How do you shift from a life of performing for others to healing and creating for yourself?

Join host Toni C. Gayle for a profound conversation with Lauren Clark—a writer and spiritual empowerment mentor for creatives. Lauren shares her transformative journey from the hustle of New York’s comedy scene to founding her practice, The Unleashed Voice.

In this episode, discover:

• The 2020 awakening that moved her focus from “what can I get?” to “how can I help?”

• Why surrender—not struggle—is the key to a resilient creative life.

• The simple, powerful mantra: “My day begins the night before,” and the 10-minute practice that makes dreams actionable.

• How to honor your energetic seasons and “keep swimming” when you’re closest to a breakthrough.

This is a guide for anyone ready to transform their creativity from a source of overwhelm into their greatest source of strength and healing.

Listen for the inspiring shift from performer to healer, and learn how to trust your own process.

In this profound and deeply vulnerable episode of the healing collective, join host Toni C. Gayle in conversation with Dr. LaShaon Machado Brinson—former pastor, superintendent, and now a therapeutic coach and advocate for Black generational mental wellness.

LaShaon opens up about her journey from living a life of performance and "subtle suicide" within a toxic church system to discovering the liberating power of profound self-love. She shares how years of silencing her own needs—first as a pastor’s daughter, then as a wife and mother of five in ministry—led to a physical and emotional breaking point, including a moment where her vision literally began "glitching" from exhaustion.

This conversation explores:

• How "dying to self" became a slow erasure of her identity

• The wake-up call that came when her daughter attempted suicide

• Why bubble baths and affirmations aren’t enough—and what profound self-love really means

• How leaving the church helped her reclaim her faith and hear God’s voice more clearly than ever

• The revolutionary idea that self-love isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation for knowing God’s love

This isn’t a story about abandoning faith, but about fulfilling it. It’s for anyone who has ever felt trapped by a role, a religion, or a version of themselves that no longer serves their soul.

Listen now to begin your own journey from performance to purpose.

In this powerful clip from the podcast, Dr. LaShaon Machado Brinson shares a heartbreaking and transformative moment from her healing journey. After her daughter's suicide attempt, she was forced to look in the mirror and realize a devastating truth: "She learned that from you."

LaShaon breaks down how she was unconsciously modeling self-destruction by constantly silencing her own needs and desires. In a system that praised "dying to self," she was committing a slow, subtle suicide—and her children were watching.

This isn't about a literal act, but about the slow erasure of self that so many of us, especially in high-demand communities, normalize.

If you've ever felt trapped in a role that is consuming you, this clip is a must-listen. It’s a raw look at how breaking cycles begins with honoring our own voices.

What does it truly mean to heal as a community? In this powerful episode of The Healing Collective.Live, Toni C. Gayle sits down with Shahd Alasaly—a sociologist, professor, author, and social entrepreneur—for a profound conversation on identity, belonging, and weaving healing into the fabric of our lives.

Shahd shares her unique experience of growing up between the individualistic culture of Arizona and the collectivist traditions of Syria, and how this duality shaped her work in addressing cultural trauma. They dive deep into:

• Bridging Two Worlds: The impact of navigating individualism and collectivism, and how this shapes identity and resilience.

• From Trauma to Purpose: How post-9/11 Islamophobia and racism directed Shahd's academic research and her mission to foster belonging.

• Fashion as a Vehicle for Healing: The story behind her ethical clothing line, Blue Meets Blue, which employs refugees and creates "holding spaces" for shared stories and dignified work.

• Humanitarianism in Action: Why dignified employment is more sustainable than charity, and how to plant the seeds of empathy in the next generation through her children's book.

• The Power of Collective Care: A refreshing perspective on why we were never meant to raise children or heal from trauma alone, challenging the Western notion of hyper-independence.

Join us for an inspiring discussion that will challenge your perspectives on community, self-care, and how each of us can be a force for healing in the world.

Listen now and imagine a world where healing is woven into every system.

In this deeply personal and research-backed segment, Shahd unveils her upcoming two-part book series focusing on divorce and trauma within collectivist communities. Moving beyond the simplistic advice to "just leave," Shahd delves into the complex realities that make navigating a broken relationship uniquely challenging for those from collective backgrounds.

She explains how the project was born from her academic research and personal observations, revealing a critical gap in resources for women who prioritize family and community expectations over their own well-being. The series is designed to be a vital resource, offering solace and wisdom through the anonymous, shared stories of those who have lived through it.

Key Themes Explored:

• The Collectivist Complication: How pressures from family, fear of community judgment, and the prioritization of others' needs create immense barriers to seeking happiness.

• "Shattered Vows, Unshattered Women": The first book tackles the experience of betrayal and emotional abuse, and the difficult choice of whether to stay or leave.

• A Repository of Lived Experience: The second book will be a collection of anonymous vignettes—a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" for those navigating divorce—featuring stories from those who chose to stay and those who chose to leave.

• Beyond "You Should Just Leave": A compassionate look at why leaving is never simple, especially when dealing with narcissistic partners, financial dependence, and concerns for children.

This section is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of mental health, relationships, and cultural identity, and for those seeking to understand the heavy, nuanced work of healing in community.

What if the key to your freedom lies in understanding your past? In this profound episode, Toni C. Gayle sits down with NaKeesha Hayes, a former Teacher of the Year turned metaphysician and certified Theta Healer, for a deep dive into ancestral healing.

NaKeesha shares her incredible journey from the classroom to becoming a "belief worker," using her gifts as a third-generation seer to help individuals heal generational patterns. She breaks down complex spiritual concepts into practical, understandable terms, explaining the five brainwaves and how accessing the "Theta" state can reconnect us to our power and spirit.

We explore:

• The real science of generational trauma and how it lives in our DNA.

• How our ancestors act as a supportive spiritual team and why healing is a collaborative process across dimensions.

• The truth about "soul contracts" and generational curses—and why the language we use matters.

• A simple, powerful daily ritual to start identifying and releasing inherited family patterns.

• The surprising connections between unresolved family heartache and physical ailments like heart disease and diabetes in the Black community.

This conversation is a masterclass in merging spiritual wisdom with logical understanding. NaKeesha offers a compassionate yet direct roadmap for anyone ready to break cycles, understand their soul's journey, and step into a life of authentic freedom and purpose.

Tune in to learn how to honor your lineage without being bound by it.

How do we break cycles that feel bigger than us? This conversation reveals that trauma is embedded in our biology and that breaking free requires both awareness and community. In response to this urgent need, NaKeesha Hayes introduces the HUB Summit—a transformative gathering designed to provide the resources, tools, and supportive network for deep, holistic healing. It’s more than an event; it’s an invitation to reclaim your power and write a new generational story.

What if your struggles aren't entirely your own? This enlightening conversation delves into the heavy weight of generational trauma and the mental conditioning that shapes our lives, particularly within the Black community. NaKeesha Hayes explains how limiting beliefs and "generational curses" are passed down, impacting our health and well-being on a biological level. The discussion moves beyond individual healing to explore the power of community support, the concept of soul contracts, and the soul's journey after death. In response to this deep need for collective healing, Hayes introduces the Healing Summit—an initiative aimed at providing vital resources and a supportive community for those on a holistic healing path.

In this conversation, Tirrell Cherry discusses the concept of Spiritual Imposter Syndrome, exploring how societal expectations and external validation can hinder personal growth. He identifies as a spiritual nomad, embracing a journey of exploration across various beliefs. The discussion delves into themes of death and impermanence, emphasizing the importance of acceptance. Tirrell shares his personal experiences with family influence, trauma healing, and the power of hypnosis in uncovering subconscious beliefs. He also recounts a remarkable story of manifesting $50,000 through intention and clarity, and concludes with insights on practicing radical self-love and the necessity of digital detox in today's fast-paced world.

Here is an excerpt from my healing conversation with Tirrell Cherry
We called out the elephant in the room: how religious spaces often teach us to be passive, waiting for external power to move.
Tirrell challenged us to STEP UP and claim our co-creative power. This isn't a theory; it's a call to action. It’s about taking chances NOW, not waiting for divine permission.
Ready to unlock a new level of your potential? This episode is your key.
Full episode available 10.11.2025.