In this episode of Across The Margin: The Podcast we find host Michael Shields in conversation with clinical psychologist and anxiety disorders / OCD specialist Dr. Eric Goodman. Dr. Goodman, a lecturer in the Psychology and Child Development department at California Polytechnic State University, is the author of Social Courage: Coping and Thriving with the Reality of Social Anxiety as well as Your Anxiety Beast and You: A Compassionate Guide for Living in an Increasingly Anxious World, the book which serves as the foundation of this episode. In Your Anxiety Beast and You, Dr. Goodman offers a novel and kinder treatment approach for people suffering from anxiety. Rather than living with an enemy inside your mind, Dr. Goodman encourages people to see anxiety for what it really is — an inner hero. This concept suggests that your anxiety is always trying to protect you from threats, however, it is completely confused about what are true threats in the modern world. Ideas and thoughts about how to make peace with the reality of your anxiety are explored with zest in this episode, with the ultimate goal of re-focussing on making your anxiety a better life companion. Following the interview with Dr. Goodman, and to conclude the episode, Shields gets personal and reads an essay (33:30 in) he wrote entitled “ICU,” (originally published at Organic Coffee Haphazardly) that illuminates his intimate battle with anxiety attacks, a side-effect of his father's own traumatic health problems.

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Episode 80: Your Anxiety Beast and You