In this episode of ConnectForHealth, Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and Maissa Al Khafajy from Cigna Healthcare Middle East, are joined by Carol Glynn of Conscious Finance Coaching and Ben Pritchard, founder of FinQuest, for a practical conversation on money, mindset, families and financial freedom. 

Carol explains why financial wellness is less about what we earn and more about what we do with what we earn, how we feel about money, and whether our money choices are aligned with our values. Ben brings the schools and children’s perspective, exploring how young people learn about value, spending, earning, and the habits they absorb from the adults around them.  

Talking points explored

•  Why earning more does not automatically create financial wellness 
•  How to align money with your values, not someone else’s idea of success 
•  Why children need to understand value, not just price 
•  How digital payments make money feel less visible, but more present 
•  The danger of constantly “topping up” children without a conversation 
•  How to talk to children about financial pressure without creating fear 
•  Why it can make sense to save while paying off debt 
•  How to build a cash cushion before life forces you back into debt 
•  How to work out what “enough” really means for you 
•  Why investing, retirement and future medical costs need clarity, not panic 

Watch or listen if you want a clearer, calmer way to think about money, whether you are trying to reduce debt, save more, invest with confidence, talk to your partner, teach your children better habits, or simply stop feeling behind. Financial freedom does not start with a perfect plan. 

It starts with being willing to look, understand where you are, and take the next right step.

Chapter list

00:00 Welcome to ConnectForHealth, and why finance is still one of the biggest worries for many people. 

02:10 What financial wellness really means, and why it is not just about having more money. 

03:15 Aligning money with your values, and avoiding lifestyle creep. 

04:44 Children, money awareness and why value matters more than price. 

07:53 Digital money, school cards and the danger of endless top-ups. 

10:25 How to talk to children about money without creating fear or blame. 

18:17 Earning, pocket money, subscriptions and the UAE family context. 

25:24 Audience poll: saving, children, investing, retirement and money that “disappears”. 

28:19 Debt, saving and why a cash cushion can stop the cycle repeating. 

33:34 How much is enough, money mindset, investing, retirement and future costs. 

In this dedicated ConnectForHealth follow-up to our neurodiversity episode, Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and Alison Sharp of Cigna Healthcare, are joined by Dr Shereen Sharaan, Research Lead for Psychology at the University of Birmingham Dubai, and Sophie Smith, Founder and CEO of NABTA Health, to go deeper into autism at work, school and home.  

Dr Shereen brings research expertise, lived family experience through her brother Amro, and more than a decade of autism support work in the UAE. Sophie brings lived experience of AuDHD and speaks openly about late diagnosis, grief, sensory overload, masking, motherhood, hormones and what it means to build a life around a brain that works differently.  

This is a practical, human conversation about what gets missed when autistic people seem to be coping, why girls and women are often diagnosed late, how sensory overload can feel from the inside, and why inclusion should not depend on someone having to disclose a diagnosis before they are supported.   

Topics explored

•  What autism really means, and why it is better understood as a different way of being in the world. 
•  Why the dominant stereotype of autism misses many autistic people. 
•  Late diagnosis, grief and the feeling of being “misclassified” for years. 
•  Sensory overload, masking and the hidden cost of trying to look “normal”. 
•  Why autism is not a straight-line spectrum from mild to severe. 
•  Autism in women and girls, and how masking can hide real support needs. 
•  How hormones, perimenopause and burnout can affect neurodivergent women. 
•  Supporting autistic children, including children with high support needs. 
•  What workplaces can do differently without expensive programmes. 
•  Why support designed for autistic people can make life better for everyone. 

If you are autistic, think you may be, support an autistic child, work with autistic colleagues, or simply want to understand more, this episode is for you. Watch or listen now, and share it with someone who needs a clearer, kinder and more practical way to understand autism.

Chapter List

00:00 Welcome to ConnectForHealth and why this dedicated autism follow-up matters.
01:48 Meet Dr Shereen Sharaan and Sophie Smith.
04:24 What autism really means, and the stereotypes we need to challenge.
07:07 Autism, regression and Dr Shereen’s family story.
10:33 Sophie Smith on late diagnosis, grief and being misclassified.
13:54 Sensory overload: what “too many inputs” feels like.
16:57 Rethinking the spectrum: why autism is not a straight line.
27:17 Masking, eye contact and the cost of trying to look “normal”.
34:00 Autism in women and girls, hormones, PMDD and perimenopause.
48:27 Autistic burnout, workplace support and why inclusion helps everyone.

In this episode of ConnectForHealth, the live well-being webinar and podcast from Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, produced with mentl, Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, explore neurodiversity through clinical expertise, workplace insight and lived experience.

Scott shares his own experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, and the emotional process of reinterpreting school, work, relationships and self-belief through a new lens.

He is joined by Sarah Christensen, Organisational Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Christensen Consultancy, who also brings lived experience of ADHD, and Dr Valentina Faia, Specialist Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist at BioPsychoSocial Clinic, with more than 20 years’ experience and specialist expertise in neurodivergence, including ADHD, autism and giftedness.

Together, they unpack what ADHD really is, why diagnosis can be missed for years, how neurodivergence can show up differently in adults, children, men and women, and why support should focus less on “fixing” people and more on understanding how they function best.

This conversation explores the myths, stigma and practical realities of neurodiversity, from children struggling in school to adults masking at work, from parents seeking answers to organisations trying to build more inclusive cultures.

Topics include:

• What neurodiversity, ADHD and autism really mean
• Why ADHD is not simply distraction or hyperactivity
• The emotions that can come with late diagnosis
• How girls and women may be missed or diagnosed later
• Why high performance can hide hidden struggle
• What parents should look for in children
• How assessment and diagnosis can help
• Medication, exercise, therapy and other support routes
• What workplaces can do to reduce unnecessary friction
• How to support neurodivergent colleagues, children, partners and friends

This episode is for anyone who recognises themselves, their child, their partner, their colleague or their team in this conversation.

Neurodiversity is not about lowering expectations. It is about understanding difference, reducing shame and creating the conditions where people can thrive.

Chapter list

02:17 Meet Sarah Christensen and Dr Valentina Faia
02:46 What neurodiversity really means
08:07 ADHD beyond distraction and hyperactivity
13:27 Sarah Christensen on recognising her own ADHD
15:04 Why ADHD affects relationships, teams and daily life
19:36 Late diagnosis, stigma and being open at work
22:27 Poll: the biggest myths around ADHD and autism
26:37 How assessment and diagnosis work
32:24 The emotional impact of late diagnosis
35:17 Workplace support and reasonable adjustments
36:25 ADHD in children: what parents should look for
43:40 Poll: what practical support would help most
45:37 Masking, burnout and invisible effort
47:35 Audience questions: work, speech, fairness and emotional regulation
51:36 Supporting neurodivergent children at school
55:11 How to keep performing when the wheels start to come off
57:05 ADHD, relationships and rejection sensitivity
59:07 Where to find support and final reflections

Men’s health is not just physical fitness, routine check-ups, or pushing through pressure. It is also sleep, stress, loneliness, financial worry, job security, fatherhood, relationships, community and the ability to say, honestly, when things are not okay.

In this episode, Scott Armstrong and Maissa Al Khafajy are joined by Chris Bradwell, founder of British Dads Dubai, and Chris Miller, founder of In-Cre-Mental, to explore what men are really carrying beneath the surface.

Chris Bradwell shares what he is seeing inside one of the UAE’s largest dad communities, from men asking privately for support to the importance of building spaces where fathers can talk, connect and feel less alone.

Chris Miller brings the lens of an executive coach, mental health first aid instructor and former senior leader, exploring why high-performing men often keep functioning while quietly moving into survival mode.

This is a practical, honest conversation about breaking silence before pressure becomes crisis.

Topics include:

• Why men often say “I’m fine” when they are not
• Job security, financial worries, family pressure and the mental load men carry
• Why loneliness is not just emotional, but a real health issue
• How distress can show up as anger, withdrawal, overthinking or irritability
• Why men often wait too long before asking for help
• The role of community, dads’ groups and side-by-side conversations
• How physical health, stress, sleep and mental health are connected
• Why sustainable progress matters more than dramatic change
• How partners, friends and colleagues can spot when someone is struggling
• Why taking the first step deserves to be celebrated

If you are a man who feels like you are carrying too much, a partner trying to understand what is going on beneath the silence, or a leader who wants to support men better at work, this episode is for you.

Watch or listen now, and please share it with someone who might need the reminder: silence is not strength, and you do not have to struggle alone.

Chapter list

00:00 Welcome to ConnectForHealth and Men’s Mental Health Month
02:17 Meet Chris Bradwell and Chris Miller
02:42 What dads are really asking for inside British Dads Dubai
04:37 Loneliness, uncertainty, safety and the search for control
09:11 Maissa on boys, young men and learning to open up
15:24 “I’m fine”: what men often mean when they say it
19:23 How stress and depression can show up differently in men
27:06 Why British Dads Dubai was built, and why community matters
29:35 Poll: the biggest pressure points for men right now
51:21 Physical health, stress, movement and realistic routines
59:51 Celebrate the courage to take the first step

Host Scott Armstrong is joined by Leah Cotterill (CEO, Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa), Hana Agil (Cigna HR) and Suzanne Gandy, HR Director, Bayut and Dubizzle, to explore the positive story in the data, then go deeper into what pressure points sit beneath the optimism, and what leaders can do now to make resilience sustainable. 

The conversation explores:

•  What does “resilience” actually mean when people still report stress, sleep issues, and financial strain? 
•  Survey findings such as 89% feeling physically safe, 83% feeling emotionally safe, and 86% feeling at home in the UAE? 
•  Why is financial wellbeing emerging as a key pressure point, and what can employers do without overstepping? 
•  What should managers look for when people are “performing” but carrying pressure beneath the surface? 
•  How do leaders build trust and clarity during uncertainty 

Who this is for

If you lead people, work in HR, or are shaping culture and wellbeing strategy in the UAE, this episode will give you a clear, evidence-led view of what employees are carrying right now and the practical leadership actions that matter. 

10-point chapter list

00:00:10 Welcome and why this Pulse matters 
00:01:24 Headline findings: safety, resilience, optimism 
00:03:37 The big stats: physical safety, emotional safety, feeling at home 
00:04:35 Family wellbeing as the strongest pillar 
00:07:18 What employers are seeing internally: belonging and return-to-office 
00:10:05 Work-life integration: treating employees as whole people 
00:18:15 Pressure points: financial wellbeing and job security 
00:23:16 Financial literacy at work: budgets, credit cards, estate planning 
00:31:12 Support exists, but do people use it? The utilisation gap 
00:53:44 Stop, start, continue: practical takeaways for leaders 

In this ConnectForHealth Special Edition, Scott Armstrong and Maissa Al Khafajy are joined by Dr Mahmoud Al Darabie (Valeo Health) for a practical conversation on prevention, early action, and day-to-day management. They break down the key blood markers and ratios people misunderstand, how family history and lifestyle interact, and why “listen to your body” is not a slogan but a skill. 

Among the key points explored: 

•  You’ve done “tests” but do not know what the numbers mean or what to do next 
•  You have family history (cholesterol, diabetes, cardiac events) and do not know how often to check in, or what to prioritise 
•  You feel tired, foggy, or low energy and you’re not sure whether it’s stress, sleep, blood sugar, or something else 
•  You’re confused by conflicting advice online (cholesterol “good/bad”, supplements, quick fixes) and want a clearer framework 
• GLP-1s are everywhere, but you’re unsure what “good” looks like long term: when they help, what risks to watch for, and how to avoid swapping one short-term fix for another
•  You’re tempted by “fast” solutions but want to know what sustainable change actually looks like, and what is realistic 
•  You have health benefits but you’re not sure what preventive care you can use, or how to use it well 

Dial in if you want a clear, practical roadmap for the next 12 months, so you know what to check, what it means, and what to do next.

Chapter List:

00:01:12 Welcome back and what today’s “health check roadmap” covers 
00:02:24 Where are people in the UAE right now: prevention vs diagnosis 
00:03:49 The 12-month roadmap: history, lifestyle, sleep, stress, movement 
00:05:45 Blood sugar markers: HbA1c, fasting glucose, insulin and what they indicate 
00:06:57 Cholesterol confusion: why ratios and context matter more than one number 
00:08:32 “Look at the whole picture”: stress, cortisol and metabolic knock-on effects 
00:10:06 How often to check: why six months can be a useful rhythm 
00:13:08 Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore: fatigue, brain fog, energy dips 
00:28:28 Poll 1 and first actions for “borderline” readings 
00:33:38 The quick-fix trap: why compliance drops after GLP-1s rose 

The practical pressures continue, but so does the hidden load: carrying worry, managing family dynamics, and trying to perform at work while feeling stretched.

In this ConnectForHealth episode, mentl's Scott Armstrong and Maissa Al Khafajy of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa are joined by Dr Rita Figueiredo, Clinical Psychologist and Managing Director at Peninsula Psychology, to unpack what burnout looks like in real life right now, and what helps when patience is thin, sleep is disrupted, and small things at home start to feel bigger than they should. 

This conversation tackles: 

•  How to tell the difference between “a bad week” and something more serious when you are still functioning 
•  Why rest does not always feel restorative in a limbo phase, and what that can signal 
•  How to set boundaries at home and at work without triggering guilt or resentment 
•  How to communicate needs clearly so a boundary is understood, not misread as withdrawal 
•  What to do when you feel flat, reactive, or disconnected, and you are not sure what help looks like 

Chapter List

00:09 Welcome and why “caretaker mode” can tip into burnout 
02:34 What stress patterns are showing up in week seven 
05:36 The limbo phase: “almost out of it, but not quite” 
07:32 Stress vs burnout: the key difference when rest stops working 
11:38 Role overload: worker, co-parent, teacher, emotional anchor 
15:23 Poll 1: what is showing up most right now 
19:01 When to seek help: signs your usual coping is not working 
28:35 Boundaries without guilt: capacity, roles, and clear communication 
34:09 “Add a caption”: the small communication shift that changes everything 
50:11 Practical reset: reduce the load, reduce decisions, and aim for “good enough”

Alert texts, unfamiliar noises in the night, and prolonged uncertainty can keep the nervous system in threat-detection mode, leaving people exhausted but wired.

In this ConnectForHealth episode, Scott Armstrong (mentl) and Maissa Al Khafajy (Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa) are joined by Dr Samira Cutts, neuroscientist and occupational therapist at King’s College Hospital London - UAE, to explain what’s happening in the brain during sustained stress, and what you can do to protect sleep without trying to force “perfect” rest. 

Highlights

•  Why disrupted sleep is a normal biological response during prolonged uncertainty 
•  What to do when alert texts spike your heart rate and make it hard to return to sleep 
•  How late-night news checking re-triggers the stress response and what to do instead 
•  Practical sleep hygiene that starts hours before bed: light, caffeine timing, and temperature 
•  Kids’ sleep and co-regulation: how children take cues from adult nervous systems 
•  Wearables and sleep tracking: why too much data can backfire 
•  Quick-fire advice on supplements and habits, including melatonin, magnesium, and creatine 

Why tune in

If you’re waking more, sleeping lighter, checking updates at night, or feeling tired even after “enough hours”, this episode will help you understand the pattern and leave you with practical steps you can start tonight. 

Chapter List

00:00 Welcome and why sleep is taking a hit across the Gulf 
02:00 The science of stress, threat vigilance, and sleep expectations 
03:27 What’s “normal” right now: survival mode and stress hormones 
06:55 The goalposts have moved: giving yourself slack 
08:10 How this translates for children: co-regulation and safety cues 
12:43 What to do when alerts trigger a spike: reassurance and a practical checklist 
18:39 Why checking news at night is the worst thing (and how to set windows) 
21:22 Poll 1: biggest sleep issues and what’s showing up most 
31:52 Trauma triggers, cognitive reframing, and creating safety in the body 
38:07 Sleep hygiene that works: light, caffeine timing, room temperature 

In this Special Edition of ConnectForHealth, we speak directly to children and teens about what many are feeling during prolonged uncertainty: being tired, distracted, on edge, and finding it hard to switch off. 

Scott Armstrong (mentl) is joined by Sema Corbaci, Chief Counsel, Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, and her 12-year-old daughter Flossie, alongside expert guest Mark Samways, Director of Wellbeing (Schools and Organisations) and Counselling Psychologist at The Free Spirit Collective in Dubai. 

Together, they explore:

•  Why our brains and bodies react when things feel uncertain for a long time 
•  Why online learning can feel harder, and how to reset expectations 
•  Sleep and switching off at night, plus overthinking and worry spirals 
•  Friendship, belonging, and staying connected without overload 
•  How to help a friend without taking on their stress 
•  How parents can talk about what’s happening without creating fear 

Listen if you want calm, realistic tools for sleep, focus, and worry that actually fit real life.

ConnectForHealth is an initiative by Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa, supported by mentl.

In this ConnectForHealth Special Edition, Scott Armstrong (mentl) and Alison Sharp (Cigna Healthcare MEA) are joined by Dr Jane Halsall, Chartered Counselling Psychologist at Cornerstone Clinic, to explain why this “emotional fatigue” phase can hit hard, and what individuals, families and workplaces can do to protect mental wellbeing.

We cover:

•  Why week three (and beyond) can feel psychologically different 
•  Hyper-vigilance, emotional whiplash, and why you feel more jumpy 
•  Practical nervous system regulation tools (sleep, movement, grounding) 
•  The psychological impact of the 24/7 news cycle and media literacy 
•  Why focus drops at work and how to manage expectations 
•  How children absorb adult anxiety and how to steady the home environment 

Listen now for valuable advice on how to continue navigating the regional tension.

Chapters (10)

00:00 Welcome and why “emotional fatigue” is showing up now 
 01:56 Why week three and beyond feels different psychologically 
 04:30 Logic vs emotion: when you’re coping on the surface but drained underneath 
 06:40 Hyper-vigilance and threat detection mode (why you feel jumpy) 
 08:38 Practical regulation tools: movement, grounding, and settling the body 
 12:22 Media literacy and the 24/7 news cycle (reducing overload) 
 15:00 Poll 1: what’s affecting people most right now 
 19:09 Why people are struggling to focus at work (and what helps) 
 38:35 Poll 2: what support would help most over the next 7 days 
 55:10 Children absorbing adult anxiety and how to steady the environment 

From ChatGPT to TikTok, today’s teens live in a digital-first world. This conversation focuses on practical, realistic tools for parents and carers, including:

• What’s genuinely different for teens today and why it matters
• Screen time, social media, and gaming: risks, warning signs, and what to prioritise
• How dopamine, focus, sleep, and motivation can be affected
• Positive reinforcement that actually works (and why shame backfires)
• Quality time and relationship “banking” so boundaries land better
• How to engage teenagers, build trust, and keep communication open
  What parents should understand about AI tools like ChatGPT

This episode is part of ConnectForHealth, the live wellbeing webinar and podcast series from Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, produced with support from mentl.

Chapter List: 

02:35 What’s genuinely different for teens today
07:15 Key principles for parents (model behaviour, purpose of screen use)
11:43 Mental health risks and warning signs (anxiety, focus, sleep, mood)
16:24 Poll 1: what would help parents most
22:40 Emotional regulation: positive reinforcement, not shame
29:16 Reward systems that work (age-appropriate incentives)
31:14 Quality time first: build the relationship before boundaries
35:46 Teens push boundaries: how to keep trust and communication
40:53 AI and ChatGPT: benefits, risks, and where to draw lines
46:24 Shorts, engaging teens, and practical ways to enter their world

In this ConnectForHealth Special Edition, Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and co-host Alison Sharp, of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa. are joined by Dr Joseph R. El-Khoury, Consultant Adult and Addiction Psychiatrist and Co-founder and Medical Director of Valens Clinic in the UAE.

This session is shaped by what many across the GCC and here in the UAE have been living through during heightened geopolitical tension. Even when we are physically safe, the nervous system can still react to uncertainty, constant updates, and triggers like sudden loud sounds.

We cover practical, usable tools including:

• What is happening in the body and brain when you feel on edge
• Why sudden sounds can trigger the stress response
• How past trauma can resurface during crisis
• Finding the small part you can control (routines, boundaries, communication)
• Sleep protection during periods of heightened alertness
• Audience Q&A, including support for family and children

If you want practical, calm tools you can use today, plus honest answers to real audience questions, this is for you.

In this ConnectForHealth episode, Scott Armstrong and Maissa Al Khafajy are joined by renowned author, TV host, and a leading voice in digital health education, Dr Johannes Wimmer to unpack health literacy as a practical skill for optimising your health and getting more value from your health insurance. 

The goal is simple: the right care, at the right time, in the right place, so you protect your energy, time, and wellbeing.

In this episode, Dr Wimmer covers:

• What “health literacy” really means, and why it is not about being “medical” or academic
• Why most of health happens outside the clinic, and how to manage the “before and after” of appointments
• How to prepare for a doctor visit so you leave with clarity, not confusion
• The problem of information overload and distractions, and why quick fixes can undermine long-term health
• How to think about support systems and partners in your health journey, including your insurer
• Why healthcare navigation can feel very different depending on the system, and what that means for patient behaviour
• How to communicate symptoms and concerns clearly without locking yourself into a self-diagnosis
• Practical ways to reduce wasted appointments, repeat visits, and frustration
• Why prevention and early action matter, and how to use care more appropriately
• A simple mindset shift to help you take control of your health decisions

Chapter List:

0:00 Intro and why health literacy matters
1:54 What “health literacy” actually means
6:36 Information overload and the danger of “quick fixes”
8:40 Health insurance as a partner, and why appropriate use matters
15:52 How to “get what you want” from a doctor visit
19:49 Health literacy for older adults and chronic conditions
29:52 The real cost of poor health literacy (not only money)
39:21 Checklists and how to present your story clearly to a doctor
44:03 Why filtering symptoms around a self-diagnosis can backfire
58:34 One key takeaway to remember from the whole conversation

In this timely episode of ConnectForHealth, a Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa initiative in partnership with mentl, host Scott Armstrong (Founder of mentl) and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy (Head of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications, Cigna Healthcare) sit down with Dr Shefali Verma to explore how the food you eat, and when you eat it, can shape your mood, focus, energy, and mental clarity, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

From brain fog and headaches to sleep disruption and cravings, the conversation focuses on the changes that make fasting feel steadier, and the habits that can carry beyond Ramadan.

💬 Topics include:

• The mindset shift that makes Ramadan feel less like deprivation and more like a sustainable lifestyle change
• Meal timing, digestion, and why eating close to bedtime can sabotage sleep quality
• Hydration and electrolytes: why water alone is not always enough
• Breaking the fast: dates, sugar, and small choices that make a big difference
• When to train while fasting, and how to choose what fits your routine
• Constipation during Ramadan, and why it can affect mood, irritability, and anxiety

🎧 Whether you’re fasting for the month, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the link between nutrition and mental wellbeing, this episode is designed to leave you with clarity you can use immediately.

📌 ConnectForHealth is a podcast and live webinar series from Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa in partnership with mentl, helping you thrive through every stage of life.

Chapter List:

03:35 Ramadan eating window, digestion and sleep basics
05:07 Mindset going into Ramadan (lifestyle vs “diet” thinking)
13:50 Meal timing before bed and improving sleep quality
16:22 Audience questions begin (live Q&A thread kicks off)
22:53 Electrolytes, hydration, headaches and mental clarity
26:56 Breaking the fast: dates, sugar, and practical choices
28:31 When to train during Ramadan (before or after iftar)
33:07 Constipation in Ramadan, mood, and what to do
58:15 Closing and wrap

In this episode of ConnectForHealth, host Scott Armstrong, Founder of mentl, and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa, explore The Power of Failure and what setbacks can teach our kids about resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence.

Joining the conversation are two powerful voices:

• Sebastian Bates, Founder and CEO of The Warrior Academy and The Bates Foundation, whose work in character education is shaped by personal experience - from childhood bullying to a life-changing accident - and who has mentored over 50,000 families across seven countries.
• Lee Ryan, Manager of Sports Excellence and Athlete Development for Cognita Schools Middle East through the Enrich ME programme, bringing a coach’s perspective on how challenge, loss, and failure in sport can shape stronger, more resilient young people.

Together, they unpack:

• Why shielding children from failure can do more harm than good
• How setbacks build confidence, emotional intelligence, and self-belief
• The role parents, coaches, and schools play in reframing failure
• How sport and physical challenge help kids process disappointment
• What failure teaches children that success never can

This is a must for parents, educators, coaches, and anyone involved in shaping young people’s lives.

Chapter List

00:00 – Welcome & episode context
Introduction to Connect for Health and why resilience and failure matter for children. 

03:06 – What is resilience really?
Sebastian Bates and Lee Ryan define resilience as coping, recovery, and repetition. 

05:24 – The parental instinct to shield children
Why protecting children from pain can unintentionally weaken resilience.

09:02 – Reframing failure
Failure as unmet expectations, learning loops, and the foundation of success.

12:37 – Lived experience and bullying
Sebastian shares his childhood bullying story and how it shaped his work today. 

17:47 – How bullying actually works
Body language, empathy, confidence signaling, and practical tools for children. 

22:54 – Cyberbullying and digital resilience
Why online bullying is different and how parents can reduce harm and build self-worth. 

30:43 – Working parents and quality time
Non-negotiable connection, presence over perfection, and daily rituals that matter. 

39:39 – Supporting children through failure
Practical advice for academic pressure, exclusion, and confidence after setbacks. 

55:00 – Final reflections and key takeaways
Courage, character, and why failure is a teacher, not a threat.

Drawing on years of coaching experience and audience insights, Carol explains why financial pressure affects every part of our lives - our sense of safety, our relationships, our wellbeing and how we make daily choices.

The discussion looks at why people across all income levels experience money anxiety, including those in senior, high-earning roles. Carol breaks down how mindset, self-esteem and inherited beliefs shape our relationship with money, and why earning more rarely solves the underlying problem.

They examine how men and women often view money differently, why couples can struggle to understand each other’s financial behaviour, and how arguments about money usually stem from emotional meaning rather than numbers.

Carol shares practical tools for getting clarity, understanding spending patterns, building a cash-flow plan, and aligning money with your values. The conversation also explores how financial stress affects families and how children absorb money behaviours from the adults around them.

Later in the episode, Carol explains the foundations of financial wellness, from budgeting and needs versus wants, to saving with purpose, building a cash cushion, managing debt and approaching investing with confidence and understanding.

This session is part of the ConnectForHealth series from Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, supported by mentl.

Chapter List:

00:00:10 – Welcome to Connect for Health

00:02:03 – Why money impacts every part of our lives

00:03:55 – Mindset, self-esteem and stress around money

00:04:46 – Two families, same income story, different outcomes

00:08:27 – How men and women think differently about money

00:11:10 – What money means to you: audience perspectives

00:17:01 – Values, clarity and purpose: the core money mindset shift

00:20:24 – Are we living our values or the ‘hamster wheel’?

00:23:34 – What causes financial stress: clarity, planning and debt

00:43:37 – Building financial skills: budgeting, investing and long-term goals

For the fourth consecutive year, mentl has authored the UAE white paper, tracking the nation’s wellbeing story as it rises year after year - even as global well-being softens. And this year’s findings are nothing short of remarkable.

Joining host Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare MEA, are two powerhouse voices:

• Leah Cotterill, CEO, Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa (excl. KSA)
• Hana Agil, HR Director, MEA, International Organizations, Strategy, International Health, Cigna Healthcare)

Together they unpack:

• Why the UAE is now a global leader in well-being and vitality
• What’s driving unprecedented gains in mental health, optimism, and quality of life
• The paradox of progress: rising vitality alongside persistent stress, loneliness, and financial pressure
• Why 67% of employees are actively job-hunting yet 80% say they’d work harder for their employer
• What Gen Z is telling us about unmanageable stress and loneliness
• How company culture - and manager behaviour - directly shapes well-being, retention and productivity
• Why healthcare benefits have overtaken flexible working as the number one most valued employee benefit
• How AI and digital health are transforming expectations
• The urgent call for employers: one size no longer fits all

This is essential listening for business leaders, HR professionals, policymakers, and anyone shaping the future of work in the region.

Chapter List 

 01:10 - Why CIHS matters 
 02:00 - UAE well-being and vitality outperforming global trends
 03:20 - What makes the UAE different
 05:10 - Stress, financial pressure and loneliness emerging as key tension points
 07:00 - The UAE’s unique demographic resilience
 09:00 - Government investment in well-being and mental health
 10:10 - Mental health becomes the UAE’s number one priority
 12:00 - Why ambition, mobility and personal development drive wellbeing
 13:20 - The surprising rise of job-hunting (67%)
 14:40 - Gen Z stress, unmanageable stress and loneliness
 17:05 - Hybrid work, disconnection and the loss of workplace community
 19:00 - The 53% manager-understanding problem
 20:40 - Healthcare benefits become the number one preferred benefit
 21:50 - Stress levels, family priorities and emotional load
 24:00 - Social media, perfectionism and digital stressors
 26:00 - Loneliness as a health risk (as harmful as 15 cigarettes a day)
 28:30 - Why employers must take loneliness seriously
 30:15 - Productivity, ROI and the business case for well-being
 31:30 - Menopause, perimenopause and the cost of ignoring women’s health
 34:00 - Manager training, empathy and psychological safety
 36:00 - Gender wellbeing gaps and workplace realities
 40:00 - The tension between ambition, parental guilt and family priorities
 42:10 - The economic cost of disengagement in the UAE
 43:40 - Why well-being is a business fundamental
 45:00 - Leadership vulnerability and building trust
 47:30 - Digital health, AI, telehealth and EAP adoption
 53:00 - Trust as a barrier to digital and mental health support
 54:00 - The employer–employee trust equation 
 56:00 - Final advice: the number one thing employers can do tomorrow
 58:10 - Closing remarks and where to find the CIHS 2025 report

In this episode of ConnectForHealth, host Scott Armstrong, Founder of mentl, and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare MEA, sit down with

Dr Ed Cody, Consultant Family Medicine at Mediclinic Middle East, to explore the hidden drivers shaping men’s physical and mental wellbeing.

From chronic stress to disrupted sleep, low mood, burnout, digestive issues and the symptoms men tend to hide - this is a practical, honest and surprisingly relatable look at what’s really going on in men’s lives today.

Dr Ed also opens up about his personal journey with stress, fear of getting help, and the realities men face when navigating modern pressures. This is one of the most impactful, human episodes yet.

Topics include:

•Why 84% of men in the UAE report high stress

•Why men delay seeking help until “something is leaking or falling off”

•How stress physically affects weight, digestion, energy and performance

•The link between cortisol, burnout and chronic health issues

•Why men struggle with emotional expression

•Mental health stigma in the workplace

•The pressures facing fathers, partners and working men

•How companies can support male wellbeing

•How to recognise the early signs of trouble — in yourself or someone you care about

This episode is part of ConnectForHealth, a well-being initiative by Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa in partnership with mentl, recorded live for Cigna members and available afterwards on podcast and YouTube.

⏱️ CHAPTER LIST 

0:00 – Welcome to ConnectForHealth

1:08 – Introducing Dr Ed Cody

2:54 – Why vague symptoms often come from stress

4:57 – The mind-body connection for men

6:22 – Why men wait too long to seek medical help

11:52 – “Men don’t come in until something is leaking or falling off”

14:28 – Scott’s ADHD diagnosis & men’s fear of seeking help

17:36 – How stress shows up physically

18:54 – Cortisol, weight gain & stress-related symptoms

22:07 – Recognising when stress becomes chronic

24:25 – Pressure on men in work & family life

28:40 – How employers can support men’s mental health

33:10 – The truth about burnout

37:45 – What men can do to support their emotional health

41:50 – The role of sleep in men’s wellbeing

45:40 – Breaking stigma & normalising conversations

48:55 – Final advice from Dr Ed

50:50 – Closing comments

In this powerful episode of ConnectForHealth, a Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa initiative in partnership with mentl, host Scott Armstrong (Founder of mentl) and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy (Head of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications, Cigna Healthcare) sit down with two trailblazers transforming how we understand menopause:

• Dr. Fiona Rennie, Family Medicine Consultant with a special interest in Women’s Health & Menopause at Genesis Healthcare Center (@menopause_doc_dubai)
• Donna Howarth, Founder & CEO of the Middle East Menopause Organisation (MEMO)

Together, they unpack the myths, the science, and the emotional realities of menopause - from the medical to the personal, and even the professional.

💬 Topics include:

• Why menopause is not the end - but the start of a powerful new phase of life
• The connection between hormones, mental health, and confidence
• How workplaces can better support women in midlife
• The role of partners and male allies - and how understanding can transform relationships
• Real strategies for energy, sleep, balance, and vitality

🎧 With World Menopause Day on October 18, this episode shines a light on a topic that deserves open, informed conversation - for women, their partners and families, and their employers.

📍 Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction
 2:14 – Menopause as a new beginning (Dr. Fiona Rennie)
 5:13 – Donna’s journey and founding MEMO
 10:34 – Misdiagnosis and the hidden toll of menopause
 18:00 – Mental health, relationships, and “meno-divorce”
 28:45 – How men can be allies and support better communication
 37:00 – Building workplace support and retaining female talent
 48:30 – Lifestyle, exercise, and self-care for long-term health
 55:00 – Closing reflections and World Menopause Day message

📌 ConnectForHealth is a podcast and live webinar series from Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa in partnership mentl, helping you thrive through every stage of life.

#ConnectForHealth #CignaHealthcare #mentl #WorldMenopauseDay #MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #MidlifeWellbeing #WorkplaceWellness

In this episode of ConnectForHealth - a series by mentl in partnership with Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa - host Scott Armstrong, Founder of mentl, and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare, sit down with Dr. Rania Ayat Hawayek, Founder & Medical Director at Circle Care Clinic LLC.

Together, they explore how to keep flu at bay with practical, immunity-boosting actions. From the importance of flu vaccination to everyday lifestyle choices - sleep, hydration, nutrition, stress management, and even mental health - Dr. Rania shares evidence-based advice for both children and adults.

Whether you’re a parent navigating back-to-school season or an adult balancing work and wellness, this conversation offers powerful insights to help you and your loved ones stay resilient through flu season.

⏱️ Chapter List 

• 00:00 – Welcome to ConnectForHealth
  Introduction to the series and today’s topic.
• 02:15 – Meet Dr. Rania Ayat Hawayek
  Background and approach to whole-child wellness and prevention.
• 05:00 – Is Flu Season Really a Concern in Sunny Countries?
  Why viruses still thrive in the UAE despite year-round sunshine.
• 09:30 – Flu Vaccine Myths & Realities
  Separating fact from fiction — how vaccines actually strengthen immunity.
• 14:15 – How to Tell the Difference Between Cold and Influenza
  Key warning signs parents should never ignore.
• 20:00 – The Domino Effect of Influenza on Families
  Why one flu case can disrupt weeks of school, work, and family life.
• 27:30 – Everyday Immunity Boosters
  The role of sleep, hydration, nutrition, and vitamin D.
• 33:45 – Can You Rely Too Much on Supplements?
  Drawing the line between healthy support and overuse.
• 38:20 – Stress, Sleep & Immunity
  How mental health directly impacts physical resilience.
• 45:00 – Audience Q&A
  Dr. Rania answers member questions.
• 55:00 – Key Takeaways
  Final reflections on boosting immunity and preparing for flu season.

In this episode of ConnectForHealth - a podcast partnership between mentl in and Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa - host Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare, are joined by Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani, Clinical Psychologist at Human Relations Institute and Clinics Dubai.

Together, they explore the hidden ways our relationship with technology is shaping our health. Too much screen time is often dismissed as just an “eye strain” problem, but the effects are far deeper: changes in posture, breathing patterns, digestion, and of course, mental health, from anxiety and low mood to social withdrawal.

This conversation is not about demonising technology, but about recognising its full-body and psychological impact, so we can set healthier boundaries. Dr. Kanafani shares insights from her clinical experience, while Scott and Maissa bring perspectives from workplace culture and corporate well-being.

Whether you’re a parent worried about your child’s screen use, a professional who spends hours behind a screen, or simply someone glued to your phone, this episode will give you practical strategies for building a healthier digital relationship.

⏱️ Chapter List 

• 00:00 – Welcome to ConnectForHealth
  Scott introduces the series, produced by mentl in partnership with Cigna Healthcare.
• 02:10 – Introducing Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani
  Clinical insights from one of Dubai’s leading psychologists.
• 04:00 – Just How Big Is the Problem?
  Scott asks: how much do we all need to disconnect?
• 08:20 – More Than Eye Strain
  Dr. Kanafani explains how prolonged device use impacts posture, breathing, digestion, and mental health.
• 13:45 – Doomscrolling and Anxiety
  The psychological toll of endless scrolling and how it feeds low mood and withdrawal.
• 19:30 – What Patients Are Showing Up With
  Clinical patterns and behaviours linked to digital overuse.
• 24:15 – Recognising Digital Addiction
  How to spot the signs in yourself, loved ones, or colleagues.
• 30:00 – Building Digital Boundaries
  Practical tips to reduce screen overload without rejecting technology completely.
• 36:10 – The Workplace Dimension
  Why mindful tech use matters for productivity, collaboration, and well-being at work.
• 41:30 – Key Takeaways
  Scott, Maissa, and Dr. Kanafani reflect on healthier habits and the path toward mindful tech use.

In this episode of ConnectForHealth, hosts Scott Armstrong (Founder, mentl) and Maissa Al Khafajy (Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications, Cigna Healthcare) sit down with Dr. Betsy Narayan, Specialist Dermatologist at Mediclinic Wellcare Hospital, and Dr. Jaimie Abdennandher, Consultant Family Doctor at Mediclinic Me'aisem, Dubai, to explore expert strategies to protect your health during the hottest time of the year.

From sunscreen myths and sunburn prevention to smart hydration, heat-safe exercise, and the role of nutrition and vitamin D, this episode is packed with practical advice for individuals and families alike.

🎧 Whether you're spending your summer in the UAE or traveling abroad, this is your essential guide to staying safe, cool, and healthy.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• The truth about SPF and sunscreen use
• How heat affects your skin, hydration, and performance
• Tips for choosing the right sun protection
• Surprising facts about vitamin D deficiency in sunny countries
• Foods that help support your body in the heat
• The difference between mechanical and biological cooling
• Signs of heat exhaustion and how to stay ahead of dehydration

⏱️ Chapter List 

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

02:30 – Meet Dr. Betsy and Dr. Jaimie

05:45 – What the sun really does to your skin

10:35 – SPF 15, 30, 50 – What do those numbers mean?

15:20 – Poll: How often do you apply sunscreen?

17:10 – Physical vs chemical sunscreens explained

22:00 – Common sunscreen mistakes (even indoors!)

25:40 – Vitamin D in the desert – why deficiency still happens

30:00 – Poll: What’s your biggest summer health concern?

32:45 – Can what you eat keep you cool? Dr. Jaimie weighs in

35:40 – Smart swaps: Fruits vs biscuits and cookies

40:15 – Hydration tips and daily water needs

45:00 – Q&A: Audience questions for the doctors

55:00 – Final takeaways from Dr. Betsy and Dr. Jaimie

📲 Follow & Subscribe:

👉 ConnectForHealth is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
🎧 Don’t miss past episodes with inspiring guests.
🙋‍♀️ Want to join a live session? Contact Cigna Healthcare to become a member and gain access to future broadcasts.

With wisdom drawn from over 15 years of experience and her SmartHeart platform, Christine shares evidence-based strategies for modeling empathy, navigating digital distractions, setting boundaries with compassion, and breaking intergenerational cycles in parenting.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this episode is packed with relatable insights, emotional honesty, and actionable tools to support your child’s emotional well-being - and your own.

🎧 This conversation is a must-listen for anyone raising emotionally intelligent, confident kids in today’s complex world.

⏱️ Chapter List:

01:11 – Today’s Topic: Why Kindness Builds Resilience
03:18 – What Is Resilience? Why It Starts with Relationships
04:55 – Real-World Kindness: Modeling Behavior as Parents
07:03 – How Early Kindness and Empathy Begin
09:29 – Teaching Empathy: Pillow Talks and Perspective
13:40 – Supporting Emotional Regulation in a Complicated World
16:49 – The Matryoshka Model: Why the Whole Family Matters
21:24 – Poll: Biggest Challenges to Teaching Kindness
22:30 – Digital Distractions & Co-Creating Boundaries
26:19 – The Smartphone Analogy: Would You Hand Over the Car Keys?
32:28 – “It’s OK If Your Kids Don’t Like You”: On Boundaries & Discipline
36:33 – Reparenting vs Parenting: Breaking the Cycle
42:45 – Assertiveness and Kindness: Why Language Matters
44:48 – Parenting by Values: The Values Wheel Tool
47:32 – Discipline ≠ Punishment: Raising Future-Ready Kids
53:19 – Raising Teens: Side-by-Side Connection, Not Face-to-Face
57:46 – Closing Q&A: Jealousy Between Siblings & Concrete Tools

📲 Follow & Subscribe:

👉 ConnectForHealth is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
🎧 Don’t miss past episodes with inspiring guests like Olympian Sarah Lindsay.
🙋‍♀️ Want to join a live session? Contact Cigna Healthcare to become a member and gain access to future broadcasts.

Learn more about mentl at mentl.space.

Together, they explore:

• Sarah's transition from elite sport to entrepreneurship
• The importance of building movement into everyday life
• How resistance training can boost confidence and mental clarity
• Insights on overcoming perfectionism and building resilience
• Why moving better often means living better

Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or just trying to feel a little better every day, this episode is full of wisdom and inspiration.

🎙️ Guest:

Sarah Lindsay
Founder of ROAR Fitness, Personal Trainer, and 3x Olympian

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
  Scott Armstrong and Maissa Al Khafajy introduce the new format of ConnectForHealth and today’s guest.
• 02:10 – Meet Sarah Lindsay
  Sarah shares her journey from Olympic athlete to fitness entrepreneur.
• 06:45 – Movement as Mental Medicine
  The role of training and discipline in mental resilience and daily energy.
• 13:30 – Breaking the All-or-Nothing Mindset
  Why consistency beats perfection when it comes to mobility and exercise.
• 20:15 – Building Confidence Through Fitness
  How physical strength helps boost mental wellbeing, especially for women.
• 26:50 – Creating ROAR Fitness
  From London to Dubai - Sarah explains how her gyms support mindset and transformation.
• 32:40 – Audience Poll & Insights
  Scott and Maissa reflect on member poll responses about movement and flexibility.
• 36:10 – Q&A with Sarah
  Live questions from Cigna Healthcare members about motivation, flexibility, and mental blocks.
• 44:50 – Final Thoughts
  Sarah shares her advice on taking the first step - and why you should never wait for perfect.

🔗 Stay Connected:

• Learn more about mentl
• Visit Cigna Healthcare for member resources
• Discover ROAR Fitness