Professor P with Dr.Peykar

Step inside FC Barcelona — not as a fan, but from the inside.

In this exclusive preview episode, Professor P takes you behind the scenes of one of the most iconic sporting institutions in the world. From VIP environments and elite match-day energy to intimate conversations and observations rarely shared publicly, this episode sets the stage for a deeper journey into football culture, leadership, identity, and performance at the hig...

What if every human being was born not with fate written in stone—but with a blank page waiting to be filled? This was the radical vision of John Locke, the English philosopher whose ideas about knowledge, freedom, and equality helped ignite revolutions and redefine what it means to be human.

John Locke reshaped how humanity understands the mind, freedom, and government. In this episode, we explore how his belief in experience, edu...

In this episode, we dive into the transformative world of global healthcare innovation with Dr. David Blumenthal, an expert in health policy and international collaboration. Together, we explore how different healthcare systems across the globe address common challenges, the lessons they offer, and the role of groundbreaking technologies in driving change.

Dr. Blumenthal shares insights into how countries are reimagining care deliv...

What if true freedom wasn’t about doing whatever you want—but about understanding reality so deeply that nothing could control your mind? This was the life’s work of Baruch Spinoza, the 17th-century philosopher who dared to question dogma, merge science with spirituality, and teach that peace comes not from power, but from understanding.

Baruch Spinoza lived quietly, but thought boldly. Excommunicated, misunderstood, and ahead of h...

In this episode of Professor P Podcast, we unlock the invisible side of human behavior — the mental processes shaping your decisions, perceptions, and beliefs long before you’re aware of them.

We begin with a deep-dive review of Leonard Mlodinow’s Subliminal, a groundbreaking book revealing that much of what we call free will is actually guided by unconscious forces. From snap judgments to distorted memories, we explore five core i...

René Descartes, the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” taught us to doubt, to question, and to rebuild life on what is certain. In this episode, we explore his radical method of doubt, his famous “I think, therefore I am,” and his unshakable belief in the power of reason. From science and mathematics to personal growth, Descartes’s lessons remain as urgent today as they were in the 17th century.

Discover how doubt can bring clarity, ho...

In this thought-provoking episode of Professor P Podcast, Dr. Parsa Peykar explores how language is far more than communication—it is the architecture of the human mind.

The episode opens with a deep dive into Dr. V. S. Ramachandran’s groundbreaking book, The Tell-Tale Brain, unpacking how words create the very scaffolding of thought, emotion, and self-identity. From mirror neurons to metaphor, Dr. Peykar breaks down five key lesso...

In this episode, we explore the bold and brilliant life of William of Ockham, the English friar who taught the world to cut away excess and focus on what’s essential. From his principle of simplicity—Ockham’s Razor—to his courage in challenging authority, Ockham’s ideas shaped science, democracy, and the way we think. Discover how his call to simplicity, humility, and clarity can guide us in our modern, overcomplicated world.

Refle...

What are the biggest misconceptions about intimate partner violence—and how can understanding the truth help us prevent abuse before it begins?

In this powerful episode of the Professor P Podcast, Dr. Parsa Peykar begins with a deep dive into Trauma and Recovery by Dr. Judith Herman, a foundational work that reshaped how we understand the aftermath of violence and the path toward healing. The book review sets the stage for a crucia...

From humble beginnings to the Senate of Rome, Marcus Tullius Cicero rose by intellect and integrity to become one of history’s most powerful voices for truth, reason, and civic virtue. In this Professor P Podcast mini-episode, we explore how a man born outside the Roman elite reshaped the moral language of leadership and inspired thinkers from Augustine to the Founding Fathers.

🧭 What You’ll Learn: • Why Cicero believed character ...

Why do we care so much about likes, comments, and followers? Is social media quietly hijacking our self-esteem?

In this episode, we explore the psychology behind our craving for digital approval through the lens of Sociometer Theory — the groundbreaking idea by Dr. Mark Leary that our self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance.

We begin with a book review of 📘 You Are What You Click (2021) by Dr. Brian A. Prim...

What if the secret to freedom wasn’t power or possessions—but mastering your own mind? In this episode, we explore the wisdom of Zeno of Citium, founder of Stoicism. Shipwrecked and stripped of wealth, Zeno built a philosophy that still guides leaders, athletes, and everyday seekers: focus on what you can control, live with nature’s rhythm, and let adversity shape strength.

Discover how Zeno’s teachings can help you navigate today’...

Families are where some of life’s greatest joys—and deepest challenges—are born. But what makes certain families thrive under stress while others fracture? In this powerful episode, we explore the science, stories, and practical strategies for building resilience at home.

Part I — Lessons from The Family Crucible We open with five transformational lessons from the classic book The Family Crucible, distilling insights into practical...

What if the only constant in life is change itself? 🌊 In this mini-episode, we journey into the mind of Heraclitus—the “weeping philosopher” of Ephesus—who saw the world not as fixed, but as a flowing river, ever-shifting and ever-renewing.

Discover why he believed struggle creates strength, how hidden order lives beneath life’s chaos, and why our identities are never finished but always becoming. Through practical reflections, we...

What if one of the most powerful tools for mental health has been in our hands all along—literally?

In this episode, we explore the profound role of touch in shaping our emotional lives, healing our minds, and connecting us more deeply with others.

📘 Book Review We begin with Touch: The Science of Hand, Heart, and Mind by neuroscientist Dr. David J. Linden. From the soothing power of a hug to the silent language of empathy, we unc...

What happens when one man dares to defy centuries of tradition, burn the textbooks of the great masters, and insist that truth lives not in authority, but in direct experience?

In this episode, we journey into the life and mind of Paracelsus (1493–1541)—the fiery Swiss physician, alchemist, and philosopher who turned medicine upside down. Known as the father of toxicology and an early pioneer of holistic healing, Paracelsus believe...

What if your brain’s most natural state isn’t problem-solving or goal-chasing—but simply thinking about people? In this episode of the Professor P Podcast, we explore the science of human connection and the neuroscience that makes us profoundly social beings.

📘 Part 1 – Book Spotlight We begin with Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Dr. Matthew D. Lieberman, a pioneering UCLA professor and founding father of social cog...

What if true happiness had nothing to do with fame, luxury, or power—and everything to do with simplicity, friendship, and peace of mind?

In this episode, we step into the Garden of Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who was often misunderstood as a champion of indulgence, yet in reality, taught one of the most healing and grounded philosophies of life. Far from excess, Epicurus emphasized freedom from fear, modest living, and...

How do the brain mechanisms behind pleasure and reward influence motivation? 

“Celebrate your small wins—they train your brain to stay on track. And stay aware of how temptations can sneak in and trigger your reward system.” — Dr. Kent Berridge

Pleasure is more than a fleeting feeling—it’s a driving force that shapes our choices, fuels our motivation, and even determines the habits we form. In this episode, we sit down with world-...