If your go-to stress strategies aren't cutting it anymore, you're not alone, and there's a reason for that. Today on Finding Brave, we're joined by deeply inspiring The Stress Coach, Jordan Friedman, to explore what really works for managing stress during high-anxiety times and why most stress-reduction methods miss the mark.

With over 30 years of experience, Jordan's science-backed, creative approach has helped thousands reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and regain control. A former Director of Columbia University's Health Education Program and author of The Stress Manager's Manual, Jordan is also the voice behind The Chill Factory podcast and app. His unique work blends evidence-based techniques with creativity and humor, including offering guided "chill tours" through Central Park to help groups manage stress in fun, unexpected ways.

In this episode, we dig into why so many stress-reduction methods fail us during uncertain times and what we can do differently to support our nervous systems. Jordan breaks down what happens to the body and mind in extended states of anxiety and offers practical, sustainable strategies for managing stress.

Plus, you'll get a sneak peek into our upcoming Central Park Calm Retreat on June 13th, 2025 - co-hosted by Jordan and myself - where participants will experience these transformative practices firsthand in the amazingly beautiful urban oasis of NYC's Central Park.

Whether you're supporting a stressed-out team, raising anxious kids, or looking for ways to stay steady and nurture your own calm and wellbeing, this episode offers the clarity and calm you've been searching for!

Key Highlights From This Episode:

The remarkable personal story that led Jordan to his work in stress management. [05:11]
Hidden stressors in today's unpredictable world and their impact on your health. [15:40]
How cutting back on news, TV, and social media can help ease stress. [20:39]
Why so many stress reduction methods fail (and what to do instead). [25:38]
Practical strategies for effective, long-term stress management. [30:03]
The science behind Jordan's potent 'Mod Squad' stress-reduction technique. [35:11]
Ways that community and support help mitigate fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. [41:55]
How you can connect with your inner calm at the upcoming Central Park Retreat! [46:08]

For More Information:

The Stress Coach

Jordan Friedman on LinkedIn

Jordan Friedman on YouTube

The Chill Factory Podcast

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Learn how to thrive as a highly sensitive person with Andre Sólo's Sensitive Refuge. And hear Kathy's Finding Brave interview with Andre on Being Highly Sensitive is a Superpower: Embrace and Leverage It.

And Kathy's article on SensitiveRefuge.com: How I Found Out I'm a Highly Sensitive Person and Used It To Change My Life

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JOIN US JUNE 13, 2025 for a LIVE, calming in-person retreat and tour in NYC's iconic Central Park – hosted by Kathy Caprino and Jordan Friedman

Connect with Your Inner Calm on June 13th with Kathy and Jordan, in NYC's iconic Central Park

I'm thrilled to share a truly special event coming up on June 13th, designed for folks who would like a stress-reducing, calm, and enlivening retreat experience in NYC's Central Park!

For the first time, I'm teaming up with my dear friend and top stress management expert, Jordan Friedman (who I've had the honor of interviewing on my podcast twice now), to offer a live retreat and tour experience on June 13th in the heart of New York City's iconic Central Park.

We'll start with a two and a half-hour walking tour guided by Jordan (who is also a fabulous licensed New York City tour guide) of some of the most beautiful and relaxing spots in the park, followed by an energizing and supportive Q&A session, where Jordan and I will help you directly address and navigate some of the biggest stressors you're facing today — in your life, career, and family.

We cannot wait to spend this special and meaningful time with you, surrounded by the nature, beauty, and deep calm of the urban oasis of Central Park. Spots are limited, so check out the details and register today at thestresscoach.com/central-park-retreat Jordan and I would love to be with you in this special experience on June 13th!

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WANT TO BECOME THE MOST CONFIDENT, POSITIVE, AND EMPOWERED VERSION OF YOU IN LIFE AND WORK - so you can thrive at the highest level AND help others reach their highest potential as well?

It's not too late! My 8-week live training course - The Most Powerful You - starts May 15th but you can still join us. Click here to learn more and register for this transformative and life-affirming 8 weeks group couse!

CLICK HERE to learn more and register >> MostPowerfulYou.com

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READY FOR A HUGE PERSONAL SHIFT TO ACHIEVE MORE SUCCESS, IMPACT, AND FULFILLMENT IN YOUR CAREER THIS YEAR?

Work with Kathy in a private, 1:1 program and get hands-on, transformative CAREER & LEADERSHIP GROWTH COACHING SUPPORT today!

Are you ready for a big positive shift in how you're working and what you're achieving today in your career? Let's make that happen for you!

In my acclaimed and highly rated 6-session Career & Leadership Breakthrough 1:1 coaching program, I help people create, experience and accomplish what they want most in life and work, which includes more confidence, impact, advancement, financial reward, fulfillment and meaning.

I've worked with over 20,000 professionals across 6 continents, and before that, I served as a therapist, and before that, I was a corporate VP, managing multi-million dollar budgets and global initiatives.

I bring all of that experience to our work together, helping you build a new chapter that aligns with who you really are and what you're ready to create.

Check out kathycaprino.com/careerbreakthru and I hope you'll register now. I'd love to support you starting today!

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Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today!

In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here.

If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible.

Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources

Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment

Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz

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Sponsor Highlight

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Quotes:

"Stress on its own is not a bad thing. Stress is really important. It's a vital part of life. It saves us from getting hit by cars, it helps us focus on – solving problems. But when stress becomes a way of life instead of a part of life, – that's when we see more of the problems." — Jordan Friedman [0:20:13]

"Yes, meditating can help you feel calmer. It can take the edge off [your] stress and anxiety, but if that stress and anxiety continues to flow into your life – you might get into a situation where meditation isn't enough." — Jordan Friedman [0:26:52]

"Something we get wrong – is that we're putting band aids on things that need more attention than a band aid." — Jordan Friedman [0:27:25]

"We have great control over our fight or flight responses; maybe not initially when we're first slammed with the stressor, but pretty soon after, the way we think about things [and] what we do can help us get back on our feet and move in a clearer, more confident, less stressed way." — Jordan Friedman [0:34:37]

"It's not only about changing your life situations to stop the fire hydrant of stress. It's also doing things to – keep your roots solid; breathing, sleeping, exercise, all of it." — Jordan Friedman [0:38:34]

"Reliable, predictable things in your life, [like] going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, – will help counter a lot of the lack of predictability that causes so much stress in the world." — Jordan Friedman [0:44:09]

Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube!

Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

Deborah Zalesne

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