In this special back-to-school episode Zack sits down with Mountain Valley’s Director of External Affairs and Enrollment, Everett Logan, to share practical strategies for parents whose teens are struggling with school avoidance and anxiety. Everett draws on his background as a teacher, school counselor, and leader at Mountain Valley to outline five key tips that can help families manage back-to-school stress: normalizing anxiety without enabling avoidance, managing your own parental anxiety, setting predictable routines, being proactive with plans, and looking beyond academics to support your teen’s overall development. Together, Zack and Everett offer real-world advice to help parents foster resilience, hold healthy boundaries, and prevent school avoidance from derailing their child’s year.

If your teen is anxious about returning to school—or you’re a parent looking for practical guidance—this episode is packed with insights to help your family approach the new school year with more calm, confidence, and connection.

Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from Dr. Harriet Lerner about fear and courage.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode Zack sits down with Patrick Cooke, Assistant Director of Studies at Knower Academics, to explore the powerful intersection of mental health and education. Patrick shares how the partnership between Knower Academics and Mountain Valley Treatment Center has created therademics—an approach where therapeutic goals are woven directly into academic work. Together, they discuss how anxiety and OCD often show up in the classroom, the impact of common accommodations like extra time, and how parents and educators can better support students without unintentionally reinforcing avoidance. Drawing from both his years as an educator and his experiences as a rock climbing coach, Patrick explains how lessons from adventure sports—facing fear, staying present, and building resilience—apply directly to helping teens and young adults navigate academic stress. This conversation offers parents practical insights into balancing academic progress with therapeutic growth, while giving their child the tools to manage anxiety long after school ends.

Zack’s Anxiety Hack- Zack shares an inspiring quote from life coach, Mastin Kipp.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this special live edition of the Fear Less Podcast, recorded at the 2025 Mountain Valley Reunion, Zack brings together alumni, parents, current residents, and staff to share powerful stories of hope, resilience, and transformation. Against the backdrop of a sunny summer day in Plainfield, NH, voices from across the Mountain Valley family reflect on their personal journeys—overcoming debilitating anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental health struggles—and the pivotal role this community played in their recovery.

From heartfelt testimonies of residents who once felt hopeless to the gratitude of parents who witnessed their children’s growth, the episode captures the unique culture of Mountain Valley: a place where courage is celebrated, vulnerability is honored, and connection fuels change. Through laughter, tears, and words of encouragement, each speaker reminds us that while fear may feel insurmountable, the right support can transform it into strength—and love.

Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote about love to help you Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.