38. Healing Through Stewardship: The Therapeutic Power of Animals and Agriculture
Release Date: 08/07/2024
67. Leaning Into Fear and Loss: Myra Sack on Losing a Child and Finding Her Way
Fear Less
In this deeply moving episode Zack sits down with Myra Sack, author of and Executive Director of a nonprofit that helps people navigate grief through movement, ritual, and community. Myra shares her profound journey of losing her daughter Javi to Tay-Sachs disease, how that loss reshaped her understanding of fear and anxiety, and how the emotional tools she and her husband developed became the foundation for her organization’s healing model. Together, they explore how grief intersects with fear and anxiety, especially the difference between anxiety's imagined threats and...
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66. Anxiety, OCD, and Addiction: Andy Benckart’s Journey to Recovery
Fear Less
In this powerful episode of Fear Less, Zack sits down with Andy Benckart, a master's-level social work student and young adult in recovery, to dive deep into the complex intersections of anxiety, OCD, and addiction. Andy shares his lived experience navigating chronic migraines, anxiety, substance use, and an eventual OCD diagnosis, shedding light on how these challenges are often intertwined. His story takes listeners from early struggles in high school and college to the transformative impact of wilderness therapy and transitional living programs. Andy also discusses the vital role that...
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65. Befriending Fear: Why We Have Anxiety and How to Use It
Fear Less
In this powerful solo Zack dives deep into the functional purpose of anxiety and how it can actually serve us rather than sabotage us. Drawing on his clinical experience and personal reflections, Zack reframes anxiety as a messenger, something that, when listened to and understood, can be a powerful motivator and guide. Using real-life examples from his own life and his work at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, Zack explores the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral responses triggered by anxiety and how we can tune into those responses to prepare, adapt, and thrive rather than shut down...
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64. Living with ADHD: Dr. Roberto Olivardia on Managing Anxiety, OCD & Executive Functioning
Fear Less
In this compelling episode Zack sits down with renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Roberto Olivardia to explore the realities of living with ADHD and how it intersects with anxiety, OCD, and executive functioning. A lecturer at and clinical associate at , Dr. Olivardia brings both professional expertise and personal insight as someone who has lived with ADHD his entire life. The conversation dives deep into what ADHD actually is, how it’s often misunderstood, and why people with ADHD often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to environmental expectations and internal challenges....
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63. Fear of Letting Go: The Intersection of OCD and Hoarding Disorder with Christin Brown LICSW
Fear Less
In this episode Zack welcomes specialist based in Massachusetts. Christin has a subspecialty in Hoarding Disorder, and in this conversation, her and Zack delve into this often-misunderstood diagnosis and its relationship to OCD. Christin shares her professional insights as well as her personal experiences with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, offering a nuanced understanding of hoarding behaviors—ranging from emotional attachment to objects to digital hoarding like excessive photo saving or unopened tabs. This episode is a must-listen for mental health professionals,...
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62. OCD & Addiction: Hidden Connections and Concurrent Paths to Healing with Jayme Valdez LMHC
Fear Less
In this episode Zack welcomes Jayme Valdez, a licensed mental health counselor and founder of . Jayme specializes in treating OCD, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, and she shares her unique approach to addressing the overlap between OCD and addictive disorders. She challenges the traditional belief that OCD and addiction must be treated separately, advocating for a concurrent treatment model that acknowledges their shared compulsive patterns. Drawing from both her clinical expertise and personal experience, Jayme highlights the importance of evidence-based interventions, harm...
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61. Mountain Valley's History, Culture, and Alumni Support Network with Carl Lovejoy
Fear Less
In this episode Zack welcomes Carl Lovejoy, one of the co-founders of to reflect on the center's origins and evolution. Carl shares his journey from working in independent schools to helping establish Mountain Valley in 2011, recognizing the need for specialized support for high-achieving students struggling with anxiety and related disorders. He recounts the center’s humble beginnings in Pike, New Hampshire, with just four families and how it grew into a nationally recognized residential treatment program. Carl and Zack discuss the transition to the Plainfield campus, which offered greater...
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60. From Struggle to Strength: Parenting an Anxious Child
Fear Less
In this episode Zack sits down with Nicole Carosi, the mother of a former resident, Isabella. Nicole shares an intimate look into her family’s journey with Isabella’s anxiety, perfectionism, and depression, detailing the struggles that led them to seek intensive treatment. She reflects on the challenges of parenting an anxious child, the decision to enroll Isabella at Mountain Valley, and the nonlinear path toward healing. Throughout their discussion, Zack, who was Isabella’s therapist during her time at Mountain Valley, offers unique insight into her therapeutic journey, including the...
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59. OT’s Role in Mental Health with Mountain Valley’s Executive Director Zack Schafer
Fear Less
In this insightful solo episode, Zack dives into the vital role of occupational therapy (OT) in mental health treatment, particularly at . Zack shares his personal journey into the OT field, the therapeutic power of meaningful activity, and how Mountain Valley integrates OT principles into their residential program for adolescents and young adults struggling with anxiety and OCD. Through personal stories and professional insights, Zack highlights how occupational therapy fosters healing through engagement, functionality, and community connection. Listeners will gain a rich understanding...
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58. Occupational Therapy & Mental Health: Camille’s Journey to Helping Teens Overcome Anxiety
Fear Less
In this episode Zack talks with Camille Wrege, an occupational therapist at , about her journey into occupational therapy (OT) and how she applies it to mental health treatment for teenagers with anxiety and OCD. Camille shares her personal background, including how early experiences with her grandfather and a passion for holistic care led her to pursue occupational therapy. She highlights the role of OT in supporting young people by improving functional skills like hygiene, social participation, executive functioning, and independent living. Camille also discusses the intersection of OT...
info_outlineIn this episode of Fear Less, Zack interviews Hann Bernardi, the Animal and Farm Coordinator at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Hann shares their journey from working as a conventional farmer to now using animal husbandry and farm work to help youth heal from their mental health challenges. Hann discusses how the farm at Mountain Valley is used to help residents overcome fears and anxieties, emphasizing the therapeutic impact of fostering a deeper connection between humans, animals, and the land. They dive into the concept and philosophy of “stewardship”, and how working with animals on the farm helps residents develop life skills, foster self-efficacy, and find a greater sense of purpose as they become active contributors to something bigger than themselves.
Listeners can expect to learn more about what the day-to-day farm work is like at Mountain Valley, the different animals and projects included in the farm, and how farm life provides valuable lessons in communication, boundaries, and self-care. Hann also shares vulnerably about how their work at Mountain Valley has served as a powerful mirror for their own struggles and has played a large role in their personal growth. Hann is a beautiful soul, full of wisdom and insight, and this episode is a must listen for anyone who is curious about the healing power of farming, animals, and working with the land.
Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack talks about how having a pet can help you fear less!
Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.