Different Spectrums Podcast ™️

How much pain can one family survive? In this episode of the Different Spectrums Podcast, Dr. Naz breaks down The Iron Claw through the lenses of grief, trauma, survivor's guilt, masculinity, suicide, family systems, and emotional healing. The Von Erich story is one of the most heartbreaking stories in sports history, but it also teaches powerful lessons about emotional vulnerability, family e...

🥋 What if the thing you're most ashamed of wasn't weakness at all? In this episode of the Different Spectrums Podcast, Dr. Naz uses The Karate Kid: Legends to explore trauma, PTSD, the freeze response, toxic relationships, self advocacy, healing, and emotional resilience. Many survivors spend years asking themselves: Why didn't I leave? Why didn't I say something? Why didn't I fight back? The rea...

In this episode of the Different Spectrums Podcast, Dr. Naz breaks down Swapped through the lens of trauma, neurodivergence, dissociation, emotional burnout, caregiving, and childhood innocence. This is not just an animated movie breakdown. This is a conversation about survival, fear, vulnerability, isolation, and how people slowly lose parts of themselves after trauma. In this episode: • Trauma a...

This episode is one of the most important talks we’ve done on the Different Spectrums Podcast Dr. Naz speaks to fraternities at Purdue University about men’s mental health, suicide prevention, brotherhood, and real-life struggles that often go unspoken This is not a surface-level conversation This is real, raw, and honest In this episode, we break down: • Why so many men still struggle despite the...

In this episode of the Different Spectrums Podcast, Dr. Naz uses Invincible to explore trauma, women’s health, abortion, intrusive thoughts, PTSD, emotional regulation, and neurodivergence. (Don't forget the giveaway in each episode. Comment "Invinacible" and tag 2 people on here or in the social media posts to be entered.) This is not just a superhero breakdown. This is a conversation about survi...

In this episode of the Different Spectrums Podcast, Dr. Naz breaks down Zootopia through a mental health lens This is not just a movie review. This is a deep dive into trauma, neurodivergence, and relationship dynamics using characters that reflect real human experiences. We explore how different coping styles develop and how they show up in everyday life, especially in relationships. In this epis...

Dr. Naz is stepping into a new era of the Different Spectrums Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Naz shares a raw and personal shift toward deeper conversations around mental health, anxiety, depression, burnout, relationships, self worth, and neurodivergence. This is not just a podcast episode. This is a real look into what it means to survive, grow, and build a life that actually feels like yours. We...

After a fraternity tragedy at Purdue University, Dr. Naz was asked to speak directly to fraternity men about mental health, trauma, and what actually helps when things get heavy. This episode goes deeper than surface-level advice. We break down: • What neurodivergence really looks like, including anxiety, OCD, ADHD, trauma, and suicidality • How academic and social pressure can escalate into isola...

Clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Zakreski and co-host Jake interview social worker and nonprofit founder Doctor Naz about his neurodivergent journey, building an autism-affirming practice, navigating suicidality and intrusive thoughts, and creating safe spaces for Black and Brown neurodivergent communities. They discuss pragmatic therapy beyond manuals, protector ethos, code-switching, plans for...

What happens when trauma, leadership, and mental health collide in professional sports? In this episode, we break down the story of Barry Switzer, former Dallas Cowboys coach, and explore the psychology behind leadership, resilience, and the emotional struggles athletes face. Barry Switzer shares a deeply personal story about losing his mother to suicide and how that trauma shaped his perspective...

What happens when mental health care becomes unethical? 🚨 In this powerful episode, we sit down with Sara, CEO of Makin Wellness and a nationally recognized leader in mental health care. Together, we explore unethical therapists, cult dynamics in clinical spaces, boundaries in therapy, postpartum struggles, Burnout, and what true Healing really looks like. We break down: ✔ The Jodie Hildebrandt d...

Today we welcome Dr. Christle Guevarra, a board certified sports medicine and family medicine physician, former powerlifting competitor, and Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner. In this episode we explore GLP 1 medications, food noise, weight stigma, strength training, and personal growth through the lens of a powerful scene from Pulp Fiction about silence and connection. To find our new guest: Dr. C...

Today’s episode is one of our longest and most layered conversations yet. We’re joined by two returning favorites, Dr. Lina Haji and Dr. Mac Hereford, licensed clinical psychologists and close friends, for a 3 hour psychological deep dive into the Netflix documentary Unknown Number, focusing on Kendra Licari. We break down: • Psychopathy and manipulation • Motivations behind fabricated harassment...

In honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, we’re joined by Alicia Pelton, Program Director for Coaching HER at the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. With more than 35 years of experience as a coach, athletic director, and consultant, Alicia brings a powerful perspective on women’s burnout, leadership, mental health, and equity in sport....

In this episode of the Different Spectrums Podcast, we break down Chad Powers and explore what happens when grief, shame, and identity loss collide. This film gives us a raw look at how anger, narcissistic defenses, and self-sabotage often mask deep pain, abandonment, and unresolved grief. We examine the father-son dynamic, the need for approval, and the moment when a single loss can fracture some...

Season 4 of the Different Spectrums Podcast begins with a heartfelt and hilarious breakdown of Adam Sandler’s Mr. Deeds. In this episode, Dr. Naz and Spencer return to their roots with a solo episode focused on innocence, kindness, neurodivergence, and what happens when a gentle, creative spirit is thrown into a harsh corporate world. We explore themes of masking, stimming, echolalia, bullying, be...

Today’s episode is not a traditional podcast. This is a question-and-answer session following the fall keynote speech I delivered, focused exclusively on supporting autistic students in K-12 school settings. This episode captures my responses to educators, social workers, and school staff as they asked practical, real-world questions about how to better support autistic kids in their classrooms. W...

This episode is our official 2025 Year In Review and one of our most meaningful conversations of the year. We look back on our favorite guests, the scenes and moments that moved us most, and the annual awards we present to honor the people and episodes that shaped the podcast. We talk about why specific conversations mattered so deeply, what they brought to the show, and how they impacted us perso...

Today’s episode is a keynote speech delivered for the Indiana School Social Workers Association. In this conversation, we break down the entire landscape of autism, what the research says, what clinicians miss, how comorbidities mask symptoms, and how schools can better identify and affirm autistic youth. We especially focus on women and BIPOC students who are diagnosed years later than their peer...

Today, we are joined by the incredible Abbey Phillipson, University of Michigan’s Head Para Strength and Conditioning Coach and Para Powerlifting Coach. This episode is honest, hilarious, emotional, and one of our favorite recordings ever. Abbey takes us through her journey of growing up with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, navigating surgeries and chronic pain, fighting to be seen by medical professional...

Today, we are joined by the incredible Greta Kjos, JD, a brilliant mother, lawyer, advocate, and the Director of Children’s Programming for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This episode is different from our usual movie and show breakdowns. Today, we sit in real lived experience, real emotion, and real community healing. Greta brings us her journey moving from the legal world into m...

Today, we are joined by the hilarious, thoughtful, and down-to-earth therapist Catherine Edelstein, LMFT, as we break down the mental health themes inside The Dark Knight. From Two-Face to Joker to Batman himself, this movie is one of the most accurate portrayals of trauma, duality, addiction, and survival. Catherine brings her lived experience working with unhoused communities and people struggli...

Today’s episode is something special. We’re joined by Stephanie Mitchell — a former Division I track and field athlete, brilliant geologist, proud Black woman, and fellow neurodivergent friend of the show. Together we explore All American and dive deep into the emotional themes it portrays — identity, anger, loss, resilience, and the constant search for belonging. Stephanie brings her unique persp...

Today’s episode is extra special. We’re joined by Quincy Simmons, one of our amazing fans, a fellow autistic advocate, and a current college student who came ready with thoughtful questions about autism, neurodivergence, and real-world misconceptions. Together, we break down some of the most common myths and stereotypes surrounding autism and explore how they shape the way society views neurodiver...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the amazing Nicole A. Belgrave, a warm-hearted therapist, educator, and advocate who brings her insight and humor to the HBO hit series Insecure by Issa Rae. Together, we explore friendship, communication, and the challenges that come with growing alongside people you love. We take a deep dive into some of the most emotional and relatable moments between Issa an...