E441 – Inner Voice | A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan & Dr. Mohammad Nami In this powerful neuroscience and mental health discussion, Dr. Mohammad Nami, Associate Professor at Canadian University Dubai and Clinical Neuroscience Director at BrainHub UAE, joins Dr. Foojan for a heartfelt and in-depth conversation about memory formation, trauma healing, PTSD treatment, EMDR therapy, neuromodulation, psychedelics in psychiatry, and dementia prevention. 🧠 Memory Formation and Neural Rewiring Dr. Nami explains the neuroscience of memory formation, detailing how synapses strengthen through long-term potentiation (LTP) to create lasting memories. He reveals why traumatic memories and PTSD become deeply encoded due to strong emotional salience and how the hippocampus and related brain structures consolidate and retrieve memories. Learn how therapies like EMDR help rewire neural pathways, reduce emotional distress, and support trauma recovery through neuroplasticity. 🔄 EMDR Therapy and Neuromodulation for Trauma & PTSD In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Foojan and Dr. Nami explore how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) works to desensitize traumatic memories by integrating positive cognition with distressing experiences using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements or tactile input. Dr. Nami also discusses the neuroscience behind EMDR and how combining psychotherapy with advanced neuromodulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and vagal nerve stimulation may enhance PTSD and trauma treatment outcomes. The discussion emphasizes a holistic mental health approach that includes psychology, neuromodulation, medication when necessary, lifestyle optimization, sleep health, and emotional regulation for long-term recovery. 🧩 Neuroscience and Psychological Therapy: The Brain–Behavior Connection Dr. Nami explains how cognition, emotional regulation, and behavioral insight reshape neural circuitry. He highlights the interaction between the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system, and how unresolved trauma can manifest both mentally and physically. The conversation explores insight-building, managing negative thought patterns, and optimizing brain-body balance for cognitive and emotional resilience. 🌿 Psychedelics, MDMA & The Future of PTSD Treatment Dr. Nami discusses emerging research on psychedelics and MDMA-assisted therapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. He explains their impact on neural transmission systems and emphasizes that psychedelic-assisted therapy requires careful screening, professional supervision, and a multidisciplinary approach. 🧬 Dementia, Alzheimer’s & Brain Health Prevention Addressing rising rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Nami explains the role of genetics, lifestyle risk factors, sleep quality, stress, and metabolic health in cognitive decline. He shares evidence-based brain health strategies including physical activity, healthy nutrition, emotional regulation, and proper sleep hygiene to protect long-term cognitive function. This episode is essential for anyone interested in neuroscience, trauma healing, PTSD recovery, EMDR therapy, brain health, neuroplasticity, psychedelics in psychiatry, dementia prevention, and cutting-edge mental health treatments. For more information on brain health services, visit brainhubuae.com.#MentalHealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #Self-Development

n this powerful and deeply validating episode of A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zaine sits down with Agatha Peters, Nigerian-American psychotherapist, founder of Beautiful Sunshine Therapy, and author of Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents and Cultural Expectations. This conversation shines a light on the hidden emotional abuse experienced by adult children of narcissistic parents—especially within collectivist, immigrant, and African cultures, where family loyalty is often prioritized over individual mental health and emotional safety. Drawing from clinical expertise and lived experience, Agatha Peters breaks down what narcissistic personality disorder really is (and what it is not), how narcissistic parents cause long-term psychological harm, and why cultural expectations can make healing feel nearly impossible. Together, Dr. Foojan and Agatha explore how survivors can begin healing without completely abandoning their culture, identity, or family ties. If you struggle with people-pleasing, guilt, chronic self-doubt, emotional manipulation, or identity loss, this episode offers clarity, validation, and real therapeutic guidance. ⏱️ Clickable Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & episode overview 01:19 – Meet Agatha Peters: psychotherapist, author, and survivor 03:00 – What narcissistic personality disorder really is (clinical perspective) 06:24 – Narcissistic parents vs. “self-centered” behavior 07:45 – Emotional abuse, gaslighting, and walking on eggshells 09:28 – Why children blame themselves and perform for approval 10:19 – Why narcissistic parents don’t seek therapy or change 10:22 – Agatha’s personal journey growing up with a narcissistic parent 12:10 – The first step to healing: accepting you can’t change them 13:20 – Gaslighting, reality confusion, and the power of journaling 14:41 – Living someone else’s life & never being “good enough” 15:58 – Separating your identity from your parent 16:14 – Cultural authoritarian parenting vs. narcissistic abuse 17:27 – Jealousy, competition, and never meeting expectations 18:12 – Perfectionism, achievement, and internalized shame 18:51 – About the book Trapped in Their Script 19:09 – Cultural expectations, loyalty, and immigrant family pressure 20:40 – Is healing possible? Hope, growth, and emotional freedom 21:24 – Choosing yourself without betraying your roots 22:25 – “Love is not supposed to hurt” 23:13 – Where to find Agatha Peters and her work 23:43 – Closing message & empowerment 🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode Narcissistic parents and emotional abuse Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) explained Adult children of narcissists Toxic family dynamics Gaslighting and psychological manipulation Cultural shame and collectivist cultures Immigrant family pressure Intergenerational trauma Identity loss and people-pleasing Healing childhood trauma through therapy Setting boundaries with narcissistic parents Reclaiming your authentic self 📘 Learn More About Agatha Peters 🌐 Website: https://beautifulsunshinetherapy.com 📖 Book: Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents and Cultural Expectations 📸 Instagram: @BeautifulSunshineTherapy If you’ve ever felt trapped between family loyalty and your mental health, this episode is for you. You are not broken. You are not selfish. And you are enough. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on trauma healing, emotional wellness, and self-discovery. 💬 Comment below: What part of this conversation resonated with you most?

E439 Inner Voice A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine & Dr. Howard T. Woodruff In this deeply moving episode of Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat, Dr. Fujan Zain sits down with Dr. Howard T. Woodruff—life coach, trauma expert, ordained pastor, and creator of Reclaimed Living—to explore how humans transform suffering into meaning, purpose, and resilience. This conversation weaves together trauma psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, grief, end-of-life awareness, near-death experiences, faith beyond religion, and post-traumatic growth. Together, they examine how powerlessness shapes trauma—and how reclaiming agency restores wholeness at every stage of life. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS – Main Topics 00:00 – Inner Voice Podcast introduction 02:11 – Meet Dr. Howard T. Woodruff: trauma work, EMS, ministry, global crisis response 06:12 – Childhood loss, first responder identity, and early trauma 07:45 – Losing a parent and questioning faith 08:50 – Becoming a paramedic, EMS director, and global consultant 09:04 – Ministry, meaning-making, and purpose after tragedy 09:56 – The death of Dr. Howard’s son (U.S. Marine) and trauma preparedness 10:18 – Dr. Foojan on childhood abuse, therapy, and questioning suffering 11:22 – Why humans expect life without pain 12:29 – Trauma, gratitude, and survival skills 13:05 – Choice, victimhood vs. victory, and reclaiming agency 14:02 – Working with 9/11 first responders 14:37 – Neurophysiology of trauma & “pre-programming” responses 15:17 – Preparing for worst-case scenarios 16:02 – Military conditioning, organ donation, and loss of control 17:20 – Tsunami survivor in India & reclaiming control after catastrophe 19:24 – Powerlessness, meaning, and trauma integration 21:08 – Reclaimed Living explained: Pain → Pivot → Purpose 23:44 – Awareness Integration & naming resilience 25:08 – Aging, usefulness, depression, and fear of death 26:49 – End-of-life meaning, guilt, gratitude, and life review 27:32 – Deathbed transformation: Dr. Howard’s grandmother 29:32 – Preparing for death as a meaningful transition 30:30 – Near-death experiences & giving permission to die 32:57 – Grief as a “selfish” emotion reframed 34:29 – Calling into ministry & spiritual awakening 38:54 – Presence over perfection in trauma and chaplaincy 40:12 – Religion vs. faith: breaking dogma 41:40 – Dr. Fujan’s spiritual awakening & existential healing 44:30 – Not being alone: existential anxiety dissolves 45:10 – Surrender, humor, and meaning in faith 47:11 – Asking for help as strength 48:10 – Assisted dying, autonomy, and ethics 50:53 – Surviving suicide attempt & puzzle pieces of life 52:48 – Love, memory, and healing scars 53:01 – How to find Dr. Howard & Reclaimed Living 53:36 – Closing reflections & final message 🔑 Key Themes & Keywords Trauma healing, PTSD recovery, grief counseling, post-traumatic growth, end-of-life psychology, fear of death, near-death experiences, spirituality without religion, meaning after loss, reclaiming agency, awareness integration therapy, first responders trauma, suicide prevention, assisted dying ethics, resilience, faith and neuroscience. 🌱 About the Guest Dr. Howard T. Woodruff is a certified trauma expert, critical incident stress debriefer, ordained pastor, and creator of Reclaimed Living, a framework helping people transform pain into purpose across all stages of life. 🌐 Learn more: reclaimed-living.org 📌 Subscribe & Connect Subscribe to Inner Voice for deep conversations on mental health, trauma, consciousness, and healing. Share your reflections—we love hearing from you. ✨ Create an amazing life for yourself and everyone around you. #mentalhealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #selfimprovement