This week on Mental Health Reclaimed, I’m joined by two inspiring educators from the University of Southern California: Dr. Julie Loppacher, Director of the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity, and Dr. Harly Ramsey, Associate Director of the Engineering in Society Program.

In this conversation, we explore how just five intentional minutes a day—through journaling, breathing, tapping, and cognitive reappraisal—can rewire the brain for calm, clarity, and confidence.

We dive into the culture of pressure in higher education, the science of self-regulation, and why true well-being begins with awareness, not achievement. Whether you’re a student, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode reminds you that healing and resilience can begin with something simple: five mindful minutes at a time.

✨ Listen now to reclaim your calm, your focus, and your mental health, one small shift at a time.

Links and Resources

🎙 Today’s Guests:

Dr. Julie Loppacher – Director, Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity, University of Southern California

Dr. Harly Ramsey – Associate Director, Engineering in Society Program, University of Southern California

Learn more about their work: the5minuteproject.com

For more about Dr. Azi Jankovic, host of the pod, educator-speaker-advocate, and author of Mental Health Reclaimed, visit:

✨  azijankovic.com

This week I’m joined by my dear friend Lilach Bullock, a business strategist turned wellness inspiration, who shed 110 pounds after 52 years of struggle with food and self-image. Through the power of self-love and lifestyle transformation, she not only changed her body but reclaimed her emotional and mental health.

In this conversation, Lila and I get real about food addiction, the lies we’ve been sold by diet culture, and how sugar and processed foods affect both physical and mental wellbeing. We share our parallel journeys of transformation—hers in releasing weight and pain, mine in reclaiming my mental health—and explore what it takes to create lasting change.

If you’ve ever wondered whether real transformation is possible for you, this episode is proof that it is.

✨ Links and Resources

• Dr. Azi Jankovic: azijankovic.com

• Mental Health Reclaimed - book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

  OR - Grab your free chapters here :)

  Social Media - Azi:

• Instagram

  Facebook

  Linkedin

  
  

  TODAYS GUEST:

  • Lilach's Website: ⁠escapethedietprison.com⁠

Welcome back to Mental Health Reclaimed, the podcast where we challenge the status quo and uncover what actually works in mental health and wellbeing.

Today’s guest is Daniel Packard, mechanical engineer and CEO of Full Liberation Technology, whose revolutionary system promises fast, lasting freedom from what he calls “The Funky Five”: anxiety, perfectionism, procrastination, people-pleasing, and low confidence. After 8 years and over $1 million in R&D, his team reverse-engineered a body-based approach that’s helping people break free permanently—not just manage symptoms.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why 40% of people who seek mental health help never improve, and what we can do about it.
• The real reason you might still be stuck, despite all the therapy, books and apps.
• The hidden power of your nervous system and how to restore its true baseline.
• Why Daniel believes innovation, not just inspiration, is the missing piece in the mental health industry.
• How to stop chasing temporary fixes and reclaim lasting results

Whether you’re new to healing or deep in the journey, this conversation offers fresh hope, grounded insights, and a radically different roadmap to change.

Mental Health Reclaimed—Dr. Azi’s #1 bestselling book on thriving beyond labels and limits: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F47G5V4Z

 Get Daniel’s free training here:
 https://www.danielpackard.com

Subscribe to this podcast and share this episode with someone who can benefit.

#MentalHealthReclaimed #NervousSystemHealing #ResultsMatter #DanielPackard #TraumaHealing #RootCauseHealing #TheFunkyFive #AnxietyRecovery #SelfHealing #ReclaimYourLife

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for qualified medical advice or guidance. 

In this powerful episode of Mental Health Reclaimed, host Dr. Azi Jankovic sits down with Dr. Roger McFillin.

Dr. McFillin board-certified behavioral and cognitive psychologist and a nationally recognized expert in trauma, eating disorders, and mood-related conditions.

Dr. McFillin is a fierce advocate for ethical, evidence-based mental health care and a vocal critic of overmedication and pseudoscience in psychiatry. He works to promote informed consent and medical freedom, empowering individuals to reclaim their mental health beyond labels and diagnoses.

In this EP, we explore:

• How Dr. McFillin saw a dangerous side of psychiatry in his early career, and how these experiences shaped his mission
• The myths of chemical imbalance and prevalence of overmedication in psychiatry
• How trauma, environment, and lifestyle influence mental health
• The role of spirituality, community, and purpose in healing
• The dangers of labeling and how it perpetuates helplessness
• The movement toward true root-cause healing and medical freedom

Dr. McFillin shares practical insights for individuals and clinicians, as well as actionable steps for reclaiming mental health naturally and holistically. We also discuss the future of mental health care, the Conscious Clinician Collective, and Dr. McFillin’s vision for reforming the mental health system.

Connect with Today’s Guest:

📖 Learn about Dr. McFillin’s work, his center, and his brand new Conscious Clinician Collective at: drmcfillin.com

Connect with your host:

🌱 Visit Dr. Azi Jankovic’s website: azijankovic.com — access her book, blog, podcast episodes, events, and more.

Grab your copy of Mental Health, Reclaimed: www.azijankovic.com/book

Jennifer K. Hill's Journey from Mental Health Struggles to Entrepreneurial Success | Mental Health Reclaimed

Welcome to this heartfelt episode of Mental Health Reclaimed, hosted by Azi Jankovic. In this edition, Azi Jankovic sits down with long-time friend Jennifer K. Hill, an entrepreneur, executive coach, and public speaker with over 20 years of experience. Jennifer openly shares her profound journey of overcoming mental health challenges, including autism, bulimia, and suicide attempts, to become a thriving leader in the global wellness movement. This candid conversation explores the powerful tools and practices that helped Jennifer reclaim her mental health, such as HeartMath's Heart Focused Breathing and The Sedona Method. Additionally, Jennifer introduces Opti Match (OM.app), her innovative algorithm designed to revolutionize human connections in business. This episode is filled with invaluable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to overcome their own mental health obstacles. Tune in to be inspired by Jennifer's incredible transformation and to learn actionable techniques for a happier, more fulfilling life.

00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Reclaimed

00:34 Meet Jennifer K. Hill: Entrepreneur and Mental Health Advocate

02:59 Jennifer's Early Struggles and Mental Health Journey

04:51 The Turning Point: Embracing Self-Love and Acceptance

06:54 Overcoming Public Shaming and Finding Confidence

11:47 Navigating Emotional Challenges and Finding Balance

14:49 Jennifer's Darkest Moments and Path to Recovery

18:39 A Deep Sense of Not Belonging

19:08 A Shame Spiral and a Miraculous Moment

20:40 Discovering Landmark Worldwide

22:04 Heart Focused Breathing by HeartMath

28:50 The Sedona Method: A Simple Tool for Emotional Release

30:23 Introducing Soule: The Algorithm for Connection

33:07 Final Thoughts and Connection

LINKS:

Get Involved with Jennifer K. Hill: https://www.instagram.com/jenhillspeaker/?hl=en

Connect with Dr. Azi on Social:

Grab Azi Jankovic #1 bestselling book Mental Health, RECLAIMED: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F47G5V4Z/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.azi.jankovic/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azijankovic/

Website: https://azijankovic.com/

In this episode of Mental Health Reclaimed, host Azi Jankovic talks with Dr. Anna Sylwestrowicz, an anesthesiologist based in Canada, who has become an outspoken critic of the psychiatric industry, forced drugging, and dangerous pharmaceuticals after a personal experience with her son.

Dr. Sylwestrowicz shares her journey, discusses the critical issues in the psychiatric and pharmaceutical industries, and highlights the dangers of overprescribing and the lack of proper informed consent. The episode also touches on the emotional and legal challenges faced by those who speak out, the pervasive influence of Big Pharma, and offers insights into alternative approaches to mental health treatment. T

une in for an eye-opening discussion on the state of mental health care and the urgent need for change.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:26 Host's Personal Journey with Mental Health

02:18 Interview with Dr. Ana Silvas Trovic Begins

03:23 Dr. Ana's Background and Medical Journey

04:30 Challenges in the Medical Field

06:35 Mental Health Medication Concerns

09:00 Impact of Overmedication on Society

15:49 Personal Story: Dr. Ana's Son

23:01 Issues with the Mental Health System

46:13 The Impact of High-Dose Aripiprazole

46:42 Health Canada's Drug Approval Process

47:22 The Dangers of Free Drug Samples

48:45 The Consequences of Long-Term Medication Use

50:50 Personal Story and Systemic Issues

54:13 Addressing Acute Mania and Psychosis

55:10 The Role of Autoimmune Issues in Psychosis

01:00:42 Challenges in the Medical System

01:02:47 The Impact of Speaking Out

01:13:23 The Dangers of Prescribing to Children

01:19:14 The Importance of Lifestyle in Mental Health

01:21:32 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

🔗 Links:

Get involved with Dr. Anna Sylwestrowicz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drannamd_in_my_opinion/

Connect with Dr. Azi on Social:

Grab Dr. Azi’s #1 bestselling book Mental Health, RECLAIMED: https://mentalhealthreclaimed.com

Instagram: instagram.com/dr.azi.jankovic

Facebook: facebook.com/Dr.AziJankovic

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/azijankovic

What happens when a high-ranking soldier faces the silent battle of PTSD after years on the frontlines?

In this gripping episode of Mental Health, Reclaimed, Dr. Azi sits down with Andrew Fox, British Army veteran and research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. Andrew shares his raw and powerful journey from serving three back-to-back tours in Afghanistan to battling severe PTSD—and how he ultimately found healing and purpose beyond the battlefield.

You’ll hear firsthand about the unseen wounds of war, the failure of traditional support systems, and the unconventional methods that helped him reclaim his life. From EMDR therapy to the healing power of writing, Andrew reveals what truly works and how he’s using his voice to advocate for truth, mental health awareness, and post-traumatic growth.

This is a must-listen for anyone impacted by trauma—whether personally or through supporting a loved one.

00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Reclaimed

00:35 Today's Guest: Andrew Fox on PTSD

02:45 Andrew Fox's Military Background

04:14 The Reality of PTSD

08:19 Triggers and Symptoms of PTSD

11:08 Seeking Help and Treatment

17:28 Advice for PTSD Sufferers and Their Families

21:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

🔗 Links:

📚 Andrew Fox Substack: https://mrandrewfox.substack.com

Grab Dr. Azi’s new #1 bestseller Mental Health, RECLAIMED: https://mentalhealthreclaimed.com

Connect with Dr. Azi:

📱 Instagram: instagram.com/dr.azi.jankovic

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/Dr.AziJankovic

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/azijankovic

Andrew Fox – Bio

Andrew Fox is a British Army veteran, research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, and the author of a top-ranked Substack. After a 16-year military career and three combat tours in Afghanistan, he faced a debilitating struggle with PTSD. Through holistic healing and post-traumatic growth, Andrew now advocates for truth in media, mental health reform, and community support for those suffering in silence.

What happens when everything you’re told to do for your mental health only makes things worse?

In this powerful episode of Mental Health, Reclaimed, Eric Kussin, CEO of SameHere Global, shares how he went from a high-level sports executive to bedridden for two and a half years.

He complied with his doctors through 52 combinations of psych meds and undergoing ECT, before finding real healing outside the conventional system.

You’ll hear his raw, inspiring journey and learn about the Same Here movement that’s changing how we talk about and treat mental health.

Eric’s story exposes the cracks in the conventional system—and the hope that exists beyond it. Eric explore the role of trauma, the nervous system, integrative healing, and why labels aren't life sentences. If you're seeking real, sustainable mental health solutions, this episode is a must-listen.

TIME STAMPS / TOPICS

00:00 – Intro & Welcome Dr. Azi introduces the show and shares why this episode is especially meaningful. 

10:00 – Eric’s Breakdown Begins From a successful career in the NBA and NHL to complete burnout—Eric recounts the warning signs and the moment everything unraveled.

20:00 – 52 Meds and Still Suffering A brutal account of overmedication, misdiagnoses, and the failure of the mental health system to provide real healing.

30:00 – The Turning Point After exhausting every conventional option, Eric discovers trauma-informed care and a whole new way to approach healing.

40:00 – From Rock Bottom to Purpose The founding of Same Here Global and Eric’s mission to bring real mental health education and community to the world.

50:00 – Redefining Mental Health for Everyone We talk about the myths, the language, and how we must shift from "illness" to "human experience."

60:00 – Final Reflections Azi and Eric reflect on the journey, the future of mental health advocacy, and the power of storytelling.

🔗 Links:

Get involved with SameHere, Global: https://samehereglobal.org/ 

www.mentalhealthreclaimed.com (Grab your copy of Mental Health, RECLAIMED - Dr. Azi’s new book, now a #1 bestseller on Amazon!)

Connect with Dr. Azi on Social: 

instagram.com/dr.azi.jankovic 

https://www.facebook.com/Dr.AziJankovic

https://www.linkedin.com/in/azijankovic/ 

Eric Kussin – Bio Eric Kussin is the founder and CEO of #SameHere Global, a nonprofit movement reshaping the way the world talks about mental health. After a 20-year career as a professional sports executive, Eric’s life took a dramatic turn when he faced a debilitating mental health crisis that left him nearly bedridden for over two years. Through a journey of holistic healing, he reclaimed his well-being and launched #SameHere to promote the idea that mental health challenges are a universal human experience — not the experience of a few. His "5 in 5" philosophy counters a distorted 1 in 5 narrative; emphasizing that mental health affects everyone, advocating for community, transparency, and root-cause healing.

Episode Summary:

In today's episode, I'm sharing a powerful behind-the-scenes glimpse into Mental Health Reclaimed—including a reading from my Author’s Note, plus segment of the Introduction, and actionable tools you can start using right away to reclaim your mental health.

Our actionable tools today come from Chapter 7 of Mental Health Reclaimed, all about the relationship of nutrition (today focused on sugar) and mental health.

Mental Health Reclaimed is already a #1 Amazon Bestseller—thank you for being part of this movement!

Grab your copy here: mentalhealthreclaimed.com

Let’s stay connected:

• Instagram: @dr.azi.jankovic

• Facebook: facebook.com/drazi.jankovic

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/azijankovic

  
  

  Here’s to all of us rising and thriving—because healing is for everyone.

  
  

  Dr. Azi

  Mental Health Educator & Author of Mental Health RECLAIMED.

For decades, the chemical imbalance theory has been the dominant explanation for depression. Most people, including professionals, have been led to believe that depression is caused by a deficiency in serotonin—a neurotransmitter in the brain—and that psychiatric medications correct this imbalance.

However, this widely accepted theory lacks scientific evidence and has been debunked by modern research.

In this detailed breakdown, we will explore the true origins of the chemical imbalance theory, its promotion by pharmaceutical companies, the latest scientific findings, and a more comprehensive way to understand and address depression.

As with every episode, you'll hear personal stories. In today's EP, its my story of being diagnosed and prescribed as a young teen, and why that was so problematic and how we can avoid such mistakes moving forward.

If you're looking for science-backed mental health insights, visit www.azijankovic.com and be sure to enter your email address for follow up blogs on the topic.

and follow me on Instagram: @dr.azi.jankovic for more empowering content, or to send me a DM.

For speaking or media inquires, email [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified AND COMPASSIONATE healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your mental or physical health.

00:00 Introduction to Defying the Diagnosis & Personal Story

4:06  Chemical Imbalance Myth

5:51 Pharmaceutical Influence and Marketing

8:38 Scientific Evidence Against the Chemical Imbalance Theory

10:23  New Understanding of Depression

1 5:33 Therapeutic Approaches and Skills

22:17 Physiological Pathways to Wellness

22:44 Hope and Support for Mental Health / Understanding the Biopsychosocial Model

33:32 The Problem with the Chemical Imbalance Theory

34:28 Effective Non-Drug Treatments

37:49 The Power of Therapy: CBT and DBT

41:07 Final Thoughts