#002: Harnessing Halloween to Transform Fear and Anxiety

10/29/24 • 17 min

Imagine confronting your deepest fear not with avoidance, but with curiosity and understanding. Join me, Zac Erickson, as I share my personal journey from grappling with a fear of the dark, rooted in unsettling sleep paralysis experiences, to embracing mindfulness as a tool for transformation. With a backdrop as spooky as Halloween, I recount how my academic insights in psychology and neuroscience helped me rethink beliefs in evil spirits, shedding light on fear as a protective response rather than a supernatural threat. Through a brave experiment of sitting alone in the dark after a horror flick, I discovered the power of mindfulness to turn discomfort into clarity and strength.
Explore how Halloween, with its playful scares and eerie charm, offers a unique stage for rethinking our relationship with fear and anxiety. In this episode, we explore how acknowledging fear instead of suppressing it, and engaging with it in controlled environments like haunted houses or horror movies, builds resilience for life's real challenges. Reflecting on how past experiences shape our reactions, I share insights on grounding and acceptance as tools to overcome fear. The excitement of Halloween isn't just about thrills; it's a chance to recalibrate and find joy in facing fear, ultimately fostering a sense of strength and resilience.

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#001: Unraveling ADHD: Insights and Strategies

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Unlock the secrets of living with ADHD as Zac Erickson, a registered psychologist and host of ADHD Real Talk, opens up about his personal journey and professional insights. Ever wondered how ADHD manifests differently in adults versus children or how to tackle procrastination head-on? Zac’s candid reflections and stories promise to shed light on these questions, offering a fresh perspective on navigating life with ADHD.
This episode takes you through the nuances of ADHD subtypes, from hyperactive/impulsive to inattentive, and how they uniquely impact individuals. With relatable anecdotes and expert knowledge, Zac paints a vivid picture of the daily challenges and triumphs faced by those with ADHD. Whether you're struggling with organization or impulsive decisions, you'll find valuable takeaways to help manage these symptoms more effectively.
Join Zac as he delves into the intricate world of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder, exploring its overlap with anxiety and depression. Learn why understanding your brain's wiring is crucial to managing ADHD and how early diagnosis can make a world of difference. Grab this opportunity to engage, ask questions, and be part of an interactive podcast experience designed to empower and inform. Tune in and transform your understanding of ADHD today.

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#003: Harnessing AI: Empowering ADHD Management Strategies

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What if AI could be the secret weapon for managing ADHD? Join me, Zac Erickson, as I have an entruiging conversation with a robot! Along with my AI guest, ChatGPT, we explore this fascinating question in our latest episode of ADHD Real Talk. Discover how large language models like ChatGPT are becoming allies in tackling executive functioning challenges, offering practical support in organizing tasks and thoughts. With the help of major tech players like Apple, Google, and OpenAI, AI is woven into our daily lives, yet it's not without its quirks and concerns. We dive into the realities of AI's limitations, including the fears of job replacement and the unpredictability of AI outputs. Plus, catch an experimental segment with a special guest, where we put AI to the test in real-time.
In the second half of our discussion, we shift focus to the delicate balance between AI assistance and human connection, especially in a world dominated by technology. Learn how to integrate AI tools into your daily routine to support organization and time management without overshadowing genuine human interactions. We'll share practical tips for getting started with AI, highlight its strengths in brainstorming and organizing, and emphasize responsible use. Stick around for a special resource I've prepared just for you, accessible in the show notes—a step toward empowering you to harness AI effectively, while keeping the human touch alive.

ADHD Real Talk - with Zac Erickson - #002: Harnessing Halloween to Transform Fear and Anxiety

Transcript

Zac00:00:42.250

Hello everyone , welcome to a very special episode of the ADHD Real Talk Podcast . My name is Zac Erickson and I am a psychologist practicing in private practice in Edmonton , alberta ,

Zac00:00:56.870

and I am super excited about something really .

Zac00:01:02.731

Today I am recording this . It is October 29th and I have another episode