KPFA - About Health

On May 25th, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was brutally killed in Minneapolis by a White police officer, while three other officers stood by. In the intervening days, hundreds of thousands of people have entered the streets to express their outrage and sorrow, demonstrating against racism and police brutality. Before Floyd’s tragic death, we had scheduled a different topic for today’s ‘About Health.’ But, after his death, we felt strongly it would be important to talk about racism and the impacts it has on the Black community. And, a conversation first aired in January between psychologist Dr. Rheeda Walker and host David B. Feldman seemed particularly relevant to the present moment. It’s an interview about her new book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, which just came out in May. The conversation touches on so many issues that are perhaps even more relevant today than they were in January, including—among other topics—the effects of racism on the health and well-being of people in the African American community, the cultural strength of the Black community, and how social action can aid not only in fighting injustice but also in fostering individual emotional well-being.

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We all have our “go-to” coping mechanisms. Some of these are healthy—mindfulness practices, journaling, and exercise, to name a few.  But most of us also have coping mechanisms we wish we didn’t turn to so easily, from eating too many baked goods and binge-watching all 11 years of Cheers, to reading too much news even though it stresses us out.  In this episode, Host David B. Feldman interviews mindfulness trainer Hugh Byrne, PhD, about those little habits we’ve developed during shelter-in-place, and, if and when we’re ready, how we can change them.

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It’s hard to believe, but time has really flown since 2015 when same-sex marriage was legalized across the United States, breaking down an important barrier for millions of couples. But, this progress doesn’t mean that LGBT couples have stopped facing disapproval and discrimination. In fact, the continued legacy of homophobia and heterosexism can stress relationships. Host David B. Feldman interviews psychologist Dr. Sharon Rostosky, co-author—with Dr. Ellen D. B. Riggle—of Happy Together: Thriving as a Same-sex Couple in Your Family, Workplace, and Community, about how LGBT couples can thrive, address the stresses caused by our larger society, and bring love and support to their kids.

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