Mr. BigHead Reads

We couldn't let September, Suicide Prevention Month, come to a close without talking about awareness, community, and the courage it takes to reach out for mental health support.

This week I'm so grateful to be in conversation with Tamu Lewis, mental health advocate and cofounder of The Lee Thompson Young Foundation. Tamu and her mother carry this work in loving memory of her brother, actor and activist Lee Thompson Young. What they are building is a gift to families and communities everywhere, and I'm honored to share her voice with you.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

This episode is sponsored by The Church Collection. 🤎

Have a business or project you'd love to share with our community? Visit brotherbreathe.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Keep breathing, healing, and becoming 🤎

#BrotherBreathe #SuicidePreventionMonth #MentalHealthMatters #LeeThompsonYoungFoundation #BreathingHealingBecoming

Brandon Jones grew up in a home shaped by domestic violence. Today he's a psychotherapist, professor, and founder of Jegna Consulting, helping others heal from the same kind of pain he once carried.In this episode, Brandon shares his journey, what Adverse Childhood Experiences look like in grown men, and why he lives by the words live life with purpose on purpose.Like this video, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this.Jegna Consulting: jegna.org#BrotherBreathe #BlackMenHealToo #MentalHealthMatters

Our boys don't just need to be ready for class this fall; they need to be whole walking in.

This week I sat down with Dr. Preston Igwe (@presto.md), a board-certified psychiatrist who works with athletes and high performers, to talk about what it really takes for Black boys, teens, and student-athletes to thrive this school year. We got into the pressure to represent, the quiet signs of struggle that get mistaken for attitude, and what parents and coaches can actually do to show up for our young men.

This one is for the mamas ironing first-day outfits, the daddies running drills before practice, and every Black boy trying to figure out who he's supposed to be when he walks through those doors.

Tag someone who needs to hear this before the first bell rings.

Link in bio 🔗
Got a question for a future guest? Email us at [email protected]; the floor is yours.

Keep breathing, healing, and becoming. 🤎

#BrotherBreathe #BackToSchool #BlackMentalHealth #BlackBoyJoy #StudentAthletes #SportsPsychiatry #BlackFathers #BlackMotherhood

🔥 BLACK MEN ARE TAUGHT HOW TO SURVIVE. BUT WHO TAUGHT US HOW TO HEAL? 🔥

If you're a Black man navigating faith, purpose, leadership, relationships, mental health, or simply trying to become the healthiest version of yourself, this conversation is for you.

This week on Brother Breathe, we're honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Delman Coates, pastor, scholar, author, activist, and one of the most influential faith leaders in America, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about healing, wholeness, purpose, and the unique challenges facing Black men today.

A graduate of Morehouse College, Harvard Divinity School, and Columbia University, Dr. Coates has dedicated his life to faith, justice, education, and empowering communities. Since 2004, he has served as Senior Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, growing the congregation to more than 9,000 members while leading transformative work in community development and social justice.

Dr. Coates is the founder of the Black Church Center for Justice & Equality and has been recognized by the ACLU, Ebony Magazine's Power 100, and The Root's 100 Most Influential African Americans. His voice has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, Fox News, Essence, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous other national platforms.

But beyond the accolades, Dr. Coates shows up in this conversation as a brother committed to helping Black men thrive, not just survive.

💎 In this episode we discuss:
✔️ Why healing is a necessity, not a luxury
✔️ Faith and mental wellness
✔️ Purpose, leadership, and legacy
✔️ The pressures Black men carry
✔️ What true wholeness looks like

This episode is packed with wisdom, truth, and practical insight that every Black man, and everyone who loves a Black man, needs to hear.

👇 Join the conversation below:
What is one thing Black men need to heal from in order to become whole?

👍 LIKE this video
💬 COMMENT your thoughts
📲 SHARE with a brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, mentor, pastor, or friend
🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

Brother Breathe exists to create space for Black men to breathe, heal, and become.

#BrotherBreathe #MensHealthMonth #BlackMenHeal #BlackMentalHealth #DelmanCoates #FaithAndMentalHealth #BlackChurch #HealingJourney #BlackMenMatter #MentalHealthAwareness #Leadership #Purpose #Wholeness #BlackExcellence #CommunityHealing

June is Men's Health Month, and we're kicking it off with an important conversation about the power of community, connection, and belonging.

This week on Brother Breathe, I'm joined by my friend, brother, and community builder, DaShawn Usher, Founder and Executive Director of MOBI. A Bronx native making an incredible impact in Atlanta, DaShawn has dedicated his life to creating spaces where Black men, especially Black queer men, can feel seen, valued, affirmed, and free to take up space through art, laughter, music, fellowship, and love.

In a world that often encourages men to suffer in silence, this conversation reminds us that healing doesn't happen in isolation. Our emotional and mental well-being is deeply connected to the relationships we nurture and the communities that hold us.

Join us as we explore what it means to build authentic connections, cultivate belonging, and create spaces where Black men can truly thrive.

🎙️ New episode drops Wednesday.
📺 Subscribe to Brother Breathe on YouTube.
❤️ Like, comment, and share with someone who may need this conversation.

Because sometimes healing begins when we realize we don't have to carry it alone. Community is key!

#BrotherBreathe #MensHealthMonth #BlackMensHealth #MentalHealthMatters #BlackMenHealing #CommunityCare #Belonging #MOBI #DaShawnUsher #HealingTogether #BlackJoy #EmotionalWellness

What happens when you combine breathwork, sound bowls, and intentional rest?

This week on Brother Breathe, we sit down with Taelor Mason, founder of Oh Soul Well.ness, for an immersive conversation on sound healing and nervous system care.

From the very beginning, we slow down, breathe together, and step into a space of calm. Taelor walks us through the power of sound baths and how simple practices can help reduce stress, restore balance, and bring you back home to yourself.

This episode is more than a conversation, it’s a whole vibe.

Press play, take a breath, and experience it for yourself.

Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to exhale.

#BrotherBreathe #Wellness #SoundBath #Healing #MindBody

We’re kicking off our Her Voice, Her Advocacy series for Women’s Herstory Month with an amazing conversation featuring lifestyle & self-love coach Toni Hunt.

We talk about self-love, confidence, mental wellness, and the power of women using their voices.

This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎥 Watch the full episode and join the conversation.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share and tell your aunties, cousins, sisters, and friends about this series.

Because healing happens when we grow together.

#BrotherBreathe
#HerVoiceHerAdvocacy
#WomensHerstoryMonth

This week on Brother Breathe, I’m honored to be joined by Dr. Jonathan Shepherd, a nationally respected psychiatrist, leader, and advocate whose work sits at the powerful intersection of mental health, compassion, and community care.

Dr. Shepherd is known for his trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach to adult mental health, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. His leadership and service have impacted countless lives, and this conversation is a needed reminder of what healing-centered care can look like.

He currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Washington, D.C.’s Department of Behavioral Health, where he oversees services for children, families, and adults. Before that, he spent 12 years as Chief Medical Director at Hope Health Systems in Baltimore. Dr. Shepherd trained at the University of Illinois at Chicago, completed his child psychiatry fellowship at Johns Hopkins, and has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a Distinguished Fellow of AACAP, and was inducted into the American College of Psychiatrists (2024).

He is also the founder of Where Ministry & Medicine Flourish, a national platform that blends clinical expertise with faith-based mental health education through workshops, tours, and live events.

This is a conversation about healing, leadership, and what it means to care for people with both excellence and humanity.
Drop your thoughts in the comments, we welcome your reflections and feedback.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

To learn more about Dr. Shepherd and follow his work, visit his website: drjonathanshepherd.com

#BrotherBreathe #DrJonathanShepherd #MentalHealth #BlackMentalHealth #TraumaInformedCare #Psychiatry #BehavioralHealth #FaithAndMentalHealth #MinistryAndMedicine #Healing #MentalWellness #CulturallyResponsiveCare

This week on Brother Breathe, we continue our Black History Month celebration by honoring the brilliance, leadership, and impact of Black men in education.

I’m joined by Dr. Chris Collins, scholar, advocate, and educator, for a powerful conversation on purpose, identity, and the work of supporting Black men across educational spaces. Dr. Collins brings a rich background in youth development, public policy, and research, and his voice is deeply needed in this moment.

A major highlight of this episode is Dr. Collins’ dissertation research, which focused on identity development and the well-being of college-educated emerging adult Black men. His work helps us think more deeply about what it means for Black men not only to succeed, but to be well

To connect with Dr. Collins, follow him on LinkedIn by searching Chris Collins.

#BrotherBreathe #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackMenInEducation #DrChrisCollins #BlackScholars #HigherEducation #BlackMen #IdentityDevelopment #WellBeing #EmergingAdults #EducationMatters #ScholarAdvocate

The truth is: the holidays aren’t easy for everyone. Between family expectations, financial stress, old wounds, and the pressure to be ‘on,’ many of us struggle quietly.
And Queer and trauma-surviving communities and those who have experience loss, often carry an extra layer. experience

So before we talk solutions, before we unpack tools, I want to acknowledge the reality:
If the holiday season feels complicated, heavy, or overwhelming for you… you’re not alone.

Today’s conversation is all about that: finding grounding, building boundaries, and honoring the parts of ourselves we usually push aside during this time of year.