Ayush Prakash Podcast

Dr. Ashleigh Rankin holds a doctorate in psychology. Recently, she’s been diving into how new technologies, AI included, are shaping the ways Gen Z and the rest of us understand ourselves, relate to others, and navigate an increasingly digital world. Her perspective brings together human behavior, financial wellbeing, and the everyday impact of technology.In this episode, we cover:Why vulnerable minds—including children, adolescents, and those with existing mental health conditions—are particularly susceptible to AI's psychological impacts and what makes them different from the general population in their responses to AI systemsHow AI is rewiring our neurological reward systems through constant dopamine hits, infinite scroll mechanisms, and algorithmic content delivery that exploits the brain's evolutionary vulnerabilitiesWhat the relationship is between neurological states (how our brains physically respond to stimuli) and psychological states (our emotional and mental wellbeing), and why understanding this connection is critical for navigating AI healthilyHow people can establish boundaries with AI systems to prevent psychological dependency, addiction patterns, and the erosion of critical thinking skills that occurs with over-reliance on algorithmic decision-makingWhy the way we interact with AI now is creating long-term neurological patterns that may fundamentally alter human cognition, attention spans, and our capacity for deep work and sustained focusWhat practical frameworks individuals can implement to use AI as a tool rather than allowing it to become a psychological crutch or replacement for human judgment and connectionHow parents, educators, and mental health professionals can identify early warning signs of unhealthy AI relationships and intervene before psychological harm becomes entrenchedConnect with Ashley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponderosa_kw/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Tillys-Toolbox-Emotions-Ashleigh-Rankin/dp/B0F2B2RW18Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Jeff Burningham is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and author of the book "The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI." In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing to outperform humans at nearly every measurable task, threatening to render human creativity, labor, and even consciousness itself obsolete, how do we reclaim what truly makes us human before we hand the reins entirely to machines?In this episode, we cover:- Why AI represents both humanity's greatest opportunity for evolution and our most urgent existential threat—and how our response will determine which path we take- How humans have become "human doings" obsessed with output and achievement, losing sight of the essential art of simply being present and alive- What it actually means to be human in an age where machines can think, create, and produce faster and better than we ever will—and why our mortality, vulnerability, and capacity to fail are our greatest advantages - Why AI is not our adversary but a mirror that reflects and amplifies who we already are, forcing us to confront our unconscious patterns, false beliefs, and outdated systems- How we must evolve beyond the old paradigms of capitalism, religion, and politics that prioritize power and resources over collective human flourishing and genuine connection- What wisdom, love, and deep human presence look like as the antidotes to an age dominated by machines—and why leading with these qualities is how we consciously participate in upgrading human existence- Why this moment in history is a wake-up call for our species to embrace our full potential, reclaim our capacity for authentic relationship, and write humanity's next, wiser chapter before it's too lateConnect with Jeff: Website: https://www.jeffburningham.comAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Book-Written-Human-Becoming/dp/1637634560Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Brian Sachetta is an author, anxiety recovery advocate, and someone who has personally navigated the debilitating cycles of panic and fear. He is the author of the book "Get Out of Your Head: Stop Letting Anxiety Run Your Life."In this episode, we cover:- Why millions of people suffer from anxiety and panic attacks by spending too much time trapped in their own heads trying to "solve" feelings that cannot be solved- How fear is fundamentally just a feeling, and why our instinct to overanalyze it only plunges us deeper into spirals of darkness and anxiety- What anxiety actually is, where it comes from, and why understanding its origins is the first step toward breaking free from its grip- Why we keep perpetuating our own anxiety cycles even when we consciously know they don't serve us or improve our lives- Helpful tactics anyone can use immediately to mitigate acute episodes of panic and anxiety when they arise- How to shift from trying to control or eliminate anxiety to learning how to let feelings be without feeding them through ruminationConnect with Brian: Website: https://getoutofyourhead.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Your-Head-Overcoming-ebook/dp/B07L5Z6V75?Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Alex Rosalez is an AI/ML product executive with over 25 years of experience in tech. He is the host of the incredible podcast, "Transformational Journeys," where he explores how to get people to their most authentic selves. In this episode, we cover: - Why society's rigid categories around sexual orientation and relationship structures are being challenged and redefined in the 21st century. - How homosexuality and heterosexuality exist on a spectrum rather than as fixed binary identities- Why monogamy has been held as the gold standard of committed relationships despite mounting evidence that it may not suit everyone's emotional or relational needs- What the rise of polyamory and ethical non-monogamy reveals about human connection and our capacity for multiple forms of love, - How young people navigating their sexuality and relationship preferences can honor their authentic desires while respecting boundaries and practicing genuine consent- Why the shame, stigma, and social conditioning around non-traditional relationships prevent many from exploring what truly fulfills them- What practical frameworks anyone can use to assess whether monogamy, polyamory, or another relationship structure aligns with their values and emotional architectureConnect with Alex: YouTube:  @TransformationalJourneys  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-rosalez-508a591/Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Joe is the host of the podcast Salty Ginger Talk. In this episode, we discuss: - Why the crisis of modern masculinity is creating widespread confusion and anxiety among men of all ages. - How masculinity and femininity are not opposing forces but complementary energies that exist within all people regardless of gender. - Why the old paradigms of dominance, stoicism, and emotional suppression are no longer serving men or the communities around them. - What young males need to understand about building healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, and purposeful lives in an era of rapid social change. -How men can reclaim positive aspects of masculine energy—strength, presence, protectiveness—while releasing toxic patterns of aggression, isolation, and fear. - What practical wisdom anyone can apply to foster a new vision of masculinity rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, accountability, and interconnection rather than competition.Connect with Joe: YouTube:  @SaltyGingerTalk  -Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Epiphany Jordan is a caregiver, and nurturer by nature and profession. She is the author of the book "Somebody Hold Me: The Single Person’s Guide to Nurturing Human Touch."In a world where isolation and disconnection have become epidemic, leaving countless individuals starving for genuine human connection and nurturing touch, how do we reclaim the fundamental healing power of compassionate physical contact?Expect to learn why modern society's touch starvation is contributing to widespread emotional and physical distress, how therapeutic touch and bodywork can unlock profound healing when integrated with traditional care approaches, why reconnecting with our bodies and allowing nurturing touch is often the missing piece in personal transformation, how individuals can safely explore healing touch modalities while honoring appropriate boundaries and consent, what practical approaches anyone can use to begin cultivating more meaningful physical connection in their daily lives, and how a shift from the old paradigm of separation and competition to a new story of interbeing and interconnection might be the key to healing our touch-starved, disconnected modern world through the revolutionary act of compassionate human contact.Connect with Epiphany: Website: https://www.nurturinghumantouch.com-Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Alisa Gracheva is a licensed mental health counselor and spiritual integration specialist who has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between traditional therapy and ancient healing wisdom. In a world where mental health crises are reaching epidemic proportions and conventional treatments often fall short, how do we address the deeper spiritual disconnection that underlies many psychological struggles? This conversation with Alisa explores how she is revolutionizing mental health treatment by helping individuals reconnect with their Higher and Authentic Self through the integration of therapy, sacred plant medicine, sound healing, and energy work.Expect to learn why traditional therapy alone often fails to create lasting transformation for those dealing with trauma and substance abuse, how sacred plant medicine and alternative healing modalities can unlock profound psychological breakthroughs when used responsibly, what role sound healing therapy and energy work play in addressing mental health disorders at their energetic root, why reconnecting with one's spiritual essence is often the missing piece in achieving true mental wellness, how individuals can safely explore alternative healing paths while maintaining grounding in evidence-based practices, what practical tools anyone can use immediately to begin their journey toward spiritual and psychological integration, and how a shift from purely symptom-focused treatment to holistic soul-centered healing might be the key to addressing the mental health crisis in our disconnected modern world.Connect with Alisa: Website: https://caringtherapistsofbroward.com/staff/alisa-grachevaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisa_art/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alisagracheva89/-Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Dr. Ran Anbar is a pediatric pulmonologist and hypnosis expert who has helped over 8,000 children harness their inner power to overcome mental and physical health challenges. In a generation facing unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and social media-driven isolation, how do we empower teenagers to take ownership of their own wellness and tap into their inherent resilience? This conversation with Dr. Anbar explores how he is revolutionizing teen awareness, guidance, and mental health by teaching young people to become their own healers rather than simply prescribing solutions for them.Expect to learn why today's teenagers are more likely to be lonely, depressed, and stressed than any previous generation, how the power of positive self-talk and mental imagery can transform a teen's relationship with anxiety and pain, what role hypnosis and mind-body techniques play in helping young people overcome everything from asthma to academic pressure, why teaching teens to listen to their inner wisdom is more effective than solving their problems for them, how parents can support their teenagers' journey toward independence while maintaining connection, what practical tools teens can use immediately to improve sleep, manage relationships, and make tough decisions, and how a shift from external fixes to internal empowerment might be the key to raising healthier, more confident young adults in our rapidly changing world.Connect with Dr. Anbar: Website: https://www.centerpointmedicine.com/provider/ran-d-anbar-md-faapLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randanbarmd/-Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Arik Brueckner is the CEO of Choice, a pioneering global online booking platform for paid companionship and intimacy.In a world grappling with what his company calls "the global pandemic of loneliness," how do we address the growing disconnect between technology's promise of connection and our deepest human needs? This conversation explores how one entrepreneur is attempting to de-stigmatize paid companionship while increasing safety for everyone involved.Expect to learn how technology is revolutionizing an industry that extends far beyond sex work, why traditional approaches to combating loneliness may be failing, what ethical frameworks look like when building platforms for vulnerable populations, how identity verification and safety technology can transform intimate services, why the stigma around paid companionship might be more harmful than the practice itself, what the intersection of business and basic human needs reveals about our society, and how we might redefine what healthy connection looks like in the digital age.Find Arik: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arikbrueckner/Website: choice.ch-Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Sally Raymond is a mother, speaker, and the author of The Son I Knew Too Late, a raw and deeply personal account of losing her son to suicide.What happens when a parent realizes too late what their child was silently enduring? In a world where mental health is discussed more than ever, it’s still rare to hear such unfiltered truth from the inside of grief, regret, and love.Expect to learn what signs often go unnoticed, why good intentions aren’t always enough, how boys are silently suffering under the weight of emotional isolation, why vulnerability must start at home, what conversations can save a life, how to make space for pain without fixing it, and why it’s time to redefine what it means to truly know someone and love them well.Find Sally: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Son-Knew-Too-Late-Survive-ebook/dp/B086HWN3KYWebsite: https://sallyaraymond.com-This is episode 140 of the Ayush Prakash Podcast. Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135