Tatev Talks

In Episode 7, Tatev sits down with Dr. Asil Yassin — UCLA-trained psychologist and founder of Dynamic Dreaming — to talk about her path from middle school classroom to PhD, researching Lebanon in real time as the war unfolded, and why mainstream therapy training isn't built for ethnic minorities. We also get into joy as resistance, community, and the small daily containers that keep us going.00:00 Welcome — meeting Dr. Asil Yassin01:25 From the middle school classroom to UCLA's PhD05:30 Going clinical mid-program: how Asil added therapy hours09:00 Researcher vs. therapist: two kinds of presence11:30 When a student opens up: holding the weight13:30 Studying Lebanon in real time as the war unfolds17:00 Telling the whole narrative, not just the appeasing parts21:00 Capitalism, PhD timelines, and taking the scenic route28:30 Why mainstream therapy training fails ethnic minorities32:30 Inside Dynamic Dreaming — how Asil's practice is different35:30 Learning to trust yourself in big decisions39:30 "Tell me something good": joy as resistance43:30 Community, recognition, and acts of resistance49:30 Spaces invested in liberation vs. spaces invested in civility53:30 Movement, seasons, and containers for self-care57:30 Goodbyes & where to find AsilCheck Out Previous Episode!https://youtu.be/lt8UF_JI-fsFollow Tatev Talks:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tatevtalkspodcast/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tatevtalkspodcastFollow Dr. Sarkissyan:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsarkissyan/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drsarkissyanGuest: Asil Yassine’s PHD Divested PsychologistAsil Yassine’s website: https://dynamicdreaming.earth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynamicdreaming?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Asil's Dissertation:https://escholarship.org/content/qt564295wh/qt564295wh.pdfCredits:Recorded and Produced by: @omnitherealproductionsCreative Consultant/Talent Booker: @diannneekaraRecorded at @mettameditationstudioMusic by @gorgeouzbeats‬

In this episode of TatevTalks, host Tatev Sarkissyan sits down with Faith Abraham. Faith is a producer, writer, director and currently works in casting. We talk about her hilariously funny YouTube series called Birth Order and explore the intricacies of the entertainment industry. Faith discusses if she would ever go back to school and the way she manages her mental health.Check Out Previous Episode!https://youtu.be/U3DlWVxhAq0Follow Tatev Talks:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tatevtalkspodcast/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tatevtalkspodcastFollow Dr. Sarkissyan:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsarkissyan/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drsarkissyanGuest: Faith Abraham | Casting Associate | Writer, Director, Producer Faith’s insta: https://www.instagram.com/anneorfaith?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Birth Order insta: https://www.instagram.com/birthordershow?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Link to Birth Order Youtube page: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtmcnyc5aNkQinASnS79zKQHcdVNnECsU&si=8r3VSUkpZoeAU_49Credits:Recorded and Produced by: @omnitherealproductionsCreative Consultant/Talent Booker: @diannneekaraRecorded at @mettameditationstudioMusic by @gorgeouzbeats‬

In this episode, Tatev Sarkissyan is joined by Zahra Mesrizadeh, author of The God  of the Gaps: Understanding Science Through the Lens of Religion and Politics. Zahra is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering at UCSD where her primary research revolves in breast cancer. They discuss research, academia, phd life, and their friendship. Follow along! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/U3DlWVxhAq0Check Out Previous Episode!https://youtu.be/KEJrp07OJCwFollow Tatev Talks:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tatevtalkspodcast/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tatevtalkspodcastFollow Dr. Sarkissyan:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsarkissyan/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drsarkissyanGuest: Zahra Mesrizadeh UCSD PhD candidate in Bioengineering.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author__tgoftg__bookZahra's Book "The God of the Gaps: Understanding Science through the Lens of Religion and Politics": https://a.co/d/05N0YvVJLinks & resources: How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) - Katherine Hampsten: https://youtu.be/gCfzeONu3Mo?si=TfpsTFzJCiXCQVD8 Credits:Recorded and Produced by: George PurtseladzeRecorded at @mettameditationstudioMusic by @gorgeouzbeats‬

In this solo Q&A episode, I’m excited to answer all your questions about navigating grad school, handling rejection, and figuring out if a PhD is really the right path for you! We also dive deep into my Armenian heritage, the power of self-love, and why showing up as your authentic self is the absolute key to success. Join me for some real talk and remember that no matter what you're feeling right now, this too shall pass!Check out this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KEJrp07OJCwCheck Out Previous Podcast Episode With Albert Babayan!https://youtu.be/1qQNnGZYOgoFollow Tatev Talks:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tatevtalkspodcast/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tatevtalkspodcastFollow Dr. Sarkissyan:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsarkissyan/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drsarkissyanLinks & resources:Jobs to do in psych with a bachelors degree: https://psychology.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/careers/#psychology-related-careers-to-consider-with-a-bachPsychology Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree:https://tinyurl.com/4wcxcy9uArmenian Resources:https://tinyurl.com/y2wu5sakCredits:Recorded and Produced by: @omnitherealproductionsRecorded at @mettameditationstudioMusic by @gorgeouzbeats‬

In this episode of Tatev Talks, host Tatev Sarkissyan sits down with Albert Babayan, a real estate professional who successfully pivoted from a career in electrical engineering to real estate. The conversation explores Babayan's unique journey, his structured philosophy on life, and his deep-rooted passion for music and meditation.Follow Tatev Talks:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tatevtalkspodcast/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tatevtalkspodcastFollow Dr. Sarkissyan:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsarkissyan/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drsarkissyanYouTube Link: https://youtu.be/1qQNnGZYOgoGuest: Albert Babayan is a prominent real estate broker and the CEO of Real Estate People, Inc., a division of JohnHart Real Estate based in Glendale, California. With a career spanning over 35 years beginning in 1990, he has facilitated the sale of more than 2,000 properties, specializing in condos, single-family homes, and multi-family units.Links & resources: Check out Albert Babayan!Instagram: @therealestateandcondopeopleFacebook: The Condo People.Official Website: TheCondoPeople.com.Credits:Recorded and Produced by: George Purtseladze @george_is_georg8Recorded at @mettameditationstudioMusic by @gorgeouzbeats‬

In this episode, Tatev Sarkissyan sits down with Dr. Jessica Morales-Chicas to unpack how researchers turn big questions into practical impact—and how students (especially first-gen) can find their North Star and thrive. We talk about explaining research in plain language, why belonging and motivation matter for student success, and how real programs and grants translate into opportunity on campus. You’ll also hear Jessica’s candid path—from preschool teacher to STEM-motivation researcher—plus what she wishes every grad-school applicant knew about mentors, unwritten rules, and mental health along the way. Follow Tatev Talks:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tatevtalkspodcast/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tatevtalkspodcastFollow Dr. Sarkissyan:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsarkissyan/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drsarkissyanGuest: Dr. Jessica Morales-Chicas. Tenured Professor & Ph.D. in Education | STEM Education & Equity Researcher | Consultant bridging research + practiceLinks & resources: Check out Dr. Jessica Morales-Chicas @dr.morales_chicasCredits:Recorded and Produced by: George Purtseladze @george_is_georg8Recorded at @mettameditationstudioMusic by @gorgeouzbeats‬Watch full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q1rMgtKFyP0

Science and Spirituality: Two Teachers Discussing the Balance Between Both Dr. Debra Moreno Garcia and Tatev Sarkissyan unpack how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness translate into everyday decisions. They get into evidence vs. lived experience, what “multiple truths” really means, and how culture, community, and equity shape mental-health outcomes. Along the way, they talk about closing the research to practice gap, teaching through a social-justice lens, and how to stay curious without losing your compass.  Times: 00:00 – Cold open & show intro 00:30 – Meet Dr. Garcia (background, teaching, research) 05:00 – Why start with “science and spirituality”? 10:00 – DBT basics: the four skill families in plain English 15:00 – Mindfulness & emotion regulation in an always-on world 20:00 – Distress tolerance: navigating crises and chronic stress 25:00 – Research → practice: making skills usable (workbooks, classrooms) 30:00 – Community mental health, stigma, and belonging 35:00 – “Multiple truths”: data vs. lived experience (how both can be valid) 40:00 – Culture & equity: why representation changes outcomes 45:00 – Indigenous/folk practices and what research often misses 50:00 – Teaching through a justice lens; accountability + compassion 55:00 – Takeaways & next steps