In this return episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, Dr. Tamir sits down once again with Kosha Dillz for a deeper, behind-the-scenes conversation about creativity, persistence, and what it really takes to build a life as an independent artist.
Following up on their previous discussion around sobriety and personal growth, this episode shifts focus to Kosha Dillz’s career journey — from early rap battles in New York City, selling CDs by hand, and freestyling in the streets, to viral moments with Fat Joe, appearances on MTV’s Wild ’N Out, and becoming a playable character in NBA 2K.
Kosha opens up about the long grind before any breakthrough, turning failure into fuel, navigating viral fame and criticism, and why speed, resilience, and consistency matter more than perfection. He also discusses his latest creative chapter, including the documentary Bring the Family Home, and the emotional weight of creating art during times of cultural and political tension.
This episode offers a raw, honest look at staying creative, adaptable, and unstoppable — even when the path forward isn’t clear.
In this powerful episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, Dr. Tamir sits down with Rami Matan Even-Esh — better known as rapper, creator, and activist Kosha Dillz — for one of the rawest conversations ever recorded on the show.
Kosha opens up about his 21-year journey of sobriety, recalling the chaos of his early life, the arrests, the near-misses, the shame cycles, the broken relationships, and the moment he finally chose recovery. He explains, in unfiltered detail, how addiction became a “solution” to deeper pain — and how sobriety forced him to confront the parts of himself he spent years trying to avoid.
Together, Dr. T and Kosha explore:
• The real psychology behind addiction and relapse
• Rock bottom and why it becomes a turning point
• How sobriety reshaped his identity, discipline, and creativity
• The role of service, purpose, and community in long-term recovery
• Why selfish patterns don’t disappear the moment you get clean
• How trauma, shame, and culture shape the stories we tell ourselves
Kosha also shares how his past — including jail time, substance use, freestyle battles, and years of hustling — ultimately fueled his evolution as an artist, activist, and storyteller. His honesty, humor, and brutal self-awareness make this conversation one of the most relatable episodes for anyone navigating mental health, addiction, or big life transitions.
Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about the human side of addiction, this episode drops truth, perspective, and heart.
A raw, inspiring look at what it really takes to rebuild your life — one day at a time.
In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, Dr. Tamir sits down with fitness coach, husband, father, and lifelong martial artist — Eric Prush.
Together, they explore one of the biggest misconceptions around success: discipline isn’t motivation… it’s identity.
Drawing from Eric’s journey through competitive powerlifting, jiu-jitsu, PED use and recovery, coaching, and fatherhood, the conversation dives deep into:
Why motivation fades, and why discipline must become “brushing your teeth”
How to train on the days you don’t want to (and why showing up still counts)
The psychology of burnout and when discipline can go too far
How to know if you’re actually disciplined
The power of checking the box, even when the workout isn’t perfect
Why publicly announcing goals boosts accountability
Identifying your true talents vs. forcing something that isn’t for you
Using objective data to stay honest with yourself
What martial arts teaches about structure, identity, and growth
Eric also shares his upcoming goals, from earning his black belt under Jason Rau to stepping into a larger role as a speaker and coach.
This episode is for anyone looking to build grit, break out of comfort, and redefine themselves through disciplined action.
In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with political analyst and media personality Younes Sadaghiani to explore the psychology of advocacy, and the mental toll of staying silent.
Together, they discuss what happens when we suppress our truth, the fear of losing relationships or stability when speaking up, and how self-expression can become a path to resilience and purpose.
Younes shares his own story of finding his voice, the sacrifices that came with it, and why silence, as Dr. T notes, often leads to anxiety, resentment, and inner conflict.
If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation or worried about the consequences of honesty, this episode will challenge and inspire you to find the courage to speak your mind.
In this episode, Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down again with guest Younes Sadaghiani to explore two of today’s biggest mental-health challenges, our dependence on our phones and our tendency to please everyone but ourselves.
Younes opens up about how hard it is to “turn off” and disconnect from constant stimulation, while Dr. Tamir shares his own practice of going fully offline, especially on flights, to reflect with just a pen and paper. They dive into why even short digital breaks can be deeply therapeutic, restoring attention, creativity, and calm.
The conversation also turns to people-pleasing and authenticity. Younes calls out the need to be liked over being respected, while Dr. Tamir explains how self-neglect in pursuit of approval can quietly sabotage happiness and purpose. Together, they challenge listeners to trade external validation for internal peace.
This is a raw, real discussion about slowing down, saying no, and showing up as your truest self, both on and off the screen.
In this inspiring episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with world-renowned improviser, comedian, and educator Tara DeFrancisco, a performer with over 9,000 live shows under her belt, co-founder of The Nest Theatre, creator of The Improv Retreat, and co-star of the critically acclaimed improvised musical HERE.
Together, they explore the connection between comedy, creativity, and mental health, diving deep into what it means to live authentically in a world obsessed with perfection. Tara shares how improv teaches us to embrace failure, find humor in chaos, and practice radical presence, both on stage and in life.
They discuss:
How to create “brave spaces” where people feel safe to fail and grow
The overlap between improv and therapy, and why laughter can be healing
The tension between authenticity and performance on social media
The anxious side of creativity, and how to reframe fear as fuel
Why doing nothing is one of the hardest but healthiest things for creative minds
With her signature blend of humor, honesty, and heart, Tara reminds us that life is one big improv scene, and we’re all just finding our lines.
In this powerful episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, we welcome Penny Hawkins Smith—better known online as Hospice Nurse Penny. Over her many years in hospice and palliative care, Penny has witnessed over a thousand end-of-life journeys.
But Penny didn’t stop at clinical care. Using TikTok, Instagram, humor, storytelling, and bold visuals, she’s built a platform that normalizes conversations about death and dying. Her viral videos shine a light on the parts of life we often avoid: visions, fluid decisions, grief, anticipatory fear, and what “a good death” might even mean.
In this episode, we explore:
How Penny turned taboo into content — going viral by reframing death in human terms
The real physiological, emotional, and relational dynamics of the dying process
How families can better navigate grief, expectations, and “the last days”
Why storytelling, humor, and social media are surprisingly powerful tools for death literacy
What “living well with death in view” can teach all of us
Whether you’re caregiving, grieving, curious, or simply human, this conversation invites you to lean into life by acknowledging death.
In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Tamir sits down with Younes Sadaghiani, Iranian-born, former Muslim, and outspoken political analyst, to explore faith, identity, and the growing tensions between religious ideology and personal freedom.
Younes reflects on his journey: leaving a life shaped by strict religious norms, the challenges of speaking out, and what it means to rebuild one’s identity from scratch. Together, he and Dr. Tamir examine the rise of political Islam in both the Middle East and the West, the role of ex-Muslims in discourse on religion and state, and how society might foster more honest conversations about belief, dissent, and societal values.
Whether you grew up deeply religious, wrestle with faith, or are interested in the crossroads of activism, identity, and politics, this episode is for you.
Key Themes:
• The personal cost and liberation in leaving one’s faith
• Political Islam, ideology, and its influence beyond religion
• Identity, belonging, and what “home” means after faith
• Why ex-Muslim voices matter in secular societies
• Dialogue, dissent, and what’s needed for a more open public square
Tune in for a courageous discussion about truth, purpose, and the human journey.
In this deeply moving episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, we sit down with Milaena Ferrarese, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian, founder of Healthy Kinnect, and a survivor of a 13-year eating disorder.
Milaena bravely shares her journey from the darkness of disordered eating to becoming a medical nutrition expert. Together, we explore:
-How her eating disorder began, how it evolved, and the mindset shifts that sparked healing.
-Why food is often not the true culprit, but rather the psychological and emotional underpinnings of illness.
-The role of personalized nutrition, fortified by genetic testing, in rekindling a harmonious relationship with food.
-How tackling root causes like self-worth, trauma, and identity can redefine recovery.Insight into the mind-gut connection and why food impacts us far beyond the physical body.
Whether you're on your own path to healing or simply curious about the psychology of nutrition, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and real strategies to nurture both body and soul.
What does it really mean to be a man today?
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with CrossFit Games Champion, entrepreneur, and father Jason Khalipa to tackle one of the most debated topics of our time: modern masculinity. Together, they explore where society may have led men astray, why the term “toxic masculinity” has become so misunderstood, and how strength and compassion can, and must,coexist.
From fatherhood to fitness, bullying to resilience, Jason opens up about raising sons in today’s world, the role of discipline and adversity in shaping confidence, and the importance of showing up, not just in the gym, but for family and community. Dr. T brings the lens of psychiatry to highlight the psychological roots of insecurity, anger, and authenticity in men.
Whether you’re a parent, a leader, or someone striving to better understand the challenges facing men today, this episode will leave you thinking deeply about what it takes to raise and be good men in a rapidly changing world.
In this inspiring episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, psychiatrist Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with Emmy-nominated journalist and FOX 5 San Diego morning anchor Shally Zomorodi for a deeply human conversation about authenticity, vulnerability, and the balancing act of life in the spotlight.
Shally opens up about her 27 years in journalism, her Iranian-American identity, and what it’s like to live much of her life in public, from anchoring breaking news to dancing with her kids on social media. Together, she and Dr. T explore the mental health challenges of being “always on,” how she protects her own peace, why she believes everyone should have access to therapy, and the importance of modeling emotional openness for her four children.
From discussing the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran to navigating online criticism and embracing the power of a good cry, Shally shares how she stays grounded, connected, and committed to spreading joy.
Whether you’re an influencer, parent, journalist, or simply someone trying to show up authentically in a noisy world, this candid conversation is filled with wisdom, heart, and plenty of Shally’s signature positivity.
In this thought-provoking episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, Addiction Psychiatrist Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jacquelyn Gilde to explore a timely and controversial question: Can ChatGPT, or any AI, truly replace a human therapist?
They dig deep into the pros, cons, and potential risks of turning to AI for mental health support. From the irreplaceable nuances of human connection and reading unspoken cues, to the ways AI tools like ChatGPT and Woebot can help with access, self-reflection, and therapy prep, this conversation pulls no punches.
Whether you’re curious about the future of therapy, skeptical of AI’s role in mental health, or wondering how these tools might fit into your own care, you’ll find candid insights, real-world examples, and expert perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else.
In this gripping episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, psychiatrist and host Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with comedian, advocate, and viral sensation Yechiel Jacobs (@jacobsyechiel).
What started as a single video filmed out of frustration in his car has turned into a full-blown movement. With over 286K followers, Yechiel opens up about the power of comedy during crisis, the backlash he’s faced, and the emotional toll... and reward, of advocacy in a divided world.
They discuss:
Going viral after October 7th
Death threats, DMs, and staying the course
How comedy can expose lies and heal pain
Balancing authenticity and social media pressure
His motto: If it makes you uncomfortable, do it
From Laugh Factory open mics to sold-out shows across the globe, Yechiel’s story is one of boldness, humor, and resilience. Whether you're Jewish, a creator, or someone seeking meaning during turbulent times, this conversation hits deep.
#CandidMinds #DrTandFriends #YechielJacobs #ComedyAndAdvocacy #Israel #MentalHealth #GoingViral
In this wide-ranging and refreshingly honest episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, psychiatrist Dr. Tamir Aldad welcomes OB-GYN, content creator, and mother of 3 Dr. Fran (aka @pagingdrfran) for a no-BS conversation about reproductive health, emotional truth, and what it actually means to show up for patients today.
Together, they dive into topics that are often misunderstood or overlooked in both medicine and everyday life:
The stigma and misconceptions around birth control
PMDD, hormonal mood shifts, and how they affect mental health
Treatment vs. cure
Body image struggles
The messy art of relating to patients as real humans
This episode is funny, frank, and full of insights; whether you’re a patient, provider, or just someone trying to better understand your body and mind.
If you're tired of the sugarcoated health talk, this one’s for you.
In this raw and deeply human episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, psychiatrist and host Dr. Tamir Aldad welcomes comedian, entrepreneur, and former Hasidic educator Leah Forster for one of the most honest conversations you’ll hear this year.
Leah shares the story of living a double life—teaching in ultra-Orthodox schools by day and privately exploring her identity by night. From being outed on social media to losing her career, surviving religious and sexual trauma, and eventually reclaiming her voice through comedy, business, and mindfulness, Leah’s journey is a masterclass in resilience.
Whether you’re navigating faith, identity, grief, or growth, Leah’s story is a reminder: it’s never too late to start living in alignment with who you really are.
TW: This episode contains discussions of trauma, religious repression, and mental health challenges.
Summer is often seen as a season of fun—but for those in recovery, it can be filled with pressure, triggers, and unexpected challenges. In this episode, Dr. T and Jacquelyn Gilde dive into why relapse rates tend to spike in the summer months. They explore the role of nostalgia, sensory triggers, social expectations, and why “just one drink” can be a dangerous myth.
From harm reduction to creating a summer sobriety game plan, this episode offers real-life stories, clinical insight, and strategies for staying strong when the world turns up the heat.
Why do so many goals fizzle out by February? In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, hosts Dr. Tamir Aldad, Nick Bracks, and Jacquelyn Gilde unpack why traditional goal-setting often fails — and what actually works. From breaking down overwhelming resolutions into small, achievable steps, to understanding the role of relapse, self-compassion, and habit-building, this conversation blends clinical insight, personal experience, and honest reflection.
Whether you’re navigating mental health challenges, chasing a fitness goal, or just trying to stay consistent in a noisy world, this episode offers a grounded, practical guide to setting goals that stick — without the burnout.
In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, Dr. Tamir Aldad, addiction psychiatrist and CEO of Mindful Care, is joined by Nick Bracks and Jackie Gilde to explore the modern epidemic of loneliness.
They delve into how social media and digital interactions, while seemingly connecting us, often leave us feeling more isolated than ever. The conversation covers the emotional and physical toll of loneliness, the illusion of online friendships, and the challenges of forming genuine connections in a swipe-right culture.
Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, the trio offers strategies to foster authentic relationships and combat the pervasive sense of disconnection in today’s world.
What if the reason you feel stuck today lives in your childhood?
In this powerful episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, Dr. Tamir Alad sits down with Nick Brax and Jackie Gilday to explore how early life experiences — even the ones you don’t consider “trauma” — can shape your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships well into adulthood.
From personal stories to clinical insight, the trio breaks down:
Why siblings can grow up in the same house and have totally different emotional realities
How defense mechanisms formed in childhood can quietly control adult life
Why the word “trauma” doesn’t need to define your healing
Simple tools like journaling and art that unlock emotional awareness
The ripple effect of healing: for yourself, your kids, and future generations
This is an episode for anyone curious about where their patterns started — and how to break free from them.
What makes high performers different when the pressure’s on? Dr. T, Jackie, and special guest Nick explore the building blocks of mental resilience — from grit and adaptability to emotional regulation and reframing. Drawing from clinical insights and personal journeys, they unpack how childhood experiences, sports, and modeling behaviors shape our response to stress and failure.
You’ll learn how elite performers interpret challenges, why early coaching and parenting matter more than we think, and how to apply tools like CBT, breathwork, and positive affirmations in daily life. Plus: a raw discussion about modern masculinity, parenting balance, and learning more from your losses than your wins.
Whether you’re navigating stress, parenting in a pressure-cooker, or striving to become more mentally tough, this episode gives you a real, grounded roadmap for growth.Subscribe, follow, and share Candid Minds — where real talk meets real transformatio