The Human Experience Podcast

What happens when chasing opportunity abroad costs you your sense of belonging? Cha Cha shares his journey from Istanbul to San Francisco—and why coming home changed everything. About the Guest: Cha Cha is the owner of the Beşiktaş Meet2Talk branch in Istanbul. Born and raised in the city, he spent four years in San Francisco completing his MBA before ultimately deciding to return home, bringing w...

What’s it like to call multiple countries home? Comedian Mohammad Kachooee shares his experiences living across the globe: from Iran to Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Türkiye, and the U.S.  About the Guest: Mohammad Kachooee is a comedian originally from Iran. He has lived in multiple countries (listed above), bringing humor and insight to the ups and downs of life abroad. Fluent in Turkish, English,...

  What is it really like to live in Istanbul day to day ? From chaotic traffic to incredible food and endless culture , Hatice Bayram shares a local’s perspective on one of the world’s most dynamic cities. About the Guest: Hatice Bayram has lived in Istanbul for 17 years and brings a personal, local perspective . Born in Bulgaria and moving to Türkiye at age six, she shares insights shaped by year...

Moving abroad can change everything: including how you understand the world, culture, and belonging. About the Guest Kareena is a first-generation American, like myself. Her mother is Colombian and father is from Türkiye. Originally from Virginia (U.S.A.), she moved to Istanbul four years ago. Previously, she has worked in refugee resettlement in the nonprofit sector, and now is in private educati...

What does it take to build a successful business and then have to surprise navigate it during a economic crisis? Mustafa Özmen shares how he turned $6,000 and a bold idea into one of Istanbul’s most recognized social speaking communities. About the Guest: Mustafa Özmen is the founder of Meet2Talk Café, a social speaking club in Istanbul where members practice English with native speakers in a rela...

Amanda Wheeler is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with over 20 years in the fitness industry. She has owned a gym, worked with A-list celebrities, and done coaching and consulting for gym owners around the world. She is now on a path to change the the fitness industry and help people get away from all the BS that’s making them feel bad about themselves and their fitness journeys....

Practical tips on how to stay grounded, focused, and integrity oriented as a business owner We as humans can trick ourselves into thinking we are okay with things we aren't actually okay with; how to find clarity on this If you are frustrated with where you are at, perhaps feeling like you have a business within you but it just h as not hatched yet... be patient. Your time is coming. Q's t...

Ryan A. Bush is an author who he draws heavily from the insights of thinkers like Lao Tzu, the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, and Nietzsche and attempts to assemble them to form a new vision for psychological growth and self-mastery. His first book,  Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture , has sold 100,000+ copies. In this episode we discuss: Practical and adaptive ways to adjust our emoti...

Nerris Nassiri is an independent filmmaker with a strong background in Musical Theatre. He is a writer, director and Musician with Mexi-MENA roots. In this episode we share: Personal stories of our experiences with our BIPOC parents, therapy, generational trauma Our mainy layers of identity Nerris's current film project and it's layer of Musical Theatre Pursuing your dream, even if it is o...

Joseph Bricker is a powerhouse creative who uses mediums like poetry, acting, writing, podcasting, and more. In this episode we have a candid conversation about: Whiteness and white privilege, particularly of white/cis/het men Using poetry as a tool to share one's internal world, especially regarding sensitive topics Breaking through the feeling of stagnancy that our lives seem to fall into fr...

In this episode we talk about: Alan's latest book release, "Practice Intentional Acts of Kindness... and Like yourself More" now available for purchase.  Generating kindess, defining it This book is a practical guide to creating more kindness in your life towards yourself and others. It takes you through processes you can immediately use in your everyday life. Community vs. Individua...

Light working, boy and girl talk, incarnation on Earth Talk on “God”, not really “knowing” what we are doing here, coming to acceptance what that Philosophizing: spiritualism: Concept of God, humanity, purpose Journey on breaking out of our previous organized religion lives Aliens

AzLynn Berry is an Alignment and Embodiment Guide who sees pain from the lens of alignment and physical/emotional integration.  She helps people utilize negative emotions and experiences as drivers for purpose and authenticity. Her practice is a mixture of Spiritual Healing, Life Coaching and Neuromuscular Therapy to integrate all of life’s experiences. Her work is transformational. You can find m...

Rick Peters talks about his time on T.V. series "Dexter" and other roles he has played like, Elvis in film "Elvis Meets Nixon" Rick's personal life and upbringing Practical tips on navigating the Film and T.V. industry Social media's influence on the entertainment industry and booking jobs, the emotional stress it creates on artists and people in general / how fractured...

- Allie talks about the death and grieving process of her Father and the inspirition behind the song she wrote "Family Tree", releasing fall of 2023 - Allie and Ayse reflect on their deeper understanding of themselves & how much they've changed since their last episode in 2020 - Developing patience Growing pains of the enlightenment process, the magic of talented minds collaborat...

Stan Herrington is a multi-award winning Producer, Writer and Director from Melbourne, Australia. In this episode we talk about: -How we can shift our perspectives from the negative to the positive by practicing gratitude & consciously practicing the shifting of focus from things you do not have to things you do. -Being an artist is in your blood / Honor your nature / Do not fight your needs -...

-Host Ayse & Guests Jessy and Alex are 3 Long Islanders who share their experiences of moving to Los Angeles from Long Island, New York -Overall observations of L.A. life: the major financial gap, seeing the advantages of wealth, living among the entertainment industry -Making new friends as an adult, the challenges of establishing in a new city -Financial struggles in the expensive city of L....

- The cut throat nature of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and how to last - Self worth as an artist, comparing yourself to others in the industry, focus on looking inward instead - Mental health struggles: anxiety, paranoia, depression, etc. - Perfectionism and... Virgo Placements - teehee ;)

- Busting classic LA myths like, "everyone is fake" -Overhead L.A. -Major events like the 1992 uprising and 1994 Northridge Earthquake -Tips for newcomers -General talk on L.A. culture

Self abandonment can be described as "...rejecting, suppressing or ignoring part of yourself in real-time. In other words, you have a need or desire you want to meet, and (often on the spot) you make the decision not to meet it. This typically comes from a place of fear, guilt, shame, etc. Sometimes we self abandon out of the need to be safe in our environment, and that's okay. However, when in a...

There is so much to say about this one! Let's start with this first: DISCLAIMER: This is my personal experience/ I can only speak to my personal experience. I am NOT a mental health professional. Do not diagnose yourself! Reach out to a professional for guidance.  I have been wanting to record my personal story with B.E.D. foevaaaa now. This is a deep rooted experience and so naturally there...

Christopher Allport is an award winning pioneer in Live Concert, TV & Film Production. His creative endeavors are versatile, ranging from being a performing artist with major studio credits as a composer, music director, vocalist, and actor. He spans across several mediums like music, film, TV, stage, and new media. With his extensive work history in voice over, it is likely you’ve heard him b...

Janelle Ginestra is am LA based Choreographer and Dancer. She is an extraordinary artist who as of recent launched an exciting and fun fitness series called Naughty Girl Fitness. In this episode we talk about: Janelle’s upbringing and early life, transitioning from homeschooling to public school, aspirations in child acting Her new fitness product, Naughty Girl Fitness, why she created it, the int...

5 months ago Paula and I recorded an episode at the end of our 2 week excursion, traveling around Utah, Nevada, and California. This trip was profoundly healing for us. We each were experiencing some level of the “Dark Night of the Soul” aka a spiritual/emotional crisis. Nonetheless, we did not know what was in store for our hearts and minds. From the drives, to the hikes, conversations, and excha...

Shirin Eskandani is Personal Coach, in the areas of  mindfulness, mindset, and manifestation based out of NYC. Her business, Wholehearted Coaching, is a life coaching business geared towards helping folks gain clarity, alchemize their traumas into gold, and have action based steps on improving whatever areas of their lives they desire. Before stepping into the world of coaching she was a prof...