Join us as we talk with Steven M. Hughes, Financial Therapist, Certified Financial Behavior Specialist®, and Reiki Master Teacher, about unpacking our relationship with money and transforming financial habits. We explore topics like becoming a financial faucet for your family, navigating the tension between a scarcity mindset and YOLO spending, creating your “fun” fund, and sharing client success stories from Steven that showcase the power of blending financial psychology, behavioral finance, and Reiki energy healing.

A recognized financial expert, Steven serves as the on-air money specialist for CBS-WLTX and has appeared on CNBC Your Money and CBS Money Watch. He has partnered with leading brands such as Google, Airbnb, and ABC News, as well as universities including the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Pittsburgh, helping students, faculty, and employees gain clarity, confidence, and control over their finances.

Tune in for practical strategies to build financial wellness, shift your mindset, and take control of your money journey.

Want to bring Steven to your college or company? Contact him at: https://stevenmhughes.com/speaking/

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠We're Not OK: A Community of Healing - YouTube⁠

Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree⁠⁠

Book Us ⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is anoverview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/

We’re joined today by Essence Moore, licensed esthetician,founder of AraxEssence, and owner of Lineage Studio NYC. With over a decade of experience, has dedicated her career to empowering others through safe, informed self-care. Essence brings her passion for holistic skincare and deep expertise in treating and celebrating Black skin to the conversation. Weexplore not only the science and artistry behind skincare but also how cultural standards of beauty impact self-perception and self-care.

Together, we discuss challenging harmful beauty myths,understanding melanin-rich skin and creating intentional spaces where skincare becomes both empowerment and restoration. Essence shares how her work helps clients reconnect with their skin — and their lineage — while redefining what beauty truly means.

Connect with Essence:

Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @TheeSkinBoss

Products: AraxEssence.com

Services: www.LineageStudioNYC.com

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: We're Not OK: A Community of Healing - YouTube

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree⁠

Book Us ⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal

Today, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Webb, founder of Colorism Healing and a global leader in the fight to end colorism.

Dr. Sarah has dedicated her career to addressing the deep impacts of colorism—bias and discrimination based on skin tone—through education, creativity, and healing. Her work stretches across continents, from teaching college courses and publishing books to hosting international writing contests, leading workshops and retreats, coaching clients, and mentoring students worldwide.

With features on Fox Soul TV, Forbes, TEDx, MTV, and NPR, Dr. Sarah has used her voice and platform to amplify the urgent need for healing and equity while helping individuals and communities reclaim their power and self-worth.

In this episode, we explore her journey, the mission of Colorism Healing, and the strategies she’s developed to challenge systemic bias while building spaces rooted in joy, empowerment, and community.

Connect with Dr. Sarah:

Website: https://colorismhealing.com/

Instagram: @colorismhealing

YouTube: (99) Colorism Healing - YouTube

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87

⁠⁠We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Book Us Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal

In this episode of We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing, we welcome Darian Aaron—a multi-award-winning journalist, newsroom leader, and narrative shifter with nearly two decades of experience.

As the Director of Local News: US South at GLAAD and founder of GLAAD Down South, Darian is leading the fight to amplify Black queer voices and confront some of today’s most urgent battles—discriminatory laws in the South, harmful media narratives, and the erasure of LGBTQ people of color.

Darian’s impact also extends through interviews with cultural icons including Billy Porter, Lena Waithe, Uzo Aduba, and Wanda Sykes—further proof of his undeniable influence on media and culture. From making history as the first African-American Editor-in-Chief of Georgia Voice to earning national recognition for his storytelling, Darian’s career is a testament to the power of representation.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on advocacy, visibility, and healing—and join us in amplifying the voices that matter most.

Connect with Darian Aaron using his social handle on all platforms: @darianoutloud

GLAAD Resource: GLAAD Media Reference Guide 11th Edition

SouthernShowcase: GLAAD Elevates and Celebrates Black Queer and Trans Stories withDedicated Director of Local News and ‘GLAAD Down South’ LGBTQ Media Event

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠

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Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. "Ifyou or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the ⁠⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠ at⁠⁠ 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can ⁠⁠⁠contact safety teams at the social media company⁠⁠⁠ . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need."

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. "If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the ⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠ at⁠ 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can ⁠⁠contact safety teams at the social media company⁠⁠ . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need."

In this episode of We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing, we sit down with Dr. Shanéa Thomas, Ed.D, LICSW (He/She/Dr.), a bold lecturer, seasoned scholar-practitioner, and LGBTQ+ training specialist with over 20 years of clinical social work experience.

Through his organization, Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services, Dr. Thomas trains and strategizes withsocial workers, educators, and service providers to create safer therapeutic, educational, and workplace spaces — especially for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. He has facilitated over 120 workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion, grief and loss, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Dr. Thomas shares insights on the intersections of death, identity, and healing, exploring how grief,suicide prevention, and inclusive care are shaped by gender, sexuality, and marginalized identities. He also draws on his TEDx talk, “Everybody Feels Sad”, discussing mental health, grief, and the universality of human emotion.

This conversation offers powerful guidance for anyone seeking to understand grief, support healing, andhonor identity in times of loss, while centering marginalized voices and creating inclusive spaces.

Connect with Dr. Thomas:

Facebook: Shanéa Thomas

Instagram: drkchocolatnoir (main), drshaneathomas (professional)

Tiktok: drkchocolatnoir

Carrd Site: https://drshaneathomas.carrd.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshaneathomas/

Interactive VisualCatalog: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGr4xJvb8c/_rfSAYTrG08MUT-18c9_Uw/view?utm_content=DAGr4xJvb8c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd346a42b74

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠@notokbookproject⁠

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Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. "If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the ⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠ at 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can ⁠contact safety teams at the social media company⁠ . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need."

This week, we sat down with Dr. Pamela Buchanan, the visionary behind Strong Medicine, to examine the often-unspoken toll that stress and mental health challenges take on healthcare professionals—especially those working in the ER. Together, we explore the silent crisis facing those on the frontlines of care and what it truly means to reclaim wellness, resilience, and balance in demanding environments.

With a mission to empower physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and women leaders, Dr. Buchanan guides others to master stress, discover their purpose, and create lives rooted in health, wealth, and fulfillment. Through her signature programs and coaching, she helps women heal from within, prevent disease, and thrive with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

This conversation challenges us to rethink how we care for ourselves, especially those on the frontlines of care.

For more info visit: drbstrong.com.

Connect with us:

Follow @notokbookproject

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Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

We’re Back – Welcome to Season 5!

In the season opener, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Alford Young Jr.—University of Michigan professor and founding director of The Scholars Network on Masculinity and the Well-Being of African American Men—to explore the complexities of Black male identity.

Together, they unpack the burdens, expectations, and societal pressures that shape how Black masculinity is perceived and lived. From emotional repression to distorted public narratives, the conversation examines how these forces impact mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Dr. Young offers powerful insight into how healing begins—not just through research, but through honest, community-centered dialogue.

Welcome to the Season 4 Finale!

Today, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Shawntal Z. Brown, a seasoned higher education professional and DEI advocate, to discuss the emotional and professional challenges faced by DEI practitioners amid increasing institutional pushback.

Shawntal shares insights from her article, "What to Expect When Expecting a DEI Layoff," where she candidly reflects on her own experience of being laid off due to anti-DEI legislation. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, community support, and resilience during such transitions. The conversation delves into the broader implications of these layoffs on the higher education landscape and the ongoing fight for inclusive excellence.

Connect with Dr. Brown:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShawntalBrown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawntal_brown_22/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawntalbrown/

TADOHE: https://www.tadohe.com/

TADOHE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-association-of-diversity-officers-in-

higher-education/?viewAsMember=true

TADOHE Twitter: https://x.com/TADOHE2

TADOHE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadohe

Connect with us:

Follow @notokbookprojectFollow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠