Session 229: 10 More Ways to Optimize Your Mental Health

It’s no secret that the relationship between Black people and the healthcare system is a fraught one. And as medical racism continues to go unaddressed, we’re seeing more and more negative health outcomes for Black patients, including the perpetuation of harmful conspiracy theories and hesitance to seek medical help when in need.  Joining me this week to talk about the history and statistics behind some of these outcomes is health advocate and New York Times Best Selling Author, Dr. Uché Blackstock. Dr. Blackstock is the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, an organization created with the mission of partnering with healthcare organizations to dismantle racism in healthcare and to close the gap in racial health inequities. During our conversation, we discuss some of the most prevalent examples of hospital neglect experienced by Black patients, how healthcare systems can better engage with Black communities in order to engender trust, and how Black medical students can find support while studying to become physicians. 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 Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Dr. Blackstock Advancing Health Equity Website Instagram Twitter Website LinkedIn Read ‘Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine’   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. One of the most alluring parts of the college experience is Greek Life, but many people don’t know the ins and outs of sorority life. For those of you who don’t know, I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, so I decided to gather my fellow Divine 9 sisters for a conversation about sorority life and the impact of the Divine 9 at large.  Joining me for this roundtable are 4 impactful college-aged women who represent each of the D9 sororities. Their names are Ryann Phillips, Valesha Rhodes, Trinity Perkins, and Tumi Adeyoju (UH-DAY-JEW). They are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, respectively.  In our conversation today, we dispel some common misconceptions about sorority life, bond over the joys of sisterhood, and discuss how we’ve balanced our mental wellness with our sorority responsibilities. Where to Find Our Guests Ryann Instagram TikTok Tumi Instagram TikTok YouTube Pinterest Valesha Instagram LinkedIn Listen to ‘The Venuisan Vault’ Podcast Trinity Instagram LinkedIn   AFFIRMATIONS I am surrounded by sisters who uplift and support me in all aspects of my life I am a reflection of a strong legacy of black sisterhood within my community I am deserving of the sisterhood, mentorship, and lifelong connections that are ahead of me.   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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah Taylor TBG University Host & Coordinator: Jayna EllisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is guaranteed that everyone on this Earth will eventually die, and yet, the process is made difficult with considerations such as appointing an authorized representative, leaving dependents behind, and other bureaucratic formalities that can be outright cruel to deal with when you’re already experiencing grief. Stepping in to help with these considerations are death doulas, who work to make this monumental transition as smooth as possible for both the dying and their families. To talk with us today about what it means to be a death doula, this week we're joined by death doula and newly-published author of the memoir ‘Briefly Perfect Human,’ Alua Arthur. Alua is the founder of Going with Grace, a death doula training and end-of-life planning organization that exists to support people as they answer the question, “What must I do to be at peace with myself so that I may live presently and die gracefully?” During our conversation we discussed the training and certifications required to become a death doula, how death doulas assist both the dying and their families in making end-of-life decisions, and how dying means becoming comfortable with the idea of leaning on our community for support.  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 Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Alua Website Instagram Read ‘Briefly Perfect Human’   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week we’re circling back to one of our inventory episodes that so many of you enjoyed. For our new listeners, you’re in for a treat. This episode features Dr. Kristy Christopher-Holloway, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) here in the state of Georgia. In our conversation Dr. Kristy and I discuss what life can look like during pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum period. Plus we explored the growing research around Black women’s experiences giving birth, how the process of giving birth can be traumatic, the difference between postpartum depression and “the baby blues”, and how Black women can be strong advocates for ourselves in medical settings. 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 We're having our 1st Live Podcast Event on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are now available and can be purchased at therapyforblackgirls.com/liveshow.  Visit our Amazon Store for all the books mentioned on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Dr. Kristy Christopher-Holloway Website Facebook Twitter   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Playing with markers, clay, and stencils is something we may recall fondly from our youth, but today dismiss as childish. Art Therapy, however, is a very legitimate and relaxing form of therapy for all ages that challenges us to think through our emotions by putting pen to paper. To tell us more, today we're joined by Chicago based artist and registered art therapist, Pierra D. Brown. Since graduating with her Master’s from the School of the Art Institute, she’s worked both in communities, schools, and hospitals to provide clinical services to people of all ages. During our conversation, Pierra and I discuss the training needed to become an art therapist, how art therapy can be used as an alternative or in supplement with traditional talk therapy, and what art therapy can teach us about shedding our perfectionist habits. 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 We're having our 1st Live Podcast Event on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are now available and can be purchased at therapyforblackgirls.com/liveshow.  Visit our Amazon Store for all the books mentioned on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Pierra Instagram TikTok   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. Can you believe it’s been one year since the launch of TBG University? It feels like just yesterday when the TBG team first conceptualized the idea of a platform that provided support and community for college-aged Black women. Today, we’re celebrating by reflecting on the genesis of TBG U and sharing some behind-the-scenes insights. Zariah Taylor, our Podcast Production Intern joins Jayna Ellis, TBG U Coordinator & Podcast Host to share a little bit about themselves and their journey working at TBG, their hopes for TBG U’s future, and a sneak peek of some of the exciting things you can look forward to in the next year.   Where to Find Zariah Instagram LinkedIn Where to Find Jayna Instagram  LinkedIn 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah Taylor TBG University Host & Coordinator: Jayna EllisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of life’s most profound and devastating experiences can be losing a spouse. It’s a journey that can be marked by sorrow and the reshaping of one's identity, but it’s not one you have to go on alone. For today’s conversation, I’m joined by author, veteran journalist, and speaker Leslie Streeter. Leslie is the author of the memoir, “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like "Journey" in the Title.” A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she and her work have been featured in The Washington Post, CNN, the Atlantic, and more. During our conversation today, Leslie and I discuss the shifting stages of grief in the aftermath of losing a spouse, how having a village aided her through the death of her spouse, and what our society gets wrong about helping loved-ones through a grief experience. 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 We're having our 1st Live Podcast Event on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are now available and can be purchased at therapyforblackgirls.com/liveshow.  I am guest hosting the Radio Headspace podcast this week! Check it out here.  Visit our Amazon Store for all the books mentioned on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Leslie Website Twitter/X Instagram Facebook Buy “Black Widow” Column Podcast   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One consequence of the pandemic was that it forced us to take inventory of all of the things in our life that we may be unsatisfied with, and for many of us, career is at the top of that list. Maybe you want to try on some new hats in the same field, or even pivot to a new industry entirely, but the question often is, how do I get started? Joining me today to answer that question is author and career coach, Janice Sutherland. Having successfully navigated multiple mid-career transitions herself, Janice specializes in helping mature Black women seek meaningful career and life transformations in their midlife.  During our conversation, Janice and I discussed some workplace red flags that may indicate it’s time for a career change, overcoming the financial and personal fears that stop us from making a necessary pivot, and how to set yourself up for success once a change has been made. 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 We're having our 1st Live Podcast Event on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are now available and can be purchased at therapyforblackgirls.com/liveshow.  Visit our Amazon Store for all the books mentioned on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Janice Website ‘This Woman Can’ Podcast LinkedIn Instagram   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. I don’t know about ya’ll, but whenever I’m at a party, dinner, or even just going out with my friends, it’s become habitual to post something about it on social media. And though there’s nothing wrong with keeping the girlies updated on my moves, in this day and age, it’s important to know what’s good to share and what could potentially impact your future if the wrong eyes see it. To talk through this with me, I’m joined today by Brooklyn-based Gen-Z lifestyle content creator, Cedoni Francis. Cedoni has worked with a variety of brands such as Vaseline, Disney and Marshalls, and through sharing her journey — from tech girl, to laid-off tech employee turned full-time entrepreneur, and incoming MBA student. Cedoni is creating content specifically for women in her age range, empowering and inspiring them in the process. In our conversation today, Cedoni shares her do’s and don’t’s for posting on social media, setting boundaries around what the public gets to know about vs. what’s kept private, and dealing with haters when posting online.   Where to Find Cedoni Website TikTok Instagram YouTube   HOMEWORK Get with your college’s career services office to see what internships are available Complete an audit of your social media pages to make sure you’re representing yourself in the best way possible Message someone you admire on LinkedIn and set up a call to learn how they got to where they are 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah Taylor TBG University Host & Coordinator: Jayna EllisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time to make some space on your bookshelf for a new addition because we’re back with another TBG Library pick. Today’s pick is the debut book of essays by award-winning author Morgan Parker, titled, “You Get What you Pay For.” Morgan Parker is a poet, novelist, and author of works such as the young adult novel Who Put This Song On? and the poetry collection Magical Negro, which won the 2019 National Book Critics Circle Award. In You Get What You Pay For, Morgan traces the difficulty and beauty of existing as a Black woman through American history, from the foundational trauma of the slave trade all the way up to Serena Williams and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Morgan joins me today to discuss what it means to experience hypervisibility as a Black woman regardless of class, how as a teenager she advocated for her own mental health with her parents, and the ways in which conversations with her therapist influence her writing, and vice versa.  Resources & Announcements Visit our Amazon Store for all the books mentioned on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Morgan Website Instagram Grab your copy of ‘You Get What You Pay For’   Stay Connected 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. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com 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 & Maya Cole Howard Producers: Fredia Lucas & Ellice Ellis Production Intern: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.