Block Out the Noise: Helping Teens and Young Adults Overcome Anxiety

Jessica Davis - Mindset Coach for Anxious Teens & Young Adults

Do you ever feel like your anxiety is running the show—making even small decisions feel overwhelming, and leaving you stuck in your head replaying everything? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck. Welcome to Block Out the Noise—the go-to podcast for teens and young adults who want to quiet the mental chaos of anxiety, self-doubt, and overthinking and finally feel confident enough to take action, make decisions, and celebrate their growth. Each week, licensed therapist and mindset coach Jessica Davis shares practical tools, relatable stories, and empowering mindset shifts using her signature C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method to help you stop letting fear and perfectionism hold you back. This isn’t just about managing anxiety.  It’s about helping you: Feel more in control of your thoughtsBuild real confidence (even when you're second-guessing yourself)Stop beating yourself up for every little mistakeAnd finally trust yourself and your progress If you’ve ever asked yourself… How do I stop overthinking and feel more in control?Why do I feel so behind, even when I’m trying my best?How can I be proud of myself without feeling guilty?How do I handle school, social anxiety, and expectations without shutting down?What is the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method—and can it really help me?…then this podcast is for you. Block Out the Noise is your safe space to feel seen, supported, and reminded that you are not too much—and you are never not enough. 🎧 New episodes every Monday. ✨ Follow along for weekly support and reminders that you’re stronger than your anxiety wants you to believe.

  1. 5d ago

    65 | A Game‑Day Warm‑Up for Anxiety

    Why does anxiety spike before a big moment?Why do you feel unprepared even when you know what to do?What if you need an anxiety warm-up the same way athletes need a game-day warm-up?This episode is part of Jessica’s series, What Athletes Can Teach You About Anxiety, where she uses lessons from sports to explain pressure, confidence, self-doubt, and mental strength in everyday life.  In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down how athletes prepare before high-pressure moments and turns those lessons into a simple four-step anxiety warm-up called PREP. Athletes do not walk straight into the game hoping they feel ready. They move their bodies, calm their breathing, review the plan, and use routines to get their mind in the right place.  If you’ve ever walked into something anxious, tense, distracted, or already convinced you were not ready, this episode gives you a simple system to use before pressure takes over. Jessica explains how preparation builds confidence, why breathing helps calm your nervous system, how to reset anxious thoughts, and how to mentally rehearse the first step instead of spiraling about the whole outcome.  You’ll learn how to use PREP (Pause, Reset, Envision, and Prime) as a quick anxiety routine before school, work, practice, hard conversations, or any moment where your mind starts telling you to avoid, freeze, or shut down.  What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why anxiety spikes before big momentsHow athletes prepare their minds before pressureWhat the PREP framework is and how to use itHow breathing helps calm your fight-or-flight responseWhy one believable phrase helps reset anxious thoughtsHow envisioning the first step lowers overwhelmHow a simple priming routine tells your brain it is time to move forwardGot a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    12 min
  2. May 18

    64 | Why Your Brain “Chokes” Under Pressure (And How to Break the Cycle)

    Why does your brain freeze under pressure?Why do simple tasks suddenly feel impossible to start?What if you’re not lazy, unmotivated, or broken, but stuck in the same pressure cycle athletes face when they choke?This episode is part of Jessica’s series, What Athletes Can Teach You About Anxiety, where she uses lessons from sports to explain how anxiety, pressure, confidence, and self-doubt show up in everyday life.  In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down what happens when anxiety, overwhelm, and pressure make you feel frozen. Using sports as the example, she explains why even skilled athletes miss shots when the moment feels too big, and why the same thing happens in everyday life with schoolwork, job applications, cleaning, responsibilities, and decisions. If you’ve ever felt stuck even though you wanted to move forward, this episode will help you understand why pushing harder does not always work. Jessica explains how pressure builds, why big lists sometimes make anxiety worse, and how small wins help your brain rebuild trust. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why your brain can “choke” under pressureHow anxiety and overwhelm make it harder to startWhy staring at a huge to-do list can increase stressWhy taking a break sometimes turns into avoidanceHow athletes rebuild confidence through small repsWhy the easiest win is often the best place to startHow the “one rep method” helps you create momentumHow AI can help you break overwhelming tasks into smaller stepsWhy momentum often comes before motivationHow celebrating small wins helps rebuild confidence and self-trustGot a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    13 min
  3. May 11

    63 | 6 “Normal” Habits Quietly Fueling Your Anxiety Every Single Day

    Why does your anxiety feel worse even when nothing major is happening?Why do you feel tense, drained, distracted, or on edge even when you’re doing the same things everyone else seems to be doing?What if some of the habits you think are normal are quietly keeping your anxiety active every single day? In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down six everyday habits that might be fueling your anxiety without you realizing it. These are not dramatic life choices. They are normal things like chasing energy with caffeine, staying glued to your phone, ignoring your body, avoiding movement, numbing out, and letting negative self-talk run unchecked.  If you’ve ever wondered why your anxiety is not getting better, this episode will help you look at the daily patterns that might be keeping your nervous system stuck on high alert. Jessica explains how small habits build over time, why your body reacts the way it does, and why changing even one pattern helps you feel more grounded, capable, and in control.  What You’ll Learn in this Episode:  Why normal daily habits might be making your anxiety worseHow caffeine affects your nervous system and fight-or-flight responseWhy phone use, scrolling, and FOMO feed anxiety and disconnectionHow ignoring hunger, exhaustion, and body cues increases stressWhy anxiety needs movement instead of stillnessHow numbing out with food, alcohol, gaming, sugar, or other escapes keeps anxiety aliveWhy negative self-talk lowers confidence and makes anxiety feel strongerHow changing one habit helps you build self-trust and momentumWhy you do not have to fix everything at once to start feeling betterGot a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    13 min
  4. May 4

    62 | You Know You Should Say Something… But You Don’t

    Why do hard conversations feel so scary, even when you know something needs to be said?Why do you stay quiet when someone crosses a line, hurts your feelings, or pushes a boundary?What if staying silent is not protecting your relationships, but slowly creating resentment and distance? In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down why speaking up feels so hard when you struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing, or self-doubt. If you’ve ever rehearsed a conversation in your head, talked yourself out of saying what you feel, or stayed quiet to keep the peace, this episode will help you understand what is happening underneath the surface. She explains how the fawn response shows up in hard conversations, why your nervous system reacts like conflict is danger, and why avoiding difficult conversations often creates more emotional pain over time. You’ll also learn why conflict is not the enemy of healthy relationships, avoidance is. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why staying quiet feels safe in the momentHow people-pleasing keeps you stuck in anxiety and resentmentWhat the fawn response is and why it makes you shrink during conflictWhy avoiding hard conversations creates distance and disconnectionWhy conflict is not the problem, but avoidance often isHow to speak up before your emotions build and come out sidewaysWhy “I feel” statements help you communicate without attackingHow using your voice builds confidence and self-trustGot a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    12 min
  5. Apr 27

    61 | Why Working On Yourself Is Making Your Anxiety Worse

    Why does working on yourself make your anxiety worse instead of better?Why do you feel more overwhelmed after you finally decide to change? What if this anxiety is not a sign to stop, but a sign that what you’re doing actually matters? In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down why anxiety often increases when you start working on yourself. If you’ve ever set a goal, started a new habit, or tried to improve your life and felt more stressed, more overwhelmed, or ready to quit, this episode will help you understand why. She explains how your nervous system reacts when something feels important, why anxiety and excitement feel the same in your body, and how the avoidance cycle keeps you stuck. You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between anxiety that means “this matters” and anxiety that signals misalignment. This episode walks you through six clear steps to help you stop quitting in moments of overwhelm, make decisions with a clear mind, and stay consistent even when progress feels slow. If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of starting and stopping, this will help you move forward with confidence and clarity. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why anxiety often gets worse when you start working on yourselfHow your brain connects anxiety with avoidance and quittingThe difference between anxiety that signals growth and anxiety that signals misalignmentWhy you should not make decisions when you feel overwhelmedHow to pause without quitting and break the stop-start cycleFive questions to help you get clear on what you wantWhy your core values determine whether you should keep goingHow to handle the “middle phase” where nothing feels like it’s workingWhy most people quit too early and how to avoid itGot a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    13 min
  6. Apr 20

    60 | Am I Just Being Dramatic, Or Is This Anxiety?

    Are you anxious, or have you convinced yourself you’re “just being dramatic”?Do you keep second-guessing what you feel instead of taking it seriously?What if the problem isn’t that you’re too dramatic, but that you’ve been minimizing something real? In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down why so many teens and young adults second-guess their own anxiety and dismiss what they’re feeling before they ever get help. She talks about where that self-doubt comes from, how anxiety is different from everyday worry, and why you do not need a formal diagnosis for your experience to matter. This episode also explores how to stop minimizing your struggle, how to better understand what support looks like for you, and how to communicate that to the people in your life.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:   Why so many people question whether their anxiety is “real”  How being labeled “too much” can shape the way you view your emotions  The difference between normal worry and anxiety that starts affecting daily life  Why you do not need a diagnosis for your struggle to deserve support  How minimizing your anxiety can lead to more shame and less progress  Why people in your life may not understand what you need right away  How to figure out what support looks like for you and ask for it more clearlyGot a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    16 min
  7. Apr 13

    59 | Why You Can’t Stop Thinking Something Is Wrong With Your Body

    What if every symptom feels bigger than it should? Why does reassurance never seem to last? How do you stop anxiety from turning your body into something you constantly fear?  In this episode, Jessica Davis talks about health anxiety and the exhausting cycle of body scanning, symptom checking, Googling, and needing reassurance. She breaks down why this spiral feels so convincing, why it hits teens and young adults so hard, and what you can start doing to loosen its grip so anxiety stops stealing so much of your life.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode  What health anxiety actually is, and how it differs from simply caring about your healthWhy Googling symptoms and seeking reassurance often make the fear worseHow anxiety creates real physical sensations that then fuel more panicHow to use parts of the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method to challenge fear-based thoughtsWhy taking one small step back into your life matters more than waiting to feel certain Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    15 min
  8. Apr 6

    58 | How Dating Someone Can Change Who You Are (And What to Watch For)

    Did you like who you were in your last relationship? Did that person bring out your confidence, or your anxiety? Are you becoming more like yourself in this relationship, or slowly losing parts of who you are?  The person you date affects more than your relationship status. They shape how you feel about yourself, how you show up in your everyday life, and what starts to feel normal in love. In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down how dating can bring out different versions of you, why that matters more than most people realize, and how to tell whether a relationship is helping you grow or pulling you further away from yourself.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode  • Why the version of you that shows up in a relationship tells you a lot about whether it is healthy  • How jealousy, insecurity, anger, silence, and people-pleasing can signal deeper relationship problems  • What “relationship inauthenticity” looks like, and why acting against yourself takes a toll on mental health  • Why early dating experiences can shape what feels normal in future relationships  • The one question to ask yourself if you want more clarity about the person you are dating  Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! RESOURCES: Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming! JOIN our NEWSLETTER! Get weekly emails about upcoming podcasts, but also how to fight against anxiety! 📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Threads  🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients. Links:  Anxiety Survival Toolkit: https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/ Newsletter: https://blockoutthenoisepodcast.substack.com/welcome Davis-Smith Mental Health: https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/ 1:1 Confidence Coaching: https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching ⚠️ Disclaimer:  Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical stra...

    15 min

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About

Do you ever feel like your anxiety is running the show—making even small decisions feel overwhelming, and leaving you stuck in your head replaying everything? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck. Welcome to Block Out the Noise—the go-to podcast for teens and young adults who want to quiet the mental chaos of anxiety, self-doubt, and overthinking and finally feel confident enough to take action, make decisions, and celebrate their growth. Each week, licensed therapist and mindset coach Jessica Davis shares practical tools, relatable stories, and empowering mindset shifts using her signature C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method to help you stop letting fear and perfectionism hold you back. This isn’t just about managing anxiety.  It’s about helping you: Feel more in control of your thoughtsBuild real confidence (even when you're second-guessing yourself)Stop beating yourself up for every little mistakeAnd finally trust yourself and your progress If you’ve ever asked yourself… How do I stop overthinking and feel more in control?Why do I feel so behind, even when I’m trying my best?How can I be proud of myself without feeling guilty?How do I handle school, social anxiety, and expectations without shutting down?What is the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method—and can it really help me?…then this podcast is for you. Block Out the Noise is your safe space to feel seen, supported, and reminded that you are not too much—and you are never not enough. 🎧 New episodes every Monday. ✨ Follow along for weekly support and reminders that you’re stronger than your anxiety wants you to believe.

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