Best imanxiousabout Podcasts (2024)

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IAA 59 - Greatest Hits - I'm Anxious About Procrastination 1:08:15

3y ago1:08:15

1:08:15

We all struggle with procrastination, so if you're currently avoiding something, listening to this re-release of one of our greatest hits is a great way to not do whatever you're supposed to do! In this episode, Chris & Allison talk about the reasons why procrastination is so anxiety-inducing (and anxiety-perpetuating) and the psychology behind why…

1
IAA 58 - Greatest Hits - I'm Anxious About the Past 52:23

3y ago52:23

52:23

In this episode, Chris and Allison take a trip down memory lane, though probably not in the classic sense of the phrase. This episode remains consistently in the top ten downloaded episodes for I'm Anxious About, and Allison and Chris would like to think it's for good reason. It came out at a time when the podcast was really taking off, and your co…

1
IAA 57: I'm Anxious About Taking a Break 21:03

3y ago21:03

21:03

Allison and Chris talk through their decision to take a summer break, which will be the first extended break in the podcast's history. They're be offering up their "greatest hits" of previous episodes for the next couple of months, and then hope to get back at it. You'll learn all about what spurred that decision here. A huge thanks from both your …

1
IAA 56: I'm Anxious About Forgetting Things 56:34

3y ago56:34

56:34

Chris & Allison are both forgetful beings (see: the fact that Allison forgot to send the files to the editor after finishing recording, which is why this episode is a week later than usual.) And of course, that gives them a lot to be anxious about! In this episode, Chris & Allison discuss why forgetting things is particularly fraught for those with…

1
IAA 55: I'm Anxious About Caffeine 1:07:48

3+ y ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Allison and Chris are on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to caffeine. Allison refuses to move a finger without being well-caffeinated where as Chris, once caffeinated, can't really stop moving his fingers. That, to be fair, is an exaggeration on both accounts, but what are show notes for if not to exaggerate? They explore whether all c…

1
IAA 54: I'm Anxious About Live Music 59:11

3+ y ago59:11

59:11

As the world starts to slowly inch its way back to the old normal, there are some things that Chris & Allison have to face that haven't been A Thing in over a year, like live music. While Chris is excited to start tapping his feet to the beat again, Allison has a little more trepidation and has to confront her fears of crowds and enthusiastic acous…

1
IAA 53: I'm Anxious About Looking Stupid 58:29

3+ y ago58:29

58:29

In this episode (which, in truth, was long overdue), Allison and Chris explore why looking stupid is actually a central tenant of their anxiety, and also anxiety in general. They break down what it is about "looking stupid" that's actually so hard to stomach, and whether or not most of that is actually to do with their own perspective. It's an epis…

1
IAA 52: I'm Anxious About Running a Podcast 47:14

3+ y ago47:14

47:14

You may remember that our first "real" episode after the brief introductory episode is "I'm Anxious About Starting a Podcast." Well, this is essence, is the part two of that episode. At first we were anxious about starting it, and now here we are, one year later, anxious about running it. In many ways, this episode serves as a bit of an opportunity…

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IAA 51: I'm Anxious About Compliments 51:46

3+ y ago51:46

51:46

Compliments may seem innocuous, but for people with anxiety, they can offer trigger thoughts of worthlessness and awkwardness. We discuss the three typical anxious responses to a compliment -- deflect, reciprocate, or discount -- and talk about what our personal approach to handling compliments is. Spoiler alert: we don't handle them well. If you e…

1
IAA 50: I'm Anxious About Shopping 1:05:44

3+ y ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Wherever there are definitive choices to be made, you'll find just a dash of anxiety - and that certainly applies to shopping. In this episode, Allison and Chris explore their own anxieties around shopping. They talk about how clothing is closely tethered to identity, which can make shopping a stressful experience (especially if you're not feeling …

1
IAA 49: I'm Anxious About Naps 50:01

3+ y ago50:01

50:01

If you think these two podcast hosts are the kind of people who can unwind and settle into a peaceful midday nap, it's probably your first time listening (in which case, hi!). Indeed, Chris & Allison are pathologically incapable of napping, and the sheer thought of it is enough to invoke a nervous tailspin or two. In this episode, they break down w…

1
IAA 48: I'm Anxious About Flying 1:06:11

3+ y ago1:06:11

1:06:11

If there's one thing that Allison and Chris have done a lot of, it's flying. And, as you well know, anything that anxious people do a lot of - they end of feeling strongly about. In this episode, they talk through the entire flight process, from boarding, to taking off, to being in the air, to landing. And they share their feelings on it all, while…

1
IAA 47: I'm Anxious About Energy Levels 53:27

3+ y ago53:27

53:27

Allison and Chris first ensure that listeners know that they're talking about "energy levels," as it relates to human beings, and not the energy sector, and then dive into the complicated world of maintaining a baseline of energy as someone with anxiety. The truth is that, with anxiety, sometimes our best laid plans are flipped on their head when w…

1
IAA 46: I'm Anxious About Closets 1:01:17

3+ y ago1:01:17

1:01:17

We know what you're thinking... "you're anxious about closets, really, guys?" Well, we won't deny that it's ridiculous (especially Allison's fear of literal closet demons -- don't let a 9-year-old watch whatever horror movies they want, or this is what you'll get), but we will say that we think this episode is a lot of fun and goes to surprisingly …

1
IAA 45: I'm Anxious About Change 1:06:13

3+ y ago1:06:13

1:06:13

By now, you've probably realized that Chris & Allison can never resist any chance to get a little meta, and this episode is no exception. In this episode, Allison discusses her recent big change of moving back to the United States and the many identity crises that present along with it. Chris & Allison speak at length about the relationship between…

1
IAA 44: I'm Anxious About Hobbies 1:05:19

3+ y ago1:05:19

1:05:19

If you thought either of us could relax with a nice bit of knitting or cross-stitching, well, I guess this is probably your first time listening to this podcast! In this week's episode, we tackle the paradox of why hobbies actually make us anxious. Allison's anxious because she has a deep-seated fear of being dull and uninteresting; also, she gets …

1
IAA 43: I'm Anxious About Birthdays 57:32

3+ y ago57:32

57:32

Can we have just one nice, anxiety-free day on our birthdays? Nope? All righty then. Chris and Allison blow out the candles on their anxiety-iced cakes and dive into what it is about birthdays that makes them spin out. Perhaps unsurprisingly for longtime listeners, Chris gets philosophical and slightly melancholy about the aging process, but wags h…

1
IAA 42: I'm Anxious About Zoom 57:32

3+ y ago57:32

57:32

Coming up on a year into the coronavirus pandemic, there's one thing we're all feeling: Zoom fatigue. In this episode, Chris and Allison dive into why Zoom (or any kind of video call) is a particularly difficult medium for people with anxiety. From anticipatory stress about speaking up in a large meeting room to the overstimulation of video calls t…

1
IAA 41: I'm Anxious About Losing Things 55:35

3+ y ago55:35

55:35

Chris and Allison expected this episode to be fun and lighthearted but, looking back, they're kind of happy things got a little deeper than they expected. Like all human beings, Allison and Chris have experienced loss, but the anxious brain, as you well may know, can experience (or obsess over) loss in different ways. The laughs and lightheartednes…

1
IAA 40: I'm Anxious About Driving 58:06

3+ y ago58:06

58:06

Windows down, hair blowing in the wind, wheels on the road, nothing to worry about, right? Uhh, not if you're Chris and Allison. These two anxious co-hosts share all their worries about hitting the open road, from Allison's traumatic solo Iceland road trip woes to Chris's propensity to throw a very unnecessary, wildly preemptive middle finger. Alli…

1
IAA 39: I'm Anxious About the Future 1:03:39

3+ y ago1:03:39

1:03:39

While it may seem a bit obvious to have anxiety about the future, Chris and Allison dive into why exactly the future can be so scary to people with anxiety. From overreacting and spiraling out about a hypothetical future scenario that will likely never come to pass to the temptation of "positive anxiety" in the form of perfectionist tendencies and …

1
IAA 38: I'm Anxious About Relaxation 1:10:08

3+ y ago1:10:08

1:10:08

Looking at the title, you might think "wait, how can you be anxious about relaxation? Isn't that counter-intuitive? I mean is there anything you two aren't anxious about?" And to that, we would kindly answer, "listen to the episode, and all shall be answered." And, we also might insert an expletive or two. Before this becomes an accidental parable,…

1
IAA 37: I'm Anxious About Mornings 1:04:36

3+ y ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Have you ever woken up in the morning with a feeling like your stomach is a pit of writhing snakes? Or is it just us? In the first episode of 2021, we tackle mornings and why they make us so anxious. It's partly science and that dastardly brain chemical cortisol, but it's also the expectations we place on ourselves and the struggle of setting a mor…

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IAA 36: I'm Anxious About New Year's Resolutions 1:13:19

3+ y ago1:13:19

1:13:19

The final episode of 2020 is a fitting one, filled with healthy doses of crystallized learnings, as well the appropriate amount of absurdity. Allison and Chris talk about what they've learned during this trying year, and what they hope to do in the coming year. They also talk about the podcast at large, and the effect that starting this podcast, as…

1
IAA 35: I'm Anxious About Emails 1:02:37

3+ y ago1:02:37

1:02:37

What is it about our inboxes that make us feel scattered, panicked, and nervous? Chris & Allison tackle the anxieties of email, from the struggle of maintaining 'inbox zero' to the pressure to respond quickly to the way our email inboxes reflect our mental states. This is a topic that triggers us both greatly, so it's no surprise this episode is pa…

1
IAA 34: I'm Anxious About Hangovers 58:24

3+ y ago58:24

58:24

Usually, this time of year brings both snow and hangovers in abundance. We have the snow, but the lack of gatherings hasn't quite brought the flurry of hangovers one might expect. That hasn't stopped Allison and Chris from being anxious about them. In this episode, they dive into their relationship to alcohol, and what too much alcohol can do when …

1
IAA 33: I'm Anxious About Gifts 1:05:06

3+ y ago1:05:06

1:05:06

Ho, ho, ho, your favorite podcasting Grinches are back to decry all things merry and cheerful! Chris & Allison discuss their anxieties about all things gift-giving, and particularly its intersection with Christmas and other societally-dictated gifting traditions. With a fair amount of anti-capitalist screeds and a rant from Allison about scented lo…

1
IAA 32: I'm Anxious About Health (with Rebecca Durance Hine) 1:21:27

4y ago1:21:27

1:21:27

In this episode, Allison and Chris are lucky to be joined by Rebecca Durance Hine, who, like your co-hosts, has battled anxiety over the years. However, her most notable battle is with cancer, and she shares how she overcame anxiety during a difficult time, and actually came out on the other side of cancer with a huge amount of perspective, and als…

1
IAA 31: I'm Anxious About Clutter 58:08

4y ago58:08

58:08

Clutter is just one of those things that you know is so bad for your anxiety, and yet you feel overwhelmed by the thought of even making a dent in it. In this episode, we continue to put off tackling our own physical clutter by ruminating ad nauseam about our own mental clutter surrounding the supposedly-simple act of tidying up. We mention a few a…

1
IAA 30: I'm Anxious About Wasting Money 1:17:20

4y ago1:17:20

1:17:20

This episode was a long time coming, so both Allison and Chris were collectively relieved and excited to tackle the topic today. They address how, with anxiety, we need to look just beyond the black and white/good and bad dichotomy and try to look at what spending might actually be a benefit. They also talk about how sometimes being anxious about w…

1
IAA 29: I'm Anxious About Daylights Savings Time 1:04:46

4y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

In this week's episode, Chris & Allison bemoan the yearly "falling back" and the end of Daylights Savings Time -- and the beginning of The Period of Darkness. They talk about the disorienting effects of a sudden time change on people with anxiety, how scientists all agree that Daylights Savings is trash, and how people with seasonal affective disor…

1
IAA 28: I'm Anxious About Learning New Technology 1:06:51

4y ago1:06:51

1:06:51

This week, Allison and Chris tackle a topic that it's likely many others are anxious about, and that's learning new technology. They examine why it is they break down when they're got to figure out something new, discuss whether its them or technology that's to blame, how different technology pushes different buttons, as well as whether the time of…

1
IAA 27: I'm Anxious About Missing an Episode* 4:49

4y ago4:49

4:49

Okay, technically, we do have an episode this week, hence the asterisk, but for real: we're going on a short break while Allison attends to some personal four-legged family matters. We quickly explain why we don't have a full episode this week and probably next, and we wholeheartedly thank all our listeners for their understanding and support. We a…

1
IAA 26: I'm Anxious About Halloween 43:37

4y ago43:37

43:37

You'd think we could at least get excited about an innocent childish holiday, but alas: even thinking of Halloween puts a shiver up our anxious spines. From the misery of having to pick a funny-yet-relevant Halloween costume to hating Halloween parties but not wanting to feel like a full-on curmudgeon, we have a bone to pick with celebrating Hallow…

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IAA 25: I'm Anxious About Helping Others (with Courtney Moreira) 1:26:52

4y ago1:26:52

1:26:52

As it turns out, studying for 10 years to become a therapist leaves you with a good grasp on what anxiety is all about. That is the lesson we learned when we invited our guest, Courtney Moreira, on the show. We talk about how having our own mental health struggles can actually put us in a better position to help others, about overcoming imposter sy…

1
IAA 24: I'm Anxious About Meditation 1:06:42

4y ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Wait really... meditation? Isn't that supposed to be, like, all Zen and stuff? Well, anxiety is truly the gift that never stops giving, and meditation is no exception. From the exceeding painfulness of staying in one place to cripplingly high expectations about what meditation looks like (and who people who meditate look like), we break down our re…

1
IAA 23: I'm Anxious About The Past 1:12:23

4y ago1:12:23

1:12:23

Allison and Chris knew they'd eventually have to do this episode, and they're happy that they've officially recorded it, and it's now in the past. Terrible jokes aside, they combat the notion in this episode that anxiety is only something related to thinking about the future, and talk about how the past can sometimes overwhelm us and, if we're not …

1
IAA 22: I'm Anxious About Being On Time 1:08:22

4y ago1:08:22

1:08:22

Is there anything more anxiety-inducing than knowing you're going to be late but not being able to do a thing about it? If so, speak not the horror, because we're already on a verbal bender about all our anxieties about being on time. From the balancing act of deciding when to leave when meeting up with friends in public to leaving the house in a f…

1
IAA 21: I'm Anxious About Criticism 1:02:19

4y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Does it surprise you that Allison and Chris are anxious about criticism? I mean, does it really? Alright, enough questions for you, and more answers about what's included in today's show. They first address the central paradox of wanting to improve, but not wanting to actually hear how to improve, and how that relates to anxiety. They then chat abo…

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IAA 20: I'm Anxious About Hiking (with Kay from The Awkward Traveller) 1:31:20

4y ago1:31:20

1:31:20

On this special episode of I'm Anxious About, Chris & Allison speak with Kay of The Awkward Traveller about all things hiking. From rogue wild animals to not knowing how long a hike will take to deciphering signs that feel like Sphinx-like riddles to hiker bro gatekeeping, the three find quite a few paths to take when tackling Anxiety Mountain. And…

1
IAA 19: I'm Anxious About The New Normal 1:12:48

4y ago1:12:48

1:12:48

Allison and Chris knew that recording this episode had to be done eventually, and that they also had to use the term "the new normal," much to their chagrin. They break down why this period has been difficult for those with anxiety or mental health challenges, but, since Chris, ever the optimist, is one half of the podcast, they also address potent…

1
IAA 18: I'm Anxious About Phone Calls 1:33:04

4y ago1:33:04

1:33:04

In today's episode, Chris and Allison discuss all the anxiety-inducing qualities of phone calls. From labyrinthine phone trees straight out of a Kafkaesque nightmare to Zoom fatigue to calls that definitely should have been emails, there's a lot to be said about picking up the phone. They coin a few useful terms -- "shame scrapbook" and "Canadian e…

1
IAA 17: I'm Anxious About Procrastination 1:25:06

4y ago1:25:06

1:25:06

Allison and Chris finally got around to doing an episode about procrastination! In this episode, they coin a new phrase which they think will be around for a while - "The Shame Flame." I suppose you'll have to tune in to figure just what the hell that is. They also use a variety of metaphors largely based around cars (for some reason), and talk abo…

1
IAA 16: I'm Anxious About Social Media 1:20:33

4y ago1:20:33

1:20:33

In this episode, Allison and Chris tackle their complicated feelings towards social media. They discuss their anxieties about how they present themselves to the world, lament the crippling FOMO of following people who actually wake up for sunrise hikes, and share the peculiar challenge of branding yourself and making social media part of your busin…

1
IAA 15: I'm Anxious About The News (with Ryan Patel) 1:50:31

4y ago1:50:31

1:50:31

This week, Allison and Chris are joined by a special guest, Ryan Patel, and the results are spectacular (at least in their admittedly biased perspective). In fact, these three chums practically had to be torn away from their respective microphones, as evidenced by the fact that this is the longest episode in the history of "I'm Anxious About" thus …

1
IAA 14: I'm Anxious About Public Transportation 1:06:59

4y ago1:06:59

1:06:59

In this episode, Chris and Allison go off the rails discussing the anxieties of public transportation. From crowds to unexpected delays, from unwanted performances to brazen displays of eye contact: the perils of public transportation are plentiful. If you're enjoying the podcast, feel free to join our Facebook group, We're Anxious About. Theme mus…

1
IAA 13: I'm Anxious About Conflict 1:22:54

4y ago1:22:54

1:22:54

In this episode, Allison and Chris break down what makes them anxious when it comes to conflict. Even just the word "conflict" sends shivers down Allison's spine. In a move that clearly shows they're upping their game (for which they'll undoubtedly expect praise for), they bring in a few external resources to break down how anxiety mixes with confl…

1
IAA 12: I'm Anxious About Grocery Stores (with Ciara McNally) 1:27:39

4y ago1:27:39

1:27:39

In this special episode, guest Ciara McNally of My Suitcase Diaries joins Chris and Allison to chat all things grocery stores in the Covid-19 era. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they manage to get sidetracked by pressing matters such as does Ireland have snakes (locally known as danger noodles) and Allison’s grave concern about the impending broccoli shor…

1
IAA 11: I'm Anxious About Festivals 1:27:16

4y ago1:27:16

1:27:16

While festivals may be a joyous occasion for some, that doesn't always ring true for your hosts, and particularly Allison. Chris and Allison touch upon the pressure to dress up (and go on a tirade about costumes), how long lines can be rather soul destroying, and Chris also pleads his case to Allison for why some festivals can actually be a cure fo…

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IAA 10: I'm Anxious About Meeting New People 1:16:19

4y ago1:16:19

1:16:19

In this episode, Chris and Allison discuss how they feel when meeting new people. Chris, basically a Golden retriever in Canadian flannel, just wants to meet everyone at the party, whereas Allison is a slightly aloof English mastiff who arrives way too early. Allison throws herself into embarrassment and self-deprecation so you can't do it for her,…

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