Arash's World Podcast

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!

Ramblings and Takeaways on Mental Health with Arash Farzaneh

Welcome to another episode of Ramblings & Takeaways! Today's session is on Mental Health, what it is, how to recognize issues, how it affects overall health, and what to do to thrive and flourish and fill our days with joy, appreciation, and satisfaction. I touch upon chronic stress, anxiety, worry, and negativity, which are often based on trauma and fear stemming from a lack of physical and emotional safety and security.

I also look at different emanations of this worry and concern in terms of anger, hostility, ridicule, sarcasm, and bullying. But the right attitude with a growth mindset can help us get back on track towards better mental health and help us overcome various obstacles and limitations in our lives.

There is also a clear difference between narcissistic freedom and liberation from one's fears and anxieties. True empowering freedom is often combined with caring for others and social responsibility.

I also look at spirituality and religious faith that can help unite us instead of polarizing and dividing us from each other. In the end, I present a summary that includes the three main takeaways of this episode. Thanks for listening!

The Chris and Arash Show on Creativity

Welcome to yet another vibrant, stimulating, and exciting episode of The Chris and Arash Show! In this one, we tackle and try to untangle creativity and it's probably our most creative show yet! We cover quite a bit of ground and territory but, to name a few here, we look at what creativity is and what it is not, how to develop this skill, and create the best conditions and incentives for its growth.

That said, creativity can be fickle as can be evidenced by "writer's block" and a general lack of ideas and imagination when it comes to problem-solving or thinking outside of the box.

Moreover, we also discuss flow and brainwaves and how creativity is linked to curiosity, productivity, success, mindfulness, and happiness. Plus, there are plenty of Beatles references and Einstein quotes to illustrate our points and views.

Espionage, Acting, and Identity and the Healing Power of the Creative Arts with Shila Ommi

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to talk with Iranian/American actress, filmmaker, and voice-over artist Shila Ommi who is known for her work in "Little America”, “Charlie Wilson’s War” and, more recently, you can watch her in the Apple TV+ series “Tehran”.

We talk about spying and espionage as metaphors for acting and the search for identity as well as the importance of telling stories that include cross-cultural perspectives to help bridge differences and bring people together. Moreover, Shila talks about the healing powers of the arts via catharsis and underscores the talent, enthusiasm, and passion that are often characteristic of Persian people and their culture.

Purpose, Pajamas and the Leap of Faith: Following Your Heart Voice and Intuition with Genevieve Piturro

In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with Author, Expert Speaker, and Business Consultant Genevieve Piturro about her inspirational book “Purpose, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform Your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning” on the importance of purpose and human connection in our personal and professional lives. Genevieve is a "former corporate climber who jumped off the ladder when she found a purpose" and talks openly and candidly about her decision to leave behind the corporate world in exchange for following her intuition, which led to more meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in her life.

We talk about her Pajamas Program, the symbolism of pajamas, the importance of a bedtime routine and ritual for young children as well as the relevance of reading books. Genevieve found her passion by listening to her heart instead of her head voice and has taken a leap of faith to help and support children across the nation.

Finally, we discuss the importance of having leaders instead of bosses and that the workplace would strongly benefit from a shared work culture that is built and thrives on inclusion, gratitude, respect, and appreciation across all levels of the company.

Life-Centered Therapy: Saying Yes to Everything and Accepting Life’s Lead, Guidance and Invitations with Dr. Andrew Hahn

In this inspirational, truly transformational, and record-breaking episode (sorry Robert Thurman!), I have the pleasure to talk with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Andrew Hahn about his book “The One-Hour Miracle: A 5-Step Process to Guide Your Self-Healing” and the unique Approach of Life-Centered Therapy.

We talk about the many beauties and miracles of life and how it's important to accept life's lessons and invitations to deal with trauma and achieve deep self-healing and how in our quest to look for perfection, we often tend to overlook and forget that life is perfect in and of itself.

Dr. Hahn explains how intuition is the deepest form of knowing and that the rational mind is often traumatized and run by traumatic experiences of the past. Finally, when you heal, you not only transcend the self in the present but also your relationships with external events, which extend ripple effects across time and space and transform energy levels across the board.

You are Happier than You Think and How to Deal with Happiness Zappers with Pamela Gail Johnson

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to interview Pamela Gail Johnson, Happiness Advocate, Founder of The Society of Happy People, and Author of "Practical Happiness: Four Principles to Improve your Life" about transformational techniques for authentic joy and fulfillment.

We talk about some of her reasons and motivations for founding the previously secret society, how happiness is sometimes a choice, and how we can consciously target specific happiness zappers and other annoyances in life as well as how grief and mourning are parts of life. Moreover, happiness changes with time alongside our age and maturity levels but we should be open to new experiences, including karaoke, dancing, and whatever else we may be afraid of trying out in life.

The Messy But Beautiful World of Liberal Democracies and the Importance of Interfaith with Professor David Elcott

In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure to speak with Professor David Elcott, Author of "Faith, Nationalism, and the Future of Liberal Democracy" about feeling "other" and being a global citizen, specific historical and religious aspects of North America that have shaped and influenced current worldviews and the need for interfaith and for faith communities to develop a theology that promotes pluralism within the democratic system.

Moreover, we talk about majority rule and respecting the rules of minorities, how democracy is complicated and messy, and how it needs to ensure that all voices are heard and given the attention and respect they merit. We also talk about how accepting and abiding by the rules are important and necessary for liberal democracy and its institutions to prevail.

The Chris and Arash Show on Meaning and Purpose

Welcome to The Chris and Arash Show! In this episode, we discuss meaning and purpose, and we look at them from different sides and angles. First, we look at the different meanings of meaning and distinguish them also from pleasure and happiness.

For many of us, work may provide us with meaning and purpose, but there are also other ways and avenues, such as helping others and living in a close-knit and supportive community.

We then take a critical look at money and wealth alongside research on their correlation with happiness and life satisfaction. We also discuss the importance of mindfulness and mindset and how we should be more open-minded when it comes to success and failure.