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

Jessica Davis - Mindset Coach for Anxious Teens & Young Adults
  • 4.3 (4)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 3D AGO

    51 | When Anxiety Makes You Feel Numb (And How to Get Yourself Back)

    Do you feel numb, tired, or checked out, even when life looks “fine”?Do you keep hearing “be positive,” but it does nothing for you?Do you miss feeling like yourself? Feeling numb does not mean you are broken. Sometimes anxiety runs for so long in the background that your brain gets worn out and starts shutting things down to conserve energy. It can look like you do not want to do the things you used to love, nothing feels exciting, and even good moments do not land. In this episode, Jessica Davis explains what is happening in your brain when anxiety keeps your nervous system on high alert. You will learn why negative moments stick faster than positive ones, why “celebrate your wins” feels impossible when you are depleted, and how to use a simple skill from the Courage Method to help your brain register safety again. Stay with this episode until the end so you can start collecting proof that you are handling more than anxiety says you are. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  • Why anxiety can make you feel numb, flat, or disconnected  • What negativity bias is, and why your brain remembers “bad” faster than “good”  • Why embracing wins is nervous system training, not fake positivity  • How to stop deflecting your wins so they finally register  • Simple ways to collect proof that you are safer than anxiety says  • How to start feeling like yourself again, one small moment at a time  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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    12 min

  2. FEB 9

    50 | Why Anxiety Feels Unbearable Before It Gets Better

    Why does anxiety feel worse right before things start improving? What if this phase is not proof you are failing, but proof you are building strength? What would change if you stopped waiting for someone else to make you feel okay? If anxiety feels crushing right now, this episode gives you a different way to understand what is happening. This is the phase where everything feels hard because you are building coping skills from scratch, without past wins to lean on. You will learn why relying on reassurance keeps the anxiety cycle going, and how self-trust starts when you stop handing other people the scoreboard. You will also hear a simple story that explains why confidence is built through volume, not perfection. Listen through the end for a clear mindset shift you can use the next time anxiety tells you it is too much. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why the beginning stage of anxiety growth feels like the hardest part • How small brave moments build coping skills and resilience over time • Why reassurance and validation create a loop that never feels finished • How to start building self-trust when you feel like you are starting at zero • Why repetition builds confidence more than “getting it right” once • How to define wins for yourself without needing an audience • What it looks like to move forward with anxiety instead of waiting for it to disappear 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    13 min

  3. FEB 2

    49 | The Way You Talk to Yourself Is Training Your Anxiety

    Do you talk to yourself like your inner voice is your enemy? Have you started believing the harsh labels you say when you are stressed? What if the fastest way to calm anxiety starts with changing your words? Negative self-talk can feel like venting, but your brain treats it like training. When you repeat phrases like “I’m stupid,” “something is wrong with me,” or “I’m such an anxious person,” your mind starts collecting proof to match the story. Over time, those words shape how you see yourself, how you show up, and how hard it feels to try again. In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down how language turns into identity, why diagnoses and labels can stick in the wrong way, and how to shift your words without forcing fake positivity. You will learn how to replace identity-based statements with grounded truth, how to build an “emotional home” you want to live in, and how to interrupt spirals by focusing outward through contribution. If anxiety hits fast and you want something simple to guide you, the free Anxiety Survival Toolkit is linked in the show notes. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  • Why your brain treats repeated self-talk like truth, not frustration  • How identity statements make anxiety feel permanent  • Why “something is wrong with my brain” keeps you stuck  • How labels, including diagnoses, can shape behavior in unhelpful ways  • Why body-image self-talk trains your eyes to search for flaws  • The difference between “I am anxious” and “I feel anxious”  • What an “emotional home” is and how your words build it over time  • A simple check-in to spot whether your words drain you or refill you  • One underrated tool to interrupt spirals by shifting focus outward  • How to replace harsh language with words that build resilience and self-trust 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    17 min

  4. JAN 26

    48 | When One Mistake Feels Like It Defines You

    What do you do when you made a choice you cannot take back?  Why do some mistakes sit in your chest and replay at night?  Are you waiting for someone else to forgive you so you can stop feeling guilty?  Some choices do not feel like a moment, they feel like a label. You replay it, you feel sick, and you start wondering what it says about you as a person. In this episode, Jessica Davis talks about what to do when you missed the mark and it impacted someone you care about. You will learn why the pain is often less about how big the mistake looks to others and more about what it means to you. She breaks down why punishing yourself does not repair anything, what real accountability sounds like, and why trust is rebuilt through your actions after the apology. You will also hear a grounded path toward self-forgiveness, including why you cannot skip the growth part, how to focus on 1 percent better choices, and the reminder you need if your brain keeps telling you one bad decision erased everything good about you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why some mistakes stick because of the meaning you attach to them • How guilt gets heavier when your choice impacts someone you care about • Why self-punishment keeps you stuck instead of helping you change • What accountability sounds like without overexplaining or defending yourself • Why trust gets rebuilt through consistent behavior, not words • Why you do not get to control someone else’s healing timeline • Why self-forgiveness comes from becoming someone who chooses differently • What “work on yourself” looks like in real life, through small steps • A reframe to remember when you feel defined by your worst moment 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    15 min

  5. JAN 19

    47 | Why Your Mind Won’t Shut Off and What’s Actually Fueling It

    Why does your brain get louder the moment you try to rest?  What if your overthinking is not random, and it has a fuel source?  Which daily habits are keeping you stuck in emergency mode?  If your mind will not shut off, you are not broken. A racing brain usually has a power source, and it is often hiding in your daily patterns, not in your personality. In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down five things that keep your mind in overdrive. You will learn how avoidance keeps anxiety “right,” why an unoccupied brain starts inventing problems, how caffeine and skipped meals ramp up physical anxiety symptoms, why doing everything alone feeds overwhelm, and how self-trust quiets the panic long term. You will also hear a quick listener shoutout (Queensland, Australia, we see you), plus how to grab the free Anxiety Survival Toolkit linked in the show notes. Watch until the end for the mindset shift that helps you stop fighting your brain and start changing what fuels it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  • Why “calming down” does not work if you keep feeding the spiral  • How avoidance trains your brain to stay on high alert  • Why scrolling and zoning out often makes overthinking worse  • How caffeine and low blood sugar can mimic anxiety symptoms  • How perfectionism and doing it all alone keeps your brain overloaded  • Why self-trust is a long-term anxiety reducer, not a motivational quote  • A simple reframe for shifting out of emergency mode at night 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    18 min

  6. JAN 12

    46 | Dating Anxiety: Why You Spiral and How to Stop Shrinking

    Why does one text make your thoughts spiral for hours?  Why do you feel smaller after dating instead of more confident?  How do you know what is anxiety versus real connection?  Dating can turn confident people into overthinkers. One message, one pause, or one unanswered text and your mind fills in the worst case story. This episode helps you understand why dating triggers anxiety so fast and why your instincts feel unreliable in those moments. You will learn how anxiety disguises itself as being chill, patient, or low maintenance. Instead of telling you to trust your feelings, this episode gives you something more steady. A way to stop shrinking, notice patterns, and stay grounded without overanalyzing every emotion. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why anxiety shows up quietly in dating and feels like self improvement • How your nervous system reacts to attachment, uncertainty, and rejection • The difference between connecting with someone and managing their reactions • The two common dating traps anxious people fall into • How to evaluate behavior instead of spiraling over feelings • Why trying harder often leads to losing yourself • What real certainty looks like over time 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    20 min

  7. JAN 5

    45 | Why You Should Stop Fighting Anxiety and Start Using It

    Why does anxiety hit hardest right before something important? Why does it get louder even when you have handled similar situations before? What if anxiety isn't something you need to get rid of, but something you were never taught how to use? Anxiety often shows up right before moments that matter. A test. A presentation. A game. A conversation you care about. When it does, most advice focuses on calming down or making the feeling stop. When that fails, anxiety starts to feel personal. In this episode, Jessica Davis explains why anxiety behaves this way and why it often intensifies instead of fading with experience. You will learn how the brain mistakes importance for danger, why anxious thoughts ignore past success, and why panic is often a signal of care rather than failure. You will also learn how confident people experience the same physical symptoms of anxiety and interpret them differently. Instead of fighting the feeling, they work with it. This episode walks you through how to make that shift and gives you practical tools you can use the moment anxiety shows up. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why anxiety spikes around the things you care about most • The brain pattern that fuels worst case thinking • Why fighting anxiety makes it stronger • How to reinterpret physical panic sensations • Three simple strategies to work with anxiety in real time • A five step grounding checklist you can use anywhere 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    19 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    44 | Why Traditional Planning Makes Anxiety Worse (2026 Reset)

    If the idea of a new year makes your chest tighten instead of feeling hopeful, you are not broken. In this episode, we talk about why planning feels so heavy when you have anxiety and what actually helps you move forward without shutting down. Fresh starts are supposed to feel exciting. A new year. A clean slate. A chance to finally get it together. But if you live with anxiety, those moments often feel overwhelming instead of motivating. This episode is for you if goal setting makes you spiral, vision boards make you feel behind, or planning triggers pressure, guilt, or avoidance. We break down why traditional planning works against an anxious brain and why both overplanning and avoiding plans keep anxiety loud. You will learn why anxiety struggles with long timelines, why milestones feel like judgment instead of opportunity, and how to reset without forcing yourself to become a different person.   This is not about fixing everything or having your life figured out. It is about meeting yourself where you are and building forward in a way your nervous system can handle. Listen through the end for a reminder you probably need right now, especially if you feel behind or exhausted from trying to keep up. What you will learn in this episode • Why fresh starts trigger anxiety instead of motivation • How milestones like new years and birthdays activate pressure and self-doubt • The two common planning patterns that keep anxious thoughts stuck • Why traditional goal setting makes anxiety louder • What a reset is and why it feels safer than starting over • How to plan in a way that reduces overwhelm • Five anxiety-friendly steps to regain direction without pressure • Why rest and recovery are part of progress, not rewards 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! 📱 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/ 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 strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...

    17 min
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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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