Anxiety Makes Me Poop

You can walk away from a conversation knowing you could have handled it better, without leaving believing you're not good enough.

And a question for listeners:

Have you ever had someone say something so insulting at work that you replayed the conversation in your head for days, thinking about what you should have said?

Sometimes the hardest part isn't dealing with the person who said it. It's getting your confidence back afterward!

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for yo...

Cassandra did a follow-up episode about her diabetes journey, and she’s doing great! The doctor seemed proud of her, but most importantly, Cassandra is proud of herself!

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life. Support us here...

Have you ever looked back and realized the signs were there all along?

Sometimes, we become so accustomed to someone's behavior that we stop questioning it. We explain it away, treat every incident as an isolated mistake, and tell ourselves, "That's just how they are." Familiarity doesn't make a behavior acceptable, and an explanation doesn't automatically equal accountability. Sometimes, the issue isn't that the behavior is hidden; it's that we've learned to overlook it.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

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We're talking about anxiety, workplace stress, and how to stay resilient when life feels overwhelming. From managing what we can't control to protecting our peace and navigating moments when we feel stressed, exhausted, or underappreciated, we're sharing reminders to help us take things one step at a time. Because being strong doesn't mean you never struggle, and resilience doesn't mean carrying everything alone. Sometimes, it's about taking a breath, giving yourself grace, asking for help, and remembering that one difficult day doesn't define you.

Clock in, lock in, take care of yourself, and remember that you're a...

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

I read an article recently titled, "Is Your Boyfriend Making You Ugly?" and wowee, I read every comment.

Let's talk about it!

Have you ever noticed someone have a major glow-up after a relationaship or situation change? Better skin, more confidence, more energy, and a whole new outlook on life? Could chronic stress from a relationship be part of the reason?

In this episode, we're talking about the connection between relationship stress, mental health, and physical well-being. We'll explore what research says about stress...

Being a manager is about so much more than having a title, assigning tasks, and making sure the numbers look good. In this episode, we talk about what great managers actually do, from knowing their people and setting clear expectations to giving meaningful feedback, protecting their teams from unnecessary chaos, and knowing when to step back and let employees make decisions. Whether you manage a retail department, an office, a warehouse, or a team anywhere else, these practical tips can help you become the kind of manager people trust, respect, and actually want to work for.

Great...

An Anxiety Makes Me Poop episode about dignity, gratitude, and the things we sometimes forget to appreciate.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life. Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in th...

After three exhausting weeks, Meredith started wondering, “Am I depressed?” But after looking at everything going on, she started questioning whether she might actually be dealing with sadness, work burnout, exhaustion, and not getting enough sleep.

We’ll casually talk about the real difference between sadness and depression, including the symptoms of depression that shouldn't be brushed off. Then we'll lighten things up and talk about what you can do when you're simply having a really crappy stretch.

Sometimes you need a medical professional.

And sometimes... you just need a sandwich, a good playli...

Meredith gets corrected on a call and immediately starts floating away. She knows she gave the right answer, but the correction causes her to dissociate and question herself. Later, after checking the information, she discovers she was right all along. The experience sparks a conversation about dissociation, self-doubt, and what happens when our minds try to protect us from stress, embarrassment, or conflict in the workplace.

Cassandra gives her the best advice and we also talk about sunburns.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YO...

In this episode, we touch on why you can have loving family and great friends around you and still feel lonely, and why that doesn't mean something is wrong with you. We briefly explore the psychology behind loneliness and our need for meaningful connection, along with a few simple ways to help when you're feeling disconnected.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us cr...

In this episode, I talk about how every accomplishment has a story behind it. We often see the final result, but we don’t always see the growth, the challenges, the lessons, and the dedication that brought someone to that moment.

I share my own journey of stepping away from racing for years and finding my way back after focusing on my health, rebuilding my strength, and learning to trust myself again. This past weekend, I ran the best race of my life. It wasn’t my fastest race, but it was my strongest, healthiest, and happiest.

Does the job get easier, or do you simply get better and more efficient? It's a question worth asking because we often mistake growth for an easier path.

Think about a new job. In the beginning, everything feels overwhelming. Every task takes longer, every decision feels bigger, and every day is exhausting. Months later, the job seems easier. But is it? Or have you become more skilled, more confident, and more efficient?

The same is true with diet and exercise.

When Cassandra first started her health journey, the daily habits felt challenging. Over...

We explore why protecting your online community isn't censorship; it's stewardship, and why healthy boundaries are essential for creating safe spaces. If you've ever let one negative comment steal your peace, this conversation might be for you!

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, an...

*On camera - what!?*

Social media fitness content can quietly turn inspiration into comparison, making people feel like they’re being measured against someone else’s discipline without ever agreeing to the race. The real shift is learning to notice when motivation is lifting you up—and when it’s just making you feel like you’re falling behind.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-s...

Welcome back to Anxiety Makes Me Poop. Today's forecast? Emotional humidity. If your heart feels heavy or your mind feels foggy, let's talk about it. Relaxing meditation music follows this quick chat.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of...

Cassandra recently learned that she has a high level of protein in her urine. After leaving her doctor's appointment with more questions than answers, she found herself dealing with growing medical anxiety. In this conversation, she shares what her doctor told her, the research she did to better understand her test results, and what she's learned about protein in the urine, kidney health, and advocating for yourself when navigating uncertain medical news.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month he...

Warning! This one is real... maybe don't eat while listening! Meredith waited months to go to a concert with one of her best friends, and it didn't go well for her. Let's talk about food poisoning. Yuck.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, an...

Today's episode, we're talking about the person who always offers to help set up the Giant Inflatable Unicorn Displays but somehow never shows up when it's time to actually show up.

Psychology is fascinating because many people genuinely see themselves as helpful; the offer gives them a sense of contributing, even when the follow-through rarely happens.

Eventually, the anxiety disappears when YOU stop expecting promises to be kept and start judging people by patterns rather than words. Keep to your plan, and anyone else showing up is a bonus!

We are so grateful...

A simple grocery store moment becomes a snapshot of modern impatience, in which small delays feel like major injustices. The episode explores how anxiety, lack of awareness, and constant urgency can turn everyday interactions into unnecessary tension for essential workers. It closes by reminding listeners that patience is a quiet form of respect and one of the easiest ways to make the world feel a little less sharp around the edges.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us...

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected that we forget why we started something we once loved. I realized I didn’t start podcasting for numbers or pressure — I started because I love sharing stories, connecting with people, and creating something real. This episode is a reminder to keep going, give yourself grace during hard seasons, and reconnect with the reason you started in the first place.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editin...

Dry begging is when someone seeks validation, reassurance, or help without asking for it directly. Instead, they hint and wait for others to step in. It usually comes from fear of rejection, not wanting to seem needy, social habits around politeness, and past experience where hinting worked.

You hear it in lines like “I look terrible,” “this is probably awful,” or “nobody is going to like this,” which really mean “please tell me that is not true.”

Online, it gets amplified because negativity drives engagement, and people feel pressure to respond.

If you are on the recei...

Social media turns a tiny, harmless moment into a big emotional debate because people fill in the gaps with their own assumptions and reactions. A simple clip of a rinsed paper plate triggered that mix of confusion, judgment, and “I must be right” energy that the internet loves to run on. But at the end of the day, most negative comments on social isn’t about you - it’s just people projecting, while the quiet majority is simply scrolling, laughing, and moving on with their lives.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so g...

On this week’s episode, we move beyond the more commonly discussed symptoms of menopause - such as anxiety, irritability, rapid emotional reactions, and mood changes - and focus on the less frequently addressed aspects.

The discussion outlines a broader range of symptoms, including cognitive changes (such as difficulty concentrating and memory lapses), physical responses tied to stress (including gastrointestinal reactions), sleep disruption, and shifts in overall stress tolerance.

We quickly examine how these changes can affect daily interactions, decision-making, and personal boundaries. The episode highlights how responses to situations may change over time, including re...

Some memories don’t disappear - they just never get stored the way we expect them to. The brain can prioritize survival over detail, which sometimes leaves gaps, blur, or whole missing chapters. But even without perfect recall, growth still happens, and your story keeps moving forward in the present.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you...

This episode breaks down why some people feel driven to always be the best, from perfectionism and learned self-worth to the brain’s need for constant achievement. It explains how that pattern can keep the finish line moving, making it hard to ever feel satisfied. And it offers a simple shift: you can keep climbing, but you also deserve to pause, recognize your wins, and say, “I did that.”

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing...

Menopause marks a powerful shift in which women in their 40s and 50s step into a no-nonsense phase filled with clarity, confidence, and stronger personal boundaries. During menopause, many women stop over-apologizing, trust their instincts, and prioritize their mental health and emotional well-being. This stage isn’t about becoming difficult - it’s about empowerment, self-respect, and finally putting themselves first after decades of caring for others. Understanding menopause and supporting women through this transition leads to healthier relationships, better communication, and a more fulfilled, balanced life.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are...

In this episode, we talk about the art of giving feedback without insulting the person on the other side. From annoying AI sales emails to past craft show conversations, we explore why criticism hits harder than praise, how to offer support respectfully, and why a simple “thank you, but no thanks” can go a long way.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us creati...

Meredith has lived most of her life with angioedema, a condition that made everyday moments unpredictable and heightened anxiety over sudden swelling. The uncertainty fueled stress, while medical guidance was sometimes helpful and other times frustrating. Through remission, she’s discovered ways to stay calm during flare-ups, explain her condition to others, and maintain perspective, always taking serious reactions like anaphylaxis seriously. Even amid unpredictability, she’s found a balance of control, humor, and hope.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $...

Cassandra has had quite the two weeks, and she’s ready to share them with you. After not feeling well one Monday morning, a trip to the emergency room turned into an unexpected hospital stay. Here’s her story.

Also, discussed in this episode:

A1C (also called hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c) is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months.

It works by measuring how much glucose (sugar) is attached to your red blood cells. Since red blood cells live about 90 days, the test gives...

I had a moment at work when I felt watched and second-guessed, and I quietly wondered whether being 30 instead of 50 would have changed the way I was treated. That question opened the door to something bigger — the reality that while youth bias exists, so does the powerful perception of competence, authority, and steadiness that comes with experience. What I realized is this: when outward attention shifts, it doesn’t mean your value has — it just means the energy has changed. And your confidence in this season isn’t about being the most noticed in the room… It’s about being the mo...

Seek out a professional if you are feeling 'off' and keep advocating for yourself. Surround yourself with people who will offer support and encouragement.

As mentioned in the episode, here is what I was prescribed by my Midi Health professional:

Again, I am not sponsored by anyone mentioned in this episode; I am sharing my experience to help others.

More notes on this episode...

Some people go through life blaming jobs, food, partners, or circumstances without noticing they are the only constant in every situation. While we can offer support, repeatedly rescuing someone who refuses self-reflection only drains our energy and keeps the cycle going. Growth begins when we examine our own patterns, and peace begins when we stop trying to fix what others refuse to face.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, an...

This wasn’t really about an airplane seat. It was about how easily we give up our comfort to avoid social discomfort. How quickly politeness turns into pressure. And how often we absorb the consequences of someone else’s lack of planning because we don’t want to look like the bad guy.

What stuck with me wasn’t the smell of the bathroom, the broken recliner, or even the frustration—it was the realization that I said yes when I meant no. And that quiet resentment afterward? That’s your internal boundary alarm going off.

So if you...

In this episode, Meredith talks about how our brains love efficiency, so much so that they’ll pick one person and blame them for absolutely everything. We unpack why rumination feels productive but actually wrecks our nervous system, how these thought loops can ruin days (or weeks), and what it really takes to stop giving one person that much power over our bodies and moods.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equi...

In tonight’s episode, Meredith talks about a gas station that had her fully convinced it was the funniest place on earth... until she actually stepped inside. She unpacks how our brains build expectations, how disappointment lives in the body (not just our feelings), and why sometimes the nervous system decides, “Cool, we’re never doing that again.”

It’s an episode about projection, prediction, and learning to laugh at the signs without letting one awkward interaction ruin the whole vibe.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THA...

Sometimes your growth outpaces the room you’re in - and that doesn’t make you the problem. In this episode, we talk about the frustration of being underutilized at work, why it isn’t a reflection of your worth, and how to keep trusting your expertise even when it isn’t fully recognized.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating m...

Episode Highlights / Show Notes

What We Talk About:

Tips to Bounce Back:

By ‘Adult Time Out Chair’ I mean a quiet place where no one needs anything from me and I’m allowed to stare at a wall until my nervous system recalibrates.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of...

All episodes are based on true experiences, so please be kind.

“You should just relax.”

“You should stop overthinking.”

“You should look on the bright side.”

Most of the time, the people saying these things mean well. They’re trying to help, fix, or improve the situation. But intention isn’t everything — timing and delivery matter.

In this episode, we talk about the full circle of “shoulds”: the experience of being on the receiving end and what’s happening for the person giving the advice. We explore why these phrases land the way the...

Well shoot! Our audio was recorded through our laptop rather than the microphones, and we didn't encounter any issues during sound check - so this is an official rough, rough cut. Anyway, if you can put up with the sound, we talk about gift giving and receiving and why we may get a little anxiety during both.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us...