Inner Voice - Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan

Dr. Foojan Zeine
  • 4.8 (25)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

“InnerVoice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan” is a podcast where Dr. Foojan Zeine invites thought leaders, mental wellness experts, educators, and trailblazers to engage in open, intimate conversations grounded in her signature framework, Awareness Integration Theory (AIT). Each episode explores themes of self-awareness, healing from the past, building self-confidence, nurturing meaningful relationships, and creating a purpose-driven future. Listeners come away with practical insights, reflective prompts, and actionable steps aligned with the podcast’s ethos of “clear the past • create a new future • live a fulfilled life now.”

  1. 2d ago

    Why You Feel Lonely (Even in a Crowd) | Meg Tuohey on Self-Trust

    INNER VOICE — A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine & Meg Tuohey, E467. This heartfelt conversation with psychologist, relationship expert, author, and marriage repair innovator Meg Tuohey explores the power of the INNER VOICE, inner wisdom, intuition, loneliness, self-trust, authentic living, relationships, personal growth, and emotional connection. Meg brings decades of clinical experience helping thousands of women and couples reconnect with themselves, understand their inner world, and navigate fractured relationships, identity, and life transitions. Her evidence-based, neurodivergent-affirming approach combines psychological rigor with compassion while honoring women’s agency and inner authority. Her podcast, Wisdom Stripes, has reached more than 1.8 million lifetime downloads and ranked among the Top 15 Education podcasts in the United States. Her first book, HeartPrint, expands her mission of helping women create lives grounded in meaning, resilience, wisdom, and self-trust. MODERN LONELINESS & THE SOCIAL PARADOX Meg and Dr. Foojan Zeine explore the paradox of increasing loneliness despite a growing human population. They question whether loneliness may be more prevalent in fragmented Western societies compared with Eastern communities with stronger family structures. They discuss how modern life, distance from nature, individualism, and survival pressures can disconnect people from their authentic, community-based selves. CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON LONELINESS Dr. Foojan Zeine discusses how culture influences loneliness. Even in Eastern cultures with strong family and community ties, people may feel lonely when their internal experiences do not match external expectations. Meg offers a broader perspective, suggesting loneliness can become a catalyst for human growth, evolution, self-discovery, and transformation. They explore the strengths and challenges of Eastern and Western approaches to belonging and connection. LONELINESS, LIFE TRANSITIONS & INNER WISDOM Meg discusses why we need to explore challenges such as loneliness rather than simply avoid them, emphasizing the balance between healthy independence and enmeshment. Dr. Foojan Zeine shares an example of a client experiencing loneliness during major life transitions, including aging parents and children leaving for college. Meg explains the central ideas behind HeartPrint: To Unlock Wisdom, which explores building a relationship with your INNER VOICE and inner wisdom. Her “heart print” concept shows how every person has a unique expression of identity, values, purpose, and life experience, even though we share the same DNA. CULTURAL LEADERSHIP & THE JOURNEY TO WISDOM Meg describes her mission to be a lighthouse and container for people exploring their true selves and bridging the gap between who they are and how they live. She shares how seeking wisdom from elders inspired her own journey toward eldership and cultural leadership. Meg discusses supporting women in creating cultural change, trusting their inner authority, and developing greater self-awareness and wisdom. Dr. Foojan Zeine reflects on intuitive wisdom and self-discipline, drawing parallels to Meg’s journey of finding internal guidance. INTERNAL ALIGNMENT & FLOW STATES Meg and Dr. Foojan Zeine explore internal alignment, self-attunement, intuition, inner wisdom, and FLOW STATES. Meg emphasizes becoming attuned to your inner voice and aiming for approximately 80% coherence in daily life rather than perfection. She encourages people to remember moments of flow, presence, ease, connection, and deep alignment, then gradually access those qualities in everyday life. Dr. Foojan Zeine shares that finding balance can involve letting go of control, trusting, and allowing internal and external experiences to connect naturally. SELF-ATTUNEMENT, FLOW & SELF-TRUST The conversation concludes with a powerful reminder that developing a relationship with yourself is foundational to developing healthy relationships with others. Meg encourages listeners to cultivate self-attunement, intuition, emotional awareness, authenticity, inner wisdom, and self-trust. Through HeartPrint and the character Elizabeth, Meg offers a role-modeled approach to exploring the relationship between the inner world and outer life. This heartfelt conversation with Meg Tuohey and Dr. Foojan Zeine invites you to listen more deeply to your INNER VOICE, understand loneliness differently, reconnect with your authentic self, and discover the wisdom already within you. Learn more about Meg Tuohey: megantuohey.com #MegTuohey #FoojanZeine #InnerVoice #InnerWisdom #HeartPrint #Intuition #SelfTrust #Loneliness #Psychology #Relationships #SelfAttunement #FlowState #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLiving #HumanConnection #SelfDiscovery #WisdomStripes

  2. Aug 10

    The Hidden Crisis: Student Loneliness and How to Fix It

    E466 | Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Student mental health, teen mental health, college mental health, anxiety, depression, loneliness, wellbeing, and belonging are the focus of this Inner Voice conversation with Dr. Foojan and Joe Dorri, Founder and President of The Good Student, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing student mental health. Joe studied psychology at USC, has published peer-reviewed research, presented at APA conventions, and created the Good Student Tool, a free, anonymous, science-backed assessment connecting students with mental health and wellbeing resources. 🌐 thegoodstudent.org Dr. Foojan and Joe discuss adolescent mental health, college wellbeing, psychological assessment, social support, family support, identity development, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and early mental health intervention. They explore loneliness and the importance of trust, connection, and a sense of belonging for young people. Joe discusses research showing 51% of students reported loneliness and explains how family support and campus belonging can influence psychological wellbeing. The conversation examines social media, peer pressure, technology, identity, values, and the challenges teenagers face while finding community. Joe explains the Good Student Tool, an anonymous 8–10 minute assessment measuring family support, social support, mental health, wellbeing, sense of belonging, and mindset. Students receive scores, feedback, and vetted resources. He also discusses values-based interventions, school orientation, campus resources, counseling, and institutional approaches to student wellbeing. Dr. Foojan shares insights from teaching at Cal State Long Beach and explains how awareness and journaling can help students connect academics, finances, family, relationships, identity, and emotional health. Joe also shares his personal experience with depression, isolation, bicultural identity, mentorship, relationships, and healing—and why he created a resource he wished he had as a young person. Learn more and share the Good Student Tool with schools, colleges, universities, educators, counselors, and student support organizations: 🌐 thegoodstudent.org ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Inner Voice with Dr. Foojan 00:19 – Institute Virtual Clinic 01:38 – Updated Fujon app 02:05 – Belonging & mental health 03:05 – Awareness & integration 04:12 – Welcome to Inner Voice 04:52 – Meet Joe Dorri 05:39 – Fujon app & growth 06:13 – Mind-body practices 07:37 – Welcome Joe 08:01 – Joe's assessment tool 09:23 – Joe's passion 10:06 – Loneliness & student wellbeing 11:17 – Adolescent mental health 12:51 – Trust & connection 13:50 – Hidden mental health signs 14:47 – Depression & emotional distress 15:19 – Family support & belonging 16:20 – Belonging & wellbeing 17:25 – Peer belonging 18:17 – Social media & identity 19:36 – Community & connection 20:08 – Values intervention 21:18 – Support strategies 22:09 – Campus orientation 23:41 – Good Student Tool 24:18 – Anonymous assessment 24:40 – What the tool measures 25:29 – Scores & feedback 26:07 – Mental health resources 27:05 – Finding language for feelings 27:49 – Journaling & self-awareness 28:44 – Life areas & wellbeing 30:24 – Tool in universities 31:44 – Cal State Long Beach research 32:14 – Joe's mental health journey 32:31 – Bicultural identity 33:24 – Depression & isolation 34:10 – Mentors & healing 35:29 – Early intervention 36:20 – Helping students thrive 36:51 – Supporting The Good Student 37:19 – Sharing the assessment 38:06 – Student anonymity 38:49 – Relationships, love & hope 39:34 – Find The Good Student 40:00 – Final reflections 40:39 – AIT certification SEO Keywords: student mental health, teen mental health, college mental health, adolescent mental health, young adult mental health, youth mental health, student wellbeing, student wellness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, sense of belonging, campus belonging, psychological assessment, mental health assessment, emotional wellbeing, social support, family support, mindset, identity development, mental health intervention, psychology podcast, mental health podcast, psychedelic therapy, Dr. Foojan, Joe Dorri, Joseph Dorri, The Good Student, Inner Voice. #InnerVoice #MentalHealth #StudentMentalHealth #TeenMentalHealth #CollegeMentalHealth #StudentWellbeing #StudentBelonging #Psychology #MentalHealthPodcast #Anxiety #Depression #Loneliness

  3. Aug 3

    The Truth About Mental Health That Few Psychiatrists Will Tell You

    What if everything you've been taught about mental health is missing the most important ingredient — human connection? In this episode of *Inner Voice, A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan*, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Fred Moss, known globally as "The Un-Doctor," for a raw and transformative conversation about healing, authenticity, and what it really means to be human. With 40+ years of clinical experience, Dr. Fred shares how he went from a conventional psychiatric career to becoming one of the strongest advocates for connection-based healing in mental health today. Dr. Fred opens up about the moment he realized psychiatry was losing sight of the human being behind the diagnosis — and how that realization led him to build an entirely new model of care rooted in presence, resonance, and authenticity rather than titles or clinical labels. The conversation explores his philosophy of life optimization, his highly anticipated new book *Welcome to Humanity: A Psychiatrist's Memoirs and Case Against the Mental Health System* (215 revisions in the making), and his upcoming Healer Support Retreat, September 17–20 at Sacred Grove near Charlotte, built around one powerful question: who holds the healers? Dr. Fred and Dr. Foojan dig into why so many therapists, coaches, and caregivers struggle to receive support themselves, the hidden shame tied to needing help, and how learning to receive — gracefully and without judgment — completes the cycle of true healing. The episode closes with an unexpectedly grounding lesson on work-life balance, courtesy of Dr. Fred's three cats. Whether you're a therapist, psychiatrist, coach, healthcare professional, or simply someone seeking deeper connection and self-awareness, this episode will change how you think about mental health, healing, and human connection. 🔔 Subscribe to Inner Voice for weekly conversations on healing, self-awareness, relationships, and mind-body well-being. --- **⏱️ TIMESTAMPS** 0:00 – Cold open: What is real human connection? 1:12 – Welcome to Inner Voice with Dr. Foojan Zeine 3:43 – Introducing Dr. Fred Moss, "The Un-Doctor" 4:42 – Why Dr. Fred became a psychiatrist (and almost didn't) 8:16 – What does "connection" actually mean? 11:02 – Dr. Fred's philosophy of life optimization 15:11 – Inside his new book, Welcome to Humanity 16:55 – His manifesto: "There may be nothing wrong with you" 18:01 – The Healer Support Retreat: who holds the healers? 20:47 – Why healers struggle to receive support 25:27 – Giving without needing something in return 28:23 – Life lessons from his three cats 29:44 – Where to find Dr. Fred Moss 31:16 – Closing thoughts --- **🌿 About Inner Voice** Inner Voice is a heartfelt weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Foojan Zeine — psychotherapist, life and business coach, author, speaker, and founder of the International Awareness Integration Institute (IAII). Each episode explores healing, self-awareness, relationships, mind-body well-being, emotional clarity, and how to live a life that feels true to who you are. **💬 Connect with Dr. Foojan Zeine** 🌐 Website: https://www.iaii.life 📱 Foojan App: AI-driven coaching, guided meditation & self-awareness tools 🧠 Mira AI Chatbot: available through the International Awareness Integration Institute **📚 Learn More About Dr. Fred Moss** 🌐 welcometohumanity.net 🌐 welcometohumanitybook.com 🌐 whoisdrfred.com --- **👉 Take 3 Simple Actions** ✅ Follow Inner Voice on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio & YouTube ✅ Share this episode with someone who needs hope, clarity, or support ✅ Leave a rating or review to help more people find these healing conversations --- #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #DrFredMoss #DrFoojanZeine #HumanConnection #Healing #Psychology #Therapy #MentalHealthAwareness #EmotionalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #Mindset #Wellness #TraumaHealing #Authenticity #LifeOptimization #InnerVoicePodcast #MentalWellness #Healthcare #SelfAwareness #Burnout #WelcomeToHumanity #HealerSupport #MindBodyHealing

  4. Jul 27

    The Truth About Black Men, Toxic Masculinity & Emotional Healing 3 years, No Tear: The Truth About Black Men, Touch, Trauma, Emotional Healing

    What if the biggest barrier to Black men’s mental health isn’t toughness — it’s the absence of touch? In this episode of Inner Voice, a heartfelt chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine, Dr. Foojan sit down with Aaron Johnson — public speaker, filmmaker, and touch activist — founder of The Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project, to unpack the “Black Brute” archetype, touch starvation, and the emotional healing Black men were never taught. Aaron opens up about losing his father in 2010, spending three years unable to cry, and the personal journey that led him to platonic touch, nervous system regulation, and healing through connection. Together, Aaron and Dr. Foojan trace how the hypersexualization of Black male identity was manufactured through Blaxploitation films and hip-hop culture — funded largely by non-Black systems — and internalized across generations as the “Black Brute” and “black buck” archetypes. We go deep into vulnerability, tears, grief, family systems, puberty and boundaries, and Aaron’s therapeutic “body story” method, which uses singing, nature, and slow, consent-based touch practices to help Black men reclaim tenderness. Aaron also discusses his documentary “Dark and Tender” — a rare on-screen portrait of Black men of every age, class, and orientation holding hands and listening to one another — and why investing in Black male tenderness could reduce violence, consent violations, and mental health crises nationwide. This conversation is for anyone exploring emotional healing, toxic masculinity, touch deprivation, racial trauma, grief processing, and what true connection and vulnerability can look like for Black men in America. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro: Inner Voice with Dr. Foojan Zeine 08:06 – Welcome Aaron Johnson to the show 08:52 – Losing his father in 2010 & the tragedy that changed everything 09:38 – Unable to cry for 3 years: reclaiming emotional expression 11:02 – Discovering the need for platonic touch 11:46 – What is the “Black Brute” archetype? 12:26 – Mentoring a young man through touch healing 13:22 – Gender vs. race: who has access to platonic touch? 15:13 – Origins of hypersexualization: Blaxploitation & hip-hop culture 17:19 – Who funds the “Black Brute” narrative? 19:21 – Vulnerability & tears in Black family systems 20:47 – The hidden labor of Black mothers preserving tenderness 23:45 – Puberty, boundaries & the shift in family touch 26:52 – The “body story” therapeutic method explained 29:14 – Singing, nature & building safety before touch 30:34 – Slow, consent-based touch practices in action 32:41 – The documentary “Dark and Tender” 34:29 – Why Black men are missing from healing retreats 35:11 – Investing in Black men’s tenderness to reduce violence 36:24 – The prototype we were given — and bought into 38:14 – Has the film’s impact reached Black American men nationally? 39:02 – Touch, culture & capitalism around the world 42:44 – A message to parents raising Black male children 44:40 – Where to find Aaron Johnson & the CUT Project 45:09 – Closing: Follow, share, and leave a review About Aaron Johnson: Aaron Johnson (he/him) is a public speaker, facilitator, filmmaker, and touch activist focused on the emotional and relational lives of Black men, founder of The Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project, and co-founder of Holistic Resistance and Grief to Action. Learn more: www.cutproject.org About Dr. Foojan Zeine: Dr. Foojan Zeine is a psychotherapist, life and business coach, author, speaker, and founder of the International Awareness Integration Institute (IAII), a virtual wellness clinic offering psychotherapy, coaching, and mind-body practices grounded in Awareness Integration Theory (AIT). 🔔 Subscribe for new Inner Voice episodes every week 👉 Take the Clarity Assessment: www.iaii.life #BlackMenMentalHealth #ToxicMasculinity #PlatonicTouch #EmotionalHealing #BlackBrute #TouchActivism #GriefAndHealing #DarkAndTender #RacialTrauma #InnerVoicePodcast #DrFoojanZeine #AwarenessIntegration

  5. Jul 20

    Dr. John Gray: Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus | Happy With or Without a Man

    World-renowned relationship expert Dr. John Gray returns to Inner Voice to share the science behind lasting love — and why happiness starts with you, not your relationship status. Dr. Gray, author of the groundbreaking bestseller *Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus*, joins Dr. Foojan Zeine to unpack his newest book, *Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus — For Women Only: Be Happy With or Without a Man*, diving into hormonal science, communication, and what it really takes to build a relationship that lasts. Dr. Gray explains how women can find happiness both in and outside of relationships by learning hormonal balance and healthy self-sufficiency — and why real independence, used the right way, doesn't threaten love but strengthens it. He compares emotional support to vitamins that work together: men and women each provide something the other can't, and when a person feels "not enough," it pushes their partner further away rather than closer. The conversation goes deep into the biology of love: how stress hormones like cortisol shut down our ability to feel connected, why men are experiencing a testosterone crisis, and how the right kind of communication can help men naturally raise estradiol in women — boosting romance, happiness, and reducing stress. Dr. Gray also breaks down the real meaning of masculine and feminine empowerment, introduces his "Venus Talk" technique for emotional expression without conflict, and reveals the healthy hero paradigm — how making a man feel appreciated fuels mutual fulfillment, devotion, and hormonal balance for both partners. 🎯 **In this episode, you'll learn:** - Why women can be happy with or without a man — and the hormonal science behind it - How independence can enhance, not threaten, a relationship - Why feeling "not enough" damages relationships — and what to do instead - The Vitamin D/K2 metaphor: why men and women provide different kinds of support - How stress hormones like cortisol block your ability to feel love - The testosterone crisis in men and what's driving it - How communication can naturally raise estradiol and reignite romance - The real difference between masculine and feminine empowerment - The "Venus Talk" technique for expressing feelings without conflict - The truth about the hero paradigm — and why appreciation fuels devotion - Dr. Gray's own story: higher testosterone at 74 than in his 20s ⏱️ **TIMESTAMPS:** 00:00 – The crisis of low testosterone in men 01:36 – Welcome to Inner Voice with Dr. Foojan 02:11 – Meet Dr. John Gray: Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus 03:54 – Introducing the new book: For Women Only 04:09 – Why "Be Happy With or Without a Man"? 05:19 – The art of receiving and learning to be happy alone 06:04 – Is female independence a threat to relationships? 07:02 – Balancing self-care with connection 07:57 – The Vitamin D/K2 metaphor: why women need different kinds of support 09:06 – The trap of feeling "not enough" in relationships 09:39 – Why Dr. Gray wrote a book just for women 11:24 – The science: how stress hormones block love 13:42 – Testosterone vs. estrogen under stress 16:35 – Masculinity and femininity in today's world 18:44 – The male testosterone crisis explained 20:00 – Estradiol, menopause, and aging with vitality 24:00 – Male empowerment vs. female empowerment 26:49 – The Vitamin K2 metaphor revisited: why women need women 29:52 – The "Venus Talk" technique explained step-by-step 34:58 – Why women resist receiving — and how to overcome it 36:44 – The hero paradigm: what it really means 39:56 – Codependency vs. a healthy hero dynamic 41:17 – Dr. Gray's marriage: higher testosterone at 74 42:37 – Closing thoughts: the 6-book relationship series 45:18 – Where to find Dr. John Gray 45:52 – Closing thoughts from Dr. Foojan 🔗 **About Dr. John Gray:** For over 40 years, Dr. John Gray has helped millions of people around the world understand the biological and communication differences between men and women. His book *Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus* remains one of the most influential relationship books of the last quarter century, translated into approximately 45 languages. He has written more than 20 books, including *Beyond Mars and Venus*, and continues offering guidance through his books, workshops, and MarsVenus.com. Dr. Gray has appeared on Oprah, The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, CBS This Morning, and Good Morning America, and has been featured in Time, Forbes, USA Today, and People. 🌿 **About Inner Voice:** Inner Voice — A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan features honest conversations on healing, self-awareness, relationships, and emotional clarity with Dr. Foojan Zeine, psychotherapist, life coach, and founder of the International Awareness Integration Institute (IAII). ✅ Take your first step: Book a Clarity Assessment at www.iaii.life 📱 Explore the Foojan App with Meira, our AI-driven emotional wellness assistant 🎓 Learn about AIT Certification for therapists and coaches at awarenessintegration.com

  6. Jul 20

    Stress Is Slowly Destroying Your Life-Here's How to Stop It with Jen Stanford

    In this E462 of Inner Voice A heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan sits down with Jennifer (Jen) Stanford — trust coach, keynote speaker, CEO of Emergent Performance Solutions, and author of *De-Stressed* — to explore chronic stress, leadership pressure, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. Jen shares the deeply personal story behind writing *De-Stressed*: how years spent helping organizations navigate change eventually exposed her own unmanaged stress. While leading teams, raising a family, and striving to excel at every role, she ignored the warning signs until a serious health crisis forced her to rethink everything she believed about success and wellbeing. Together, Jen and Dr. Foojan unpack why stress touches every part of our lives — physical health, relationships, leadership, decision-making — and why managing it isn't just about exercise or time off, but about restoring balance across four energy systems: intellectual, physical, emotional, and purposeful. The conversation moves into perfectionism, people-pleasing, and Jen's four stress response perspectives (logical, relationship-oriented, action-oriented, organized) — and how understanding them transforms teams, workplaces, and families. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or trapped in the pressure to achieve more, this episode is a reminder that success doesn't have to come at the expense of your peace. **⏱️ Timestamps** 0:00 – The image of inner voice 1:25 – Welcome to Inner Voice with Dr. Foojan 1:58 – Meet Jennifer Stanford 4:10 – The IAII Virtual Clinic 5:31 – Jennifer joins the conversation 5:44 – Why Jen wrote *De-Stressed* 7:06 – The story behind the book 8:20 – The health crisis that changed everything 9:06 – Pressure vs. stress 10:59 – The mind-body connection 12:15 – Learning to actually release stress, not just manage it 14:01 – The four energy systems 15:00 – Letting go of perfectionism and control 16:30 – Fear of image vs. fear of failure 17:42 – The four stress response perspectives 17:54 – The logical perspective 21:01 – Relationship, action-oriented & organized perspectives 22:20 – Why leaning into your *least* natural response relieves stress 26:56 – Applying this to teams and families 29:05 – Creating space as a leader 31:00 – Energy as currency — and why it's contagious 32:56 – Reading your team's and family's stress patterns 38:01 – Two pathways forward: therapy and coaching at IAII 38:53 – Stop wearing stress like a badge of honor 40:08 – Where to find Jennifer Stanford 41:04 – Closing thoughts **Connect with us:** awarenessintegration.com | www.iaii.life Topics Covered: . Stress Management • Burnout Recovery • Leadership Development • Emotional Intelligence • Executive Coaching • Change Management • Mental Health • High Performance Leadership • Team Communication • Psychological Safety • Personal Growth • Work-Life Balance • Resilience • Mindset • Self-Awareness • Peak Performance • Leadership Coaching • Trust Building • Executive Wellness • Authentic Leadership #StressManagement #Burnout #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealth #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Resilience #WorkLifeBalance #BurnoutRecovery #HighPerformance #Trust #JenStanford #DrFoojan #InnerVoicePodcast #mentalhealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #selfimprovement #MentalHealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #selfdevelopment Development

  7. Jul 6

    Why Strong Women Stay Silent in Relationships | Couple Therapist Tonya Lester Reveals The Truth

    Why do so many strong, accomplished women still struggle to speak up — in relationships, at work, and in leadership? In this episode of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with renowned couples therapist, psychotherapist, and author Tonya Lester, author of “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself,” to unpack why women so often silence themselves despite being raised to be independent, confident, and capable. Tonya shares how women frequently become emotional “shock absorbers” in relationships — softening their needs, avoiding conflict, and shrinking their voice to keep the peace. Together, she and Dr. Foojan explore the hidden patterns that lead to resentment and disconnection, why healthy conflict is essential for real intimacy, and how emotional maturity changes the way we communicate — at home and in the workplace. In This Episode You’ll Learn: ✔ Why successful women often lose their voice in relationships ✔ The hidden cost of people-pleasing and “shock absorbing” ✔ How to communicate assertively without anger or blame ✔ The difference between emotional maturity and emotional reactivity ✔ Why resentment grows when needs go unspoken ✔ How healthy conflict builds deeper love, trust, and intimacy ✔ Communication strategies for couples, leaders, and professionals ✔ How to set boundaries without damaging the relationship ✔ Why knowing your self-worth changes every conversation Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: the pattern of “shock absorbing” in relationships 1:41 – About the International Awareness Integration Institute virtual clinic 2:54 – Foojan App update: flexible plans & AI-driven onboarding 4:22 – Welcome & introducing Tonya Lester and her book, Push Back 6:48 – Foojan App listener testimonial 7:22 – Mind-body & somatic services at Awareness Integration 8:44 – Interview begins: welcoming Tonya to the show 8:57 – Why Push Back focuses on women’s patterns 9:22 – How Tonya discovered this pattern in herself and clients 10:40 – What “shock absorbing” really looks like 14:36 – What it means to “be an adult” in a relationship 17:16 – Getting clear, concise, and direct about your needs 19:02 – What to do when your partner pushes back or resists 22:30 – How to prepare yourself before a hard conversation 24:58 – When and how to push back in the moment 26:54 – Anger vs. true assertiveness 29:16 – Do women hold back at work the same way as at home? 31:22 – Being labeled “difficult” for speaking up 34:05 – Grappling issues vs. deal-breakers: when to stay or go 36:01 – Advice for more traditional or patriarchal relationship dynamics 38:41 – Final thoughts: why speaking up creates real intimacy 39:44 – Where to find Tonya Lester 40:12 – Become AIT certified: training for therapists & coaches About Tonya Lester: Tonya Lester, LCSW, is a Brooklyn-based couples therapist, psychotherapist, and author of “Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself.” Her New York Times Modern Love essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” and her Psychology Today column “Staying Sane Inside Insanity” have made her a go-to voice on relationships and communication. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, Newsweek, Well+Good, HuffPost, Fatherly, and Bumble’s The Buzz. Ready to find your own voice? Visit awarenessintegration.com to book a session with a licensed therapist or coach, or explore our psychotherapy, coaching, and mind-body services designed to help you feel seen, heard, and supported. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share to help more people build healthier, more honest relationships. Keywords: relationships, communication skills, healthy relationships, couples therapy, emotional intelligence, emotional maturity, boundaries, self-worth, women’s empowerment, relationship advice, conflict resolution, marriage advice, dating advice, assertive communication, people pleasing, self-esteem, leadership for women, workplace communication, emotional health, psychology, therapy podcast, Dr. Foojan, Tonya Lester, Push Back book, modern relationships, intimacy, marriage communication, personal growth, mental health podcast

  8. Jun 29

    Your Brain Is Generating Pain—Here's Why Tests Show Nothing

    Is your chronic pain real — even when every test comes back normal? The answer is yes. And the science of neuroplastic symptoms is finally explaining why. In this episode of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with Dr. David Clarke, MD — President of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician, and author of They Can’t Find Anything Wrong: 7 Keys to Understanding, Treating, and Healing Stress Illness. If you’ve spent months going from doctor to doctor, run every test, and been told “everything looks normal” — this conversation is for you. Dr. Clarke and Dr. Foojan explore the powerful connection between childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), chronic stress, and the very real brain-generated physical symptoms that affect an estimated 40% of all medical patients. This is not “it’s all in your head.” This is neuroscience. 🔍 In This Episode You’ll Learn: • Why neuroplastic pain is not imaginary — it’s a measurable physical change in the brain • How childhood abuse, ACEs, and unresolved trauma create patterns of perfectionism, low self-esteem, and people-pleasing that manifest as physical illness decades later • Why the brain decides whether or not to generate a pain signal — and how stress and fear hijack that process • How the body holds trauma in protective postures — and why releasing those physical patterns is essential to healing • The case of a patient whose stomach was completely paralyzed due to chronic fear activation in the sympathetic nervous system • Why choking sensations, bowel problems, back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue may all be neuroplastic in origin • The 7 key indicators Dr. Clarke uses to identify neuroplastic conditions • How autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease risk all increase with higher ACE scores • Groundbreaking results from the Boulder Back Pain Study — 75% pain reduction in just 4 weeks, sustained over 5 years • How the UCLA study showed neuroplastic recovery therapy outperformed traditional CBT by nearly 4 to 1 • Why integrating medical and mental health care produces dramatically better outcomes than treating them separately ⏱ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: Inner Voice Podcast 4:01 – Meet Dr. David Clarke: Neuroplastic Symptoms & Ending Chronic Pain 4:49 – “They Can’t Find Anything Wrong” — Why So Many Patients Are Left Without Answers 10:24 – Dr. Foojan’s Personal Experience With Somatic Symptoms & Trauma 12:20 – Dr. Clarke’s Origin Story: The Patient Who Changed His Career 15:19 – The Elevator Ride That Changed Everything (Counseling Cured a Physical Condition) 16:51 – From “Psychosomatic” to “Neuroplastic”: Why the Language Shift Matters 18:34 – How the Brain Decides Whether to Generate Pain (The Hammer & the Predator) 20:02 – How Trauma Is Held in the Body: Protective Postures & Muscle Memory 22:48 – The Paralyzed Stomach: Sympathetic Nervous System & Chronic Fear 25:31 – Case Study: Choking Sensations, Immigrant Trauma & the Vagus Nerve 28:27 – Childhood Trauma, Low Self-Esteem, Perfectionism & People-Pleasing 31:22 – The 7 Keys: How to Diagnose Neuroplastic vs. Physical Conditions 33:06 – Stress Triggers, Anxiety & Depression as Hidden Drivers of Physical Symptoms 35:32 – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): The Biggest Category of All 37:01 – Neuroplasticity & Recovery: Mindset, Meaning & Healing from Real Illness 39:16 – Autoimmune Disease, Cancer & the ACE Connection 41:40 – The Research: Boulder Back Pain Study & UCLA Clinical Trial Results 43:17 – Why Physician + Mental Health Collaboration Gets the Best Outcomes 44:57 – Where to Find Dr. Clarke & Free Resources at symptomatic.me 45:37 – Closing: Dr. Foojan on AIT Certification & Living Fully 📚 Resources Mentioned: 📖 They Can’t Find Anything Wrong by Dr. David Clarke → available wherever books are sold 🌐 Free self-assessment quiz + videos + courses: symptomatic.me 🌐 Therapy, coaching, mind-body & functional medicine: www.iaii.life 📱 The Foojan App — AI-powered support between sessions, available now #ChronicPain #NeuroplasticPain #StressIllness #TraumaHealing #MindBodyConnection #DrFoojan #InnerVoicePodcast #DrDavidClarke #ACEs #ChildhoodTrauma #UnexplainedSymptoms #Neuroplasticity #FibromyalgiaRelief #ChronicFatigue #SomaticHealing #BackPain #AutoimmuneDisease #MentalHealthAwareness #BrainBodyHealing #AwarenessIntegration #ATNS #StressAndHealth #HolisticHealth #PsychosomaticPain #VagusNerve #TraumaRecovery #PerfectionismAndHealth #EmotionalRegulation #FunctionalMedicine

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4.8
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25 Ratings

About

“InnerVoice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan” is a podcast where Dr. Foojan Zeine invites thought leaders, mental wellness experts, educators, and trailblazers to engage in open, intimate conversations grounded in her signature framework, Awareness Integration Theory (AIT). Each episode explores themes of self-awareness, healing from the past, building self-confidence, nurturing meaningful relationships, and creating a purpose-driven future. Listeners come away with practical insights, reflective prompts, and actionable steps aligned with the podcast’s ethos of “clear the past • create a new future • live a fulfilled life now.”

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