Anxious Cat Exposure Therapy (Any Ideas?)

Hi everyone! I recently moved into my own apartment - this is my cat's first time living with just me, and he's not used to being in an apartment building. My cat is ANXIOUS. He used to be super brave, but over the months he's become afraid of just about everything if it moves. I'm talking ironing board, blankets, broom, he's also afraid of the sound of me unloading the dishwasher, it's so much to deal with. Don't even get me started about guests. i'm trying to figure out how to get him a little more confident - and boy I am totally failing lol. I'm very headstrong, my approaches of just getting him around the broom (that's the target right now) is totally failing. What would you guys do if you were in my shoes? Any help brainstorming would be hugely appreciated

What is this reddish black crap on my cats belly??

I tried to get a better pic of it but she’s got very dense her so it was a pain. I was petting her belly and I noticed this dusty reddish brown stuff stuck on her belly, I tried to rub it off but it’s pretty stuck on there. My first thought was fleas or something so I combed through her fur and found no little bugs. She hasn’t been itchy or seeming uncomfortable recently so I haven’t the foggiest idea

What the fuck is wrong with him