In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I sit down with Michele from Canada to learn all about her journey with health anxiety. Michele shares how her experience with health anxiety began, how it shaped her, and how she’s learned to live alongside it with compassion (and a great sense of humour, too!)

We explore the impact of peri-menopause, the gaps in the medical system, and why common tools like meditation and breathwork don’t necessarily work for everyone. Michele speaks to the importance of intention, self-trust, and redefining what a “good” life looks like on your own terms.

This conversation had me in tears: from the moment we started chatting, Michele was someone I just knew I was going to adore. I hope this episode serves as a reminder that you’re not broken—and that even in the midst of anxiety, life can still be soft, joyful, and your own.

If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com. I would love to have you!

My Website - http://iamlaurenrose.com

My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenr_rose

My Book - https://www.amazon.com.au/Here-You-Are-Courageous-Relationship/dp/1401994415

Lauren Rose is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I talk about the quiet shame so many of us carry when we live with anxiety or panic. These are the parts we often try to hide—the intrusive thoughts, the body symptoms (dodgy bowels, hello 🙋‍♀️), the overwhelming emotions. But what if naming them out loud is actually what helps us heal?

Reflecting on my own journey with toilet anxiety videos and blogging about my mental health, I discuss how sharing our inner experiences, especially the ones we feel most alone in, can create powerful moments of connection and relief.

If you've ever felt like your anxiety made you un-relatable or unworthy of support, this one's for you.

As always, if you feel called to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com.

I would love to have you!

Lauren Rose and the Us Anxious Folk podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenr_rose

My Book - https://www.amazon.com.au/Here-You-Are-Courageous-Relationship/dp/1401994415

In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I sit down with Sarah from Melbourne, who shares her raw and honest story of navigating postpartum depression.

We talk about that emotional crash so many new mums experience — but for Sarah, it went beyond the so-called "baby blues." Despite a smooth pregnancy, strong support system, and prior experience with children, Sarah opens up about the overwhelming sadness, the sudden loss of appetite, and those confronting moments of wondering if she'd made a mistake becoming a parent.

Together, we explore what it feels like to not instantly bond with your baby, how unhelpful the societal expectations around motherhood can be, and why saying “this is hard” is sometimes the bravest thing you can do. Sarah speaks openly about the decision to stop breastfeeding, the lifesaving role her husband and community played, and the importance of seeking help quickly.

We also touch on identity, parenthood as a working mother, and letting go of the idea that motherhood has to look a certain way, including what it means to be a “good” parent—even when it doesn’t feel natural.

If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t sure where you fit in the chaos of new parenthood, or if motherhood hasn’t felt like the magical transformation people say it should be, this conversation is for you. It’s messy, unfiltered, humorous, and a deeply real conversation about identity, expectations, and mental health.

If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com. I would love to have you!

If you are struggling with an anxiety disorder, PLEASE don't be afraid to seek help. You can get help RIGHT NOW from Beyond Blue - call 1300 22 4636, or visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support?&gclid=CjwKEAjwkPS6BRD2ioKR7K245jASJAD1ZqHOKpibw-KeAuRr2anqlMlyC8Kg0qn04AeBkubgTE1xhBoCN0Xw_wcB