In this episode of the Let's Heal Already podcast, J.R. discusses something they don't tell you before beginning a self love & healing journey + notes on being "good enough."

Resources:

• Why You Always Get Taken for Granted (And How to Quit)
• Rehabilitation or (Retiring) from the "Empath" Identity and Timeline

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

• Website: jryussuf.com
• Curious Cat: curiouscat.me/JRYussuf
• Venmo: @JRYussuf
• Voiceover work: JR-Yussuf.com/voiceover
• Twitter hashtag #BisexualMenSpeak — a space for bisexual+ men & masculine-identified folks to speak for themselves about how being bisexual+ shapes the way they move through the world.
• YouTube channel devoted to self-improvement, emotional literacy & forgiveness.
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

In this episode of the Let's Heal Already podcast, J.R. discusses how morality is weaponized against minorities and why he no longer cares about being perceived as a good person.

Resources:

• Won't abolishing the police create chaos and crime?
• Religious Trauma Syndrome — by Marlene Winell
• Why You Always Get Taken for Granted (And How to Quit)
• Rehabilitation or (Retiring) from the "Empath" Identity and Timeline
• Abolitionist Futures — for social + transformative justice

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

• Website: jryussuf.com
• Curious Cat: curiouscat.me/JRYussuf
• Venmo: @JRYussuf
• Voiceover work: JR-Yussuf.com/voiceover
• Twitter hashtag #BisexualMenSpeak — a space for bisexual+ men & masculine-identified folks to speak for themselves about how being bisexual+ shapes the way they move through the world.
• YouTube channel devoted to self-improvement, emotional literacy & forgiveness.
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

In this episode of the Let's Heal Already podcast, J.R. discusses gifted kid syndrome.

Resources:

Further reading:

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

This episode of the Let's Heal Already Podcast is titled, Signs You Have Sexual Shame & Am I a Simp?

Resources:

• 6 Signs You Might Have Sexual Shame—and How To Overcome It — by Morgan Mandriota
• Pros vs Cons of Growing Up Christian (& Bisexual)
• What Men Who Use Sex Toys Know That You Don't
• The health benefits of sex toys
• It's National Orgasm Day, so here are seven different types of male orgasms
• Sexplain It: I'm Pumped to Try Pegging—Except One Aspect Terrifies Me
• The Best Butt Stuff to Try, Whether You're Brand New or an Anal Pro
• Sexplain It: I Got Obsessed With Butt Stuff, and Now I Can't Orgasm Without It

Important to ask oneself: "what's so bad about people thinking I'm gay?" If we can suspend the colossal oppression & rejection gay men face at every level for a moment — what would be so bad about it? What negative ideas about being gay are you holding onto? To be clear, the effects of bi-erasure are devastating & fatal, and in years to come hopefully research will show the breadth of bi-erasure's impact on bisexual+ men/masc people. I do, however, find value in this line of questioning and being reflective.

• Thread about divesting from cares of being perceived as gay or soft as part of healthy masculinity (with mention of bi-erasure)

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Connect with J.R.:

• jryussuf.com · Curious Cat · Venmo · Voiceover
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

This episode of the Let's Heal Already Podcast is titled Black Mental Health Advocates Respond to The Body Keeps The Score.

Guests:

• Patrice Bryan — Counseling Psychology student, currently interning at a clinic specializing in adolescents and families who have experienced trauma. Follow on Instagram & Facebook: @PatPontificates
• Toshia Shaw, MSW — transformational coach, author of The Green Light of Forgiveness, and public speaker. She helps people overcome past traumas and transform their lives. Follow on Instagram & Twitter: @ToshiaShaw & @Toshia_Shaw. Website: ToshiaShaw.com

J.R.'s Critiques:

• No rebuke of gender roles or acknowledgment that childcare falls onto women.
• The trial-and-error nature of American psychology/therapy, and no mention of apology, retribution, or accountability for traumatized clients who received ineffective (sometimes harmful) treatment prior to trauma being centered as the root.
• Is it ableist to frame all disorders, illnesses, and neuro-diversity as a byproduct of trauma?
• Disbelief of Julian's rape (page 173) and little sensitivity around his violation. This was the first mention of a male victim of sexual assault (though statistics say it's incredibly common), with palpable discomfort whenever traumatized men and men's vulnerability came up.
• Black veterans were treated horribly during integration, yet the author framed it like a peaceful time and a great thing (page 190). Telling.
• Though he advocates for trauma survivors, he seems pro-military/pro-cop.
• Trauma-consciousness is the new "just go vegan!" — placing the onus on the individual versus the systems that produce these realities. Healing all my traumas is not the end-all-be-all.
• Calling a man having unprotected sex with men "dangerous sexual activities" (page 321-322). Also the first LGBT+ mention in a book about trauma, revolving around HIV and an older man sexually abusing his nephew.
• Page 341 flags how inappropriate it is for students to side with aggressors (because they can't tolerate signs of weakness), and page 357 centers the class bully's perspective (and history of trauma) instead of the "effeminate, shy boy" who had to be his scene partner.
• In a book about trauma, no mention of trauma specific to Black Americans via slavery, anti-Black racism, and unrelenting white supremacy.

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Connect with J.R.:

• jryussuf.com · Curious Cat · Venmo · Voiceover
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

In this episode of the Let's Heal Already podcast, J.R. discusses Pro Athletes, Gym Culture & The Invisibility of Eating Disorders in Men.

You're worthy of respect & dignity no matter your weight, relationship with food, physical ability &/or health. 🙏🏿 I strongly recommend reading Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings to begin unlearning these ideas about fatness. ❤

Resources:

Further reading:

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

In this episode of the Let's Heal Already podcast, J.R. answers the question, "am i an empath?" And shares some of his social media boundaries (for sensitive people).

Resources:

• Rehabilitation or (Retiring) from the "Empath" Identity and Timeline
• How to Set Healthy Boundaries: 10 Examples + PDF Worksheets
• Digital Minimalism Whilst Black
• Why You Always Get Taken for Granted (And How to Quit)
• Personal Development School | Healing Your Insecure Attachment Style

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

• Website: jryussuf.com
• Curious Cat: curiouscat.me/JRYussuf
• Venmo: @JRYussuf
• Voiceover work: JR-Yussuf.com/voiceover
• Twitter hashtag #BisexualMenSpeak — a space for bisexual+ men & masculine-identified folks to speak for themselves about how being bisexual+ shapes the way they move through the world.
• YouTube channel devoted to self-improvement, emotional literacy & forgiveness.
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

In this episode of the Let's Heal Already podcast, J.R. discusses how People Will Get Mad At You For Going To Therapy & Addressing Generational Trauma.

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

• Website: jryussuf.com
• Curious Cat: curiouscat.me/JRYussuf
• Venmo: @JRYussuf
• Voiceover work: JR-Yussuf.com/voiceover
• Twitter hashtag #BisexualMenSpeak — a space for bisexual+ men & masculine-identified folks to speak for themselves about how being bisexual+ shapes the way they move through the world.
• YouTube channel devoted to self-improvement, emotional literacy & forgiveness.
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

This episode of Let's Heal Already is titled, Asking For Needs Can Be Hard & Unlearning Misogyny Did wonders For My Mental Health.

Resources:

• Twitter thread about emotionally neglecting boys under patriarchy (link unavailable)
• A thread on respectability, community building & freedom by Hari Ziyad (link unavailable)
• A thread about hegemonic masculinity never being meant for or made accessible to anyone who is not a white man (link unavailable)
• Boosie, Black Boys, and Rape Culture

Recommended reading for Black men looking to unpack masculinity:

• all about love: new visions by bell hooks
• We Real Cool: Black Men & Masculinity by bell hooks
• The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity & Love by bell hooks

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

• Website: jryussuf.com
• Curious Cat: curiouscat.me/JRYussuf
• Venmo: @JRYussuf
• Voiceover work: JR-Yussuf.com/voiceover
• Twitter hashtag #BisexualMenSpeak — a space for bisexual+ men & masculine-identified folks to speak for themselves about how being bisexual+ shapes the way they move through the world.
• YouTube channel devoted to self-improvement, emotional literacy & forgiveness.
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message

In this episode of Let's Heal Already Podcast, J.R. has a mental wellness chat with Jonathan M Lassiter PhD, a Black therapist.

Follow Jonathan:

• Twitter: @matjl
• Instagram: @jmlassiterphd
• YouTube channel
• Linktree: @lassiterhealth

If you're looking for a Black or Brown therapist:

• Therapy for Black Men
• Therapy for Black Girls
• Melanin and Mental Health
• The Loveland Foundation
• Inclusive Therapists

For more directories, see Jonathan Lassiter's Linktree: @lassiterhealth

Resources:

• BEAM: Black Emotional And Mental Health — dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.
• Rehabilitation or (Retiring) from the "Empath" Identity and Timeline
• How to Set Healthy Boundaries
• Digital Minimalism Whilst Black
• Why You Always Get Taken for Granted (And How to Quit)
• Personal Development School | Healing Your Insecure Attachment Style

Further reading:

• The Conditioning That Fuels the Mental Health Epidemic for Black Men, and How to Stop It — by J.R. Yussuf
• 7 Day Mental Health Workout Plan — by J.R. Yussuf
• 4 Questions Every Bisexual Guy Should Ask A Potential Therapist — by J.R. Yussuf

Order my book: Dear Bi Men: A Black Man's Perspective on Power, Consent, Breaking Down Binaries, and Combating Erasure

Subscribe for exclusive content: Patreon

Grab Sometimes-Impatient merch: here

Connect with J.R.:

• Website: jryussuf.com
• Curious Cat: curiouscat.me/JRYussuf
• Venmo: @JRYussuf
• Voiceover: JR-Yussuf.com/voiceover
• Twitter hashtag #BisexualMenSpeak
• Ask a question: [email protected]

Send in a voice message: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letshealalready/message