FearCast Podcast
- Episodes
- 299
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 2, 2026
About the podcast
The Podcast answering your questions about anxiety and OCD recovery
License: Copyright 2021 Foss Psychological Services, Inc.
Episodes 299
#292- When And How Is It “OK” To Gather Information, With Jon Hershfield, MFT
For a while I had a question that I needed answered, so naturally I call up Jon Hershfield, MFT. I often hear from clients in treatment that they are afraid of googling information, asking a question, or …
Show notes
For a while I had a question that I needed answered, so naturally I call up Jon Hershfield, MFT. I often hear from clients in treatment that they are afraid of googling information, asking a question, or otherwise looking up information as it might become compulsive and set them back. But, does that mean someone with OCD is doomed to a life without information or clarification? How can someone with OCD learn something new with being in danger of a therapeutic set-back?
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#291- Stopping Groinal Sensations Will Prevent Me Harming People, Right?
Marie reached out to ask a few questions. Her main two questions are 1) Can groinal sensations show up in the context of OCD even when they go against someone’s values, and 2) Can I stop monitoring and …
Show notes
Marie reached out to ask a few questions. Her main two questions are 1) Can groinal sensations show up in the context of OCD even when they go against someone’s values, and 2) Can I stop monitoring and questioning their meaning without feeling like I’m missing something important? These are two great questions. So many people acknowledge their compulsions keep them locked in a disastrous cycle and want to stop, but they fear that they will miss something vital so they try again (and again). So, what can Marie do to prevent herself from accidentally hurting someone as a result of her groinal sensations?
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#290- Emetophobia, Treatment, And Recovery With Jaina Cipriano
Documentarian, photographer, and artist, Jaina Cipirano, joined me today to talk all about Emetophobia. Not only is she the creator and director of the upcoming documentary on Emetophobia, she is also someone …
Show notes
Documentarian, photographer, and artist, Jaina Cipirano, joined me today to talk all about Emetophobia. Not only is she the creator and director of the upcoming documentary on Emetophobia, she is also someone who has struggled with it, fought it through therapy, and come out the other side in recovery. In this candid interview, Jaina shares how she started to notice Emetophobia in her life, the battle of misunderstanding with her family and treatment providers, the wrong treatment, and the relief of appropriate treatment. This conversation is absolutely validating and educational to anyone struggling with Emetophobia, or anyone who knows someone fighting it.
Jaina Cipriano website: https://www.jainaciprianophotography.com/
Actualization Documentary: https://www.jainaciprianophotography.com/actualization-2026
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#289- Therapist Thinks I’m Done With Therapy. Am I Really Ready?
Rose reached out to me recently to ask a question that a lot of people also have. Her therapist let her know that she’s doing really well and the therapist thinks Rose is ready to go it alone without therapy …
Show notes
Rose reached out to me recently to ask a question that a lot of people also have. Her therapist let her know that she’s doing really well and the therapist thinks Rose is ready to go it alone without therapy. But, is Rose ready? So, how will she know she’s ready? Does she have the right tools? What happens if she relapses and needs to call the therapist again; is she a failure? Can she slide into talk therapy again even though it wasn’t helpful the first time? Does she need it? Loads of questions and uncertainty that I do my best to address. If you have these questions too, this might be an episode for you.
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#288- How Can I Tell When I’ve Checked Enough To Move On?
Jason messaged with a question any homeowner has had, and I’m willing to met pretty much anyone around the world has had. He wants to know when “enough is enough” to stop ruminating, checking, and thinking …
Show notes
Jason messaged with a question any homeowner has had, and I’m willing to met pretty much anyone around the world has had. He wants to know when “enough is enough” to stop ruminating, checking, and thinking about potential problems around his house. I offer him some suggestions on how to limit his compulsions while I encourage him to remember that no matter how much he tries, OCD will always want him to do more.
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#287- Aboulomania is stopping me from making decisions- Help!
Anna reached out with an audio question (and a follow up email) to ask a question about Aboulomania, or severe difficulty making decisions. She struggles making big choices and finds herself getting stuck. She …
Show notes
Anna reached out with an audio question (and a follow up email) to ask a question about Aboulomania, or severe difficulty making decisions. She struggles making big choices and finds herself getting stuck. She wants to know how she can start making choices, trusting herself, and getting over this hangup.
The post #287- Aboulomania is stopping me from making decisions- Help! appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#286-Is Accepting My Past Choices Agreeing That I Am Broken?
Mary messaged me with a question about how she can accept her past choices without having to also accept that she is fundamentally flawed for giving into her compulsion. Real Event OCD can be a monster because …
Show notes
Mary messaged me with a question about how she can accept her past choices without having to also accept that she is fundamentally flawed for giving into her compulsion. Real Event OCD can be a monster because it forces you to accept a giant package of information, which all together feels wrong, and wont let you easily split it up. I was glad to hear her message because I see this struggle in my practice so I know more people need to hear this message.
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#285- Self Guided EMDR with Natalia Aiza, LPC
Today I had the pleasure of having on repeat guest, Natalia Aiza, LPC, to talk about her upcoming book for self guided EMDR. Natalia has been on the podcast before to talk about SPACE for children and adults …
Show notes
Today I had the pleasure of having on repeat guest, Natalia Aiza, LPC, to talk about her upcoming book for self guided EMDR. Natalia has been on the podcast before to talk about SPACE for children and adults, and her recent book on EMDR outlines what this treatment method looks like, how it works, and how people can utilize some of the trauma focused techniques in a self guided way. Natalia is a great communicator and her passion for helping people is evident in this episode.
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#284- Treatment Interfering Behaviors (TIBs) with Alec Pollard, PhD
Today I had the privilege to speak with Dr. Alec Pollard, PhD, and to pick his brain about Treatment Interfering Behaviors, or TIBs. Dr. Pollard is a well known researcher, speaker, and clinician who has a …
Show notes
Today I had the privilege to speak with Dr. Alec Pollard, PhD, and to pick his brain about Treatment Interfering Behaviors, or TIBs. Dr. Pollard is a well known researcher, speaker, and clinician who has a particular interest in helping people who struggle with the treatment process. We discuss four key TIBs (Beliefs, Skills Deficits, Incentive Deficits, and Motivation Deficits) and how they create obstacles in the way of recovery. Dr. Pollard discusses how clinicians and treatment seekers identify and work through their TIBs so they can get back on track toward recovery.
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#283- ROCD Makes Me Think My Partner Will Leave Or Cheat
Today’s audio question comes from Joey. They ask a question that represents the middle ground between genuine relationship concerns and Relationship focused OCD (ROCD). In their call they note their obsession …
Show notes
Today’s audio question comes from Joey. They ask a question that represents the middle ground between genuine relationship concerns and Relationship focused OCD (ROCD). In their call they note their obsession toward their partner and struggle with fears that their partner will leave or cheat. But, they also point out that their partner is spending a lot of time with other people which is triggering their insecurity.
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#282- Can I Have POCD And Be Into Lolicon Anime?
Today’s question comes from Ann who asked a question that I’ve never been asked before. Ann shared that she has been diagnosed with POCD by her psychiatrist, but she questions this diagnosis because she is …
Show notes
Today’s question comes from Ann who asked a question that I’ve never been asked before. Ann shared that she has been diagnosed with POCD by her psychiatrist, but she questions this diagnosis because she is interested in a niche anime style that portrays young looking, or child coded, characters in sexually explicit ways. First, how can she come to terms with the diagnosis and deal with the obsession that it is wrong. Secondly, how can she think about her interest in Lolicon anime? Is it compatible with diagnosis, or is the interest in it enough to make the thoughts ego-syntonic, thereby nullifying the POCD diagnosis? I offer some thoughts and some considerations while offering encouragement and guidance for treatment to discuss with her treatment team.
For more about POCD, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center
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281- I Overshared, What Do I Do, And Forgiving Myself For These Thoughts
Today I’m answer two questions. Anxious Questioner wants to know how to handle a situation where they shared some details about their OCD and now they are worried it has changed the way the other person views …
Show notes
Today I’m answer two questions. Anxious Questioner wants to know how to handle a situation where they shared some details about their OCD and now they are worried it has changed the way the other person views them, and they want to know what to do. To answer this, I do offer some direct advice, but I also go over some solid guidelines on how, when, and why to share details about your obsessions, if you share them at all. Diane asks the next question. She wants to know how to let go of the content of the thoughts to get on with her life. Scrupulosity has gripped her after a rough medical patch that has left her struggling with unnamed thoughts that stop her from looking at people or sitting next to them. I discuss ways to give herself forgiveness and offer some exposure advice!
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280- Casadastraphobia/ Phobias: Does Knowing It’s A Thing Make It Worse?
Peyton sent in a great question about their Casadastraphobia, but it also applies to other phobias, and the question is mainly in two parts. First, is it common for people to ignore their phobias because they …
Show notes
Peyton sent in a great question about their Casadastraphobia, but it also applies to other phobias, and the question is mainly in two parts. First, is it common for people to ignore their phobias because they think it’s just a crazy thought without ever knowing that it is a real fear/ phobia with a real name? The second question is about whether knowing about the fear, and subsequently giving it attention, make it worse just because you’re now aware of it? These are great questions! In the process, I learned about the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon, and I forward the learning to all of you.
The post 280- Casadastraphobia/ Phobias: Does Knowing It’s A Thing Make It Worse? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#279- Is ROCD Making Me More Attracted To Men?
Broken Record sent in an audio question about her struggle with ROCD and SO-OCD. She is struggling with a dilemma; is she actually not attracted to her female partner, or is she more attracted to the male body …
Show notes
Broken Record sent in an audio question about her struggle with ROCD and SO-OCD. She is struggling with a dilemma; is she actually not attracted to her female partner, or is she more attracted to the male body shape? Did I mention she identifies as Bi-sexual? Either way, she wants to know how to love her partner best and stop her rumination about the possibility that she dislikes her partner’s body and would rather have something entirely different!
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#278- Habitually Checking My Groin, and OCD Causing Self Harm Thoughts
For today, I’m going to answer two questions! The first comes from Alex who wants to know whether his routine of checking his groin for potential arousal, and how it all started, is a normal process for someone …
Show notes
For today, I’m going to answer two questions! The first comes from Alex who wants to know whether his routine of checking his groin for potential arousal, and how it all started, is a normal process for someone with POCD. The next question comes from Salt & Pepper. They want to know whether OCD can give them thoughts about self harm, or are they actually having self harm thoughts?
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#277- Rhinotillexomania And Picking The Right Treatment
Pick Me reached out to me to ask a question about picking (every pun intended) the right treatment for their Rhinotillexomania, or compulsive nose picking. I discuss the differences between OCD treatment and …
Show notes
Pick Me reached out to me to ask a question about picking (every pun intended) the right treatment for their Rhinotillexomania, or compulsive nose picking. I discuss the differences between OCD treatment and the treatment approaches for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, or BFRBs. I share a ton of ideas for competing behaviors and behavioral blockers, and if you watch the YouTube video, you will see a bunch of fidget examples, or you can hear me describe them.
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#276- Academic Real Event OCD, Or Maybe Just False Guilt?
Marianne reached out with her question about some academic rumination that’s been plaguing her lately. She’s fixated on her time in college and whether or not she was dishonest in her academic performance. But …
Show notes
Marianne reached out with her question about some academic rumination that’s been plaguing her lately. She’s fixated on her time in college and whether or not she was dishonest in her academic performance. But, things aren’t so easy sometimes. The question flips between whether there was anything genuine that happened that brings her to this obsession, or whether it is just an obsession about whether something happened but really didn’t. It’s an obsession as old as time. So, I try to handle it from both angles and offer her some ideas on how to consider the obsession and how to tackle it through acceptance, compassion, and exposure.
The post #276- Academic Real Event OCD, Or Maybe Just False Guilt? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
275- Existential? Derealization? Schizophrenia? What’s The Fear?
Eve from the UK sent in her question in the hopes of trying to figure out what kind of obsession she has and what she can do about it. It seems to hover between the fear of whether or not her reality is real …
Show notes
Eve from the UK sent in her question in the hopes of trying to figure out what kind of obsession she has and what she can do about it. It seems to hover between the fear of whether or not her reality is real, whether she’s going crazy, whether others will think she’s crazy, or if she’s disconnecting from reality. She’s pretty aware of how obsessions work and how OCD can be a tricky liar, but better safe than sorry, right? I offer her some things to think about and ways to re-consider how to approach her obsession, and uncertainty, in a grounded, mindful, and values based manner.
The post 275- Existential? Derealization? Schizophrenia? What’s The Fear? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
274- Is This Last Trigger Weird, And Dishonesty ERP Without White Lies?
For today’s questions, I give a short answer to a long question, and a long answer to a short question. The first one has to do with the listener’s curiosity about their current and last hanging-on obsession …
Show notes
For today’s questions, I give a short answer to a long question, and a long answer to a short question. The first one has to do with the listener’s curiosity about their current and last hanging-on obsession. They want to know if it’s weird, and if other people deal with it. The next question is a great one and gets a fundamental question about how we build exposures. Can they do good exposures to the idea of dishonesty without actually having to tell white lies?
The post 274- Is This Last Trigger Weird, And Dishonesty ERP Without White Lies? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#273- If I Know It’s An OCD Thought, Then I Know I’m Not Trans, Right?
Frank reached out recently with a follow up audio question. This time he wanted to know how you know whether it’s OCD thinking, or his rational and reasonable thinking. Simple enough question, right? But, how …
Show notes
Frank reached out recently with a follow up audio question. This time he wanted to know how you know whether it’s OCD thinking, or his rational and reasonable thinking. Simple enough question, right? But, how do you know? Can you know for sure? How much is you and how much is OCD? And is it a compulsion to figure it out? I try to help give Frank, and all you other listeners, some other ways to consider this as you move forward.
The post #273- If I Know It’s An OCD Thought, Then I Know I’m Not Trans, Right? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#272- Getting Better and Staying Better, with Jenna Overbaugh, LPC
For today’s episode, I was joined by the one and only Jenna Overbaugh, LPC, to talk about what it means to get better from OCD and anxiety disorders, and how to stay better. We discuss the mindset and …
Show notes
For today’s episode, I was joined by the one and only Jenna Overbaugh, LPC, to talk about what it means to get better from OCD and anxiety disorders, and how to stay better. We discuss the mindset and perspective shift necessary to meaningfully engage in CBT and ERP treatment, face your fears, and build a new relationship with anxiety that lasts! This was a really fun conversation and Jenna has such a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.
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#271- Am I, Or Am I Not, What My Obsession Says I am?
Today’s question was a bit of a tricky one, and deserves a tricky answer. There seems to be a mix of responses across the internet about whether you are what you fear. Some people saying, “No, you are not your …
Show notes
Today’s question was a bit of a tricky one, and deserves a tricky answer. There seems to be a mix of responses across the internet about whether you are what you fear. Some people saying, “No, you are not your fear and your fear is evidence of it not being you because obsessions are ego-dystonic.” Whereas some people say, “Yes, the obsession could be you,” and even fewer saying “Yes, you are what your fear says you are.” But what if the content of the obsession did not even matter, and trying to answer the question conclusively was a waste of time, and was actually the problem in the first place?
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#270- Treating Religious Scrupulosity With ICBT, feat. Claire Breedlove, LCSW
For today’s episode, Claire Breedlove, LCSW, joined me to talk about her work treating Religious Scrupulosity among the Latter Day Saints (LDS) population. Claire joined me on episode #189 where she discussed …
Show notes
For today’s episode, Claire Breedlove, LCSW, joined me to talk about her work treating Religious Scrupulosity among the Latter Day Saints (LDS) population. Claire joined me on episode #189 where she discussed her work in general, but on this episode we do a deeper dive into her use of Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT). This was a fun conversation to look at the differences between ICBT and the traditional ERP/ CBT treatment methods for Religious Scrupulosity and why Claire has shifted her practice to primarily ICBT. Even if you aren’t LDS, but still struggling with Religious Scrupulosity OCD, this episode is definitely worth a listen.
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#269- Is My Porn Use Causing Me Become A Creepy Person?
Cheesecake Destroyer, no that is not their real name (probably), messaged me a question that is more complicated than it seems. They want to know whether their use of porn is causing them to be creepy toward …
Show notes
Cheesecake Destroyer, no that is not their real name (probably), messaged me a question that is more complicated than it seems. They want to know whether their use of porn is causing them to be creepy toward women. They acknowledge they have had this obsession for while, but does that mean they need to quit porn? Is this really a question, or are they looking for permission? Are they hoping I’ll say, “It’s all OK, and you’re OK”? Can exposures help with this? How can someone work toward being a better person while also recognizing their OCD is wrapped up with the concern about being better (or being creepy)?
The post #269- Is My Porn Use Causing Me Become A Creepy Person? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#268- Supporting Good Kids With Moral Scrup, With Elena Fasan, LCSW, and Jenny Foss, MA
To answer today’s audio question, I had on TWO experts on child development and OCD. The questioner who is in the middle of the delicate balance of supporting her daughter’s best moral development while not …
Show notes
To answer today’s audio question, I had on TWO experts on child development and OCD. The questioner who is in the middle of the delicate balance of supporting her daughter’s best moral development while not feeding the Moral Scrupulosity OCD beast. To answer the question I have on Elena Fasan, LCSW, an expert on child and adolescent OCD treatment, and Jenny Foss, MA, child development professor. We talk about how parents can support kids going through the trials of adolescence and how to help raise good, thoughtful, and honest kids while taking into account the ways OCD wants to take over development and the parent/ child relationship.
The post #268- Supporting Good Kids With Moral Scrup, With Elena Fasan, LCSW, and Jenny Foss, MA appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#267- Is Anthony’s Girlfriend A Gargoyle, Or Is ROCD At It Again?
Anthony sent in an audio question where he shared that he’s having trouble with some thoughts about his girlfriend. He keeps wondering whether or not she’s unattractive, like really unattractive, and not his …
Show notes
Anthony sent in an audio question where he shared that he’s having trouble with some thoughts about his girlfriend. He keeps wondering whether or not she’s unattractive, like really unattractive, and not his type. What’s worse is that they are planning on moving in together soon! Is he wasting her time by pretending to be into her? Sure, he has some moments of clarity when he thinks she really is attractive, maybe even MORE attractive than he ever thought, but those thoughts are fleeting. What is he to do?
The post #267- Is Anthony’s Girlfriend A Gargoyle, Or Is ROCD At It Again? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.
#265- What If My Values Aren’t Mine, Featuring Lauren Rosen, MFT
Lauren Rosen, MFT, joined me today to help answer Lemon’s question. Lemon wanted to know how she can move forward with her life, pursuing her values, etc., but what if her thoughts and values aren’t really her …
Show notes
Lauren Rosen, MFT, joined me today to help answer Lemon’s question. Lemon wanted to know how she can move forward with her life, pursuing her values, etc., but what if her thoughts and values aren’t really her own? Lauren, the author of The Mental Compulsions Workbook for OCD was the perfect guest to help address this existential question. We discuss ways to identify her mental compulsions, the feared story the compulsions serve, and some ways she can find meaning (whether they are her own or not).
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#264- Paranoid Personality Disorder And ROCD Is Not Sophi’s Friend
Sophi sent in her audio question and had a question about how to best deal with this really unhelpful, bad-for-the-relationship, unwelcomed obstacle of ROCD and Paranoid Personality Disorder. This isn’t a …
Show notes
Sophi sent in her audio question and had a question about how to best deal with this really unhelpful, bad-for-the-relationship, unwelcomed obstacle of ROCD and Paranoid Personality Disorder. This isn’t a common combination that we’ve talked about on the show but she reached out. She asked about what she can do to get a better handle on these two so it isn’t to ruin her relationships or any other relationships!
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#263- ERP For Disordered Eating, What’s An Intrusive Thought, And More
This is a jam packed episode. I answer four questions from listeners across a wide range of topics. We discuss the differences between an obsession and an intrusive thought. Are they different, and if so, how …
Show notes
This is a jam packed episode. I answer four questions from listeners across a wide range of topics. We discuss the differences between an obsession and an intrusive thought. Are they different, and if so, how, and is it important? Another listener wants to know whether someone identifying as gay/ lesbian can still have Sexual Orientation OCD, or is that just a straight people thing? One listener wants to know whether ERP is a good idea to help treat their disordered eating and/ or eating disorder. Finally, someone kinda shares a success story that ends up being a question about how to deal with Casadastraphobia.
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#262- When “I’m Bisexual” Is Not Enough To Quiet ROCD/ SOOCD
Toblerone Girl messaged me with an audio question recently. Unfortunately, she’s struggling with the dreaded overlap of ROCD and SO-OCD that seem to be made for one another. She notices some genuine feelings …
Show notes
Toblerone Girl messaged me with an audio question recently. Unfortunately, she’s struggling with the dreaded overlap of ROCD and SO-OCD that seem to be made for one another. She notices some genuine feelings, but OCD jumps in and demands the all or nothing of it, and doesn’t take “I’m must be bisexual” as a reasonable label. I discuss some ways she can consider the situation and offer some exercises that may help her develop a new relationship with her thoughts.
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These are the latest 40 of 299 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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