Full Stack Human: Rewiring Anxiety, Play & the Modern Nervous System with Dara Simkin (Part 1)

Have you ever left something to the last minute and promised yourself that next time you’ll start well ahead? Maybe there’s a task you’re putting off right now, and you can’t quite work out why getting started feels so hard. It isn’t because you’re lazy, and it isn’t because you’re not capable. In this episode, Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by Brendan Mahan, an internationally recognised ADHD and executive function expert, host of the ADHD Essentials podcast, and author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful. Brendan has given a name to the invisible emotional barrier that builds up between us and the tasks we struggle with, and once you understand it, so much starts to make sense. Whether it’s you, or a child or teen you parent or teach, this conversation offers fresh language, a lot of reassurance and some simple ways to get moving. In this episode, they explore: What the Wall of Awful is, and why everyone has one How emotions like disappointment and rejection build the wall, with anxiety holding it together Why “just do it” doesn’t help, especially for young people Simple strategies to get moving, from music and movement to body doubling Why the wall never disappears, but we get stronger at getting past it Connect with Brendan Mahan: https://brendanmahan.com/ Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson: Website: https://drjodirichardson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anxiety can arrive out of nowhere, leaving us confused, overwhelmed and wondering why now. In this episode, Dr. Jodi Richardson is joined from London by Lily Felton, trainee clinical psychologist at King’s College London and author of Outsmart Anxiety: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Empowering Your Mind. Lily brings a rare blend of research, clinical training and lived experience to a conversation about why anxiety isn’t something to eliminate, and how we can stop it from keeping our lives small. In this episode, we discuss: What Lily would tell her younger self, who felt anxiety in her body and carried shame about it for years The case of SM, a woman who couldn’t feel fear, and what it teaches us about why we need anxiety How “worry time” with a worry book can help settle racing thoughts at night Recognising when it’s time to seek professional support, and why that step takes real courage Why confidence follows action, and how repetition turned Jodi’s nerves about live radio into something she now looks forward to Graded exposure and willingness: taking small steps toward the things we love The anxiety cycle explained, and why avoidance keeps us stuck The meaning behind the name Well, Hello Anxiety Connect with Lily Felton: LinkedIn Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson: Website: https://drjodirichardson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if being an athlete has nothing to do with elite competition? In this inspiring conversation, Dr Jodi Richardson sits down with coach, athlete, photographer, community builder and founder of Hybrid Edge, Lucy Piper, to explore the powerful connection between movement, identity, courage and anxiety. Lucy shares her vision for The Embodied Athlete, a coaching framework designed to help people understand the patterns, beliefs and identities that shape how they show up in sport and in life. Together, Jodi and Lucy discuss authenticity, self-trust, social anxiety, community, and why so many people struggle to claim the title of "athlete" even when they train consistently. They also explore: Why sport can be a fast track to courage and personal growth The link between identity and anxiety How our internal stories shape our lives Lucy's athlete archetypes and diagnostic tool The difference between performing and authentically showing up for yourself Building community through movement and connection The three levers you can pull to create change: state, story and strategy If you've ever doubted yourself, struggled to back yourself, or felt like you're waiting for permission to become the person you want to be, this episode is for you. Connect with Lucy Instagram:@hybrid_edge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypiper Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson: Website: https://drjodirichardson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson

High performers often look calm and capable on the outside, while underneath their thoughts are racing and their body is carrying the strain. In this episode, host Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes back psychologist Harriet Iles, founder of Restorative Space Psychology, to explore what's really happening for overthinkers, high achievers and busy professionals, parents and athletes operating at a fast pace. Harriet explains how high performance often comes with demands from others and from ourselves, and how stress and anxiety build when those demands feel greater than the resources we have to meet them. She also challenges a common belief among high achievers: that the inner critic drives their success.

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn't a lack of knowledge, time or opportunity, but fear?