Innerversal is a podcast that delves into the intersection of psychology and a wide range of fascinating topics, from gut health and technology to entrepreneurship and parenthood. Hosted by Samuel Armen - a teacher, writer, and psychology researcher - episodes vary between single-host lectures to insightful conversations with thought leaders in their respective fields, exploring how our minds interact with the world around us. With a blend of science, storytelling, and humor, Innerversal offers a unique, thought-provoking, and accessible perspective on the human experience.
Episode 19: Psychology and... Students [w/ Brooklyn Tech 2026 Alumni] Pt. 1
In this episode of Innerversal, four students graduating from the class of 2026 at Brooklyn Technical High School - a future nursing student at Georgetown, fashion designer at the University of Arts London, biology undergraduate at Cornell, and computer science major at Brown - come together to illustrate the psychology of being a student.Throughout this conversation with diverse minds, we explore topics like resilience, transitioning into and away from remote learning, entering and graduating from a competitive high school, choosing the right college and major, inspiring mentors, advice for incoming high school freshman and seniors, the rise of artificial intelligence, and their expectations and anticipations for their respective futures.
11 Aug 2026
Episode 18: Psychology and... Music [with Jon Fishman]
How does a jam rock band play for an hour straight - or stay together for over 40 years?
In our 18th episode of The Innerversal Podcast , we sit down with Jon Fishman of Phish to talk about the intersections of psychology and music.
We discuss the upbringing that enabled artistry, what happens during an extended improvisational jam, stage fright - and a paradoxical way to fight against it - and how the band has managed to evolve without falling apart.
We also discuss his writing process, the endless list of musical artists that inspire him today and back when the band first formed in 1983, where politics belong in music, what fame and success can do to musicians, and what aspiring artists should consider before deciding to pursue music full-time.
Where does creativity come from? What does it take to be an artist in 2026? Does AI actually pose a threat to the world of visual arts? In the 17th episode of INNERVERSAL, we speak with legendary hyper-surrealist painter Tigran Tsitoghdzyan about the intersections between psychology and painting.
22 Jan 2026
Episode 16: Psychology and... Conflict Journalism [with Fin de Pencier]
What does it take to be a reporter in the middle of a warring nation? How does someone keep their cool in the middle of a deadly combat? Where does one go to avoid misinformation and disinformation? Most importantly, what still surprises a writer after witnessing so many international tragedies?
From the battlefield of Artsakh during the height of the pandemic to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts, we speak to writer, photographer, and filmmaker Fin de Pencier to discover the psychology of conflict journalism.
12 Dec 2025
Episode 15: Psychology and... Coffee Shops [with Jonathan Rubinstein and Amaris Gutierrez-Ray from Joe Coffee]
What makes a great coffee shop truly great? What is a founder thinking when they open a single café in the West Village - one that blossoms into 20+ across New York City? How do atmosphere & staff training shape the way we feel the moment we walk through the door? And how do founders know - sometimes in that Malcolm Gladwell Blink way - when a location or idea “just feels right”?
In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Rubinstein, Founder & CEO of Joe Coffee, and Amaris Gutierrez-Ray, the company’s VP of Coffee and Roasting. Together, we explore the motivations behind launching Joe Coffee in 2003, the wise and heartfelt decisions that allowed the shops - and their respective communities - to endure through COVID, the principles behind ethically sourcing great coffee, and the cultural debate around caffeine.
What is an actor thinking right before the camera begins recording? How does acting in drama differ from acting in comedy? What goes through their mind as they win their first Oscar - and second, third, fourth, and fifth!? In this episode, we speak with Vache Tovmasyan, an actor, stand up comic, and founder of numerous comedy shows. Most recently, he played the role of Garnik in the pom d'or film festival winning and five-time Oscar-winning film Anora, bringing his talents to an international stage.
29 Aug 2025
Episode 13: Psychology and... Students [Pt. II] [with Brooklyn Tech’s Class of 2025]
Who is Gen Z? How did they make it through COVID & Remote Learning? Where do they see themselves in the future after such a unique adolescence? In this two-episode segment, we're speaking to a diverse array of students recently graduating from the renowned Brooklyn Technical High School.
Episode 12 [Part I]:
Luca Granelli (Industrial Design at University of Cincinnati)
Susana Sharp (Engineering at Brown University)
Grace Chen (Political Science at Fordham University [my alma mater])
Episode 13 [Part II]:
Nufisa Patwary (Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University)
Demyan Kruglov (Mechanical Engineering and Design at Northeastern University)
Gadin Aggarwal (Business at Carnegie Melon)
4 Aug 2025
Episode 12: Psychology and... Students [with Brooklyn Tech’s Class of 2025]
Who is Gen Z? How did they make it through COVID-19, Lockdowns & Remote Learning? Where do they see themselves in the future after such a unique adolescence? In this two-episode segment, we're speaking to a diverse array of students recently graduating from the renowned Brooklyn Technical High School.
[Part I]:
Luca Granelli (Industrial Design at University of Cincinnati)
Susana Sharp (Engineering at Brown University)
Grace Chen (Political Science at Fordham University
[Part II]:
Nufisa Patwary (Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University)
Demyan Kruglov (Mechanical Engineering and Design at Northeastern University)
Gadin Aggarwal (Business at Carnegie Melon)
In this episode of Innerversal, we uncork the fascinating intersection of #Psychology and #Wine with Karen MacNeil, one of the world’s foremost wine experts and the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. From her journey of writing The Wine Bible over ten unpaid years to her deep dive into the sensory experience of wine, Karen shares her wisdom on how culture, history, and perception shape our appreciation of this ancient beverage. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, join us as we explore the psychology behind why wine isn't just a drink, but an experience.
8 Aug 2024
Episode 10: Psychology and... Threat Detection [with Daniel Dluzneski]
On the heels of the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, we speak with Daniel Dluzneski - a threat specialist who spent 24 years with the United States Secret Service, has worked in bomb detection, and has authored The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide For Administrators and Teachers. With his diverse knowledge and experience working in security - from protecting persons of interest to coordinating over one hundred active shooter school drills to sneaking into various institutions to prove their lack of readiness - Daniel guides us through a thunderous discussion on #Psychology and #ThreatDetection.
29 Jul 2024
Episode 9: Psychology and... Stunt Work [with Jillian Armendariz]
What does it take to be a stunt person? Are they all unflinching badasses who scoff in the face of danger, or are they more diverse in their personality traits? What does a typical day in the life of a stunt person look like? In this episode, we discuss #STUNTWORK with actor, voice over artist, producer, and stunt person, Jillian Armendariz. Throughout our conversation, we examine the ins and outs of one of the most critical and underrepresented people essential to the film industry!
What are the traits of an entrepreneur? What does it take to start a business? How does one deal with the terror of investing their time, money, and energy into the unknown? In episode eight, we discuss #ENTREPRENEURSHIP with Rene Glandian, co-founder and CEO of Bootylicious Muffins - a high-protein, low-carb, keto-friendly, and absolutely indulgent fitness treat that will make everyday feel like "cheat day".
23 Aug 2023
Episode 7: Psychology and... Spiciness [with Jack Jamgochian]
In episode seven, we discuss SPICINESS with Jack Jamgochian, an engineer and the founder and CEO of Rugged Jack’s Hot Sauce. In this talk, we discuss the psychology behind spiciness: What does it take to start a hot sauce company? Why do some of us love spiciness? How do we perceive spiciness in the first place? All this and MUCH more!
In episode six, we discuss TRAVEL with Rouben Koulaksezian, a French-born author and polyglot who has traveled to over 100 countries. Throughout his journeys, Ruben has documented the cultural landmarks of the Armenian diaspora across countless cities. In this episode we discuss what personality traits make good and bad travelers, what one learns through global explorations, and how travel influences our psychology.
In episode five, we discuss EDUCATION with veteran teacher, Elisabetta O'Connor. With eight years of teaching science across New York City's middle and high schools (one year longer than the host's experiences teaching English), Ms. O'Connor guides us through what the average person doesn't know about teaching. What are strategies of highly effective teachers? How do teachers see the challenge of AI? What are people NOT talking about regarding the failure of remote learning?
In episode four, we speak with Neenet Hairapetian (CNS, LDN, MS, MBA) about NUTRITION. Pulling from both her professional practice as a functional nutritionist in Los Angeles, California and her own experiences dealing with an autoimmune disorder, Neenet introduces us to the myriad dos and don'ts of nutrition - dispelling common myths that especially impact women's health.
In episode three, we speak with Amalya Tagakchyan - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing for over a decade - about ANXIETY. What is anxiety, and when is it a diagnosable disorder? What causes anxiety - neurologically, socially, evolutionarily and otherwise? What are the different types of anxiety disorders, and how is anxiety different from panic? Starting with definitions (what it is) and concluding with dispelling myths (what it isn't), this episode aims to aid anyone dealing with this challenge.
1 May 2023
Episode 2: Psychology and... Evolutionary Traits
In episode two, we delve into evolutionary psychology to explore the inescapable traits that shape our behaviors and perceptions. From our innate tendency to seek people like us to our inclination to focus on negatives, the discussion touches on the goods and bads of being human. The episode concludes by extending this evolutionary lens to psychopathologies - mental disorders that are too often only regarded by their pitfalls and not the potential utilities they offer. Through understanding the ineluctable parameters of who we are, we can better navigate the complexities of being human in the modern world.
18 Apr 2023
Episode 1: Psychology and... Gut Health [with Matthew Kasabian]
In this very first episode of INNERVERSAL, listeners are taken on a powerful journey through the experience of a young man named Matthew Kasabian, as he shares his social, emotional, and psychological battle with ulcerative colitis and his passage towards recovery.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,500
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
22 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
43
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
51
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