Workplace Perspective

Workplace Perspective


Episode #125 – The Anxiety Advantage: Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D.

September 26, 2023

Today Teresa is joined by Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D. to talk about “The Anxiety Advantage.” Dr. Dennis-Tiwary is a researcher, entrepreneur, and author of the book Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even Though it Feels Bad). She is a professor of psychology and neuroscience and Director of the Emotion Regulation Lab at The City University of New York.


Teresa and Dr. Dennis-Tiwary discuss how everyone has anxiety and it’s not going away, so when we treat it like an ally and change our mindset we can conquer our anxiety and turn it into good. Anxiety can be good for you, even though it feels bad.


Dr. Dennis-Tiwary talks about a study where people who have public speaking anxiety were told they would have to give a speech about a complicated subject. Half the people were told to change their mindset about the speech and the other half were told nothing. In the end, the people who were taught to think about anxiety differently performed better and felt better about their speech.


Dr. Tracy talks about her 3 L’s


  • Listen
  • Leverage
  • Left Go

Using these practicalities can help flip the narrative on anxiety and use it positively.


Connect with Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D. here


For more information on her book, click here



The flipside of anxiety is hope


Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D.



Episode Timestamp

00:06Introduction and Disclaimer


01:22Why Can Anxiety Be Good?


10:13Break and Public Service Announcement


10:35Listen, Leverage, and Let Go


18:53Teresa’s Closing Remarks