Behind the Stigma

English Alternative Health Health & Fitness Mental Health Science Social Sciences

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Episodes 92

Avg. Duration 45m

Activity Highly Active

Since Sep 2021

Latest Episode Feb 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule

Monthly

Format

Episodic

Consistency

56%

Hosting

feeds.buzzsprout.com

About This Podcast

Hosted and produced by Seiara Imanova, a PhD student from University of Birmingham, Behind the Stigma is a pioneering podcast that bridges the gap between the general public and the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry and Mental Health.

Each episode offers a deep dive into cutting-edge research, featuring conversations with leading experts and top researchers in the field. Take a listen, as we uncover the science, challenge misconceptions, and bridge the crucial gap between academia and the everyday.

Podcasting 2.0 Features

chapters

Social Media

YouTube Instagram

Explore Statistics

English Podcasts Report Alternative Health Report Health & Fitness Report Mental Health Report Science Report Social Sciences Report English Alternative Health Report

Recent Episodes

S2E25 Mental Disorder as a Harmful Dysfunction with Dr. Jerome Wakefield

Feb 20, 2026 1h 28m

Send a textIn this episode of Behind the Stigma, I sit down with Jerome Wakefield, NYU Professor and originator of the influential “harmful dysfunction” theory of mental disorder. We explore what…

S2E24 The Mental Health Crisis, AI & Careers in Psychology in the UAE

Dec 12, 2025 1h 14m

Send a textIn this episode of Behind the Stigma, I sit down with Dr. Prince Kouassi, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department at the American University of Dubai, to explore the…

S2E23 Is Morality A Human Universal with Professor Edouard Machery

Nov 23, 2025 49m

Send a textIn this episode, I speak with Professor Edouard Machery to explore experimental philosophy and the question of whether morality is truly universal. We discuss why humans need morals in the…

S2E22 The Dark Side of Therapy Speak with Dr. Carme Isern-Mas

Oct 10, 2025 42m

Send a textIn this episode of Behind the Stigma, Seiara speaks with Dr. Carme Isern-Mas about the rise of “therapy-speak”, the popular use of psychological language in everyday life. Together, they…

S2E21 Adolescence Mental Health with Dr. Lucy Foulkes

Jun 04, 2025 47m

Send a textIn this week's episode, academic psychologist Dr. Lucy Foulkes, speaks to us about her book 'Coming of Age' and the importance of our adolescent years, the complexity of mental health…

S2E20 Borderline Personality Disorder & Psychotherapy with Dr. Mark Ruffalo

Feb 01, 2025 1h 1m

Send a textIn this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Ruffalo on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), long-term psychotherapy, and the nuances of diagnosis in mental health. We discuss object…

S2E19 Exercise, Depression & Research in Psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano

Jan 10, 2025 1h 6m

Send a textIn this episode of Behind the Stigma, we delve into the transformative world of lifestyle psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a third-year psychiatry resident at the University of…

S2E18 Colonization and Mental Health with Dr. Summer Fakhro

Dec 15, 2024 1h

Send a textIn this week's episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Summer Fakhro with a discussion on Colonization and Mental Health. We define Colonialism and explore…

S2E17 Personality Disorders, Neoliberalism, and Survivor Voices with Dr. Jay Watts

Nov 24, 2024 1h 7m

Send a textIn this compelling episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by award-winning clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and activist Dr. Jay Watts to explore critical perspectives on…

S2E16 Positive Psychology isn’t about being positive...so what is it? with Dr. Louise Lambert

Oct 13, 2024 54m

Send a textIn this episode of Behind the Stigma, we discuss what Positive Psychology is with Dr. Louise Lambert, a leading expert in happiness and wellbeing across the GCC. We discuss the science…

S2E15 Finding Meaning in Mortality: Yalom’s Existential Therapy with Ali Ilyas (Clinical Psychologist)

Oct 01, 2024 58m

Send a textIn this week's episode, my guest & clinical psychologist Ali Ilyas, explores the impact and work of existential psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin Yalom. We dive into core themes like: mortality,…

S2E14 Race, Culture & Social Equalities in Mental Health with Hári Sewell

Sep 16, 2024 54m

Send a textIn this episode of Behind the Stigma, host Seiara Imanova speaks with Hari Sewell, founder and Director of HS Consultancy, about the intersection of social justice, ethnicity, and mental…

S2E13 Why Do We Sabotage Ourselves and Others? The Psychology of Self-Sabotage with Dr. Alex Curmi

Aug 19, 2024 1h 12m

Send a text Ever wondered why we sometimes stand in our own way? In this week's episode, Dr. Alex Curmi breaks down the psychology behind self-sabotage and offers practical tips to overcome these…

S2E12 Returning to Wholeness: A Story with Psychiatric Nurse Neseret Bemient

Jun 15, 2024 1h 42m

Send a textIn this week's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with a former psychiatric nurse, Neseret Bemient, on returning to wholeness and alternative ways of healing. Neseret shares her…

S2E11 Holistic Healthcare in Psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee

May 18, 2024 59m

Send a textIn this week’s episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of nutrition, social prescribing & community care in psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee, a Multi-Award Winning NHS Junior…

S2E10 Altered States & Sexual Health with Tommaso Barba (Imperial College London)

May 03, 2024 49m

Send a textIn this week’s episode, we dive into the intriguing world of psychedelics and intimacy with Tommaso Barba, a PhD student at Imperial College London. Tommaso brings to light his recent…

S2E9 Men's Mental Health with Adil Hussain

Apr 19, 2024 49m

Send a textIn this week's episode on Behind the Stigma, I speak with Adil Hussain, a men's development coach and the Founder of Brotherhood UAE on Men's Mental Health. We delved into the importance…

S2E8 Psychiatric Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry with Dr. Awais Aftab

Apr 02, 2024 1h 9m

Send a textIn this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Awais Aftab, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University on the Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry. We…

S2E7 University Mental Health Day with Student Minds (Student Advisory Commitee)

Mar 14, 2024 1h 31m

Send a textIn this week's episode of the Behind the Stigma Podcast, I speak with members of the Student Advisory Committee from Student Minds, including Aglaya Freccero, Dom Smithies, and Mahbub Alom…

S2E6 Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health with Dr. Ines Hipolito

Mar 02, 2024 56m

Send a textIn this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Hipolito, an Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, on artificial intelligence, cognition and mental health. We discuss:- The philosophical…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Behind the Stigma have?

Behind the Stigma has published 92 episodes since September 2021, covering topics in Alternative Health, Health & Fitness.

Is Behind the Stigma still active?

Behind the Stigma is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 45m.