Ruminations with Ohiro Oni-Eseleh

In this speech to the 10th Annual Reunion Conference of Oko Chapter of Presbyterian Student Fellowship, Nigeria, Dr. Ohiro Oni-Eseleh talks about "The Invisible Weight That We Carry." He discusses some of the inner struggles with which people live even as they perform their daily tasks, argues that not all suffering is visible, and offers ways in which the invisible burdens can be laid down to attain enhanced functioning in life.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

Welcome back to Ruminations with Ohiro Oni-Eseleh. I'm your host, Dr. Ohiro Oni-Eseleh, psychotherapist, professor, and founder of Integrative Ruminations.

Today, we are talking about something many people experience but often struggle to recognize: emotional exhaustion. It's more than simply feeling tired after a long day. Emotional exhaustion is what happens when you've been carrying stress, responsibility, disappointment, caregiving, or emotional burdens for so long that your internal resources begin to run low.

You may still be showing up to work, caring for your family, meeting deadlines, and doing everything you're supposed to do on the outside. But on the inside, you feel disconnected, overwhelmed, irritable, numb, or like you're running on empty. Emotional exhaustion often affects the very people others describe as "strong," "reliable," and "high-functioning."

In this episode, we'll explore what emotional exhaustion looks like, what it looks like, and most importantly, what you can do to begin restoring your emotional well-being before burnout takes a deeper toll.

So settle in, take a moment for yourself, and let's begin the conversation.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

On this podcast episode, Dr. Ohiro Oni-Eseleh explores the impact of war on children and argues that the effects are so pervasive on society that it is improper to assume that anyone actually wins a war.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

In this episode of Ruminations, Ohiro Oni-Eseleh explores a difficult but necessary truth: sometimes, love alone cannot sustain a relationship. “When Love Is Not Enough” examines the emotional, psychological, and relational factors that determine whether love can truly thrive—or quietly unravel.

Through reflective insight and honest conversation, this episode unpacks the roles of communication, emotional safety, accountability, and personal growth in shaping healthy partnerships. It challenges the common belief that love should be able to overcome anything, offering instead a more grounded perspective on what relationships actually require to endure.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Ms. Funmto Ogunbamwo is passionate about dispelling the myths and stereotypes around mental health in Africa. A graduate of Austin College and Southern Methodist University in Texas, USA, Fumto is the founder of Ibi Ayo Therapy and Wellness in Lagos, Nigeria. She also runs a blog called Out of The Heart which is dedicated to exploring mental health, faith, young adulthood and overall wellbeing.

In this episode co-facilitated with Dr. Olusola Togun-Butler, Founder/CEO of Butterfly Counseling Services in New York, Ms. Ogunbamwo discusses her relocation to Nigeria after studying in the United States, her motivation for becoming a psychotherapist, the challenges and potential impact of practicing in Nigeria, and her practice approach. She also discusses the role of religion and African culture in decisions to seek or reject help in that culture.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com

Mr. Michael Balles is a clinical social work practitioner and administrator. He is the Director of the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) of Dutchess County, New York. He has a record of significant accomplishments as an administrator in the the field of addictions treatment and has occupied major roles in several establishments. In this conversation, he provides an in-depth discussion of the etiology of addictions, the challenges and stigma associated with addiction.

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Ms. Julianah Abimbola Ogundimu, MSW, MBA and Master CASAC-G is a Team Leader/Opioid Disorder System Specialist at Ulster County NY Sheriff Office and Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice & Human Services. In this expansive interview, she discusses her work, the etiology and impact of substance addiction, and the effects of stigma associated with substance misuse.

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Dr. Chikezie Uzuegbunam is the MA Program Coordinator in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, South Africa. He is also the Acting Deputy Head of School in the same department. He has published prolifically, with over 30 peer-reviewed academic outputs in the areas of digital technology, young people and media, popular culture, political and health communication, and misinformation. In addition to academic publications, he has contributed numerous op-eds and essays to mainstream media and critical blogs. His latest book is “Children and Young People’s Digital Lifeworlds: Domestication, Mediation, and Agency” published by Palgrave Macmillan under the book series of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR).  In this episode, he discusses his scholarship, motivations and inspiration.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohiro.substack.com