Use Your Fear

Whitney & Michelle

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MENTAL HEALTH

Honest conversations about fear, mental health, creativity, and personal growth. Real people share the fears they’ve faced, and how they learned to move through them. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or scared to begin, Use Your Fear is for you. New Episodes every other Monday.

12/29/2025

The Fear That Won’t Shut Up Living with ADHD as a Mom, Wife, and Over Thinker

What happens when the way your brain works finally has a name — and that name is ADHD… but getting there comes with missteps and harm? In Episode 15 of Use Your Fear, hosts Michelle & Whitney sit down with Rylan for a raw and honest conversation about late ADHD diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and the emotional toll of being overlooked because you “looked fine on paper.” Rylan shares how she wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD as a child because she had good grades and was highly active in sports — a common experience for women whose symptoms don’t fit the stereotype. As an adult, she was misdiagnosed and prescribed a medication that significantly worsened her symptoms, leading to severe manic episodes and a year of emotional instability. In this episode, Rylan opens up about the fear, grief, and confusion that came with those experiences, and how she’s learning to navigate life as a mom, wife, and overthinker while rebuilding trust in her body, her mind, and the medical system. We talk about: How “good grades” and sports masked ADHD in childhoodThe real consequences of misdiagnosisMedication that intensified symptoms and triggered manic episodesLiving with constant mental noise and overthinkingFear as spiraling thoughts, self-doubt, and ruminationLearning self-compassion while still holding yourself accountableUsing fear as a compass instead of a cageThis episode highlights the invisible labor of neurodivergent moms, the danger of dismissing symptoms based on performance, and the courage it takes to keep advocating for yourself when fear feels nonstop. 💛 Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means look closer. 🎧 If you’ve ever felt unheard, overwhelmed by your own mind, or exhausted from trying to “function” — this conversation is for you. 👇 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to feel seen. #UseYourFearPodcast #ADHDWomen #LateDiagnosis #Misdiagnosis #ManicEpisodes #NeurodivergentMoms #MentalHealthPodcast #Overthinking #HighFunctioning #FearAndGrowth

1h 37m
12/15/2025 · BONUS

Side Quest 2: When the Puzzle Pieces Fit: Finding Clarity Through an Autism Diagnosis

This “Side Quest” episode hits different. No script. No agenda. Just two best friends talking in real time. Michelle shares that she was recently diagnosed with Level 1 Autism (and ADHD inattentive), along with generalized anxiety disorder and chronic depression. This conversation was recorded just days after that diagnosis, while everything still felt brand new, a little awkward and validating. We talk about what it looks like to live for decades without knowing why things felt harder, why blending in became automatic, and why “seeming fine” on the outside can still mean you’re exhausted on the inside. Michelle opens up about being a chameleon to fit in, people pleasing, performing, and realizing how much of her life was spent trying to meet expectations instead of understanding herself. We also side quest into how perimenopause played a part in her f***ing journey, how symptoms can intensify in your 40s, the mess of getting dismissed by doctors, and the mind-bending realization that she’s been advocating for the autism community for years without knowing she was part of it too. If you’re late diagnosed, questioning, burnt out from performing, or you’ve ever thought “why does this feel harder for me than everyone else,” you’re not alone. Michelle is learning out loud in this conversation without trying to step into the role of being a voice for the AuDHD community. She is open to input, resources, and feedback as she finds her footing to explore advocacy. Resources and stories welcome at podcast@useyourfear.com useyourfear.com

1h 8m
11/30/2025

Part 2: Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy

Part 2: Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy In Part 2 of Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy, Meredith Williams returns to share the next chapter of her journey — one that took her all the way to the Texas Capitol to speak directly with legislators about House Bill 6 (HB 6) and the rights of students with disabilities. Meredith opens up about: What it was really like walking into the Capitol to advocate for her sonHow she found the courage to speak to lawmakers face-to-faceWhy HB 6 matters for families and students with disabilitiesThe advice every parent should hear after receiving an autism diagnosisThe resources she wishes she had known about soonerAnd what she would do differently if she could go back (including getting a medical diagnosis earlier)This episode is for any parent navigating fear, any educator who wants to do better, and anyone committed to making schools safer and more supportive for neurodivergent kids. 💙 If you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or advocate — this conversation is for you. 👇 RESOURCES MENTIONED https://www.autismspeaks.orghttps://www.easterseals.comhttps://www.texasautismsociety.orghttps://autismsociety.orghttps://disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/https://www.templegrandin.com🔔 Subscribe for more stories about turning fear into power, purpose, and community. 🎧 Listen now or watch on YouTube 💛 Support us on Patreon 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more #AutismAdvocacy #HouseBill6 #UseYourFearPodcast #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity #TexasLegislature #ParentingJourney #AdvocacyMatters #DisabilityRights #AutismResources #SpecialEducation #ParentingThroughFear

1h 27m
11/09/2025

Part 1: Turning Fear into Advocacy

What happens when a mother’s fear becomes her fuel? 💙 In Part 1 of Turning Fear Into (Autism) Advocacy, we talk with Meredith — a mom who went from navigating her son’s autism and epilepsy diagnoses to standing up for change at the state level. Meredith opens up about: • The early fears after hearing her son’s diagnosis • The struggle of getting only 25 days of therapy a year • Facing “mom guilt” after learning he also had epilepsy • And how one painful school incident pushed her to become an advocate for kids like her son. 🎧 Tune in to hear how she found her voice — and how fear became the driving force behind her advocacy. 💛 Support us on Patreon 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more Part 2 continues their journey to the Texas State Capitol 🏛️ #UseYourFearPodcast #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #ParentingThroughFear #MomAdvocate #AutismAwareness #EpilepsyAwareness #AdvocacyMatters #PodcastCommunity

1h 24m
10/20/2025

The Texas Tasty Doctor Is In: Creativity, Courage & Care with Dr. Owais Durrani

UYF Episode 12: The Texas Tasty Doctor Is In: Creativity, Courage & Care with Dr. Owais Durrani From building a viral food brand in college to saving lives in the ER — Dr. Owais Durrani’s story is one of creativity, balance, and purpose. We talk about how he created Texas Tasty as a student, grew it into a statewide food and culture platform, and later used those storytelling skills to build a trusted medical presence online. He shares how he managed med school and residency (with help from his brother), his passion for inspiring kids through STEM education on KPRC, and how he’s working to fight misinformation in healthcare. Owais also breaks down the reality of AI in medicine, why the U.S. lacks a national patient database, and how that disconnect affects care from doctor to doctor. Plus, he sheds light on the growing specialist shortage — and how Medicare and Medicaid cuts could make it worse. 🎧 Listen now or watch on YouTube 💛 Support us on Patreon 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more LINKS FROM EPISODE: Texas Tasty https://www.thetexastasty.com Texas Tasty Instagram https://www.instagram.com/texastasty?igsh=MWdyZDI3M2FkbTh4Zw== Dr Owais Durani Medical Instagram https://www.instagram.com/acedurrani?igsh=MWhqczU1dnNjYWR1aw== Dr Owais Linktree https://linktr.ee/owaisdurrani?utm_source=linktree_profile_share KG BBQ - Austin https://www.kgbbq.com Troy Aikman - Eight Beer https://eightbeer.com/pages/our-story Alex Bregman - Wild Sol https://wildsol.co/pages/about?srsltid=AfmBOopNG_kisHXF3qV_eMFNdO2RIN_5Ndc-vLfrFRWXWoMFZZpr6YnD Bun B - Trill Burgers https://www.trill-burgers.com Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.instagram.com/garyvee?igsh=MWZ6d25pMXF2YjYzeA== KPRC STEM City https://www.click2houston.com/topic/Stem_City/ PBS https://www.pbs.org American College of Emergency Medicine https://www.acep.org American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist https://www.acog.org Open Evidence https://www.openevidence.com

1h 42m
10/07/2025 · BONUS

Side Quest 1: The Art of Doing Too Much

UYF: Side Quest 1: The Art of Doing Too Much Life has been lifing, and your favorite fear explorers have been caught in the crossfire of busy schedules, creative overload, and trying to do all the things. In this mini “Side Quest,” Michelle and Whitney get real about what’s been going on behind the scenes, why it’s been hard to keep up, and how they’re learning to slow down without giving up. We’re shifting gears to a bi-monthly release schedule — not because the fear is gone, but because we want to bring you our best, not our burnout. Join us for a quick, honest catch-up on balance, boundaries, and what’s next for Use Your Fear.

13 min
09/28/2025

Am I Doing Enough? Fear, Joy, and Justice with DJ Rosez

UYF Episode 011: Am I Doing Enough? Fear, Joy, and Justice with DJ Rosez Join us on Use Your Fear as we sit down with DJ Rosez, a Houston-based queer Latina DJ whose music is a heartfelt celebration of identity, joy, and resistance. What began as a creative escape during the COVID-19 pandemic blossomed into a mission: using “Latin vibes” to uplift queer and immigrant communities and carve out spaces where everyone feels seen and safe. In this episode, Rosez gets real about the fear of “not doing enough,” how it shows up in her advocacy and rest, and the challenges of carrying responsibility without burning out. She shares how she harnesses that fear to grow, while also recognizing when to pause, protect her peace, and lean into the joy that sustains her purpose. Throughout the conversation, you'll hear how activism isn’t separate from her art—but woven through every set, every event, every moment she spends representing marginalized communities. From her milestone of performing at Pride Houston to her mission of “creating safe spaces for queer women,” Rosez lives at the intersection of visibility, joy, and justice. If you’ve ever felt the weight of visibility, questioned whether you’re doing enough, or wondered how you can make a difference without burning out—this conversation will remind you that impact isn't about doing it all—it’s about showing up with authenticity, courage, and love. 📺 Watch on Youtube 🎧 Listen on any major podcast platform 💛 Support us on Patreon 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & more

1h 51m
08/24/2025

Part 2: The Warrior’s Voice: Fear, Identity & Transitioning in Texas

“The Warrior’s Voice: Living Authentically Through Fear” In Part Two of our conversation with Kris (they/them), we move from the early stages of self-discovery into the realities of life after transition has begun. Kris opens up about the challenges they face today—daily dysphoria, the complexities of binding, and the constant hyper-awareness required to navigate safety as a nonbinary person living in Texas. While cutting their hair once felt like the scariest step toward authenticity, now the fears look different: being visible in a world where visibility can mean danger, advocating for top surgery, and carrying the weight of both joy and risk in living openly. Through honest reflection, Kris shares how community support has been both a lifeline and a reminder that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means showing up despite it. Their story is both deeply personal and universally human, a call to empathy and compassion for anyone who has ever felt unseen or unsafe. ✨ This episode holds space for: The ongoing challenges of living authentically in TexasHow dysphoria and safety shape daily lifeThe emotional process of preparing for top surgeryAdvice for anyone afraid to be seen, ask for help, or step fully into themselvesKris’s journey is a reminder that trans people are not defined by fear, but by resilience, love, and the right to live fully as themselves. 📺 Watch episodes on YouTube 💛 Support us on Patreon 🌐 Visit useyourfear.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & more 📬 Want to share your story? Reach out — we’d love to hear from you. #UseYourFear #TransJourneys #TransIsBeautiful #NonbinaryVoices #Authenticity #FearAndCourage #LGBTQStories

1h 26m

Honest conversations about fear, mental health, creativity, and personal growth. Real people share the fears they’ve faced, and how they learned to move through them. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or scared to begin, Use Your Fear is for you. New Episodes every other Monday.

Creator

Whitney & Michelle
Years Active

2K
Episodes

17
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Whitney White
Show Website

Use Your Fear