Gracefully Imperfect

In this episode, we explore and address the distorted Western conceptions of mental health, within the context of communalism and collectivity. Drawing from insights and understandings gathered from roots in the Black church, experiential self-knowledge, self-studying of Ancient and indigenous civilizations, including the perspective of African psychology, and amplified by an African self-consciousness, I hope this intimate reflection will help you draw parallels, become inspired, and develop a sense of curiosity.

A quote for deep and intense reflection: “When the human spirit is well, whole, and healthy, the human being is characterized by confidence, competence, and a sense of full responsibility and unlimited potentiality” —Dr. Wade Nobles

Ways to Connect and Support:

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, share with a loved one, and write a review - We are on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, too!!

*Subscribe and share the Substack publication,⁠⁠⁠⁠ CREATIVST.⁠⁠⁠

Listen to the last episode on:

Order my self-written poetry anthology,⁠⁠⁠⁠ "The Depths Below"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Send comments and feedback to the business email -[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠and the⁠⁠⁠⁠ Service page⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore and reclaim the underlying force that emboldens the spirit of liberation, justice, and resistance for the pursuant of addressing and advancing the collective needs, interests, and faculties of African/Black people: Revolutionary Love. Drawing from insights and understandings gathered from Black liberation movement leaders, the ethos of the Black Panther Party, African-centered scholars and educators, and musical artists who centralized cultural and racial consciousness in their song-making process, I hope this intimate reflection will help you draw parallels, become inspired, and develop a sense of curiosity.

A quote for deep and intense reflection: “Why don’t you live for the people?; Why don’t you struggle for the people?; Why don’t you die for the people?” —Fred Hampton

Ways to Connect and Support:

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, share with a loved one, and write a review - We are on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, too!!

*Subscribe and share the Substack publication,⁠⁠⁠⁠ CREATIVST.⁠⁠⁠

Listen to the last episode on:

Order my self-written poetry anthology,⁠⁠⁠⁠ "The Depths Below"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Send comments and feedback to the business email -[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠and the⁠⁠⁠⁠ Service page⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore the underlying force and message to the domestic political violence and greater geopolitical struggles impacting African people. Drawing from insights and understandings gathered from deep contemplation, prayer, reflection, reading, research, and stillness, I hope this intimate reflection will help you draw parallels, become inspired, and develop a sense of curiosity.

A quote for deep and intense reflection:Love is "the will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth."

- (M Scott Peck, 1978, as cited in hooks, 1999)

*Get the SMOKE AND MIRRORS poem and other poetic pieces on Substack (link to subscribe is below) *

Ways to Connect and Support --

Subscribe to the⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠, share with a loved one, and write a review - We are on⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, too!!

Listen to the last episode on ⁠⁠Contradictions & Paradoxes

Order my self-written poetry anthology,⁠⁠⁠"The Depths Below"⁠⁠⁠

*Subscribe and share the Substack publication,⁠⁠⁠CREATIVST.⁠⁠⁠*

Send comments and feedback to the business email -⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠and the⁠⁠⁠Service page⁠⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore the essential themes and characteristics of contradictions and paradoxes: Psychological and social distress/disunity, spiritual distress, confusion, manipulation, and incongruence. Drawing from my academic experience within the Master of Social Work program and broader sociohistorical and sociopolitical context of colonialism and oppression, I hope this intimate reflection will help you draw parallels, become inspired, and develop a sense of curiosity.

A quote for deep and intense reflection:
“Black people cannot be equal in a society that is fundamentally unequal.” - Dr. Amos N. Wilson (Rest in Power)

Ways to Connect and Support --

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠, share with a loved one, and write a review - We are on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, too!!

Listen to the last episode on ⁠Antidote to Shame

Order my self-written poetry anthology, ⁠⁠"The Depths Below"⁠⁠

Subscribe and share the Substack publication, ⁠⁠CREATIVST.⁠⁠

Send comments and feedback to the business email - ⁠[email protected]⁠

Connect, follow, and share on⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠Service page⁠⁠

Connect, follow, and share on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore what counters the effects of shame and what ingredient can assuage its negative impacts. Drawing from my personal experience as a father and husband, seeker of the healing antidote, and scholarly insights from trauma research, I hope this intimate reflection will help you draw parallels, become inspired, and develop a sense of curiosity.

Ways to Connect and Support --

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠, share with a loved one, and write a review - We are on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, too!!

Listen to the last episode on Shame

Order my self-written poetry anthology, ⁠"The Depths Below"⁠

Subscribe and share the Substack publication, ⁠CREATIVST.⁠

Send comments and feedback to the business email - [email protected]

Connect, follow, and share on⁠ LinkedIn ⁠and the ⁠Service page⁠

Connect, follow, and share on ⁠Instagram⁠

I am Kyle Toon, of African descent, a husband, a father, a military conscientious objector, and a Liberation Social Worker (graduating May ‘25). Mental & Creative Liberation is not only a small, Black-owned business, it is an institution that supports and prioritizes mental vitality, emotional vulnerability, spiritual awareness, and creative liberation through community building, community-centered support, courageous conversations, creative writing, empathetic coaching, counseling, and consultation. I can provide consultations, training, workshops, group facilitations, speaking support (keynote, as well), and creative writing for non-profit organizations, grassroots movements, and any other community-centered entities responsible for the healing, transformation, and restoration of Black bodies and souls. Let us connect and see if there is alignment.

Ways to connect/support Mental & Creative Liberation -

Subscribe to CREATIVIST.

Listen, share, and subscribe to the Gracefully Imperfect Podcast

Instagram

Linkedin

Linkedin Service Page

Purchase an independent copy of “The Depths Below” - a self-written poetry anthology centering racial identity, mental health experiences, and cultural knowledge.

2025 is upon us and Gracefully Imperfect is back to co-journey with you; the person, the soul - confronting or challenged with emotional vulnerability and embracing human beingness.

In this episode, we explore Shame - what it is, how it manifests, relational and mental health implications, and explorative seeds to identify the source or root of Shame. All in the context of my personal experience as Black father and husband; however, hopefully from this intimate reflection, you draw parallels, become inspired, and develop a sense of curiosity.

Ways to Connect and Support --

Subscribe to the ⁠Podcast⁠, share with a loved one, and write a review - We are on Apple Podcasts, too!!

Order my self-written poetry anthology, "The Depths Below"

Subscribe and share the Substack publication, CREATIVST.

Listen to the last Episode, The Narrative of a Conscientious Objector, Part II or the previous Episode, The Narrative of an Imperfect Father

Connect, follow, and share on LinkedIn and the Service page

Connect, follow, and share on Instagram

An ongoing conversation about the insensitivities experienced and endured as a military conscientious objector.

Quote Of The Day:

“Liberation means you don't have to be silenced.” ~ Toni Morrison

Connect with Semantics7 and the embrace your imperfection (EYI) movement:

⁠ https://www.embraceourimperfection.com/home/life-coaching⁠ - Life coach program that promotes life fulfillment and existential wellness

⁠@always_gracefullyimperfect⁠ - Follow the IG

⁠[email protected]⁠ - Send an email giving feedback, a testimonial, or to have a discussion.

Upcoming Events:

Gracefully Imperfect monthly newsletter (CREATIVST.) is complete and ready for dissemination - send your name and email address to ⁠[email protected]⁠ - if you would like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive this powerful infusion of spirituality, creativity, intellect, and collective consciousness.

Semantics7 discusses the joyfulness and challenges of fatherhood - supported unconditionally by a band of Black women; and reinforced through racial-ethnic identity reconstruction, recovery treatment and therapy, and heightened spiritual awakeness. This episode is dedicated to my three Royal babies: Ayden, Zhenii, and Kamalu - for constant reminders of what matters the most in this busy, chaotic life - joy, love, togetherness, support, and family.

Asé!

Quote Of The Day:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Writing Endeavors:

Get "The Depths Below" poetry book for you or a loved one:

https://form.jotform.com/203216673775157

Read the "Real War Crimes" in the North of Oxford publication:

https://northofoxford.wordpress.com/2022/08/20/pandemic-of-violence-anthology-ii-poets-speak/

Connect with Semantics7 and the embrace your imperfection (EYI) movement:

 https://www.embraceourimperfection.com/home/life-coaching - Life coach program that promotes life fulfillment and existential wellness

@always_gracefullyimperfect - Follow the IG

[email protected] - Send an email giving feedback, a testimonial, or just to have a colloquy

Upcoming Events:

Gracefully Imperfect monthly newsletter (CREATIVST.) April issue is coming soon - send your name and email address to [email protected] - if you would like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive this powerful infusion of spirituality, creativity, intellect, and collective consciousness.

Semantics7 discusses his personal experience finding the language, speech, knowledge, and understanding to breathe the words 'military Conscientious Objector' while undergoing a full-blown ethnic identity cleansing and reconstruction. 

Quote Of The Day:

“The way to right wrongs is to turn light of truth upon them.” ~ Ida B. Wells (Queen of Black Journalism) 

Writing Endeavors:

Get "The Depths Below" poetry book for you or a loved one:

https://form.jotform.com/203216673775157

Read the "Real War Crimes" in the North of Oxford publication:

https://northofoxford.wordpress.com/2022/08/20/pandemic-of-violence-anthology-ii-poets-speak/

Connect with Semantics7 and the embrace your imperfection (EYI) movement:

 https://www.embraceourimperfection.com/home/life-coaching - Life coach program that promotes life fulfillment and existential wellness

@always_gracefullyimperfect - Follow the IG

[email protected] - Send an email giving feedback, a testimonial, or just to have a colloquy.

Upcoming Events:

Gracefully Imperfect monthly newsletter (CREATIVST.) is complete and ready for dissemination - send your name and email address to [email protected] - if you would like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive this powerful infusion of spirituality, creativity, intellect, and collective consciousness.