Dr. Marcus Mason, a licensed clinical professional counselor, specializes in therapy for black men and underserved demographics. He discusses the importance of creating safe spaces for black men in therapy and the challenges they face in seeking help. He emphasizes the need for effective communication and understanding in relationships, particularly between men and women. The conversation also touches on the impact of media portrayal on black love and the division it creates. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of breaking down stereotypes and promoting mental health in the black community. The conversation explores the importance of social media in mental health and well-being, as well as the challenges faced by black men in relationships. Dr. Raquel Martin emphasizes the power of social media in providing representation and breaking down barriers in mental health. Marcus Mason agrees and highlights the need for mental health professionals who look like us and understand our experiences. They discuss the role of social media in therapy and the need for better utilization of this tool. They also delve into the theme of communication in relationships, particularly for black men, and the importance of setting boundaries and expectations. In this conversation, Dr. Raquel Martin and Marcus Mason discuss the importance of communication and advocacy in relationships, particularly for black men. They emphasize the need for open dialogue, expressing needs and boundaries, and actively listening to one another. They also highlight the lack of representation and resources for black men in mental health and society as a whole. The conversation concludes with practical tips for supporting men, such as creating a safe space, asking how to provide support, and recognizing the range of emotions men experience.

Bio

Dr. Marcus Mason, Ed.D, LCPC, NCC, is a respected Black male psychotherapist known for his impactful contributions at Minds In Motion Therapeutic Services. With a career dedicated to enhancing mental health, Marcus provides a wide range of psychological treatments and assessments to support a diverse clientele. His approach emphasizes creating lasting systemic change, particularly focused on empowering youth and adults through targeted therapeutic strategies.

Marcus is deeply committed to fostering personal development and societal transformation, leveraging his expertise to promote psychological well-being and resilience within communities.

Takeaways

• Creating safe spaces for black men in therapy is crucial for their mental health and well-being.
• Effective communication and understanding are key in building healthy relationships.
• Media portrayal of black love often perpetuates division and stereotypes.
• Breaking down stereotypes and promoting mental health in the black community is essential. Social media can be a powerful tool for mental health and well-being, providing representation and breaking down barriers.
• Black men often face challenges in relationships, including feeling isolated and not being able to express their emotions.
  
  

Raquel Willis is an esteemed activist, journalist, and media strategist committed to advancing the liberation and rights of Black transgender individuals. As an executive producer with iHeartMedia's LGBTQ+ podcast network, Outspoken, she not only hosts the poignant podcast "Afterlives," which honors the lives of trans individuals lost to violence but also spearheads discussions on critical LGBTQ+ issues.

Beyond her role in media, Raquel is celebrated for her literary contributions, including the impactful book "The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation." Her career highlights encompass pivotal positions such as director of communications at the Ms. Foundation for Women and executive editor at Out magazine.

A trailblazer in activism, Raquel co-founded the Transgender Week of Visibility and Action and serves on several influential boards dedicated to advocacy and policy reform. Her groundbreaking initiatives, such as the GLAAD Media Award-winning “Trans Obituaries Project” and the Gold-winning “The Trans Youth Town Hall,” underscore her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.

Raquel's writing, known for its depth and insight, is featured across various publications, where she offers profound perspectives on gender equity, racial justice, and the intersections of identity. She continues to shape public discourse as a prominent thought leader, paving the way for greater understanding and acceptance within broader societal frameworks.

Summary

The conversation covers the topics of liberation, mental health care, gender, and Pride Month. It delves into the historical significance of Pride Month, the fight for equality, and the support of the LGBTQIA community. The discussion also addresses the intersectionality of queer liberation and Black liberation, as well as the impact of police brutality and over-criminalization. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to the LGBTQ+ community, activism, allyship, mental health, and the importance of diverse narratives. It also delves into the concept of legacy and lineage within the Black community. Raquel Willis shares insights on elevating queer stories, the impact of violence, and the need for allyship in various institutions. Dr. Raquel Martin discusses the significance of individual legacy and the importance of embracing one's identity.

Takeaways

Liberation encompasses the freeing of individuals from restrictive notions of identity under systems of oppression.
The fight for queer liberation is intertwined with the fight for Black liberation and addresses issues of police brutality and over-criminalization.
Pride Month has historical significance tied to the Stonewall riots, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.
Support for the LGBTQIA community extends beyond Pride Month and involves addressing issues such as decriminalization of sex work and police brutality.
The conversation emphasizes the intersectionality of gender, race, and identity in the context of liberation and mental health care. Elevating queer stories and the impact of violence
The importance of allyship in various institutions
Understanding the concept of legacy and lineage within the Black community
Embracing one's identity and the significance of individual legacy

This week we're joined by Trell Thomas. During the episode he discusses the inspiration behind the Black Excellence Brunch, which was inspired by the Sunday dinners of his childhood in South Carolina. He emphasizes the power of food and connection in creating a sense of love and community. Trell also highlights the importance of creating a luxurious and inclusive experience for attendees, providing a space where black people can be celebrated, discussed, and pampered. He advises individuals to give themselves grace and surround themselves with supportive people. Trell shares his evolving definition of success, which focuses on how he feels and the freedom to be himself. He aims to provide a space where individuals can take off their masks and be authentic.

Takeaways

• Creating a space where people can unmask and be their authentic selves is crucial for mental health.
• Balancing the celebration of high-profile achievements with everyday black excellence is important for inclusivity.
• The Black Excellence Brunch serves as a healing space, providing affirmation and love.
• Acknowledging and celebrating individuals' contributions contributes to mental wellbeing.
• The Black Excellence Brunch is building a legacy and has upcoming projects to continue its impact.

Guest Bio:

Trell Thomas, the visionary behind the Black Excellence Brunch, seamlessly transitioned from a promising career in broadcast journalism, where he played a pivotal role in the Obama campaign, to celebrating Black culture and entrepreneurship. Inspired by the communal spirit of his South Carolina upbringing, Trell has elevated the tradition of Sunday dinners into an international platform that honors and uplifts Black excellence. His events, from intimate local gatherings to grand international celebrations, have become a cherished space for community, recognition, and pride within the Black community. A staunch advocate for Black-owned businesses, Trell's initiatives, including the innovative Black Excellence Boxes, underscore his commitment to elevating and supporting Black entrepreneurs, showcasing his profound impact on fostering a supportive ecosystem for Black excellence. You can find Trell on Instagram

Join the Movement: Dr. Martin invites listeners to become part of the Mind Ya Mental community, offering exclusive access to webinars, book clubs, podcasts, and a platform for connection and growth among like-minded individuals.

You can follow Dr. Martin on Social Media at Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and at her website www.raquelmartinphd.com

Welcome to another episode of "Mind Your Mental," a podcast dedicated to exploring mental health from various angles while reminding you that this show is not a substitute for professional mental health care. In this episode Dr. Martin is joined by Amanda Seales and Akoto Ofori-Atta. We talk about the importance of accurate representation in media, particularly for marginalized communities. PLUS we address the challenges of navigating expectations and bias in public spaces, the importance of critical thinking and accountability, and the need for safe spaces that prioritize mental health and wellness. Finally, we talked about the prevalence of clickbait in journalism, the threat of misinformation in the upcoming election, and the importance of media literacy and fact-checking in combating misinformation.

Guest Bios

Akoto Ofori-Atta is co-founder and chief audience officer of Capital B. She was previously managing editor at The Trace, where she was responsible for the award-winning newsroom’s partnerships, special projects, and editorial operations. She previously held positions as senior editor at Essence magazine and associate editor at The Root, and is a 2015 John S. Knight journalism fellow.

Amanda Seales is a comedian, multi-hyphenate, and social justice advocate, Amanda Seales has dedicated her life to creating safe spaces with her witty insightful content. You can find her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube and https://www.amandaseales.com/

Join the Movement: Dr. Martin invites listeners to become part of the Mind Ya Mental community, offering exclusive access to webinars, book clubs, podcasts, and a platform for connection and growth among like-minded individuals.

You can follow Dr. Martin on Social Media at Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and at her website www.raquelmartinphd.com

In this conversation, Dr. Raquel Martin and Angelica Ross discuss various topics including therapy, medication, substance use, activism, and spirituality. They emphasize the importance of being purposeful in one's actions and energy, and the need to strengthen the relationship with therapy. They also discuss the criminalization of drug use and the need for decriminalization, particularly in marginalized communities. They highlight the power of representation and the responsibility of leaders to do the work to create positive change. They also touch on the importance of recognizing power dynamics and systemic issues within one's own country. In this conversation, Angelica Ross and Dr. Raquel Martin discuss the importance of addressing powerlessness and taking control of one's own life. They explore the concept of personal choice and the need to flex our power as individuals. Angelica shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, including her decision to leave Hollywood and pursue her own path. They also discuss the work of TransTech, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and access to the LGBTQ+ community in the tech industry. Angelica emphasizes the importance of community care and mutual aid, as well as the need for organizing and activism in the face of systemic challenges.

Helpful Nuggets From The Episode:

• Be purposeful in your actions and energy
• Strengthen your relationship with therapy
• Advocate for the decriminalization of drugs
• Recognize power dynamics and systemic issues
• Engage in activism in a way that works for you Addressing powerlessness is crucial for personal and democratic empowerment.
• Flexing our power as individuals and making choices that align with our values is essential.
• Community care and mutual aid are important for supporting marginalized communities.
• Organizing and activism are necessary for creating systemic change.
• Tech skills and education can provide opportunities for marginalized individuals in the industry.

Guest Bio:

Angelica Ross is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated Actress, Producer, Writer, Human Rights Advocate, Singer Songwriter and star of POSE and American Horror Story on FX and Broadway's Chicago. Host of N.O.W. (No Opportunity Wasted) Podcast. She's also the Founder of TransTech, an incubator for LGBTQIA+ Talent from marginalized communities and President of Miss Ross Inc. You can find Angelica Ross on Instagram, https://missross.com/, and Twitter

In this week's episode, Dr. Raquel Martin and Odilakachi William Hezekiah-Onwukwe discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, particularly in the black community. They explore the challenges of scheduling and time management, as well as the impact of patriarchy and racism on black men. They emphasize the need for emotional intelligence programs for black boys and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering connection and presence. The conversation highlights the signs of emotional intelligence and the importance of empathy. This conversation explores the impact of absence on empathy, the adultification of black children, the long game of oppression, reevaluating feminism and masculinity, the importance of selfishness, societal expectations and mental health, black men's value and rest, facilitating rest for black men, recognizing signs of discomfort, and shifting expectations and listening.

Helpful Nuggets From The Episode:

• Emotional intelligence is crucial, especially in the black community, where emotions are often invalidated and not accepted.
• The impact of patriarchy and racism on black men contributes to the need for emotional intelligence programs and support.
• Accountability and self-advocacy are essential for personal growth and development.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in fostering connection, presence, and empathy. The absence of connection and presence can lead to a hardening of oneself and a reduced ability to empathize with others.
• Black children are often adultified at a young age, which diminishes empathy for their childhood experiences.
• Oppressive systems have been strategically implemented over time, making it important to play the long game in dismantling them.
• Feminism and masculinity should be reevaluated to challenge societal expectations and promote equality.
• Selfishness can be healthy when it prioritizes self-care and self-awareness.
• Societal expectations around masculinity can hinder black men's willingness to prioritize their mental health.
• Creating safe spaces and actively listening can help facilitate black men's willingness to prioritize their mental health.
• Recognizing signs of discomfort and providing support can help black men feel safe to express their needs.
• Shifting expectations and projecting empathy can create a space for black men to open up about their mental health.
• Treating partners with empathy and care can foster a supportive environment for black men's mental health.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Name Pronunciation
00:21 Scheduling Challenges
05:05 Challenges of Marketing
06:25 Personal Challenges with Meetings and Time Management
09:00 Importance of Emotional Intelligence in the Black Community
13:46 The Impact of Patriarchy and Racism on Black Men
19:06 Accountability and Self-Advocacy
21:20 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Community Psychology
27:12 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Connection and Presence
28:42 Signs of Emotional Intelligence
28:53 The Impact of Absence on Empathy
30:32 Childhood Development and Adultification
33:30 The Long Game of Oppression
35:58 Reevaluating Feminism and Masculinity
39:08 The Importance of Selfishness
44:51 Societal Expectations and Mental Health
48:13 Black Men's Value and Rest
53:23 Facilitating Rest for Black Men
56:21 Recognizing Signs of Discomfort
59:24 Shifting Expectations and Listening
01:00:06 Treating Partners with Empathy

Guest Bio:

Professor Odilakachi William Hezekiah-Onwukwe AKA Professor Odi is a Therapist and Mental Wellness Coach. Professor Odi specializes in behavioral health interventions that originate in finding highly personalized solutions for his clients. He has a breadth of experience in wellness and decision based interventions, with a centralization in Africentric Theory. Odi obtained his Masters of Community Psychology from FAMU in 2017, having been molded by the FAMU Community Psychology Program, a producer of multiple presidents of the Association of Black Psychologists. He has over half a decade in mental health practitioner experience, ranging from independent interventions into administrative logistics and strategy implementation. Clinically, he is eclectic. He has experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Interventions, and Mindfulness based interventions. Odilakachi aspires to be wholly present for his clients while simultaneously allowing them to guide him through what it is that they need. You can find Professor Odi on Instagram

In this conversation, Dr. Jay Barnett and Dr. Raquel Martin discuss various topics including personal experiences, relationships, boundaries, and the challenges of being public figures. They touch on the importance of safeguarding personal lives, setting boundaries, and navigating the expectations of others. They also discuss the responsibility and impact of being public figures in the mental health field, particularly as black professionals. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for authenticity, wisdom, and self-care in the face of societal pressures. Dr. Jay Barnett discusses the challenges of being a black man in the mental health field and the pressure to be all things to all people. He emphasizes the power of saying no and protecting what you say yes to. Dr. Barnett also shares his experience of being hurt by black women and offers advice on how to move forward from that pain.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Jay Barnett is an esteemed author, dynamic speaker, and widely acknowledged expert in mental health. Now, more than ever, he's making an incredible mark in his field with his impactful storytelling, innovative strategies, and insightful lessons. In his mental health access mission, he focuses on underserved communities and youth development. A former professional football player, Dr. Jay integrates the principles of athletic discipline into his clinical work, fostering a winning mindset. Also, he is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He has appeared on NBC Hoda Jenna, The Breakfast Club, Sherri Shephard, and Black Enterprise Magazine. In 2023, he was the Grand Marshal for the American Psychiatric Association Moore Initiative leads efforts to establish fair access to mental health services. Dr. Jay is also founder of the Just Heal Bro Tour which focuses on the mental health of Black men. You can find him on Instagram and via his website https://www.jay-barnett.com/