The Homing Instinct: Mentoring Teens Through Fear, Vulnerability, and Growth

In this episode Zack talks with Ciara Fanlo, founder of The Homing Instinct, a mentoring program for teens. Drawing on her own experience as a “troubled teen,” Ciara recounts the challenges she faced in adolescence—ranging from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to questioning her sense of belonging. Through wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, and a series of transformative treatment programs, she forged a deeper understanding of herself. Ciara’s story highlights how facing discomfort and embracing vulnerability can help individuals discover their inner compass, ultimately guiding them toward resilience, clarity, and personal growth.

Today, Ciara pays her journey forward by mentoring teens who find themselves navigating similar waters. With empathy and insight, she supports them as they take incremental steps beyond their comfort zones, encouraging them to harness self-expression, develop coping strategies, and connect meaningfully with others. Whether through journaling, tapping into nature, or using metaphors like the “hero’s journey,” Ciara F helps teens build emotional “toolkits” and cultivate a grounded sense of self-worth. Her message resonates for anyone seeking to understand adolescence as an essential rite of passage—a period of uncertainty, yes, but also a powerful opportunity for growth and authentic self-discovery.

Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares how imaging self in a future context can help you fear less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.