Podcast Summary

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

Episode: Best of 2025: Overcoming Anxiety — Finding Peace in a Hectic World
Date: December 2, 2025
Featured Guest: Dr. Gregory Jantz
Hosts: Jim Daly & John Fuller

Episode Overview

This "Best of 2025" episode addresses the pervasive challenge of anxiety in modern society, exploring its causes, symptoms, and practical, faith-informed strategies for coping and healing. The discussion is grounded in Dr. Gregory Jantz’s holistic approach to mental health, his personal experiences, and biblical wisdom. The episode is especially poignant, as Dr. Jantz passed away earlier in the year, and the hosts honor his legacy of compassionate care for those suffering from anxiety.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Prevalence of Anxiety (04:07-04:51)

• Dr. Jantz opens by emphasizing hope for those struggling with anxiety, noting that it affects a significant proportion of the population:
  "It's one in five adults and one in four teenagers are suffering from anxiety and likely higher." (04:13, Jim Daly)
• The post-pandemic context has exacerbated anxiety, making it the most common diagnosis in the country.

2. Defining Anxiety vs. Worry vs. Depression (05:03-06:08)

• Worry is largely a cognitive process—overthinking situations—but anxiety becomes physical, presenting as headaches, sleep disturbances, gut issues, and even panic attacks.
  • "Worry is a mental process… anxiety takes on a life of its own. Anxiety has a physical side to it." (05:04-05:04, Dr. Jantz)
• Depression often overlaps but is distinct in its overall impact and feeling.

3. Anxiety as a Life Experience—The Jantz Family Story (06:08-08:15)

• Dr. Jantz shares how his wife’s cancer diagnosis triggered intense family anxiety, detailing sleepless nights, overwhelming uncertainty, and the struggle to answer their children’s questions.
• He reassures listeners of resilience and hope:
  "She’s here today, and she's well and she's an example of what it's like for all of us as a family to walk through unknowns…" (07:52, Dr. Jantz)

4. "Good" Anxiety—A Useful Signal (08:15-09:21)

• Not all anxiety is harmful; sometimes it signals necessary changes or areas requiring attention.
  • "Anxiety could be a signal that, oh, I need to address some things in my life… Anxiety can be communicating to you, a need to address something." (08:24-09:21, Dr. Jantz)
• Too much anxiety, however, can impair thinking and decision-making.

5. Supporting Loved Ones with Anxiety (09:21-11:38)

• Well-intentioned encouragements like "Come on, you can do it" often add pressure rather than relieve it.
• Approach:
  • Exercise grace
  • Support rather than judge
  • Recognize the complexity and need for holistic solutions
    • "They need us to come alongside them versus judge them real heavily." (10:01-10:50, Dr. Jantz)

6. Integrating Faith, Physiology, and Medication (11:38-12:07)

• Anxiety can require combined approaches: prayer, potential medication, and lifestyle adjustments.
  • "We're not going to look for the magic pill. We're going to look at the whole person." (11:38, Dr. Jantz)

7. Lifestyle Contributors and Symptoms (12:07-13:59)

• Chronic stress, poor sleep, caffeine overuse, and dietary factors can intensify anxiety.
• Common Symptoms: Disrupted sleep, headaches, poor concentration, and a sense of dread or burden.
  • "You're going to probably eventually see it in your sleep. Sleep's not going to feel restful." (12:48, Dr. Jantz)

8. The Deceptive Nature of Anxiety (14:12-14:55)

• Anxiety breeds self-doubt, feelings of being unlovable, and distorts perception.
  • "Anxiety lies to you. Anxiety tells you things about yourself that it's not true." (14:12, Dr. Jantz)

9. Root Causes: Trauma, Unresolved Issues, Family Dynamics (16:42-17:41)

• Early trauma, abuse, unstable environments, or moving frequently can seed long-term anxiety.
• Listeners are encouraged to be sensitive to others’ unique histories.

10. Real-Life Example: Diane’s Story (18:05-20:29)

• A high-achieving executive overwhelmed by work, family stresses, and caregiving for a sick parent develops panic attacks and withdrawal.
• Her recovery involved realistic scheduling, self-care, family support, and marital counseling.

Scriptural and Spiritual Guidance

“Fear Not” and the Sound Mind (21:08-22:04)

• Dr. Jantz draws on 2 Timothy 1:7:
  “For the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and… a sound mind.” (21:13, Dr. Jantz)
• Achieving a sound mind requires assessing all life areas: spiritual, relational, lifestyle, potential addictions.

Common Ways Anxiety Diminishes Well-being (22:11-23:24)

• Effects: Isolation, escapism (food, digital, addictions), withdrawal from meaningful relationships.
  • "You get into patterns where we look for comfort… Most of the things we choose create more discomfort and… create more anxiety." (22:39-22:53, Dr. Jantz)
• Honest self-reflection is needed to identify behaviors contributing to anxiety.

Practical Steps to Address Anxiety

The “3x5 Card” Exercise (23:42-24:36)

• Write down the top anxiety-provoking issues.
  • "I need you to write down what are all the issues that's creating anxiety for me… But I don't want you to write a legal pad full." (23:47-24:08, Dr. Jantz)
• Identify which issues can be addressed solo and which require help.
• Consider predominant emotions such as anger or frustration.
• Follow-up: Take action and seek support if needed.

Addressing Anger, Unforgiveness, and Bitterness (25:34-26:15)

• Anger is often a mask for deeper hurts and can develop into resentment that worsens anxiety.
  • "You can’t stay there because that goes to unforgiveness and that goes to resentment and bitterness… It's going to make you really toxic and… toxic to all the people around you." (25:37-25:54, Dr. Jantz)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Anxiety takes on a life of its own. Anxiety has a physical side to it.” (05:04, Dr. Jantz)
• “Anxiety lies to you. Anxiety tells you things about yourself that it’s not true.” (14:12, Dr. Jantz)
• “With God's help, power over that anxiety.” (16:18, Dr. Jantz)
• “I use Second Timothy 1:7 as my foundation… a sound mind.” (21:13, Dr. Jantz)
• “Most of the things we choose create more discomfort and in the end create more anxiety. But we're looking for that relief.” (22:53, Dr. Jantz)
• “What am I doing that could be contributing to more anxiety?” (23:16, Dr. Jantz)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:07] — Dr. Jantz introduces the topic, prevalence of anxiety
• [05:03] — Distinguishing worry, anxiety, and depression
• [06:08] — Dr. Jantz’s personal family story
• [08:15] — The concept of “good” anxiety
• [11:38] — Integrating faith, medicine, and lifestyle
• [12:48] — Recognizing anxiety symptoms
• [14:12] — The deceptive effects of anxiety
• [16:42] — Exploring root causes of anxiety
• [18:05] — Diane’s story: anxiety, panic, and healing
• [21:08] — Scriptural foundations for overcoming anxiety
• [23:42] — Practical step: the 3x5 card exercise
• [25:34] — Addressing anger and unforgiveness

Tone and Final Takeaways

The episode combines direct, compassionate conversation with biblically grounded hope. Dr. Jantz and the hosts acknowledge the reality and seriousness of anxiety while pointing to both spiritual and practical tools for healing. Listeners are encouraged to seek help, exercise self-care and grace, and approach recovery as a holistic, ongoing journey.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: The Anxiety Reset by Dr. Gregory Jantz
• Center: A Place of Hope (Edmonds, WA)
• Focus on the Family Counseling Services: [Link in show notes]

For anyone struggling with anxiety, this episode provides a deeply empathetic, multidimensional approach—combining science, personal experience, and Christian faith—to finding steadfast hope and healing.