Unmasking Fear: Why We Seek the Thrill

In this special Halloween episode, we chat with LifeStance therapist Ed Collins, author of Fear Itself: The Nature of Fear and Its Value to the Human Race. Together, we dive into what really lies beneath our fears—why we seek out scary experiences, how fear connects to anxiety, and the surprising ways it can help us grow. Ed also shares how fear has shaped human survival and why it continues to fascinate us each Halloween season. It’s a thought-provoking look at the emotion that both frightens and fuels us.