Behind the Stigma
Hosted and produced by Seiara Imanova, a PhD student from University of Birmingham, Behind the Stigma is a pioneering podcast that bridges the gap between the general public and the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry and Mental Health.
Each episode offers a deep dive into cutting-edge research, featuring conversations with leading experts and top researchers in the field. Take a listen, as we uncover the science, challenge misconceptions, and bridge the crucial gap between academia and the everyday.
Episodes
85 episodes
Colonization and Mental Health with Dr. Summer Fakhro
In this week's episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Summer Fakhro with a discussion on Colonization and Mental Health. We define Colonialism and explore the deep and lasting psychological effec...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 18
•
1:00:53
Personality Disorders, Neoliberalism, and Survivor Voices with Dr. Jay Watts
In this compelling episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by award-winning clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and activist Dr. Jay Watts to explore critical perspectives on mental health. We delve into the impact ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 17
•
1:07:01
Positive Psychology isn’t about being positive...so what is it? with Dr. Louise Lambert
In this episode of Behind the Stigma, we discuss what Positive Psychology is with Dr. Louise Lambert, a leading expert in happiness and wellbeing across the GCC. We discuss the science behind Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 16
•
54:59
Finding Meaning in Mortality: Yalom’s Existential Therapy with Ali Ilyas (Clinical Psychologist)
In this week's episode, my guest & clinical psychologist Ali Ilyas, explores the impact and work of existential psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin Yalom. We dive into core themes like: mortality, meaning, death anxiety, and the unique dynamics ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 15
•
58:50
Race, Culture & Social Equalities in Mental Health with Hári Sewell
In this episode of Behind the Stigma, host Seiara Imanova speaks with Hari Sewell, founder and Director of HS Consultancy, about the intersection of social justice, ethnicity, and mental health. Hari, a leading voice on institu...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 14
•
54:31
Why Do We Sabotage Ourselves and Others? The Psychology of Self-Sabotage with Dr. Alex Curmi
Ever wondered why we sometimes stand in our own way? In this week's episode, Dr. Alex Curmi breaks down the psychology behind self-sabotage and offers practical tips to overcome these patterns. We explore key concepts l...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 13
•
1:12:18
Returning to Wholeness: A Story with Psychiatric Nurse Neseret Bemient
In this week's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with a former psychiatric nurse, Neseret Bemient, on returning to wholeness and alternative ways of healing. Neseret shares her journey as a psychiatric nurse and what her role entailed, h...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
1:42:54
Holistic Healthcare in Psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee
In this week’s episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of nutrition, social prescribing & community care in psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee, a Multi-Award Winning NHS Junior Doctor.Dr. Jaffee shares her journey into p...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
59:55
Altered States & Sexual Health with Tommaso Barba (Imperial College London)
In this week’s episode, we dive into the intriguing world of psychedelics and intimacy with Tommaso Barba, a PhD student at Imperial College London. Tommaso brings to light his recent research on how psychedelics may revolutionize clinical outc...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
49:30
Men's Mental Health with Adil Hussain
In this week's episode on Behind the Stigma, I speak with Adil Hussain, a men's development coach and the Founder of Brotherhood UAE on Men's Mental Health. We delved into the importance of men's emotional expression, the challenges men ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
49:21
Psychiatric Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry with Dr. Awais Aftab
In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Awais Aftab, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University on the Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry. We discuss the emergence of philosophy in psychiatry...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
1:09:42
University Mental Health Day with Student Minds (Student Advisory Commitee)
In this week's episode of the Behind the Stigma Podcast, I speak with members of the Student Advisory Committee from Student Minds, including Aglaya Freccero, Dom Smithies, and Mahbub Alom Shuhag, in light of University Mental Health D...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
1:31:28
.jpg)
Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health with Dr. Ines Hipolito
In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Hipolito, an Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, on artificial intelligence, cognition and mental health. We discuss:- The philosophical realism of AI: whether AI systems are seen...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
56:51
Student Mental Health with Dr. Nicola Byrom (Founder of Student Minds)
In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Nicola Byrom, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at King’s College London. We discuss the importance of lived experience in research as well as collaborative research for student mental health. Dr Byrom sha...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
45:16
Carl Gustav Jung, The Red Book, & Active Imagination with MJDorian
In this week's episode, featuring our guest speaker, MJDorian, we delved into the world of psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Gustav Jung and explored his Red Book, which Jung described as his “confrontation with the unconscious." We discusse...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
1:02:42
.jpg)
Hearing Voices: Meaning and Lived Experience with Dr. Netchitailova
In this week's episode on the Behind the Stigma Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ekaterina Netchitailova to discuss the meaning and lived experience of psychosis. Dr. Netchitailova shares her personal journey with psychiatric care in the Netherl...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
52:58
Unlock your full potential - Shadow Work with Dr. Alex Curmi
The first episode of the New Year, we delve into the concept of Jungian shadow work and integration with the shadow. (Chapter Markers added). We discuss what Shadow work means, and why it's not only about the 'dark' parts of ourselves. ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
1:01:51
Immunology and Psychiatry with Dr. Thomas Pollak
Welcome to Season 2! In this week's episode, we explore the intriguing link between neuroimmunology and psychiatry with guest Dr. Thomas Pollak. We discuss what autoimmune diseases are and Dr. Pollak's work on Anti-NMDA receptor encepha...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
51:57
Virtual Reality & Cognitive Health with Amir Bozorgzadeh
In this week's episode, I speak with Amir Bozorgzadeh, Co-Founder and CEO of Virtuleap on the intersection between virtual reality and cognitive health.We discuss how Virtuleap designs VR brain training solutions to address cognitive il...
•
1:05:50
Antidepressant Effects with Dr. Mark Horowitz
In this week's episode, I speak with psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Horowitz, on the Effects of Antidepressants. We discuss how depression is currently understood in society - taking a step back from diagnostic categories. We also di...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 65
•
1:11:34
The Creative Process with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
In this week's episode, I speak with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Founder of Ness Labs, on productivity & the creative process. We discuss 4 different creative processes: - diffused vs focused thinking- idea sex- generation...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 65
•
42:00
Misinformation, Fake News & Conspiracy with Dr. Sacha Altay
In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Altay, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Zurich, on misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories. We discuss these 3 concepts, exploring Dr. Altay's work on why people do and...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 64
•
44:10
The E-Risk Study with Professor Helen Fisher & Rebecca Gray
In this week's episode, I speak with Professor Helen Fisher, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology from King's College London and Rebecca Gray on the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study (E-Risk Study). The E-Risk Study...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 63
•
1:06:57
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Dr. Stephen Faraone
In this week's episode, I speak to one of the world's most influential psychologists and researchers on ADHD, Professor Stephen Faraone. We go into defining ADHD , the role of executive functions and the differences in cognitive p...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 62
•
1:00:00
Personality Traits with Dr. Alex Curmi
What does your personality reveal about you, and how does it shape the way you interact with the world? In this week's episode, we dive into the fascinating realm of personality traits with Dr. Alex Curmi, psychiatrist and hos...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 62
•
1:12:39
