Redefining Mental Health Care: Personalized, Evidence-Based AI Support for Eating Disorders

Podcast
February 24, 2026•3 min read
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Episode Overview

In this episode of HeartWired, Dr. MJ is joined by Mehek Mohan, co-founder of Kahani, to explore how emotional intelligence, ethics, and human empathy must guide the use of AI in mental health care. They discuss responsible innovation, the limits of technology, and why keeping the human in the loop is essential when supporting vulnerable populations.

Show Notes

Welcome back to HeartWired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for an AI World! I’m Dr. MJ, your host, and in this episode, we dive deep into where cutting-edge technology meets true human empathy in mental health. Joining me is the remarkable Mehek Mohan, co-founder of Kahani—a personalized, gamified recovery platform supporting people with eating disorders using evidence-based therapy and artificial intelligence.

Mehek brings a fascinating blend of experiences to the show. She’s a Stanford MBA graduate with a background in molecular biology from UC Berkeley, and has led AI initiatives in the pharmaceutical industry. Inspired by her personal journey and her family’s legacy in medicine, Mehek Mohan has channeled her passion into Kahani, aiming to revolutionize access to continuous, personalized mental healthcare.

In this heartfelt conversation, Mehek opens up about what inspired her path at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and emotional intelligence. We look at how her lived experiences—and those with her co-founder, both having loved ones affected by eating disorders—shaped their vision for Kahani.

Together, we explore:

  • The critical gaps in mental healthcare for eating disorders and how technology can bridge them

  • Destigmatizing eating disorders and the importance of early intervention through education and community

  • The power and limitations of AI: Why human connection remains irreplaceable—and how AI can enhance, not replace, traditional care

  • Ethical responsibility in AI for mental health: How Kahani implements non-negotiable frameworks, model guardrails, and never gives direct medical or lifestyle advice

  • Personalized onboarding and care plans that adapt to each user’s needs and progress

  • Leadership, emotional resilience, and Mehek’s strategies for managing stress and staying self-aware as a founder

Key Takeaways and Insights

  • AI is a tool, not a replacement for human therapists: Kahani is designed as an adjunct to traditional care, available 24/7, helping users in moments when professional support isn’t immediately accessible.

  • Real-time support for real-world triggers: Whether it’s late-night anxiety or a challenging trip to the grocery store, Kahani offers circuit-breakers and proven frameworks to help users practice healthier coping strategies.

  • Personalization and privacy are top priorities: Kahani uses a 90-minute intake to tailor a four-week plan for each user, while maintaining strong ethical guidelines to protect vulnerable populations.

  • Ethics first: Immediate resources are provided for crises like self-harm, and all AI interactions are founded on introspective, evidence-based methods, never directive advice.

  • Advice for healthcare AI founders: Keep the “human in the loop.” Regularly sample and review AI responses for quality and appropriateness. Lean into your gut feelings—empathy and emotional intelligence are as vital as technical know-how.

Are you or someone you love seeking support for eating disorder recovery? Curious about AI’s role in transforming mental health care? Download Kahani Health on the App Store or Play Store today or visit getkahani.com.

If you’re a founder, leader, or innovator in healthcare thinking of integrating AI responsibly, tune in for actionable insights you can trust from someone who’s building ethical, empathetic technology on the front lines.

Thanks for listening to HeartWired. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share with your network—together, we can keep humans at the heart of AI-driven progress.

Stay heartwired,

Dr. MJ

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emotional intelligenceemotionally intelligent leadershipleadership in the age of AIhuman-centered leadershipEQ for leadersAI and leadershipleadership developmentHeartWired podcast
Dr. MJ Vignone is an executive coach, speaker, and podcast host helping leaders thrive at the intersection of emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. As founder of HeartWired Leadership and host of the HeartWired podcast, she empowers leaders to lead with empathy, authenticity, and emotional agility in a technology-driven world. With more than 20 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Dr. MJ blends evidence-based coaching with human insight to help leaders connect, perform, and inspire. She holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, an MBA, and is an ICF- accredited coach (ACC) certified in EQ-i 2.0, DISC, and MBTI.

Dr. MJ

Dr. MJ Vignone is an executive coach, speaker, and podcast host helping leaders thrive at the intersection of emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. As founder of HeartWired Leadership and host of the HeartWired podcast, she empowers leaders to lead with empathy, authenticity, and emotional agility in a technology-driven world. With more than 20 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Dr. MJ blends evidence-based coaching with human insight to help leaders connect, perform, and inspire. She holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, an MBA, and is an ICF- accredited coach (ACC) certified in EQ-i 2.0, DISC, and MBTI.

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