The world is filled with anxiety, but most people don’t realize they’re in an anxious state until it’s already running the show. In this episode of The Giant Builders, Lois Wyant sits down with therapist, author, and speaker Monica Pitek Fugedi (Michigan) to talk about how to recognize anxiety in your body, how to calm your nervous system in real time, and how to stop avoiding discomfort in ways that make anxiety louder later.

Monica shares practical tools you can use anywhere, including simple body-based techniques to activate your calming response (even if you’re sitting in a classroom, in a meeting, or about to speak in front of people). Then she walks through her CALMER approach: how to get curious about what’s happening, accept and assess what you feel, lean in (instead of backing away), create meaning with mindfulness, engage your values, and reassess as needed.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this conversation will help you take a steady next step toward peace, confidence, and connection.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/aR2gUJxhapk

Timestamp Overview

00:00 Anxiety is everywhere: recognizing an anxious state

00:34 Welcome + meet Monica Pitek Fugedi

01:12 Monica’s work: therapy, speaking, Anxiety Anecdotes tools

02:34 Why anxiety is rising in schools (and how pressure trickles down)

04:07 Quick tools: power pose + calming the vagus nerve

05:51 Shame, isolation, and why so many people feel alone

07:25 Monica’s CALMER approach overview

07:52 C = Curiosity (what is my body telling me?)

08:16 A = Accept and assess (stop fighting what you feel)

09:16 L = Lean in (why avoidance makes it worse)

10:38 M = Meaning making + mindfulness (calm body first, mind follows)

12:18 E = Engage your values (make decisions from values, not emotion)

14:05 R = Reassess and repeat

14:28 What a first therapy session looks like (comfort matters)

16:18 When to consider therapy (stuck, anxious, life affected)

18:38 Closing: connection, purpose, and you deserve support

Check out other episodes

Business: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF9pnIL1foYJ3uVP8z1fCVmZ

Health: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF9QEQ1q2e05K28IjUvLPGJy

Spiritual: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF96jBzfz6QHUegeULd7YEsY

Family: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF_SaLQxs8op1CPSDg_wG8vL

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