Whole Hearted Westcoast Living | Season 2

What do hip hop rivalries and family systems have in common? More than you’d think. In this episode, we crack open the concept of “beef”—not just the lyrical kind that’s rocked stages and headlines, but the everyday conflict we carry into our homes, relationships, and healing journeys.

From Tupac vs. Biggie to generational trauma, we're unpacking how confrontation, authenticity, and even dysfunction can be pathways to growth. Join us as we weave together the evolution of hip hop with personal stories, therapeutic insight, and the power of resolving tension in meaningful ways.

This episode isn’t just about music—it’s about real life, deep healing, and of course - beef. 

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Healing Is Ceremony, Even When It Doesn’t Look Like It

In this episode, we’re unpacking the meaning of ceremony — not just the kind with sage and prayer, but the ones that live in everyday moments. From lowrider Sundays and oldies playlists to hip hop battles and hot yoga sessions, we explore the ways different communities have always found healing through movement, rhythm, and connection. 

We get real about how Western mental health has pulled from Indigenous traditions — somatic work, community rituals, plant medicine, and ceremony — often without honoring where they came from. And we share how reclaiming these roots brings deeper meaning to our healing journeys.

This one’s for anyone finding their way back to self, culture, and spirit. Whether it’s through dance, tears, prayer, or playlist — healing is already in us. It’s in the rhythm. It’s in the practice. It’s in the everyday sacred.

🎧 Tap in and remember: healing isn’t always quiet — sometimes it hits like a beat drop or smells like your grandma’s kitchen.

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“Social work ain’t what you thought.” In this fire episode of The Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast, Brittani, Alex, and Mike break down the real roots of social work — beyond textbooks and titles — and bring it home to the block, the culture, and the community. This ain’t your average lecture. We’re talking grandmas as the OG social workers, mentorship as medicine, and why hip-hop has always been therapy. The crew dives into the power of women in leadership, the emotional labor of motherhood, and what it means to hold space in 2025 as a healer, a parent, and a professional — without losing yourself in the grind. They also get real about:

• Reclaiming the spirit of social work from the systems that tried to sanitize it
• Setting boundaries with family (without the guilt trip)
• Breaking generational cycles while honoring the wisdom that came before us
• Imposter syndrome, black excellence, and healing through rhythm, movement, and connection

From hood to healing, from clinical to cultural, this one’s for the community workers, the therapists, the cycle-breakers, and the future social workers who grew up navigating survival and are now creating spaces of resilience. Tap in and tell your homegirl, your cousin, your mentor, and your therapist. This one hits.

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The world is wild right now, but women stay holding it down.

In this episode of The Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast, Brittani and Alex dive into the power, resilience, and healing of women in honor of International Women’s Day. From navigating the chaos of today’s world to the unspoken labor women take on at home and in their careers, they break down the weight women carry and how to protect their peace in the madness.

They also talk about music as medicine, the power of movement in healing, and how women have always been at the center of cultural revolutions. From the Black Panther movement to the mental health field today, women continue to shape history, push boundaries, and redefine leadership—while still handling business at home.

Plus, Alex shares a wild backstage story about playing Magic: The Gathering with Post Malone (yeah, you read that right).

Whether you’re balancing work and motherhood, trying to make space for your own joy, or just need a reminder that you are gold, this episode is for you. Tap in, celebrate yourself, and keep thriving.

Hit play. Let’s get into it.

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“Love is just a word, but you bring it definition.”
— Wale ft. Sam Dew, “LoveHate Thing”

In this episode of The Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast, Brittani, Mike, and Alex dive deep into love in all its forms—romantic, platonic, self-love, and community. They keep it real about relationships, emotional vulnerability, and the struggles of masculinity when it comes to affection.

The crew also gets into Black History Month, breaking down cultural identity, healing through music, and the power of representation in therapy. From love songs to real talk on generational trauma, codependency, and self-worth, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and raw emotion.Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day, healing from a breakup, or just vibing with some dope conversation, this one’s for you. Tap in, get inspired, and drop your favorite love song in the comments!

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In this episode of The Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast, host Brittani is back after a break with two amazing guests—returning guest Mike and new intern Alex. They discuss the importance of mental health, self-care, and navigating big life transitions, including grief, burnout, and the challenges of staying consistent in creative work. The conversation touches on the power of community, the role of music in healing, and the impact of social media (including the brief TikTok ban) on small businesses. They also dive into the recent Kendrick Lamar album GNX, hip-hop culture, and reflections on prioritizing time with loved ones. Tune in for a real, heartfelt discussion on resilience, creativity, and navigating uncertainty in 2025.

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What’s up Healmatic Family!! Get ready for another captivating episode as our team dives deep into a very much needed conversation about intergenerational healing. Hosted by Brittani Williams, this transformative conversation features the expertise of Michael Brown, and Mitzy Ruelas both integral members of the Healmatic Collective. In this illuminating episode, our team explores the profound impact of trauma and healing as we see it passed on through generations, leaving imprints on relationships, family dynamics, culture, and the simple acts of how we do everyday life. Join us as we unravel the power of unlearning detrimental patterns, breaking the silence and shame, and reshaping specific gender roles for a more connected and harmonious future. This episode delves into the fascinating world of family narratives. Brittani, Michael, and Mitzy shed light on the significance of understanding storytelling and learning from our history. Discover how shared stories and experiences serve as catalysts for both individual and collective healing, paving the way for a transformative journey. Cultivating resilience and strength shifts as the focus of another segment, where we navigate through therapy and various forms of support. Our team discusses the vital role these elements play in intergenerational healing, sharing inspiring stories and emphasizing the importance of self-care and self-compassion in the healing process.

Welcome to our podcast, where each episode is a step towards a healthier, more connected future. Join us in this humanized exploration of trauma, healing, and the transformative power of reshaping narratives.

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you feeling connected and empowered. To stay connected with us, don't forget to hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform. Also make sure to follow us on our social media platforms for behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks into upcoming episodes, and engaging discussions find us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter @bwilliamslcsw @therapywithmitzy @therapywithmikeb www.healmatic.health

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-wholehearted-west-coast-living-podcast--5792496/support.

Welcome to our podcast! In this episode, we have a very dope and organic conversation about healing through music with our guests, Mitzy Ruelas and Michael Brown. Throughout the podcast, we delve into the therapeutic power of music, exploring its historical and cultural significance in healing practices. We emphasize how music has the remarkable ability to evoke emotions and foster connections, making it a valuable asset for mental well-being. As our conversation progresses, we delve into the deeply personal aspect of music as a form of self-expression and catharsis. We share stories of individuals who've harnessed the healing power of music, even featuring a moving clip from LA legend- Nipsey Hussle. Additionally, we reveal our own challenging life moments and the songs that carried us through them. Continuing our exploration, we discuss how music plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and managing stress, anxiety, and depression. We also delve into the scientific aspects of how music influences our nervous system. To wrap things up, we treat you to a musical interlude, sharing songs that we find incredibly healing. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you feeling connected and empowered. To stay connected with us, don't forget to hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform. Also make sure to follow us on our social media platforms for behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks into upcoming episodes, and engaging discussions find us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter @bwilliamslcsw @therapywithmitzy @therapywithmikeb www.healmatic.health

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-wholehearted-west-coast-living-podcast--5792496/support.

In this compelling episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Jacqui Johnson LPC, ATR-BC, CCMHC, PMH-C, RYT, a multi-talented and highly accomplished and gifted therapist whose expertise spans an array of disciplines. Jacqui Johnson is a force to be reckoned with, holding titles including Somatic Social-Justice Art Therapist, Board-Certified Art Therapist, Play Therapist, Hip Hop Therapist, Emotional Emancipation Circle Leader, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider, Registered Kemetic Yoga Teacher, and more. She serves as the Clinical Director of Sankofa Healing Studio, an Adjunct Professor at Jefferson University, and is the visionary behind the EMDR & Brainspotting In Color Group, where she also functions as an EMDR Consultant and Advanced Trainer.In celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop, Jacqui and Brittani discuss the revolutionary and upcoming EMDRIA approved training: Mind, Body & Rhyme: Using EMDR and Hip-Hop Therapy to Foster Creativity, Empowerment & Growth. Through the episode Jaqcui and Brittani discuss the following: Defining and exploring what is EMDR? What are the Misconceptions of EMDR? And Who can benefit from this treatment Model. The hosts also discuss the origins of Hip Hop Therapy and Dr.Edgar Tysons pioneering work as the founding father of Hip Hop Therapy. The intersections of Hip Hop Culture and the key elements of EMDR along with other evidence based practices were also discussed. Jacqui and Brittani end discussing the reason behind doing this training and also share additional regarding the details of the upcoming training.

To learn more about Jacqui please visit her website: https://sankofahealingstudio.org/Register for the training: https://sankofahealingstudio.org/sankofa-healers-corner


Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you feeling connected and empowered. To stay connected with us, don't forget to hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform. Also make sure to follow us on our social media platforms for behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks into upcoming episodes, and engaging discussions find us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter @bwilliamslcsw. If interested in working with the Healmatic team please visit us at: www.healmatic.health

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-wholehearted-west-coast-living-podcast--5792496/support.

Welcome to the Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast – where we have real conversations about real issues with real people. In this episode, join the Healmatic team as we dive deep into answering questions that you sent to us! Please see below for some of the topics we cover in this episode:

Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome? Tune in as we explore strategies and insights on how to tackle those nagging feelings of self-doubt and step into your authentic self.

Setting boundaries is crucial for healthy relationships, but what happens when guilt and fear start creeping in? Our team of mental health providers provide practical advice to navigate these complex emotions and maintain your well-being.

Discover what brings healing and grounding to our Healmatic Team. From mindfulness practices to personal anecdotes, gain inspiration for cultivating a sense of inner balance in your own life.

Join us for a candid discussion as we reveal our greatest "ick" in the mental health field. We're here to break down barriers and share our vulnerabilities, making this journey one of growth and understanding.

Ever wondered about the best aspects of being a therapist or social worker? Get an inside look into what we find the most rewarding!


Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Wholehearted West Coast Living Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you feeling connected and empowered. To stay connected with us, don't forget to hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform. Also make sure to follow us on our social media platforms for behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks into upcoming episodes, and engaging discussions find us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter @bwilliamslcsw

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-wholehearted-west-coast-living-podcast--5792496/support.