My Humanity Is Showing

Stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire, I was faced with a choice that could either escalate my stress or redefine the moment into an unexpected life lesson. It’s experiences like these that I unpack in our latest episode, where we navigate the emotional terrain of our personal narratives and discover the transformative power of reframing our internal dialogues. From the tension of work deadlines to the complexities of teamwork, join me as I share intimate stories that illustrate how the tales we tell ourselves can either imprison us in anxiety or liberate us wi...

Have you ever stood on the brink of a new endeavor feeling both invigorated and terrified? That's where I find myself as I return from my hiatus, inviting you to join me on a journey of authenticity and new beginnings. Today, we strip away the glossy facades to embrace the raw and real challenges of life's transitions. As we share this space, I'll talk about my aspirations of transforming our heartfelt conversations into a livelihood, and together, we'll contemplate how to keep the essence of our exchange intact.

Sometimes, the idea of monetizing a passion can seem...

Have you ever found yourself enveloped in the seemingly mundane, like a traffic jam, only to discover a hidden gem of beauty and calm within the chaos? I've had such an epiphany, and it's a tale I'm eager to share with you, one that dives into the surprisingly transformative power of gratitude. This episode of "My Humanity is Showing" is a heartfelt recounting of personal stories where gratitude became my North Star, guiding me through life's tumultuous seas to a place of serenity and connection. 

As a podcaster, I walk the tightrope of sharing my narrative without t...

“Have you ever pondered over the real essence of aging and what it means to grow older? Picture a young boy, mind full of curiosity, innocently fascinated with the ritual of shaving - fast forward to that same boy, now a man, staring at the mirror with a different type of fascination, one that comes with the stark reality of aging. Join me, Amjad, as we navigate this complex yet beautiful journey of life, and the changing priorities that come with aging. This episode offers an insightful discussion where I share my reflections on the dreams that have fueled my...

This is  episode 52 and marks “one year” of episodes (although I missed a few weeks along the way).

In this episode I share more on the topic of acceptance and fame.

As I watched a fascinating documentary about longevity,  I couldn't help but begin reflecting on my own life. I often find myself longing for a simple rural life and close-knit communities.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on gratitude. In this episode, I share my experiences with and without gratitude.

In this episode, I share times when I have unknowingly adapted to changes. In the process of reflecting on my experiences with change, I may have stumbled across some hope…

 This episode is a trip down memory lane to visit 10-year-old me. That was a particularly difficult time for me and may have significantly impacted who I am today.

Trigger warning: bullying via name calling

I’m this episode I share my experiences with self-obsession. Specifically, what does that look like for me? In what ways have I been self-obsessive? What happens when I self-obsess? What does it look like now?

Apologies in advances for the sound of my voice in this episode; I’m recovering from a cold (my excuse for posting later than usual).

In this week’s episode, I reflect on how my brain has historically internalized “failure” and my latest encounter with negative self-talk.

In this episode, I share about how I relate to a damaged car: broken, imperfect, yet somehow moving forward and serving a purpose.

My hunger for seizing every opportunity often feels overpowering, much like the main character in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. i often deal with an irresistible urge to seize every opportunity which makes me forget to take out time for myself.

This was an interesting episode for me as I had a clear visual image pop into my head early in the share and decided to follow it. I’ll let the listeners decide if it was worth the risk to follow a new concept while recording.

There have been many things I have done and not done while trying to “fit in.” In this episode, I reflect on the impact of inclusion on my life.

I work hard to remind myself to not only embrace my imperfections, but that through them I can be a better version of myself just as the  gold-filled cracks of the Japanese tradition of Kintsugi adds to the beauty and resilience of once broken pottery.

In this episode, I share a recent challenge I had with self-criticism and how I worked through it.

I often find myself repeating words and phrases I heard growing up, without even realizing it. In many cases, these phrases are negative self-talk. I call these the “old tapes” I play. In this episode, I reflect on some recent challenges with negative self-talk and examples of implicit bias that are hidden in my lexicon, and some ways I can work to “re-record” those internal messages.

Note: I mention a book I read in my youth. Unfortunately, I cannot remember or find the name of the book.

I dedicate this episode to to World Suicide Prevention Day, and share my own experiences with suicidal ideation and attempts. My aim is to remove the stigma and foster a dialogue about mental health struggles. The last time I seriously considered ending my life was in February 2007, when I finally found the courage to ask for help. As a result, I have gradually learned a new way of life, replacing self-annihilation thoughts with self-care and respect.

Please help share the new suicide and crisis hotline number 988…

Trigger warning: suicidal thoughts and attempts discussed

This is a special note about episode 34, “Fear drives my dysfunction…” A dedicated listener (and dear friend) highlighted an issue with the audio file, leading me to learn that the original recording was a garbled mess, followed by silence.

Fortunately, I was able to re-record and replace the faulty file. Sadly, the original recording is lost in the ether, but the new version should cover some of the key points and even features the same random message. If you had attempted the listen before or are intrigued by the title, I invite you to download/re-download and listen...

As Labor Day nears, I find myself drawn into contemplating the essence of work and labor in my life. Join me as I share some reflections on “what labor means to me.”

In this episode, I share about the powerful tool of surrender as a way to find peace and accept my own imperfections…

In this episode, I share my reflections on why people stereotype and why I particularly find it troublesome…

In the pursuit of showing my humanity, I have been aspiring to make it a positive experience for all involved. In this episode, I share about the podcast and my recent posting about it on social media. In the process, I stumbled across an interesting realization about vulnerability.

As a youth, I remember watching Mary Lou Retton win the gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics for a perfect vault. At the time, I was actively participating in gymnastics and working hard on my handstands and flexibility. Over the years, I have become less flexible.  In this episode, as I reflected on physical flexibility, it made me also ponder the extent of my mental/emotional rigidity.

Note: I mentioned a physical injury to my hand that could be triggering to some. 

In this episode, I share about how I believe that fear is the main driver of dysfunctional behavior; therefore, it is better for me to approach others with compassion and try to address their fears rather than judge them.

NOTE: the first time I recorded and posted this episode the file was corrupt. I have since re-recorded and reposted…

In this episode, I reflect on the meaning of the concept of wealth. In my life, I often find a desire to accumulate wealth. This especially happens when I look to the lifestyles of the rich and famous and think to myself, “It sure would be nice to have a personal jet, several cars, mansion with elegant swimming pools, and the love and admiration of many…” After an interesting conversation with a friend, I began to ask the simple question, “How wealthy am I?”

“Love can only exist in freedom. The true lover seeks the good of his beloved which requires especially the liberation of the beloved from the lover.” Anthony De Mello in The Way to Love

In this episode, I share some reflections about what “freedom” means to me.

In this episode, I reflected on the meaning of Memorial Day and let the stream of consciousness flow. Perhaps there is some benefit hidden in my share.

Trigger warnings: mentions of war, human trafficking, death, depression

In this episode, I shared about a emotionally challenging day resulting from my own shame and fear of rejection. I am grateful for the miracle that this was only one day rather than several days, or even months, as it would have been in the past.

Trigger warning: mental health issues, suicide, depression

“Make me a channel/instrument of Thy Peace…” from then St. Francis Prayer (I believe I accidentally called it the Lord’s Prayer). In this episode, I share about my desire to make a difference in the world and “leave my legacy”: my vain attempt at immortality. That being said, I have found the most peace in just being a spoon - you’ll have to listen to the episode to understand what that means.

This was a particularly difficult episode to record. I shared about a very embarrassing behavior from early in my marriage. I’m grateful today for clarity around my reaction to help me see that I am not possessed or evil.

I’m nick-naming this the “French Fry episode.” You’ll have to listen to understand why.

This was an interesting episode for me. I started by sharing my fear that I’ll soon no longer be relevant and my podcast might one day become repetitive. Before I knew it, I was sharing about my recent experience with a Whole Health Coach and the results of her asking a simple question, “What brings you joy?”

Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Suicide

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so, wants nothing.” - Seneca

In this episode, I reflect on how focusing on the present has helped my deal with fear/anxiety and resentment/regret.

In this episode, I share some reflections on black and white thinking, imposter thoughts, and my desperate need for validation, acceptance, and inclusion.

Imperfection - God’s perfect plan to stay actively involved in our lives… In this episode, I reflect on some of my recent errors and reflections on how beautiful imperfection can be.

In this episode I share some of my experiences and reflections around the importance of human connection, in particular when I can be of service.

In this episode, I share some reflections on sympathy, empathy, and my struggles with balancing empathy with self-care.

In this episode, I share about the importance of keeping some laughter in my life.

“I’d like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective.” - Anton Ego from Ratatouille. In this episode, I discuss a concept I recently stumbled upon that I find helpful to remind me to always check the stories that I assign to the world and myself.

After a frightening flight (may have been mild for those without a fear of flying) and some experiences around aging family this past week, I share in this episode about mortality, aging, the elderly.

Trigger warnings: suicide, flying, elder care

Judgment is used by those who have been given authority to assign value to things. For example, a building inspector has the training and authority to determine if construction meets or doesn’t meet the standards. Assigning value without authority is a form of insane pride. In this episode, I explore this topic further.

Trigger warnings: depression, suicide