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 Thinking Psychological Consultants. Dr. Stevens appears frequently on the podcast and is our invaluable ..read more

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 about my Mother in this episode. I hope you enjoy this very personal conversation and hope it ins ..read more

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 below.  Email: Chandralsmallwood@gmail.com Instagram: @Iamchandralynne  Tiktok: @Chandrasmallwood2 ..read more

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 Fortson-Brown If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using the information bel ..read more

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 career as an Anxiety Coach. ---------Dr. Chandra Smallwood If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you ..read more

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 provide. Shamaree also shares how intimacy coaching can help repair relationships, combat the effects of t ..read more

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 definitely worth listening all the way through! -------- Podcast Guest: Samantha Denäe, CHHP If you'd li ..read more

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 invaluable "in-house" mental health professional! Email: utpcpa@gmail.com -------- Follow BGHA2 to sta ..read more

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 & EntrepreneurIf you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them using the information below. Instagram:   ..read more

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 industry. -------- Podcast Guest: Kiara Belen If you'd like to reach out to our guest, you can contact them usin ..read more