This week, I sat down with Morgan SanDiego, Psych Nurse Practitioner (NP) to talk about her own personal experience being diagnosed with ADHD and Major Depressive Disorder. We also get into why she chose to become a Psych NP and how she curated a work environment that she can thrive in and encourages other Nurses to do the same. Morgan educates us about the misconceptions and unpopular side effects about medications. We also get into her advocacy, education and travel adventures on social...

Today, I sit down with Camila Smith, licensed therapist and Chief Clinical Officer at Bekome to talk about the relationship between your brain, your gut and your mental health. ----------- Camila Smith, DHsc, LCSW , Mindfulness Faciltator & Chief Clinical Officer of BekomeIf you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using the information below.Instagram: @joinbekome @_camilasmith_Tiktok: @joinbekome Email: [email protected]: http://www.joinbekome.co Book...

Host, Ashley is joined by licensed psychologist and BGHA2 regular, Dr. Xuan Stevens. We sit down for a much-needed conversation about Christianity, church, and mental health. Dr. Stevens talks about what it looks like to be a mental health advocate within your church community and the importance of seeing value in professional mental help. -------Special Guest: Dr. Xuan Stevens Dr. Xuan Stevens is a board-certified licensed psychologist and the Program Director and founder for Ultimate...

Today, I'm joined by a VERY, VERY special guest, my Mom!  My Mother, Trish, jumped on the mic with me for an intimate conversation that started off about her outlook on the link between fitness and mental health. It morphed into my Mom sharing about her experience dealing with abandonment caused by the ripple effects of our family immigrating from Jamaica to England and then to America. We talk about the generational differences in how we talk (or don't) about mental health. I learned so much...

Host, Ashley is joined Anxiety coach and Pharmacist Dr. Chandra Smallwood. Dr. Chandra returns to the pod to take us through a step-by-step walk-thru of breathing exercises that you can use in your everyday life! We also talk about how anxiety affects your nervous system and how breathing techniques can help bring your hormones back in balance. Make sure to save this one! ---------Dr. Chandra Smallwood If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using the information...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Akeya Fortson-Brown, content creator, young entrepreneur and owner of The Hustle Lab. She recalls her experience learning how to exist in 2 different worlds while navigating predominately white institutions (PWI) and trying to overcome Imposter Syndrome. We also get into the pressures of always having to "measure up" and the importance of representation.  We also talk about how she balances hustle culture and self-care. -------- Podcast Guest: Akeya...

Today, host Ashley sits down with Pharmacist & Anxiety Coach, Dr. Chandra Smallwood. We learn about Dr. Chandra's career as a Pharmacist and the pressures of working managing a Pharmacy while working with underserved communities. She shares her experience having panic attacks and how she deals with them. She shares breathing techniques, cold water and other tools in her coping toolbox that she uses to navigate her own anxiety. Dr. Chandra also shares how she is helping others in her new...

With Valentines Day around the corner, we sit down with Shamaree Brissett, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist turned Intimacy Coach & Relationship Expert. As a sexual assault survivor, a modern Black woman, millennial wife, and a therapist Shamaree talks about how she combines her personal and professional experience to help women gain confidence and unapologetically own their sexuality. We discuss the need for more Black female intimacy coaches and the type of support that they...

Today, host, Ashley sits down with Certified Holistic Health Practitioner known as the “Endo Educator,” Samantha Denäe. Samantha and Ashley talk about their personal journeys with Endometriosis. Samantha discusses navigating the Western medical system and what inspired her to study holistic health and herbs. We also talk about her health advocacy work with the youth in her community. *Please excuse the audio in this episode! I was having mic issues. Stick around because this conversation is...

Guess who's back! Licensed Psychologist and Black Girls Have Anxiety Too Regular, Dr. Xuan Stevens returns to the pod to talk about Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. We get into the symptoms, the misconceptions and the genetic link between the two. -------Special Guest: Dr. Xuan Stevens Dr. Xuan Stevens is a board-certified licensed psychologist and the Program Director and founder for Ultimate Thinking Psychological Consultants. Dr. Stevens appears frequently on the podcast and is our...

Today, we are talking about the big, scary "D" word. No, not that one. We're talking about Divorce! Host, Ashley is joined by Janine Bell, Writer, Entrepreneur, and Mother. Janine tells us about the untraditional and refreshing views that she has about divorce and gets into how she navigated her own divorce. She tells us why it's important for Black Women to "Wear The Silk" both literally and figuratively.   ---------Podcast Guest: Janine Bell, Writer, Life Coach & Entrepreneur If you'd...

Guess who's on the pod this week? Entrepreneur, Singer, Mother, Fashion Show Producer, Runner-up for America's Next Model and my sister from another mother, Kiara Belen! Join us for a transformative episode about mental health, internal validation, and growth. Kiara gives us insight into how she is choosing to show up in relationships, in motherhood and most importantly, for herself. We also talk about how she navigated the "Land of The Narcissists" and the evolution of the modeling...

We are kicking of the new year with a new coping tool, Art Therapy! Pierra D.B., Certified Art Therapist sits down with host, Ashley to talk about different settings Art Therapists work in, who they work with and how to find one in your area. We also get into the benefits of Art Therapy for your mental health. Stick around, there's a little surprise at the end!  -------- Podcast Guest: Pierra D.B., Certified Art Therapist Instagram: Pierrad.b Tiktok: Pierradb Get your ticket for the New...

Today, we get in our bag with the "Cookie", Host of The Dirty Bag Podcast. We chat about being content creators, social media breaks and balancing the pressure to "keep up." We also get into raising kids, conquering your fears and starting a podcast in the middle of a pandemic.  -------- Podcast Guest: Auriel "Cookie" Brown, Host of The Dirty Bag Podcast If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using the information below. Instagram:...

Today, host Ashley is joined by Domonique Louis MSN, APRN-C, PMHNP-BC. Domonique gives us an inside look at the headway that a Psychedelic called "Ketamine" is making in the mental health industry. What was once taboo (and illegal!), is now being touted for its treatment benefits for some of the most prevalent mental health conditions. -------- Podcast Guest: Domonique Louis MSN, APRN-C, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric & Mental Health Concierge, Goal Mind If you'd like to reach out to our guest,...

Today, we talk to Ashley Farrish, a therapist based in Ohio who specializes in treating trauma with EMDR. We learn about EMDR, the different ways that it's used in sessions and how it can be used as a tool for healing from trauma. -------- Podcast Guest: Ashley Farrish If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using the information below. Instagram:  instagram.com/ashleyjfarrish  Email:  www.ashleyjfarrish.com Upcoming Events:...

Today, Ashley sits down with Master Your Mindset Coach, Ryane LeCesne to talk about mindfulness and how it can be used to conquer perfectionism and distractionism. We talk about the ebb and flow of life and how to manage the chaos without losing yourself. Ryane describes what a "high-achieving woman" is and gives us permission to claim that title as our own.  -------- Podcast Guest: Ryane LeCesne If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact her using the information...

Today, we are joined by one of my favorite guests, Dr. Xuan Stevens (licensed Psychologist.) We sit down to talk about the different types of family environments and dynamics during the holidays. We discuss how to navigate dysfunctional families, how to maintain your boundaries and knowing when to take some "me-time."  -------Special Guest: Dr. Xuan Stevens Dr. Xuan Stevens is a board-certified licensed psychologist and the Program Director and founder for Ultimate Thinking Psychological...

Today, we sit down with Kurtis Lee Thomas, a corporate mindfulness trainer, best-selling author and founder of Breathwork Detox. We get into the power of our breath and Host, Ashley, recalls her own personal experience during her Breathwork Detox session. Kurtis explains how this intense form of diaphragmatic breathing can help induce a cathartic release and a state of euphoria. -------- Podcast Guest: Kurtis Lee Thomas If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using...

My good friend and former co-host, Alluria, is back! Okay, she's just back for one episode but join us as we catch-up on life and talk about dealing with anxiety when we were kids. We also get into how we deal with social anxiety, navigating big crowds and understanding our triggers. -------- Podcast Guest: Alluria Nixon, Loctitian & Entrepreneur  If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact her using the information below. Instagram: @ms_nixon &...

*TRIGGER WARNING: Domestic Violence and Assault* Today, I sit down with Chantelle Branch, Certified Domestic Violence and Abuse Specialist, Survivor, Mentor and Author. Chantelle shares her story of how she redefined love after her transformation and how she made the shift from from victim to survivor and thriver. We discuss the importance of community and understand how you want to be loved. -------- Podcast Guest: Chantelle Branch, Certified Domestic Violence and Abuse Specialist,...

This episode, we sit down with Lounise "Lou"  Blaise to learn more about her career as a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). She talks about what inspired her to choose this path and how she uses her creativity to connect with children with Autism. She also talks about the importance of tapping into her community of BCBAs and how behavioral health can supplement mental health support. We also get into how Lou broke through the cultural and family pressures of choosing a "safe...

Today, we sit down with Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Wife, Mother, & Author, Dr. Jennifer Morgan. We talk about parent training, what anxiety looks like in children and the best time to take your child to therapy. Dr. Morgan also talks about how she entered motherhood and became a psychologist at the same time and how it has helped her connect with the families that she works with. We also talk about Dr. Morgan's first children's book, "1, 2, 3 Self-Care Is Important To Me: A Rhyming,...

Today, we welcome back writer, storyteller, cannapreneur and teacher, Hannah Eko joins us for another episode. This time, we get into how "Writer's Anxiety" can interrupt the creative process ad how we can reshape our relationship with anxiety. Hannah talks about how to "move" through the shame that can come with anxiety and reclaim it as a source of power. We also talk about dating as a tall, black woman with anxiety and getting banned from Tinder.  -------- Podcast Guest: If you'd like to...

Today, we spend some time with Dr. Claire Ellerbrock, a Doctorally-trained Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PsychNP.) She breaks down how a PsychNP can play an integral part in your mental health treatment plan. She also gives us a peak into what questions may be asked during an appointment and what high-quality adjunct therapy looks like. -------- Podcast Guest: If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact her using the information below. Dr. Claire Ellerbrock DNP, APRN,...