"Write Your Best Chapter"

I missed my wedding anniversary.

I was trying to be the voice of so many people that I lost my voice. Literally and figuratively. Has this happened to you?

Have you said yes to so many things in your life that un-intentionally you start saying no to the things that matter to you?

Like dropping your kids off at school with a full Halloween costume?

This episode is for anyone who needs a reset. Come back here. We are going to do so much this month. All that is good and will make a difference in your life. But start by committing to a No-vember, saying No to what you don't want to get Yes to what you want.

We are in the third week of Iran's uprising.

After last week's episode, I had so many requests from my audience asking "What can we do?". So I reached out to a brilliant Iranian American Scientist who has been an inspiration to many people around the world. My guest today is Dr. Firouz Naderi. He held many executive positions during his 36 years at NASA's robotic space missions leading to becoiong NASA's program manager for Mars exploration in 2000. He received NASA's Distinguished Service Medal in 2005 which is considered its highest award.

After retiring from his position, he remains an active advocate for the Iranian-American dispora formerly having served on the board of directors of Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian American (PAAIA). I reached out to him to share his thoughts about what is happening in Iran, what are some actionable items listeners can put in practice. In other news, Shervin Hajipour, the singer of "Baraye" song that I played on the podcast has been released on bond. There is a collective movement to nominate his song for Grammy's under the "best song for social change". You may submit your vote at https://songforsocialchange.grammy.com I hope you enjoy this special podcast. To follow Dr. Firouz Naderi on social media, please do so on Twittter @Firouz_Naderi Consider to keep posting about the political injustices in Iran by sharing hashtags. #Mahsaamini, #Nikashakarami, #iran

On September 13th, a 22 year old Kurdish girl named Mahsa Amini, who had come to Tehran for a mini vacation with her family was detained by the "Morality Police" for having improper hijab or head covering. 3 days later, she was declared brain dead in an ICU and her body was returned to her grieving family.

One week later, a young artist by the name of Shervin Hajipour, had performed a song by tying together people's tweets about why they are demonstrating in protest. It's bigger than Mahsa Amini. It's bigger than Hijab.

The song had garnered millions of listeneres.

24 hours later, Shervin was arrested by the Iranian governement and his song was removed from his social media accounts.

If you want to help out and let the rest of the people who are demonstrating to remember her name, what can you do?

What is the least you could do?

If you are faced with helplessness about what it happening thousands of miles away from where you live, how can you act so you can have an impact?

There is so much injustice in this world. Right now, in the country of Iran there are people who are demonstrating for their rights to have freedom of choice. The choice to live in a free world. On Saturday, October 1st, I am holding a Q and A zoom meeting to answer questions for you as well as share with you steps you can take to support and honor the likes of Mahsa and Shervin.

To learn more sign up on my website http://www.drfaryal.com

Has colonoscopy given you a reason to be more mindful?

The funny thing is we often associate mindfulness with a retreat or a relaxing meditation session in a beautiful location. Learn how a day of undergoing colonoscopy with medication coctail that was less than ideal taught me some deep lessons about life and being in the moment. How are you going to carve out time for your life to be in the here and now? You don't need to schedule yourself to have a colonoscopy to do it, but listen how any disturbance in your life flow can be an opportunity to focus on here and now. Learn more on my website: www.drfaryal.com

When a very physically well person gets cancer, we always wonder: How did this happen?

As if cancer only happens to unwell people. This week's special guest, on my 100th episode of the podcast, is a friend, physician colleague and Persian friend who was diagnosed with cancer while doing all the right things. Or, so she thought. In reflection and hindsight always being 20/20, Dr. Parastoo Jangouk shares with us how a diagnosis of cancer made her make a full 180 on how she was living her life. To learn more about her, check out her website www.mindgutfitmd.com

Follow her on her popular instagram @doctorparastoo

Also, this is the LAST week to sign up for the October Retreat in Hawaii. go to my website to learn more. www.drfaryal.com

Do you feel guilty spending money on yourself? When people complement you on the life you have created, do you try to act small and deflect the attention?

You deserve all that you have created in your life and need to own up to all your success. In this episode I will share with you how my daughter's little expression has changed how I live my life. Join us as we celebrate being who we are in Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu in October for a very special retreat. To learn more, go to www.drfaryal.com

If you are faced with a life changing diagnosis, Troy Strawhecker has a message for you:

"It's going to be ok."

But he'll tell you: 30 years ago he almost didn't make it.

As a young adult, he was diagnosed and had to go through the treatment of, not one, but two type of cancers. I really wanted to have him share his story. He is such a genuine and good hearted friend. When he looks back at his life, he can be vulnerable to break the stereotype of what surviving cancer does and does not mean. Most of us will never get the chance to be the fly on the wall of people's lives who survive cancer. This story is a great inside look.

What it means to have an open and grateful heart. What it means to be imperfectly perfect every single day of our lives. No matter what hand life deals us.

On this 30th anniversary of "You're Good to Go" announcement from his doctor, let's hear it for all who have walked the walk many don't get the chance to complete.

I hope you enjoy this special story.

You may know her as the mother of all support groups for women physicians in the world. Dr. Hala Sabry-Elnaggar may need no introduction, but she is the person who has single-handedly created the most meaningful community for physicians all over the world. Today's episode will be a great introduction to how her mind works: One decision at a time. She has faced personal tragedies and adversities with that simple rule. When her mother was dying of cancer, she made Hala promise her to this one thing... Listen more to learn. To learn more about her Reconstructive Breast surgeon, go to www.theiabr.com. Also, if you are interested in joining us for our Hawaii retreat, go to www.drfaryal.com to learn more.

When faced with a serious illness, we are forced to stop and pivot. We change how we eat, we change how we move through life and how we manage our relationships. What if you made that stop before you got sick? If you are a runner, there are 'rest days' that are intentionally planted in running programs so you avoid injury. How about in your life? Do you have rest days, weeks or hours in your life to allow for yourself to recover and avoid injury? I hope this week's episode allows you to give yourself permission to pause and pivot if you need to do so. For even more intentional pause and presence, consider joining me for my retreat. Check out www.drfaryal.com/Retreat2022

In life, we are going to meet a lot of people. As physicians, we will meet many patients along the way. There are many good questions that we can ask which will foster understanding and connection. One question that does neither is "Where are you from?". Today is the 33rd year anniversary of when I permanently moved to the United States of America. While I have lived all over the US, no matter where I go, I always get asked this question. In the interest of saying what we mean and meaning what we say, I will share with you my take on how this question is received by the other person, and give you a moment to pause and ask yourself: What do I really want to know about this person? Then, ask them that question exactly. Want to learn more about how to talk to people, go to my website to get the free guide. www.drfaryal.com