Arash's World Podcast

From Pyramids to Pharaohs: A Wondrous Journey Through Ancient Egypt with Egyptologist Laura Ranieri Roy

In this podcast, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Laura Ranieri Roy, an Egyptologist and the founder of Ancient Egypt Alive on pretty much everything under the sun regarding ancient Egyptian history and culture from bent pyramids to great pharaohs, the role of women in society while also giving us glimpses into everyday family life of back then.

Laura talks about King Sneferu’s pyramid innovation likening his leadership and vision to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. There seems to be – for better or for worse – no alien involvement in their design and construction as they were built using conscripted labor from across Egypt, with workers receiving food, housing, and medical care in exchange for their participation in what was considered a prestigious project.

We also discuss the ancient Egyptians' beliefs about the afterlife and their focus on ensuring eternal life through elaborate rituals and monuments. Laura explains that Egyptians loved life but were concerned about continuing it in the afterlife, describing rituals like the "opening of the mouth" ceremony to animate the senses of mummies and statues. She notes that the enduring legacy of pharaohs like Ramses the Great and Tutankhamun demonstrates their success in achieving an afterlife, as their names continue to be remembered thousands of years later.

Moreover, Laura talks about the historical significance of several powerful women in ancient Egypt, beginning with Akhenaten who portrayed himself as both male and female. She explains how Cleopatra VII was known for her intelligence and charisma rather than traditional beauty. Laura also highlights Hatshepsut as a notable queen who ruled as pharaoh by assuming male attributes and characteristics and mentions that Nefertiti and other women held significant power in ancient Egypt alongside the worship and celebration of powerful goddesses like Isis with possible connections to Mary.

Finally, we also explore the lives of common people in ancient Egypt, with Laura providing insights into daily life, agriculture, and social structures. While Egyptians experienced difficult periods during intermediate periods between kingdoms, they generally lived well during kingdom periods, with a multicultural society that varied in appearance from Mediterranean to darker skin tones in the south. As Laura explains, Ancient Egypt Alive offers everything from lectures and talks to curated and immersive tours for anyone interested.

 

Merilyn Simonds’ Timeless Walks with Beth: A Century-Plus of Insights, Wisdom, Resilience, and Joy

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Governor General’s Awards Finalist Merilyn Simonds about her book "Walking with Beth: Conversations with my Hundred-Year-Old Friend," which explores her friendship with Beth, a now 105-year-old occupational and art therapist. The book delves into themes of ageism, resilience, and joy, capturing the essence of their conversations and shared experiences.

In fact, Merilyn has “dabbled all over the place” with an expansive and diverse writing career that spans over 40 years during which she has published 22 books in a variety of genres, from straight nonfiction to creative nonfiction, essay, memoir, short fiction, long fiction, children's book, and history.

Merilyn shares her background, growing up in Brazil and Canada, and how these cross-cultural perspectives and experiences have shaped her love for language and culture. She also talks about the challenges of writing about personal and sensitive topics, such as her illness and Beth's role in caring for her, while maintaining honesty and respect for boundaries. As she documents and explores the insights of her centenarian friend, Merilyn also challenges ageist stereotypes and offers different, more realistic and empathetic portrayals of older women.

Moreover, we touch upon the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the writing process. For instance, Beth, being immune compromised, had to develop routines and create art during this period of isolation. Merilyn praises Beth's resilience and positivity and talks about the precautions they both took to stay safe while maintaining their friendship, their walks and conversations during this challenging time.

Finally, we talk about Merilyn's lifelong passion for writing and other creative pursuits. She describes her writing process as one of curiosity and continuous learning, likening it to the mindset of a 5-year-old. This approach keeps her engaged and motivated despite the challenges. Merilyn's conversations with Beth reveal the importance of resilience, and the ability to stay present and grateful, and not be swayed or distracted by a focus on the past or the future.

Unlocking Innate Potential While Balancing Success and Wellbeing: Neurofeedback and Embodied Holistic Wellness with Dr. Amy Albright

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Amy Albright, the CEO and co-founder of Holon, who shares her unique perspective on mental health, wellness, and well-being. Dr. Amy describes herself as an academic who loves science but also embraces the mystical aspects of life. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all things and how this holistic view can lead to a better world. Dr. Amy's approach combines ancient wisdom with modern technology, creating a comprehensive framework for addressing various aspects of human life.

One of the key topics discussed is the role of neurofeedback therapy in enhancing mental health and well-being. Dr. Albright explains how advanced technology can help individuals achieve a state of coherence in their brains, leading to improved focus, reduced stress, and a greater sense of fulfillment. She highlights the importance of addressing and (re)calibrating both the neurological and emotional aspects of well-being, emphasizing that true transformation requires a holistic approach.

Dr. Amy also delves into the concept of overperformance and the detrimental effects it can have on mental health. She discusses how societal pressures to constantly push and achieve can lead to burnout and a sense of inadequacy. By using neurofeedback therapy and other advanced techniques, individuals can learn to balance their drive for success with the need for relaxation and recovery, which is crucial for maintaining long-term mental health and well-being.

Throughout the podcast, Amy's passion for creating a better world shines through. She speaks about the importance of aligning one's actions with one’s true purpose and the positive impact this can have on both individuals and society as a whole. By fostering a sense of interconnectedness and embracing both scientific and spiritual perspectives, Amy believes that we can unlock our full potential and create a more harmonious and fulfilling life and ponders “what's it like to no longer be imprisoned to the idea structure of who you think you are? And to slip into the bigger, truer version of who you think you are, or the bigger and truer version of what freedom feels like as it courses through your body.”

Bridging Cultures and Sharing Visions Through Storytelling: Aamir Hussain on Fatwas, Muslim Matriarchy and Female Agency

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Aamir Hussain about his debut novel, Under the Full and Crescent Moon, and how an IT professional who loves reading fantasy and science fiction turned novelist. Aamir shares the inspiration behind his novel and explores the novel concept of a Muslim matriarchy, a theme that challenges common and current perceptions of Islam. Aamir emphasizes the importance of storytelling in bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding, drawing from his personal experiences as a Muslim immigrant as well as his extensive research into historical contexts to enrich his narrative.

Moreover, we talk about female agency and interfaith marriages, both of which are central to Aamir's novel. He highlights the strong women in his life and their influence on his writing as he aims to showcase the diversity and strength of Muslim women everywhere. Our discussion also touches upon the role of fatwas in Islamic law, with Aamir explaining their historical context and how they are portrayed in his book.

Aamir then reflects on the challenges and rewards of writing his first novel, describing the meticulous research and dedication that was required to bring his vision to life. He speaks about the support he received from his family, particularly his wife, and the importance of perseverance in the face of obstacles.

Finally, Aamir underscores the significance of open dialogue and the exchange of ideas while advocating for a nuanced understanding of Islam, one that appreciates its diversity and adaptability. Aamir also reflects upon how Islam is often perceived in Western societies in a rather narrow and monolithic way but how technology despite its interconnectedness may also be a contributing factor to this view. By sharing his story and insights, Aamir hopes to inspire others to explore their own creative paths and contribute to a more inclusive and empathetic world.

 

From Stage to Self: Dancing on Coals and the Transformative Spiritual Journey of Cynthia Moore

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Cynthia Moore about her multifaceted career from a playwright and performer to a psychotherapist, and, more recently, the author of “Dancing on Coals: A Memoir of an Overperformer.”

In the book, Cynthia chronicles her transition from the sphere of theatre to the domain of psychotherapy. She reflects on how her longstanding pursuit of approval, recognition, and enlightenment was rooted in formative childhood desires for a sense of belonging. Yet she has discovered that life’s most fulfilling experiences tend to be found in the simplicity of everyday moments rooted in the present, including a pancake breakfast on a lazy morning.

We also talk about the transformative era of the 1970s, when theatre was marked by innovation and a willingness to challenge established conventions. Cynthia shares her dynamic and at times tumultuous experiences in the theatrical community, alongside the revolutionary and occasionally precarious relationships she encountered along the way, as well as the difficulties of asserting her authentic voice within a predominantly male environment.

Furthermore, we talk about psychology and spirituality and how Cynthia’s decision to pursue psychotherapy was not simply a career change, but rather a leap into uncharted territory—a personal “dark night of the soul.”

Through this journey, she found a space for genuine self-expression and healing, integrating personal challenges, spiritual practices, and the principles of therapeutic support. This was further enriched by insights into childhood trauma, the role of intuition, and Buddhist meditation, again culminating in the recognition that true contentment is to be found in the present moment.

Healing and the Stars: Maximizing Your Astrological Energy via Your Birth Chart with Mystical Astrologer Carmen Turner Schott

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with author, counselor, clinical social worker, and mystical astrologer Carmen Turner Schott about the intersection and interplay of astrology, destiny, healing as well as personal growth and agency.

As Carmen explains she uses astrology as a tool for self-awareness for us to heal, transform, and become more resilient, while her down-to-earth book “Your Astrological Energy: Maximize the Power of Your Birth Chart” gives us details about the power of our own unique astrological energy at play. The planets and constellations can give us important clues about our decisions, the reasons behind our emotions and how to best move forward in our personal and professional lives.

On a macro level, there are various tumultuous events occurring astrologically right now, which explains why this era is such a milestone and how and why it is very different and more revolutionary compared to most of the other time periods.

Moreover, the alignment of stars can give us important clues about our personal lives including our karma, soul mission, marriage, and soulmates. While the North node has an aspect that is more fixed and determined in terms of our unique fate and destiny, there are other aspects that are more flexible and contingent upon our own decisions and actions. A combination of both may apply to the quest of our soul mate, where karma plays a role, but we may have a say in how things turn out in the end.

The Aperture Effect How to Increase Joy and Connection in Your Love Relationship with Couple Therapist Dr. Kathryn Ford

In this episode, I have (once again ;) the great pleasure of speaking with couple therapist and psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Ford about her book “The Aperture Effect: A Radically Simple Approach to Finding Joy and Connection in Your Relationship” and how aperture awareness can improve and strengthen our personal relationship on many levels.

Aperture awareness is a distillation and combination of psychology, mindfulness, and neuroscience and can help us to become more aware of and attuned to inherent tendencies in our thoughts and behaviors, to move from a conversation of who’s right to a balanced dialogue and to effectively deal with different personal issues and problems regarding love and romance.  

We touch upon openness, active listening, emotional overload, and vulnerability, how and why it is often hard (especially for men) to open up to their loved ones and what we can all do about it.

Moreover, Kathryn explains how mindfulness and empathy can improve communication, how to be less self-defensive and learn to focus not only on words and content but to uncover and appreciate the interplay between content and underlying feelings and emotions.

The Myriad Benefits and Science Behind Infrared Light Therapy with Dr. Carl Rothschild

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Carl Rothschild about the countless benefits of Infrared Light Therapy as well as his book “Illuminated Healing: Unraveling the Mysteries of Light Therapy,” which gives detailed scientific explanations about the particular processes at hand.

We also talk about the difference between being a healer and a traditional medical doctor including how the Western medical system is often driven by money and profit via surgeries and pharmaceutics, and how the medical model is less focused on finding a cure or healing the patient. This may explain to some extent why alternative healing modalities such as infrared light therapy are not given the recognition they deserve despite scientific studies proving their effectiveness and health benefits.

Dr. Carl Rothschild also explains how people tend to spend a lot of money on dieting and on pills to lose weight despite their lack of success and their potential risk of negative side effects. Yet, with a combination of red and infrared light therapy, this can be achieved with very few if any negative effects.

Finally, we also look at overall health practices that ensure illnesses and diseases are kept at bay, including through the adoption and practice of healthy lifestyles and good lifelong eating habits with little need for medication, diets, or other corrective measures.

Being Heard and Seen: In the Bear’s House with Bruce Hunter on Nature, Empathy, Technology, and Being Deaf

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Bruce Hunter, author of the fictional memoir In the Bear’s House, which he describes as a series of love stories about land, mountains, nature, wilderness, and people, including a love relation between a very creative mother and her deaf son named Trout.

Bruce himself is deaf and is using technology to be able to hear, and he talks about the importance of inclusivity, which the boy Trout first discovers when encountering First Nations people. In fact, the universal message of Bruce’s book is that fear is the greatest disability, as it can cripple us and lead to discrimination and other hurtful acts and measures.

Moreover, Bruce shares various personal stories whether it is his experience of teaching and how and why teachers tend to be the most difficult people to understand or explaining how hearing via assistive technology and a hearing aid has been very difficult and how this involves a lot of work and persistence. He also outlines research into neuroscience and how the brain not only adapts and compensates but indeed rewires and actively engages with the whole process, hence shaping and transforming it.  

Finally, Bruce also speaks the language of soil due to his studies and experiences of being an arborist, which connects him to First Nations people and many others across the world, particularly in Italy; at the same time, he tells us that failure should not be something to curb or block us but that it ought to encourage us to keep trying harder. As Bruce states, this is not his first rodeo and that when you fall, you need to get back up again, or to use a baseball analogy, to go out and bat again.

We conclude that it does not merely come down to positivity but that we need to appreciate and celebrate all aspects of life, including grief and its darker parts. Life is often challenging, and it takes a lot of courage to face its many obstacles, but it is also rewarding, beautiful, and personally enriching, while it is of the utmost importance to connect with others via feeling and empathy as opposed to being blinded by fear, judgment, and prejudice.

 

On the Inherent Complexity and Complex Beauty of Cultural Identity with Writer and Book Publicist Hollay Ghadery

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Iranian-Canadian author and book publicist Hollay Ghadery about cultural identity and mental health, her memoir “Fuse,” her collection of poems as well as her “pathological love” for books.

Hollay openly and candidly talks about growing up as a biracial woman and the various challenges and difficulties that took a toll on her health and wellbeing, including disordered eating with anorexia and bulimia, OCD, and addiction.

In her life, she often felt like she did not belong in one space or another but found herself in-between spaces and within mixed cultures as it had become quite complex to define herself not only physically but also psychologically, mentally, and emotionally due to the lack of a cohesive cultural identity.

Yet, throughout her many challenges, she was aided by the arts, humanities, and literature. Hollay spent a lot of her life with books. We discuss how it is also through literature that we come to express our own viewpoints and lived and felt experiences and are better able to understand and connect with others. As she explains, reading can develop and nurture a sense of common humanity as well as foster empathy and compassion for ourselves and others.

As the title of her memoir shows us, it is a type of fusion that creates a new beautiful and authentic whole out of the sum of the different multi-faceted parts leading to moments of “joy pockets” while at the same time embracing and leaning into a healthy and robust sense of humor.