Episode #66
Reimagining Our Relationship with Anxiety | Elizabeth Shahid, LMFT
Send us Fan Mail What if anxiety isn't the enemy? In Episode 66 of Chatting with Slava the Jordanian , Dr. Slava Al Nubulsi welcomes back Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Elizabeth Shahid for a deeply personal exploration of anxiety, culture, immigration, family expectations, and generational change. Rather than asking, “How do we get rid of anxiety?” Slava and Elizabeth challenge us to ask a different question: What is our anxiety trying to tell us? Drawing from their Middle Eastern and Palestinian cultural experiences, they examine why anxiety and other emotional struggles can be difficult to name within traditional, family-centered cultures. Emotional distress may be minimized, expressed through physical symptoms, hidden to avoid appearing weak, or pushed aside in the name of family responsibility. Elizabeth reframes anxiety through both a psychological and physiological lens. Anxiety is not simply something malfunctioning inside us—it is connected to the body's survival system and can function like an internal alarm telling us that something requires our attention. The conversation also examines the immigrant experience: leaving familiar communities, navigating multiple cultural identities, carrying pressure to succeed, and sometimes feeling that questioning inherited beliefs means rejecting one's family or culture. Slava gets personal, sharing experiences from growing up in Saudi Arabia and Jordan and exploring how guilt, belonging, expectations, family loyalty, and generational differences can shape the way people process emotional distress. They also explore parenting and what can change when parents stop immediately dismissing a child's anxiety and instead become curious about what the child is experiencing. This isn't a conversation about blaming culture or previous generations. It's about understanding what we inherited—and deciding what still serves us. From generational cycles and parenting to immigration, identity, uncertainty, and emotional regulation, this episode offers a culturally nuanced conversation about developing a healthier relationship with anxiety. Maybe the goal isn't to never feel anxious. Maybe the goal is to understand what anxiety is communicating—and learn how to respond differently. Support the show Stay Connected and Join the Conversation! We want to hear from you! Connect with Dr. Slava Al-Nabulsi and be part of the Chatting with Slava the Jordanian community: Follow Slava: @slava_como for personal insights, stories, and inspiration. Support Empowerment: @jordanian.women.entrepreneurs – celebrating and uplifting ambitious women. Smile with Us: @greenwooddentalpartners – bringing bright smiles to every face. Engage with us by: Sharing your thoughts on the episode in the comments or DMs. Tagging us in your posts and stories. Sharing the podcast with your friends and family. Let’s grow, inspire, and empower together! #ChattingWithSlava
