The Anxiety Encyclopedia cover art

The Anxiety Encyclopedia

The Anxiety Encyclopedia

By: Lorien Megill and Katharine McNally
Listen for free

About this listen

Co-hosts Lorien and Katharine talk about what's making them anxious, from bears to Botox and everything in between.Lorien Megill and Katharine McNally
Episodes
  • 129. C is for Carnival Rides
    Jul 8 2025

    Katharine takes Lorien on a spinning, potentially uninspected ride.


    Sources:

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling_carnival#:~:text=A%20traveling%20carnival%20(American%20English,after%20a%20period%20of%20time.
    • https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2022/07/carnival-ride-safety
    • https://nypost.com/2024/10/29/world-news/horror-moment-gondola-cars-detach-from-fairground-ride-10-hur/
    • https://people.com/11-year-old-reportedly-stuck-on-carnival-ride-20-minutes-8716075
    • https://www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/1977/Urgent-Warning-Issued-On-Zipper-Amusement-Park-Ride
    • https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/07/05/carnival-ride-tips-over-washington-oak-harbor/74309510007/
    • https://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/05/17/ctv.martin/
    • https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2016/08/24/424278.htm
    • https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-three-girls-injured-tenn-ferris-wheel-accident-released-hospital-n628836
    • https://www.nbc4i.com/news/no-criminal-charges-to-be-filed-in-ohio-state-fair-ride-accident/
    • https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/06/us/ohio-state-fair-ride-collapse
    • https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/risky-rides-carnival-workers-grueling-hours-may-threaten-safety-n186966
    • https://sdlawyers.com/the-dangers-of-fair-rides-what-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=Staying%20Safe%20on%20Fair%20Rides&text=Inspect%20Before%20You%20Ride%3A%20Observe,instructions%20given%20by%20ride%20operators.


    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • 128. R is for Running of the Bulls
    Jun 24 2025

    Lorien tells Katharine about the baffling human tendency to do danger for fun. (Also, as a fun little bonus: Lorien immediately says the very normal word "bull" weirdly and then spends the next hour spiraling and somehow saying it a little bit different all of the many times she says it.)

    Sources:

    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull
    • https://www.runningofthebulls.com/bull-runner-center/safety/?srsltid=AfmBOoqBg7P-QgNONFWhlM5-NGdB73f-TQuPsh7Xu89ZbN_kVbp-z2NH
    • https://www.runningofthebulls.com/
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_riding
    • https://web.archive.org/web/20040227232211/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0225_040225_TVbullrider.html
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfighting
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull-leaping
    • https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/06/05/he-loved-living-life-bandera-family-shares-memories-of-peter-de-luna-after-tragic-bull-riding-death/
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Fighting_Bull
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_of_the_bulls
    • https://adequatica.medium.com/hemingway-in-spain-6a9118d7dfb3
    • https://www.runningofthebulls.com/history-of-the-bulls/running-of-the-bulls-deaths/?srsltid=AfmBOopQPOehZB1_HmrRB2xTwyvBHPh5jrWTlHUZUZMK28fCrnP7WVcb
    • https://defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/MX-wolf-attack-data-infograph.pdf
    • https://www.runningofthebulls.com/bull-runner-center/official-rules/
    • https://www.sanfermin.com/en/running-of-the-bulls/things-you-should-know-before-taking-part-in-the-running-of-the-bulls/
    • https://www.sanfermin.com/en/running-of-the-bulls/quick-guide-what-is-the-running-of-the-bulls/
    • https://www.bullrunpamplona.com/blog/runners-guide-to-navigating-pamplonas-dangerous-bull-run-route/
    • https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/07/06/spain-running-bulls/455039001/
    • https://amigoenergy.com/blog/running-of-the-bulls-history/
    • https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2020/09/23/not-everyone-lives-tell-encounter-bull/3492958001/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 127. S is for Stranger Danger
    Jun 10 2025

    Katharine tell Lorien about a few crimes that shaped the collective consciousness. Lorien knows the names of more serial killers than she wishes to.

    Sources:

    - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_danger

    - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors_murders

    - https://www.salon.com/2023/10/21/what-80s-kids-also-remember-on-stranger-danger-satanic-panic-and-generations-of-trickle-down-fear/

    - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-25/etan-patz-milk-carton-kids-goes-missing

    - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-27/adam-walsh-is-abducted

    - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Adam_Walsh

    - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Johnny_Gosch

    - https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2023/12/us/johnny-gosch-missing-iowa-boy-cec-cnnphotos/

    - https://victimsofcrime.org/child-sexual-abuse-statistics/

    - https://books.google.com/books?id=krE1y1SC3uEC&q=9780470471944&pg=PR11#v=onepage&q=9780470471944&f=false

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins

What listeners say about The Anxiety Encyclopedia

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.