What does it mean to succeed while living with OCD? In this episode, Kristina Orlova sits down with Scott Stirret, founder and CEO of Venture for Canada and author of The Uncertainty Advantage, to explore how OCD and uncertainty intersect with ambition, business, and personal growth.
Scott opens up about his diagnosis during the pandemic, how OCD shaped his thoughts and rituals long before he had a name for it, and why getting evidence-based treatment through ERP was life-changing. He also shares candidly about setbacks, recovery, and what it means to manage OCD as a lifelong condition.
Together, Kristina and Scott unpack the sneaky ways OCD shows up, the power of mindfulness and self-compassion, and how embracing uncertainty can actually become a strength rather than a fear. Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope, practical strategies, and a powerful reminder that success and OCD are not mutually exclusive.
The 3 things you’ll learn in today’s episode:
- Why healing from OCD is a gradual process and not about “making thoughts go away.”
- How mindfulness and self-compassion can help untangle mental compulsions.
- Practical tools Scott uses like exercise, rest, and relationships—to manage OCD while leading a successful career.
In This Episode
- [00:01] Kristina’s welcome and introduction
- [00:36] Meet today’s guest, Scott
- [01:32] Scott’s OCD diagnosis and journey
- [04:08] Learning that OCD management is long-term
- [06:39] Writing The Uncertainty Advantage and the fear of uncertainty
- [08:26] Navigating OCD while building a business
- [09:58] How OCD manifests for Scott
- [11:21] Untangling mental rituals and compulsive thinking
- [13:22] Labeling compulsions with gentleness
- [14:20] Daily practices for ongoing management
- [16:01] Finding meaning in OCD and writing the book
- [18:47] Sitting with difficult feelings instead of running from them
- [20:44] Developing empathy through lived experience
- [21:13] Where to find Scott and his new book
Our Guest
Scott Stirret is the founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that helps young people build entrepreneurial skills and careers. Over the past decade, the organization has raised over $80M and supported more than 10,000 youth across Canada. Scott is also the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a book that guides early career professionals to build resilience by embracing uncertainty.
Resources & Links
Kristina Orlova, LMFT
Scott Stirrett
- The Uncertainty Advantage on Amazon
- Substack
- Personal Website – with his Uncertainty Quiz
Please note, while our host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
Stay tuned for weekly episodes filled with valuable insights and tips for managing OCD and anxiety. And remember, keep going in the meantime. See you in the next episode!
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