Speaking with Gravity

Before than the pandemic of 2020, there was the pandemic of the 1980s. What we didn't know then, that we do know now. An episode to gain a better understanding of HIV and how it affects individuals and those that surround them.

In this episode we talk astrology and how it relates to psychology. Our guest Lia the Sunstar breaks down the connection between the two

M.V. “Mark” Oliphant is a triple-threat entertainer (actor, singer, voiceover artist) based in Atlanta, GA who has appeared in television and stage plays over the span of 20 years. His film credits include: For Better or Worse and Fatal Attraction. A native of Augusta, GA (by way of neighboring rural town of Wrens, GA) MV began his acting career in 1994 (3 years after receiving his degree from Morehouse College) with a self-written and produced one-man monologue entitled “The Choice is Yours” he presented at native home church Broadway Baptist in 1994, which led to stage debut lead role in a murder mystery play "A House Without Windows" directed by his mentor - actress/writer the late Maxine Barnett-Nesbitt (In the Heat of the Night, Murder in Mississippi and Skeleton Key) and the late J.C. Taylor (former drama instructor for Paine College in Augusta). MV discusses his career path and what it takes to be successful.

What is domestic abuse and signs to look for in those relationships. The guests on this episode aim to explain the dynamics of abuse, control, and the trauma associated with the negative experience of an unhealthy relationship.

Our experiences and how we view them shape our lives for better or worse. The guest for this episode shares how his perspective and perseverance has led him to where he is now. Meet Mr. Johnnie Geathers:

Johnnie Geathers, MSW is an individual that loves helping others. Johnnie received his Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University and his Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Mental Health Therapist for Familylinks, Inc. under the Therapeutic Classroom model. In his position, Johnnie works with children in Pittsburgh Carmalt PreK-8 where the kids range from 1st to 3rd grade. Within the agency, he makes sure that he connects with the school staff and the families to make sure that the child’s needs are met to be able to transition back into the mainstream classroom setting or more levels of care. Johnnie received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty honors back to back in 2019 and 2020 for the work he does for Familylinks. Outside of his career, he does a lot of community work for his fraternity, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. In his fraternity, he holds three positions where he is the Community Service chair for the Beta Omicron Omega Alumni chapter in Pittsburgh, the Director of Community Service for the Atlantic Coast Region and the National Coordinator for Much More Than A Hashtag, an initiative that he helped co-founded to educate the community on Voter Registration, Citizen Review Board, Jury Selection, Home Ownership and Property Taxes. He does monthly Mental Health memoirs for his church, The Church of Christian Compassion in Philadelphia, PA. On April 3, 2020, he launched JG Mental Health Fridays on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn). JG Mental Health Fridays are videos where he addresses mental health topics and provide coping strategies that everyone can use to maintain stability. Johnnie received numerous honors from his contributions to the social work & mental health field and his fraternity. Some of his honors are the 2017 Who’s Next Community Leaders & Activists Award from The Incline, Unsung Hero Award & Social Work Appreciation of Greatness Award from Vitamin C Healing LLC., and 2020 Pitt School of Social Work Rising Star Alumni Award. Johnnie finds a way to stay in touch and involved in the community any way possible.

Defining manhood, success, and fatherhood. Special Guest : Sammy Splash, Laverne Cinema, Big Rick

On this episode we talk depression with Ms. Dee Carpenter, a native of Gaffney, SC, and a Master’s Level Social Worker with over four years of experience in the social service arena. Ms. Carpenter is committed to helping others develop and expand their skills and techniques as human service providers and makes a continuous effort to raise awareness about the communality of mental health within the African American community.

Ms. Carpenter graduated from Lander University with a Bachelors in Sociology, an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a Minor in African American Studies in Spring of 2011. She would continue to further her education by attending the University Of South Carolina-Columbia where she obtained her Masters of Social Work-(specialization in Children, Adolescents, and Families) Degree in Fall of 2017.

Ms. Carpenter has served as a school-based mental health clinician and community mental health provider for a local private practice. In her role as a clinician Ms. Carpenter worked to advocate for the emotional and social needs of individuals children, and/or families encountering acute to severe mental illness. Ms. Carpenter worked with the administrative leaders and executive directors of her designated organizations to help support the social, emotional, and academic needs and/or accommodations for the individuals in which she served.

Ms. Carpenter is the mother of one son, Dalton Carpenter. She serves as a Full-time Human Service Instructor at Piedmont Technical College at the Main Campus located in Greenwood, SC. She is the Active Advisor for the Human Service Club and a current member of the National Organization of Human Services. In the upcoming years Ms. Carpenter aspires to obtain her Licensure in social work, obtain a certification in grief counseling and enroll in a Doctoral Program to help advance her skill sets and techniques as a community service provider.

Who is therapy for and what can it do for me? On this episode we talk with Ms. Ty!

Tyisha Williams, native of Greenwood, SC, is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker with over seven years of human service experience. Tyisha is committed to advocating for the rights of individuals and families who are disadvantaged as a result of the negative stigmas associated with mental illness.

Tyisha graduated from Johnson C. Smith University where she obtained a Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 2012. Tyisha went on to further her education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work where she obtained a Masters of Social Work degree in 2014.

Prior to relocating to South Carolina in 2017, Tyisha provided services to assist acute and chronically homeless women with severe mental illness obtain permanent housing and problem solve through service coordination, case management and or individual counseling .

Tyisha was employed for SC Department of Mental Health and Synergy Counseling as a psychotherapist providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, families with emotional disturbances and adults with mental illnesses who need help in coping with their current and future situations.

Tyisha lives in Greenwood SC and employed by Caris Healthcare as a Hospice Social Worker.

From then to now, everyone has a story that has placed in their current circumstance. Our guest, Josephine Elliott gives us a brief glimpse into her life and her experiences with therapy.

Meet Josephine Elliott. She is an entrepreneur and founder of Business Life Guru a business consulting firm that specializes in branding. Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Josephine was brought to America at 5 years old. She grew up in New Jersey and attended Berkeley College and earned a Marketing degree. She has a experience in finance and has hosted live business consulting events. She enjoys politics, Broadway, reading, drawing, and investigative drama.”

Episode 1. Getting a feel for recording and sharing why a choice was made to provide content on mental health.