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Health & Fitness

The Shadow Sessions

by Hiba Balfaqih
Explicit Mental HealthHealth & FitnessTrue Crime

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Latest episodes

  • She Escaped ISIS. Then Lost Her Son.

    October 22, 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

    How does someone go from escaping an abusive relationship to joining an extremist organization just six weeks later? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Tareena, the first British woman convicted of joining…

  • "Our Lavender Marriage"

    October 15, 2026 · 59 min

    Martin is gay. Brandi is straight. They’re married, raising a daughter together, and neither of them is planning to leave. Their relationship has attracted plenty of opinions. Some believe their marriage must be fake. Others assume one of…

  • "I am A Psychopath"

    October 8, 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

    What if manipulation doesn’t feel like manipulation? What if it feels like you’ve finally met someone who understands you? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih sits down with Lewis Raymond Taylor, who has spoken publicly…

  • Why Your Mind Shuts Down To Survive

    October 1, 2026 · 10 min

    What happens psychologically when the people meant to protect you become the ones taking away your choices? In this episode of The Notebook, Hiba Balfaqih reflects on her conversation with Rubie, who was just 15 years old when her family…

  • Every 7 Seconds this Happens To A Girl

    September 24, 2026 · 1 hr 18 min

    What happens when the people who love you believe that harming you is an act of protection? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Hoda, who was seven years old when her family celebrated what she believed was a…

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  • "I Saw Who Killed My Mom at 3 Years Old"

    September 20, 2026 · 1 hr 14 min

    What happens when the first truth you ever tell is the one no one believes? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Jade, who was just three years old when her mother was murdered. In the immediate aftermath…

  • My Husband Raped Me

    September 12, 2026 · 57 min

    Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely as simple as walking away. Sometimes the forces keeping someone trapped aren't fear alone—they're love, loyalty, children, and the hope of protecting the family they never had. In this episode…

  • He Could Kill Her So Why Did She Stay?

    September 3, 2026 · 12 min

    Some conversations don't end when the cameras stop rolling—they deserve to be unpacked. In this episode of The Notebook, Hiba Balfaqih reflects on her conversation with Annesa and explores the psychological patterns that emerged…

  • Phycologist Answers Your Questions

    August 27, 2026 · 13 min

    In this special Q&A episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih answers listener questions covering a wide range of topics. Rather than offering quick answers, Hiba approaches each question with curiosity, compassion, and psychological…

  • The Abuser Was Never A Stranger

    August 20, 2026 · 18 min

    We've spent generations teaching children to fear strangers. But the evidence tells a different story. In this special reflection episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih revisits the stories of Aziza, Seth, Jazmine, and Sonny—four…

  • The Most Shocking Moments

    August 13, 2026 · 29 min

    Some moments stay with you long after the conversation ends. In this special episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih revisits some of the most powerful and unforgettable moments from the series so far—stories of survival, betrayal…

  • The Most Shocking Moments

    August 5, 2026 · 21 min

    Some moments stay with you long after the conversation ends. In this special episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih revisits some of the most powerful and unforgettable moments from the series so far—stories of survival, betrayal…

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About the show

The Shadow Sessions is hosted by Hiba Balfaqih, an unconventional psychologist and trauma alchemist. We explore the stories that most people bury—particularly those tied to shame, trauma, and identity. Our goal is to shed light on the hidden corners of human experience, allowing listeners to hear stories that challenge societal norms and spark deep,introspective conversations.