Beyond Comfort

Welcome to Beyond Comfort's SEASON FINALE: Knight in Nervous Armour. In this special episode, Michelle and Elle head to Medieval Times in Toronto to put their social anxiety to the ultimate test. Running late, overwhelmed by the loud atmosphere, and anxious about eating with their hands, they navigate jousts, falcons, and awkward interviews with knights. Despite moments of overstimulation and discomfort, they find joy in the spectacle, bond with friends, and reflect on how the experience pushed their comfort zones. They close the episode grateful for the growth they've made this season and invite listeners to follow them and share their own "Beyond Comfort" moments while teasing what's next for season two.

Beyond Comfort hosts, Michelle and Elle, know each other quite well, but in this episode, they want you to get to know them and their anxiety a little bit better. After nine weeks of Beyond Comfort, the girls reflect on their podcast journey, sharing what they’ve learned about anxiety, anticipation, and pushing past comfort zones. Highlights include a proud interview with Loud Luxury, the chaotic first episode at a comedy club, and a playful game with guest Dance McGee  called “How Well Do You Know Your Friend’s Anxiety?” Through stories of doorbell panic, public speaking fears, and social coping strategies, they show how forcing themselves to show up often turned dread into fun. Listeners are invited to connect on Instagram, try the game with friends, and tune in for the season finale and more in season two.

For the past two episodes, hosts Michelle and Elle have been delving into the complex realities of how women feel about and interact with their social media identity. In today's episode, they take it a step further and get a new perspective in their interview with PhD candidate Victoria Kratel. The women discuss digital disconnection, the tension between curated social media identities and the real self, and why young women seek balance online and offline. The episode explores research findings, practical detox tactics (like off-times and unfollowing), context collapse, and a simple challenge to reclaim control over your digital presence.

Ever think about putting your group chat messages on your Instagram story? Well, in this episode, hosts Michelle and Elle do just that. The girls team up with friends to test their comfort zones by posting eight spontaneous Instagram stories in one day, revealing the tension between curated personas and everyday reality. The episode explores how social anxiety, public perception, and generational norms shape online identity, shares personal reactions to the challenge, and encourages listeners to try authentic posting and reflect on their relationship with social media.

Hosts Michelle and Elle explore the disconnect between our social media personas and our real selves, discussing how curation, anxiety, comparison, and mood shape the way we view our own images. They share interviews with young women about their online identities and how posts can feel like an altered version of life.   Join in on the conversation and consider how you interact with and feel about your social media identity. 

Hosts Michelle and Elle tackle the last items on their summer bucket list as a way to confront social anxiety. They try a Muskoka run club, gather for a group dinner, and brave a loud Summer House trivia night. Along the way they reflect on summer pressures, how movement and social connection affect anxiety, and invite listeners to finish their own bucket lists or join them for a fall one.

On this episode of Beyond Comfort, hosts Michelle and Elle travel to Las Vegas for two birthdays and explore their anticipatory anxiety, social battery limits, and the challenges of travelling in a big party group. They explore how their drive to test the bounds of their anxiety got them an exclusive interview with Loud Luxury DJ Andrew Fedyk, and share how they handled 5 days in Sin City—setting boundaries, listening to their bodies, moderating alcohol, and using mantras.

Hosts Michelle and Elle travel to Port Carling, Muskoka, where they push their social anxiety by attending a David Wilcox concert, trying new activities like a shot ski, pickleball, wake surfing, and more. The episode covers both fun moments—dancing, family outings, and outdoor sports—and a tense confrontation on the bus with a disrespectful bachelor party. Through these experiences, they reflect on managing anxiety, exposure exercises, and the value of supportive friends while setting goals for continued growth beyond comfort.

Join us this week as we break out of our comfort zones in the bustling streets of downtown Toronto, embarking on an anxiety-inducing adventure to a vibrant darty. Discover how an unexpected invitation leads us to confront our social fears and embrace spontaneity in the midst of a lively event. Experience the highs and lows of mingling with strangers, engaging in playful social challenges, and the thrill of unplanned encounters with familiar faces from the past. This episode dives deep into the awkward yet exhilarating reality of pushing past social nerves, crafting memorable moments, and learning to go with the unpredictable flow of the night. Whether you're someone who shies away from crowds or thrives on late-night spontaneity, this episode offers a relatable journey through the daunting yet rewarding experience of tackling social events head-on.

Join hosts Michelle and Elle as they step out of their comfort zones in the first episode of "Beyond Comfort." This time, they're heading to a stand-up comedy show, a scenario that sends their social anxiety into overdrive, especially when Elle is running late. Listen to their journey as they navigate the stress of being called out in public, meet strangers, and delve into what social anxiety means to them while setting goals to overcome it. The episode follows them into the heart of the Comedy Bar in Toronto, unraveling a night filled with unexpected surprises, engaging comics, and a few glasses of liquid courage. Hear how they tackle each anxiety-inducing moment and eventually have a night filled with laughter and personal growth. By sharing their raw experiences, Michelle and Elle highlight the relatable struggles of social anxiety and offer insights into overcoming it through exposure therapy and setting personal goals. With a mix of humor and honesty, they invite listeners to challenge themselves too.

Welcome to Beyond Comfort: The Social Anxiety Podcast! Beyond Comfort is all about testing the limits of social anxiety. Join hosts Michelle and Elle as they delve into the complexities of social anxiety by going to events, exploring their anxious thoughts, and ultimately try to go Beyond Comfort.  Stay updated with their adventures and join the ongoing conversation by following them on Instagram @beyondcomfortpodcast. Tune in every Monday at 7:00 pm EST for a candid chat that promises inspiration and a few laughs! We are so happy that you're here, and we can't wait for you to see what we have in store this season.