Episode Overview:

In this Valentine's Day couples episode, we explore the complex interplay of relationships & anxiety with special guest, Tyler, Cali's husband. Join us as we discuss how anxiety can impact relationships, communication strategies for couples, & the importance of self-reflection + growth. We also share personal stories + practical tips for navigating anxiety in relationships, including insights into Cali & Tyler's relationship journey. This real, raw, and unfiltered conversation offers valuable tools for strengthening your relationship while managing anxiety.

Key Insights:

• Open Communication: Honest + open communication is key to navigating anxiety in relationships. Sharing your feelings + needs with your partner can create a stronger bond + understanding.
• Self-Reflection + Growth: Self-reflection is crucial for personal + relationship growth. Recognizing your role in conflicts + being open to change can dramatically improve relationship dynamics.
• Support vs. Accommodation: Providing support without accommodating anxiety is essential. Learning how to support your partner's journey without enabling unhelpful behaviors can foster resilience + independent coping.
• Finding Joy + Humor: Prioritizing joy + humor can strengthen relationships + provide relief from anxiety. Intentionally incorporating fun + laughter into your routine can make a positive impact.
• Couples Therapy: Couples therapy can be a valuable tool for improving communication + resolving conflicts. Seeking professional guidance can equip couples with the skills they need to navigate challenges effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• "You grow through what you go through." - Cali
• "Guys' natural tendencies are to fix problems." - Tyler
• "Self-reflection is scary...but once you do it, your marriage is better because of it." - Cali

Timestamps:

• [00:00:10] - Podcast Introduction
• [00:01:10] - Couple's Episode Introduction + Anxious Moments
• [00:08:46] - Cali & Tyler's Relationship Story
• [00:16:29] - How Anxiety Impacts Their Relationship
• [00:27:44] - Where Anxiety Shows Up Now in Their Relationship
• [00:41:59] - Tips + Tricks for Weathering Storms in Relationships
• [00:52:43] - Prioritizing Time Together Despite Busy Schedules

Call to Action:

• Subscribe to The Anxiety Society Podcast on your favorite platform so you don't miss any new episodes! Leave a review + share your thoughts on social media using #AnxietySocietyPodcast. Connect with us on Instagram at @theanxietysocietypod for more anxiety-related content + resources.
• Visit our website at anxietysocietypodcast.com to submit your questions for the show + join our community. Let’s change our relationship with anxiety, together!

Episode Overview: This episode explores the intricate connection between physical health, particularly gut health and hormonal balance, and its impact on anxiety and overall well-being. Dr. Elyse Martin (Cho), a certified nurse midwife and women's health expert, joins the podcast to discuss functional medicine and its role in addressing the root causes of anxiety, rather than just managing symptoms. She highlights the importance of understanding the body as an interconnected system and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Key Insights:

• Functional Medicine vs. Traditional Medicine (12:14): Dr. Martin explains the difference between functional medicine and traditional medicine, emphasizing the functional approach's focus on understanding the historical timeline of dysfunction within the body.
• The Microbiome and its Impact (13:25): The discussion delves into the microbiome, its role in overall health, and how dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) can contribute to various health issues, including anxiety and depression.
• The Importance of Comprehensive Labs (33:43): Dr. Martin discusses the value of comprehensive lab testing to uncover underlying deficiencies and imbalances that might be contributing to health problems.
• Hormonal Health and Mental Well-being (16:54): The episode explores how hormonal imbalances, such as severe PMS or PMDD, can significantly impact mental health, often leading to heightened anxiety and mood swings.
• Impact of Modern Lifestyles (20:26): The conversation touches on how modern lifestyles, including constant information input, poor diets, and lack of self-care, can contribute to increased stress and anxiety.
• Collaboration Between Mental Health Clinicians and Functional Medicine Practitioners (39:51): The episode emphasizes the importance of collaboration between mental health clinicians and functional medicine practitioners to provide comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and mental aspects of well-being.
• Fertility, Postpartum, and Hormonal Health (41:47): Dr. Martin discusses the impact of hormonal and gut health on fertility, pregnancy, and the postpartum period, highlighting the importance of addressing these factors for overall maternal well-being.
• Supplementation and its Risks (36:39): Dr. Martin cautions against blind supplementation, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches based on individual needs and genetic predispositions.

Notable Quotes:

• "We're all just kind of in this standard of care washing machine being tossed around, and we're getting tumbled out at the end, and we still don't really feel good." - Dr. Martin (09:16)
• "It's not normal to have significant mood changes prior to starting your cycle." - Dr. Martin (17:36)
• "It's all so intertwined. It's like this giant tumbleweed of things." - Dr. Martin (18:11)
• "Blind supplementation can be extremely dangerous and really detrimental for the system." - Dr. Martin (36:47)

Call to Action:

• Connect with Dr. Martin: Learn more about Dr. Martin and her practice, The Hive, by visiting hivewomenswellness.com. Telehealth appointments are available for those in and outside of Texas.
• Subscribe and Review: Subscribe to The Anxiety Society podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to support the show!

Connect with Us:

• Visit our website: anxietysocietypodcast.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @theanxietysocietypod

This special episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast brings back Evan Weinberger, founder of Staying Ahead of the Game, to answer listener questions on executive functioning. Hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner explore practical strategies for overcoming procrastination, building problem-solving skills, and understanding cultural influences on productivity. Evan shares insights on how parents, professionals, and students can develop systems tailored to their unique challenges.

Key Points:

- [0:40] - Procrastination and Productivity Hacks

The hosts and Evan discuss their personal struggles with procrastination and strategies for initiating tasks when motivation is low.

- [7:18] - Executive Functioning Defined

Evan explains executive functioning as the brain's "air traffic control system" for managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and decisions.

- [12:40] - Learned Helplessness in Families

How well-meaning parents may unintentionally reinforce dependency in kids, limiting their executive functioning growth.

- [20:45] - Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

Evan shares how failure and natural consequences can help children and employees develop better problem-solving abilities.

- [30:15] - Cultural Influences on Executive Functioning

A fascinating discussion on how cultural norms, such as attitudes toward punctuality or politeness, shape perceptions of productivity.

Quotable Moments:

[7:35] "Executive functioning is like the brain’s air traffic control system—it keeps all the planes from crashing." - Evan Weinberger

[20:20] "We don’t learn from our successes; we grow from our failures." - Evan Weinberger

[33:18] "Your system might work for you, but it might not work for everyone else—and that’s okay." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

Links Mentioned:

• Staying Ahead of the Game: https://saotg.com/
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child: https://developingchild.harvard.edu
• The Anxiety Society Podcast: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com

This episode is packed with actionable tips for tackling executive functioning challenges. Whether you're a parent looking to support your child, a professional navigating workplace demands, or someone working on personal growth, there’s something here for you. Share this episode with someone who might benefit, and don’t forget to leave a review to help others find The Anxiety Society Podcast.