Join me and my final expert of the season, the wonderful Itumeleng Shadreck AKA Tumi, in today’s episode titled “College - The Perfect Time for Therapy w/ Tumi”. 

Tumi and I talk about her journey of becoming a therapist and the benefits of therapy. We also touch on what to expect in therapy and the importance of being authentic. 

Itumeleng Shadreck, who goes by Tumi, has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 2016. She currently serves as a counselor to students at Elon University. Her experience focuses on interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and finding balance. She enjoys learning about new cultures and practicing different ways to grow plants. Fun fact, her name (Itumeleng) roughly translates to joy/rejoice and is a pretty accurate description of her general personality.

Come for the stories. Stay for the love. 

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Join me as I have a conversation with Rafael in this upcoming episode titled “Moving Beyond Awareness”. Rafael is my previous guest, Abby, boyfriend for over 3 years. Rafael shares how he developed awareness and empathy for people with mental disorders. He offers anecdotes and practical ways to not only increase your awareness but put it into action with those you love and those you’re meeting for the first time. 

Rafael is an adventurous and versatile individual with a host of passions and talents. Some of his passions include photography, climbing, traveling, and both managing musical artists and making music himself. He’s currently pursuing a real estate license, but when he’s not studying or working, you can find him hanging with friends, exploring different entrepreneurial pursuits, and connecting with like-minded, fun, and creative individuals. 

Come for the stories. Stay for the love. 

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Join me and my 2nd expert, the one and only Chef Njathi Kabui, in this upcoming episode titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Our Food Culture”. Chef Kabui and I talk about the responsibility of the educated in our communities and how food has a history of being both spiritual and healing for an individual and community. We also talk about the state of our current food culture in America and his vision for the future. 

Njathi Kabui is an eclectic Chef with a passion for Food Justice, a Leading expert in Food Literacy, a Medical Anthropologist, and an Organic farmer. He is actively involved in promoting Food Literacy as a public speaker, a blogger, an author, and a social commentator. Chef Kabui considers himself an organic chef, who has intentionally designed his own disruptive cuisine. He calls this cuisine, “Afro Futuristic Conscious Cuisine” which promotes a mix of indigenous and healthy foods for the sake of sovereignty, health, and food justice.

Come for the stories. Stay for the love. 

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Hear from Abby (AW-BEE) in this episode titled, “Overcoming the Inherited Mind”. She is my first Afro-Latina guest who courageously shares her story despite having anxiety. She shares her experience growing up with relatives with mental health disorders and deciding to not let her own stop her from achieving her dreams. 

Abby is a senior at Northeastern studying to be a Physicians Assistant. She aspires to either work in heart surgery or neurosurgery. She grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts. She has the warmest of spirits and a fabulous smile that brightens every room she walks into. 

Come for the stories. Stay for the love. 

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Tune in to hear from Kaity in this upcoming episode titled The Impact of Friends, Fam, & Self w/ Kaity. Kaity is my previous guest’s friend over the last 4 years of college. She shares her own mental health journey and how different relationships have both helped and hindered her along the way.

Kaitlyn Smith is an Elon University Political Science, graduating senior who loves helping others. When she’s not studying, she can be found dancing or playing volleyball for fun. Kaitlyn is always on the lookout for new experiences and a fun time! 

Come for the stories. Stay for the love. 

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Tune in to hear from Shae in this upcoming episode titled, “The Necessity of Grace & Self-Acceptance.” Get to hear from my first guest who has a mental health disorder. He shares the importance of grace, love, and acceptance as you navigate the challenges of life. 

Shae is an upcoming graduate of Elon University working towards a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee where he found his love of family, sports, and video games. When not studying you can find him catching up on some sleep. Shae aspires to be a counseling psychologist and to buy property for his family. 

Come for the stories. Stay for the LOVE.

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Tune in to hear my first expert, Ms. Amanda Bennett, in this upcoming episode titled“Literature as a Medium to Process Trauma”. Amanda and I talk about the experience of students with marginalized identities in higher ed, spirituality, and the literary works of black women like Toni Morrison and Hortense Spillers. 

Amanda Bennett is a queer Black Southern poet and educator living in Durham, North Carolina. She is the author of a dissertation titled Developing a Vocabulary of Feeling: The Spirituality of Black Feminist Self-Repair on practices of Black femme magic within Black women’s literary history. Previously, Amanda has published her short fiction and poetry in Obsidian, Triangle Poets Series, The Concern Reading Series, Murder Journal, and Jellyfish Magazine. She is also the founder of the Black feminist consulting and education collective, define&empower. You can follow define&empower on instagram and TikTok at @defineandempower.co and listen to their Black Feminist Hotline podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Come for the stories. Stay for the LOVE.

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Tune in to hear from Mr. Austin Ray in this episode titled “The Healing Power of Friendship”. Get to know more about the host story and how Austin has supported and maintained a friendship with him. Austin shares things he wished he had known and advice to others that want to support someone with a mental health disorder.

Austin is a mechanical engineer who found himself in the construction management industry as a project engineer. When not working he spends his time investing in those that he loves, in the gym, traveling, or coaching lacrosse. He is always on the lookout for new connections, and ways to explore and understand this beautiful life.

Come for the stories. Stay for the LOVE.

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community. 

Join me, Noah Dyson, your host, as I kickstart my podcast with my first episode, Meet the Host. Get to know a little about my background, the meaning behind TLC, and my hopes for the podcast.  

Come for the stories. Stay for the love. 

TLC Zone is also available to listen to on Spotify, Youtube, and WSOE Elon Website. 

Follow me on IG @tlc_zonepodcast 

Listener discretion is advised. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition or be a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms while listening, I encourage you to contact somebody that you trust or a mental health provider in your community.