The OCD Confessional
The OCD Confessional is a podcast about living, laughing, and coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hosted by former TV news anchor Liam Martin and actress/model Alicia Hill — two friends who both live with OCD — this show blends raw honesty, practical tools, expert insights, and plenty of laughs.
Each episode, Liam, Alicia and a special guest will “confess” the craziest intrusive thoughts and compulsions they’ve battled, from absurd rituals to embarrassing moments, and share the tools that actually help them get through. With candid conversations and occasional input from OCD experts, The OCD Confessional is part storytelling, part survival guide, and part comedy therapy session.
Whether you’re living with OCD, supporting someone who is, or just curious about what it’s like inside an OCD brain, this podcast offers hope, humor, and community. Because sometimes -- we laugh to keep from crying.
Disclaimer: The OCD Confessional is about real experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder. While we use humor to share our stories, it is never our intention to minimize the very real suffering OCD causes. Our goal is to share stories, coping tools, and hope. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, please dial 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or find local resources where you are.
The OCD Confessional
Living With Contamination OCD: A Deep Dive with Dr. Nathaniel Van Kirk
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In this episode of The OCD Confessional, we’re honored to be joined by Dr. Nathaniel Van Kirk, licensed clinical psychologist and Program Director at McLean Hospital’s OCD Institute, to explore one of the most distressing and misunderstood forms of OCD: contamination OCD.
Nathaniel shares what his own experience with OCD looked like — including early memories of compulsions — and explains how contamination fears can hijack daily life in ways that go far beyond ordinary caution. We talk about how contamination obsessions and compulsions develop, how hygiene routines can become traps of uncertainty, and what evidence-based treatment like ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) can actually do to help.
We break down:
• What contamination OCD really feels like — fear vs. logic vs. anxiety
• Why contamination fears aren’t just about germs but about uncertainty
• How compulsions (handwashing, cleaning, avoidance) can become self-reinforcing
• How clinicians and patients approach ERP for contamination themes
Whether you’re living with contamination OCD, supporting someone who is, or just want a deeper understanding of how OCD affects behavior and thoughts, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope.
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube & everywhere podcasts live.
📲 Instagram & TikTok: @theocdconfessional
📺 YouTube: The OCD Confessional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9LpIFjdtZQ
Supported by NOCD
If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, check out NOCD — a leading virtual health platform that connects people with licensed therapists specially trained in Evidence-Based ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy. NOCD offers live video sessions, between-session therapist messaging, access to in-app therapeutic tools, and a global peer community. Their goal: make expert OCD treatment accessible, effective, and affordable.
➤ Visit https://learn.nocd.com/ocdconfessional to learn more and get matched with an OCD-trained therapist.
🧠 The OCD Confessional is hosted by Liam Martin & Alicia Hill — real stories, intrusive thoughts, and the tools we use to cope (with plenty of laughter).
Disclaimer: The OCD Confessional is intended for education, awareness, and community support only. It does not provide therapy or professional mental-health advice. If you are struggling or in crisis, please seek help from a licensed mental-health professional. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.