How to Do The Thing You're Afraid Of

Summary

Podcast Summary: Help Wanted

Episode: How to Do The Thing You're Afraid Of
Host(s): Jason Feifer (Entrepreneur Magazine Editor-in-Chief), Nicole Lapin (Money Expert)
Date: December 11, 2025

---

Overview

This episode centers on overcoming fear—specifically, how to finally take action on the thing you're most afraid to do in your career or business. Jason Feifer shares a personal story about helping a friend face her fear of launching a podcast, breaks down the roots of that fear, and offers a practical, compassionate framework for moving forward—one uniquely tailored to you, rather than the generic “just do it” advice.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why “Just Take the Leap” Doesn’t Work

• [04:58] Jason opens by challenging the oft-given advice to “just do it,” describing it as dismissive:

  “Take the leap—that is dismissive of your fears. It’s telling you to just magically stop being afraid. As if you could just, just be like, ‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Hadn’t thought of not being afraid.’ It doesn’t work like that.”

• He emphasizes that fears are real, personal, and need to be understood, not ignored.

2. Case Study: Andrea’s Fear of Starting a Podcast

• [05:34] Jason recounts a conversation with his friend “Andrea,” an accomplished behind-the-scenes producer, who’s afraid to put herself out there with her own podcast.
• Andrea’s fears (direct text):

  “I’ve been wanting to start one around industry shifts and AI technology, but I just wonder if I’m boring. Lol. … I just feel like I’ve been stuck in the sponge phase where I’m just soaking in all the information but really unsure if I should pull the trigger.” [05:55]

• Jason asks the key question:

  “What’s the worst that can happen if you start a podcast?” [06:33]

• Andrea’s answer:

  “Everyone will know I suck. I think optics, that’s my biggest fear.” [06:50]

• Jason suggests lowering the stakes:

  “What if you made a first episode and sent it to like 10 nonjudgmental and honest friends and asked them if it sucks?” [07:12]

• Andrea replies:

  “Honestly, that’s not a bad idea.” [07:23] “Yeah, like baby steps instead of no steps. Ha.” [09:20]

3. Understanding Fear: “Referred Fear” Analogy

• [08:05] Jason compares fear to “referred pain”—the idea that sometimes, where you feel the problem isn’t where it originates.
• Quote from James C. Watson, Mayo Clinic:

  “Sometimes pain felt in one area of the body does not accurately represent where the problem is because the pain is referred there from another area.” [08:32]

• Translation: Sometimes you think you’re afraid of not being knowledgeable, but the real fear is about something deeper—such as optics, embarrassment, or being “seen.”
• Key lesson:

  “If you have a gallbladder problem, no amount of shoulder massage will cure it. … We can think of fear similarly. Fear radiates outward. It starts in one place but manifests in another.” [08:55]

4. Defining Your Lock and Finding Your Key

• [10:00] Jason creates a powerful metaphor:

  “You’ve created a specific lock for yourself, so let’s find the key to that lock. … Your fear isn’t general. It’s specific. It has nuances.”

• Generic advice (“take the leap”) ignores the lock, but each fear is a personal lock, requiring a personalized key.
• For Andrea, her “lock” is the fear of being boring or being seen as inadequate. The “key” is to take a small, private first step—submitting her work to trusted friends for feedback.
• Jason underscores baby steps:

  “Once she starts making it, her instincts are going to kick in. She’ll start to learn to refine. … It’ll also address what she calls her optics problem. She’s worried about being embarrassed. Now she has permission to do it differently.” [11:00]

5. A Practical Framework for Facing Fear

• Jason reviews his approach:
  1. Recognize:

     “Your fear is real. It is the product of you, informed by you, created by you. It can also be solved by you.” [12:05]

  2. Locate:

     “Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen? Interrogate that answer. Find the thing you’re really afraid of, the original source of the fear, which, just like pain, might originate from somewhere unexpected.” [12:12]

  3. Unlock:

     “You have defined your fear. That is your lock. Now craft a key to unlock it.” [12:25]

• The goal isn’t to eliminate fear but create willingness to try:

  “The goal is not to be unafraid. That is not possible. … As Ryan Reynolds once told me, to be good at something, you must be willing to be bad. That is our actual goal here, to create the willingness.” [13:06]

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On personalized solutions:

  “The key has to be as personal as the lock itself.” [10:22]

• On the act of doing:

  “She will not magically make an award-winning podcast and she will not feel instantly good about it. But hopefully, hopefully she will give herself permission to move forward, to engage with it, to do the thing that actually eliminates fear, which is the act of doing and improving and succeeding.” [12:57]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:58] – Why “just do it” fails as advice
• [05:34] – Andrea’s case and her text message fear
• [06:33] – Jason’s “what’s the worst that can happen?” intervention
• [08:05] – The “referred pain” analogy applied to fear
• [10:00] – Visualizing fear as a lock requiring a custom key
• [12:05] – Step-by-step summary: Recognize, Locate, Unlock
• [13:06] – Ryan Reynolds quote and the fundamental goal: “create willingness”

---

Conclusion

Jason Feifer delivers a compassionate, sharply practical framework to help you move past fear and take that next step in your career or creative journey. The advice is rooted in real human concerns—not generic bravado—and invites listeners to honestly interrogate their own fears, find the “lock,” and take the often small, but crucial, steps to unlock progress. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the “sponge phase” or paralyzed by the optics of trying something new, this episode breaks the cycle with actionable empathy.

---

Notable Quote Recap

• "Take the leap—that is dismissive of your fears." [04:58]
• “You’ve created a specific lock for yourself, so let’s find the key to that lock.” [10:00]
• "To be good at something, you must be willing to be bad." – Ryan Reynolds [13:06]

---

For further advice or a chance to have your work question answered, contact: [e-mail]

Listen for more: Help Wanted, Money News Network

Transcript

[A]

We always hear about why buying a latte or ordering avocado toast is keeping you poor. As long as you're budgeting for them, small indulgences are totally fine. Treat yourself. You know what small costs are holding you back? Fees. Now when it comes to investing, these can take a big chunk out of your gains. But even the small fees associated with banking really add up. At least when you order a latte you have a nice drink. With banking fees, you get nothing in return. They've already got your money, what more can they want? That's what I love about today's sponsor, Chime. Chime isn't like old school banks that charge you overdraft and monthly fees and the benefits from Chime keep stacking up. In addition to fee free banking and overdraft coverage you can count on, Chime helps you build credit history stress free. Not only that, but you can earn up to 3.5% APY on savings that's 8x higher than a traditional bank and they're rated 5 stars by USA Today for customer service. Real Humans 24.7Chime is not just super smarter banking, it is the most rewarding way to bank Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to chime.comhelpwanted that is chime.com helpwanted.

[B]

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services a secured Chime Visa credit card and MyPay line of credit provided by the Bancor Bank NA or Stride Bank NA. MyPay eligibility requirements apply and credit limit ranges $20 to $500. Optional services and products may have fees or charges. See chime.com feesinfo advertised annual percentage yield with Chime+status only. Otherwise 1.00% APY applies. No min balance required. Chime card on time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit SC may vary. See chime.com for details and applicable terms.

[C]

Over the years I've spent a lot of time thinking about what it takes to build a great business and my personal area of expertise is in being really forward facing about being out there, about being the personal brand and being the person who can grab the attention and pull people in. But you know what? That's just the most visible part of business. There's also the equally important but very invisible work like legal paperwork and website security and state license. Your business deserves the best foundation possible. So to get more for your business, more privacy, more tools, more guidance you need. Northwest Registered Agent Northwest Registered Agent has been helping entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses for nearly 30 years. They're the largest registered agent and LLC service in the US with over 1500 corporate guides. These are real people who know your local laws and can help you and your business every step of the way. For for example, protect your identity and keep your home address private by using Northwest's address on your state's formation documents. With Northwest, privacy is automatic. They never sell your data and all services are handled in house because privacy by default is their pledge to all entrepreneurs. Don't wait. Protect your privacy, build your brand and get your complete business Identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Visit www.northwestregistereda agent.com paid help wanted and start building something amazing. Get more with Northwest registered [e-mail] paid help wanted Since 1981, Justin has been.

[A]

Producing world class Bordeaux style wines from Paso Robles on California Central coast. With a rich history of accolades, Justin produces exceptional wines and is proud to be America's number one luxury Cabernet. Whether you're first time wine drinker or a wine aficionado, Justin has a wine for every celebration and occasion. Visit justinwine.com and enter Help20 for 20% off your order. Get Celebration ready with Justin Wine.

[C]

Enjoy exceptional wine all season long with Justin. Whether it's for seasonal celebrations, festive dinner parties or gift exchanges, Justin Wine is sure to make your holidays memorable. Justin offers curated gift sets, library wines, magnums and even custom etched bottles. Personalize the gifts with a message icon OR logo. Visit justinwine.com and enter HELP20 for 20% off your order. Justin offers the perfect holiday gifts for clients, colleagues, friends or family. Be sure to check them [e-mail] to receive 20% off your order for a limited time.

This is Help Wanted, the show that makes your work work for you. I'm Jason Pfeiffer, Editor in Chief of.

[A]

Entrepreneur Magazine and I'm money expert Nicole Lapin. On Tuesdays, Jason and I answer the helpline and help callers solve their work problems.

[C]

And on Thursdays, I give you one way to improve your work and build a career or company you love.

[A]

And it starts now.

[C]

There is something that you want to do right now that you are not doing because you're just afraid. And you've already heard the advice on this, right? Ah, take the leap. Just do it. But that doesn't resonate. And here's why. I mean, it seems pretty obvious to me. Take the leap. That is dismissive of your fears, your Real fears. It's telling you to just magically stop being afraid. As if you could just, just be like, oh, I hadn't thought of that. Hadn't thought of not being afraid. It doesn't work like that. Today I'm going to share a different strategy with you. I want you to acknowledge that fear, to embrace it, to search inside of it. Because somewhere buried in that dark place is actually the key to your problem. And to start, I'm going to show you how this helped a friend who had been afraid of starting something new. So this friend, I'm going to call her Andrea. Andrea is a talented and accomplished person. She's overseen production teams for the world's largest media brands. I am sure you have seen something that she's made, but you've never seen her face or her name because she's always behind the scenes. And now she's wondering, huh, maybe I should put myself out there. So she texted me recently, I'm just going to read straight from it. This is what I read on my phone. She texts, jason, what is your one piece of advice for someone, me who is pretty nervous scared to start their own podcast? I've been wanting to start one around industry shifts and AI technology, but I just wonder if I'm boring. Lol. I feel like I've been stuck in the sponge phase where I'm just soaking in all the information but really unsure of if I should pull the trigger. All right, that was her text. I love this question. Andrea knows she's stuck, she knows she's afraid, and she knows she needs something to dislodge herself. She just isn't sure what it is. In turn, I had a question for her and it revealed a lot. So here was the next part of our conversation. I texted, well, here's a what's the worst that can happen if you start a podcast? And her answer was, everyone will know I suck. I think optics, that's my biggest fear. And I said, so what if you made a first episode and sent it to like 10 non judgmental and honest friends and asked them if it sucks? And she replied, honestly, that's not a bad idea. I mean, hey, look, I can't always promise good ideas, but at least I can promise deliver not bad ones. Anyway, here's the crazy thing. Andrea, without knowing it, already knew the problem and the solution herself. Like she already understood the exact problem she was facing and what she needed to do to solve it. She knew it. So why'd she ask me? Because she just didn't know she knew it. And she gave this away. She should have seen it herself in the very first words she told me. Because here's the thing. When we are afraid, we're not always sure what we're afraid of. And if we don't know that, we can't find the right solutions. But even when we're lost, we know a lot more than we think. All right, let's step away from fear for a moment and instead let's talk about pain. Have you ever felt pain in one part of your body, but the problem was actually somewhere else? Why is that? I got curious, so I looked it up, and here's an answer that was written by a guy named James C. Watson of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. He writes, sometimes pain felt in one area of the body does not accurately represent where the problem is because the pain is referred there from another area. Pain can be referred because signals from several areas of the body often travel through the same nerve pathways in the spinal cord and brain. For example, pain from a heart attack may be felt in the neck, jaws, arms, or abdomen. Pain from a gallbladder attack may be felt in the back of the shoulder. Alright, that's what he wrote. So now back to me. So in other words, if you have a gallbladder problem, no amount of shoulder massage will cure it. This is why you go see a doctor. They can backtrack from the pain, find the root cause, and then treat it. We can think of fear. Similarly, fear radiates outward. It starts in one place but manifests in another. So if you're stuck trying to overcome something scary, it's worth trying to identify the root cause. A moment ago, I said that Andrea already knew the problem and solution herself. Here's what I mean by that. Andrea told me that she's afraid of starting a podcast. And then she told me that she's been in the sponge phase, quote, unquote. That was her language sponge phase, learning all there is to learn about podcasting. But somehow she says this research hasn't cured her fear. You know why? I know why. It's because her fear isn't about knowledge. If she was afraid of looking uninformed about podcasting, then this sponge phase would be exactly the solution she needed. But because that that research did not solve her problem, well, then she needed to better define the root cause of her fear. It wasn't about knowing this stuff. It was about something else. That's why I asked Andrea the question, what's the worst that can happen by playing out a fear to the extreme, we can see what the fear is really about and therefore how to resolve it. And as you remember, what she said was she was afraid of looking stupid. Now, here's one more part of my text with Andrea, Just one more part of that exchange that I haven't shared yet. I suggested, as you might remember, that she make a podcast episode and share it with 10 honest, nonjudgmental friends. And she liked that idea. And then she wrote, yeah, like baby steps instead of no steps. Ha. And I said, exactly. You've created a specific lock for yourself, so let's find the key to that lock. That. That is the visual that I want you to hold on to. The lock and the key. Your fear isn't general. It's specific. It has nuances. It is the product of your own experiences, expectations, and perceived shortcomings. That means it is a lock of your own making. This is why advice like take the leap doesn't help. It's asking you to throw this very specific personal lock away, to not even engage with it, to ignore it. But you can't do that. You need to unlock that lock, which means you need the key. And the key has to be as personal as the lock itself. Andrea is a behind the scenes expert. She doesn't usually put herself on mic. That means she has all sorts of questions about herself, like, does she have things to say? Is she boring? Will anyone listen? These are her locks. To move forward, she needs a key that's crafted specifically for her lock. That's why I suggested making a podcast episode and sharing it with a few friends. This lowers the stakes, so she can give herself permission to just make a thing, which is really what she needs to do. Once she starts making it, her instincts are going to kick in. She'll start to learn to refine. She'll harness some existing skills and start developing new ones. It'll also address what she calls her optics problem. She's worried about being embarrassed. Now she has permission to do it differently. She can send her new podcast to her friends and preemptively admit that she's afraid. It sucks. Then she'll hear what her friends think. And if she chooses her friends wisely, she'll get real generous, constructive feedback. And here's my her first attempt will need work. It won't be perfect. First attempts always need work. But it won't be nearly as bad as she thinks. This is the way through fear. Let's review it. How do you do something you're afraid of? Number one, you recognize your fear is real. It is the product of you, informed by you, created by you. It can also be solved by you. Number two, Locate. Ask yourself what's the worst thing that can happen? Interrogate that answer. Find the thing you're really afraid of, the original source of the fear, which, just like pain, might originate from somewhere unexpected. Then number three, unlock. You have defined your fear. That is your lock. Now craft a key to unlock it. And finally, remember this. The goal is not to be unafraid. That is not possible. If Andrea takes my advice, she will not magically make an award winning podcast and she will not feel instantly good about it. But hopefully, hopefully she will give herself permission to move forward, to engage with it, to do the thing that actually eliminates fear, which is the act of doing and improving and succeeding. As Ryan Reynolds once told me, to be good at something, you must be willing to be bad. That is our actual goal here, to create the willingness. And that, as you may know if you listen to this podcast, comes from my newsletter. It's called One Thing Better each week, one way to improve your work to find success and satisfaction and build a career or company that you love. You can find it at onething Better email that is a web address One thingbetter email. Or you can just stay tuned here on Help Wanted where I tend to read them a few weeks after they publish. Either way, I hope that this has helped you shake loose some willingness and go tackle whatever you are afraid of. Help Wanted is a production of Money News Network. Help Wanted is hosted by me, Jason.

[A]

Pfeiffer and me, Nicole Lapman. Our execs executive producer is Morgan Lavoy. Do you want some help? Email our [e-mail] for the chance to have some of your questions answered on the show. And follow us on Instagramoney News and TikTokoneyNewsNetwork for exclusive content and to see our beautiful faces. Maybe a little dance?

[C]

Oh, I didn't sign up for that.

[A]

All right, well talk to you soon.

[C]

Sam.