In this week's episode on Behind the Stigma, I speak with Adil Hussain, a men's development coach and the Founder of Brotherhood UAE on Men's Mental Health. We delved into the importance of men's emotional expression, the challenges men face in seeking help, and the impact of societal expectations on masculinity. Adil shares insights from his own journey of healing and empowerment, highlighting the need to redefine masculinity and break free from toxic norms. We also explore the role of men's circles in providing a safe space for men to connect, share, and support each other. Throughout the c ..read more

In this week's episode on the Behind the Stigma Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ekaterina Netchitailova to discuss the meaning and lived experience of psychosis. Dr. Netchitailova shares her personal journey with psychiatric care in the Netherlands and the UK, shedding light on the stigma surrounding diagnoses and cultural influences on mental health. The conversation explores Dr. Netchitailova's background and delves into the circumstances leading to her first experience with psychosis and her initial psychiatric hospitalization, detailing the good, the bad, and the overall impact. About Dr. Netchi ..read more

In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Awais Aftab, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University on the Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry. We discuss the emergence of philosophy in psychiatry as a distinct discipline, and it's historical evolution  from psychoanalysis to biomedical models. We go into the critiques of disorder classifications, debates surrounding biological explanations and medication use, and the importance of fostering trust and collaboration within the mental health community and society. The conversation offers insights in ..read more

In this week's episode of the Behind the Stigma Podcast, I speak with members of the Student Advisory Committee from Student Minds, including Aglaya Freccero, Dom Smithies, and Mahbub Alom Shuhag, in light of  University Mental Health Day. We delve into the challenges and lived experiences of students, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and diversity in mental health policies. We also explore the role of peer support networks, digital interventions, recent initiatives by Student Minds, and personal self-care practices. The aim of the episode was to raise awareness and foster posi ..read more

In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Hipolito, an Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, on artificial intelligence, cognition and mental health. We discuss: - The philosophical realism of AI: whether AI systems are seen as seperate from us - Digital mental health apps: their advantages and concerns about data privacy, reliability, and the potential for algorithmic bias. - Smart virtual environments, and their advantages and drawbacks that come with it. - The future of virtual environments for mental health About Dr. Ines HipolitoDr. Hipolito is an Assistant Professor at Macquarie U ..read more

In this week's episode on the Behind the Stigma Podcast, we welcome  Dr. Ekaterina Netchitailova to discuss the meaning and lived experience of psychosis. Dr. Netchitailova shares her personal journey with psychiatric care in the Netherlands and the UK, shedding light on the stigma surrounding diagnoses and cultural influences on mental health. The conversation explores Dr. Netchitailova's background and delves into the circumstances leading to her first experience with psychosis and her initial psychiatric hospitalization, detailing the good, the bad, and the overall impact. About Dr ..read more

The first episode of the New Year, we delve into the concept of Jungian shadow work and integration with the shadow. (Chapter Markers added). We discuss what Shadow work means, and why it's not only about the 'dark' parts of ourselves. We also explore how the shadow influences our behavior and relationships, leading to insights about projection and its impact on personal growth. Dr. Curmi shares insights on discovering and integrating one's shadow by asking the right questions. Finally,  we go into various methods for shadow integration and tips for those interested in exploring their ow ..read more

Welcome to Season 2! In this week's episode, we explore the intriguing link between neuroimmunology and psychiatry with guest Dr. Thomas Pollak. We discuss what autoimmune diseases are and Dr. Pollak's work on Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and it's relation to psychosis. We also discuss the role of neurology in psychiatry, and challenges in diagnosis and the necessity of considering immunology in psychiatric examinations. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of understanding connections between infections, the immune system, and psychiatric disorders. Chapt ..read more

In this week's episode, I speak with Amir Bozorgzadeh, Co-Founder and CEO of Virtu Leap on the intersection between virtual reality and cognitive health. We discuss how Virtu Leap designs VR brain training solutions to address cognitive illnesses and the potential of VR in mental health interventions. Amir shares personal insights into the power of VR, and the unique approach Virtu Leap takes in training and monitoring cognitive abilities. We also delve into a pilot study on ADHD (linked below) and its implications. Amir highlights the importance of immersive experiences in VR and addresses c ..read more

In this week's episode, I speak with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Founder of Ness Labs, on productivity & the creative process.   We discuss 4 different creative processes: - diffused vs focused thinking - idea sex - generation effect and - combinational creativity We also go into Anne Laure's work of mindful productivity, the different ways to identify why we procrastinate, and her journey from Google to Ness Labs. Website: https://nesslabs.com/blog Twitter: https://twitter.com/ness_labs About Anne-Laure: https://anne-laure.net ..read more