Every Day, I'm Brave: Renee Zukin On Doing The Hard Thing Even When You Are Afraid

Intrusive thoughts told Renee Zukin lies for decades before anyone named them OCD. She was diagnosed in her thirties, and built a life she loves anyway. For anyone told to trust their gut when their gut is the loudest part of the alarm. Every Day, I'm Brave: https://www.everydayimbrave.com | Work with Samantha: https://www.ocdinsights.com/workwithme | All Episodes: https://www.ocdinsights.com/podcast Episode 7 | OCD Insights About Renee Zukin Renee Zukin is an author, educator, and coach with more than 20 years of experience in education, writing, and entrepreneurship combined. A passionate advocate for mental health and conscious living, she blends her training in psychology, energy work, and writing as tools for self-transformation and empowerment. Her self-help memoir detailing her experience with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Every Day, I'm Brave: Cultivating Resilience to Gain Freedom from Fear, was released August 8, 2025, by Wonderwell Press. Episode Description Renee spent decades being told her fear was something else. Depression. Anxiety. Postpartum. It was not until the intrusive thoughts turned outward that anyone said OCD out loud. Samantha Bray, LCSW and Renee talk about what a late diagnosis really changes, where the line sits between looking at evidence and bargaining with OCD, why your capacity for brave things is different on a Tuesday than a Monday, and how Renee got back on a plane after twenty years on the ground. Connect With Renee Zukin Book: https://www.everydayimbrave.com Website: https://www.reneezukin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneezukin/ Connect With OCD Insights Website: https://ocdinsights.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OCDInsights Substack: https://ocdinsights.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocdinsights/ Be a guest or ask a question: https://www.ocdinsights.com/asksam You'll Discover - Why OCD is so often missed for years, and what finally makes it visible to other people - The difference between looking at evidence and bargaining with OCD - How to think about capacity, and how to drop the shame when today is harder than yesterday Timestamps 00:00 Cold open: when your brain is telling you lies 0:43 Intro: Renee Zukin and Every Day, I'm Brave 2:44 Diagnosed in her thirties after years of missed signs 4:27 When the thoughts latched onto food 5:44 The misdiagnosis and the doctor who listened 8:46 Resistance, quitting therapy, and micro steps back in 12:46 "Trust your gut" when your gut is the alarm 16:58 Discernment versus bargaining with OCD 21:30 Capacity: why some days are braver than others 26:16 The stories doubt tells 29:27 The toolbox: breath, music, and bare feet in the grass 36:04 The benefits outweigh the risks: getting back on a plane 44:23 Her mother's question that changed everything 51:16 Isolation, shame, and asking for help 57:32 Not healed, still practicing 01:01:36 Outro If any part of today landed for you, leave me the word PATH. Comment it on YouTube, reply with it on Substack or Spotify, or email it to [email protected]. I will write back myself. Tell me a little about what is going on in your world, whatever you are comfortable sharing, and we will look at what might actually help. Share Your OCD Story You can apply to be a guest and share your OCD journey, or send in a question to be answered on the show, written or as a short voice memo. Both live at https://www.ocdinsights.com/asksam (voice memos can also go to [email protected]). Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, or professional mental health treatment. If you are struggling, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. Music licensed through PremiumBeat. "Bubble Shot" Code: QTI4W2UFPIY8CCPI "Trust Yourself" by Kevin Sherman, www.kevinstunes.com © OCD Insights™