Arash's World Podcast

Stop Worrying about Your Anxious Child and Just Enjoy the Ride of Parenthood with Dr. Tonya Collings Crombie

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to talk with the wonderful and versatile Dr. Tonya Collings Crombie who wears many hats as a mother, wife, certified coach, teacher, and organizational/industrial psychologist and combines them in her insightful, resourceful, and helpful books "Stop Worrying about Your Anxious Child" and "Stop Worrying about Your Anxious Teenager"!

We discuss the personal experiences, potential difficulties, and worries alongside the many joys of being a parent especially when it comes to anxious children and teenagers. We also draw parallels between the world of teaching and that of parenting and how it is important to listen and tune into your child and give them room and space to grow and develop their unique personhood with their very own shiny, colorful, and beautiful personality.

Moreover, we discuss the intimate links between sensitivity and anxiety and that with the proper tools and tips, it can be and become a true blessing and an enriching trait. We also touch upon framing since the story we tell ourselves often becomes true as well as how our anxiety does not define us and is often a by-product of greatness and a special gift inherent in us! Finally, we should enjoy the ride of parenthood and fully enjoy all the good things!

The Troubled Legacy of Timothy Leary and Harvard’s New Interdisciplinary Science & Research into Psychedelics with Patrick Schmidt

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to speak with Attorney and Author Patrick Schmidt about his book "Harvard's Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science" and his research into Harvard’s Interdisciplinary Department of Social Relations alongside the effects and repercussions of Timothy Leary’s psychological and social experiments with psychedelics that eventually brought down the department. Moreover, Patrick provides details and background information about Henry Murray’s controversial and questionable experiment that traumatized a young Ted Kaczynski who later become known as the Unabomber.

We also look at the current research undertaken regarding psychedelics both at Harvard with the New Center for Neuroscience of Psychedelics at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) as well as Berkely with BCSP, the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics research and training facilitation program and how these approaches differ from the previously attempted but failed Department of Social Relations. Moreover, we talk about the stigma associated with psychedelic drugs as well as their potential and beneficial therapeutic use as evidenced in the work of Michael Pollan and the Netflix documentary “How to Change Your Mind”.

Finally, we discuss the difficulties and challenges of a truly interdisciplinary as opposed to a multi-disciplinary approach and how it could be organized and structured in university settings as well as the many gains and benefits it has brought about and could bring about in the future.

Being Free and Open to Express and Process Your Emotions with Freeda the Frog with Nadine Haruni

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to speak with Nadine Haruni, who is best known for her award-winning "Freeda the Frog" Children’s Book Series that deals with complex emotions and life’s events through the lens of colorful characters, which have been shaped and influenced by her and her family’s own personal experiences. Apart from being a mother and an author, she is also juggling careers by being an attorney and the occasional yoga teacher.

Moreover, we discuss the importance of talking freely and openly about difficult and complex topics, issues, and emotions, how we all need to foster and increase awareness, empathy, and inclusivity, and how these wonderful books can serve as conversation starters and discussion topics that could be used at school and at home.

Bravery Always Wins: True Heroic Events around the Fake Disease of Syndrome K with Filmmaker Stephen Edwards

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to talk with composer and filmmaker Stephen Edwards about his fascinating, moving, and inspiring documentary "Syndrome K" about three doctors in a Catholic hospital who made up a fake disease to preserve and save many Jewish lives during World War Two.

We talk about the doctors' and hospital staff's bravery and how they defied the Nazis by also risking their own and their families' lives in the process. Moreover, they engaged in clandestine operations by using secret transistor radios and falsifying documents as well as passports under the Vatican seal.

It's a story that few have heard about but it is a stunning historical fact that comes to light via this documentary as well as a potential upcoming feature film based on the subject.

Mind over Body: How Meditation-in-Action Can Switch on Conscience and Super Conscious Wisdom with Leonard Perlmutter

In this episode, I have the pleasure and honor to talk with Leonard Perlmutter aka Ram Lev, the Founder of the non-profit educational organization The American Meditation Institute (AMI), author of the books “Your Conscience”, and “The Heart and Science of Yoga” alongside "Transformation," a journal of Yoga Science as holistic mind-body medicine and as education for enlightenment.

Ram Lev talks about the main ideas of his “5 Easy Steps” course and the importance of the mind and human thought and how it can lead to anarchy or peace and harmony and how our words and actions have direct effects and consequences on our relationships with ourselves and others.

We also discuss the relevance of pausing and creating a space between stimulus and response; this can be brought about via meditation and mindfulness in action. It can calm and quiet the mind and gradually build willpower and self-reliance affecting our conscience, which is the only decision-maker of the mind. Through continuous practice and dedication, we can increase our Super Conscious Wisdom and gain freedom from fear and attain a positive and more enlightened outlook on life.

Brain Science, Unconscious Bias, and Leadership: Living & Working in a Diverse World with Christopher “CJ” Gross

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to talk with Christopher “CJ” Gross, TEDx Speaker, Founder of Ascension Worldwide, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Training and Consulting, as well as Certified Social and Emotional Intelligence Coach and Trainer about his book “What’s your ZIP Code Story? Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace”.

CJ talks about his objective approach toward these social and cultural issues, what true diversity, inclusivity, and leadership are and what they look like at the workplace, and how to streamline the system to assess, evaluate and produce the desired results. CJ also looks at the brain science behind having biases, making assumptions, and jumping to conclusions, and how to make relevant and necessary changes to create a zone of psychological and emotional safety.

Finally, we look at what makes a good leader, how to develop and foster strong leadership skills, and why it comes down to emotional and social intelligence as well as true empathy.

The Keys to Happiness: Being and Living Happier with Chicken Soup for the Soul with Amy Newmark

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to talk with Amy Newmark, publisher, editor-in-chief, and author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series about her latest book "Your 10 Keys to Happiness: 101 Real-Life Stories That Will Show You How to Improve your Life."

We talk about how happiness is contagious and how people feel more involved, inspired, and motivated by real and relatable personal stories. We also discuss Amy's scientific, evidence-based, and practical approach to self-help and happiness as well as her past research and travel experiences in the poor and remote regions of Brazil.

Then, we briefly go over the different elements of happiness but mainly focus on gratitude, a personality trait you can add to your personality; forgiveness and leaving the baggage of the past filled with resentments and disappointments behind you to move forward into the present and future without reliving those negative emotions; and the importance of me-time and we-time.

Moreover, we talk about why it is necessary to step outside of your comfort zone, be yourself, and pursue your passions, and how many elements of happiness are connected and interlinked.

Finally, we discuss the diversity and inclusion of different topics and people from various backgrounds and belief systems, and how Amy has helped revitalize and expand this already popular and successful series and franchise.

Stories Won’t Die: The Emotional Power & Resonance of the Creative Arts toward Peace & Healing with Filmmaker David Henry Gerson

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to interview actor and filmmaker David Henry Gerson on his documentary "The Story Won't Die" about various Syrian artists protesting the horrors of the war, processing individual and collective trauma while also showcasing and demonstrating their courage, talent, and creativity through their different art forms.

We also talk about the quest for peace, justice, and the importance of freedom of expression, how the Western world is relatively privileged in comparison, and how this is a serious issue and struggle in various parts of the world.

Finally, we talk about personal connections with the arts, how they can help raise awareness and potentially affect policies as well as David's future and upcoming filmmaking plans and projects.

Tips & Tools for Parenting and Modeling Emotionally Intelligent & Socially Aware Children with Dr. Helen S. Hadani & Rachael Katz

In this episode, I have the pleasure to interview not one but two childhood experts who co-authored the instructive, insightful, and practical book "The Emotionally Intelligent Child: Effective Strategies for Parenting Self-aware, Cooperative, and Well-balanced Kids": Dr. Helen S. Hadani, researcher and fellow at the Brookings Institution, and former director of research at the Bay Area Discovery Museum as well as Rachael Katz, teacher of social and emotional learning skills, and former head of the Discovery School at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

We cover neuroscience and child development and how to teach executive function skills, and how to foster curiosity and creativity while instilling and building upon meta-awareness and mindful moments for both parents and their children. We also discuss the importance of having downtime, spending time interacting with the family and taking advantage of teachable moments. These helpful, practical, and useful tips and tools can increase perspective-taking, understanding, and empathy both for ourselves as well as our children.

The Many Joys of Life and Nourishing Your Body and Soul with Faith, Writing, and Good Food with Julie Fitz-Gerald

In this episode, I talk with Author, Freelance Writer, and Editor Julie Fitz-Gerald about her book "Faith to Rise: A Journey to Joy and Centering".

We talk about dealing with difficult times as well as worry, fear, and anxiety, and how faith, writing, and the pleasures and enjoyment of good food and friendship can bring about more joy and foster more connection in our lives.

Moreover, we discuss the differences between urban and country life and how it is important to break barriers and cross comfort zones to create healthy and supportive relationships with ourselves and others.

Finally, Julie highlights that we all have our own unique gifts and talents that we need to mine and develop and that is important to pursue our passions and our unique touch as nobody can do something quite as we can, and we all bring something different to the table.

And in the end, as the Beatles sing, all you really need is love!