This Season II Finale is a double feature. Enjoy 80 minutes of crying, laughing, real talk and allowing ourselves to hang loose and be silly with improv actor, teacher and facilitator Stacie B.

I know that this finale will inspire you to think of how you express yourself, what things may be repressed within you, and an overall picture of how expression impacts us through a lot of our trademark vulnerable storytelling which we hope you know us for by now.

What You'll Learn:

• How creating safety is fundamental to authentic self-expression
• Why crying can be one of the most powerful forms of expression and emotional release
• The concept of "gold beneath clay" - how trauma creates protective layers that hide our true selves
• How play and improv can help adults reconnect with their authentic voices
• Ways to build internal safety when external validation isn't available
• The importance of allowing opposing viewpoints to coexist without judgment

Guest Bio:

Stacie B is an improv facilitator at FLS Plus (formerly Speechless), where she helps individuals and organizations tap into the power of play and self-expression. With a focus on creating safety and building confidence, Stacie specializes in helping women, particularly those whose first language isn't English, find their authentic voices.

Resources Mentioned:

• FLSplus.com | https://flsplus.com/
• The United States vs. Billie Holiday (film) | Referenced when discussing oppression of self-expression
• Sarah Silverman's show "I Love You, America" | Example of having meaningful conversations across differences
• Tara Brach's Golden Buddha metaphor | Story about removing protective layers to reveal authenticity

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe at https://thehumandash.com/subscribe

https://thehumandash.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thehumandash/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehumandash

https://www.youtube.com/@thehumanrecoverylab

How can we use technology to amplify our lives rather than drain them? I traveled to Switzerland to reconnect with my old roommate to discuss this very important question on my quest for gumption.

Check out this episode with engineer Islam El Ashi, as he takes us on his journey from optimizing ads for Twitter to using his abilities to help Syrian refugees, send a camera into the stratosphere, and now to help build the world's biggest internet computer blockchain.

His perspective will get you thinking about your everyday life and relationship with technology from a lens that will help you amplify your gumption versus letting tech drain it.

• How to distinguish between technology that amplifies your life versus replacing it
• Why the barriers between us and understanding technology are often self-imposed
• The unexpected innovation that emerges when necessity meets limited resources
• How experimentation with technology can create moments of profound joy and connection
• Why "breaking things open" to understand them builds confidence and capability
• Simple ways to reclaim your relationship with technology starting today

Islam El Ashi is a Palestinian-Canadian tech engineer who formerly worked in ad tech before embarking on a journey of self-discovery to redefine his relationship with technology. After working with Syrian refugees in Lebanon, sending a GoPro camera to the stratosphere, and conducting numerous experiments, he now works at DFINITY in Switzerland on the internet computer blockchain, while maintaining a thoughtful and intentional relationship with the technology in his life.

• Islam's Space Balloon Project | YouTube
• In Search of Gumption | Omar Shaker's Substack

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe at https://thehumandash.com/subscribe

https://thehumandash.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thehumandash/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehumandash

https://www.youtube.com/@thehumanrecoverylab

In this deeply moving episode, Omar speaks with an anonymous guest who shares the raw journey of supporting his brother through two suicide attempts within a single year. Their conversation reveals how modern treatments beyond traditional medication can create seemingly miraculous transformations for those struggling with suicidal ideation.

What You'll Learn:

• How to approach supporting someone contemplating suicide with compassion rather than judgment
• The critical importance of maintaining boundaries while showing up for loved ones in crisis
• Insights into cutting-edge treatments like electric brain stimulation therapy that offer hope where traditional methods fail
• Why equanimity—accepting what is without resistance—can be transformative in high-stakes mental health situations
• How the healthcare system's limitations create barriers to effective mental health treatment
• The balance between having "gumption" to persist and knowing when to adjust your approach

Guest Bio:

The guest (who remains anonymous to protect his brother's privacy) brings decades of experience in the healthcare space, particularly around mental health innovation. His personal journey supporting his brother through multiple suicide attempts transformed his understanding of both clinical treatments and emotional resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

• Wisdom 2.0 Conference | A community exploring mindfulness in the digital age
• Dr. Gabor Maté's Work on Trauma | Understanding the connection between trauma and mental health
• Rick Doblin and MAPS | Research into psychedelic therapies for mental health
• David Simas - My American Story | On bridging divides through listening
• Loving Kindness Meditation (Metta) | Practice for cultivating compassion
• Dr. Kristin Neff - Self Compassion | Research on self-compassion and mental wellbeing
• Electric Currents Treatment for Depression | NPR article on emerging therapies

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe at https://thehumandash.com/subscribe

https://thehumandash.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thehumandash/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehumandash

https://www.youtube.com/@thehumanrecoverylab