Episode #245: Dr. Thema Answers Your Questions

Visual artist, Keenan Chapman, joins us for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation about the role of art in healing his heart in the aftermath of his father's death. He shares the importance of receiving both talk therapy and opportunities for artistic expression. He has continued to use the arts and his creativity to give voice to his experiences and reflection

In this week's episode, Dr. Thema takes time to answer the questions you have submitted about healing, wellness, and relationships. To get insights for your questions and concerns in a future episode, send your questions to [email protected]. Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, and comment.

This week we are joined by Sleep Dr. Christ as he shares empowering information about ways to improve your sleep. He provides key insights into barriers to our rest as well as ways to maximize our rest. Dr. Chris also shares a special message about men's mental health and rest. Sleep Dr. Chris is a double board-certified physician in sleep medicine and pediatric neurology. He uniquely blends medical expertise with lived experience. As the founder and lead sleep specialist at Quality Sleep & Neurology, he educates his massive social media following, empowers communities and partners with organizations to elevate the importance of sleep health. His insights have been featured on national platforms including Way Up with Angela Yee, Prevention, Daily Mail UK, and Yahoo Life helping expand the conversation around sleep health in diverse communities. Additionally, he is the author of Sweet Dreams, a children's book inspired by his own life story that gently teaches children and families about healthy sleep habits, hope, and the importance of listening to their bodies. Our musical selections are provided by Joy Jones. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, comment, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

New York Times bestselling author and therapist Nedra Tawwab shares her journey of discovering the need for finding healthy, dependable relationships instead of clinging to hyper-independence. She shares how others benefited while she paid the cost of staying strong for everyone else but neglecting her own needs. She shares her healing roadmap from her new book Balancing Act. Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist and the author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace, an instant New York Times best-seller translated into over 35 languages worldwide. In addition, she has authored six other books, including Drama Free and, most recently, a children's book titled What Makes You Happy. A sought-after relationship expert, she has practiced relationship therapy for more than fifteen years. With more than 2.5 million followers across her social media platforms, Tawwab has appeared as an expert on Red Table Talk, The Breakfast Club, Good Morning America, and CBS Morning Show, to name a few. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice, and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including The School of Greatness, We Can Do Hard Things, and Ten Percent Happier. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.

In this powerful conversation, Koya explains her healing journey from the grieving her mother’s death as an initiation into her authentic self. She discusses her spiritual and emotional path as well as the role of nutrition and social support. Koya Webb is a globally recognized thought leader, transformational speaker, holistic wellbeing expert, and longevity specialist. Known for her groundbreaking Lifestyle Design Method, Koya empowers individuals and organizations to create sustainable lifestyle shifts that cultivate self-love, vitality and long-term wellbeing. Founder of Get Loved Up Yoga School, Koya has inspired millions worldwide to embrace self-care, social justice, plant-based living and conscious wellness. She is the author of Let Your Fears Make You Fierce (Hay House) and Wellbeing Rituals (Wiley), and has been featured in Forbes, Goop, ESSENCE, NBC, CBS, E! and more. She has guided celebrity clients and global brands toward holistic transformation. Remember to subscribe, comment, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

Author and organizer, Dr. Key discusses the importance of healthy relationships and positive, collaborative community support. Dr. Key also shares her life’s journey and provides practical guidance for economic growth and purposeful, intentional partnerships. Dr. Lakeysha “Key” Hallmon, EdD, is a transformational social entrepreneur, speaker, civic leader, and author of No One Is Self-Made. Dr. Hallmon is reshaping the future of economic power by building ecosystems where small businesses thrive and communities flourish. She is the founder of The Village Market, Our Village United, The Village Retail, and Village Books— enterprises that have supported thousands of small businesses, facilitated over $10 million in direct sales, delivered services to entrepreneurs valued at over $15 million, and deployed more than $1 million in grants and technical assistance. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share. Music by Joy Jones. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

Actress and author Tina Lifford and Dr. Thema discuss the journey to joy and freedom. While discussing the wisdom of the inner fitness revolution, they explore the pathways and techniques of reclaiming the truth of who we are so we can live our authentic lives. Tina Lifford is an actor, author, and pioneering voice in emotional intelligence and wellbeing. She is the founder and CEO of The Inner Fitness Project, a life-changing framework that helps people build inner resilience, self-awareness, and trust in themselves as they navigate transition and growth. A veteran actress who has played over 100 characters, she is beloved for her role as Aunt Vi on the award-winning, critically acclaimed drama series Queen Sugar. Off screen, she brings the same depth and wisdom to her books, including The Little Book of Big Lies—a Forbes Must-Read selection—and her newest release, The Inner Fitness Revolution: A Roadmap to Your Freedom and Joy. Her work reflects a deep love for humanity and empowers people to live well from the inside out. Thanks for listening. Music by Joy Jones. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

Dr. Thema shares green flags and red flags in romantic relationships. She shares concrete examples of what to consider as you're deciding if your relationship is worth fighting for. Healthy love enhances our lives. Dysfunctional relationships sabotage us. Learn the difference in this week's episode. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones.

Lia shares her journey with invisible grief and family loss as a Millennial. She and Dr. Thema explore ways of coping and healing with collective losses during difficult times and how to reclaim your wellbeing. Lia Mancao, LCSW, is a licensed therapist, writer, and founder of Alyssa Marie Wellness in Los Angeles. Born in the Philippines and raised in an immigrant household, Lia draws from her cultural roots and lived experience to support adults through grief, identity shifts, relationships, and major life transitions. With over 15 years in the field, she centers self-trust, inner child healing, and emotional honesty in her work. She writes about relationships, self-worth, and the realities of being human, with work featured in outlets like The Knot, PopSugar, MindBodyGreen, and Wondermind. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

Dr. Thema shares a heartfelt and inspiring message on rising, growing, and thriving. She combines insightful keys to staying motivated with practical tips for you to move from stagnant and stuck to soaring. Dr. Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister who is leading the way in creating healthy relationships, healing traumas, and overcoming stress and oppression. Her life changing books include Matters of the Heart, Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, and The Antiracism Handbook: Practical Tools to Shift Your Mindset and Uproot Racism in Your Life and Community and they empower readers to connect with themselves and to others, exploring topics such as: control issues, emotional unavailability, practical activation activities, case studies, and teaching how to shift mindset and patterns around mental health, relationships, and liberation. Dr. Thema Bryant completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Duke University and her post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical Center’s Victims of Violence Program. Upon graduating, she became the Coordinator of the Princeton University SHARE Program, which provides intervention and prevention programming to combat sexual assault, sexual harassment, and harassment based on sexual orientation. She is currently a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. Dr. Thema is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and leads the mental health ministry at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. Most recently, she was the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is the host of The Homecoming Podcast. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]