Dr. Sasha Hamdani, MD x KATIE NEHRA- S3 EPISODE 11
Dr. Sasha Hamdani, MD
Born in Santa Barbara, California. After high school, I moved to the Midwest to complete the 6 year accelerated BA/MD program at University of Missouri Kansas City. I completed three years of residency training at Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix, Arizona and a final year of training at University of Kansas Medical Center.
Psychiatry spoke to me on several levels. I enjoy the aspect of providing healthcare and guidance through the formative years of someone’s childhood and throughout the entirety of their lives. I value forging bonds between my patients and patients’ families to build a sense of trust and comfort. I feel as though through open communication, creative problem-solving, and patient education, we can work together to build a strong therapeutic relationship.
I feel very lucky to be able to do what I do. There is an undeniable humanity and compassion in Psychiatry that continues to inspire me to be a better observer, physician and person.
You might also enjoy
In the last 10 years, the idea of attachment style has come into the social zeitgeist - you can’t scroll social media without seeing a new ‘attachment style’ video or infographic. Are you avoidant in relationships? Are you anxious after a first date? Or are you completely healthy? Well today I am joined by anxious attachment style coach, trauma survivor, mental health advocate, and author Chris Rackliffe.
Chris has reached millions of people from around the world (digitally and through his coaching) with the goal to help folks heal their anxious attachment, learn strategies for achieving inner peace, and communicate desire to their potential partners. He says that our attachment style helps us understand ourselves and how we interact with others. It gives us strategies for coping and getting our needs met. As well as approaching every relationship, which shapes the way we show up to new ones.
Chris shares his own journey with attachment style through anecdotes of his relationship with his mother. He shares how he saw attachment styles directly impact his decisions as an adult. In this episode, Chris breaks down the attachment styles, how to use love languages to learn what you want from a potential partner, and how you can reframe your self-perception to a sense of belonging and knowing.
There is so much to learn about Chris and from Chris. Check out his website here for more offerings.
Please rate the show 5 stars, leave the show a review, and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts. I’ll be back every other week with a brand new episode.
Before Sakara Life, the only food delivery was your local pizzeria and Chinese take out.
This week, I am joined by childhood best friends, nutrition pioneers, and founders of Sakara Life, Danielle DuBoise and Whitney Tingle. Danielle candidly discussed her relationship with food, "Food was never about nourishment, it was about calories, points and pounds.... I had a lot of unlearning to do." Whitney shares that her journey before Sakara was about hiding, from her cystic acne and her health.
Their rock bottoms brought them to found Sakara, a wellness company focused on food as medicine. They questioned: how do we optimize gut health, how do we see food as nourishment, how do we get plants into our diets, and how do we transform our relationship with food?
In this episode, we hear why the founders don't use the word 'vegan,' how they see seduction in Sakara, and how they're transforming the pre-notions of health.
This week my guest is designer, Wall Street executive, content creator, entrepreneur and star of HGTV's Home in a Heartbeat With Galey Alix, Galey herself! What strikes me the most about Galey is her absolute tenacity when faced with challenges. From battling an eating disorder, to working 72 hour straight on home renovations... through breakups and welcoming honest conversations with herself, Galey proves that anything - and I mean anything - is possible with the right mindset and self-care.
On top of her extremely demanding schedule, Galey also serves as an executive at Goldman Sachs, runs Galey Alix Design, and shares (almost) all of it with her 4.5 million combined social media followers. It truly makes you wonder - how does she do it all?!
Galey shares why she demanded HGTV let her wear a hat, how she balances all the facets of her career, and even shares the best advice she has ever received, which came from her dad. I hope you enjoy this conversation and tune in to Home in a Heartbeat, now airing on HGTV.
This week my guest is Dr. Sasha Hamdani, MD. She is a board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD clinical specialist. Dr. Hamdani uses her knowledge and platform to break down stigmas and shares accessible information about mental health. Basically, I knew I needed her on the show.
In this episode, she shares that medical school felt like digging herself out of a hole. “I think it was difficult for me because I was learning what my body was doing. It was hard for me to understand my own internal environment, I didn't know what my normal schedule was like, so every day I felt like I was reinventing the wheel." We get into why people with ADHD feel like they need to hold a mask up to society, why we need to give ourselves grace in moments of stress, and why hydration is the best thing you can do for your body and mind. For more of Dr. Hamdani's offerings, you can find her across social media @thepsychdoctormd - she is definitely worthy of your follow.
In my first solo episode, I am asking you, listener... When did it become socially acceptable to be on speaker phone in public? Is it just me, or has this gone entirely too far? Listen in to hear recent times this has happened around me, how it makes me feel, and what I think we should do about it (spoiler alert: I think animals are just better).
What do you think? I wanted to drop this quick solo over to you so you could learn more about me, what makes me tick, and what makes me feel better! What else do you want to hear my thoughts on? Leave it in a review on Apple Podcasts.
Danielle Prescod: Body Image, Self-Love, & Calling Out Racism
Description: This week I am joined by content creator, journalist, and author of 'Token Black Girl: A Memoir' Danielle Prescod. As a lifelong fashion obsessive, she was most recently the style director of BET.com. She also cofounded 2BG Consulting, which supports beauty brands and influencers on their anti-racism journeys. In this conversation, we touch on everything! I hear why Danielle decided to leave New York City, her experience with body dysmorphia and how bodies are portrayed in fashion, her thoughts on how we interact with white supremacy and privilege, and why she only reads books by Black authors.
You'll want to tune in to hear all about Capital F fashion - the behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry we don't think about when shopping and experiencing fashion each day. Danielle is wildly impressive and I am so thankful she joined me for this episode
You will not want to miss my conversation this week with British journalist, author, podcast host, media executive and mother Lorraine Candy. Lorraine is the Sunday Times best-selling author of ‘Mum, What’s Wrong With You?’ and her new book ‘What’s Wrong With Me?: 101 Things Midlife Women Need to Know.’ In this episode, we hear all of Lorraine’s parenting advice, which will have you rethinking the way you approach conversations with your kids (verbally and physically).
We dive into the ways you can support your kids by saying nothing, when to give kids a phone, educating yourself about the internet to be a more informed parent, active listening, raising boys vs girls, and we hear Lorraine’s advice for parenting children with depression. Even with no kids myself, Lorraine made me think in an all new way about parenting, like how sometimes we have to parent ourselves first to show up for our kids.
I absolutely loved getting to know Lorraine and know you will so enjoy this conversation with her and her brilliant mind.
My guest this week is the wonderfully open and educational Emily Morse from Sex With Emily. Emily is a best-selling author, sex therapist, and podcast host. Emily shares that she was having bad sex but couldn't find the answers to her frustrations anywhere, and she thought to herself, "How come no one talks about sex?" Well that is exactly why she is here!
Emily and I dive into everything you needed (or didn't know you needed) to know: what great sex means to you, why women aren't orgasming, how to achieve orgasm, butt plugs, clitoral stimulation, sexual health on anti-depressants and more! She gives us her thoughts on hookup culture and why younger people are having less and less sex. Emily is a wealth of knowledge and I loved getting to pick her brain in this episode.
I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. Enjoy!
This week, I sit down with designer, illustrator, muralist, author and artist Timothy Goodman. After graduating college, Timothy went to work as an art director at Apple in the Bay Area, and that was his last 9-5 job. Timothy has been working for himself ever since - for over 10 years - and continues to expand his offerings through his teachings, speaking engagements, and recognizable artwork. Seriously, check out his amazing work!
Timothy and I discuss the stigmas of men going to therapy, attachment styles, how the patriarchy impacts our decisions, how media consumption changes our perspective, and why creative folks are so heavily impacted by mental health challenges. I get Timothy’s advice to artists who are coping with mental health struggles and self-doubt... you don’t want to miss his advice. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Timothy and know you will too.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sheva Rajaee, MFT, founder and director of The Center-for Anxiety and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
Many have misconceptions about what OCD really is and misuse this acronym to describe chosen rituals.
In this episode, we discuss everything from how anxiety and OCD manifest in children, to the different types of OCD.
Did you know there's a difference between regular OCD and Pure OCD? I didn't!
There are many different options of OCD therapy available, and we dig into which one is right for the different types of OCD.
I recently read her book Relationship OCD, and highly recommend it for insight on what OCD is and how it can dictate one’s behavior in relationships on a daily basis. She has a unique way of breaking down OCD patterns into palatable bites that are easy to digest and understand.
PS/ she also loves raccoons!
In this episode I speak with author, actress and producer Elizabeth Gilpin about her remarkable personal story and her journey to healing and forgiveness.At fifteen years old, Elizabeth was “stolen” from her bed in the middle of the night. These weren’t kidnappers but hired professionals by her parents no less.Elizabeth bravely recounts this story to us, what it did to her mental state and how she overcame the trauma, as well as how she learned to forgive her parents.Part of her healing was writing her story, and in 2021 she released her debut novel STOLEN which details her ordeal. In this eye-opening and unflinching book, Elizabeth recalls the horrors she endured, the friends she lost to suicide and addiction, and—years later—how she was finally able to pick up the pieces of her life and reclaim her identity.In this episode we hear what she is working on currently, and how she keeps her mental health in a positive state. I am truly inspired by this woman’s braveness, candor, and spirit.
It was such a joy to interview author, public speaker and human rights activist, Mungi Ngomane. Mungi is the granddaughter of Archbishop Emeritus Desdomnd Tutu.In her new book: Everyday Ubuntu, Mungi takes the lessons he taught her growing up and translates them in a modern way that makes them attainable and easily applied to every day life. Everyday Ubuntu: Living Together, The African Way, explores the concept that all humans share a universal bond."Ubuntu is a Xhosa word originating from a South African philosophy that encapsulates all our aspirations about how to live life well, together. It is the belief in a universal human bond: I am only because you are."Her mother, Reverend Nontomei Naomi Tutu joins us briefly for a conversation on generational differences.Sometimes the most simple concepts are the hardest to apply. Both these women show us ways to make it a bit easier!
I was fascinated to learn about Catt Sadler's personal and professional journey. From her award-winning career as a journalist to her rewarding job as a parent, to her falling
into the role of poster woman for equal pay when she decided to leave E! over a wage discrepancy.In this episode, Catt shares her experience on learning about her son’s diagnose with ADHD and stresses how important it is to keep communication open with children. She explains how incorporating small but intentional things into your everyday routine, such as wellness, diet, and exercise, can have a big impact on one’s mentally.We get a sneak peek behind her new relationship, and learn why she doesn’t think this profound love would have been possible two years ago. She is a believer that pain can be a great teacher, which I agree is an important message. There’s a lot to learn from Catt!Marta takes us through what her first session felt like, and why she continues this therapy to this day. We dive into what has helped her personally over the past 10 years, and how she came to realize what she needed in her life and how to ask for it to support her own mental well-being. XO
Katie
I met Marta Pozzan about a month ago through a girlfriend. We all went to a Women’s soccer game, and immediately upon meeting we recognized an old soul in the other (hot old souls, of course) You may know Marta from her work in front of the camera – she is an actress, writer and fellow mental health advocate. Her podcast Cosmic Days just launched this month, and soon she will be appearing in the Netflix show From Scratch, opposite Zoe Saldana. In this episode, Marta bravely shares with us insight into the debilitating anxiety that she had suffered from for many years; sometimes so bad she wasn’t capable of leaving her house. She saw various doctors who tried to help, but nothing was working until she began EMDR therapy. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and it turned out to be a game changer for her.
Marta takes us through what her first session felt like, and why she continues this therapy to this day. We dive into what has helped her personally over the past 10 years, and how she came to realize what she needed in her life and how to ask for it to support her own mental well-being.
I never thought I would be able to say I just interviewed Brooke Shields, let alone on mental health.
In this episode we speak about depression, both hers and mine; hormones, and we reflect on why we are so afraid of saying what we are really feeling.
As many of you know, Brooke grew up in the entertainment industry, and in this episode she shares with us how hard the industry is on women and their mental stability.
She was also the first woman in the public eye to speak openly about her postpartum depression to the media. You may remember that many people did not respond positively. But with that brave act she opened up a conversation that had been largely keep in the dark for too long.
There is a reason that Brooke’s reputation is stellar. She is everything you imagined she would be and then some!
Let's Talk About SEX! Part two.
Todd Baratz, certified sex therapist and relationship expert, joins me as co-host where we go LIVE on BBHBU.
We answer questions you DM’d us, Todd and I have our first fight…
And we participate in a threesome…live!
But just chatting, get your mind out of the gutter 😀 I tell most people to leave whoever they’re with! Todd has incredible insight on why patterns continue to show up in our dating lives. There’s a reason he has such a strong following and people all over the planet that turn to him for advice.
And all joking aside dating can be a real mind f*** in 2022. These conversations are meant to help you but also to remember it’s good to not take yourself so seriously all the time.
Especially when it comes to SEX.
Dr. Drew Ramsey is a pioneer in the area of eating to enhance one’s mood and brain power. He’s a psychiatrist, farmer and an author.
Last year he released his book: Eat To Beat Depression and Anxiety, which details the nine specific foods that can directly help one’s mood and that breaks down the how’s and why’s.
In this episode, we talk about eating for your mood, prescription drugs, how they can affect your weight and appetite, and how we can make small adjustments that have a big impact during a meal.
He also challenges me to a mjudra cook off! @drewramsey is that still happening?
Enjoy!
XO
I came across Chelsea’s story when my producer sent me her recent article she wrote onVogue.com. He asked me if I thought we should invite her to be a guest on the podcast, and at first I didn’t understand. Many of you may know Chelsea how I knew her – as a renowned DJ, a cool and talented girl who seemed to be living the dream and traveling the world to perform at all the hottest parties. But when I read her deeply personal and incredibly moving story, I had tears streaming down my face, and told him YES.
In that article, Chelsea opens up about her painful journey dealing with two heartbreaking miscarriages, as well as her life long-struggle with Endometriosis, and the mental toll it took on her. On top of that, she shared that she has suffered from epilepsy for most of her life, as does her sister, and reveals the hardships that both she and her family continue to deal with because of that condition.
Throughout all of this, Chelsea has remained unbelievably strong, and rather than falling victim to her circumstances, she has created communities and conversations around these issues and other largely ignored topics to help others feel less alone.
In this episode we discuss miscarriages, hormones, epilepsy, women getting to know their bodies, the shame and blame that women often feel and why it’s so important to bring these conversations out in to the open.
She also talks about her newest venture, which is closest to her heart, called Looni. A company dedicated to the menstrual cycle and women’s hormones; teaching young girls, women and everyone in between why our bodies react they way they do.
Chelsea is one of those incredibly brave women who dare to tell us the truth, even though it’s heartbreaking, as well as vows to make a difference for others through her work.
PS/ her voice is incredibly hypnotic, you may fall into a trance.
This past January, Vlada Haggerty was a guest on BBHBU?. Vlada is an international makeup artist, photographer, and lip artist who was born in Kiev.
Her unique creations have drawn many fans on Instagram, including Britney Spears who regularly posts her work.
Vlada has returned to the show, to discuss the current war in Ukraine; the mental toll it has taken on her family, friends and the people who have stayed there to fight it. She shares her experience as a young girl growing up through the dissolution of the USSR, as well as explaining the complicated relationship Russia has had with Ukraine.
Her Mom came to visit her in Los Angeles in February arriving just 5 days before the bombs went off.
In true Ukrainian style, she wanted to return immediately and help care for the people affected by the war and bombings happening at home.
I am so grateful to Vlada for sharing her personal experience and perspective during this tumultuous time.
I had heard about Lauren Roxburgh, AKA Lo Rox, for many years from a close friend.
I finally had the opportunity to meet her (virtually) a month ago!
Lo is a best-selling author and internationally renowned wellness educator and speaker.
She is an expert on fascia, body alignment and the mind-body connection, and is a regular contributor to Goop, Well & Good and MindBodyGreen.
Lauren is also the founder of the popular ‘Aligned Tribe’ groups, which we get into on this episode.
While many claim they are body experts, Lo is more than that. Known as “The Body Whisperer,” she speaks about how we all hold trauma in our body. And better yet, she teaches us how to move it out.
Lo’s energy is contagious. It’s the exact pick me up we all need at this moment in time.
On this episode, entrepreneur Tina Wells takes me through her journey of founding her own marketing group at 16 to becoming a celebrated tween novelist.
She shares insider tips of her trade and two fatal mistakes many new business owners tend to make.
As well as how she keeps her mind clear and her mental wellness thriving through what she calls her mental wellbeing “toolbox.”
Growing up as one of six children, her Mom would tell her if she was having a bad day or struggling with an issue to take a nap.
While it sounds simple, sleep is something we all lack! And it gives your brain a moment to rest and reset. I need to take Mom’s advice!
Last year she created a Bliss Box for tweens to help relieve anxiety and stress.
They now too can have their own toolboxes.
This week her latest novel, New Beginnings, was released.
6 months ago my Dad sent me an email with the subject: How To Talk To Depressed Friends. At the time it was met with an eye roll and me thinking: This sounds fucking depressing.
But instead it was really funny, touching and honest. In this episode we break down each point made in How To Talk To Depressed Friends and why it matters. As well as hear Bill’s personal story of addiction, living with bipolar condition and how he got to where he is today.
He’s an advocate for mental health awareness through speaking, comedy and storytelling. If you or someone in your life suffers from depression I urge you to listen to this episode! Bill has a unique way of telling a story, he says everything you have been feeling in such a matter of fact way. This style makes it easy to digest and even easier for those who really don’t know how to talk to their depressed friends.
Let’s Talk About SEX!
Todd Baratz, certified sex therapist and relationship expert, joins me as co-host for a special edition of BBHBU. He was an earlier guest on Season 2. In this episode we talk about how sex can be a real MIND FUCK and why it’s so hard to make a real connection in 2022. We answered questions from YOU. I have trouble getting off, what should I do? Should we act out our deepest, darkest fantasies or are some fantasies better kept as just that, a fantasy? More importantly why am I so attracted to Dexter? Todd has incredible insight on why patterns continue to show up in our dating lives. I tell you to lie about getting out of the bath. I am super excited for you all to hear it!
Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator pf the popular instagram account THERAPY FOR WOMEN. Her practice, Therapy For Women, is based in Philadelphia but she serves clients across the country. Her debut novel, “NOT DRINKING TONIGHT: A GUIDE TO CREATING A SOBER LIFE YOU LOVE” came out this month.The book is an honest discussion of mental health where she explores the reasons why many drink alcohol, and what the benefits are from taking a break. It also gives insight to many other habits or rituals one may have acquired and how to decide if they are no longer serving you.
We talk about her history with drinking, and her recovering from an eating disorder, and we learn why those two issues are often linked. Speaking with Amanda felt like I was talking to one of my best friends. She’s so down to earth and relatable.Hope you enjoy it. And: Cheers to Not Drinking Tonight!
Vlada Haggerty is an international makeup artist, photographer, and lip artist who hails from the Ukraine. She won multiple makeup competitions in Europe for her artistry. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles, and using her own face as a canvas, she turned to lip art as a creative outlet which quickly became her own version of therapy. Vlada’s unique creations quickly drew attention on Instagram, with fans like @britneyspears posting her work regularly.
In this episode we speak about depression, how we can all get caught up in our heads and what everyone can do with their hands to help get them in the present moment and relieve stress. It’s refreshing to hear someone who has so much talent speak about her self doubts and how she battles them. Have a listen!
Psychotherapist Todd Baratz is incredibly impressive, at just 35 years old he has a thriving practice specializing in sex and relationships. As well as an avid social following @yourdiagnonsense where he gives daily advice. Similar to me he started therapy at a very young age and has always been interested in mental health. In his early 20’s is when he decided this was his path. In this episode he talks about why many relationally unskilled, red flags and why it’s so hard today to have a relationship in 2021. As well as why masturbation is important for your mental health!
It’s refreshing to speak to someone who grew up in the Hollywood scene, but comes off as the girl you just want to watch RHOP with in your pj’s. Jade lovine is wise beyond her years. She opens up to me about her personal struggles with depression, anxiety and everything in between.As well as her not so normal childhood, Dr. Dre was a regular (and still is) guest at the dinner table. She tells us what it took for her to launch her own podcast, Tell Me About It, which focuses on mental health, and the women who are brave enough to speak openly about their stories, to how she’s been able to become her most authentic self today in 2021.
We are starting off Season Two with a bang! I’m so excited to share the personal story of my friend, Edward Buchanan, Creative Director of @sansovino6, which is unapologetically black owned and operated. He’s also the Knitwear Design Director for @virgilabloh 's @off____white, co founder of BIPOC movement WAMI / we are made in Italy and most recently named Milano Fashion Director for @kegrand ‘s @theperfectmagazine. I’ve known Ed since I was a teenager in NYC. We lived in the same apartment in Alphabet City at one point, it was an exciting time to experience a group of artists all cohabitating.
Edward has been working in the fashion industry for over twenty years. He has chosen purpose and “quiet creativity” over celebrity. He talks about "losing things in order to gain something” and I believe that he has made the way he lives artistically and with purpose. Hearing him speak is cathartic, hypnotic and I always learn something whenever we get together.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chef Rashad, who’s widely known for his victory on the TV show CHOPPED. Not totally surprising, given that when he was growing up everyone said he would become a preacher or a Chef.
Not many men are willing to process their emotions in real life, let alone on national TV, but Rashad does just that and more. This last year he was featured in Oprah’s THE ME YOU CAN'T SEE. Can you imagine what it must feel like to let someone film you intimately about your mental well-being?
I find out and how he went from being on top to losing it all and then finding his way back.
Growing up, the overwhelming message to Rashad was, “Man up” or “Take it to God.” As an adult, he has found his voice he has been able to speak his truth. What hit me hardest when speaking to Rashad was that he wears a mask that appears powerful and positive but inside he has been broken. And he’s not alone. So many people who are suffering with depression feel that way, as if they have to keep a mask on in public.
Seeing someone like Rashad bravely take his mask off gives me great hope. And my hope is others feel like they can, too.
Erica is one of those girls that you look at and think “She must wake up happy! I bet she jumps out of bed and is just naturally incredibly productive and successful.” Well, she is incredibly successful, but what’s interesting to learn is that she suffers from anxiety. One of the reasons she latched on to DIY (really coined the term TBH!). Is that it helped relieve her anxiety and depression. Did you know that when you do something active with your hands it physically takes you out of your head?
On today’s episode, we speak about when we first met over 10 years ago in Los Angeles up to when we recently reconnected through the podcast.
When I first started BBHBU she slid into my DMs telling me how she has suffered from anxiety her whole life. I was incredibly surprised because she seems like someone who is so together. If anything, what’s happened in the last 24 hours with Olympian Simone Biles tells us is that all is not always OK. A majority of the time, many over-achievers and success stories are privately at their mental health breaking point.
We talk about LA days, Mental DIYs that can help you with your anxiety, and what she is working on next! Tune in now…
David Lewis Kyle
David Lewis Kyle is a multidisciplinary creative, strategist, and entrepreneur known for building brands that break molds. As Chief of Imagination at The Brella Co., he leads the vision, design, and marketing across a portfolio of franchise-ready companies. With a background in storytelling, visual identity, and business growth, David blends creativity with structure to launch scalable ventures that feel anything but corporate.