Staying positive in a world full of negativity

Joanne Lockwood is joined by anxiety specialist and speaker Caroline Cavanagh for a practical conversation about staying positive when the world feels relentlessly negative.

Caroline explains how attention and focus shape our emotions, and why anxiety is better understood as fear doing its job to keep us safe. Together they explore comfort zones, how confidence is built through repeated acts of bravery, and how small steps can make change feel more achievable.

The discussion also looks at real-world sources of stress, from news cycles and societal uncertainty to workplace overload and burnout. Caroline shares ways to reduce anxiety by bringing things back to what you can control, reframing “what if” thinking, and approaching problems with solutions and prioritisation.

Alongside techniques, Caroline shares elements of her own story, including periods where anxiety limited her choices, and how resilience and support networks helped during challenging life transitions. The episode closes with resources for listeners who want to build a broader toolkit for managing stress.