Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We live in the safest era in human history. So why is anxiety at an all-time high? Dr. Russell Kennedy, physician and neuroscientist, breaks down the hidden loop keeping you stuck: the alarm-anxiety cycle, the dopamine hit that makes worry addictive, and why ruminating feels like doing something even when it changes nothing.
If you've ever caught yourself spiraling and thought "I know this isn't helping but I can't stop" — this is why. And more importantly, this is how it works so you can finally get out of it.
In this clip: why anxiety is uncertainty intolerance; how your brain rewards you for catastrophising; the difference between alarm (in the body) and anxiety (in the mind); and why dissociation into the default mode network is something you learned as a child to survive.
Watch the full episode with Dr. Russell Kennedy: youtu.be/kTZtrgD1Pw8
**P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife. drstephanieestima.com/newsletter
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. drstephanie.ca/lift
We live in the safest era in human history. So why is anxiety at an all-time high? Dr. Russell Kennedy, physician and neuroscientist, breaks down the hidden loop keeping you stuck: the alarm-anxiety cycle, the dopamine hit that makes worry addictive, and why ruminating feels like doing something even when it changes nothing.
If you've ever caught yourself spiraling and thought "I know this isn't helping but I can't stop" — this is why. And more importantly, this is how it works so you can finally get out of it.
In this clip: why anxiety is uncertainty intolerance; how your brain rewards you for catastrophising; the difference between alarm (in the body) and anxiety (in the mind); and why dissociation into the default mode network is something you learned as a child to survive.
Watch the full episode with Dr. Russell Kennedy: youtu.be/kTZtrgD1Pw8
**P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:
Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife. drstephanieestima.com/newsletter
Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. drstephanie.ca/lift
