Today we’re diving into the powerful connection between early experiences, core beliefs, the “rules” we create for ourselves, and the automatic thoughts that follow us into adulthood.

I walk you through real, relatable examples — like the child who grew up being told they were “too emotional,” or the person who learned to always brace for criticism — and show how these early messages shape our reactions, moods, and behaviors today.

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I react like this?” or “Why do I shut down, apologize too much, or overthink every text?” — this episode will hit home. It’s validating, eye-opening, and a reminder that our patterns make sense… and more importantly, they can be changed.

Tune in to understand yourself on a deeper level — and close out this series with clarity and compassion for the journey you’re on.

In this episode of The Honest Mind, we dive deeper into the heart of healing—understanding the core beliefs that shape how we think, feel, and act. Dr. Akbari explores how these deep-rooted beliefs form the “rules” we live by, often without realizing it, and how they can quietly fuel anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Through a powerful real-life example, she unpacks the difference between anxiety and OCD, and how uncovering a single core belief—like “I’m not good enough”—can transform the entire healing journey. This episode is a reminder that growth can feel heavy, but it’s also where freedom begins.

In this episode of The Honest Mind, we take a deep dive into core beliefs. These are deeply rooted stories we tell ourselves that shape how we see the world and respond to it. Through relatable examples, Dr. Fatemeh Akbari breaks down both helpful and unhelpful core beliefs. Join the Honest Mind community in learning how to identify, challenge, and reshape the mental loops that no longer serve you.

In this introspective episode of The Honest Mind, Dr. Fatima Akbari takes us on a reflective journey into the foundation of our thought patterns—core beliefs. Speaking from the tranquility of a camping trip, she invites listeners to pause and rehumanize their daily lives. Dr. Akbari explores how deeply ingrained beliefs, often formed in childhood, shape the way we see ourselves and the world. Using real-life insights and gentle guidance, she encourages you to identify the underlying themes in your own thoughts. No pressure to fix—just notice.

Unplug your mind. It needs rest.

In this heartfelt episode of The Honest Mind, Dr. Fatemeh Akbari invites you into a grounding sensory moment—with a piece of candy—and a brave return to the raw truths of self-love. Picking up from last time, she dives deeper into the origins of how we learn love, the voices that sabotage our self-worth, and the bitter truths we often avoid. Through her own story of postpartum self-judgment and learning to set boundaries, she gently challenges listeners to confront harmful beliefs and start showing up for themselves with honesty and grace. Get ready to start healing the wound, not just covering it.

In this two-part series, Dr. Fatemeh Akbari gently explores the origins of self-love—where it begins, how it's shaped, and why it matters. With her signature "big sister energy," she invites listeners into a grounding moment of nervous system regulation before diving into early childhood lessons on nurturance, attachment, and how our caregivers modeled (or didn’t model) love. Drawing on personal experience and psychological insight (yes, even referencing that famous monkey study), Dr. Akbari challenges the idea that we’re destined to repeat what we were taught—and reminds us that learning is ongoing.

This episode sets the foundation for deeper reflection and healing. Take a breath, get comfortable, and join us in remembering that love—especially self-love—is something we can always come home to.

In this episode of The Honest Mind, Dr. Fatemeh Akbari speaks candidly about the unspoken weight of chasing goals while running on fumes. With warmth and honesty, she unpacks the myth of “pushing through” and instead invites listeners to acknowledge and externalize their exhaustion as the first true step toward healing—and toward ambition. From personal stories of burnout to gentle grounding exercises, this episode is a permission slip to slow down, listen inward, and rethink what it really means to succeed.

In this episode of The Honest Mind, Dr. Fatemeh Akbari invites you to rethink what success truly means. In a world that often defines success by timelines, titles, and checklists, what would happen if you stripped away the noise and asked yourself: What does success look like for me?

Through personal reflections and gentle guidance, Fatemeh shares how her own journey taught her the value of slowing down, redefining achievement, and honoring the small wins that keep us afloat. Whether you're feeling lost, overwhelmed, or simply exhausted, this episode offers a compassionate reminder that success isn’t always loud — sometimes, it’s found in the quiet moments where you choose to keep going.

Tune in for an honest conversation about healing, growth, and learning to celebrate yourself exactly where you are.