BeWELL

 

This week on BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Brittany Byrd to celebrate Minority Mental Health Month and highlight Black mental health. Brittany Byrd is a #blackmentalhealthadvocate who encourages everyone to take the time to focus on their mental health and wellness while navigating their own personal journey.

 

The first half of the episode covers Brittany’s prior experience with the mental health profession. She recalls her first experiences with therapy from when she was nine to when she was in college. Brittany addresses many of the thoughts she had, and that many other Black people have as well, that deterred her from seeking therapy. She explains how these stigmas affected her life, as she believed she had to just “push through” her struggles. 

 

The second half of the episode is spent discussing Black mental health practices in the present day. Brittany elaborates on her role as a Black mental health advocate and her experiences with virtual therapy due to the pandemic. Ednesha adds to the discussion by pointing out some of the differences she has noticed between in-person therapy and virtual sessions that were not as noticeable immediately after the pandemic hit. The episode concludes with a discussion of what self care looks like, and how it is not always a negative thing to spend time and energy on yourself. 

 

Thank you for joining us this week on BeREAL. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday. In the meantime, make sure to check out last week’s episode if you haven’t already.

 

For more information on Brittany Byrd look at the links below:

 

Instagram: @britt.monet

 

Twitter: @brittany_monet

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

To schedule an appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today 

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

Our Guest:

This week on BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Dr. Michael Lindsey. The episode focuses on how to uplift student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Dr. Michael Lindsey is the Executive Director at the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research in the NYU Silver School of Social Work. Dr. Lindsey has multiple lines of research at the moment, but his work focuses on how to improve mental health experiences for the youth, especially in schools. He also works with moms who have PTSD and require mental health interventions through the program Save Mothers, Save Children.

This Week on BeREAL:

The episode begins as Dr. Lindsey explains the importance of improving student mental health. He views this effort as a way to break the cycle of generational poverty, and build a better future for people from all backgrounds. He ties this mission into the current day, and goes over the threats COVID-19 poses on student socialization. Schools play an important role in maintaining a healthy mental wellbeing for children. This comes from school sanctioned social workers, but also from everyday social interactions with classmates. How will this affect the students who currently have to do all their schoolwork online? Will mental health services dwindle because of online education, and are schools now just an educational institute? That is what Dr. Lindsey is here to discuss, how we can use virtual learning to be a tool of improving mental health instead of hindering it. 

 

The conversation concludes as your hosts discuss the best way to administer adolescent therapy during these times. Due to stay at home orders, children are struggling to hold online therapy sessions in a place that is completely private. Dr. Lindsey is advocating for a collaboration of therapists, teachers, and parents to create the best environment for positive mental health stimulation at this time. 

 

Thank you so much for tuning in this week to BeREAL. Be on the lookout for a brand new episode next week, but in the meantime, make sure to catch last week’s episode if you haven’ already.

 

As mentioned in the episode, if you would like to talk to a professional to get feedback on what is currently happening in your life, and if it warrants the involvement of a mental health professional please don’t hesitate to call +1(888)-NYC-WELL.

 

Our Practice:

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

To schedule an appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today 

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

 

Divya is back this week on BeREAL! She joins Diana and Ednesha in talking about Minority Mental Health Month. The episode covers a wide range of issues pertaining to minorities seeking therapy treatment, from wealth to cultural stigmas and all things in between. 

 

The episode begins with the ladies discussing their quarantine situations, and what they plan on doing once restrictions are loosened. After the introductions, the clinicians get into the topic of how to train culturally competent therapists. Ednesha brings up the fact that therapy is not “one size fits all,” yet most treatment models are centered around white patients. She explains the implications of the lack of attention given to minorities in therapy research, and how it deters some people who could really benefit from engaging with a therapy practice. 

 

Divya brings up the topic of how therapy is set in a white western industrialized environment and doesn’t pay attention to nuances of different cultures. These differences can be as small as showing respect by responding to personal questions from a client to as drastic as not accounting for the different lived experiences across different cultures.

 

Diana believes it is important during Minority Mental Health Month to acknowledge the various reasons why minorities may be hesitant to seek therapy. There are cultural barriers that may need to be overcome, but there are also many issues with the medical field itself that discourage possible patients. Some of these are wealth and the lack of diversity across therapy practices. 

 

The episode concludes with your hosts answering some light-hearted questions from the BeREAL producer, Don. They take a dive into their pasts as they divulge some of their worst fashion trends and their childhood celebrity crushes. 

 

Thank you so much for tuning into BeREAL this week. Remember to come back new week for a brand new episode. In the meantime, if you missed last week’s episode, give it a listen!

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

To schedule an appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today 

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

 

This week on BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Anu Gupta to discuss racial bias in society and the workplace.

 

Anu Gupta is a lawyer, scientist, and the Founder & CEO of Be More. Be More is building a movement of wise and compassionate people who are driving equity and belonging by addressing the root causes of racial and gender bias. Anu is a sought-after expert in breaking bias, adult learning, and psychosocial well-being. He has logged over 10,000 hours of meditation and developed Be More’s novel data-driven methodology after conducting decade-long research on the causes of and solutions to racial and gender bias.

 

Anu begins the episode by discussing his program Train the Trainer. Anu explains the current issues with many companies' racial bias training programs. They often are only hours or days long and that is nowhere near enough time to debunk an issue so deeply ingrained in society. He offers solutions on how to optimize racial bias training to create a more equal workplace for people from all backgrounds.

 

The conversation then turns to the topic of generational trauma. Ednesha discusses how she encourages her patients to lean into the emotions that accompany that trauma, and explains the results she sees. Your hosts also describe other forms of trauma associated with racial injustice, such as the trauma resulting from seeing black and brown bodies being brutalized on the news and on social media. Anu concludes the episode by defining racial bias as a mental health issue. Diana and Ednesha evaluate the issue as therapists and suggest the ways that people could change their thinking to look inward on themselves and their biases. 

 

Thank you so much for tuning into BeREAL this week. Remember to come back new week for a brand new episode. In the meantime, if you missed last week’s episode, give it a listen!

 

For more information on Anu and his business, see the links below:

 

Be More Webpage: www.bemoreamerica.org

 

Instagram: @bemorewithanu

 

Twitter: @bemorewithanu

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

To schedule an appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today 

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

 

This week on BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Laurie Palau from the podcast This ORGANIZED Life to discuss emotional clutter and the importance of being organized.

 

Laurie Palau is the author of the book HOT MESS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GETTING ORGANIZED, host of the popular weekly podcast, This ORGANIZED Life, and founder of Simply B Organized-a lifestyle company helping people live simply and work smarter. Her advice has been featured in national publications including Real Simple & The New York Times. Laurie speaks on the topics of clutter, parenting, and entrepreneurship. Her CLUTTER CLINIC is a nationwide workshop providing strategies to help your team, group, or organization reduce clutter at home or in the workplace.

 

The episode begins with Laurie explaining the multiple forms of clutter that create stress in our lives. She goes into detail about physical clutter, emotional clutter, and calendar clutter. Palau explains how all three can contribute to a feel of unfulfillment and make life seem static. She then explains her five clutter pitfalls: procrastination, indecision, guilt, overwhelm, and time. All five pose a risk to an organized life, and she goes over how to combat each potential obstacle. 

 

After a quick break, the episode resumes with Ednesha asking Laurie about the “Pintrest Syndrome.” Laurie discusses how, sure, Pintrest photos look nice and are good sources of inspiration for room design, but they often aren’t practical or easy to maintain. Laurie highlights how aesthetic is important in organization, but also, preservation is key. Don’t strive for a design that will just add more stress into your life because of its need for constant maintenance. 

 

The episode concludes with Ednesha taking a few tips from Laurie and brainstorming how she will use them to design the backyard of her new place for the summer!

 

Thank you so much for your continued support for The BeREAL Podcast. We look forward to each new week, and we hope you do as well. Keep a look out for a new episode next Tuesday! In the meantime, if you missed last week's episode, go give it a listen!

 

For more information on Laurie and her business visit the links below:

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyborganized/

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyBorganized

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplyborganized/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smplyBorganized

 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/smplyborganized/

 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-organized-life/id1193014252

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

www.bewellpsychotherapy.com

 

 

This week on BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Heather Box to discuss the importance of owning your personal story.

 

Heather Box is the co-founder of the Million Person Project. Since 2011, the Million Person Project has helped over 3000 change makers from 70 countries tell their stories. She have prepared Ugandan farmers to speak at the United Nations, coached social entrepreneurs for their first TED talks, and helped first‐time writers craft powerful magazine and newspaper articles. In 2019, Heather published a book, How Your Story Sets You Free with her partner and co-founder of the Million Person Project, Julian Mocine-McQueen. Heather and Julian live in San Francisco with their son, Roman, who is one years old.

 

Similar to Heather’s work, this week’s episode explores ideas of how to tell your personal story, and the importance of doing so. Heather strives to showcase the power of using personal stories to create deep and meaningful connections with others.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great opportunity for people to come together over a shared experience. However, it is important to acknowledge that just because we are living through common experience, does not mean that we all have the same story to tell about these times.

 

Heather walks Diana and Ednesha through the steps to create a personal life map. She explains how this can be used to track your values and beliefs through your lifetime, and learn more about yourself and your growth.

 

As the episode concludes, Heather discusses her book, “How Your Story Sets You Free,” and how it teaches readers how to evaluate your life story and make it matter to you and those around you. She highlights that every story is important to, and no matter your background, your story can be influential to others, and therefore never discredit your life experiences. 

 

Thank you so much for joining us this week on BeREAL. We cherish your continued love and support and remember to catch us next Tuesday for a brand new episode. In the meantime, make sure you check out last week's episode if you didn't get the chance!

 

For more information on Heather Box, her book, or her Million Person Project visit the links below.

 

Website: www.millionpersonproject.org

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millionpersonproject/

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millionpersonproject/

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

www.bewellpsychotherapy.com

 

To schedule an appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today 

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.

 

On this week’s episode of BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Liz Buehler Walker, Diana’s longtime friend. 

 

Liz Buehler Walker is a mom, yoga teacher (specializing in Pre- and Post-Natal) and most recently a labor organizer with Unionize Yoga. With 20 years of experience teaching yoga in NYC, Liz has been around the block more than a few times -- as a teacher in small community and corporate studios, co-founder and co-director of Yoga High with Mel Russo, teacher trainer, mentor, and one of the organizers of the first ever yoga union.

 

Liz begins by explaining how her practice has changed over the past month. She goes over the struggles associated with not being able to physically assist her students, and how hosting a class for students across many different environments can distract from the shared experience that is common in yoga studios. Liz also touches on the benefits of teaching virtual yoga, such as how the new situation has stripped down the “luxurious” image that many people associate with yoga. She stresses how the practice should not focus on the expensive mats or the fancy clothes, and instead focus on the body. 

 

Next, Liz dives into more information about prenatal yoga. Liz has worked with pregnant people for many years, and has had a child herself. However, she acknowledges that her experience and the experience of her students is very different from what other people experience. Ednesha provides anecdotes and current news stories that showcase how pregnancy is a very different experience in communities of color than in white communities. 

 

Lastly, Liz and Ednesha discuss the importance of diversifying the field of doulas and other job fields that assist pregnant people. They also highlight how the current services offered do not cater to communities of color and the implications this has on safety and mental health. 

 

Thank you so much for joining us this week on the BeREAL Podcast. Remember to come back next Tuesday for an all new episode!

 

Below are some doula services that cater to communities of color:

 

Latham Thomas: https://mamaglow.com/

 

Ancient Song Doula Services: https://www.ancientsongdoulaservices.com/

 

Liz Buehler Walker can be found on:

 

Her website: www.brooklynyogalife.com

 

Instagram: @lizbyogalife

 

Facebook: @lizbyogalife

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

www.bewellpsychotherapy.com

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

 

instagram:

 

On this week’s episode of BeREAL, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Ednesha’s friend, Brian Sales, to discuss the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on black and brown communities. Brian Sales is a scholar of black culture living near the D.C. area in Virginia. He has worked in higher education, human services, and youth mentorship.

 

This episode covers many issues that currently do not have an adequate amount of dialogue around them. Your hosts discuss the use of the term “essential worker,” and how it puts a positive spin on a darker reality. Minority workers in urban areas fill a large percentage of the essential jobs that are not given enough appreciation for the duties they are fulfilling as retail workers, public transit workers, and maintenance workers. The episode also addresses how social distancing in urban and suburban areas are two drastically different experiences. 

 

The conversation shifts to a more general discussion of race and mental health. Your hosts address how different stigmas of therapy can deter minority patients from seeking help. They discuss the stereotypes affixed to black women that propagate the belief that they should not need to get mental health counseling. They give examples of how these stereotypes are reflected in advertising and marketing campaigns, and the detrimental effects this can have on many people’s mental health. Brian speaks on the issue further when he explains how gender can influence one’s choice to seek out counseling.

 

The episode concludes with your hosts and guest examining how the mental health profession has diversified over time, the benefits of that diversification, and how it can be further changed for the better in the future. 

 

As always, thank you so much for joining us this week on BeREAL, stay tuned for the next episode launching next week!

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

www.bewellpsychotherapy.com

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

This week, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Amina AlTai to discuss doing business during the pandemic, and how to continue to thrive professionally.

 

Amina AlTai is a holistic business and mindset coach. She is the first social entrepreneur to successfully create a methodology that supports the health of a business and its people at the same time. After spending a decade grappling with a fast-paced career in marketing and two autoimmune diseases, Amina hit burnout. In hopes of healing her own life, she sought training in nutrition, fitness and mindfulness and her goal became to teach others how to balance a thriving career, body and mind. She takes a mind, body and business approach to coaching—examining any blocks in the mindset, in our bodies and our work—to help us thrive.

 

The trio discuss how business has changed so far during the pandemic, as well as the possible effects it could have on business in the post-pandemic world. They examine the changes in consumer behavior and see what that might mean for business production. They talk about the way businesses are handling the current situation and provide examples of good business practices and other practices that are harmful for the wellbeing of their employees. Amina sheds light on the importance of businesses meeting their employees where they are at the given moment; not asking too much for them, while also not leaving them behind. 

 

Amina is launching a series of online courses that offer many different insights into business and the coronavirus. The first of which is titled “Thriving in a Global Pandemic.” This course offers ways to deal with a lost job, a lost project, and other effects of COVID-19. The course covers topics such as grief and fear, turning genius into a way to support yourself during these times, and designing projects that align with your values.  BeREAL listeners can receive 15% of this course if they use the promo code “BEREAL,” and on top of that Amina will be donating an additional 15% to No Kid Hungry.

 

Thank you so much for your continued support, if you missed last week's episode, make sure to catch up before an all new episode next Tuesday. For more information on Amina’s work and course see the links below:

 

“Thriving in a Global Pandemic” course: https://amina-altai.teachable.com/p/thriving-in-a-global-crisis

 

Website: www.aminaaltai.com

 

Instagram: @aminaaltai

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

 

In this episode of The BeREAL Podcast, Diana and Ednesha are joined by Dawn Tardif to discuss Ayurveda Medicine. 

 

Dawn Tardif, Founder and President of BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa in Beverley, MA, has more than 29 years in the health, wellness and spa industry. Ms. Tardif earned her degree in Ayurvedic Medicine from the International Ayurvedic Institute in 1999. She studied with top Ayurvedic leaders, in her pursuit to become a master in the field of wellness. Ms. Tardif also holds certifications in Allopathic Medicine from the Boston University Mini-Medical School as well as Anti-aging Nutrition and Clinical Aromatherapy.

 

Dawn brings her expertise to discuss how to properly monitor one’s body. She explains the many parts of the Ayurvedic practice, such as dosha, and what each individual dosha represents. She then walks Ednesha through a consultation to determine her dosha, biorhythm, and other aspects of the body energy that are important to maintain a healthy self.

 

The trio discuss how important touch is to Ayurvedic medicine, and Dawn elaborates on the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on her practice. She also notes how important it is for people to pay attention to their bodies during this time where they may not be maintaining a regular sleep routine or healthy diet. Dawn suggests simple meditations practices that can help maintain peace of mind during these times, and the episode concludes with Dawn walking the listeners through a guided meditation.

 

Thank you to all the listeners who have been keeping up with The BeREAL Podcast, your support means so much to us. 

 

You can find information about Dawn and her practice here:

 

BodiScience: www.BodiScience.com

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodiscience/

 

twitter: @BodiScience

 

instagram: @BodiScience_Wellness

 

For more information on The BeREAL Podcast and BeWELL Psychotherapy visit the links below. 

 

www.bewellpsychotherapy.com

 

www.beher-now.com 

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/

 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/