OCD Family Podcast

S4E149: Season 4 Premiere: We Walked For OCD Awareness & Here's What Happened!

Host: Nicole Morris, LMFT
Date: October 10, 2025

Overview

In the Season 4 premiere of the OCD Family Podcast, host Nicole Morris, LMFT, celebrates the return of the show after an unexpected tech-related hiatus. She dives into the significance of October as OCD Awareness Month, sharing stories, interviews, and experiences from Indiana’s first-ever IOCDF "Million Steps for a Cure" walk. This episode spotlights clinicians, advocates, supporters, and people with lived experience, focusing on building community, raising awareness, and supporting families affected by OCD.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Return and Tech Troubles

• Nicole addresses her recent month-long absence due to severe internet and recording issues, humorously describing "routers crapping out" and the struggle to resolve technical mishaps.
• Despite frustrations, she frames the break as necessary self-compassion and a lesson in accepting what’s outside one’s control.
• Announces new season plans: upcoming interviews with Dr. Michael Greenberg, OC Related Disorders (OCRD) series in November, and collaborations with favorite guests.

Quote:
"You can't make the techie things do techie things that you don't know how to resolve... We ultimately had to replace the system. But I think we are back in business." — Nicole (04:20)

2. Indiana’s First-Ever OCD Walk

• The central focus is on Indiana’s first IOCDF-sponsored OCD awareness walk, orchestrated by OCD Midwest and local advocates.
• Nicole captures the event as a day of "community, connection, and people showing up for themselves and their loved ones."
• The walk involved clinicians, family members, partners, local organizations, and grassroots supporters.

Quote:
"It was a day full of community, connection and people showing up for themselves and their loved ones." — Nicole (02:29)

3. Community Resource Highlights

a. Zamwell and Mental Health Conversations

Interview with Dr. Courtney Ward (06:31–09:13):

• Zamwell (Zionsville Alliance for Mental Wellness), founded in 2023, aims to foster open conversations and provide resources about mental health.
• Zamwell’s podcast "Unmasked" covers diverse topics like navigating therapy and suicide prevention for youth.
• Initiatives include educational seminars and local provider directories.

Quote:
"The goal of our nonprofit is really just to encourage conversations about mental wellness..." — Dr. Courtney Ward (06:51)

b. Grassroots Advocacy and Consultation

Interview with Amber Young (10:17–16:48):

• Amber, seasoned advocate and organizer, discusses her years-long dream to bring an OCD walk to Indiana and her commitment to building inter-clinician collaboration.
• Runs Indiana’s free monthly OCD Consultation Group via OCD Midwest for clinicians at all levels.
• Shifting from clinical to advocacy and policy work, Amber calls for collaboration:
  “If you are somebody who has connections and abilities in terms of advocacy, policy, those types of things, I would love to hear from you. Let's not reinvent the wheel.” (16:20)

4. Partner & Family Support

a. Partners’ Perspectives

• Aditi (18:30–21:33): Shares her journey supporting her partner with OCD, first in Boston then Indiana. She fundraises via curated vintage thrift sales and offers advice on learning not to provide reassurance.
  “Learning how to not do that, not fan the flame of OCD, that can be really challenging...” — Aditi (20:29)
• Cameron (22:47–25:07): Discusses logistical and emotional support for his fiancée whose OCD complicates travel for therapy. They joined the walk through a support group.

b. Importance of Partners

• Nicole celebrates the visible presence of partners at the walk, emphasizing that OCD impacts the entire family and highlighting the power of community support.

5. Clinician Perspectives and Training

a. Bronwyn Schroyer, OCD Training School (28:56–34:05)

• Grand marshal of the walk and ICBT (Inference-Based CBT) specialist.
• Notes the upcoming International OCD Conference in Indianapolis in two years.
• Discusses the value of multiple OCD treatments: ERP, ICBT, ACT, and intersection with trauma work.
• Emphasizes the importance of options and growing evidence base.

Quote:
"Adding in another tool is always a good thing in my mind, especially with that evidence base growing..." — Bronwyn (31:38)

b. Angie Henry: Statewide Advocacy (35:31–40:44)

• Co-chair of the walk, prominent provider in Indiana, and advocate for BFRBs, PANS/PANDAS, and tic disorders.
• Talks about the event’s logistical triumphs, community involvement, and the importance of quick psychoeducation to reduce suffering time.
• Celebrates fundraising success and local organizational support.

Quote:
"We can do better. So this is a way that at least in Hoosierland here this weekend, that we did our job in helping raise information..." — Angie (38:03)

c. Ellie Skelton: Outreach and Connection (42:03–47:55)

• Chair of Outreach for OCD Midwest and walk organizer.
• Reflects on the unique spirit of each regional walk and the necessity of team effort.
• Stresses the importance of spaces where individuals can share their struggles openly, fostering hope and connection.

Quote:
"Each walk has their own different flavor... I just get a rejuvenation of compassion, passion for our community, and such a really great sense of hope." — Ellie (44:05)

d. Madison (@obsessivelystrong): Advocacy & Lived Experience (48:47–55:25)

• Social media influencer and therapist-in-training, shares her journey from lived experience to professional advocacy.
• Highlights the importance of professional community and mentorship, and organic growth of advocacy.

Quote:
"That's insane to me that, like, two years ago we didn't know each other and, like, just a simple message led to so much connection for me as a lived experience person..." — Madison (54:27)

e. Jessica Hood: Training Indiana Providers (58:33–64:06)

• Recounts becoming an OCD clinician out of necessity, then organizing training for Indiana therapists to improve access to effective care.
• Her mission: ensuring children and families receive timely evidence-based treatment, reducing the decade-plus wait many experience.

Quote:
"If it takes on average people [so long to get help], that means kids aren't getting the right help when they're kids... people shouldn't have to suffer for a decade before they get therapy that helps them." — Jessica Hood (61:03)

6. Family Voices & Conclusions

a. A Family’s Experience (65:16–67:36)

• Interview with Joelle (age 6), her mom Alyssa, and family, who attended the walk together, modeling the vital role of family support.
• Both parents express gratitude for the community and the uplifting experience of not feeling alone.

Quote:
"It's all so empowering when we know we're not alone." — Alyssa (66:29)

b. Final Reflections on Community

• Nicole wraps by urging listeners to reflect on the importance of community and shared experiences in fighting OCD.

Quote:
"We expect experience everything in the family and we're like the biggest cheerleaders for each other. So thanks for being here. Thanks for helping everybody know we're not alone..." — Nicole (67:17)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Speaker | Quote | Timestamp | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Nicole | "You can't make the techie things do techie things that you don't know how to resolve..." | 04:20 | | Dr. Ward | "The goal of our nonprofit is really just to encourage conversations about mental wellness..." | 06:51 | | Amber Young| "Let's not reinvent the wheel. We don't need to do these things alone." | 16:20 | | Aditi | "Learning how to not...fan the flame of OCD...takes a lot of practicing, learning not to do that."| 20:29 | | Bronwyn | "Adding in another tool is always a good thing in my mind, especially with that evidence base growing..." | 31:38| | Angie | "We can do better. So this is a way that at least in Hoosierland...we did our job in helping raise information..." | 38:03| | Ellie | "I just get a rejuvenation of compassion, passion for our community, and such a really great sense of hope." | 44:05| | Madison | "That's insane to me that, like, two years ago we didn't know each other and, like, just a simple message led to so much connection..." | 54:27| | Jessica | "People shouldn't have to suffer for a decade before they get therapy that helps them..." | 61:03 | | Alyssa | "It's all so empowering when we know we're not alone." | 66:29 | | Nicole | "We expect experience everything in the family and we're like the biggest cheerleaders for each other..." | 67:17|

Additional Highlights & Memorable Moments

• The creative methods of fundraising and awareness (Aditi’s thrift rack; face painting as ERP exposure).
• Partner stories illuminate day-to-day logistics and emotional impacts of supporting someone with OCD.
• The walk’s success is measured in turnout, funds raised, and connection—surpassing fundraising goals thanks to donations and local support.
• The inaugural Indiana walk is set to inspire ongoing advocacy and growth within the state (including the announcement of the 2027 International OCD Conference in Indianapolis!).
• The repeated theme: No one has to do this alone. The OCD community is here, ever-growing, and stronger together.

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–05:00: Nicole’s absence, tech issues, season preview
• 06:31–09:13: Dr. Courtney Ward talks Zamwell and "Unmasked" podcast
• 10:17–16:48: Interview with Amber Young (advocacy, consultation)
• 18:30–25:07: Partner stories - Aditi and Cameron
• 28:56–34:05: Bronwyn Schroyer (ICBT, OCD Training School)
• 35:31–40:44: Angie Henry (walk organization, state advocacy)
• 42:03–47:55: Ellie Skelton (Midwest outreach, walk reflections)
• 48:47–55:25: Madison/"Obsessively Strong" (advocacy, lived experience)
• 58:33–64:06: Jessica Hood (training clinicians, child/family perspective)
• 65:16–67:36: Joelle’s family (multi-generational participation)

Tone and Language

The episode and summary maintain Nicole’s warm, authentic, and occasionally humorous tone—balancing clinical insight, real-world obstacles, and hope. The language is supportive, encouraging, and filled with gratitude for both professionals and families.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a masterclass in grassroots advocacy and family support. It demonstrates how local efforts can inspire statewide and even national change, celebrates multiple modalities for OCD treatment, and showcases the essential role of every stakeholder: providers, partners, parents, and children. Whether you’re navigating OCD in your family, treating it as a clinician, or just learning, this episode offers hope, direction, and practical resources.

For more information, resources, and connections, visit ocdfamilypodcast.com.