Danielle Newnham Podcast

Sean Dadashi: How AI Can Improve Our Mental Health

Dec 7, 2023

Sean Dadashi, co-founder of the innovative AI-powered journal Rosebud, blends his expertise in cognitive science with a passion for mental health. In this engaging discussion, he tackles the loneliness epidemic and highlights the importance of men's mental health, addressing alarming statistics and societal expectations. Sean introduces Rosebud's journaling technology that acts like a real-time therapist, enhancing personal reflection and emotional processing. He emphasizes the need for accessible mental health resources and the growing relevance of AI in fostering mental well-being.

43:54

Creator website

Episode guests

Sean Dadashi

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Sean Dadashi's transition from mechanical engineering to cognitive science illustrates the significance of aligning personal passions with professional pursuits in technology and wellness.

Rosebud, as an AI-powered journaling tool, addresses the current loneliness epidemic by promoting self-reflection and emotional awareness to enhance mental health.

Deep dives

Cultural and Spiritual Influences on Identity

Sean Dadashi's upbringing was significantly influenced by his mixed cultural and religious background as the child of Iranian immigrants. Growing up in a predominantly Christian community while attending a Lutheran school, he grappled with existential questions about faith, belonging, and the fate of his relatives in Iran who practiced different beliefs. This early cognitive dissonance sparked a deep curiosity that led him to explore spirituality and psychology as he sought to understand the foundations of human experience. Such formative experiences shaped his worldview and ultimately guided his career path toward fostering well-being through technology.

Intro

2min

Exploring Identity and Spirituality

14min

Exploring Men's Mental Health and Innovative AI Solutions

2min

Journaling Technology and Mental Well-Being

5min

Navigating Mental Health Through Journaling and AI Insights

4min

AI and Mental Health: The Rosebud Revolution

10min

Navigating Mental Health: Awareness, Access, and Action

3min

Embracing Passion and Curiosity for Personal Growth

2min

Exploring Mental Health Conversations and the Nature of Happiness

2min

Today’s guest is Sean Dadashi, co-founder of Rosebud. Born to Iranian parents who emigrated to the US after the revolution in 1979, Sean grew up in Los Angeles and was on a path of studying mechanical engineering before he switched courses after a year to study Cognitive Science with a minor in Computer Science.

He then became a CTO before starting his own company - Somatic Studios in 2016 – where he used his passion for both tech and wellbeing to experiment with ideas including a web app that provided a health and wellness index for over 160 cities across 6 continents.

The studio also developed VR experiences to teach pain management patients mindfulness and somatic therapy techniques. After Somatic, Sean then joined up with Chrys Bader, who you may have heard of because he previously co-founded several startups including Treehouse and Secret. Together, Sean and Chris have created Rosebud – the number one AI-powered journal for mental health and personal growth and a product I highly recommend. Try it yourself for FREE here.

In this conversation, Sean and I discuss the loneliness epidemic, the importance of good mental health, his passion for helping others, and how he has always leaned towards the marriage of psychology and the human mind with technology and his passion for creating things, which ultimately led to Rosebud.

I really enjoyed this discussion and think you will too.

Sean Dadashi / Rosebud

Danielle Twitter / Instagram / Substack Newsletter / YouTube