The Panic Pod

About The Panic Pod

The Panic Pod is the podcast for anyone living with anxiety. Hosted by Joshua Fletcher (@anxietyjosh), psychotherapist, author, content creator and TEDx speaker. The show blends professional expertise with lived experience. Josh specialises in anxiety disorders including panic attacks, OCD, agoraphobia, driving anxiety, social anxiety and esteem-related struggles. Each episode offers evidence-based psychoeducation that is accessible, relatable and free from the noise of the wellness industry. Contact: info@theschoolofanxiety.com

Publisher

Joshua Fletcher

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Nov 2019

Latest episode

3 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

12 of 77 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   3 Jul 2026

   22. Existential Anxiety (and the Scary Thoughts!)

   In Episode 22, Existential Anxiety, we explore how anxiety latches onto the big, unanswerable questions about life, meaning, existence, and identity. These are thoughts that may not have once felt particularly bothersome, but once the threat response gets involved, they can begin to feel urgent and deeply unsettling. In this episode, we look at how anxiety drives a need for certainty, and how that need becomes a problem when it is directed at questions that simply cannot be resolved. The search for a definitive answer triggers a loop of rumination and checking, hijacking attention and keeping the threat response active. The more we chase certainty, the more the questions grow.Drawing on both my work as a therapist and my own experience with anxiety, this episode helps you understand why existential anxiety is not a philosophical problem to be solved, but an anxiety pattern to be recognised and stepped out of. Keywords:existential anxiety, need for certainty, rumination, intrusive thoughts, OCD recovery, Pure O, anxiety disorder, anxiety recovery, panic attacks, threat response, overthinking, anxiety therapist, anxiety podcast, existential OCD, checking compulsions

2. 

   11 May 2026

   21. Somatic OCD

   In Episode 21, Somatic OCD, we explore the experience of becoming hyper-focused on physical sensations, bodily symptoms, and automatic processes such as breathing, swallowing, blinking, or heartbeat awareness. We look at why these sensations can begin to feel intrusive and distressing, and how attention and monitoring magnify the obsession over time. In this episode, I explain the role of compulsions in somatic OCD, including checking, analysing, reassurance seeking, and attempts to force or control bodily sensations. We also explore why the more attention we give these sensations, the more prominent and threatening they can begin to feel. Drawing from both professional experience and lived experience with anxiety, this episode is designed to help people better understand the cycle behind somatic obsessions and begin stepping out of it. Keywords: somatic OCD, sensorimotor OCD, bodily sensations anxiety, breathing OCD, swallowing OCD, hyperawareness anxiety, intrusive thoughts, OCD recovery, Pure O, anxiety disorder, anxiety therapist, anxiety podcast, compulsions, threat response, somatic obsessions

3. 

   22 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   2. Perfectionism in Anxiety Recovery

   In Episode 20, we explore perfectionism in anxiety recovery and why trying to recover “perfectly” can keep you stuck. Many people approach desensitisation with rigid rules, constant self-monitoring, and pressure to get every step right. Ironically, that perfectionistic mindset often strengthens anxiety rather than weakens it. In this episode, I look at how perfectionism can show up in recovery behaviours, why mistakes and setbacks are part of the process, and how real progress often comes from flexibility rather than flawless execution. Drawing on both my work as a therapist and my own experience with anxiety, this episode helps you step away from recovery perfectionism and focus on what actually moves the needle. Keywords: perfectionism anxiety, anxiety recovery, panic attacks, exposure therapy, desensitisation, overthinking, intrusive thoughts, OCD recovery, Pure O, anxiety therapist, anxiety podcast, fear of failure, recovery setbacks, anxiety perfectionism

Inside a recent episode

2. Perfectionism in Anxiety Recovery

Published 22 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] How good am I at leaving that alone and doing what non -actress me would do? As a perfectionist, you fixates on things until they're right. How can I do the opposite of that? And that's the skill we practice. That's what lies underneath the principles of willfully tolerating anxiety and uncertainty. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

165 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

396 ratings

Contact The Panic Pod

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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