By ‘Adult Time Out Chair’ I mean a quiet place where no one needs anything from me and I’m allowed to stare at a wall until my nervous system recalibrates.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life: Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.

All episodes are based on true experiences, so please be kind.

“You should just relax.”

“You should stop overthinking.”

“You should look on the bright side.”

Most of the time, the people saying these things mean well. They’re trying to help, fix, or improve the situation. But intention isn’t everything — timing and delivery matter.

In this episode, we talk about the full circle of “shoulds”: the experience of being on the receiving end and what’s happening for the person giving the advice. We explore why these phrases land the way they do and how understanding both sides can change the conversation.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life: Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.

Well shoot! Our audio was recorded through our laptop rather than the microphones, and we didn't encounter any issues during sound check - so this is an official rough, rough cut. Anyway, if you can put up with the sound, we talk about gift giving and receiving and why we may get a little anxiety during both.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life: Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.

If you’re listening to this right now, I’m really glad you’re here.

This episode is for anyone whose anxiety shows up uninvited, sometimes emotionally or physically, and sometimes in ways that make you think, wow… my body and mind really chose chaos today.

If that’s you, welcome. You’re in good company.

Today isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s not about optimizing, hustling, or becoming a brand-new person by next Tuesday. It’s about doing your best and remembering that your best actually counts.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life: Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.

We recorded this for our other podcast, The Clopen Effect, but thought this was an incredible interview that should be shared on both!

Judy and Holly are here from Home of the Sparrow! Here is their mission and some insights from their website:

"Home of the Sparrow’s mission is to provide Hope, Opportunity and Support that empowers women and children as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Home of the Sparrow opened its doors as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit homeless shelter in 1987. Today, Home of the Sparrow not only provides Transitional Shelter, but also Affordable Housing and Rapid Re-Housing combined with Supportive Services that address the core issues of homelessness. Home of the Sparrow serves single women, pregnant women and women with children. Approximately 70+ percent of the women we serve have experienced domestic violence at some point on their journey. Other reasons for homelessness include unforeseen housing or financial crisis, a death in the family, or a medical emergency. The economy and rising cost of living contribute to unstable housing situations. On average Home of the Sparrow receives over 1,700+ calls a year from women in crisis and helps an average of 400+ women each year. Tax ID 36-3494491"

Need assistance? Visit https://hosparrow.org/intake/

Origins & Why It Matters

1. The journey began in 1984, when McHenry County recognized that homelessness wasn’t just a city issue - neighbors right here were struggling. A church survey revealed a growing need, and the community began discussing real solutions rather than just sympathy.

First Steps into Action

1. In 1985, community members (yes, regular people like you and me) met over pancakes, recognized the problem was real, and decided to take action. Initially, folks weren’t sure how to help, but that spark launched a movement.

Shelter Opens

1. December 15, 1986: The first shelter opened — not fancy, but real, offering refuge to those most in need. It became clear very quickly that the majority of people they were helping were women and children—people often left out of the conversation, but never left behind at HOS.

Becoming an Organization

1. 1987: Home of the Sparrow officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, cementing its role as a key community resource.

This isn’t a static charity — it’s a community ecosystem that has grown, adapted, and expanded its reach:

1990s

1. They bought their current McHenry shelter site (1991) and launched the first Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store* in 1992, both milestones in sustainability and community engagement.

Expansion of Services

1. Over the next decade, they opened more thrift locations, expanded shelter capacity, and started affordable housing programs — turning temporary shelter into pathways to lasting stability.

2000s–2010s

1. Around 2012–2014, Home of the Sparrow began acquiring scattered...

Just because something felt loud doesn’t mean it mattered. Let's talk about it!

✓ Your real friendships didn’t disappear

✓ Your job didn’t vanish

✓ Your safety didn’t change

✓ Your income didn’t change

✓ Your reputation didn’t collapse

✓ Your access to joy is still intact

✓ You’re still allowed to take up space

✓ You didn’t lose anything that was meant for you

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life. Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge what we do have. Gratitude for health, stability, the ability to learn, and the opportunity to change direction when needed. Even if the next step isn’t obvious, the process still moves forward.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life. Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.

For mature audiences only, please! Meredith and Cassandra talk about some trending words (and some not-so-new ones), where they originated, and what they mean.

Disclaimer / Safety Guidance

• The trends, terms, and phrases discussed are observational and cultural, not substitutes for professional advice.
• If you experience anxiety, depression, or distress, seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional(therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, or primary care doctor).
• Social media can spread misinformation, encourage self-diagnosis, or amplify stress — it is not a reliable source for treatment.
• Step away from content and seek qualified help when needed.
• Your mental health is serious; trends are for conversation and awareness, not a replacement for care.

All the links: https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

We are so grateful you’re here. THANK YOU for your monthly support. Your $2 a month helps us cover editing tools, hosting fees, equipment costs, and the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to keep creating meaningful episodes for listeners like you. Your support truly helps us continue important conversations around mental health, anxiety, and the real, unfiltered parts of life. Support us here! https://anxietymakesmepoop.captivate.fm/support

Building Resilience in the Workplace course online! https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

Meredith's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CSF3812J/allbooks

This episode contains content that some may find emotionally challenging. This is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health support. If you are struggling with persistent or severe mental health challenges, it's essential to reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance and assistance. Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting positive changes. Seeking professional help is a proactive step toward overall mental well-being.

All original content, unless otherwise stated, and music written and performed by Anxiety Makes Me Poop.