In this opening episode of our three-part anxiety series, we begin with the most powerful first step in healing: naming what's happening.

Anxiety often arrives without language. It feels physical, overwhelming, and sometimes frightening. In this episode, Dr. Malorie shares her first experience with panic, explains what anxiety actually is in the brain and nervous system, and explores how shame quietly intensifies the struggle.

You'll learn why naming anxiety isn't defeat—it's dignity. And how grace meets us not after we calm down, but right in the middle of the storm.

If you've ever felt high-functioning on the outside but restless underneath… this episode is for you.

• What anxiety actually is from a neuropsychological perspective

• The difference between stress, anxiety, and clinical anxiety disorders

• How the amygdala and prefrontal cortex interact during anxious moments

• Why shame keeps anxiety stuck

• How faith and grace can interrupt the anxiety–shame loop

• Simple grounding practices you can use immediately

• Anxiety is a nervous system response, not a character flaw

• The amygdala acts as the brain's alarm system

• When anxiety spikes, the thinking brain temporarily goes offline

• Shame increases perceived threat and reinforces anxiety patterns

• Compassion calms the nervous system more effectively than self-criticism

1. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise when anxiety rises.

2. Practice a breath prayer:
   Inhale: "Be still…"
   Exhale: "…and know that You are God."

3. Journal this prompt:
   What might my anxiety be trying to protect me from?

Is what I've been experiencing lately stress, anxiety, or something that may need professional support?

If anxiety is chronic, overwhelming, or interfering with daily life, consider speaking with a licensed therapist or medical provider. Anxiety is highly treatable, and you do not have to carry it alone.

In Episode 2, we'll explore how to live with anxiety—how to work with it instead of against it, and how to stay grounded in grace when it resurfaces.

If you'd like to continue reflecting, subscribe to receive access to the Anxiety: Grace in the Tension Reflection Guide—a companion journal designed to walk with you through this series.

🔗 https://subscribepage.io/restored-reflection-guide

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe you may be experiencing clinical anxiety or another mental health condition, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

You are not your fear.
You are not broken.
You are deeply known and deeply loved.