Why do so many strong, accomplished women still struggle to speak up — in relationships, at work, and in leadership? In this episode of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with renowned couples therapist, psychotherapist, and author Tonya Lester, author of “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself,” to unpack why women so often silence themselves despite being raised to be independent, confident, and capable. Tonya shares how women frequently become emotional “shock absorbers” in relationships — softening their needs, avoiding conflict, and shrinking their voice to keep the peace. Together, she and Dr. Foojan explore the hidden patterns that lead to resentment and disconnection, why healthy conflict is essential for real intimacy, and how emotional maturity changes the way we communicate — at home and in the workplace. In This Episode You’ll Learn: ✔ Why successful women often lose their voice in relationships ✔ The hidden cost of people-pleasing and “shock absorbing” ✔ How to communicate assertively without anger or blame ✔ The difference between emotional maturity and emotional reactivity ✔ Why resentment grows when needs go unspoken ✔ How healthy conflict builds deeper love, trust, and intimacy ✔ Communication strategies for couples, leaders, and professionals ✔ How to set boundaries without damaging the relationship ✔ Why knowing your self-worth changes every conversation Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: the pattern of “shock absorbing” in relationships 1:41 – About the International Awareness Integration Institute virtual clinic 2:54 – Foojan App update: flexible plans & AI-driven onboarding 4:22 – Welcome & introducing Tonya Lester and her book, Push Back 6:48 – Foojan App listener testimonial 7:22 – Mind-body & somatic services at Awareness Integration 8:44 – Interview begins: welcoming Tonya to the show 8:57 – Why Push Back focuses on women’s patterns 9:22 – How Tonya discovered this pattern in herself and clients 10:40 – What “shock absorbing” really looks like 14:36 – What it means to “be an adult” in a relationship 17:16 – Getting clear, concise, and direct about your needs 19:02 – What to do when your partner pushes back or resists 22:30 – How to prepare yourself before a hard conversation 24:58 – When and how to push back in the moment 26:54 – Anger vs. true assertiveness 29:16 – Do women hold back at work the same way as at home? 31:22 – Being labeled “difficult” for speaking up 34:05 – Grappling issues vs. deal-breakers: when to stay or go 36:01 – Advice for more traditional or patriarchal relationship dynamics 38:41 – Final thoughts: why speaking up creates real intimacy 39:44 – Where to find Tonya Lester 40:12 – Become AIT certified: training for therapists & coaches About Tonya Lester: Tonya Lester, LCSW, is a Brooklyn-based couples therapist, psychotherapist, and author of “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself.” Her New York Times Modern Love essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” and her Psychology Today column “Staying Sane Inside Insanity” have made her a go-to voice on relationships and communication. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, Newsweek, Well+Good, HuffPost, Fatherly, and Bumble’s The Buzz. Ready to find your own voice? Visit awarenessintegration.com to book a session with a licensed therapist or coach, or explore our psychotherapy, coaching, and mind-body services designed to help you feel seen, heard, and supported. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share to help more people build healthier, more honest relationships. Keywords: relationships, communication skills, healthy relationships, couples therapy, emotional intelligence, emotional maturity, boundaries, self-worth, women’s empowerment, relationship advice, conflict resolution, marriage advice, dating advice, assertive communication, people pleasing, self-esteem, leadership for women, workplace communication, emotional health, psychology, therapy podcast, Dr. Foojan, Tonya Lester, Push Back book, modern relationships, intimacy, marriage communication, personal growth, mental health podcast

In this E462 of Inner Voice A heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan sits down with Jennifer (Jen) Stanford — trust coach, keynote speaker, CEO of Emergent Performance Solutions, and author of *De-Stressed* — to explore chronic stress, leadership pressure, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. Jen shares the deeply personal story behind writing *De-Stressed*: how years spent helping organizations navigate change eventually exposed her own unmanaged stress. While leading teams, raising a family, and striving to excel at every role, she ignored the warning signs until a serious health crisis forced her to rethink everything she believed about success and wellbeing. Together, Jen and Dr. Foojan unpack why stress touches every part of our lives — physical health, relationships, leadership, decision-making — and why managing it isn't just about exercise or time off, but about restoring balance across four energy systems: intellectual, physical, emotional, and purposeful. The conversation moves into perfectionism, people-pleasing, and Jen's four stress response perspectives (logical, relationship-oriented, action-oriented, organized) — and how understanding them transforms teams, workplaces, and families. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or trapped in the pressure to achieve more, this episode is a reminder that success doesn't have to come at the expense of your peace. **⏱️ Timestamps** 0:00 – The image of inner voice 1:25 – Welcome to Inner Voice with Dr. Foojan 1:58 – Meet Jennifer Stanford 4:10 – The IAII Virtual Clinic 5:31 – Jennifer joins the conversation 5:44 – Why Jen wrote *De-Stressed* 7:06 – The story behind the book 8:20 – The health crisis that changed everything 9:06 – Pressure vs. stress 10:59 – The mind-body connection 12:15 – Learning to actually release stress, not just manage it 14:01 – The four energy systems 15:00 – Letting go of perfectionism and control 16:30 – Fear of image vs. fear of failure 17:42 – The four stress response perspectives 17:54 – The logical perspective 21:01 – Relationship, action-oriented & organized perspectives 22:20 – Why leaning into your *least* natural response relieves stress 26:56 – Applying this to teams and families 29:05 – Creating space as a leader 31:00 – Energy as currency — and why it's contagious 32:56 – Reading your team's and family's stress patterns 38:01 – Two pathways forward: therapy and coaching at IAII 38:53 – Stop wearing stress like a badge of honor 40:08 – Where to find Jennifer Stanford 41:04 – Closing thoughts **Connect with us:** awarenessintegration.com | www.iaii.life Topics Covered: . Stress Management • Burnout Recovery • Leadership Development • Emotional Intelligence • Executive Coaching • Change Management • Mental Health • High Performance Leadership • Team Communication • Psychological Safety • Personal Growth • Work-Life Balance • Resilience • Mindset • Self-Awareness • Peak Performance • Leadership Coaching • Trust Building • Executive Wellness • Authentic Leadership #StressManagement #Burnout #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealth #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Resilience #WorkLifeBalance #BurnoutRecovery #HighPerformance #Trust #JenStanford #DrFoojan #InnerVoicePodcast #mentalhealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #selfimprovement #MentalHealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #selfdevelopment Development

Is your chronic pain real — even when every test comes back normal? The answer is yes. And the science of neuroplastic symptoms is finally explaining why. In this episode of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with Dr. David Clarke, MD — President of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician, and author of They Can’t Find Anything Wrong: 7 Keys to Understanding, Treating, and Healing Stress Illness. If you’ve spent months going from doctor to doctor, run every test, and been told “everything looks normal” — this conversation is for you. Dr. Clarke and Dr. Foojan explore the powerful connection between childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), chronic stress, and the very real brain-generated physical symptoms that affect an estimated 40% of all medical patients. This is not “it’s all in your head.” This is neuroscience. 🔍 In This Episode You’ll Learn: • Why neuroplastic pain is not imaginary — it’s a measurable physical change in the brain • How childhood abuse, ACEs, and unresolved trauma create patterns of perfectionism, low self-esteem, and people-pleasing that manifest as physical illness decades later • Why the brain decides whether or not to generate a pain signal — and how stress and fear hijack that process • How the body holds trauma in protective postures — and why releasing those physical patterns is essential to healing • The case of a patient whose stomach was completely paralyzed due to chronic fear activation in the sympathetic nervous system • Why choking sensations, bowel problems, back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue may all be neuroplastic in origin • The 7 key indicators Dr. Clarke uses to identify neuroplastic conditions • How autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease risk all increase with higher ACE scores • Groundbreaking results from the Boulder Back Pain Study — 75% pain reduction in just 4 weeks, sustained over 5 years • How the UCLA study showed neuroplastic recovery therapy outperformed traditional CBT by nearly 4 to 1 • Why integrating medical and mental health care produces dramatically better outcomes than treating them separately ⏱ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: Inner Voice Podcast 4:01 – Meet Dr. David Clarke: Neuroplastic Symptoms & Ending Chronic Pain 4:49 – “They Can’t Find Anything Wrong” — Why So Many Patients Are Left Without Answers 10:24 – Dr. Foojan’s Personal Experience With Somatic Symptoms & Trauma 12:20 – Dr. Clarke’s Origin Story: The Patient Who Changed His Career 15:19 – The Elevator Ride That Changed Everything (Counseling Cured a Physical Condition) 16:51 – From “Psychosomatic” to “Neuroplastic”: Why the Language Shift Matters 18:34 – How the Brain Decides Whether to Generate Pain (The Hammer & the Predator) 20:02 – How Trauma Is Held in the Body: Protective Postures & Muscle Memory 22:48 – The Paralyzed Stomach: Sympathetic Nervous System & Chronic Fear 25:31 – Case Study: Choking Sensations, Immigrant Trauma & the Vagus Nerve 28:27 – Childhood Trauma, Low Self-Esteem, Perfectionism & People-Pleasing 31:22 – The 7 Keys: How to Diagnose Neuroplastic vs. Physical Conditions 33:06 – Stress Triggers, Anxiety & Depression as Hidden Drivers of Physical Symptoms 35:32 – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): The Biggest Category of All 37:01 – Neuroplasticity & Recovery: Mindset, Meaning & Healing from Real Illness 39:16 – Autoimmune Disease, Cancer & the ACE Connection 41:40 – The Research: Boulder Back Pain Study & UCLA Clinical Trial Results 43:17 – Why Physician + Mental Health Collaboration Gets the Best Outcomes 44:57 – Where to Find Dr. Clarke & Free Resources at symptomatic.me 45:37 – Closing: Dr. Foojan on AIT Certification & Living Fully 📚 Resources Mentioned: 📖 They Can’t Find Anything Wrong by Dr. David Clarke → available wherever books are sold 🌐 Free self-assessment quiz + videos + courses: symptomatic.me 🌐 Therapy, coaching, mind-body & functional medicine: www.iaii.life 📱 The Foojan App — AI-powered support between sessions, available now #ChronicPain #NeuroplasticPain #StressIllness #TraumaHealing #MindBodyConnection #DrFoojan #InnerVoicePodcast #DrDavidClarke #ACEs #ChildhoodTrauma #UnexplainedSymptoms #Neuroplasticity #FibromyalgiaRelief #ChronicFatigue #SomaticHealing #BackPain #AutoimmuneDisease #MentalHealthAwareness #BrainBodyHealing #AwarenessIntegration #ATNS #StressAndHealth #HolisticHealth #PsychosomaticPain #VagusNerve #TraumaRecovery #PerfectionismAndHealth #EmotionalRegulation #FunctionalMedicine

EPISODE 459 | INNER VOICE – A HEARTFELT CHAT WITH DR. FOOJAN What if anger isn't something to suppress, avoid, or fear—but a powerful emotion that can be understood, managed, and transformed into a force for growth? In this compelling episode of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine welcomes renowned psychologist, author, and anger management expert Dr. Mitch Abrams for a deep conversation about the psychology of anger, emotional regulation, trauma, resilience, relationships, and personal transformation. Drawing from more than two decades of experience in sport psychology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and correctional mental health, Dr. Abrams challenges the common belief that anger is a "negative emotion." Instead, he explains how anger can become a valuable ally when recognized early, understood properly, and channeled effectively. As Chief Psychologist overseeing psychological services for seven New Jersey state prisons and Founder of Learned Excellence for Athletes, Dr. Abrams offers unique insights into how anger impacts athletes, executives, families, couples, and society at large. Together, Dr. Foojan and Dr. Abrams explore the emotional, cognitive, and physiological aspects of anger, providing practical tools for emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and lasting personal growth. Based on his groundbreaking book, "I'm Not F***ing Angry!!! Adjust the Flames to Get What You Want and Need," this episode reveals how to move beyond emotional reactivity and cultivate greater clarity, confidence, and resilience. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: • Understanding why anger is not a negative emotion • How childhood experiences and trauma shape emotional reactions • The difference between healthy anger and destructive rage • Emotional regulation strategies for high performers • Gender differences in expressing anger • Cognitive distortions and hidden anger triggers • Early warning signs of emotional escalation • The role of forgiveness, accountability, and healing • Revenge, resentment, and emotional freedom • Social media, political polarization, and collective anger • Relationship dynamics and conflict resolution • Building resilience, self-awareness, and emotional mastery ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Why Anger Isn't a Negative Emotion 04:03 Meet Dr. Mitch Abrams 09:15 Interview Begins 09:38 Why Mitch Studies Anger 12:14 Dr. Foojan's Personal Anger Journey 13:50 The Truth About Anger 15:56 Men, Women & Anger 20:02 A Different Approach to Anger Management 22:01 Early Detection of Anger 23:16 Albert Ellis & Cognitive Distortions 26:03 Hidden Anger Triggers 27:28 Recognizing Warning Signs 28:23 Anger, Authority & Public Speaking 30:24 Apologies & Accountability 32:39 Forgiveness & Letting Go 36:42 Revenge and Resentment 40:18 Social Media, Politics & Collective Anger 45:50 Anger in Relationships 47:30 Long-Term Power vs. Short-Term Wins 49:19 Final Thoughts on Anger 50:20 Where to Find Mitch Abrams 51:11 Closing Remarks 📘 ABOUT DR. MITCH ABRAMS Dr. Mitch Abrams is a psychologist specializing in sport, clinical, and forensic psychology. He serves as Chief Psychologist for Rutgers University Correctional Health Care, overseeing psychological services within multiple correctional facilities. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers Health–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Founder of Learned Excellence for Athletes. His latest book, "I'm Not F***ing Angry!!! Adjust the Flames to Get What You Want and Need," offers a transformative approach to understanding and managing anger for healthier relationships, stronger leadership, and peak performance. 🌿 TAKE THE FREE CLARITY ASSESSMENT Discover your emotional patterns and gain deeper self-awareness: [www.iaii.life](http://www.iaii.life) 🎧 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations on psychology, mental health, emotional intelligence, relationships, personal growth, trauma healing, leadership, resilience, and conscious living. #AngerManagement #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealth #Psychology #DrFoojan #MitchAbrams #EmotionalRegulation #TraumaHealing #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #MentalResilience #ForensicPsychology #SportsPsychology #Relationships #Leadership #Healing #Psychotherapy #InnerVoicePodcast #PeakPerformance #Mindset

Are you struggling with tantrums, big emotions, or feeling disconnected from your child? In this powerful E458 Inner Voice A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan sit down with Dr. Eileen Manoukian — parent coach, child development specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of the award-winning multilingual preschool Gem Educare in Los Angeles — to talk about what it really takes to raise emotionally healthy, confident, resilient children. Dr. Eileen shares her remarkable journey from a successful career in banking to earning her doctorate in Early Childhood Education, inspired by volunteering in South African childcare facilities during her recovery from back surgery. She breaks down her powerful GEM Parenting Framework — Ground Yourself, Enter Your Child’s World, Move with Guidance — and explains why emotional regulation must start with YOU before it can reach your child. Together, Dr. Foojan and Dr. Eileen explore: ✅ Why dysregulated parents cannot regulate their children ✅ How unprocessed emotions from YOUR past silently shape your parenting ✅ What your child absorbs from your energy — even when you say the right words ✅ How children’s behavior at school vs. home reveals what’s really happening at home ✅ Why understanding developmental stages transforms “bad behavior” into normal growth ✅ How the GEM framework helps parents raise emotionally healthy kids ages 0–12 ✅ The science behind why children read your eyes — and what that means for connection Dr. Eileen is also the co-author of Intentional Parenting: A Practical Guide Towards Awareness Integration Theory, and the creator of Gem Parenting Academy, a membership platform offering age-specific guidance, printable resources, and community support for parents. 🎁 SPECIAL OFFER: Get 20% off an annual Gem Parenting Academy membership — use code INNERVOICE at checkout. Offer expires July 1st. Visit gemparentingacademy.com to learn more. 📌 Topics: conscious parenting | emotional regulation for kids | child development | parenting toddlers | parenting young children | parent coaching | early childhood education | intentional parenting | GEM parenting | awareness integration theory | raising resilient children | emotionally healthy kids | parenting anxiety | attachment parenting | mindful parenting | parenting 0-12 | child behavior | developmental stages | parent self-regulation | multilingual education 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. 📲 Connect with Dr. Eileen Manoukian: gemparentingacademy.kit.com 📲 Connect with Dr. Foojan: Website: Foojan Zeine.com Instagram: dr.foojanzeine #MentalHealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #Self-Development

In this powerful Episode 457 of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, licensed mental health counselor, author, and wellness advocate Brittany Bennett joins Dr. Foojan Zeine for an honest, stigma-breaking conversation about mental health, therapy, and the importance of prioritizing emotional well-being before reaching a crisis point, and why being “selfish” might be the most selfless thing you can do. Brittany, author of SELF-ISH is the New SELFLESS, challenges traditional views of self-care and redefines what it truly means to put yourself first. She shares valuable insights on setting healthy boundaries, embracing self-reflection, and becoming the best version of yourself so you can show up more fully in your relationships and daily life. Brittany — author of SELF-ISH is the new SELFLESS — redefines what it truly means to put yourself first, set healthy boundaries, and show up fully in your relationships. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, depression, blended family dynamics, or simply want more feel-good days, this episode gives you the tools and permission to invest in your own emotional wellness. In this episode, we cover: • When therapy is necessary — even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis • How to find your “best self” through self-reflection and intentional living • Why adult friendships require a totally different approach than childhood ones • The hidden symptoms of depression most people overlook (including guilt) • How to choose the right therapist for your specific life situation • Why AI chatbots can’t replace real human therapy • How to identify your personal warning signs before mental health becomes a crisis 🔗 Resources Mentioned: • Brittany’s book: https://a.co/d/gd03upO • Mental health services: BOTWservices.com • Connect with Brittany on Minnect (free app) #MentalHealth #Therapy #SelfCare #EmotionalWellness #BrittanyBennett #Boundaries #Depression #Selfishness #TherapyTips #MentalHealthAwareness#MentalHealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #Self-Development

n this inspiring and deeply personal episode 456 of The Inner Voice a heartfelt chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with international keynote speaker, leadership expert, executive coach, and bestselling author James Robbins for a powerful conversation about purpose, authentic leadership, personal transformation, emotional resilience, and his new book, The Call to Climb. Known worldwide for advising Fortune 500 companies and helping leaders build high-performance cultures, James Robbins reveals a side of his journey that few people have heard before. Despite achieving professional success, recognition, and influence, he found himself facing a profound "dark night of the soul" that forced him to confront a life-changing question: "Am I living my true purpose, or someone else's definition of success?" In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Foojan and James explore the psychology of self-discovery, leadership development, emotional intelligence, personal growth, and the courage it takes to listen to your inner voice. James shares how growing up near the Rocky Mountains inspired the metaphor behind The Call to Climb and how climbing symbolizes the human journey toward fulfillment, meaning, authenticity, and becoming who we are truly meant to be. This episode is a must-watch for leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, coaches, therapists, business owners, and anyone searching for greater purpose, happiness, fulfillment, and alignment in life. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why so many high achievers and successful professionals still feel empty or unfulfilled • How to identify whether you're pursuing your own dreams or living according to someone else's expectations • The difference between ego-driven leadership and authentic leadership • How to develop a personal leadership philosophy rooted in your values and purpose • Why vulnerability is one of the most powerful leadership skills • How emotional intelligence strengthens relationships, teams, and organizations • The role of resilience, self-awareness, and authenticity in personal transformation • How to overcome limiting beliefs and rewrite the stories holding you back • Lessons from James Robbins' journey through burnout, self-discovery, and reinvention • Why true success comes from alignment rather than achievement alone • How to create a meaningful legacy through the impact you have on others James also discusses the influence of Jungian psychology and the work of renowned psychoanalyst Dr. James Hollis, whose teachings helped him understand the importance of listening to the soul and reconnecting with his authentic self. He shares the powerful realization that he had spent years climbing someone else's mountain and how that discovery transformed his life, leadership, and mission. Throughout this conversation, Dr. Foojan and James explore what it means to lead with humanity, compassion, authenticity, and purpose in a world that often rewards performance over connection. Their discussion offers practical wisdom and profound insights for anyone seeking a more meaningful life and a deeper connection to themselves and others. About James Robbins James Robbins is an international keynote speaker, leadership advisor, executive coach, and bestselling author of Nine Minutes on Monday and The Call to Climb. He works with Fortune 500 organizations around the world, helping leaders improve employee engagement, strengthen organizational culture, develop leadership excellence, and create lasting impact through purpose-driven leadership. Learn more about James Robbins: [https://www.jamesrobbins.com](https://www.jamesrobbins.com) #JamesRobbins #TheCallToClimb #DrFoojanZeine #TheInnerVoice #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLife #SelfDiscovery #EmotionalIntelligence #Resilience #Mindset #SuccessAndFulfillment #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #PersonalTransformation #JungianPsychology #JamesHollis #SoulPurpose #MeaningOfLife #MentalHealth #Wellness #SelfDevelopment #RelationshipBuilding #LeadershipSkills #Motivation #Inspiration #Purpose #AuthenticLiving #Fortune500Leadership#mentalhealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #selfdevelopment