this time talking through the "A" (for Affect) in the acronym SCAMP. The important idea is effectively manage triggers, to include feelings. There's one notable exception to this rule. And I'll bet you can guess what that is. This podcast was made possible by NOCD. Feel free to reach out with any …

1
Talking Back to Thoughts in Hair-Pulling and Skin-Picking Disorders 10:05

10M ago10:05

10:05

Chris continues the series on skin picking and hair-pulling habits, focusing on Charlie Mansueto's SCAMP concept: Successful treatment of excoriation disorder and trichotillomania is not so much about exercising sheer willpower but about identifying and managing contexts or triggers. This episode is made possible by NOCD.Feel free to reach out with…

1
You Play Offense for OCD. You Play Defense for Skin-Picking and Hair Pulling Disorders 24:14

10M ago24:14

24:14

In this episode, Chris starts off by re-emphasizing the importance of identifying and preventing relevant behaviors when dealing with a number of common mental health conditions. And he continues the series on the so-called "OCD-related disorders." This episode is made possible by NOCD. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to ch…

1
Got Triggered? What Now? 15:45

10M ago15:45

15:45

Chris discusses evidence-based strategies for dealing with triggers relative to the anxiety-related disorders, like PTSD, OCD, Specific Phobia, etc., and other conditions like trichotillomania and excoriation disorder. There's an important difference between these strategies. Tune in to learn more. Feel free to reach out with any questions you migh…

1
What Do I Do When I Don't REALIZE I'm Doing Compulsions? 11:20

11M ago11:20

11:20

Chris poses a question of what OCDers are to do when they are engaging such habitual and routine compulsions that they can't stop doing them? Feel free to reach out to chrisleins04@gmail.com with any questions you might have. If you've found this episode helpful, consider giving OCD Straight Talk a 5-star rating. And for treatment, visit KentuckyOC…

1
It's about Tolerating the Itch and Stopping the Scratching Response 11:14

11M ago11:14

11:14

Chris discusses the idea that a lot of people tolerate the scratching behavior with the hope of getting rid of the itch. But success in the fight against OCD is about tolerating the thoughts and the anxiety that they cause and instead focusing on stopping the compulsions. This is where grit and resilience, along with a touch or two of uncertainty, …

1
Grit & Resilience in Your Fight Against OCD 6:28

11M ago6:28

6:28

Chris discusses patients who demonstrate grit and resilience in the therapeutic journey. Being willing and able to tolerate psychoemotive distress is ESSENTIAL to stopping compulsions. And resisting and stopping compulsions is the active ingredient to making progress against the OCD. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chris…

1
It's Easier to Act Yourself into a New Way of Thinking Than It Is to Think Yourself into a New Way of Acting 11:23

11M ago11:23

11:23

Chris discusses a general principle that applies not just to the management of OCD and anxiety-related symptoms, but to problems and conditions that people commonly face. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating, and reach out to…

1
Why Do I Have These Intrusive Thoughts? 10:04

12M ago10:04

10:04

Chris discusses the question of why individuals experience certain intrusive thoughts? In this context, he also presents the value of embracing uncertainty. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving us a 5-star review, and subscribing to the podcast…

1
What's the Difference between Facts and Fears? 12:29

12M ago12:29

12:29

Chris discusses intrusive images and urges, noting that often they elicit anxiety because of what we think they mean. The question, of course, becomes, Do they REALLY mean that? Feel free to reach out with any question you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCDST helpful, feel free to give us a 5-star review, and subscribe to the…

1
Compulsions Make the Thoughts Real 15:54

1y ago15:54

15:54

Chris talks through the idea that compulsive responses give credibility to the obsessional anxiety. The question becomes, What does it look like for you to not respond? Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating, and subscribing to…

1
Can You Imagine Anxiety-Producing Thoughts That Don't Produce Anxiety? 13:04

1y ago13:04

13:04

Building on the last few episodes, and referring to the idea of the system and its parts, Chris explains what OCD looks like when it's no longer clinically significant. The answer might surprise you. Can you imagine intrusive thoughts that don't cause you much anxiety?Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.co…

1
Introducing Dr. B: A Follow-Up on the System and Its Parts 10:09

1y ago10:09

10:09

Chris has a conversation with Dr. B, his wife, about the OCD-system and how it works. Enjoy. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating, and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with your anxiety-symptoms.…

1
The System is Made Up of Parts 20:17

1y ago20:17

20:17

Chris discusses the OCD-system, the pieces and parts that make up the whole. And he identifies the common reaction of making "feeling better" the end goal for most OCDers. But the minute we focus on feeling better as our primary aim, we instinctively seek to do something to achieve that goal. What that response is most liklely meets the definition …

1
Your Compulsions Hide in Your Assumptions about What is NOT a Compulsion 24:36

1y ago24:36

24:36

Chris explains the thinking and assumptions of many people and patients about what "compulsions" are, and are not. Often, it's the assumptions we make about such behaviors that allows them to continue-on unchecked. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider givin…

1
The 2 Primary Reasons OCDers Don't Tend to Make Much Progress 12:59

1y ago12:59

12:59

Chris discusses common patterns across years of cases. Many patients struggle to make progress early in treatment (or because they are not in it to start with) for one or both of two reasons. Making efficient progress is first about distinguishing obsessions from compulsions, and second about finding the needle-compulsions in the behavioral haystac…

1
Mark McMinn, Ph.D. 34:24

1y ago34:24

34:24

Chris sits down with Dr. Mark McMinn to discuss scrupulosity and religious scrupulosity. The two talk through various issues, though, the simple issue. They also talk about spiritualty and psychology and how or where the two bodies of knowledge intersect. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you fou…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Chris Leins Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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