Stay ConnectedTune in each week for a deep dive into all things OCD with host Dr. Patrick McGrath, NOCD’s Chief Clinical Officer. We’ll be sharing inspiring real-life stories of people who’ve faced OCD and came out the other side, as well as practical tips for understanding and tackling OCD. We hope you enjoy the podcast and it helps you get to know OCD.
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In this episode of Get to Know OCD, we dive deep into the complexities of scrupulosity, a form of OCD that intertwines with one’s values, morals, or religious beliefs. Featuring Dr. Jed Siev, a licensed clinical psychologist and faculty member at Swarthmore College, this discussion sheds light on how OCD latches onto the things we care about most — faith, morality, or even our natural desire to be a “good” person. Drawing from his extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Siev unpacks how scrupulosity manifests in different faiths, from Jewish rituals to Christian doctrines. Learn how to differentiate between genuine faith practices and OCD-driven rituals, and discover ways to reclaim a values-driven life.
Are you or a loved one struggling with OCD? We’re here to help. Visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/YT to learn about our best-in-class treatment options.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:18 Jed’s background
2:37 The rise of climate anxiety
10:20 How Jed’s interest in scrupulosity started
11:51 How religion and scrupulosity intersect
15:52 Telling apart religious and compulsive rituals
18:31 “Am I a bad person” self-talk
21:57 Accepting uncertainty
23:39 How sin is viewed now vs. then
25:57 Teaching faith leaders about OCD
33:00 Explaining scrupulosity to someone’s support system
39:30 OCD doesn’t know how to move on
43:37 Jed’s advice to those needing help
45:30 What Jed is up to
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Howie Mandel and Marc Summers both carved out long-standing careers for themselves in the limelight and on TV screens. But behind the laughter and success lies a shared struggle with OCD — a challenge they faced during a time when the disorder was deeply misunderstood in Hollywood. For Marc, misinformation about OCD cost him a high-profile hosting job, while Howie quietly battled the fear that his own diagnosis might jeopardize everything he’d built in show business.
In this episode, Howie and Marc come together to reflect on how OCD has shaped their careers and lives — then and now. They get real about what it was like to navigate an industry that often lacked compassion or understanding, and how those experiences continue to influence them today. Their stories offer not only insight into their remarkable resilience but also invaluable advice for anyone confronting their own fears, self-doubt, or the sting of being misunderstood.
Are you or a loved one struggling with OCD? We’re here to help. Visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn about our best-in-care treatment options.
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Living in the face of uncertainty is no small feat — especially when navigating life with a chronic condition or OCD. Dr. Ashley Smith, a psychologist and author of The Way I See It: A Psychologist’s Guide to a Happier Life, knows this journey intimately. In this episode of Get to Know OCD, she shares how she turned her own uncertain experience with vision loss into a powerful lesson in resilience and acceptance.
Through her blend of professional expertise and personal insight, Ashley explores the science of happiness, the myth of toxic positivity, and why understanding your mind’s quirks is a key to thriving. If you’ve ever felt stuck in self-doubt because of OCD or another condition, Ashley’s perspective will inspire you to embrace the hard stuff and find joy along the way.
Need help with OCD and the uncertainty it creates in your life? We’re here to help. Visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn about our best-in-care treatment options.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
2:02 Ashley’s background
5:53 What is happiness
10:16 Patrick gets personal too
13:23 Nothing is good or bad
15:10 Accepting thoughts, images, and urges
18:26 A thought is not a fact
21:20 What “I feel like” actually means
24:46 Ashley’s book
27:42 Misconceptions around happiness
29:01 The importance of sleep
30:00 Overactive nervous system
34:47 Are we overworked in the United States?
39:40 What Ashley wants people to get out of the book
40:48 It’s not your fault
44:28 What’s next for Ashley
48:37 How to get more from Ashley
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The holidays can be a time of joy, but they’re also a stressor — perfect conditions for OCD to flare up. From intrusive thoughts to compulsions promising false relief, the Christmas season can feel overwhelming. In this video, we dive into practical strategies for managing OCD during the holidays, including setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and facing triggers with confidence.
Join us as we explore how to navigate family gatherings, maintain healthy routines, and approach therapy proactively to keep OCD from ruining the holiday fun.
Are you or a loved one struggling with OCD? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/YT to learn more about our best-in-care treatment options.
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Scrupulosity, or religious OCD, twists faith into fear, trapping individuals in relentless cycles of guilt, shame, and self-doubt. Intrusive thoughts like “am I a sinner?” or “did I commit an unforgivable act?” fuel compulsions — endless prayers, confessions, or mental checks — that only tighten OCD’s grip.
In this episode, Dr. Ted Witzig — a psychologist and ordained minister — joins us to unpack this complex and often misunderstood OCD subtype. Through his unique blend of clinical expertise and spiritual insight, Dr. Witzig offers compassion, clarity, and practical guidance to help untangle faith from fear and reclaim a life of peace.
Struggling with scrupulosity? Have questions? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more about our best-in-care treatment options.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:39 Ted’s unique background
5:49 Understanding scrupulosity
8:15 Scrupulosity is NOT a faith problem
17:43 Ted treats all faiths
21:05 The role of ERP when treating scrupulosity
27:38 Anxiety hierarchies
34:24 Opportunity for clinicians and families to work together
39:02 The problem with online checking
41:03 The tricks OCD likes playing
46:42 Ted’s parting advice
50:43 How to reach Ted
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How does OCD impact your relationships with friends, family, or romantic partners? In this episode of Get to Know OCD, Dr. Amy Mariaskin joins us to unpack the ways OCD can infiltrate relationships, from creating distance to amplifying shame. Drawing from her book Thriving in Relationships When You Have OCD, she offers insights, practical tools, and a message of hope for anyone living with OCD or supporting a loved one who is.
Is OCD negatively affecting your relationships? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to explore treatment options or book a free consultation with one of our experts.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
2:36 Amy’s background
3:50 Amy’s book about OCD and relationships
6:48 How OCD becomes a third wheel in a relationship
10:51 Talking about OCD with a partner
14:37 Redefining OCD
18:10 How to thrive in spite of OCD
20:58 How OCD convinces you it’s good for relationships
27:02 Being playful with your OCD
28:30 Attachment theory explained
36:19 What to do when OCD feels too real
41:22 Changes after treating relationship OCD
44:17 Amy’s advice if you’re struggling through OCD
46:12 Outro
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Parenting is hard enough without OCD steering the ship. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath dives into perinatal and postpartum OCD, breaking down what it is, who it affects (hint: it’s not just moms), and how it can disrupt your life. From intrusive fears to compulsive behaviors, OCD has a way of turning the joys of parenthood into constant anxiety.
But here’s the good news: help is available. Dr. McGrath shares practical insights and offers a message of hope for parents navigating this tough journey. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by guilt, paralyzed by what-ifs, or just unsure of what’s going on, this guide is here to remind you—you’re not alone, and you can take back control.
Are you a parent struggling with OCD? We think we can help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to book a free consultation with us.
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In this special Thanksgiving Day episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, the tables turn as Dr. Patrick McGrath takes the spotlight — but not as the interviewer. Tia Wilson steps in to ask the questions, giving listeners a rare glimpse into Patrick’s personal and professional journey.
For the next 45 minutes, Patrick opens up about his early struggles with childhood anxiety, the rejections that ultimately shaped his path to psychology, his decision to make OCD his life’s mission, and the profound loss of his wife to cancer.
Though he doesn’t have OCD himself, Patrick’s deep understanding of the disorder has earned him the trust of countless individuals seeking help. This heartfelt conversation offers a deeper connection to the man behind the mission at NOCD.
Want help for OCD from Patrick and our top-of-the-line therapists? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to book a free consultation.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:38 Patrick gets “bamboozled”
2:10 Patrick’s upbringing
10:30 How Patrick ended up in field of psychology
13:31 How Patrick understands OCD despite not having
15:19 Patrick applies own therapy techniques while his wife was cancer-stricken
18:48 The difficulty of being a caregiver
22:02 Being open about grief
24:18 “Good” days and “bad” days
30:45 How Patrick summarizes OCD to others
34:53 What Patrick does for NOCD
36:20 How OCD treatment has improved since Patrick began his career
43:30 Patrick’s parting advice if you have OCD
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Liz Trondsen doesn’t have OCD, but her son, Chris, does — and as is often the case, the disorder didn’t just affect him; it rippled through the entire family. Liz shares her deeply personal story in this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, opening up about the moment her son’s struggles nearly claimed his life and how that single event became a turning point for their entire family.
Liz talks candidly about the guilt and helplessness she felt as a parent, realizing she missed the signs of her son’s suffering. She also reflects on the steep learning curve of understanding OCD and the role she had to play in Chris’s recovery — one that he credits for saving his life.
This is a story of shock, guilt, hope, resilience, and breakthrough — a raw and inspiring conversation about what it takes to support a loved one with OCD.
Struggling to support someone with OCD? Need professional help? Consider visiting https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn about our best-in-care treatment options.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:39 How Liz became an OCD advocate
4:04 The role families play in OCD treatment
8:35 Feeling guilt as a parent
13:06 When Liz realized her son had a problem
15:05 The turning point in Chris’ recovery
16:29 Making a short film
17:57 OCD advocacy as a life’s purpose
19:04 Treating OCD takes time away from the whole family
23:36 Life after “recovery”
26:33 Watching a child go through therapy
31:04 Liz’s own therapy experience
34:22 Liz advice for parents feeling regret
38:09 Co-parenting a child with OCD
41:37 Educating others about OCD
42:48 Liz’ advice for parents
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Supporting someone with OCD can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t fully understand their experience. In this episode of Get to know OCD, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down the complexities of OCD and shares practical tips for starting meaningful conversations — whether you’re living with OCD or supporting someone who is. You'll walk away from this talk with insights to foster understanding, build connection, and navigate the challenges OCD brings together.
If you are or a loved one is experiencing OCD, there is external help available. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/YT to learn more about effective, evidence-based treatment.
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