17. Fear | How It Drives Trauma, Phobia & Ego

Fear shapes your decisions, your habits, and even your sense of self—often without you realizing it. But what if fear isn’t what you think it is?

In this episode of the Still Life Podcast, Henry Mitchell and Jim George explore the true nature of fear—how it operates beneath the surface, disguises itself as other emotions, and ultimately controls our lives. More importantly, they break down how to work with fear instead of being controlled by it.

Key Topics Covered:
🔹 What is Fear? – Understanding fear as a survival mechanism.
🔹 Fear as the Root of Negative Emotions – How fear disguises itself as anger, frustration, and anxiety.
🔹 Trauma & Fear – Why past experiences keep triggering fear responses.
🔹 The Science of Phobias – Why some fears stick and others fade.
🔹 Fear of Conflict – Why avoiding confrontation creates deeper problems.
🔹 Overcoming Fear – Jim’s personal insights on breaking free from fear-based reactions.
🔹 Is Society Becoming More Afraid? – How modern life amplifies fear responses.
🔹 Fear & Ego – Why fear is directly tied to identity and self-preservation.

This episode dives deep into fear’s hidden mechanics and offers tools to navigate it with awareness.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - 03:26 - Intro
03:26 - 20:28 - The Essence of Fear
20:28 - 27:58 - Fear as Primary Negative Emotion
27:58 - 32:49 - Fear Masking Emotion
32:49 - 39:46 - Fear & Trauma
39:46 - 57:55 - Fear & Phobia
57:55 - 1:05:04 - Fear in Disguise
1:05:04 - 1:35:14 - Overcoming Fear (Jim Goes Off)
1:35:14 - 1:46:53 - Fear of Conflict
1:46:53 - 1:55:38 - Is Society Getting More Afraid?
1:55:38 - 2:15:37 - Fear & Ego
2:15:37 - 2:26:41 - Jim & Fear