Authentic Beyond the Couch

Many people see your strength — but few know the story behind it.

This is Part 1 of a special feature episode of Authentic Beyond the Couch, where host Jirzia Blackman appears as a guest on the Untamed & Unapologetic Podcast with Jeanette Lira for one of her most vulnerable and powerful conversations yet.

In Part 1, they begin unpacking the journey — the moments that shaped the strength others see today — and the valleys that came before it.

Together, they talk about:

✨ resilience through divorce and young motherhood

✨ emotional abuse and survival

✨ faith, healing, and rediscovering purpose

✨ dissociation, over-functioning, and trauma responses

✨ rebuilding identity after painful seasons

✨ community vs. isolation

✨ the power of therapy for women of color

✨ following God’s light through the darkest moments

This conversation is raw, honest, faith-centered, and grounded in real-life wisdom for anyone navigating heartbreak, trauma, or the process of rebuilding.

This story continues in Part 2, where the conversation goes deeper into healing, restoration, and what it truly means to rise after the ashes.

🎧 Be sure to tune in to Part 2 when you’re ready to continue the journey.

If you’re in a valley, this episode is a reminder that beauty can rise — even from ashes. 🌿

Grief doesn’t look the same for everyone — and sometimes, the hardest parts are the ones no one talks about. 💔

In this powerful episode of Authentic Beyond the Couch, host Jirzia Blackmon sits down with her sister-in-love, Renee Samuel, for a deeply moving and honest conversation about grief, loss, loneliness, and finding strength after losing a spouse.

Renee opens up about her experience with widowhood, motherhood, and rediscovering purpose while navigating unimaginable pain. Together, she and Jirzia explore how grief reshapes faith, identity, and relationships — and how grace and community make healing possible.

This episode is raw, real, and necessary — for anyone who’s ever faced loss or loved someone through it. 💛

🌿 About the Guest — Renee Samuel

Renee Samuel is the proud mother of London Rayne Samuel and the Owner and Creative Director of Essentials in Harmony.

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Renee carries both the strength and resilience of her city and the deep compassion of her faith. Recently widowed, she continues to walk with grace and courage, finding purpose in creating spaces that bring healing, balance, and inspiration to others.

As a devoted Christian and believer in the Word of God, Renee’s life and work are grounded in faith, love, and service. Through Essentials in Harmony, she channels her creativity and heart for people into meaningful expressions that leave an amazing aroma on the body as well as the soul.

Renee’s journey reflects her unwavering commitment to family, community, and living in alignment with God’s purpose. Her story is one of perseverance, faith, and dedication to helping others find harmony in their own lives.

📸 Instagram: @iamrenee.s

🌸 Business: @Essentials_in_Harmony

🎧 What You’ll Hear:

The loneliness and confusion of losing a spouse

Why grief doesn’t always look like what people expect

The struggle to balance motherhood while grieving

How faith and anger toward God can coexist

Learning to show up — even when you’re not okay

Why emotional intelligence and grace matter during grief

If this episode resonated with you or reminded you of someone walking through grief, please:

✅ Subscribe for more real and healing conversations

✅ Share this with someone who needs to know they’re not alone

✅ Comment your biggest takeaway from Renee’s story

Follow @AuthenticBeyondTheCouch on Instagram for more healing stories, mental health insights, and behind-the-scenes conversations. 🌿

Welcome to the very first episode of Authentic Beyond the Couch — the space where healing, growth, and authenticity meet. 💛

In this episode, Jirzia Blackman, CEO of Rhapsody Counseling and Wellness Center, shares the heart behind creating Authentic Beyond the Couch and what listeners can expect from this brand-new podcast.

You’ll hear her story of healing through trauma, EMDR, faith, marriage, and the courage to normalize therapy. Whether you’re in therapy, thinking about it, or simply curious about mental health and personal growth, this episode is your invitation to go deeper — to heal and live authentically, beyond the couch.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

Why Jirzia created Authentic Beyond the Couch

The mission to break the stigma around therapy

The importance of healing from trauma and religious hurt

How growth and authenticity are ongoing journeys

If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to:

✅ Subscribe to the channel

✅ Leave a comment about what healing means to you

✅ Share this with someone who needs encouragement today

Follow @AuthenticBeyondTheCouch on Instagram for more healing conversations and behind-the-scenes updates. 🌱

This channel is all about healing, growth, and authenticity — taking therapy outside the four walls of a traditional office. Here, we’ll dive into real and raw conversations about mental health, relationships, personal growth, and breaking free from the patterns that hold you back.I’m Jirzia, therapist, speaker, and founder of Authentic Beyond the Couch. My mission is to make mental health accessible, relatable, and empowering, especially for those who might never set foot in a therapist’s office.On this channel, you’ll find:🎙 Inspiring podcast episodes💬 Honest conversations about life and healing💡 Practical tools to help you embrace your authentic self🤝 Stories and insights to remind you that you are not aloneIf you’re ready to heal, grow, and live authentically, you’re in the right place. Hit Subscribe and join our community as we take therapy beyond the couch.