foorum

Thinking about going to therapy but not sure where to start — or how to pay for it? In this episode, Abraham Sisay and therapist Crystal Rodenbaugh, break down everything you need to know about therapy — from deciding when to go, finding the right therapist, and what to expect in your first sessions, to understanding how insurance actually works (and doesn’t) in mental health care.

Why do small things sometimes feel so big? In this powerful conversation, Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay and Crystal Rodenbaugh, therapist and founder of Tenfold Counseling Group, unpack what’s really behind emotional dysregulation and how to manage it. We explore how childhood experiences, trauma, and everyday stress affect the way we react, why emotional control isn’t the goal, and simple tools to help...

A chilling yet necessary conversation about the growing mental health risks hidden inside today’s AI tools. In this episode, Abraham Sisay sits down with Shirali Nigam , a researcher and founder of Circuit Breaker Labs , working at the intersection of AI safety, psychology, and computational linguistics. Shirali explains how emotional dependence on chatbots is leading to a new phenomenon called AI...

AI isn’t coming to therapy, it’s already here. In this Core Conversations episode, Dr. Rachel Wood, founder of the AI Mental Health Collective, explains how artificial intelligence is reshaping mental health care for both clinicians and clients. From note transcription and session summaries to clients turning to AI chatbots for emotional support, AI is now part of the therapeutic process whether w...

Would you spend $1 million and run 30 rounds of testing just to prove your wellness product is safe? Steve Marchese, CEO of LightStim, did exactly that. In this revealing conversation, Steve joins the foorum Nexus Podcast to expose what’s really happening in the red light therapy industry and why so many full-body LED wellness devices are on the market illegally. He shares how LightStim became the...

Why is saying NO so hard? In this Core Conversations episode, therapist Crystal Rodenbaugh and host Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay dive into the fear of rejection, shame, and people-pleasing that keeps so many of us from setting healthy boundaries. We explore: - Why we’re afraid of saying no - How people-pleasing takes over when we lose our boundaries - The connection between shame, rejection, and identit...

What happens when parents and children don’t feel understood? In this Core Conversations episode, therapist Crystal Rodenbaugh and host Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay dive into the heart of parent–child relationships. From Ebrima’s personal story about communication struggles with his dad to Crystal’s insights from therapy, this conversation explores why feeling understood is often more important than bei...

What happens when you create a fake AI therapy startup, claim $120 million in funding, and watch mental health professionals react in real-time? In this episode of the foorum Nexus Podcast, Daniel Sorochkin, CEO of TakeOne shares the story behind RoboTherapy.ai , a satirical company he created to expose fears, biases, and blind spots in the mental health industry's response to AI. This convers...

Over 100 million Americans are living with diabetes or prediabetes and most don’t even know it. With millions unable to access a specialist, could AI-powered tools help close the care gap? In this episode of the foorum Nexus Podcast , we sit down with Miguel Johns , Founder & CEO of moment* (creators of Milton AI) , to explore how technology can tackle the metabolic health crisis. Miguel share...

Why can’t Americans agree on even our most fundamental rights? In this timely conversation, Dr. Katie Gaebel joins Core Conversations to unpack Habeas Corpus, a cornerstone of American freedom and explore why confusion and disagreement over basic constitutional principles are tearing at our democracy. Starting from the viral exchange between Senator Maggie Hassan and Homeland Security Secretary Kr...

When Chris Jones lost his son due to delays in accessing critical medical records, everything changed. In this powerful conversation, he shares how that life-altering moment led him to create Match Rite Care, a platform designed to unify fragmented healthcare records and protect patients from falling through the cracks. We talk about the cultural mistrust in healthcare systems, the deep disparitie...

Want to make therapy actually work for you? In this episode, our host, Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay sits down with licensed therapist Crystal Rodenbaugh, founder of Tenfold Counseling Group, to break down how to get the most out of therapy, whether you’re starting for the first time or feeling stuck in your progress. They share what surprises most new clients, what therapists wish you knew, and practica...

Should AI ever replace human therapists? Or should it empower them? In this foorum Nexus Podcast episode, Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay sits down with Saroosh Khan , CTO of Allia Health , to unpack how AI is reshaping mental health for better or worse. They tackle the surge of biased research papers funded by AI startups, the ethics of AI-powered therapy, and why human empathy remains irreplaceable. Saro...

Welcome to foorum Insider, where we break down the systems shaping our health and mental well-being. From why healthcare costs so much to real stories of people affected by the system, we’re here to make these complex topics clear, relatable, and actionable. Healthcare System is confusing, expensive, and—let’s be real—broken. But what if we could make sense of it together? What to Expect on This C...

In this eye-opening episode of Core Conversations, clinical psychologist and CBT expert ⁠Dr. Caroline Danda⁠ joins us to talk about the pressure, guilt, and emotional weight modern parents are carrying and why your biggest parenting superpower might be something no one ever told you about: emotional regulation. We explore what it means to truly show up for your child, even when you feel overwhelme...

In this intimate episode of Core Conversations , therapist Crystal Rodenbaugh joins me to talk about the one thing that can change everything in a relationship: feeling understood . Fresh off celebrating her 15-year wedding anniversary, Crystal shares what it really takes to keep love alive from the moments of deep connection to the hard conversations behind closed doors. I share my own relationsh...

In this powerful episode of foorum Insider's Core Conversations, Dr. Katie Gaebel unpacks the stories of Turkish women navigating identity, education, and belonging in Germany and why their experiences might hold the key to healing America’s own cultural divide. We explore what happens when multiculturalism fails, how language and policy shape who belongs, and what the U.S. can learn from Germ...

We all have that inner voice but what if it’s the one lying to us the most? In this powerful episode of foorum Insider, licensed psychologist and TEDx speaker Dr. Ashley Smith reveals how your brain can distort reality through fear, shame, and self-doubt. Drawing from her book The Way I See It, Ashley breaks down how toxic thinking patterns, stigma, and “fake news” inside our own minds can sabotag...

We all have that inner voice but what if it’s the one lying to us the most? In this powerful episode of foorum Insider, licensed psychologist and TEDx speaker Dr. Ashley Smith reveals how your brain can distort reality through fear, shame, and self-doubt. Drawing from her book The Way I See It, Ashley breaks down how toxic thinking patterns, stigma, and “fake news” inside our own minds can sabotag...

We’re more connected than ever and yet, so many of us feel painfully alone. In this episode, Ebrima "Abraham" Sisay and Crystal Rodenbaugh unpack the growing epidemic of loneliness and social disconnection in America, inspired by Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Connection. From awkward Gen Z encounters to the health risks of isolation that rival smoking, we e...

Sleep isn’t just about rest, it’s about survival. In this episode of the foorum Nexus , we’re joined by Win Hansen , Certified Sleep Science Coach and CEO of SleepFitter , to explore why healthcare workers and most people are facing a silent epidemic of poor sleep and what we can do to change that. With over 30 years in healthcare, Win shares his powerful personal story, practical solutions, and w...

We’ve all heard it before— “I was only trying to help!” or “That wasn’t my intention!” But when the outcome doesn’t match the intent, does the intent still matter? In this episode, Crystal Rodenbaugh and I explore the tension between intentions and results —a dynamic that shows up in conflict resolution, relationships, and therapy. Whether it's in couples counseling, family disputes, or workplace...

When people call or inquire about counseling services, one of the first questions they often ask is: “Do you take my insurance?” Sometimes, the answer is yes, allowing them to apply their benefits to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Other times, the answer is no. It’s increasingly common for private practice therapists to remain out of network with insurance companies. This may come as a surprise to cl...

In the premiere episode of ⁠foorum Nexus⁠ : Core Conversations, we sit down with two remarkable guests— ⁠Crystal Rodenbaugh⁠ , a therapist and advocate for mental health, and ⁠Carlton Abner⁠ , a former registered nurse and now Associate Provost for Campus Health and Wellness at ⁠Kansas City University.⁠ This episode explores an often-overlooked reality: therapists and healthcare professionals, jus...

Welcome to the new era of advocacy and action! We've rebranded from Freedom Project Podcast to foorum Nexus. In this video, our founder shares why we rebranded, what to expect, and the future for foorum Nexus. You can learn more at foorumnexus.com and fooruminsider.com