Two Anxious Girls

In this episode of Two Anxious Girls, we break down the truth about people-pleasing, and why it’s not a personality trait, but often a learned anxiety response rooted in hypervigilance, fear of conflict, and the need to stay emotionally safe.We also get real about something not often talked about: even therapists struggle with people-pleasing.In this episode, we discuss:Why is people-pleasing often linked to anxiety and nervous system patternsHyper-awareness of others’ moods and emotional statesFear of conflict and avoiding difficult conversationsThe belief: “I don’t want to be too much.”The emotional cost of self-abandonmentWhy people-pleasing can lead to burnout, resentment, and overthinkingHow to start setting boundaries without [email protected]@twoanxiousgirlspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are getting reflective and a little emotional as we talk about what we would say to our younger anxious selves.You know those moments… lying awake at night, overthinking everything you’ve ever said? Or those shower realizations that hit a little too hard?We explore what it felt like growing up with anxiety before we had the language for it, when everything felt like a catastrophe, and we quietly wondered if something was wrong with us.In this episode, we discuss:The anxious thought spirals we had growing up (and… still have sometimes)The belief that everyone else had life figured out except usHow anxiety can make everything feel urgent, overwhelming, and permanentLearning to replace self-criticism with self-compassionUnderstanding anxiety as a protective (but overactive) [email protected]@twoanxiousgirlspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, inspired by Shrinking, we are exploring the idea of a “depression diet”… and what we are calling the anxiety version of it too.Not a diet with food but emotional patterns that lead to restrictions. Because when you are struggling, something starts to shift. You might begin pulling away from things that once felt easy. Or, on the flip side, trying to control everything just to feel okay.In this episode, we discuss:What a “depression diet” really looks likeHow depression can slowly shrink your world, your energy, your joy, your connectionThe “anxiety diet”, overthinking, overanalyzing, and trying to control uncertaintyWhy are both anxiety and depression actually protective responsesHow these patterns quietly reinforce themselves over timeThe difference between a temporary low mood and something [email protected]@Twoanxiousgirlspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are having a more vulnerable conversation about the emotional reality of trying to conceive, the waiting, the uncertainty, and the quiet grief that often goes unseen.Dabby shares part of her personal journey with infertility, opening up about how excitement slowly shifted into anxiety, questions, and a deep loss of control. Together, we explore what it means to hold hope while also navigating disappointment, triggers, and the pressure to “stay positive.”We talk about:The emotional weight of uncertainty and waitingGrieving a timeline that doesn’t unfold as expectedThe loss of control and identity shifts that can come with fertility strugglesNavigating triggers like pregnancy announcements and social situationsHow to hold hope without falling into toxic positivityInfertility is often experienced in silence, but you are not alone in this.If you’re in a season of trying, waiting, or hoping, this episode is a space for all of it: the hope, the grief, the anger, and everything in between.Your feelings are valid. Your story is still unfolding.Disclaimer: Although we are therapists, this podcast is not therapy and does not replace working with your own therapist. This episode is for educational and conversational purposes [email protected]@Twoanxiousgirlspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disclaimer: Although we are therapists, this podcast is not therapy and does not replace working with your own therapist. Everything shared here is for general education and conversation only.In this episode, we’re breaking down anxious attachment, not from a textbook, but from real-life experiences.We are discussing:Overthinking textsAssuming someone is mad at youThe urge to ask, “Are we okay?”And what healing actually looks like (it’s not becoming a chill, unbothered person) If this resonates with you, please consider listening to this episode! [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disclaimer: Although we are therapists, this podcast is not therapy and does not replace working with your own therapist. Everything shared here is for general education and conversation only.In this episode, we’re talking about postpartum anxiety, what it actually feels like, why it often goes unnoticed, and why so many moms suffer in silence.We explore the difference between normal new-parent worry and anxiety that feels constant, intrusive, and overwhelming.This is a conversation about invisible struggles, intrusive thoughts, and the pressure to be a “perfect” mom, and why none of this means you are [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood can bring love, purpose, and connection, but it can also come with mental load, postpartum overwhelm, mom guilt, and quiet caregiver burnout that few people talk about openly. In this episode of Two Anxious Girls, we explore the emotional realities of modern motherhood, postpartum identity shifts, and the invisible labor that many mothers carry every day.This honest conversation normalizes the emotions that many parents experience but rarely say out loud.We explore:·       The mental load of motherhood and invisible labor·       Postpartum emotions, anxiety, and identity changes·       Mom guilt, resentment, and caregiver burnout·       Why many parents experience quiet emotional spirals·       The importance of support, rest, and shared caregivingTwo Anxious Girls is a therapist-led podcast exploring anxiety, relationships, mental health, and the messy reality of being human. [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Two Anxious Girls, we unpack a topic that hits close to home: the confusing overlap between body wisdom and fear responses.Because anxiety and intuition both show up in the body, it can be incredibly hard to tell the difference.We explore:• Why anxiety feels urgent, loud, and catastrophic• How intuition tends to feel calm, steady, and clear (even when it’s inconvenient)• How trauma and past experiences can train your nervous system to label growth as danger• Why over-analyzing can actually drown out your inner [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Two Anxious Girls, we unpack a topic that hits close to home: what happens when you understand the psychology but still spiral anyway.We explore why insight doesn’t automatically equal regulation, how the amygdala hijacks even the most knowledgeable brains, and why knowing you are safe does not always stop your body from spiraling.If this topic speaks to you, you are not [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are diving into imposter syndrome, not the “lack of confidence” version, but the deeper, quieter fear of being found out. The version that shows up as over-preparing, overthinking, , and wondering if your success is just really well-timed luck.We talk about:• What imposter syndrome actually feels like in real life• Our “anxiety resumes” • How anxiety often starts way earlier than we realize (and sometimes looks like personality traits, not panic)• The moment anxiety shifts from protection… to exhaustion• The reality of being therapists who know the tools and still struggle sometimesWe also share parts of our own stories, including the moments when anxiety became impossible to ignore and how it reshaped the way we understand ourselves.Plus, as always, we end with our guilty pleasures and anxiety wins of the week.If you’ve ever felt like you’re faking your way through life, questioning your own success, or wondering why anxiety feels so tied to who you are, you are not [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the person who always holds it together… can’t anymore?In this episode, we’re talking about the moment coping stops working, when the planners are full, the to-do lists stop helping, and the version of you that everyone depends on is suddenly exhausted. We mean nervous system tired. Soul tired. Done carrying everything tired.We dive into:• Why breakdowns often happen after the crisis• The fear and identity shift that comes when you’re no longer “the strong one”• What spiraling actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s not always dramatic)• The grief of losing the version of you who could handle everything• What actually helps when you hit emotional capacity -without toxic positivityIf you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I falling apart now?” ... this episode is for you.Because sometimes you’re not failing.Sometimes you’re just tired of holding things that were never meant to be carried alone. [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the thing that makes you look like you have it all together is actually the thing keeping you dysregulated?In this episode of Two Anxious Girls, we’re talking about high-functioning anxiety- the kind that hides behind productivity, overachievement, and constantly saying “I’m fine.” The kind that looks impressive on the outside but feels exhausting on the inside.We unpack how busyness can become a coping mechanism, why “having it together” is so socially rewarded, and how anxiety doesn’t always look like falling apart; it can look like never slowing down. If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, relied on being productive to feel okay, or wondered whether you’re driven or just anxious… this episode is for you.This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about naming what’s already there and realizing you’re not [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our very first episode, we’re introducing ourselves, how Two Anxious Girls came to be, and why two licensed clinical social workers still very much live with anxiety. We talk about motherhood, fertility, relationships, mental health, and the real-life stuff we don’t always say out loud. We also share what’s coming next, what to expect from future episodes, honest conversations, and plenty of nervous laughter. If you’ve ever thought, “Is it just me?” this podcast is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi! Welcome to Two Anxious Girls! We are Dabby and Kristina! Each week on our podcast, we’ll talk about life, work, motherhood, fertility, relationships, and all the chaos in between... from the perspective of two therapists who are very aware of their own dysregulated selves. Thanks for following our journey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.