Let's be real, eathing healthy can be challenging. Many of us have the best intentions to eat right and to be healthy and fit. But, junk food calls our names. We chat it up with Stephanie Rice, RD to discuss some of these problems. As a registered dietician, she teaches us about healthy eating habits and ways to make better choices. Also Chronic illnesses can play a huge role in influencing what we eat, especially if we want to live longer. Sometimes we have to modify our food choices secondary to various illnesses. Stephanie speaks with us on how we can still enjoy life eating foods we enjoy while being cognizant of illnesses and watching our weight.

In this episode of Confessions of Melanated Docs, we chat with Yvette who is the owner of Purpose Travel Group. We discuss traveling while black and places that melanated individuals should visit. We also discuss her initiative with her foundation "Assisting Kids in African Villages". Please tune in and learn helpful traveling tips and how you can book amazing trips curated for the melanated experience. 

In this episode we talk with Dr. Megan Thomas about being a boss and having a blended family. She gets real about her life and how she manages it all. She is an inspiration to those who don’t take the traditional path and blazes their own. Her story is a great example of hard work and perseverance. You do not want to miss this episode! Please listen and tell us what you think. 

This week we sat down with  Dr. Natasha Pyfrom as we discussed sex, dating and many things in between. Dr. Pyfrom is currently practicing as a Family Medicine Physician. In this episode, she gives us  invaluable wisdom, lessons learned and several pearls for everyday life. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this one. Everything is up for discussion. Tune in and let us know what you think. 

Social Media has been very poignant to our lives in numerous ways over the years. It has allowed us to form connections that we didn’t know were possible and forge new communities. Please join us along with Camellia Green, a licensed mental health provider,  as we delve into the positive and negative impacts of social media. We will also discuss helpful tools to navigate social media.

“Honestly...” is a new segment of our podcast “Confessions of Melanated Docs”. Here we talk with other Melanated Docs about life, work, wellness, current events and more. This week our 
Melanated Docs Spotlight is on  Dr. Aniika Jackson-Smith.
Dr. Aniika Jackson-Smith is a native of New Orleans, LA.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1999.  In the years following graduation, she taught 7th grade science at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in New Orleans.  In the fall of 2002 Dr. Jackson matriculated at Creighton University Medical Center School of Dentistry in Omaha, NE.  She completed her studies at Creighton in 2006 earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree.  Upon graduation, she entered into a General Practice Residency at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry.  Dr. Jackson was among some of the first healthcare providers to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  Thus, providing a much needed service to the citizens returning to rebuild the city.  

In 2008 Dr. Jackson-Smith relocated to Kansas City.  She enjoys treating patients and doing community outreach.  She is committed to providing quality care to underserved, underinsured and uninsured individuals.  As such, the majority of her 15 year career has been spent working in Federally Qualified Health Centers or similar institutions. 

Over the years, she has mentored countless aspiring dental and medical professionals. You are also very likely to find her in school classrooms introducing students students to the dental profession and promoting HBCU’s. She loves talking to youth about her profession and her beloved XU! She currently serves at Deputy Dental Director at one of the largest health centers in Missouri. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who is passionate about improving the health outcomes of African-American infants and moms through breastfeeding advocacy and support.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters, crafting and online “window” shopping.  She is the owner of Nia Rae’s Fine New Orleans Pecan Candy. She gets home to New Orleans as often as she can!

Check out our conversation on our podcast in “Honestly…”!
 

Do you ever wonder how others are able to do the absolute most on a daily basis? You are not alone! We find ourselves asking these same questions. Is the phrase “work-life balance” simply a common saying in these post-pandemic times?

As Melanated Docs, our lives can be hectic, and balance can seem unachievable. In this new episode of Confessions of Melanated Docs, we explore work-life balance and what it means to us. To be honest, most of us are all out here juggling careers, families, side hustles etc. Life can be unforgiving and hectic. Take a deep breath and listen to our latest episode as we dive in and explore the notion of work-life balance, what it means, if it’s achievable, and ways to be successful. We are your Melanated Docs. Take this journey with us. 

Timestamps:

2:31 Our Definition of Work Life Balance

5:15 Is balance achievable

7:20  It’s layers to it

8:20 The Millennial take

9:50 Know who you are and what you want

11:50 There are difference in what each individual need

15:56 Books that are helpful to read

17:18 Importance of therapy

20:00 Difference in Values of Generations

23:48 Manifestations of stress

27:37 Stop Comparing

30:28 Delegate

33:34 Time is invaluable

34:00 How to manage Burnout

40:37 Take a break

43:00  Helpful Apps

44:22 Saying NO and creating boundaries

46:06 How to say NO at work

51:49 The notion of being perfect

55:12  Confession time 

Sources used and referenced in this episode: 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/work-life-balance/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/03/27/the-evolving-definition-of-work-life-balance/?sh=1bc7bb449ed3

https://hbr.org/2021/01/work-life-balance-is-a-cycle-not-an-achievement

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021002208

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/05/work-life-balance/590662/

https://hbr.org/2019/04/preventing-busyness-from-becoming-burnout

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/05/work-life-balance/590662/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/work-life-balance/art-20048134

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Our Production Team: Dr. Keisha Butler, Dr. Catrina Johnson, Agency Emerald