Shows
Fear LessDon’t Fear the Future: Insights on Innovation in Youth Mental Health Care with Greg Hitchcock In this episode of Fear Less, Will Laughlin sits down Greg Hitchcock, an expert in the field of education and therapeutic programs. Greg has over 30 years’ experience working with youth and families in the education and therapeutic industry. In this conversation, Greg shares his personal journey from an adventure seeking youth, to being parent of a child in treatment, to becoming one of the most sought out leaders in the world of youth mental health treatment. Through personal stories and anecdotes, Will and Greg touch on shed light on how to leverage fear for growth, the complex ch...2024-03-1346 minFear LessRunning Towards Resilience: Will Laughlin's Journey from Extreme Athlete to Fear Less Father and CEO Interview: In this episode, we immerse ourselves in the inspiring story of our co-host Will Laughlin, an ultra-runner, devoted father, and the innovative CEO of Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Will's exceptional journey as an athlete includes braving the intense heat of Death Valley and the extreme cold of the Yukon, experiences that have shaped his understanding and management of fear and anxiety. He shares insightful reflections on how ultra-running serves as a vital coping mechanism and therapeutic resource in his life. Will explains how these experiences as an extreme athlete have shaped his understanding and management of fear and a...2023-12-1248 minFear LessSwimming Against the Current: Kurt Kroeche’s Journey from Fear to TriumphInterview: In this episode, host Will Laughlin is joined by world-class swimmer, scholar, educator, and actor, Kurt Kroesche. Kurt shares candidly about his life-long battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its pervasive influence on his life and achievements. From his early days, Kurt was haunted by an overwhelming fear of contracting cancer, which shaped his thoughts, actions, and life in significant ways. Despite these challenges, Kurt used the same obsessive-compulsive tendencies to fuel his dedication and discipline as a swimmer, eventually joining Stanford’s esteemed swim team and becoming a national champion. Kurt opens up about a dar...2023-10-0342 min
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the OutdoorsAddressing Anxiety & OCD with Mountain Valley Techniques: Zack Schafer's 'Fear Less' Insight'sIn this enlightening episode of "Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors," we sit down with Zack Schafer, the Executive Program Director at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. With a rich background in occupational therapy, Zack opens up about how the center uniquely addresses the challenges faced by young people battling anxiety and OCD. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy, as Zack shares stories aboout this technique as well as juxtaposes ERP with adventure therapy and other ways to address anxiety. The conversation also delves into the intricacies of school phobia and the...2023-10-0342 minStories from the Field: Mental Health and the OutdoorsAddressing Anxiety & OCD with Mountain Valley Techniques: Zack Schafer's 'Fear Less' Insight'sIn this enlightening episode of "Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors," we sit down with Zack Schafer, the Executive Program Director at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. With a rich background in occupational therapy, Zack opens up about how the center uniquely addresses the challenges faced by young people battling anxiety and OCD. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy, as Zack shares stories aboout this technique as well as juxtaposes ERP with adventure therapy and other ways to address anxiety. The conversation also delves into the intricacies of school phobia and the...2023-10-0342 minFear LessFear Trauma Less! Dr. Meghan Golden Explores EMDR, CBT, and Healing TraumaExpert Interview: Past trauma can function as a “fear accelerator” for many, increasing one’s sensitivity and vulnerability to everyday anxieties. In this episode of the Fear Less podcast, Mountain Valley’s clinical director, Dr. Meghan Golden, unpacks the intricacies of anxiety and trauma and describes the pivotal role of exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in effectively addressing these conditions. Get inspired as Dr. Golden recounts her personal journey into the world of Trauma and EMDR therapy, underscoring her commitment to healing and positively impacting lives. Anxiety Hack: For most people, it’s normal and adaptive to feel some...2023-08-291h 03Fear LessIntroducing Fear Less In this inaugural episode of the Fear Less podcast, hosts Will Laughlin, MA, M.Ed., and Zack Shafer, MS, OTR/L, kick off their mission to help listeners gain freedom from limiting fear and anxiety. As they share anecdotes from their personal and professional journeys, Will and Zack discuss their shared goal of helping listeners make Fear Less—less bossy, less controlling, less limiting and, well, less scary! At the end of the episode, stay tuned for a segment entitled Zack’s Anxiety Hacks where Zack Schafer outlines a simple, practical, effective...2023-08-0132 min