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Anxiety Matters

Anxiety Matters

Bonnie Zucker & Bonnie Zucker 81 Episodes Sep 17, 2026

Two psychologists, both named Bonnie Zucker and specializing in anxiety and cognitive-behavioral therapy, host this podcast after discovering each other across the country. They explore anxiety from multiple perspectives, covering disorders, societal stressors, and conversations with guests. The show offers research-backed strategies to help listeners manage anxiety, delivered with warmth, wisdom, and humor. It also includes a disclaimer that the content is informational only and not a substitute for professional mental health advice.

Episodes

More Than Clutter: Understanding & Treating Hoarding Disorder with Guest Dr. David Tolin
More Than Clutter: Understanding & Treating Hoarding Disorder with Guest Dr. David Tolin Sep 17, 2026 47:27 The Bonnies talk about hoarding with Dr. David Tolin, a clinician and researcher who has worked extensively in this area. They begin by distinguishing hoarding disorder from ordinary messiness or collecting, and note that hoarding is characterized by difficulty discarding items, strong attachment to possessions, and often excessive acquisition.They talk about how hoarding develops over time, inclu
Feeling Understood: The Key to Lowering Stress & Improving Relationships
Feeling Understood: The Key to Lowering Stress & Improving Relationships Sep 10, 2026 19:07 In this episode, the BZW and BZE talk about how feeling understood in relationships can affect stress, well-being, and even physical symptoms. They discuss how anxiety is often misunderstood by partners and family members, and how advice or pressure can sometimes leave people feeling invalidated. They also focus on validation as a practical response, including finding the kernel of truth in what s
Avoiding the Doctor or Going Too Much: How to Manage Health Anxiety
Avoiding the Doctor or Going Too Much: How to Manage Health Anxiety Sep 3, 2026 17:13 In this episode, the Bonnies talk about doctor anxiety and how it can lead people to avoid appointments or feel intense worry before routine tests and screenings. They discuss the value of recommended preventive care, the importance of trusting relationships with doctors, and the role of therapy when health fears become difficult to manage.They also look at the balance between appropriate screenin
Medication Matters: What Every Parent Should Know About Psychiatric Medication for Kids & Teens with Guest Dr. Ethan Hockheiser
Medication Matters: What Every Parent Should Know About Psychiatric Medication for Kids & Teens with Guest Dr. Ethan Hockheiser Aug 27, 2026 41:49 The Bonnies talk with Dr. Ethan Hochheiser, a board-certified psychiatrist in general and child & adolescent psychiatry, about when medication may be appropriate for children and teens with anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, and related concerns.They discuss how therapy is often tried first, but medication may be considered sooner when symptoms are severe, functioning is impaired, or treatment is
Why Is Asking For Help So Hard? Tips on Managing All Shades of Social Anxiety
Why Is Asking For Help So Hard? Tips on Managing All Shades of Social Anxiety Aug 20, 2026 19:36 This episode focuses on social anxiety in everyday life, including difficulty asking for help, making small requests, and fearing judgment or inconvenience.The Bonnies talk about exposure exercises for facing these situations, such as asking for samples or interrupting someone to make a request, and explain how these exercises can show that the feared reaction often does not happen.They also discu
ERP for OCD: Are Extreme Exposures Necessary?
ERP for OCD: Are Extreme Exposures Necessary? Aug 13, 2026 22:48 The Bonnies episode on May 28 when BZW visited BZE in Maryland, where they recorded OCD exposure exercises at Whole Foods, was posted on their social media where they received many comments.This episode covers some of the reactions to those exposures, including concerns about ethics and health risks. In response, the Bonnies explain that exposure and response prevention involves facing ordinary co
Making Peace with ADHD: Hollywood Writer Jordan Roberts Shares About Self-Acceptance
Making Peace with ADHD: Hollywood Writer Jordan Roberts Shares About Self-Acceptance Aug 6, 2026 48:31 The Bonnies welcome Jordan Roberts, a writer and director with a long career in television and film, who has also built a coaching practice focused on creative blocks, addiction, ADHD, and shadow work.Jordan describes his background in a show-business family, his struggles as a young person with drugs, alcohol, anxiety, and not feeling good enough, and how early therapy opened a different way of t
You Are Not Your Thoughts: How to Let Anxiety Pass Without Engaging
You Are Not Your Thoughts: How to Let Anxiety Pass Without Engaging Jul 30, 2026 19:01 The Bonnies discuss detached mindfulness as a strategy for anxiety, including how it fits within metacognitive therapy. They explain the idea of shifting from participating in thoughts to observing them, especially when a triggering thought leads to rumination or catastrophizing.They describe how this approach is used with health anxiety and panic, where people may focus too closely on bodily sens
Anxiety Q&A: Real Questions - Evidence-Based Answers
Anxiety Q&A: Real Questions - Evidence-Based Answers Jul 23, 2026 17:57 Bonnie and Bonnie talk about comments BZW has received on her social media posts about fear of flying, which drew a large response. People described fears of crashing, being stuck on the plane, turbulence, getting sick, and having panic attacks during flights.A major part of their conversation focuses on vomiting fears, which they share is a common specific phobia. They discuss how some people fea
What Drains You & What Fuels You: Establishing Better Boundaries for Mental Health
What Drains You & What Fuels You: Establishing Better Boundaries for Mental Health Jul 16, 2026 26:00 The Bonnies talk about healthy boundaries and why saying yes too quickly can lead to stress, resentment, and over-commitment. They discuss the value of pausing before agreeing to requests, checking whether guilt or obligation is driving our decisions, and thinking through time and energy demands.Each share examples of setting and missing boundaries, including turning down an unpaid, high-stress th
Death Anxiety: How to Cope with the Fear of Dying with Hospice Nurse Penny
Death Anxiety: How to Cope with the Fear of Dying with Hospice Nurse Penny Jul 9, 2026 45:07 Bonnie and Bonnie talk about death and dying through the lens of anxiety, and discuss how direct, clear language can help make the topic less frightening. They also share how avoiding words like “died” can increase fear, especially for children, and why early, honest conversations about death matter.The two speak with Penny Smith, a recently retired hospice and palliative care nurse, author of *In
Travel Anxiety Explained: Expert Tips for Stress-Free Trips
Travel Anxiety Explained: Expert Tips for Stress-Free Trips Jul 2, 2026 23:29 In this episode, BZW and BZE talk about travel anxiety and the different forms it can take. They discuss fear of flying, worry about being far from home, concern about leaving a house unattended, and anxiety about pets, work, or access to medical care while away.They also talk about how anticipatory anxiety can build before a trip and how it can affect decisions about whether to go, how long to st

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