Freud & Felons

Homeless, Addicted, and Arrested: How Sarah Overcame Trauma and Found Healing

Join Dr. Yalda Safai in this episode of Freud and Felons as she speaks with Sarah, who opens up about her difficult journey through addiction, untreated mental health issues, and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system. Sarah recounts how childhood trauma and unaddressed pain led her to dependency on prescription pain pills, which eventually spiraled into homelessness and alcohol addiction. Learn all about the lack of effective support systems, the many barriers to accessing mental health and addiction treatment, and how these failures often result in cycles of incarceration and relapse. Sarah also reflects on her experiences in jail, the lack of follow-up care after release, and the importance of peer support and decriminalization for real change. 00:00 Struggles with health and homelessness 03:05 Developing dependence on pain medication 06:16 Feeling rejected by family 11:12 Struggling with painkiller addiction 13:14 Struggling to access treatment 18:35 Hospital visit and misunderstanding 21:40 Wishes for mental health support 25:03 Struggles with finding effective help For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/ @YaldaSafaimd on Instagram @YaldaSafaimd on TikTok @FreudandFelons on Instagram Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes. Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses? Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans? What does the word psychopath truly mean? Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story? Welcome to Freud and Felons. Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines. Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Is Cannabis Really Safe? The Link Between Potency, Psychosis, and Violence

Explore the unsettling reality of high-potency cannabis and its link to psychosis, violent crime, and legal controversy. In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives deep into cases where marijuana use led to psychotic breaks and tragic outcomes, highlighting how today's concentrated THC products differ dramatically from those of the past. Learn how THC hijacks key brain systems, why certain groups—like teens and those with a family history of schizophrenia—are at greater risk, and why both the legal system and society need to reconsider their approach to cannabis regulation and education. 00:00 Exploring cannabis induced psychosis 03:12 Effects of high-potency marijuana 08:29 THC's impact on brain function 10:08 Impacts of high THC products 14:53 Cannabis, psychosis, and legal issues For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/ @YaldaSafaimd on Instagram @YaldaSafaimd on TikTok @FreudandFelons on Instagram Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes. Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses? Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans? What does the word psychopath truly mean? Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story? Welcome to Freud and Felons. Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines. Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Can AI Replace Therapists? Examining the Dangers of Relying on Chatbots

Explore the hidden risks of turning to AI chatbots for therapy in this revealing episode of Freud and Felons. Dr. Yalda Safai dives into real-life cases where individuals became dangerously attached to AI, leading to delusions, psychotic breaks, and tragic outcomes, including instances of suicide and preventable deaths. Find out how chatbots can reinforce harmful beliefs, the specific dangers posed to vulnerable populations, and why AI lacks the emotional intelligence and accountability required for real mental health support. Dr. Safai also focuses on the privacy implications of sharing your most personal thoughts with AI systems and highlights the critical difference between genuine human care and what AI can offer. 00:00 Jacob Irwin's AI influence 05:39 Alerting authorities about security threat 06:32 Tragic outcomes linked to AI 09:43 Risks of AI in mental health 14:38 AI limitations in mental health support 16:18 Podcast introduction and call to action For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/ @YaldaSafaimd on Instagram @YaldaSafaimd on TikTok @FreudandFelons on Instagram Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes. Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses? Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans? What does the word psychopath truly mean? Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story? Welcome to Freud and Felons. Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines. Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Inside the Minds of Mothers: Postpartum Psychosis and Unthinkable Crimes

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr.Yalda Safai takes an unflinching look at the tragic cases of mothers who killed their children while suffering from postpartum psychosis and were found not guilty by reason of insanity. This episode goes beyond the headlines to examine the disturbing story of Andrea Yates and similar cases, exposing the interplay between mental illness and the criminal justice system. Watch to learn about the medical science behind postpartum psychosis, its symptoms, biological triggers like hormone shifts, immune system changes, and sleep deprivation, and why it's considered a psychiatric emergency. 00:00 Andrea's mental health struggles 04:41 Mental illness and criminal cases 07:32 Understanding postpartum psychosis risk factors 10:48 Immune system changes after birth 14:39 Understanding postpartum psychosis history 16:47 Encouragement for seeking treatment For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/ @YaldaSafaimd on Instagram @YaldaSafaimd on TikTok @FreudandFelons on Instagram Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes. Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses? Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans? What does the word psychopath truly mean? Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story? Welcome to Freud and Felons. Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines. Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Surviving TBI and Alcoholism: A Psychiatrist’s Candid Story

Can traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse lead to destructive behaviors? Traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse collide in this episode of Freud and Felons, as Dr. Yalda Safai interviews fellow psychiatrist Dr. Hisbay Ali on his personal journey. They break down the real-life consequences, professional pitfalls, and recovery lessons from years impacted by TBI, addiction, and the criminal justice system. Watch as they break down the sequence of events leading to Dr. Ali’s traumatic brain injury and its immediate aftermath, the challenges faced by professionals—especially doctors—seeking help for mental health and substance use issues, the reality of the criminal justice system, and the broken link between corrections and rehabilitation. 00:00 The bar altercation and injury 03:31 Emergency brain surgery in NYC 08:56 First serious head injury 11:28 CTE, impulse control, and sentencing 13:46 Recovering from impulsivity challenges 15:53 Recovering after a hospital scare 20:18 Struggling with a brain injury 24:38 Quitting alcohol and playing guitar 28:27 Mental health stigma in medicine 31:53 Challenges in mental health care 35:07 Challenges discussing alcohol abuse 37:00 Talking about medical board issues 39:20 Issues with healthcare coverage 43:02 Discussing mental health challenges 47:54 Reflecting on lessons from prison 50:07 Deinstitutionalization and its lasting impact 51:48 Warning about substance misuse 55:02 Closing and future discussions For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/ @YaldaSafaimd on Instagram @YaldaSafaimd on TikTok @FreudandFelons on Instagram Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62PGSr4vAXSfMTmc0? Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freud-felons/id1862484242 Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes. Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses? Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans? What does the word psychopath truly mean? Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story? Welcome to Freud and Felons. Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines. Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/