Minority Trip Report Raad Seraj

Join us as we dive into an engaging conversation with Dennis, a true global ambassador who grew up in an international household hosting exchange students from around the world. We explore how humor serves as a bridge between diverse cultures, creating connections that transcend language and socioeconomic differences. Dennis shares insights gained from his immersive experiences, from witnessing the power dynamics of different societies to finding common ground through laughter. Discover how his upbringing led to a deep appreciation for laughs and balanced perspectives.
Show Notes:
Dennis's upbringing in an international household hosting exchange students from various countries.The role of satire in critiquing power structures and offering social commentary, particularly focused on "punching up."How humor transcends language barriers and fosters connections between different cultures.Dennis's experiences in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, and the importance of authentic relating.Humor's ability to create authentic connections and build bridges between cultures and backgrounds.Dennis's observations about socioeconomic disparities and the genuine happiness he found in communities with less material wealth.The significance of family and multigenerational connections in cultures around the world.Dennis's journey of self-discovery and his exploration of psychedelics, which expanded his perspective on spirituality and personal growth.The value of embracing humility, laughing at oneself, and recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity.You can find Mycopreneur at:
https://instagram.com/mycopreneurpodcast
https://x.com/mycopreneur
https://www.tiktok.com/@mycopreneurpodcast
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Today's episode delves into the intersections of ideology, psychedelics, humor, and hope. Adam Aronovich, a medical anthropologist and critical thinker, brings us insightful perspectives on how our attachment to individual narratives and belief systems impacts our approach to psychedelics and healing. He highlights the need to shift from exclusive self-analysis to recognizing the broader impact of our actions on relationships, communities, and the environment. Aronovic discusses the dangers of magical thinking and the importance of epistemic humility, emphasizing how humor and satire can challenge rigid belief systems and open the door to critical reflection. In a world facing unprecedented challenges, he shares his journey towards embracing hope as a moral imperative, and how his role as a father drives his commitment to shaping a brighter future.
Show Notes:
The shift from individualizing narratives to treating relationships in the context of psychedelics.The counterproductive obsession with peeling layers of the onion of personal traumas without considering broader contexts.The allure of intuition as a primary arbiter of truth and its ties to distrust in expertise.The role of humor and satire as vehicles for critical discourse, disarming resistance, and fostering introspection.The distinction between optimism and hope: finding hope despite a lack of optimism.The imperative of preparing the next generation to navigate the complexities of the world.The challenge of raising children amidst existential risks and planetary grief.Embracing a sense of purpose by contributing positively to the next generation's emotional resilience.You can find Adam's work and Healing from Healing here:
https://www.instagram.com/healingfromhealing
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Episode Description: In this episode, we dive deep into the remarkable life journey of Sabba Nazhand, a self-made technology executive and an immigrant who was born during the Iran-Iraq war in Tehran, Iran. Sabba shares his powerful story of being born prematurely during the war and how his parents made incredible sacrifices to save his life. We explore his struggles and the mindset of constant striving to level up, especially as an immigrant in a new country and rising to a tech executive without a formal education.
The episode also delves into the transformative impact of psychedelics on Sabba's life and how they led him to a more profound sense of spirituality and self-awareness. We discuss the emerging world of plant medicines and psychedelics and the diverse characters it attracts, from genuine healers to those seeking to exploit the space for profit. Sabba shares his insights as a conscious leader in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of empathy, trustworthiness, optimism, communication, and the courage to do hard things.
Show Notes:
Sabba Nazhand shares his incredible life journey as an immigrant born during the Iran-Iraq war and the sacrifices his parents made to save his life.The importance of constantly striving to level up and the struggles faced by immigrants.Sabba's insights into modern and conscious leadership, emphasizing empathy, trustworthiness, optimism, communication, self-awareness, and the ability to embrace challenges.Sabba's transformative experiences with psychedelics and the profound impact on his spirituality and self-awareness.The emerging market of plant medicines and psychedelics, and the diverse characters involved in the space.The challenges faced by the Iranian diaspora and the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice in Iran.Sabba's hope for the future, driven by his personal growth, family support, and belief in conscious leadership.You can follow Sabba here:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabbanazhand/
IG: www.instagram.com/sabba_getzehn
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My guest today is Simran Sethi, a respected multimedia journalist, academic, and founder of the Asian Psychedelic Collective. We delve into the experiences of minorities, the lack of diversity within the psychedelic ecosystem, and the crucial aspect of addressing ancestral trauma. Simran shares her insights on the distortion of truth in journalism and the need for multiple perspectives, drawing attention to the impact of homogenization in the food industry and its correlation with the loss of language and culture. We also explore the transformative role of psychedelics in healing and reclaiming cultural practices, shedding light on the genesis and purpose of the Asian Psychedelic Collective as a vital space of belonging and support for Asians working with and in psychedelics.

Named one of the “50 Most Influential Global Indians” by Vogue India and the “environmental messenger” by Vanity Fair, Simran has written for outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Guernica, and The Guardian. Her book Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love—named one of the best food books of 2016 by Smithsonian.

Show Notes:
Simran Sethi, a respected multimedia journalist, academic, and founder of the Asian Psychedelic Collective, joins me for a profound conversation.Simran discusses her current research focused on dismantling systems of repression in support of the biocultural diversity of sacred plant medicines.We explore the experiences of minorities within the psychedelic ecosystem, addressing the lack of diversity and the need for inclusivity.Simran shares her insights on the distortion of truth in journalism, highlighting the challenges of presenting multiple perspectives in a 24-hour news cycle.We delve into the impact of homogenization in the food industry, emphasizing how the loss of agricultural biodiversity correlates with the erosion of language and culture.Simran shares personal experiences and insights on the transformative power of psychedelics in healing ancestral trauma and reconnecting with cultural practices.We discuss the genesis and purpose of the Asian Psychedelic Collective, emphasizing its role as a safe and supportive space for Asians working with and in psychedelics.The three pillars of the Asian Psychedelic Collective—community, education, and advocacy—are explored in detail, highlighting the importance of cultural responsiveness and accessibility.We shed light on the underrepresentation of Asians in clinical trials, practitioner trainings, and leadership roles within the psychedelic field.The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to engage with the Asian Psychedelic Collective and support its mission of inclusivity, cultural preservation, and healing.You can more about Simran and her work here:
https://www.asianpsychedeliccollective.org
https://www.instagram.com/asianpsychedeliccollective
https://www.instagram.com/simransethi/?hl=en
https://www.amazon.com/BREAD-WINE-CHOCOLATE-Simran-Sethi/dp/0061581089
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Today my guest is Dr. Ishrat Husain who is Head of the Clinical Trials Unit and Lead of the Mood Disorders Service at Center for Addiction and Mental Health. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Treatment Innovation in Mood Disorders. Dr. Husain's research program focusses on advancing the understanding and treatment of mood disorders across populations through biomarker-driven clinical trials of emerging pharmacological and psychosocial interventions including psychedelic therapies.

You can follow Dr. Ishrat Husain at:
https://twitter.com/IshratHusain_
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Today my guest is Nikhita Singhal who is a fourth year psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto. Nikhita completed her undergraduate degree and medical training at McMaster University. She is passionate about engaging in advocacy work, empowering individuals with lived experience, and contributing to medical education. Nikhita hopes to combine her clinical interests in addictions, eating disorders, and psychedelic-assisted therapy to work with underserved and marginalized youth.

You can follow Nikhita at:
https://twitter.com/nikhita_singhal
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