In this episode of Mind You with DK, we dive into what it really means to do the work in therapy—especially for Black men navigating mental health in a world that often misunderstands them.

When Gucci Mane revealed he’s living with schizoaffective disorder, it sparked a conversation far beyond celebrity headlines — one about stigma, representation, and healing in the Black community. For clarity, schizoaffective disorder is a condition where someone experiences symptoms of schizophrenia along with major mood episodes like depression or mania. Schizophrenia itself is a chronic brain-based disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and experiences reality, often involving hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking.

So, let's unpack how culture, masculinity, and silence intersect with mental health care — and why telling the truth about our minds can be revolutionary.

Because mind you… healing starts when we stop hiding from the work.

*****Quick clarification: In this episode, I talk about depression, mania, and psychotic symptoms. While depression and self-medicating with alcohol can increase the risk of psychiatric episodes, schizoaffective disorder does not “turn into” schizophrenia. They’re related but separate conditions — schizoaffective disorder includes symptoms of schizophrenia along with major mood episodes like depression or mania, while schizophrenia affects thinking and perception more globally. The comparison in the episode was meant to highlight how untreated symptoms can worsen over time, not a literal clinical progression.*****

The data says it all — but do we really listen?

In this episode of Mind You with DK, we talk about Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome — a concept introduced by Dr. Joy DeGruy that explores how the trauma of slavery still shows up in our minds, behaviors, and communities today.

It’s not a recognized mental health disorder, but a framework that helps us understand the lasting psychological effects of generational trauma and systemic oppression.
And when we talk about research, we have to name the history — from Dr. J. Marion Sims experimenting on enslaved women like Lucy, to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, to the cells of Henrietta Lacks that changed medicine without her consent.

Today, voices like Dr. Uché Blackstock remind us that representation matters — because who conducts the research determines whose stories are told, and whose pain is believed.

Every number represents a life, a history, a reason to care.
This is why research matters — when the numbers start talking, it’s time we pay attention.

Music and Podcast Produced By: Bryan Patterson Jr.

In this first episode, host Dakotah Aiyanna — researcher, artist, and educator — introduces the heart behind Mind You with DK. This show explores the mind through psychology, culture, and creativity, asking real questions about how we think, how we heal, and who we’re becoming.

Join Dakotah as she shares her story, the purpose of the podcast, and what you can expect from future conversations — science that feels personal, stories that spark reflection, and a space where curiosity leads to growth.

✨ Mind You is now in session. Let’s get into it.

New episodes every other week. Follow to stay connected. 

Music & Podcast Produced By: Bryan Patterson Jr.

This isn’t your textbook psychology podcast. I’m Dakotah Carter — researcher, educator, and storyteller — and this is Mind You with DK.

Every mind has a story. Every thought leaves a mark.Here, we break down how the brain, culture, and healing connect — from trauma and therapy to creativity, memory, and growth in the Black community.

No fluff. No filters. Just real stories, real science, and real talk.Because when you mind you, you understand you — and that changes everything.

Music & Podcast Produced By: Brian Patterson Jr.