Can anxiety, depression, OCD and other mental health diagnoses be viewed differently?

In this thought-provoking and deeply respectful conversation, Dr Jodi Richardson sits down with psychiatrist, author and speaker Dr Fred Moss, who spent more than four decades working in mental health before challenging many of the assumptions that underpin modern psychiatry. 

Dr Fred shares why he entered psychiatry despite disagreeing with much of the system, what led him to question diagnoses and medication, and why he believes that communication, connection and self-expression sit at the heart of human healing. 

Together, Jodi and Fred explore:
Why Dr Fred believes there may be "nothing wrong with you" 
The role of anxiety as part of the human experience 
Mental health diagnoses, identity and labels 
Medication, therapy and differing perspectives on treatment 
The importance of communication and authentic human connection 
The "Moss Method" and practices that support wellbeing 
Creativity, self-expression and finding your true voice
Why suffering is a universal part of being human 

This conversation presents one clinician's perspective and is designed to encourage curiosity, reflection and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice.

Resources & Links

📖 Welcome to Humanity by Dr Fred Moss
https://welcometohumanity.net 

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
Website: https://drjodirichardson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson

Can anxiety, depression, OCD and other mental health diagnoses be viewed differently?
In this thought-provoking and deeply respectful conversation, Dr Jodi Richardson sits down with psychiatrist, author and speaker Dr Fred Moss, who spent more than four decades working in mental health before challenging many of the assumptions that underpin modern psychiatry.&nbsp;
Dr Fred shares why he entered psychiatry despite disagreeing with much of the system, what led him to question diagnoses and medication, and why he believes that communication, connection and self-expression sit at the heart of human healing.&nbsp;
Together, Jodi and Fred explore:
<ul>
<li>Why Dr Fred believes there may be "nothing wrong with you"&nbsp;</li>
<li>The role of anxiety as part of the human experience&nbsp;</li>
<li>Mental health diagnoses, identity and labels&nbsp;</li>
<li>Medication, therapy and differing perspectives on treatment&nbsp;</li>
<li>The importance of communication and authentic human connection&nbsp;</li>
<li>The "Moss Method" and practices that support wellbeing&nbsp;</li>
<li>Creativity, self-expression and finding your true voice</li>
<li>Why suffering is a universal part of being human&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
This conversation presents one clinician's perspective and is designed to encourage curiosity, reflection and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice.
Resources &amp; Links
📖 Welcome to Humanity by Dr Fred Moss https://welcometohumanity.net&nbsp;
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
<ul>
<li>Website: https://drjodirichardson.com</li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson">https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson</a></li>
</ul>

Our minds didn’t evolve for modern day life. It’s natural to feel anxious, but sometimes we can get stuck in a cycle of anxiety that gets in the way of, well, everything. If you’re looking for a compassionate place to learn how to dial anxiety down and get on with creating a happier life with more calm, contentment, meaning and purpose, this is the podcast for you.
Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to help you rise to the challenge of being human with the tools you need to thrive.


For education and entertainment purposes only.

Our minds didn’t evolve for modern day life. It’s natural to feel anxious, but sometimes we can get stuck in a cycle of anxiety that gets in the way of, well, everything. If you’re looking for a compassionate place to learn how to dial anxiety down and get on with creating a happier life with more calm, contentment, meaning and purpose, this is the podcast for you. Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to help you rise to the challenge of being human with the tools you need to thrive.
 For education and entertainment purposes only.

This is ‘Well, hello anxiety’, a podcast where we end the struggle with anxiety and build our toolkit of practical skills to thrive.

Well, hello anxiety with Dr Jodi Richardson

Anxiety happens. What happens next is what matters most. But where to start? And then what? And what if it's someone else you're trying to help? 'Well, hello anxiety' is the podcast where you'll learn answers to all of these questions and so much more. You'll finally see anxiety for what it really is, understand it, learn what the science says about settling it right down and how to help others as well. If you're looking for genuinely helpful, compassionate anxiety help, for yourself, or someone you care about, this is the podcast for you. An award-winning podcast Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to finally get anxiety out of the way so you can live the life that's waiting for you.



For education and entertainment purposes only.

Anxiety happens. What happens next is what matters most. But where to start? And then what? And what if it's someone else you're trying to help? 'Well, hello anxiety' is the podcast where you'll learn answers to all of these questions and so much more. You'll finally see anxiety for what it really is, understand it, learn what the science says about settling it right down and how to help others as well. If you're looking for genuinely helpful, compassionate anxiety help, for yourself, or someone you care about, this is the podcast for you. An award-winning podcast Well, hello anxiety is hosted by anxiety and well-being speaker, educator and bestselling author Dr Jodi Richardson. Through open and honest conversations Jodi and her guests share expertise, inspiration and practical strategies to finally get anxiety out of the way so you can live the life that's waiting for you.
 
For education and entertainment purposes only.

Why This Psychiatrist Questions Mental Health Labels and Rethinks Anxiety | Dr Fred Moss

Have you ever said yes when every part of you wanted to say no? Or laughed off a comment that didn’t sit right? Maybe you’ve said “I don’t mind, whatever you like” so often that you’ve lost track of what you actually want.

In this solo episode, Dr Jodi talks about fawning, the lesser-known fourth stress response that sits alongside fight, flight and freeze. Fawning shows up as agreeableness, helpfulness and keeping the peace. It isn’t a weakness or a conscious choice. It’s a clever survival response that kept many of us safe. For anyone who lives with anxiety, it may feel very familiar.

Drawing on Dr Ingrid Clayton’s book Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back, as well as other research and her own lived experience, Dr Jodi gently explains where fawning comes from, how it can follow us into adulthood, and how to start “unfawning” at a pace that feels safe.

In this episode:
What fawning is, and why it’s called the fourth F
How fawning is connected to complex trauma, and why it often begins in childhood
The difference between fawning and kindness, and the one clue that can help you tell them apart
Everyday signs of fawning, from the automatic yes to saying sorry when someone else bumps into you
How fawning and anxiety are connected
What fawning can look like in children and teens, and how parents can encourage kids to share opinions and disagree safely
Practical, low-stakes ways to begin unfawning
When and where to reach out for extra support

 

Mentioned in this episode:
Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves, and How to Find Our Way Back by Dr Ingrid Clayton
Pete Walker, the psychotherapist who coined the term “fawn”: Codependency, Trauma and the Fawn Response
Sarah Schlote: History of the term “appeasement”, European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Rebecca Bailey, Stephen Porges and colleagues: Appeasement: Replacing Stockholm syndrome as a definition of a survival strategy, European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Shreya Mandal: Demystifying the Fawn Response, Psychology Today

 

Support:
Your GP, to talk about a mental health treatment plan
Blue Knot Foundation Helpline: 1300 657 380
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Lifeline: 13 11 14
In an emergency, call 000

Have you ever said yes when every part of you wanted to say no? Or laughed off a comment that didn&rsquo;t sit right? Maybe you&rsquo;ve said &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind, whatever you like&rdquo; so often that you&rsquo;ve lost track of what you actually want.
In this solo episode, Dr Jodi talks about fawning, the lesser-known fourth stress response that sits alongside fight, flight and freeze. Fawning shows up as agreeableness, helpfulness and keeping the peace. It isn&rsquo;t a weakness or a conscious choice. It&rsquo;s a clever survival response that kept many of us safe. For anyone who lives with anxiety, it may feel very familiar.
Drawing on Dr Ingrid Clayton&rsquo;s book Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back, as well as other research and her own lived experience, Dr Jodi gently explains where fawning comes from, how it can follow us into adulthood, and how to start &ldquo;unfawning&rdquo; at a pace that feels safe.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What fawning is, and why it&rsquo;s called the fourth F</li>
<li aria-level="1">How fawning is connected to complex trauma, and why it often begins in childhood</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between fawning and kindness, and the one clue that can help you tell them apart</li>
<li aria-level="1">Everyday signs of fawning, from the automatic yes to saying sorry when someone else bumps into you</li>
<li aria-level="1">How fawning and anxiety are connected</li>
<li aria-level="1">What fawning can look like in children and teens, and how parents can encourage kids to share opinions and disagree safely</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical, low-stakes ways to begin unfawning</li>
<li aria-level="1">When and where to reach out for extra support</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/">Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves, and How to Find Our Way Back</a> by Dr Ingrid Clayton</li>
<li aria-level="1">Pete Walker, the psychotherapist who coined the term &ldquo;fawn&rdquo;: <a href="https://pete-walker.com/codependencyFawnResponse.htm">Codependency, Trauma and the Fawn Response</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Sarah Schlote: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2023.2183005">History of the term &ldquo;appeasement&rdquo;</a>, European Journal of Psychotraumatology</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rebecca Bailey, Stephen Porges and colleagues: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2022.2161038">Appeasement: Replacing Stockholm syndrome as a definition of a survival strategy</a>, European Journal of Psychotraumatology</li>
<li aria-level="1">Shreya Mandal: <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/bipoc-mental-health/202504/demystifying-the-fawn-response">Demystifying the Fawn Response</a>, Psychology Today</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Support:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Your GP, to talk about a mental health treatment plan</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://blueknot.org.au">Blue Knot Foundation</a> Helpline: 1300 657 380</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au">1800RESPECT</a>: 1800 737 732</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au">Lifeline</a>: 13 11 14</li>
<li aria-level="1">In an emergency, call 000</li>
</ul>

Fawning: Why We Say Yes When Everything in Us Says No with Dr Jodi Richardson

Does your tween or teen ask “why am I like this?” Maybe they freeze when given a simple task, fall apart after school, or feel like they’re “too much”. In this episode, Dr Jodi and author and educator Sharon Witt explore what’s really going on inside a neurodivergent brain, and how to help young people understand themselves, ask for what they need and thrive. Sharon’s new book, My Brain Works Differently, is a colourful, easy-to-dip-into guide for tweens, teens and the adults who love and support them.  

Dr Jodi Richardson and Sharon Witt discuss:
Why simple tasks can feel impossible, and how to help
Giving young people the words to self-advocate
Easing sensory overload at home and school
Rejection sensitivity and catching “thought thieves”
Seeing neurodivergence as a discovery, not a disorder

Connect with Sharon Witt:

https://www.sharonwitt.com.au/

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
Website: https://drjodirichardson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson

Does your tween or teen ask &ldquo;why am I like this?&rdquo; Maybe they freeze when given a simple task, fall apart after school, or feel like they&rsquo;re &ldquo;too much&rdquo;. In this episode, Dr Jodi and author and educator Sharon Witt explore what&rsquo;s really going on inside a neurodivergent brain, and how to help young people understand themselves, ask for what they need and thrive. Sharon&rsquo;s new book,&nbsp;My Brain Works Differently, is a colourful, easy-to-dip-into guide for tweens, teens and the adults who love and support them.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Dr Jodi Richardson and Sharon Witt discuss:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Why simple tasks can feel impossible, and how to help</li>
<li>Giving young people the words to self-advocate</li>
<li>Easing sensory overload at home and school</li>
<li>Rejection sensitivity and catching &ldquo;thought thieves&rdquo;</li>
<li>Seeing neurodivergence as a discovery, not a disorder</li>
</ul>
Connect with Sharon Witt:
<a href="https://www.sharonwitt.com.au/">https://www.sharonwitt.com.au/</a>
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
<ul>
<li>Website: https://drjodirichardson.com</li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson">https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson</a></li>
</ul>

My Brain Works Differently: Helping Neurodivergent Tweens and Teens Thrive with Sharon Witt

Have you ever left something to the last minute and promised yourself that next time you’ll start well ahead? Maybe there’s a task you’re putting off right now, and you can’t quite work out why getting started feels so hard.

It isn’t because you’re lazy, and it isn’t because you’re not capable.

In this episode, Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by Brendan Mahan, an internationally recognised ADHD and executive function expert, host of the ADHD Essentials podcast, and author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful. Brendan has given a name to the invisible emotional barrier that builds up between us and the tasks we struggle with, and once you understand it, so much starts to make sense.

Whether it’s you, or a child or teen you parent or teach, this conversation offers fresh language, a lot of reassurance and some simple ways to get moving.

In this episode, they explore:
What the Wall of Awful is, and why everyone has one
How emotions like disappointment and rejection build the wall, with anxiety holding it together
Why “just do it” doesn’t help, especially for young people
Simple strategies to get moving, from music and movement to body doubling
Why the wall never disappears, but we get stronger at getting past it

Connect with Brendan Mahan:

https://brendanmahan.com/

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
Website: https://drjodirichardson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson

Have you ever left something to the last minute and promised yourself that next time you&rsquo;ll start well ahead? Maybe there&rsquo;s a task you&rsquo;re putting off right now, and you can&rsquo;t quite work out why getting started feels so hard.
It isn&rsquo;t because you&rsquo;re lazy, and it isn&rsquo;t because you&rsquo;re not capable.
In this episode, Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by Brendan Mahan, an internationally recognised ADHD and executive function expert, host of the ADHD Essentials&nbsp;podcast, and author of&nbsp;Overcoming the Wall of Awful. Brendan has given a name to the invisible emotional barrier that builds up between us and the tasks we struggle with, and once you understand it, so much starts to make sense.
Whether it&rsquo;s you, or a child or teen you parent or teach, this conversation offers fresh language, a lot of reassurance and some simple ways to get moving.
In this episode, they explore:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>What the Wall of Awful is, and why everyone has one</li>
<li>How emotions like disappointment and rejection build the wall, with anxiety holding it together</li>
<li>Why &ldquo;just do it&rdquo; doesn&rsquo;t help, especially for young people</li>
<li>Simple strategies to get moving, from music and movement to body doubling</li>
<li>Why the wall never disappears, but we get stronger at getting past it</li>
</ul>
Connect with Brendan Mahan:
<a href="https://brendanmahan.com/">https://brendanmahan.com/</a>
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
<ul>
<li>Website: https://drjodirichardson.com</li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson">https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson</a></li>
</ul>

Why This Psychiatrist Questions Mental Health Labels and Rethinks Anxiety | Dr Fred Moss

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