Arash's World Podcast

Sing Your Song with the Inner Music of Your Soul: Rabbi Daniel Cohen on Elijah Moments and Spreading Light and Positivity

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to talk to Rabbi Daniel Cohen, a mentor, guide, motivator, and the author of the book “What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone: Creating a Life of Legacy”. The Rabbi talks about the uniqueness and beauty of each person and moment, how no day should be wasted or squandered, and how we can bring and shine our light wherever we are and wherever we go.

In fact, the power of positivity and kindness can lift us all up, and he gives anecdotes and examples of "Elijah Moments", which would entail engaging in small acts and words of kindness that others would then pick up on and pay forward, hence starting a chain of positive reactions and events. Words have power over us, and it would help and benefit the world around us to spread positive messages and refrain from making negative comments and judgments.

Moreover, Rabbi Daniel Cohen explains the importance of blocking out noise, worries, and distractions and putting away our phones and gadgets to tap into and listen deeply to the inner voice and music within us. Not only do we have the opportunity to unlock our special and unique gifts, and find our path and vocation, but more importantly, we can live life at the highest frequency with a sense of calling every day.

Magic Mushroom Mystical Journeys: How Psychedelic Plant Medicine Can Lift Up and Ground Our Visionary Realities with Gary Logan & Rob Grover

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to speak with spiritual advisors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries Gary Logan and Rob Grover on how psychedelic plant medicine with proper guidance, support, and the right setting can serve as a tool for not only empowerment but also spiritual understanding, insight, and awakening.

Gary and Rob are founders of the “Journeymen Collective” that they describe as a personal development program for developing spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional levels of being with the use and aid of psilocybin aka “magic mushrooms”. Each of them describes their own personal journeys of spiritual growth and transcendence and how they can help and assist others with metaphysical and spiritual healing.

We also touch upon the qualities of using psychedelics responsibly and for spiritual enhancement, how current research shows promises in the fields of psychotherapy for dealing with anxiety and trauma, and how they can be used and utilized to not only unblock energies and stagnation in the mind and the body but also to lead to a path of exploration of the self.

These guided sessions are specifically curated for the people they work with, helping to synthesize and process the new insights, experiences, and information to funnel and channel them into one’s life, relationships, and business. I also ask each of them to explain their respective mantras and how it pertains to their spiritual beliefs and identities.

Slow Down and Find Your Inner Balance Instead of Shortcuts and Escapes Within a Fast-Paced Environment with Kamilah Stevenson

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to speak with health coach and healthy lifestyle expert Kamilah Stevenson about how there are many sides and facets when it comes to individual health, personal wellness & well-being and that there are different ways of healing our bodies and our nervous system.

By looking at all the angles, we come to see and understand that our bodies communicate with us, whereas pain tells us that something is wrong. Instead of treating the symptoms with medication, it is essential and vital to explore and dig into life experiences and trauma to get to the root of the issues, a type of “psychological acupuncture” to release the stress and the build-up of energy.

Kamilah explains how we can get caught up in a loop and that change is hard but that we can create a new personality by facing trauma and increasing self-awareness, self-regulating our stress levels, and building new and healthier habits and mindsets. As such, we can start detoxing our bodies and minds by resolving and dissolving negative subconscious behavior patterns.

Finally, we are often rushed and driven by work, daily pressures, and chronic stress. We are used to running around and want to get quick results by taking shortcuts but without taking the time to rest and enjoy life and just be grateful for what we have. A case in point is the regular use of fast food instead of slowing down, relishing our meals, and connecting with our loved ones while sharing bonds and quality time with each other.

Overcoming Polarization, Anger, and Divisiveness with Shared Values, Humanity, and Optimism with Dr. Emily Bashah & Hon. Paul E. Johnson

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emily Bashah and Hon. Paul E. Johnson. They are hosts of the influential podcast “The Optimistic American” and authors of the insightful book “Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You”.

Dr. Bashah is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Hon. Paul E. Johnson is a political analyst and the former mayor of Phoenix. They talk about the dangers of ideology and radicalization in the current political environment. Dr. Bashah’s experience in criminal, immigration, and civil courts alongside the political savviness of Hon. Paul E. Johnson makes them expert analysts on not only why people tend to move to the extreme but also how to find agency, peace, and healing amid anger and hostility and politically charged discussions and surroundings.

Emily explains the current political climate by tapping into research in neuroscience while Paul shows us how both the left and the right on the political spectrum alongside media outlets have engaged in aggressive tactics and fear-based strategies to further their own agendas.

Yet, it is important that we look at the facts and consult different sources and that we foster personal agency throughout and not fall sway to the inherent negative bias. We all have the capacity to do good or evil and often it comes down to personal choice. As a result, we ought to tap into our shared humanity and values and choose what is best for ourselves, our loved ones, our community, and our country.

In fact, the movers and shakers of history have always believed that they can bring about positive change, and we should not lose sight of the many options and opportunities that are within reach and within each of us to solve these lingering issues together and with love and empathy.

Acting Your Heart & Soul Out: Actors and Mental Health Struggles to Deal with Pressure, Stigma, and Trauma with Actor Sean Hayden

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to speak with Actor and Podcast Host Sean Hayden about the many pressures of acting and being in show business and the importance of mental health, particularly in the case of the theater industry.

Acting can be very tough and demanding starting from landing a role via auditions to dealing with constant rejection. Then there is also the pressure of performing well on stage by using one’s body and emotions as a tool, which can often be physically and emotionally draining. Sean experienced its toll first-hand and up close and personal during “Billy Elliot: The Musical” when he suffered his first-ever panic attack.

In fact, he will be launching his highly anticipated podcast “Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story” on May 16 during Mental Health Awareness Month. In this scripted nonfiction podcast, scored and complete with sound effects just like old-fashioned radio shows, he will tell his story in a novel and groundbreaking format: as a True Crime Story followed by an interview with a mental health professional.

Moreover, we talk about the potential dangers of “method acting” and the importance of having and ensuring a safe workplace in which mental health is regularly and openly talked about. It is also essential to overcome stigmas surrounding not only the acting profession but also men as they often struggle with mental health issues but lack the emotional support and resources; as a matter of fact, guys are often afraid of looking and reaching out for help because they do not wish to be perceived as weak and vulnerable by others.

Making Fun a Habit Beyond Guilty Pleasures: How to Turn Leisure, Work and Education into Joy with Dr. Mike Rucker

In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Dr. Mike Rucker, organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and author of “The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life”!

Mike explains how work has come to define and control many aspects of our lives and that our to-do lists and domestic duties are endlessly growing, especially for those of us currently in the “sandwich generation”! We have lost many transition rituals and even at home we often get caught up in the nets of social media, passive leisure, and mindless entertainment.

But a lack of fun and joy and being constantly driven by work often leads us to burnout. The causes often stem from our Western conception of chasing and pursuing happiness and due to a task-based education that maximizes work and effort but minimizes leisure and idleness. Ironically, we work more and more, but we are our least productive selves.

The pandemic has led to the Great Resignation, and many are now looking for a fun work environment combined with causes that they care about. Moreover, the face and nature of work have changed and we are more aware and conscious of sleep hygiene and healthy habits.

Nonetheless, we need to enjoy our lives more and more fully and not feel guilty about our “guilty pleasures.” A reframing of our mindset and priorities could lead us to value and appreciate our precious and finite commodity of time much more than the mere capacity of working to make money and to replace the quest for dopamine with oxytocin as we connect with ourselves and others in more authentic ways.

Keep Calm and Be Mindful of your Emotions: The Consequences of Trauma, Emotional Contagion & Polarized Thinking with Dr. Bruce Hutchison

In this episode, I have the pleasure to talk with Dr. Bruce Hutchison for a second time on a topic that is very timely and relevant and resonates with many people, namely emotional contagion and its ramifications and consequences. Dr. Hutchison is a clinical psychologist with various decades of experience, and he is the author of the magnificent book “Emotions Don’t Think: Emotional Contagion in a Time of Turmoil”.

Although we briefly touch upon emotional voting and the fallacy of voting for someone we perceive as pleasant at the expense of policy as well as the dangers of voting against as opposed to for someone, we delve deeper into the pitfalls of black-and-white thinking and of jumping and rushing to conclusions.

It is, however, best to avoid fast thinking, to slow down our instinctive responses and emotional reactions, and often overreactions but to evaluate the situation in a calm, reasonable, and mindful manner.

Furthermore, we want to not overlook the human element in all of this and realize that behind uniforms, job titles, and positions as well as situational contexts and factors, there is a human being at work and at play. Whether we are dealing with police officers, inmates, or politicians, we want to look at the bigger and more colorful picture and not be led astray, misguided, or held hostage by our emotions only.

Ode to Acting & Filmmaking: How the Film ”The Worst Ones” Brings out the Best Out of Troubled Youth with Filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of not talking to one but two filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret who were involved in the critically acclaimed French movie “The Worst Ones” (Les Pires”) the recipient of this year’s prestigious “Un Certain Regard” of Cannes!

The film plays around with the concepts and narratives of documentary versus fiction and gives us glimpses of the lives of various troubled youths (and some adults to boot). But in fact, as the filmmakers explain it was all very scripted with very little room for improvisation as the young actors had to learn and memorize their given lines.

In fact, The Worst Ones is a tribute, homage, and declaration of love to acting as well as how it can on one hand turn latent material and potential into reality while at the same time releasing pent-up emotions and serving as an outlet for the frustrations, pain, and suffering associated with struggling and at-risk youth as portrayed in the movie.

Moreover, the film depicts and shows us the stress and pressures of filmmaking by creating an anxiety-ridden and overly ambitious but well-meaning director as one of their characters. Although the filmmakers themselves enjoyed making their first movie, it was a bit like "plunging into an ocean of anxiety" as you do not always know how you are going to resurface and when.

Finally, the filmmakers explain how cinema can serve as a tool to handle emotions and can even become a source of healing for fragile children and youth. In fact, acting can be a saving force for finding one’s way in life and identifying one’s talent and vocation.

This is impressive filmmaking from the pair of young and talented filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret and a special thank you to the amazing translator of this interview & podcast Lilia Pino Blouin!

Everyday Jewish Mysticism for Everyone: How Embodied Kabbalah & the Shabbat Can Improve Your Life and Work-Life Balance with Rabbi Matthew Ponak

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Rabbi Matthew Ponak about his fascinating book “Embodied Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism For All People” and how to apply Jewish wisdom to find balance and harmony in our ordinary everyday life.

This book makes powerful and spiritual wisdom accessible to everyone and shows how we could all benefit from the Shabbat mindset to cultivate and expand the good within and to gradually fill our lives with more joy, bliss, and peace from moment to moment.

We also touch upon mindfulness and psychedelics and how each could be potentially used to gain insight into oneself, but it is also important to do the necessary inner spiritual work to integrate, incorporate, and embed those transformative experiences within our daily existence.

The rabbi gives excellent and accessible analogies to make his point. We should treat the spiritual quest for enlightenment the same way we build and flex our muscles, gradually and with consideration so that we do not overburden and accidentally injure ourselves.

Apart from work, it also takes time and patience for the spiritual lessons to take hold. In fact, just like bread and wine, we may need these ideas and experiences to ferment, and then they can become more valuable to ourselves and to everyone around us.

Finally, we should not neglect the here and now and the opportunities to enjoy every moment to the fullest with friends and loved ones because in the end, the journey is the destination, and we need to celebrate and be grateful for those precious and unique moments we are given and blessed with in this life.

What it means to be Irish and Ireland’s Identity and Future: Fintan O’Toole on Culture & Religion Amidst a Rapidly Changing World

In this episode, I have the great pleasure to speak with Fintan O’Toole, Irish Times Columnist, Princeton University Professor, and Author of the factual and critically acclaimed historical memoir “We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland”!

Fintan talks about the various changes and challenges both on personal as well as cultural and societal levels that have shaped and formed Ireland. One of the most harmful elements has been the dangers and abuses through impunity that stems from a toxic fusion between religion and politics.

Furthermore, a limited and often misguided and static view of culture alongside a fear of and paranoia around threatening influences from different religious and political backgrounds has led not only to stagnation but has been the cause of pain and suffering and an overall lack of progress. Brexit and Northern Ireland have brought new challenges, but it helps to have an American president who has Irish roots.

Nonetheless, things are hopeful and are changing for the better as there is more economic prosperity, technological advancement as well as access and opportunities for broader education across the region. It also comes with the realization that cultures are fluid and that it is best to accept, embrace, hold, and be comfortable with different identities at the same time while at the same time bridging differences and underscoring the common ground shared by the Irish in their native land as well as abroad hand-in-hand with their unique, culturally relevant and creative contributions to the arts, literature, and, more recently, cinema.