Should you be more confident? More vulnerable? Are you left behind by modern life? Or, do you turn to your pets for support? In part 2 of another sleepless night, D explores his own limitations as he contemplates these topics and others. Hope you'll join us.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 it's been only a minute 0:01:41 i feel better talking with you 0:03:57 shameless plug for uneven (uneven.life) 0:05:52 some of us talk, some of us listen 0:10:00 road trip / learning to let others' lead 0:13:19 listening in our group sessions 0:14:01 talking, listening, & finding balance 0:19:16 it's 3:41am and my brain is fried 0:25:25 projecting confidence vs. vulnerability 0:32:59 recording a podcast in bed 0:34:17 another brain cramp, memory, & recall 0:36:59 It's just a wave / acceptance 0:41:08 in praise of slowness 0:43:51 is technology outpacing evolution? 0:45:49 the benefit of pets 0:50:57 a bit about dehydration 0:51:43 a bit of deep breathing 0:53:31 a few closing words about healing & hope

REFERENCES

BOOK: "In Praise of Slowness" — https://a.co/d/0Y0qQ5Z — by Carl Honore

The Uneven Community — https://uneven.life — Life / Anxiety / Medication

VIDEO: "Bergen to Oslo Train Ride" — https://youtu.be/L3jQnCxrdKg?si=u139cRen0xO4asmY — 8 Hour video of a train ride from Bergen to Oslo in Norway.

VIDEO: "Monte Carlo, Monaco Walking Tour" — https://youtu.be/gCy1x1ncd0E?si=K78tjniPY0wLULjQ — Slow walking tour of Monte Carlo

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Sunday, May 11, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

Indecision. Isolation. Introspection. On another sleepless night, D contemplates the recent uptick of indecision in the BIND community, he explores chronic isolation and loneliness, and he even takes a stab at a mini meditation. Hope you'll join us.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 what it takes to record sleepless episodes 0:01:49 another sleepless night recording 0:03:59 the uneven community @ uneven.life 0:06:01 a sleepless night (insomnia / pain) 0:08:06 new member stories & expectations 0:10:26 learning from our members at uneven 0:11:12 the increase in indecisiveness 0:15:01 living with someone (built in control group) 0:17:18 indecisiveness & self-esteem 0:18:21 indecisiveness & relationships 0:19:40 when you can't make decisions 0:25:05 about live guided meditations 0:30:40 loneliness & emotional release 0:34:48 a mini-guided meditation 0:42:26 we're never truly alone 0:46:20 the two sides of confidence 0:49:26 always be humble & kind 0:50:55 helping others helps everyone 0:57:58 it's 3:17, and I'm not sleepy 0:58:56 in closing…

REFERENCES

The Uneven Community — https://uneven.life — Free 7 day trial. Check us out.

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Sunday, May 11, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

So, you're alone, you can't sleep, and the internet is down. Now what? Well, if you're like D, you'd record a podcast episode. Join D for another classic "ruminations on a restless night" as he explores anxiety, insomnia, and a bit about meditation.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 it's 2:31 am and i can't sleep 0:02:37 sleeping & not sleeping 0:04:23 dealing with covid and flu 0:06:14 keeping connected with your struggles 0:09:00 insomnia with no internet 0:12:48 dependence, discipline, & diet 0:14:31 finding alternatives / music / meditations 0:18:52 thought journeys / the what if scenarios 0:23:55 waiting for a reply (anticipatory anxiety) 0:29:00 a brief plug for uneven (uneven.life) 0:30:38 what was i talking about again? 0:31:40 falling asleep: the window of opportunity 0:36:06 maybe my insomnia will help you sleep 0:36:54 developing your anxiety toolbelt / meditation 0:47:43 wrapping things up

REFERENCES

An Uneven Life — https://uneven.life — Community dedicated to those struggling with life, anxiety,, medication.

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here, and it's here to stay. But what does this mean for humanity? Is it a blessing? A curse? Join D for his cautionary contemplation into the recent rise of AI. (BTW, no AI was used in the writing of this blurb — in case you were curious.)

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 good morning / lying in bed 0:01:40 moods & the podcast 0:02:01 update on the community (uneven.life) 0:09:32 my social media reluctance 0:12:17 uneven foundation / core group 0:13:52 ai & the atomic bomb 0:19:56 ai is popping up everywhere 0:21:11 this doesn't feel right 0:22:48 are we sacrificing humanity for convenience? 0:26:13 the exponential growth of ai is here 0:28:11 the loss of the struggle, the meaning 0:30:35 why would i write a book now? 0:31:16 taking a couple of steps back 0:34:26 how do we respond to? 0:38:27 a paper route and a moped 0:40:52 it's about the human connection 0:42:17 we still have choices / balance 0:44:14 the benefits of ai 0:46:17 a visit from my dog murphy 0:47:24 life is hard, and it's supposed to be 0:49:21 signing off

REFERENCES

uneven (the uneven community) — https://uneven.life — Join now for a 14-day free trial.

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Saturday, March 1, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

Managing your anxiety takes many forms? Taking responsibility. Releasing blame. Becoming a partner with your doctor. And, finding connection within acceptance. Wanna learn more? Join D for today's recording of unevenLive. I'll see you there.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 welcome 0:00:16 busy day 0:01:15 news from uneven.life 0:03:22 a bit about anxiety 0:04:19 we handle anxiety in different ways 0:05:33 the acceptance mountain, and the ride downhill 0:08:44 compassionate responsibility 0:10:29 taking charge of your anxiety 0:11:18 releasing control 0:13:31 responsibility & blame 0:17:14 becoming a partner with your doctor 0:18:11 our leadership team 0:18:28 doctors & medication decisions 0:20:47 I'll keep this short today (ya, right) 0:21:09 the uneven connection 0:22:00 just be real 0:22:57 it's only you, in your head 0:24:08 been a bit depressed lately 0:25:40 the joy inside the sadness 0:27:38 it all comes back to acceptance 0:28:54 a shout out to my team 0:30:02 you are not alone 0:30:51 wrapping things up

REFERENCES

BOOK: "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Claire Weekes — https://a.co/d/bSOjAIg — - Results of years of experience treating real patients with anxiety.

the uneven community — https://uneven.life — - Check us out with a 14-day free trial.

VIDEO: Taking Charge of Your Anxiety — https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/taking-charge-of-your-anxiety-101-anxiety-tips-4

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Thursday, February 6, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

Alexis Ritvo MD, MPH is a board-certified psychiatrist at the University of Colorado School Medicine, co-founder of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group, and lead author on the research study that introduced BIND. Join us for this illuminating conversation.

* Part 1 of this discussion was released on our sister podcast, "Benzo Free." Listen to it here: https://blubrry.com/benzofree/141330301/a-psychiatrists-perspective-w-dr-alexis-ritvo-part-1-of-2-benzo-free-141/

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 introduction 0:03:08 Dr. Ritvo's Bio 0:04:53 welcome back 0:04:59 complications of long covid 0:09:18 what are your thoughts on antidepressants? 0:13:57 prescribing ADs for benzo withdrawal 0:15:38 what about insomnia? 0:21:56 how to deal with morning cortisol rush 0:24:59 murphy says hi 0:25:43 are there any safe medications? 0:29:04 what do you recommend that aren't meds? 0:31:44 what about supplements? 0:38:55 do other medications hinder benzo withdrawal? 0:42:20 what is antidepressant tolerance? 0:45:23 do we fully heal from benzos? 0:48:02 how do you know when to hold during taper? 0:49:33 healing and hope 0:52:27 what are your thoughts on taper coaching? 0:53:34 closing advice 0:54:59 thank you to our guest 0:55:23 thank you and closing notes

ALEXIS RITVO, MD, MPH

Alexis Ritvo MD, MPH is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist. She is the Program Director for the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine where she is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. She earned her Medical Degree and a Master’s in Public Health in Health Policy from Emory University in 2012. She completed her general psychiatry residency and addiction psychiatry fellowship at CU before joining faculty in 2017. Since then, she has been a supervising attending of general psychiatry residents in the CU Medicine Outpatient Psychiatry clinic where she directs a co-occurring disorder subspeciality clinic. Her growing interest in the safe prescribing and deprescribing of prescription benzodiazepines led her to co-found the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse in late 2020. In 2022, she became medical director for the national non-profit the Alliance for Benzodiazepines Best Practices. She is the current chair of the Education Committee for the American Association of Addiction Psychiatry. She has a passion for psychotherapy, teaching trainees, improving health systems, and advocacy.

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Monday, January 13, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

What do we do about loneliness? About isolation? About the loss of the life we once knew, or the one that was yet to become? How do we find support and connection when we can't see beyond tomorrow? Join me, and we'll explore these questions together.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 welcome / studio changes 0:03:06 a little something different 0:05:00 free for all friday (on a thursday) 0:06:06 koosh balls and other distractions 0:07:29 loneliness & isolation 0:10:44 loneliness, my greatest fear 0:12:32 what do we do about loneliness? 0:15:20 difficulty making friends 0:16:05 the loneliness epidemic 0:17:02 complications from other medication 0:18:49 fluoroquinolones 0:21:20 loss & grief 0:22:14 the loss of someone 0:22:51 loss from medication / 5 stages of grief 0:27:23 finding purpose 0:29:01 finding connection 0:29:35 in-person connection / road trips 0:31:51 it's not going to stop me 0:33:38 tech issues / wrap up

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Thursday, January 16, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).

In today's live recording of uneven, we explore support sites and the debate over censoring content, we examine cognitive distortions and the drive to argue for our limitations, and we share our concern for recent victims of disaster. Join us.

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 welcome to unevenLive 0:01:28 news from uneven.life 0:03:24 california wildfires 0:04:28 ideas from the uneven community 0:05:31 growing our site and spaces 0:07:53 politics, divisiveness, and conversation 0:11:00 opinions about the opinion space 0:13:54 why we have spaces at uneven 0:16:23 learning from others 0:17:27 meeting people without pretense 0:18:41 back to opinion 0:20:11 sharing our struggles and symptoms 0:23:49 checking in on the chat room 0:24:56 looping thoughts 0:26:52 the looping "yeah, but…" 0:27:42 arguing for our limitations 0:30:38 the disadvantaged olympics 0:32:26 a good time for self-reflection 0:35:38 the idea of unevenLive 0:36:52 wrapping things up

REFERENCES

the uneven community — https://uneven.life — A support community for those struggling with life, anxiety, or medication.

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Thursday, January 9, 2025 — LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.unevenpodcast.com — EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com — YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

Welcome to “uneven,” a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In such a chaotic world, how do we better our lives and the lives of those around us? Maybe, just maybe, we might find a few solutions together. Join veteran podcaster D E Foster as he explores the intimate struggles so many of us experience — often in silence. I hope you’ll join us.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The uneven podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments, or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it.

Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you, or anyone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Resources can be found on our website at: https://www.easinganxiety.com/resources#suicide.

PODCAST MUSIC

All music provided / licensed through Storyblocks (https://www.storyblocks.com)

uneven theme music — TITLE: From the Earth — ARTIST: Humans Win — PUBLISHER: Lance Conrad (BMI)

PODCAST PRODUCTION

The Uneven Podcast is part of the Easing Anxiety network (https://easinganxiety.com) and is a production of Denim Mountain Press (https://denimmountainpress.com).