In this episode of the Modern Wisdom podcast, Chris Williamson interviews Dr. Russell Kennedy about the nature of anxiety and its prevalence in the modern world. Dr. Kennedy posits that uncertainty is a key fuel for anxiety, especially when compounded by childhood trauma and a lack of emotional repair. He explains anxiety as a cycle between an alarm state held in the body and worrisome thoughts generated by the mind, further tying it to the brain's default mode network. They discuss practical strategies for managing anxiety, emphasizing the importance of somatic therapy to address the alarm in the body, rather than solely relying on cognitive approaches. The conversation explores how anxiety manifests differently in men and women, the role of emotional expression, and the potential for healing and moving beyond past traumas.
