Arash's World Podcast

Pause and Restart: Wendy L. Sunshine on Tender Paws and the Beautiful Fabric of Human and Canine Parenting

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with writer and journalist Wendy Lyons Sunshine about her book “Tender Paws: How Science-based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs” and how this can enrich our overall understanding of parenting.

Whether you are taking care of a child or a dog, there are different parenting styles that are applicable and certain methods that are preferred and recommended. Wendy explains the links and parallels while proposing and advocating the broad and holistic HEARTS approach, principles and goals that are helpful for and beneficial to the raising of both children and dogs.

At the same time, it reinforces that these sentient beings are unique in their personality traits as well as their needs, desires, and wishes. It is important to be responsive to them and yet to leave some space for them to figure things out on their own and have time to be themselves while playing, learning, and exploring freely.

As we are guiding and leading them, it is a great chance not only to break old harmful patterns, upgrade our skills and heal ourselves from negative experiences rooted in our own respective childhood but also to be able to pause and start anew as we try our best and keep learning with and growing from each new challenge and opportunity in the parental realm, be it human or canine.

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino on Redefining Success and Her Guidebook on Being Successful with Visualization, Positivity, Action, and Dedication

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Master Life Coach, Author, and Speaker Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino on her book “The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You.”

Elizabeth challenges us to rethink and redefine what success means and to do so individually and not on a cookie-cutter basis (this coming from a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur!). It is important to first figure out what your passion is clues of which may be present during our childhood and then formulate it in clear and concrete terms both to yourself and others.

As she explains, it is best to not compare yourself with others but rather visualize what you would like to achieve. Although there may be physical limitations, there are no age limits on what you can do as long as you can see it, be it, and then follow through by doing it.

At the same time, it is essential to have a positive outlook even (or especially) during hard and difficult times but also to surround oneself with positive people who understand and fully support you alongside your wishes and desires. In fact, as Elizabeth illustrates, often the desire to change and grow comes from initially feeling stuck and being at an impasse in life.

Yet by taking the step-by-step process toward comprehensive success as you visualize, actualize and then amplify this unique path of yours, you can start celebrating the smaller wins as you aim and reach toward the bigger ones. And at all times, it is important to keep your positivity intact, be surrounded by loving and caring people, and be grateful for what you have instead of worrying and fretting over that which you do not have (yet).  

Law Professor Mehrsa Baradaran on the Quiet Coup of Neoliberalism: Corruption, Corporate Greed, Distrust, and Dangerous Ideologies

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with law professor Mehrsa Baradaran, the author of “The Quiet Coup: Neoliberalism and the Looting of America” on how neoliberalism was gradually and surreptitiously incorporated and implemented into law for economic and political purposes.

Mehrsa details that during the 1960s, there was a significant and pivotal global shift in terms of freedom and human and civil rights, international law, and the sovereignty of nations, and that is when neoliberalism gained its foothold not only in American policy but across the world.

This ideology made itself known at that time as an antidote and protection against communism and was touted as a free-market policy that would decrease laws and government intervention, but it ended up creating more laws and regulations to benefit its own agenda.

As Mehrsa explains this profit-driven ideology operates on double standards, is algorithmic in nature and has infiltrated laws and policies in the form of a quiet coup, which has been propagated by both sides of the political spectrum.

Furthermore, we discuss how this has the potential to lead to totalitarian and fascist regimes and that we need to be aware that evil exists in its “banality” as Hannah Arendt noted, namely as common forms of blindness and ignorance among the people and citizens.

People are frustrated with the rampant corruption and hypocrisy, and are hence distrusting of governments, institutions, and corporations as the game is rigged and tilted in the favor of the wealthiest.

In a sense, we are at a crucial and pivotal point in history as events around the tumultuous 60s are reoccurring and are being mirrored but this time around we have the chance and potential of solving the issues together and attaining true and lasting democracy for everyone by investing in human genius and giving it free reign.

Going with the Flow: Sheila Winter Wallace on Connecting and Integrating the Body with the Spirit

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with spiritual healer and coach Sheila Winter Wallace about the importance of body awareness and the focus on the breath to deal with and overcome physical and emotional pain and blockages in our mind and body.

Over the years, Sheila has worked predominantly with women, most of whom are successful but do not think they are as they tend to feel burdened and weighed down by an unhealthy and unrealistic drive for perfection as well as the impostor syndrome.

Sheila points out that we often need to define states and concepts for ourselves to be able to discover our uniqueness and where we excel most. A shift in mind and perspective can help us see things more clearly, while curiosity can be our anchor and driving force throughout our life's journey.

Finally, she gives examples of Hawaii and some of their chants, which focus on each of us having powerful spiritual forces that make us whole, unique, and essential to our world. By drawing parallels to quantum field theory, we may better understand that nothing is good or bad, right or wrong in and of itself, and that our aim and goal should be to connect with our spiritual force within and to create the life we want and wish for.

 

Gary Laney on How to Become a Super Leader with Many Hats through Mindset, Practice, Hard Work, and Dedication

In this episode, I have the great opportunity of speaking with author, entrepreneur, and strategic consultant Gary Laney about his book “Become a Super Leader: The 4 Essential Anchors for Mastering Influential Leadership” as well as his own personal and professional experience regarding leadership.

Successful leadership goes beyond making one’s business function well or making it good and reputable in the eyes of the world, but an important, necessary, and crucial aspect is relationships with one’s staff and employees, clients, and community. Moreover, it is interesting to note that you are not just born a leader, but it is a skill that can be taught, learned, practiced, and improved upon.

Gary shares how Benjamin Franklin’s quest and work on 13 virtues influenced and inspired him to consider and look at 40 competencies that make a good and effective leader based on surveys of various successful business leaders around the world. These different skillsets can make you tap into and become your best version in the business field and perhaps even turn you into a polymath like Franklin himself.

Moreover, a super leader wears many hats and has access to a wealth of knowledge and experience that they can put on and take on at any given moment. Although we may not be multitaskers, we can do, focus, and improve upon various things one at a time. Yet, an important question to ask yourself is what your superpower and your legacy are, and we may start asking ourselves this question at a young age so that we can activate, realize and even go beyond our inherent potential.

 

Timeless Presidential Leadership Advice: Lessons We Can Learn From Top American Presidents with Talmage Boston

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with presidential historian Talmage Boston and the author of “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents.” We talk about timeless leadership qualities embodied in each of the Top 8 American Presidents and how this knowledge and insight can be of great benefit to anyone interested in becoming a leader in any field or business.

Talmage explains how each of the presidents offers something unique that can inspire us and help us on our own leadership path. For instance, Washington was good at learning from his mistakes, was good at making decisions and had an impeccable reputation, whereas Jefferson demonstrates the importance of having positive relationships, keeping the communication lines open, and getting people in a mode of collaboration and cooperation.

What others have shown as well is the importance of a clear vision, of unwavering faith and dedication to one’s goals and aims, and of overcoming various obstacles and challenges. In addition, Lincoln shows us great focus and not being distracted from one’s path, while Franklin Roosevelt’s strength and resilience are commendable and inspiring.

Finally, a sense of pragmatism imbued with optimism often leads to success. This is embodied in both the attitude as well as deeds of Reagan, who managed to restore confidence and motivate the nation after a period of stagnation and demotivation. Not only do we learn more about the selected presidents, their personalities, and political careers but also, how this information can make us all more successful leaders in our own respective endeavors.

The Corky Lee Story: The Art of Photography, Photographic Justice & Social Change with Documentary Filmmaker Jennifer Takaki

In this episode, filmmaker Jennifer Takaki talks about her documentary “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story” on the photographer and journalist Corky Lee who over 50 years and with almost a million pictures to his credit managed to combine art, images, and photographs with politics as well as awareness, inclusion, and social change.

In fact, Corky retook the 1869 photo of the railroad celebration and made it more diverse, inclusive, and true to fact by - this time around - not excluding Asian faces from the image even though many Chinese workers had been involved in the work and labor of the railroad construction.

Moreover, Jennifer explains how Corky was very passionate, persistent, dedicated and very good at his art of photography while always being at the right place at the right time. A picture speaks a thousand words, and, in this case, it also caught what had often eluded mainstream media at the time and has framed and reframed our knowledge and understanding of historical events.

Finally, his influence needs to be put into perspective as in the lens and framework of his times, it was rather uncommon for people and society to be diverse and inclusive in their practices. At the same time, by being open to and even expanding his community to include many others, he has always brought attention to a lot of cultural festivities and celebrations in New York.  

Keys to Fulfillment and Happiness: Rabbi Jeffrey Katz on Divine Overflow and Transformational Rules for Living According to Maimonides

In this episode, I have the wonderful pleasure of speaking with Rabbi Jeffrey Katz, the author of “Rules to Live By: Maimonides’ Guide to a Wonderful Life,” which provides us a summary of fascinating maxims and proverbs by this intellectual and spiritual mind of the Middle Ages.

Maimonides was a multi-talented person, and he was a doctor as well as a prolific writer who was persecuted for his beliefs but whose ideas influenced many philosophers, thinkers, and scholars, including Thomas Aquinas. In fact, the writings of Maimonides were discussed and even revered by three main Western religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Yet on this podcast, the Rabbi focuses on practical tips and guidance for everyday life and taps into the wisdom of Maimonides’ maxims and proverbs. We learn about finance and how to best deal with money as well as how a charitable and philanthropic mindset and lifestyle can attract affluence in different ways.

Moreover, it comes down to character and attitude, which can bring not only happiness to our personal and professional life, but they can also build and create trust and respect within our own community. Moreover, family is of great importance and so best practices and values are encouraged to ensure that there is mutual respect and love within the given family unit.

Finally, we also delve into the more mystical aspects of Maimonides and the importance of tapping into the good and the light and refraining from falling prey to evil and negativity. Through a spiritual lens and outlook, we can not only find love but also connect with God and experience divine overflow, which would help us see and notice signposts and divine providence throughout our lives. This would lead us to a feeling of awe and connectedness and transform our lives in profound ways and manners.

You Being You: Fostering Healthy Relationships and The Joy of Imperfect Love with Dr. Carla Marie Manly

In this episode, I have the wonderful pleasure to be once again speaking with Clinical Psychologist, Author, and Podcaster Dr. Carla Marie Manly about her book “The Joy of Imperfect Love: The Art of Creating Healthy, Securely Attached Relationships.”

We talk about the intersection between the letting go of perfection and the letting in of joy while not only accepting the flaws in each of us but also allowing space for and embracing the quirky and idiosyncratic parts of one another.

Dr. Carla gives us a summary of four different relationship styles and how we can adopt the healthiest one that, like a braid, allows for dependence while also supporting independence as well as fostering connection between each other. At the same time, if the relationship includes emotional intelligence, with strong communication and healthy conflict, it could lead to even more joy and harmony.

Furthermore, we discuss how and why the relationship with oneself is of great importance and that we need to be reminded that self-love is not always synonymous with self-care. It is best to be kind and gentle with oneself including past versions of our selves.

Often, there is a lot of pain and traumatic experiences that need to be addressed and processed to be able to move forward and onward in life, yet we should not be afraid to change direction or our mindset to attain what works best for us at a given moment. We also look at how change may be difficult but necessary to embrace and the three positive purposes of uplift, grow, and accept that can help us along the way.

The Interconnected Intricacies of History: James Swanson on the Historical Details of the Deerfield Massacre

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with historian and author James Swanson on his fascinating book of “The Deerfield Massacre: A Surprise Attack, a Forced March, and the Fight for Survival in Early America” as well as on his recent involvement with the Apple TV+ series “Manhunt” an adaptation based on his own best-selling book.

What happened on February 29, 1704, in the remote town of Deerfield, Massachusetts? James Swanson gives a chilling account of this chapter in early American history by examining the massacre perpetuated by 300 Indians and 50 French officers and the subsequent abduction of over a hundred residents and their experience of captivity.

Many Deerfield residents, including women and children were murdered on the spot, others were slaughtered on the long march to Canada through wintry conditions, and some of them, like Eunice Williams, daughter of Reverend John Williams, were forcefully adopted by Indians and then incorporated into their tribes. No matter how much the Reverend tried, he could not get his daughter to come home in addition to having lost two very young children and his wife to this brutal and unexpected attack.

We also look at the importance of preserving history in the form of relics like the “Old Indian Door,” the constant threat of attacks combined with fear and superstition of the times including witchcraft, and the belief in divine punishment. James also explains the reason for using horseshoes at the door, how native voices had been erased but have now been added to the historical accounts, and how today, there are many descendants of mixed blood in these areas, especially in Canada.

Finally, we look at how history can be complex and filled with irony, especially the relationship triangle between France, England, and America, and how French support had been instrumental in winning the revolutionary war and how the Statue of Liberty is a French gift and symbol that commemorates American independence.