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The Shadow Sessions

Hiba Balfaqih

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.

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  • 21 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 48 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • September 12 · 56 min

    My Husband Raped Me

    Rape, Coercive Control, and the Marriage She Couldn't Escape

  • September 3 · 11 min

    He Could Kill Her So Why Did She Stay?

    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 throughout the interview. Drawing from her expertise in human behavior and trauma, Hiba examines the psychology of love bombing, coercive control, and why intense relationships can so easily be mistaken for genuine love. She explores how cultural narratives, emotional conditioning, and attachment patterns can make controlling behaviors feel romantic rather than alarming. Rather than revisiting the details of Annesa's story, this episode focuses on understanding the hidden dynamics behind unhealthy relationships, emotional dependency, and manipulation. Hiba unpacks the subtle warning signs that are often overlooked, why people become vulnerable to coercive control, and how early experiences and societal messages shape our expectations of love. This episode offers a chance to look beneath the surface and better understand the difference between intensity and intimacy, control and care, and how recognizing these patterns is the first step toward building relationships grounded in safety, trust, and genuine connection.

  • August 27 · 12 min

    Phycologist Answers Your Questions

    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 insight, helping listeners see their situations and the patterns that shape their lives in a new light. Whether you're looking for perspective, reassurance, or simply curious to hear the conversation, this episode offers an open and honest space where no question is too small and every answer is an opportunity to learn something new.

  • August 20 · 17 min

    The Abuser Was Never A Stranger

    Child sexual abuse, grooming, and why prevention begins by confronting the myths that keep children vulnerable.

  • August 13 · 28 min

    The Most Shocking Moments - Part 2

    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, identity, trauma, accountability, and transformation. Part two brings together voices that challenged the way we understand abuse, violence, incarceration, extremism, addiction, and the systems that shape human behavior. These are not moments selected for shock alone. They reveal the patterns beneath the headlines: what happens to the nervous system under prolonged fear, how identity forms inside survival, and what it takes to reclaim agency after life has been altered. This episode is a reflection on the truths guests were brave enough to speak—and the questions their stories leave behind.

  • June 24 · 1 hr 1 min

    I Killed My Abuser

    Childhood abuse, unresolved trauma, and the devastating consequences of growing up without protection.

  • June 10 · 1 hr 2 min

    America's Most Hated

    Radicalization, identity, and the difficult path out of violent extremist movements.

  • May 14 · 1 hr 1 min

    When The Monster was Family

    Child abuse, betrayal within families, and the lasting psychological impact of choosing to confront it.

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes