Episode #249 High Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph

Dr. Judith shares with Dr. Thema her journey with high functioning depression. She provides keys to recognizing it and addressing it with knowledge and self compassion. Dr. Judith Joseph, M.D., M.B.A., is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Award Winning Researcher, author of the national bestselling book High Functioning, which was named a Top 10 Audible Well-Being Book of 2025 and top 8% shared books on Spotify 2025. She chairs Columbia University’s Women in Medicine Initiative and is a clinical assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine where she teaches doctors how to educate the public using social media. A renowned speaker, Dr. Judith has presented at the White House, Fortune 500 companies, and the United Nations. Named a 2024 NAACP Mental Health Champion, an Official Masterclass Instructor, a LinkedIn Top Voice and LinkedIn Learning Instructor, she advocates for mental health through research, media, and education. In 2026 she was nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award for her contribution in literature and mental health. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast today and get your copy of Dr. Judith’s book! Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

Poet, author, and social psychologist, Dr. Jaiya John shares his journey of being separated from his mother at birth. With tenderness and transparency, he provides powerful insights from his latest book entitled Wild Flowers Praying at Midnight. Integrating indigenous wisdom, cultural truths, and sacred practices, he provides guidance on how we can remember the truth of who we are. Dr. Jaiya John was orphan-born on ancient Indigenous Anasazi and Pueblo lands in the high desert of New Mexico, and is an internationally recognized freedom worker, poet, novelist, author, and speaker. Jaiya is the founder of Soul Water Rising, a global rehumanizing mission to eradicate oppression. The mission has donated thousands of Jaiya’s books in support of social healing, and offers grants to displaced and vulnerable youth. He is the author of numerous books, including Daughter Drink This Water, We Birth Freedom at Dawn, Fragrance After Rain, and Freedom: Medicine Words for your Brave Revolution. Jaiya writes, narrates, and produces the podcast, I Will Read for You: The Voice and Writings of Jaiya John, and is the founder of The Gathering, a global initiative and tour reviving traditional gathering and storytelling practices to fertilize social healing and liberation. He is a former professor of social psychology at Howard University, and has spoken to over a million people worldwide and audiences as large as several thousand. Jaiya holds doctorate and master’s degrees in social psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a focus on intergroup and race relations. As an undergraduate, he attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and lived in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he studied Tibetan Holistic Medicine through independent research with Tibetan doctors and trekked to the base camp of Mt. Everest. He is a Lewis & Clark College Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. His Indigenous soul dreams of frybread, sweetgrass, bamboo in the breeze, and turtle lakes whose poetry is peace. Dr. John’s book titles include We Birth Freedom at Dawn, Volumes One and Two, Dear Artist, All These Rivers and You Chose Love, No Man Came, Fragrance After Rain, Freedom: Medicine Words for Your Brave Revolution, Your Caring Heart: Renewal for Helping Professionals and Systems, Daughter Drink This Water, Calm: Inspiration for a Possible Life, Sincerity of Sunlight, Fresh Peace, Legendary: A Tribute to Those Who Honorably Serve Devalued Children, Beautiful: A Poetic Celebration of Displaced Children, Reflection Pond: Nurturing Wholeness in Displaced Children, Clear Moon Tribe, The Day Jumoke Found His Name, Father to Son: Ode to Black Boys, Habanero Love: A Poem of Sacred Passion, Lyric of Silence: A Poetic Telling of the Human Soul Journey, and Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast [email protected]

Author, Glory Edim joins Dr. Thema to share her homecoming journey in understanding the roots of her perfectionism and the path to self acceptance and worthiness. Glory talks about the role of books as a coping strategy, imagination activator, and source of comfort and liberation. From the departure of her father to her experience as a single mother, Glory shares a powerfully transparent testimony. Glory Edim is a writer, literary advocate, and the founder of Well-Read Black Girl (WRBG), a nationally recognized community and literary imprint dedicated to celebrating and publishing the voices of Black women writers. Founded in 2015, WRBG has grown from a book club into a cultural platform that amplifies diverse narratives and fosters dialogue at the intersection of literature, identity, and social change. Edim is the editor of the Well-Read Black Girl anthology and the author of the memoir Gather Me (2024), a reflective exploration of self-discovery and the transformative power of books. Through her writing and editorial work, Edim continues to champion literacy, representation, and Black literary traditions. Don't forget to get her book and like, subscribe, comment, and share.

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]