Fear Less

Zack Schafer
  • 4.4 (14)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
Fear Less

Welcome to the Fear Less podcast, a show dedicated to discussing anxiety, fear, and general mental well-being. In this podcast, host Zack Schafer sits down with clinical professionals, educators, parents, and individuals with anxiety to have meaningful conversations about fear and how to manage it. Through expert knowledge, personal stories, and practical everyday tips, Zack helps listeners gain the insight, confidence, and skills necessary to master their fears. Zack Schafer, MS, OTR/L, is a mental health occupational therapist and the executive director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center (MVTC), a non-profit residential treatment program for youth with debilitating anxiety. This podcast is sponsored by MVTC and aligns with the program’s mission to help anxious young people to fear less and live fully. However, fear and anxiety don’t just impact young people—they affect everyone. Our collective fears and anxieties shape the health of our communities and society as a whole. The Fear Less podcast was created to reach a broad audience and inspire all who listen to come together, face their fears, and live courageously. For more information visit: • www.mountainvalleytreatment.org • Instagram: @mountainvalleytreatmentcenter • LinkedIn: Mountain Valley • LinkedIn: Zack Schafer

  1. NOV 20

    The Power of Growth Mindset for Anxiety: Insights from Therapist Ira Hayes

    In this enlightening episode Zack welcomes back Ira Hayes, a licensed clinical social worker from New Jersey, to discuss the transformative power of the growth mindset. Ira has an incredible passion for the transformative power of growth mindset and has extensive experience integrating growth mindset into school systems and therapeutic practices. In this episode, Ira unpacks the essence of what growth mindset, how it differs from a fixed mindset, and its profound impact on anxiety, resilience, and personal development. Throughout the conversation, Ira discusses the latest research behind growth mindset, highlighting key figures like Dr. Carol Dweck and Dr. David Yeager. He offers practical strategies for parents, educators, and clinicians to foster a growth mindset in children and adolescents, addressing challenges such as overcoming fixed beliefs and encouraging resilience in the face of failure. By integrating growth mindset with stress-enhancing perspectives, Ira demonstrates how embracing challenges, and reframing stress can lead to significant improvements in mental health and overall well-being. This episode provides valuable insights and actionable advice for anyone interested in empowering themselves or others through the power of mindset transformation. Zack's Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares how using a growth mindset can help you fear less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    50 min

  2. NOV 13

    Guiding Families Through Anxiety Treatment: An Interview with Admissions Manager Becca Winant

    In this episode Zack interviews Becca Winant, the Admissions Manager at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. With nearly eight years of experience at Mountain Valley, Becca shares her journey from starting as a residential counselor to becoming a key figure who guides families through the admissions process. She discusses her passion for working with adolescents struggling with anxiety and related disorders, drawing from her background in health education and yoga instruction. Becca offers valuable insights into Mountain Valley's unique approach to treating anxiety, including their three-phase treatment model and holistic methods like outdoor activities and mindfulness practices. She also opens up about her own experiences with anxiety, emphasizing the importance of finding effective coping strategies. This episode provides listeners with an inside look at the resources available for adolescents and their parents dealing with anxiety and how Mountain Valley supports both residents and their families. Zack’s Hack: In this episode Zack shares how connecting with others can help you Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    39 min

  3. NOV 5

    A Mother's Journey: Helping My Anxious Teen Find His Way

    In this heartfelt episode Zack sits down with Emma, a psychotherapist and mother of two, who shares her deeply personal journey of helping her son navigate severe anxiety and OCD during his adolescence. Despite her professional background, Emma found herself grappling with the overwhelming challenges of her son's mental health struggles, which began to surface intensely when he was in sixth grade. From school refusal and debilitating fears to the complexities of co-parenting and the judgment of others, Emma opens up about the myriad obstacles she faced in trying to support her son. Emma discusses the difficult decisions she had to make, including enrolling her son at Mountain Valley Treatment Center.  She candidly shares the emotional turmoil of sending her son away, the guilt, and the relief that came with finding the right support. Throughout the episode, Emma reflects on the lessons she learned—not just about her son's condition, but also about her own anxieties and her approach to parenting. Her story culminates with her sons remarkable transformation and journey toward well-being, offering hope and insights for other parents facing similar struggles. Zack’s Hack:  In this week’s anxiety hack Zack reveals a technique that parents can use to help their child fear less. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    55 min

  4. OCT 30

    Boosting Mental Health in Kids: The Power of Mattering and Contribution

    In this episode Zack sits down with Sarah Bennison, the co-founder and CEO of The Mattering Movement. They explore the profound impact of "mattering"—the feeling of being valued and making meaningful contributions—on mental health, particularly among adolescents struggling with anxiety and related disorders. Drawing from her extensive background in education and service learning, Sarah discusses how integrating mattering into school curricula can combat toxic achievement culture and improve students' mental well-being. She shares insights on how experiential learning and community engagement empower kids to realize their inherent value, thereby reducing stress and anxiety. The conversation delves into practical strategies for parents and educators to foster environments where children feel they matter. Sarah emphasizes that small acts of contribution and explicit affirmations of a child's worth can have significant mental health benefits. By shifting the focus from individual achievement to meaningful participation in the community, The Mattering Movement aims to create a cultural change that promotes mental well-being. This episode offers valuable, actionable advice on how fostering a sense of mattering can transform not only individual lives but also educational systems and communities. Zack's Hack: In this weeks episode Zack shares how careing for others can help you fear less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    45 min

  5. OCT 16

    Overcoming Anxiety Through Interdisciplinary Care: A Presentation by Zack Schafer and Alison LaFollette

    In this special episode of the Fear Less podcast, host Zack Schafer and Mountain Valley’s clinical director Alison LaFollette present live from the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Conference on how the integration of occupational therapy (OT) and counseling psychology can transform mental health treatment. Their talk explores the shared theoretical foundations of both disciplines—such as humanistic psychology, systems thinking, and a strengths-based perspective. They discuss how combining OT's focus on meaningful, everyday activities with counseling psychology's emphasis on personal development and holistic care, help those struggling with fear, anxiety, and related disorders. In the talk, Zack and Alison discussed real world examples from their work together at Mountain Valley Treatment Center and they provide practical strategies on how to integrate the fundamentals of these two professional approaches into your everyday practice. Through their unique but fundamentally aligned professional perspectives, Zack and Alison paint a picture of an approach to mental health care that extends beyond the treatment of symptoms and aspires to help clients live meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilling lives. It is inspiring and informative conversation for any mental health practitioner, consultant, educator, etc. who is looking to broaden their professional lens and improve the care they provide. Zack’s Hacks: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack talks about magnesium can help you fear less. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    1h 4m

  6. OCT 9

    The Intersection of Anxiety and Substance Use: A Deep Dive with Patrick Babcock

    In this episode of the Fear Less podcast, Zack interviews Patrick Babcock, the founder and CEO of Foundation House, a behavioral health and substance abuse treatment program for young men in Portland, Maine. They explore the deep connections between fear, anxiety, and substance use, discussing how these factors intertwine in the lives of individuals struggling with addiction. Patrick shares his personal journey through fear, anxiety, and substance abuse, detailing how his experiences have shaped the innovative approaches employed at Foundation House. The conversation delves into the broader definitions of substance use, emphasizing that addictions can extend beyond drugs and alcohol to include behaviors like excessive gaming and constant technological distraction. Patrick highlights the importance of experiential therapy, explaining how Foundation House incorporates global travel and challenging activities—such as night diving with sharks—to help clients confront their fears and anxieties directly. By fostering connection, mindfulness, and exposure to new experiences, the program empowers young men to develop healthier coping mechanisms and break the cycle of anxiety and addiction. Zack's Hack: In this weeks anxiety hack Zack discusses how travelling to an unknown place can help you fear less to do more! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    50 min

  7. OCT 2

    Empowering Kids with Anxiety: Expert Advice from Dr. Anne Marie Albano

    In this episode of the Fear Less Podcast, Zack interviews Dr. Anne Marie Albano, renowned expert in anxiety and founder of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Dr. Albano shares her deep insights on childhood and ado lescent anxiety, the importance of family involvement in treatment, and her developmental approach to helping children overcome anxiety while navigating key milestones. She offers practical advice for parents struggling to support their anxious children and discusses how enabling behaviors can unintentionally maintain anxiety. Dr. Albano and Zack explore how parents can foster independence by stepping back and allowing children to manage their own challenges, leading to improved confidence and emotional resilience. They also delve into how anxiety can impact developmental progress and how tailored strategies can support children through their journey. This insightful conversation is packed with actionable advice for parents, educators, and anyone supporting a child with anxiety. Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack dives into developmental issues. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    51 min

  8. SEP 18

    A Story of Resilience: Danielle's Journey through Anxiety, Self-Harm, and Healing

    In this powerful episode of the Fear Less Podcast, host Zack welcomes Danielle, a former resident of Mountain Valley Treatment Center, who courageously shares her personal journey of battling anxiety, self-harm, and other mental health challenges. Danielle opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to seek treatment, including how her anxiety-driven self-harm became a coping mechanism. She offers valuable insights into how exposure therapy and other treatment modalities at Mountain Valley helped her develop healthier coping strategies. Danielle discusses the challenges she faced in transitioning out of treatment, the role of self-acceptance in her healing, and how she now manages anxiety with tools like mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation. The conversation also highlights Danielle's inspiring resilience as she navigates her return to academic life and social interactions. Through a mix of vulnerability and wisdom, Danielle’s story sheds light on the complexities of anxiety, self-harm, and the importance of finding the right support system. She provides hope for listeners struggling with similar issues, emphasizing the role of mindset and perseverance in overcoming mental health challenges. Zack’s Anxiety Hack: In this episode Zack explains how diary cards can help you to fear less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

    36 min
See All (49)

4.4
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Fear Less podcast, a show dedicated to discussing anxiety, fear, and general mental well-being. In this podcast, host Zack Schafer sits down with clinical professionals, educators, parents, and individuals with anxiety to have meaningful conversations about fear and how to manage it. Through expert knowledge, personal stories, and practical everyday tips, Zack helps listeners gain the insight, confidence, and skills necessary to master their fears. Zack Schafer, MS, OTR/L, is a mental health occupational therapist and the executive director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center (MVTC), a non-profit residential treatment program for youth with debilitating anxiety. This podcast is sponsored by MVTC and aligns with the program’s mission to help anxious young people to fear less and live fully. However, fear and anxiety don’t just impact young people—they affect everyone. Our collective fears and anxieties shape the health of our communities and society as a whole. The Fear Less podcast was created to reach a broad audience and inspire all who listen to come together, face their fears, and live courageously. For more information visit: • www.mountainvalleytreatment.org • Instagram: @mountainvalleytreatmentcenter • LinkedIn: Mountain Valley • LinkedIn: Zack Schafer

Information

  • Creator
    Zack Schafer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Fear Less

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