Session 442: Healing, Grief, & Community After Netflix’s 'The Perfect Neighbor'

Content Warning: There are mentions of racial violence in this episode. If you have sensitivities around this subject, I urge you to take breaks as needed, or step away if it becomes too difficult. In 2023, the murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens shook the country–another Black mother taken too soon in a moment of senseless and unnecessary violence. In the years since, AJ’s story as told on Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ has prompted a larger conversation around race, fear, Stand Your Ground laws, and the everyday realities and dangers Black families navigate in America and in their communities. But AJ was more than a victim of racial violence, she was a woman whose life was filled with love, ambition, and unapologetic hope for her children and her future. Today, I’m pleased to be joined by two women who are integral to carrying AJ’s story forward with courage and purpose. Pamela Dias, AJ’s mother and co-founder of the Standing in the Gap Fund, has turned unfathomable grief into a mission to protect families who face race-based violence and its aftermath. Here with Pamela is her co-founder Takema Robinson, producer, and advocate for racial justice who helped bring AJ’s story to the masses. In this conversation, we explore how their relationship formed, what it means to tell a story shaped by grief, and how storytelling, advocacy, and memory can become pathways to collective healing. We talk about community, justice, and the ongoing fight to ensure that AJ and so many others like her are not forgotten. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guests Watch 'The Perfect Neighbor' Standing in the Gap Fund Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this conversation we're joined by singer-songwriter and actress Kiana Ledé for a deeply honest and heartfelt conversation about her journey with bipolar disorder, how she’s learned to navigate her diagnosis with compassion, and the ways therapy, boundaries, and connection have supported her along the way. Kiana and I also explored the emotional world of her deluxe album, Cut the Ties, and the themes of self-love, closure, and transformation that run throughout the project. She opened up about the creative process behind the music, the tenderness required to tell the truth about her experiences, and what it means to heal while still being in the public eye. Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram TikTok   Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE.  Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE.    Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush & Ndeye ThioubouSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time of year again where we reflect on all of the astrological insights we got heading into 2025 as well as get a sneak peak of what to look forward to in 2026. Our favorite Astrologer, Mecca Woods is back with her annual astrological report. From transits to retrogrades to major planetary shifts, she’s here to unpack it all.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Website Instagram   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time again. Today I’m kicking back with our wonderful producer team as we reflect on 2025–what we learned, what we’re leaving behind, and dive into what it looks like to balance rest during the holiday season.  As the year comes to a close, I encourage you to check in with your own circle to reflect on your year. What moments stuck with you? What was your biggest lesson? How much did you actually rest? It’s important to pause, check in, and remember that after a long year, a recharge is necessary.  Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Our Guests Ndeye Thioubou: @ndeyelasoul on all socials Ellice Ellis: @ellicellis on all socials  Tyree Rush: @Tyrelvin on all socials Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays can be beautiful, stressful, joyful, and overwhelming—sometimes all at once. As we step into this season, I wanted to revisit a conversation that so many of you have told me was helpful in years past. In this throwback episode, I'm talking about the holiday blues. I break down what it actually is, why it happens, and how to tell the difference between holiday blues and major depression. Most importantly, I'm walking through six practical tips you can use right now to help you move through the holidays with more intention and less stress. I hope this episode meets you where you are. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into the holidays, many of us will encounter old memories and create new ones. You may spend time recounting stories from your childhood, learning a new line dance, or even taking orders in the kitchen on how to make a family recipe. Memory-keeping has long been a practice for humans across the globe, but for Black people, those traditions look different. And in the age of technology, the way memories are created, stored, and used introduce a new set of questions around who gets to call them their own.   This week we're joined by Dr. Tonia Sutherland. Currently a professor and dean at UCLA, she’s dedicated her research to unpacking the uniqueness of Black memory work. And in her book, ‘Resurrecting the Black Body: Race and the Digital Afterlife,’ she digs into how technology, history, and data longevity affect how we practice archivism, and how those practices impact our digital afterlives.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Website ‘Resurrecting the Black Body’   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, we’re wrapping up the Sibling Sit-Down limited series with a heartfelt and nostalgic conversation featuring Sarah Amos and Reverend Shawn Amos. We explored the depth of their sibling bond, how their shared history shaped their identities, and the ways they’ve supported one another through both grief and growth. The conversation also touches on themes of healing, creativity, and family legacy, reminding us of the ways siblings can both challenge and anchor us on our personal journeys. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guests Sarah Amos Reverend Shawn Amos Check out the Tough Cookie podcast   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to another episode of our sibling sit-down series. I hope you’ve been enjoying it so far. We’ve answered sibling questions, broken down various sibling dynamics, so it’s only right that we sit down to chat with some actual siblings. This week, we're excited to welcome Skylar Marshai and Sunlyn Chiraya, a sister duo finding new ways to learn and love each other. We discuss the evolution of their relationship, the relationship with the rest of their siblings, explore how they resolve conflict, and get into what it really means to grow alongside someone who’s seen every version of you. From childhood memories to creative projects, Skylar and Sunlyn open up about the joys and challenges of sisterhood, how communication has transformed their bond, and what they’ve learned about giving each other grace.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guests Skylar Marshai Instagram TikTok Sunlyn Chiraya Instagram TikTok   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to the  second episode of our “Sibling Sit-Down” series, where we’re exploring sibling relationships and all the factors that shape the emotional dynamics created between them. Today, we're joined by Támara Hill, licensed clinical child and family therapist who has built an online platform by making mental health information accessible to the masses. We’re getting into questions like, what happens when siblings fall into familiar roles?  How can parents nurture healthy relationships among their children? And what can adult siblings  do to heal old wounds and strengthen their bonds? With so many elements in the mix, no one set of siblings has the same relationship as another.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Website Instagram YouTube   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're kicking off a new mini-series here on the podcast that we're calling The Sibling Sit Down. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be digging into the bonds that have formed us and shaped us, the relationships that challenge us, and everything in between. We have found that the relationship with our siblings is often very formative — some of the most formative relationships we will have in our lives.  We don't talk about them that much, and so we're hoping that with this mini-series, we can change that narrative just a little. In this first episode, it's an Ask Dr. Joy episode where I will be answering questions that have been submitted by our community members over in our Patreon channel.  Ask Dr. Joy is typically an exclusive Patreon series, but we thought we'd bring it over here to the podcast to kick off this special mini-series all about siblings. Today, we're tackling three powerful questions: How do you navigate grief while honoring the bond you had with a sibling? How do you build healthy bonds in blended families with new siblings? How do you heal a volatile or contentious sibling relationship? About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grief Share: griefshare.org  The Gift of Grief by Dr. Ajita Robinson Session 31: Dr. Ajita Robinson on Grief Session 162: Processing Our Collective Grief Session 335: Navigating Painful Emotions Around the Holidays   You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.