Fear can crush hope for victims and survivors who are trying to leave an abusive relationship. Deciding to leave and following through are sometimes two of scariest decisions that can convince them to remain in the relationship longer than they should. And in turn, abusers often weaponize that fear to maintain control. 

On this episode, Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project joins the conversation to talk about her appearance before the Texas Legislature advocating for new laws that better protects survivors. Heather also talks about her work with TAP and their available programs and FREE civil and legal services that help survivors safely exit a potentially deadly relationship.

New episodes on Thursdays. Find more info here.

On season five, Fxck Fear podcast host Catenya McHenry steps outside of the studio and records each episode on her Sunday nature walks with her family dog Brody. She opens up about what scares her most, from fear of a world where Trump is in charge to fear of dying before she can realize her dreams, fear of running out of money and so much more.

This new season also includes short YouTube interviews with strangers on the street where they answer the pressing question, 'what is your greatest fear?'

Watch the videos anytime and tune into new episodes on Thursdays.

"This politics of fear is played out over and over again, I'm so tired–of scaring people into voting, to building more prisons, in putting more police on the street, increasing sentences, even though we know, over and over again, the studies show, this isn't working," says Justin Brooks, criminal defense attorney and author.

Justin Brooks, professor of practice, founding Director of the former California Innocence Project and recent author of the book, "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" joins the podcast to talk about the politics of fear and the various ways fear is weaponize in politics to pass unprecedented and suppressive laws, control mass audiences, manipulate voters into making decisions and so much more.

Brooks now directs the LLM (Masters of Law) Program in Comparative Law in Spanish at the University of San Diego School of Law and his work with the Innocence Project has freed 40 innocent people from prison.

*Episodes on Thursdays*

Purchase a copy of "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" here

Many people are afraid to navigate the healing process for fear of being re-traumatized but as discussed in this episode, Fear + Healing, Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Founder of Body Psychology Ani Williams explains, healing is important to the mind, body and soul.

"We have to get into the body, dissolve the ego which is fear and have the courage to face that which hurt us," says Williams.

She also points out that healing requires work and if healing doesn't occur, unresolved stress and trauma can lead to negative impacts on one's health and wellness.

"Every single part of your body holds on to a different kind of trauma and if you do not heal from the trauma, then you cannot heal from the stress and it will cause disease," says Williams.

Fear + Healing is the seventh and final episode in the Fear + Divorce series. Listen to the Fear + Divorce series here.

*New Episodes on Thursdays*

Find Ani Williams at Body Psychology in Austin, Texas here

Grab a copy of Married to a Narcissist book here

Divorce does not always mean that it is over, especially if your ex-partner displays narcissistic behavior. Sometimes divorce means there will be carryover behavior and a fresh round of narcissistic abuse. Many times the narcissist will try new ways to inflict fear, even after your divorce is final. The difference now though is your response to the bullying.

"I was relieved to be out of the relationship but in the early days of my divorce, I was also experiencing fear–fear of the what the narcissists would do to stay relevant and engaged, fear of his continued attempts at manipulation and so much more," host Catenya McHenry admits in this episode. "But what I know for sure is, maintaining boundaries, healing and regaining my strength helped me manage my response and reaction."

"What I know for sure is, I am a new person after my divorce. Difficult situations happen as a chance for us to make change in our lives and it also gives a chance to heal and teach our children how to model better behavior."

*NEW EPISODES on THURSDAYS*

– Grab a copy of Married to a Narcissist Book here

– 7 Things to Anticipate if You're Planning to Leave an Abusive Relationship with a Narcissist. Read More

– Fear + Leaving a Narcissistic Relationship. Tune In

Multiple visits to family court, countless chaotic instances during visitation weekends drop offs and pick-ups and so much more, it became clear that healthy co-parenting with the narcissist was not possible.

In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks about her narcissistic ex-husband whom she describes as an anti-parent rather than a supportive co-parent who often weaponize fear to stay in control.

Reading excerpts from her book, Married to a Narcissist, Catenya speaks from personal experience about her difficult and traumatic experience of co-parenting with her ex-husband but advises her listeners about the importance of "staying above the fray" in order to achieve internal peace and sanity.

*New Episodes on Thursdays*

Navigating the family court system and negotiating custody issues, no matter where you reside, can be scary, stressful, a lengthy process and expensive. This fourth episode in the Fear + Divorce series is more like a free legal consultation as guest, Kim Vincent, a highly experienced and credentialed family lawyer in Texas offers tons of helpful information about divorce and understanding what to expect before your day in court. 

Host Catenya McHenry asks a series of common questions like how do you prepare your case when there's a narcissist or an abusive person involved? What information that you're collecting about your soon to be ex spouse is important to the court, how do you ease one's fear and anxiety, how do you face an abusive partner in court and so much more.

Catenya speaks candidly about her own horrible family court experience but together, she and Kim hope this episode helps a family find much needed knowledge, relief and peace.

Find free family resources here. Contact attorney Kim Wilson Vincent here

*NEW EPISODES on Thursdays*

Divorcing a narcissist is hell but navigating the divorce process is still better than the hell one endures in a narcissistic relationship.

Episode three in the Fear + Divorce series covers the layered stages of fear one faces while divorcing a narcissist, as told through the personal experience of host Catenya McHenry.

"I was afraid the narcissist would retaliate, which he did. I was afraid of continued verbal abuse, which there was more than anything, I was afraid of feeling deeply guilty for pursuing divorce in the first place– knowing there was no hope of continuing the marriage," says Catenya.

Reading chapters from her book Married to a Narcissist, Catenya recalls how fear kept her in the relationship five years too long. And she talks about the positive ways that fear propelled her forward into more peace and happiness.

*NEW episodes on Thursdays*

Article: 7 Things to Anticipate If You're Planning to Leave an Abusive Relationship with a Narcissist. Read more.

Book: Married to a Narcissist. Buy here.

Deciding to leave a marriage or relationship whether it's with a narcissist is a big decision and one that may come with fear, trepidation and anxiety, as host Catenya McHenry speaks about in this episode.

She tried for years to make it work. She tried not to leave. She did not want to be the one to make such an impactful decision that would end it all but ultimately she had no choice–she was fighting a losing battle. 

As she reads from her book, Married to a Narcissist, Catenya realized that if she stayed, nothing would change and the abuse would continue. "I was afraid that if I stayed, I would die and who would be there for my children?" 

Tune in to hear Catenya talk through the various stages of leaving the relationship, the ways that fear showed up and how she found the courage to exit.

*NEW episodes on Thursdays*

Sometimes fear is the force that keeps you in a bad relationship far too long. If you are thinking about calling it quits and filing for divorce, fear could also be the thing that's causing you anxiety and trepidation.

In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks from personal experience about the long list of fears she faced before she filed. She reads emotional passages from her book, Married to a Narcissist and she speaks candidly and honestly about how fear kept her in the toxic, narcissistic relationship five years too long. She was scared of a lot of things; how would she live, how would she raise her three children on her own, how would she survive, how would divorce negatively impact her children, and so much more.

Season 4 includes seven episodes about Fear + Divorce.

*Listen on Thursdays where ever you get your podcasts.

After a six-month hiatus to process, heal and deal with a sudden and unexpected death, host Catenya McHenry returns to talk about who died and how his death has impacted her life and the lives of her children.

In this very personal and vulnerable episode, Catenya sorts through a myriad of complicated emotions involving anger, joy and grief and she talks about why, more than anything, she feels a sense of relief. From being sued for full custody to a dramatic trial in family court and psychological abuse, she feels an enormous burden is lifted.

Catenya is not afraid to talk about the essence of release and relief and she talks about the experience of gratitude and peace– to finally be able to breathe.

*New episodes every other Thursday. Listen to other episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

This first episode of the new Fuck Fear season four explores fears one experiences before making the final decision to petition for divorce and explores the difficulty and fear if children are involved.

Host Catenya McHenry speaks from deeply personal experience as she reveals why fear kept her in the relationship longer.

Reading excerpts from her book, Married to a Narcissist, she reveals, "I stayed five years too long thinking I would be the one responsible for dismantling the family unit, and I was afraid that would be too much guilt to live with."

Vulnerability envelopes this episode as she talks about her fears, trepidations and anxiety during the decision-making process. Catenya shares how fear also propelled her to move forward with filing even though she was afraid of hurting her children.

"I was afraid that I might die an early death from crushing stress, and emotional turmoil and I realized there was no way I could continue to live that way. The divorce was my personal rescue mission."

**New Episodes on Thursdays*

Shop merch in the podcast boutique

Season 4 of the Fuck Fear podcast is coming soon. This season's theme is about Fear + Divorce. Host Catenya McHenry will speak from first hand experience of fears she faced before deciding to call it quits twelve years ago. "With the divorce rate still riding close to 50 percent, I thought it appropriate to talk about this very relevant and relatable topic and all the fears that one experiences, especially if you're divorcing a narcissist," she says.

Season 4 will shed light on not only fears prior to divorce but also during, post-divorce, how narcissists try to use fear as a weapon, custody issues, family court, fear of being re-traumatized, a fear of dating again, rediscovering yourself and who you are outside of the relationship, and ultimately, fears faced during the healing process.

Experts and others will join this season to share their stories in hopes of inspiring and encouraging listeners to be brave enough to find more peace and freedom.

Happy Birthday! February 22 marks one-year of the Fuck Fear podcast! It's been an amazing year of exploring fears, asking why, and giving listeners tips and strategies on how to conquer and overcome fear.

In this episode, host Catenya McHenry takes a look back on some of her favorite episodes and we count down the TOP 5 of all time. Can you guess which ones? Be sure to listen and then enter our Instagram GIVEAWAY.

"This is a heroic act and whistleblowers help justice reach places where it would never be," says Mitch Kreindler, whistleblower lawyer. From Watergate to Enron, Facebook, and Theranos, throughout history, whistleblowers have activated the demise of a company. Recently, the bravery of whistleblowers in the case of Elizabeth Holmes at Theranos led to her eventual conviction. But revealing inside workings and wrongdoings of a company come with great risk, anxiety, and fear.

Whistleblower lawyer Mitch Kreindler at Kreindler & Associates joins this episode to talk about why his practice is solely focused on representing whistleblowers and he gives insight about the abuse, emotional, psychological, and physical toll his clients experience throughout the process of deciding to blow the whistle on their company. "Find a way to bring down the giant," says Mitch.

Resources:

Whistleblower Protection Program

Whistleblower Revolution Podcast

Fraud in America Podcast

National Whistleblower Center

Blowthewhistle.com

*NEW EPISODES ON THURSDAYS*

Projection is a real thing and when someone projects their own fears onto another person, it can feel weighty. As host Catenya McHenry discusses in this episode, projection happens for many reasons. There are times when people are told by another individual, 'you can't do that, or you won't be able to make that happen,' It's not because they think you don't have the ability — they know you're able and capable and that's what scares them. The doubter is afraid of your success, afraid that you'll somehow be better than them, and afraid that you will outshine them. They are sometimes intimidated by your confidence. What they don't realize is that their doubt is your motivator to be greater, to do the thing they told you that you couldn't. In many cases their projection has less to do with you and more to do with their insecurities — and fears.

New Episodes on Thursdays

"Loneliness like joy and wonder, are all part of the human condition but we need to constantly care for our need to connect to others," says Shari Foos, marriage and family therapist at The Narrative Method.

In her practice and education, Shari says the topic of loneliness and the fear of being alone is something that comes up in nearly all her sessions with clients.

On this episode, Shari talks about the fact that every human being will experience loneliness at some point in life, how to prepare for loneliness in relationships, and how the pandemic has limited human connection, exacerbating loneliness. She also talks about how dating after divorce sometimes creates a fear of being alone and a fear of not finding true love and companionship.

*New Episodes on Thursdays*

If you scroll social media, failure is not something you see happening often but failure is something all humans face and not anything to be ashamed of. Yet, failure is real, existing in everyday life, but the fear of failure can sometimes keep people from reaching an attainable goal or even trying in the first place.

On this episode, Marika McHenry, sister of the show's host Catenya, joins the conversation to talk about her fear of failure as an entrepreneur and business owner. The two reminisce about their childhood where they recall failure not being an option in their household and how that upbringing affected them in both positive and negative ways as adults.

Marika also discusses how the fear of failure forces her to constantly perform under pressure- in extreme circumstances, and in a toxic work environment. She talks through how she kills the fear but how she's also learning to create boundaries and protect her peace.

*New Episodes on Thursdays*

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Power and control are two aspects of sexual assault that create fear, causing victims to stay silent about what’s happened to them. In light of the recent USA Gymnastics Nassar abuse settlement, the #MeToo movement, and so many cases that are underreported, this episode is extremely important!!

Host Catenya McHenry speaks with Yulanda McCarty-Harris, J.D., sexual assault researcher at the Institute for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. The two talk about the fears victims face before they decide to report, including fear of retaliation, and why some sexual assault victims believe a crime never happened and what to do if you have been sexually assaulted.

*New Episodes of Thursdays*

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The 3-part series continues with the final episode, 'how fear of losing yourself in a relationship negatively affects children' with guest Pam Benson Owens. Because we know how observant children are, Pam and podcast host Catenya McHenry talk about the importance of demonstrating healthy relationships and teaching their children how to choose a partner, how to create boundaries, and how to be brave enough to choose better for themselves in future relationships.

In part 1, Fear of Losing Yourself in Marriage, Pam revealed she keeps a 'getaway box' in the back of her closet that holds $1,000 cash and a Target uniform, in the event it's time to call her marriage quits. "losing yourself starts with giving up your last name," says Pam.

Part 2, Fear of Losing Yourself in a Relationship, looks at the detrimental affects of co-dependency in personal and professional relationships, and how those things contribute to a loss of self that's hard to regain.

Be sure to catch all three episodes

**New Episodes on Thursdays*

Shop merch in the podcast boutique