The Human Recovery Lab

What do you want? What do you value? What do you long for? What is yearning to heal? What do you want to be possible for your community or for the world?
What if your body already knows all the answers to these questions?
“Resilience is the ability to somatically, holistically renew ourselves during and after oppressive, threatening, or traumatic experiences. We are able to shift ourselves, physiologically and psychologically from traumatic hyperalert states to calmed cohesive states. It is the ability to regain a sense of hope and imagine a positive future.“ - Staci K. Haines
What You'll Learn:
How our bodies carry wisdom that can guide us toward healing and transformation
What somatics is and how it differs from conventional views of the body
The power of making declarations about what we long for and committing to those visions
How Staci used somatics to help her mother create a beautiful end-of-life experience
Practical techniques for working with heartbreak, resentment, and finding balance within yourself
Why our bodies often already know how to heal, even when our minds are struggling
Guest Bio:
Staci K. Haines is a pioneer in the field of somatics, with over 22 years of teaching experience. She has founded several organizations including Generative Somatics and Generation Five, which support social justice movements through somatic practices. She is the author of "The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice" and "Healing Sex: A Mind-Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma," which has been translated into multiple languages.
Resources Mentioned:
The Politics of Trauma
Strozzi Institute Somatic Programs: Declaring a New Future
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Healing Sex: A Mind-Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma
Thanks for listening!
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How does one take care of heartbreak? What messages do we get from society when going through a heartbreak? And how does it actually impact us compared to breaking an arm or a leg?
In this most vulnerable episode, I discuss all of the above with my Sherin Wafaai, my ex-partner. Together we tell our two-sided story and then dive into what her vision for a place that can tend to heartbreak is. If you stick to the end, you'll also get to hear one of my poems read by her called "Heart Break Hotel." 
What You'll Learn:
Why heartbreak deserves the same care and attention as physical injuries
How our bodies physically respond to emotional heartbreak and the potential health impacts
The vision for a "Heartbreak Hotel" - a sanctuary dedicated to healing from relational loss
How to move through separation with grace, dignity and mutual respect
Why self-soothing and community support are both essential components of healing
The role of awe and reverence in recovering from heartbreak faster
Guest Bio:
Sherin Wafaai is a psychologist, user experience researcher, and Omar's ex-partner. With her background in psychology and personal experience with heartbreak, Sherin shares her vision for creating dedicated spaces where people can properly heal from emotional wounds with community support.
Thanks for listening!
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What happens when we excavate our race/identities and the demons that they carry?
Hatim El Tayeb, CEO and Ex-Dean of the African Leadership Academy, tackles his identities as a Sudanese who grew up in Oman and Egypt, studied in Boston and now living in South Africa.
We’ll cover our journey in uncovering out identities, and reflect back on our relationship in high school and how far we have come on these topics.
We quickly realize that opening up some of these old conversations is a major opportunity to own up to our ignorance, and celebrate what we have learned about ourselves since.
What You'll Learn:
How cultural displacement and being an "outsider" shapes our understanding of self
The nuanced relationship between race, nationality, and privilege in different cultural contexts
Why excavating our identities rather than ignoring them leads to personal growth
How friendship can provide safe spaces for difficult conversations about race
The importance of examining intentions behind words when discussing sensitive topics
Why reading fiction builds compassion and emotional intelligence
Guest Bio:
Hatim El Tayeb is the CEO of the African Leadership Academy, a prestigious pan-African institution developing the next generation of African leaders. Originally from Sudan, Hatim grew up in various countries including Kuwait, Oman, and Egypt before studying at Harvard University. His unique perspective on identity and belonging comes from navigating multiple cultures throughout his life.
Resources Mentioned:
The History Behind Sudan's Identity Crisis | An article exploring the complex racial dynamics in Sudan
How reading fiction can make you a better person | Research on how fiction builds empathy and compassion
African Leadership Academy | The institution where Hatim serves as CEO
Thanks for listening!
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Overview
We’ve all been there. Everyman, no matter big or small, healthy or sick, young or old - has realized, one way or another, that his penis can defy his brain’s directions.
What happens when we listen to our dicks not working versus try to “fix” them, as we do with everything else?
Two of my longest standing friends from high school and I, take turns to share three stories from our early twenties, where we first experienced the dreaded penis-not-working syndrome for different reasons.
This is followed by a raw roundtable Q&A that produced an honest conversation.
I guarantee you. You will not hear anything of the sort anywhere else.
We want to hear your stories. Send them. 
What You'll Learn
How psychological factors like stress and anxiety can significantly impact sexual performance
The neurological effects of pornography consumption on erectile function and relationships
How substances like cocaine and alcohol can interfere with sexual function
Strategies for communicating honestly with partners during sexual difficulties
The importance of listening to what your body is telling you rather than forcing performance
How self-compassion and vulnerability can transform shame into understanding
Guest Bios
Khaled Sallam and Darsh join Omar as long-time friends since high school, now in their mid-thirties. Their shared history creates a unique space for vulnerability and honest dialogue about typically taboo subjects.
Resources Mentioned
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance | Philosophy Novel that explores the concept of "gumption"
Stress-Induced Erectile Dysfunction | Healthline article on how stress affects sexual function
Porn-induced Erectile Dysfunction | The Guardian article about pornography's effects on sexual function
Full list of drugs known to cause Erectile Dysfunction | WebMD resource
Self-Compassion Resources | Tools for developing self-compassion
Thanks for listening!
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Overview
Why does talking about gender feel complicated these days? Is there an imbalance between our masculine and feminine energies? In this vulnerable conversation, Sumaya Holdijk, massage therapist and birthing doula, shares her personal experiences with sexual harassment in Egypt and the practices that helped her reclaim her power through balancing her internal masculine and feminine aspects.
What You'll Learn
How Sumaya transformed her experience of harassment by changing her energy and approach to personal power
Why both men and women today struggle with imbalances between masculine and feminine energies
The connection between our bodily sensations and our emotional states according to Chinese medicine
How family constellation work can help break victim-perpetrator dynamics
The surprising truth about male sexuality and orgasm that challenges conventional understanding
Why Sumaya believes we need to move toward a more feminine-balanced world
Guest Bio
Sumaya Holdijk is a half Syrian, half Dutch somatic bodyworker living in Egypt. She practices Chi Nei Tsang, an ancient Chinese abdominal massage therapy, works as a birthing doula, and is training to support those transitioning through death. Sumaya describes herself as a "space holder" who helps others navigate life's transitions through body-centered healing practices.
Resources Mentioned
Chi Nei Tsang (Abdominal Massage) | Information on this therapeutic abdominal massage technique
Family Constellations | Overview of Bert Hellinger's approach to healing family trauma
Victim-Hero-Villain Triangle | Article explaining the drama triangle and how to break free from it
Anima and Animus | Carl Jung's concept of masculine and feminine aspects within everyone
The Multi-Orgasmic Man | Mantak Chia's book on male sexuality and Taoist practices
Thanks for listening!
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Subscribe at findgumption.com
How much do you understand your national background? What is your relationship with your local environment? And what kind of ideologies move you without realizing?
We’re back! We start Season 2 with a deep and delicious discussion around our relationship to nations.
My guest Omar Dajani, is an American Palestinian law professor, and this is his story about how a college debate opened him up to explore his Middle Eastern origins, and took him on a journey to become part of the Negotiations Support Unit of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the late ninteis.
In this episode we tackle:
The experience of being a dual national, and how nations are intertwined with our imagination.
The complexities of nationalism and the many ways it shapes our world.
We ask: Is nationalism always bad? If not, can it actually propel us forward?
The Palestinian occupation, and the grim reality of how far we’ve come from the end of the nineties. Is there any hope? What does it look like?
White nationalism in America, and how a lonely world is driving people to look for more structure. Are we at risk of a fascism?
The power of the local, and why talking to those who trigger us is critical to humanity.
About Omar Dajani:
Omar lives in San Francisco and is a Professor of Law at the University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law. He grew up in Texas, and lived for a long time in Palestine where has been part of the Negotiations Support Unit
Things we mentioned (and further reading!)
What makes you Antifragile?
An Ode to Heartbreak: A book of poems and meditations, on losing relationships, nations and friendships.
The Palestinian First Intifadah
Imagined Communities: Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism by Benedict Anderson
What Makes a Nation? By Ernest Renan
Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
A Land for All: The Two States, One Homeland initiative
The Lonely Century: How to Restore Human Connection in a World That's Pulling Apart by Noreena Hertz
Thanks for listening!
Omar Shaker
 
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Produced by Paul Kist
Are emotions a distraction from the rational? Or is it really our superpower as humans?
On our season finale, we are joined by our friend and honorary grandfather (and Omar’s honorary grandson), Atta Pilram. Atta shares with us his own journey on learning about his emotions, through family, business, and especially in his art. Omar and Pilram take a deep dive into creativity and the importance of emotional intelligence in our ever-transforming world.
This episode covers:
How it felt growing up in Iran, and the many ups and downs of Atta’s life.
How feeling into your emotions can be a healing experience.
Creativity and its pursuit.
The limiting nature of making yourself a victim.
These are all covered through Atta's plethora of stories and imagery, as he reflects on his whole life from a 5 year old kid to a 68 year old grandpa.
Sit back, relax, and reflect. What is your relationship to this world of emotions?

Produced by Paul Kist
Would you bring on one of your parents to be a guest on your podcast? Well, we did just that! Paul invites his dad, Dr. George Kist, to join him on a very special episode where they discuss their relationship.
In this episode they cover:
Immigration, and the risk of leaving it all behind
Assimilation and identity in the diaspora of ones’ homeland
The relationship between fathers and sons
And the experiences that helped mend their relationship
Have you ever thought you are more like your parents than you want to admit? Join us as our host discovers this very thing in conversation with the man that raised him. And pour yourself a glass of Trader Joe’s Secco, while you’re at it.