Back on the podcast is our most popular guest, Leo Max! Leo is a spiritual hypnotherapist who helps clients go deep into inner child and shadow work to reconnect the mind, body and spirit. In this episode, we talk about current themes coming up for his clients in hypnotherapy sessions, such as childhood trauma, separations and soul purpose. The conversation also delves into the mental challenges faced by healthcare professionals, the significance of safe emotional spaces, and the energy imprints left in hospital environments. I also share some coping mechanisms for dealing with the emotional weight of critical cases in the ER. 

Follow Leo on IG: @restorativehypnosis
Website: restorative-hypnosis.com

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

On June 4, 2024, the FDA Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee met to discuss the new drug application submitted by Lykos Therapeutics [for-profit public benefit corporation (PBC) initially part of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)] for MDMA in addition to psychotherapy to treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA, otherwise known as midomafetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Ecstasy, or Molly is a Schedule I drug that shows great promise for treating otherwise very difficult to treat psychiatric conditions such as severe PTSD. The committee voted overwhelmingly against the effectiveness of MDMA for PTSD and voted that the benefits of this treatment do not outweigh the risks. In this episode, I unpack this decision, through the lens of all my potential biases as an emergency physician and toxicologist who also believes in the potential of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. I'll be talking more about this topic in upcoming episodes, especially since the committee's decision is non-binding and the final FDA decision comes in August. 

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

In this episode, I discuss the lineage of mentoring, which is different than your ancestral or family lineage, but still very important. This is about the mentors that have guided you in your life and then, who you mentor yourself.  It's a never-ending cycle of teacher to student to teacher again. I spend some time telling stories about one of my mentors, Dr. Gene Kallsen. The mentor-mentee relationship is something I come back again and again on this podcast (see episodes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 14) as I talk about those who have mentored me and also been my peer mentors.

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

As a medical toxicologist, I take care of people of all ages who have any type of poisoning, overdose, envenomation or medication misadventure.  One of our core tenets in toxicology is 'the dose makes the poison' and the cases I discuss in this episode demonstrate that very fact. Taking care of sick poisoned patients isn't just about the immediate care but also involves detective work, to figure out exactly what happened and sometimes place it in the context of the community at large. It's about digging deep until you get the answer and having the mental space to see when a story isn't adding up, indicating that more investigation is needed. Basically, it's about being a detective. I discuss two series of cases that taught me valuable lessons about being helpful to patients, their families and the community by not stopping until I figured out what happened- and working with great colleagues along the way.

If you would like to read about these cases in more detail, see below. Don't keep scrolling if you don't want spoilers!




References:
1. Armenian P et al. Multiple MDMA (Ecstasy) overdoses at a rave event: a case series. J Intensive Care Med. 2013 Jul-Aug;28(4):252-8. PMID: 22640978.

2. Armenian P et al. Notes from the Field: Unintentional Fentanyl Overdoses Among Persons Who Thought They Were Snorting Cocaine - Fresno, California, January 7, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Aug 9;68(31):687-688. PMID: 31393864.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6687194/pdf/mm6831a2.pdf

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

I'm once again joined by my sister Garin Hussenjian, who co-hosts this episode. She's G and I'm P, in case you were wondering! This is the second episode in a 2-part series about my fertility process. Check out episode 18 for the first half of the series! This episode covers how I shifted my mindset and relationship with my body in order to have a successful pregnancy. I made many small changes which made a real difference and was helped by a community of family, friends, and both Western and Eastern medical professionals along the way. 

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

This is a short 5 minute meditation guided by Garin Hussenjian with handpan played by Garo Hussenjian. It's perfect for a still or walking meditation, as a micro break reset any time of the day. 

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

I'm once again joined by my sister Garin Hussenjian, who co-hosts this episode. She's G and I'm P, in case you were wondering! Today we delve into a very personal and sometimes difficult to discuss topic, fertility. Specifically, Garin asks all about my fertility process and we don't hold back. This is the first episode in a 2 part series and covers how I found out my husband and I had fertility issues and the road to starting IVF, or in-vitro fertilization. Next episode, I'll talk all about how I changed my mindset and approach in order for me to have a successful pregnancy. 

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

This is a soundbath meditation piece, best experienced while laying down with your eyes closed. It can also be used in seated or walking meditations, or just relaxation in general. This sound tapestry is woven by the women of the Sounds of the Light collective: Kathryn Sanchez and Wonda Correia. They use  crystal bowls, a gong, chimes, Shruti box, rain stick, and hand drums to both calm and energize you. 

Follow Sounds of the Light on Instagram:
@soundsofthelight
@kathryn_sarah_stylist
@wondacorreia

Their in-person soundbath schedule is posted on their Instagram, which I highly recommend if you're in Central California!

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

Leslie Galbraith is an expert Astrologer who joins us on this episode to discuss general principles of Astrology.  Astrology isn't just about the 12 zodiac signs and which one you were born in. Rather, as Leslie puts it, it is a detailed symbolic language for understanding human nature and energetic patterns of behavior. As she describes, the natal birth chart is a map of your soul’s constitution and a guide to track the cycles of experience in your life. Like other birth place/time based systems of self-understanding, it is not about changing who you are or predicting the future, but about giving you permission to be who you've always been. In this episode, we cover general concepts about astrology and how to approach your chart, as well as current major world themes in astrology. 

Look up your natal chart here:
https://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php
https://www.astro.com/free/free_chart_e.htm  (click on chart drawing, Ascendant)

If you don't know your exact birth time, start with noon and look at the placement of the Sun, Moon, and planets in the different zodiac signs. This doesn't change by the hour. What the exact hour matters for is the house placements, which can introduce more nuance into your chart interpretation.

Follow Leslie Galbraith on Instagram:
@ourcosmicday

Schedule a reading with Leslie here:
http://www.ourcosmicday.com/

Please rate&review, share, and follow the podcast!

Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD

When taking care of really sick patients in the ER, we always begin with our ABC's: Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Those 3 things have to be secure in order to move on to the next step of helping someone. In this episode, I discuss how the airway taught me valuable life lessons about asking for help. Many of us are great at being helpful to others, but what about when we need help? The bottom line is, learn how to be really good at something, but also know when to ask for help. A lesson I'm still learning every day. 

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Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD