Behind the Stigma

Episoder

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  How the brain predicts reality with Professor Karl Friston 23.08.2026 1t 6min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, I'm joined by Professor Karl Friston, theoretical neuroscientist at UCL, and one of the most cited neuroscientists in the world. Friston is best known for the free energy principle, a framework that has reshaped how we understand the brain as a prediction machine. We discuss what the free energy principle actually means, how precision-weighting might help explain conditions like schizophrenia, anxiety and depression, and why trauma may be better unders...
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  The Conscious Universe: Exploring Panpsychism with Professor Philip Goff 19.07.2026 1t 6min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Professor Philip Goff, philosopher and professor at Durham University, explores the nature of consciousness, panpsychism, and the profound insights from his recent 5-MeO-DMT journey. We discuss some of his ideas, and how panpsychism challenges our understanding of reality and the universe. About Philip Goff Professor Goff is a British author, panpsychist philosopher, and professor at Durham University whose research focuses on philosophy of mind and conscious...
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  The plants are always speaking with Dr. Rebekah Senānāyaka 18.06.2026 38min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, I'm joined by Rebekah Senānāyaka, ethnobotanist and PhD graduate in Cultural Anthropology, whose research takes us deep into the Amazonian rainforest. Rebekah spent 27 months immersed in indigenous plant medicine traditions, including her own experiences with ayahuasca and sanango and her work introduces the concept of extended multispecies liminality, exploring what happens when the boundary between human and plant consciousness begins to dissolve. We...
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  Enactivism in Psychiatry with Professor Sanneke De Haan 15.04.2026 50min

  Send us Fan Mail This week on Behind the Stigma, Professor Sanneke de Haan joins us to discuss how we define mental disorders and what the enactive approach to psychiatry reveals about the relationship between mind, body, and world. We talk about how this perspective challenges the biomedical model, what it means to see disorders as disorders of sense-making, and how it changes the way we think about treatment. Finally, Professor de Haan shares her thoughts on self–illness ambiguity, mental d...
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  Mental Disorder as a Harmful Dysfunction with Dr. Jerome Wakefield 20.02.2026 1t 28min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Stigma, I sit down with Jerome Wakefield, NYU Professor and originator of the influential “harmful dysfunction” theory of mental disorder. We explore what makes something truly pathological, the fuzzy boundary between normal suffering and disorder, and the philosophical foundations shaping modern psychiatry. We also discuss the DSM and it's removal of the bereavement exclusion in depression, evolutionary perspectives on neurodiversity movements a...
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  The Mental Health Crisis, AI & Careers in Psychology in the UAE 11.12.2025 1t 14min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Stigma, I sit down with Dr. Prince Kouassi, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department at the American University of Dubai, to explore the landscape of mental health in the UAE. We discuss whether we are over-diagnosing mental health, the educational psychology market and careers in the UAE, using AI in the classroom and his thoughts on digital mental health apps. Timestamps added! About Dr. Prince Kouassi Dr. Kouassi is an Assis...
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  Is Morality A Human Universal with Professor Edouard Machery 23.11.2025 49min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak with Professor Edouard Machery to explore experimental philosophy and the question of whether morality is truly universal. We discuss why humans need morals in the first place, why we often fail to live up to our own moral ideals. We also look at cross-cultural differences in moral judgments, the limits of relying on intuition in philosophy, and what new technologies like VR reveal about the gap between moral judgment and moral action. Timestamps adde...
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  The Dark Side of Therapy Speak with Dr. Carme Isern-Mas 10.10.2025 42min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Stigma, Seiara speaks with Dr. Carme Isern-Mas about the rise of “therapy-speak”, the popular use of psychological language in everyday life. Together, they explore how these phrases can help us express emotions and foster self-awareness, but also how they risk becoming disingenuous, individualistic, or even weaponized in relationships and society. About Carme Isern-Mas Dr. Isern-Mas is an Assistant Professor in Moral Philosophy at the Univ...
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  Adolescence Mental Health with Dr. Lucy Foulkes 04.06.2025 47min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, academic psychologist Dr. Lucy Foulkes, speaks to us about her book 'Coming of Age' and the importance of our adolescent years, the complexity of mental health awareness in today's society. We explore how rising conversations around mental illness, especially among young people, have reshaped identity, education, and the language we use to describe our inner lives. We also discussed why young adults self-diagnose, the role of social media, and the Netf...
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  Borderline Personality Disorder & Psychotherapy with Dr. Mark Ruffalo 01.02.2025 1t 1min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Ruffalo on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), long-term psychotherapy, and the nuances of diagnosis in mental health. We discuss object relations in BPD, the concept of splitting, and how these dynamics shape therapeutic work. We also explore the role of psychoanalytic therapy, the fine line between pathology and normal behavior, and how diagnostic pluralism can improve patient care. Dr. Ruffalo also shares insights into the p...
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  Exercise, Depression & Research in Psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano 10.01.2025 1t 6min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Stigma, we delve into the transformative world of lifestyle psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a third-year psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa. We explore the role of exercise in managing mild to moderate depression, its potential as a therapeutic modality alongside traditional treatments, and the broader implications for mental health care. We also discuss the challenges of publication bias in mental health research, the integra...
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  Colonization and Mental Health with Dr. Summer Fakhro 15.12.2024 1t

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Summer Fakhro with a discussion on Colonization and Mental Health. We define Colonialism and explore the deep and lasting psychological effects of colonization on different communities. We discuss how historical trauma, displacement, and cultural erasure continue to shape the mental well-being of individuals today, particularly with the focus on oppression happening in Palestine. From ...
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  Personality Disorders, Neoliberalism, and Survivor Voices with Dr. Jay Watts 24.11.2024 1t 7min

  Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by award-winning clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and activist Dr. Jay Watts to explore critical perspectives on mental health. We delve into the impact of neoliberalism on mental health services, the challenges of Personality Disorders with a focus on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and the rise of trauma-informed care. Dr. Watts shares her insights on epistemic injustice in mental health ca...
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  Positive Psychology isn’t about being positive...so what is it? with Dr. Louise Lambert 13.10.2024 54min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Stigma, we discuss what Positive Psychology is with Dr. Louise Lambert, a leading expert in happiness and wellbeing across the GCC. We discuss the science behind Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), the balance between stress and strength-based approaches, and the importance of meaning over happiness in life. Dr. Lambert also shares practical exercises to boost wellbeing and insights of how positive psychology can vary based on culture, dis...
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  Finding Meaning in Mortality: Yalom’s Existential Therapy with Ali Ilyas (Clinical Psychologist) 01.10.2024 58min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, my guest & clinical psychologist Ali Ilyas, explores the impact and work of existential psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin Yalom. We dive into core themes like: mortality, meaning, death anxiety, and the unique dynamics of the therapist-client relationship, such as transference and countertransference. Ali shares how Yalom's teachings have shaped his personal journey and therapeutic practice, while also discussing the importance of reflecting on death, findi...
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  Race, Culture & Social Equalities in Mental Health with Hári Sewell 16.09.2024 54min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Stigma, host Seiara Imanova speaks with Hari Sewell, founder and Director of HS Consultancy, about the intersection of social justice, ethnicity, and mental health. Hari, a leading voice on institutional racism and unconscious biases in mental health, shares his insights on the systemic factors contributing to racial disparities, the impact of social perspectives on patient outcomes, and the importance of addressing these issues in practice. Tu...
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  Why Do We Sabotage Ourselves and Others? The Psychology of Self-Sabotage with Dr. Alex Curmi 19.08.2024 1t 12min

  Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why we sometimes stand in our own way? In this week's episode, Dr. Alex Curmi breaks down the psychology behind self-sabotage and offers practical tips to overcome these patterns. We explore key concepts like evolutionary instincts, personality traits, repetition compulsion, avoidance compulsion, and fear of change. We also dive into why we sabotage others and how envy and jealousy play a role. Tune in for an insightful conversation that can he...
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  Returning to Wholeness: A Story with Psychiatric Nurse Neseret Bemient 15.06.2024 1t 42min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with a former psychiatric nurse, Neseret Bemient, on returning to wholeness and alternative ways of healing. Neseret shares her journey as a psychiatric nurse and what her role entailed, her diagnosis of medication-induced bipolar disorder, and how her childhood experiences as a refugee were an integral part of her journey. She also talks about the benefits of holistic medicine, including the ketogenic diet, and shares h...
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  Holistic Healthcare in Psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee 18.05.2024 59min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of nutrition, social prescribing & community care in psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee, a Multi-Award Winning NHS Junior Doctor. Dr. Jaffee shares her journey into psychiatry, the realities of being a junior doctor, and the inspiring story behind Nutritank. We go into the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry, discussing the profound connection between diet and mental health. Dr. Jaffee sheds light on...
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  Altered States & Sexual Health with Tommaso Barba (Imperial College London) 03.05.2024 49min

  Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, we dive into the intriguing world of psychedelics and intimacy with Tommaso Barba, a PhD student at Imperial College London. Tommaso brings to light his recent research on how psychedelics may revolutionize clinical outcomes outcomes for sexual function in depressed patients—offering an alternative to traditional SSRIs (antidepressants). We explore the long term effects of these substances on sexual functioning, examining how psychedelics reshape our u...