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It's Not You, It's Anxiety!
It's Not You, It's Anxiety is a podcast for people who are anxious, but haven't found relief from the usual anxiety help, and feel like there must be something wrong with THEM!
Overwhelmed, stuck in their heads, tired of overthinking, and exhausted, they're ready for a kind and straightforward way to understand and work with anxiety — especially in a world that feels anything but calm.
Hosted by Licensed Professional Counselor and coach Jessica Richards, this show blends psychology, compassion, and Jessica's insight as a counselor and as a person who struggled with anxiety and had to figure it out herself. It's time to make sense of your anxiety, ease constant worry and judgement, and believe in and trust yourself.
It's not your fault. Your anxiety actually makes sense and there is a way to work with it.
You're not the problem — you just need some understanding, the right tools, and some kind, but expert help!
Come learn how to understand and work with your anxiety...with kindness, compassion, and no judgement (even in these wild times).
It's Not You, It's Anxiety!
Anxiety Help Hasn't Helped (Spoiler: It's Not You)
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Feeling like nothing works for your anxiety? You're not broken — you just haven't been given the right tools.
In this episode, Jessica unpacks what anxiety really is, why traditional methods often fall short, and how to start healing in and compassionate and realistic way.
Episode Summary
In this honest and deeply relatable first episode, Jessica shares her personal experience with anxiety and what she discovered after years of feeling dismissed by one-dimensional solutions.
You'll learn why anxiety isn't just a mental issue — it's a total life experience involving your biology, this modern environment you live in, and the messages you learned about yourself.
This episode offers a new way to understand anxiety and gives you permission to stop blaming yourself for not being "fixed" yet.
In This Episode, You'll Learn
- Why anxiety can't be solved by focusing on only one area (like thoughts, breathing, or medication)
- The hidden causes of anxiety that the usual approaches overlook
- How family and social messages and unrealistic expectations make anxious thinking worse
- Why validation, understanding, and compassion is crucial to healing anxiety
- What a realistic and helpful approach to anxiety really looks like
Key Quotes
"Anxiety isn't your fault — and it's not your fault that the solutions you've tried haven't worked."
"You're not broken. You've just been trying to fix something with the wrong tools."
"When help only addresses one piece of the puzzle, it can feel invalidating — like no one really gets what you're going through."
Main Takeaway
Anxiety is not a character flaw or a personal failure — and it's not your fault if traditional help hasn't helped.
Anxiety is the result of overlapping factors in your mind, body, and environment. Real healing begins with understanding and recognizing all the pieces, and approaching them with compassion.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for anyone who:
- Has tried therapy, medication, or meditation but still feels anxious
- Feels unseen or invalidated by typical mental health or medical advice
- Wants a more complete, compassionate way to understand and work with anxiety
Connect with Jessica Richards
Instagram: @jessica_richards_counseling
Free Guide: Get the 3 Keys to Begin Quieting Anxiety Now
Weekly Emails: Get on Board Here
Enjoyed the Episode?
If this episode helped you feel seen, please follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps others find the support they need too.
*Disclaimer* This show is for information and inspiration. It is not professional mental health counseling or medical advice. If you're struggling, please reach out to a mental health or medical professional.