Best Succeed Despite The Odds Podcasts (2025)

1
Coming Out: Stories about sharing one's identity 27:31

1d ago27:31

27:31

In celebration of Pride Month, we’re sharing two stories about coming out with the help of science. Part 1: After years of struggling with their gender identity, Parker Sublette finds inspiration in marine life. Part 2: Bullied as a kid for the sound of his voice, Garret Glinka begins to reclaim his confidence thanks to biology class. Parker Sublet…

1
How to Boost Your Child’s Confidence While Navigating Anxiety or Child OCD with Sharon West 1:03:02

4d ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Confidence can take a major hit when a child is struggling with OCD or anxiety. In this episode, I sit down with teen coach Sharon West to explore how we can nurture self-confidence in our kids—even as they battle intrusive thoughts, worry, and fear. Sharon shares insights from her 15+ years working with teens—as a life coach, foster mom, youth lea…

1
Pseudoscience: Stories about scientific misinformation 30:26

9d ago30:26

30:26

This week’s special episode—produced in partnership with Challenging Pseudoscience, at the Royal Institution, with support from the Open Society Foundation—features two storytellers who share just how easy it is to fall for scientific misinformation, and how difficult it can be to find your way back. Part 1: When Lydia Greene’s infant daughter has …

1
Tiffany Jenkins on Parenting with Anxiety, OCD and Depression 52:52

11d ago52:52

52:52

Tiffany Jenkins has been the authentic face of mental health struggles on the internet for years. She offers a candid, raw and often humorous view on her struggles of sobriety and mental health, helping normalize these issues for millions of people. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to have Tiffany back on the AT Parenting Survival Podcast to …

1
Best of Story Collider: Celebrating 15 Years 28:13

15d ago28:13

28:13

To kick off our big 15 year anniversary celebration, we’re re-sharing two stories from the storytellers you, the fans, voted as your favorite stories. And the best part? You can see these storytellers, along with the other fan favorites, take the stage live on June 3, 2025, at Caveat in New York City during our special anniversary show and fundrais…

1
Child OCD vs Autism: Understanding the Key Differences 32:11

18d ago32:11

32:11

Is it autism or OCD? Sometimes the behaviors can look so similar, it’s hard to tell. In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I break down the key differences between autism and child OCD — and why understanding the distinction is crucial for getting the right support. You’ll learn: Why repetitive behaviors show up in both autism and O…

1
Moving On: Stories about letting go of a relationship 30:37

22d ago30:37

30:37

Some relationships stand the test of time—others unravel. In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers explore what it means to heal, let go, and move forward. Part 1: Stuck in a monsoon on Kauai, Belinda Fu unintentionally ruins a friendship with a classmate. Part 2: Matt Storrs blames a dinosaur scientist’s theory for the end of his marriage.…

1
Avoid These 4 Communication Stoppers When Helping a Child with OCD 46:44

25d ago46:44

46:44

When you’re trying to support a child with OCD, communication is everything. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, we accidentally shut it down. In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I’ll walk you through four common OCD communication stoppers—like punishing, over-rationalizing, or jumping straight into coaching—and explain …

1
Hyperfixation: Stories about intense focus 31:54

29d ago31:54

31:54

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers become extremely fixated on something very specific. Part 1: After being diagnosed with breast cancer and opting for bilateral mastectomies, Jenna Dioguardi becomes beholden to her cancer to-do list. Part 2: As an 11-year-old kid, Luke Strathmann makes it his life mission to get rich off of Beanie Ba…

1
PSP 418: A Game Changer for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD 35:35

1M ago35:35

35:35

Raising a child with anxiety or OCD can feel incredibly isolating. Parents often find themselves without the support, education, or guidance they desperately need. In this episode, I’m diving into the three key areas where parents struggle most—and how my AT Parenting Community is designed to fill those gaps. Here’s what we cover in this episode: T…

1
A Mother's Love: Stories honoring mothers 32:44

1M ago32:44

32:44

In honor of Mother’s Day, both of our storytellers share stories about their unique relationships with their moms. Part 1: Rita Rigano always had a complicated relationship with her mother, and it becomes even more fraught when her mother’s dementia worsens. Part 2: In the midst of writing her PhD dissertation, Jordyn Rice embarks on one last road …

1
PSP 417: The Power of Pause: Teaching Kids to Delay OCD Responses (and Why It Works) 33:45

1M ago33:45

33:45

OCD thrives on urgency. The faster your child reacts to an intrusive thought, the more powerful OCD becomes. But what if your child learned to pause—even for a few seconds—before doing an OCD compulsion? In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to introduce the concept of “delay” as a gentle, approachable first step in helping your child take bac…

1
Missing Pieces: Stories about an unremembered friendship 20:59

1M ago20:59

20:59

In this week’s episode, Thomas Dixon and Rachel Robinson manage to build a friendship, despite not remembering the exact moments they shared. Thomas Dixon is the author of "I'm Sorry... That's Awesome!: Inventing a Solution for Memory Loss", and the inventor of ME.mory (a digital memory mobile application/service). Thomas was running when struck by…

1
PSP 416: Groundbreaking Study on Virtual ERP for Kids with OCD – with Dr. Sara Conley from NOCD 31:20

2M ago31:20

31:20

In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sara Conley, a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical manager at NOCD, to discuss a groundbreaking new study on virtual Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for children and teens with OCD. We explore the study’s powerful findings—including a 37.3% median reduc…

1
Best of Story Collider: Justice 37:43

2M ago37:43

37:43

This week we present two stories from people who stood up against a system eager to tear them down. Part 1: After a car crash alters Emily Winn's life forever, she must relive the trauma when she testifies in a deposition. Part 2: Geneticist C. Brandon Ogbunu contemplates the role race has played in his academic career after he is confronted by the…

1
PSP 415: When OCD Looks Like Oppositional Behavior: Understanding Hidden Compulsions 37:22

2M ago37:22

37:22

If your child refuses to shower, melts down over clothing, or avoids homework, you might assume they’re being defiant. But what if it’s actually OCD driving their behavior? In this episode of the AT Parenting Survival Podcast for Anxiety and OCD, I break down how OCD-driven avoidance and compulsions can look like oppositional behavior—and why this …

1
Freak Accident: Stories about highly unusual incidents 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

In this week’s episode, both our storytellers’ lives are altered by an unexpected mishap. Part 1: When teenage Ron Hart accidentally walks through a glass door, he lands in the ER on the worst possible day: a tornado drill. Part 2: After a car accident leaves all of her teeth bent inward, Di Cai begins to rethink her life as a scientist. Ron Hart i…

1
PSP 414: How to Handle OCD Meltdowns Without Making Them Worse 35:53

2M ago35:53

35:53

If your child has OCD, you’ve likely witnessed an OCD-driven meltdown—intense distress triggered by an intrusive thought, fear, or the inability to complete a compulsion. These meltdowns can be overwhelming for both you and your child. And while it’s natural to want to soothe their anxiety in the moment, some responses can unintentionally reinforce…

1
Breaking Barriers: Stories about succeeding despite the odds 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share tales of persistence and beating the odds in order to pursue their scientific dreams. Part 1: Determined to become an academic, Rajyashree Sen must take on a broken system to secure a spot in a PhD program in Vienna. Part 2: Josh Barber dreams of studying fish, but when his father goes to jail …

1
PSP 413: When Your Child’s OCD & Anxiety Turn Into School Avoidance 53:05

2M ago53:05

53:05

Anxiety and OCD can abruptly put the brakes on our children’s education.This is one of the most disruptive and concerning aspects of our children’s OCD or anxiety. It is a slippery slope that can gain momentum and get out of control rather quickly. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I explore how to identify the core fear around school r…

1
#64 Charlotte Storey - Two-Handed World 45:27

2M ago45:27

45:27

In the final episode of our series, we continue with Charlotte Storey for a heartfelt conversation about the two-handed world we live in. Charlotte opens up about her personal experiences she has had travelling with her disability, sharing the challenges and perils she's faced along the way. With unwavering courage, she reflects on the deep hope sh…

1
Not The One: Stories about ill-fated partners 29:30

2M ago29:30

29:30

Some people are meant to be together—but in this week’s episode, our storytellers discover they’re definitely not a match made in heaven. Part 1: When Mark Pitzer gets splashed with methyl cyanide, he turns to his new girlfriend in hopes of comfort. Part 2: Hoping to impress his scientist date, Adam Selbst plans the perfect outing: the Central Park…

1
PSP 412: Improving Our Child’s Life with OCD with Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz 47:48

2M ago47:48

47:48

How do we help our children with OCD have a better quality of life? Our child’s OCD is more than just Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. It is more than just their intrusive thoughts and their compulsions. How do we help them with self-esteem? The feeling of guilt and shame? The struggles of navigating school and family relationships? In D…

1
#63 Charlotte Storey - Inner Assassin 27:32

3M ago27:32

27:32

In this episode Harriett sits down with our final guest of the season, the remarkable Charlotte Storey, to discuss her incredible storey beginning in the West End. Charlotte shares how she learned to own the stage before she developed her musical talent, specializing in the baritone saxophone. Charlotte opens up about how her path took an unexpecte…

1
Best of Story Collider: Fight or Flight 34:39

3M ago34:39

34:39

This week, we present two stories about confronting threats -- whether it’s actual physical danger or a threat to your career. Part 1: Climate scientist Kim Cobb is exploring a cave in Borneo when rocks begin to fall. Part 2: Neurobiologist Lyl Tomlinson is startled when he's accused of stealing cocaine from his former lab. Kim Cobb is a researcher…

1
PSP 411: When Your Child’s OCD Says a Loved One is Contaminated 38:11

3M ago38:11

38:11

There is nothing more disruptive and upsetting than OCD latching on to a loved one. Contamination isn’t just about germs - it can be about people, people our kids love. Families get thrown into chaos when OCD decides a parent or sibling is the source of contamination. Out of all themes, this one has the power to upend the entire family. In this wee…

1
#62 Delphine Legat - Rejection, Redirection 34:09

3M ago34:09

34:09

In part 2, Delphine Legat joins host Harriett Pound to dive deep into the psychology of burnout and stress. Delphine opens up about the powerful mindset shifts that can help you manage daily stressors, find balance, and seize opportunities in life. She emphasizes the importance of failing regularly and using rejection as a tool for redirection, enc…

1
Loss for Words: Stories about troubles communicating 35:13

3M ago35:13

35:13

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers struggle to get the right words out. Part 1: After living with a stutter all her life, Sara Street thinks coding might be the solution to her communication problems. Part 2: Electrical engineer Anna Fox longs to share her work with her family, but struggles with how to explain it. Sara Street has liv…

1
PSP 410: Helping Your Child with OCD or Anxiety When They Feel Hopeless 40:45

3M ago40:45

40:45

Struggling with Anxiety and OCD can make kids feel hopeless. Hopelessness can lead to depression and a lack of motivation to work on their issues. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast I explore what causes hopelessness in our kids with OCD and anxiety and what we can do to help them navigate those emotions. 📍 Come visit me in Arizona this w…

1
#61 Delphine Legat - Habit Stacking 40:02

3M ago40:02

40:02

In this episode, guest Delphine Legat explains how she became a psychologist , confidence and performance coach. Hear how her childhood and education helped her find her voice which became useful when she started a corporate role. After years of hard work and experiencing burn-out first hand, she broke away from the mould and turned her efforts to …

1
Spiritual Crossroads: Stories about conflicting beliefs 31:32

3M ago31:32

31:32

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers explore what happens when belief systems collide—and how science and empathy can help bridge the divide. Part 1: Neuroscientist Lauren Vetere is excited to see if real life will mimic science at an interfaith event. Part 2: Growing up as a devout Jew, Fred Gould’s relationship with God is shaken by e…

1
PSP 409: When You See Anxiety or OCD in Others Kids 34:51

3M ago34:51

34:51

As you become more educated about anxiety and OCD, you most likely will start seeing it all around you. It can be hard to stomach seeing a child struggling with anxiety or OCD, especially if their parents aren’t aware of what they are truly dealing with. So what do you do in those situations? I actually get asked that question more often than you m…

1
#60 Arthur Williams - Cubbing Around 29:24

3M ago29:24

29:24

Listen in for the second part of Arthur Williams' insightful chat with Harriett. Hear how Arthur combined his passion for aviation and television into an epic career. From presenting at the 2012 Paralympics to hosting shows from around the world, Arthur reflects on how these experiences have shaped his life and work. Now part of the Farm Strip Flyi…

1
Family Ties: Stories about our roots 31:26

3M ago31:26

31:26

Is who we are shaped more by nature or nurture? It's a question science has grappled with for years. In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers dive into their family histories to explore how the people and experiences that came before them continue to shape who they are today. Part 1: As a teenager, Mark Pagan worries that having an old dad …

1
PSP 408: How to Use Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory with Kids with Anxiety or OCD 43:51

3M ago43:51

43:51

I quickly fell in love with Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory. It is such a simple, and yet powerful approach to living your life. Throughout the book I thought about how the Let Them Theory could be adapted to parents, and in particular, those of us raising kids with anxiety or OCD. I started to implement this approach with my kids in a child …

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Succeed Despite The Odds Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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