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Welcome to the Dread Project

Ten Percent Happier
November 7, 2022
Podcast Transcript

Episode Description:

Welcome to season two of More Than A Feeling! Inspired by an email from a curious listener who’s been struggling with feelings of dread, Saleem begins investigating. After a call-out to listeners it becomes clear: we’re in a dread-pocalypse right now, and many of us are trying to muscle through it alone. It turns out, though, that there’s a surprising amount of joy and humor in just starting an open conversation about the things we dread, whether it’s the mundane stuff like “Sunday scaries” or our deepest dreads, like losing a loved one, political polarization or fears around the climate crisis. Clinical Psychologists Dr. Ali Mattu and Dr. Rachel Menzies join the show to explain why we have this scary feeling in the first place, and how we can start coping better. This “dreadisode” is just the beginning of The Dread Project: a miniseries and interactive listener challenge. 

About The Dread Project:

Starting Monday, November 14, we’ll publish five days of short episodes about the different things listeners are dreading. Each one tackles dread in a different way, and offers fun, quick, mindful exercises listeners can try – along with Saleem and thousands of others. The goal is to see if we can all feel a little better, even when we’re anticipating the worst. 

Sign up for The Dread Project Challenge at the top of this page, to get five days of emails with insights from each day’s episode and the exercise that goes with it. If you’re seeing this after the challenge has begun, don’t worry! You can sign up and participate anytime.

You’ll also find instructions in our FAQ for how to send us a voice memo, telling us what you think of the project. If you send one in, don’t forget to tell us your name and where you’re from. You might hear yourself on an upcoming episode! You can also follow More Than A Feeling on Twitter @podfeelings

Where to Find Today’s Guests:

Dr. Ali Mattu:

Dr. Rachel Menzies:

Razz Terizzi

Resources:

If digging into dread is very difficult or intense for you, some additional resources that could help are listed below.

Search for a therapist: 

Mental Health Resources:

Apps:

  • Try the Ten Percent Happier app for free for thirty days by visiting tenpercent.com/more and check out the meditation pack made especially for working with dread.
  • Dare App - free app to help with anxious moments

If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, please click here, text 741741, or call 988.