E383 – "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Michael Thompson, a career coach, lecturer at EAE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and strategic communication advisor to top business leaders worldwide. Growing up, his stutter and social anxiety kept him from pursuing his goals. By turning his supposed weaknesses into his greatest strengths, he developed a system of principles to help people express themselves more confidently and build meaningful relationships without sacrificing their nature. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Insider, Forbes, INC, MSN, and Apple News. We discuss his new book, Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out. Learn more at https://michaelthompson.art/book/. 20 Best California Mental Health Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts/ Check out my website: www.FoojanZeine.com, www.AwarenessIntegration.com, www.Foojan.com Michael and Dr. discussed the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in personal growth and success. Michael shared his experiences with stuttering and his past struggles with anxiety, depression, and substance use, highlighting how these challenges have helped him connect with others. Dr. emphasized acknowledging and embracing vulnerabilities as a source of strength and confidence. They also touched on treating curiosity as a primary responsibility, encouraging self-reflection, and questioning past experiences. Michael and Dr. discussed the importance of curiosity about oneself and others and how this can lead to better relationships and personal growth. Michael shared his experience overcoming his stuttering by focusing on listening rather than speaking, making him more curious about others. Dr. agreed, emphasizing that curiosity is essential for creating meaningful relationships. They also touched on being bold in the moments that matter, with Michael sharing his practice of keeping a record of his accomplishments to encourage further boldness. They talked about strategies for boosting confidence and overcoming self-doubt. Michael shared his experiences of facing challenges and overcoming them, emphasizing the importance of self-validation and maintaining a positive mindset. He also suggested keeping a 'brag sheet' of personal achievements to remind oneself of past successes. Dr. agreed with these strategies, adding that reflecting on past achievements can help tap into one's inner power and resilience. They both emphasized the importance of focusing on personal strengths and accomplishments rather than seeking external validation. Michael and Dr. discussed strategies for overcoming anxiety and fear in personal and professional settings. Michael introduced the "trip away framework," which involves acknowledging feelings, accepting reality, and asking oneself what is needed to move forward. He emphasized the importance of taking the next step, even if uncomfortable, to grow and learn. Dr. agreed with Michael's approach, noting that people often avoid pushing through due to fear and anxiety. They both recommended that facing fears and doing what's uncomfortable can lead to personal growth and learning, even if mistakes are made. Michael shared how he had to learn to listen to his internal signals and not let others dictate his path. He also talked about changing his mindset to see his stuttering as a positive aspect. Dr. emphasized that Michael's shyness and stuttering were still present but had been managed through creating comfortable structures. Michael also shared his approach to helping others, emphasizing the importance of asking for help and designing environments for personal growth. Lastly, Dr. asked Michael about how he supports his introverted and shy children, to which Michael responded by sharing his experiences and empathizing with their struggles. Michael shared his experiences with his two children, aged 10 and 6, who have speech difficulties. He mentioned that the 10-year-old is highly intelligent but sometimes lazy with his speech, while the 6-year-old is very quiet and has difficulty speaking. Michael and his wife are cautious about the potential long-term effects of these habits and are trying to encourage their children to speak more. He also shared his personal journey of self-discovery and how writing helped him gain confidence and clarity about his values.

E382 – "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Dr. Ramin (Ron) Najafi, a chemist and entrepreneur committed to environmental advocacy. He is Emery Pharma's Founder, President, and CEO, a contract research organization focused on pharmaceutical development. Dr. Najafi invented the Ecological Funnel (ECO Funnel) and founded CP Lab Safety, which distributes over 200,000+ lab safety products worldwide, enhancing compliance with safety standards. In addition to Emery Pharma and CP Lab Safety, he has founded several other companies, including Nova Bay Pharmaceuticals, where he took the company public. With over 70 patents, Dr. Najafi combines scientific innovation with a strong commitment to safety and sustainability in laboratory practices. We will discuss his latest book, co-authored with Kelley Najafi, on the "7 Commandments to Save the Planet". Summary Dr. Ron Najafi, a chemist and entrepreneur, discussed his journey from working in the pharmaceutical industry to becoming an advocate for environmental safety. He shared his invention of a product that prevents laboratory pollution and its widespread adoption in the industry. Dr. Ron emphasized the importance of education in understanding the impact of human activities on the planet, citing examples such as the long-lasting effects of plastic waste and the disproportionate generation of carbon dioxide compared to the absorption capacity of trees. He concluded by stressing the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and to learn about the consequences of their choices on the environment. Dr. Ron and Dr. Foojan discussed the proper disposal of expired drugs, emphasizing that they should be returned to the pharmacy or manufacturer for safe disposal or recycling. They highlighted the issue of expired medications being thrown into landfills, where they can leach into the soil and contaminate the environment, contributing to antibiotic resistance and other health issues. Dr. Ron advocated for manufacturers to take responsibility for their products at the end of their life cycle, ensuring they are disposed of or recycled safely. Dr. Ron discussed adopting a product as a service, similar to software as a service, where the manufacturer is responsible for the product's longevity. He used the example of a refrigerator manufacturer to illustrate this point, stating that they should be accountable for their products, including disposal and recycling. Dr. Ron also shared his experience with a pharmaceutical company, where a faulty refrigerator was discarded after only six months of use. He emphasized the need for companies to reduce waste, reuse, recycle, and repair products, as outlined in his book. Dr. Ron and Dr. Foojan discussed the need for a circular economy, emphasizing the importance of recycling and reusing materials to reduce waste and protect the environment. They highlighted the negative impact of the current linear economy, which involves taking, making, and disposing of, and suggested that policy changes and regulations are necessary to guide companies toward a circular economy. They also discussed the potential for collaboration between different manufacturers to utilize each other's waste products and the importance of reducing plastic waste, which can harm the environment and human health. Dr. Ron shared that he and his wife have been working on this issue for 20 years and have recently published a book on the subject. Dr. Foojan and Dr. Ron discussed the need for revolutionizing food and energy production to save the planet. They highlighted the current chemically intensive methods of growing food and generating energy, which are detrimental to the environment and human health. Dr. Ron suggested the development of high-yield, less poisonous food production methods and exploring safer energy sources, such as solar and wind power. He also emphasized the need to consider the human cost of producing these energy sources, like cobalt mining in Africa. Dr. Ron concluded that solar and wind energy are currently the cheapest and most environmentally friendly options and should be further developed and utilized. Dr. Foojan and Dr. Ron discussed the importance of industry, policymaking, and consumer responsibility in addressing environmental challenges. Dr. Ron emphasized the need for consumers to educate themselves and take action, such as reducing waste, recycling, and demanding eco-friendly products from manufacturers. He also suggested implementing a deposit system for plastic bottles to encourage their return and creating a new industry that can repurpose plastics. Dr. Ron encouraged everyone to visit landfills and recycling centers to understand the issues better and write letters to their legislators to advocate for change. He invited people to contact him via email or LinkedIn for further discussions.

E381 – "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Rainie Howard, a renowned bestselling author, speaker, and visionary leader in personal development. With over 17 years of experience, Rainie has connected with millions worldwide through her powerful teachings on self-love, emotional healing, and relationship building. As the CEO of Love Book Store, an e-commerce business, and Inspired Flow, a leadership and life coaching firm, she is dedicated to empowering individuals to live with purpose and fulfillment. Her groundbreaking work has been featured on major platforms like FOX, NBC, and ABC, reinforcing her status as a leading authority on emotional intelligence, mental health, and spiritual growth. Through her podcast, The Rainie Howard Show, she inspires and uplifts audiences, providing insights that guide others toward holistic growth and a life filled with joy and fulfillment. Rainie's mission is to help people awaken their inner potential, encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths and lead empowered, purposeful lives. We talk about Rainie’s latest book, The Love Habit, a transformative guide that empowers readers to cultivate healthier relationships while embracing the transformative power of self-love. www.RainieHoward.com 20 Best California Mental Health Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts/ Check out my website: www.FoojanZeine.com, www.AwarenessIntegration.com, www.Foojan.com Summary of this episode: Rainie and Dr. discussed the importance of self-awareness and self-love in achieving emotional balance and healthy relationships. They emphasized the need to connect with one's body and emotions and to understand and validate oneself. Rainie shared her journey of learning to journal and meditate to better understand herself and her feelings. Dr. added that disconnection from the body can be a result of trauma or pain and that reconnecting with the body through practices like yoga and meditation can help in healing. They concluded by discussing the importance of validating oneself and recognizing when one's need for validation drives unhealthy relationships. Rainie addressed the importance of self-validation and the power of positive affirmation in overcoming people-pleasing and harmful behaviors. She emphasized that by speaking positive affirmations, one can recondition their mind to believe in their own worth and abilities. Highlighting the evolutionary need for external validation and the influence of others on our self-perception. Both decided that individuals have the power to reinvent themselves and overcome past traumas and that acknowledging resilience is crucial in this process. Rainie and Dr. discussed the importance of experiencing and visualizing the love, joy, and peace one desires. Rainie emphasized the power of visualization techniques and the ability to handle life's challenges better with a clear vision. She also shared her personal experiences of overcoming depression and anxiety, highlighting the importance of deciding to be happy and at peace, even in difficult times. The love habit encourages self-awareness, validation, and co-creation of life, even with its ups and downs.