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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!
...Overthinking Explained: You Won't Believe This
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
If you struggle with overthinking, obsessing, or spiraling, this episode will help you understand why it happens — and why it’s not your fault.
Episode Summary
Jessica explains that overthinking isn’t a random symptom of anxiety; it’s one of the primary ways anxiety tries to protect you from something it believes could go wrong.
Using relatable examples — replaying conversations, stressing over work, worrying about climate change, and even baking muffins for a neighbor — Jessica shows how anxiety mistakes discomfort, uncertainty, or possible mistakes as “threats.” From there, it launches into overthinking as its attempt to prepare you, keep you safe, or prevent you from being surprised.
By the end of this episode, you’ll begin to see your overthinking differently: not as a personal flaw, but as a misguided safety response. And you’ll learn a powerful practice for gently stepping outside of the spiral and getting clarity.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why overthinking is one of anxiety’s primary “protection strategies”
- How overthinking turns into obsessing and full-body spiraling
- Why anxiety sees even small things as potential “threats”
- How your brain tries to prevent mistakes, discomfort, or surprises
- Why overthinking feels automatic or uncontrollable
- A simple practice to create space between you and your anxious thoughts
- How understanding anxiety’s motives helps you calm it more quickly
- How this practice sets you up for deeper healing in future episode
Key Moments From the Episode
“Overthinking, obsessing, and spiraling are ways anxiety tries to protect you.”
“Even when part of you knows the overthinking isn’t helping, another part feels like it’s necessary.”
“Anxiety sees threats everywhere — even in things like baking muffins for a neighbor.”
“Overthinking protects you from making a mistake, missing something, or being surprised.”
“Just naming what’s happening gives you distance from it.”
“This sets you up to eventually shift from anxiety-driven reactions to calm, grounded thinking.”
Who This Episode Is For
- This episode is perfect for anyone who:
- Gets stuck in overthinking or rumination
- Spirals quickly into worst-case scenarios
- Feels overwhelmed by obsessive or looping thoughts
- Wants to understand why their brain reacts this way
- Feels frustrated, ashamed, or confused about their anxiety
- Craves a kinder explanation for patterns they can’t seem to control
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I like this?” — this episode offers clarity and compassion.
Connect with Jessica
Instagram: @jessica_richards_counseling
Get My Free Guide: 3 Keys for Quieting Anxiety Now
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*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.
Topics Covered in This Episode
- why we overthink
- anxiety and overthinking
- anxiety spiraling
- obsessive thoughts and anxiety
- threat response and anxiety
- why anxiety sees danger everywhere
- nervous system and overthinking
- rumination vs. protection
- how to stop spiraling
- compassionate anxiety tools
- understanding anxious thoughts
- how to reduce overthinking
- trauma-informed anxiety education