Behind the Stigma

Jun 15 2024 1
Behind the Stigma Podcast artwork

Hosted and produced by Seiara Imanova, a psychology graduate from King's College London, Behind the Stigma is a pioneering podcast that demystifies the complex worlds of Psychology, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Mental Health. 

Posted twice a month, 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.





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Returning to Wholeness: A Story with Psychiatric Nurse Neseret Bemient

Jun 15 2024 102 mins  
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, her diagnosis of medication-induced bipolar disorder, and how her childhood experiences as a refugee were an integral part of her journey. Sh

Holistic Healthcare in Psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee

May 17 2024 59 mins  
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 psychiatry, the realities of being a junior doctor, and the inspiring story behind Nutritank. We go into the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry, di

Altered States & Sexual Health with Tommaso Barba (Imperial College London)

May 03 2024 49 mins  
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 outcomes outcomes for sexual function in depressed patients—offering an alternative to traditional SSRIs (antidepressants).We explore the lo

Men's Mental Health with Adil Hussain

Apr 18 2024 49 mins  
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 face in seeking help, and the impact of societal expectations on masculinity. Adil shares insights from his own journey of healing and empowerment,

Psychiatric Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry with Dr. Awais Aftab

Apr 01 2024 69 mins  
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 as a distinct discipline, and it's historical evolution from psychoanalysis to biomedical models. We go into the critiques of disorder classifica

University Mental Health Day with Student Minds (Student Advisory Commitee)

Mar 14 2024 91 mins  
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 Day. We delve into the challenges and lived experiences of students, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and diversity in mental health polici

Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health with Dr. Ines Hipolito

Mar 02 2024 56 mins  
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 as seperate from us - Digital mental health apps: their advantages and concerns about data privacy, reliability, and the potential for algorithmic bias.-

Student Mental Health with Dr. Nicola Byrom (Founder of Student Minds)

Feb 11 2024 45 mins  
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 shares how she founded Student Minds, the UK's biggest mental health charity, and how her personal experience drove her to want change in the

Carl Gustav Jung, The Red Book, & Active Imagination with MJDorian

Jan 28 2024 62 mins  
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 discussed the content of the book, uncovered underlying themes, and examined its relevance to the modern world.MJ also guided us through a method employed by Ca

Hearing Voices: Meaning and Lived Experience with Dr. Netchitailova

Jan 12 2024 52 mins  
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 Netherlands and the UK, shedding light on the stigma surrounding diagnoses and cultural influences on mental health. The conversation explores Dr. Netchita