Behind the Stigma

Apr 18 2024
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. Each episode offers a deep dive into cutting-edge research, featuring conversations with leading experts and researchers in the field. Join us as we uncover the science, challenge the misconceptions, and bridge the crucial gap between academia and the everyday.









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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 heal

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 class

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 p

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 bi

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 cha

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 empl

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. Net

Unlock your full potential - Shadow Work with Dr. Alex Curmi

Dec 30 2023 61 mins  
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. We also explore how the shadow influences our behavior and relationships, leading to insights about projection and its impact on pers

Immunology and Psychiatry with Dr. Thomas Pollak

Dec 09 2023 51 mins  
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 encephalitis and it's relation to psychosis. We also discuss the role of neurology in psychiatry, and challenges in diagnosis and the necess

Virtual Reality & Cognitive Health with Amir Bozorgzadeh

Sep 04 2023 65 mins  
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 illnesses and the potential of VR in mental health interventions. Amir shares personal insights into the power of VR, and the unique approach Vir