This week, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford joins us for a compassionate conversation about weight, health, and healing. We're exploring why obesity should be understood as a chronic disease, not a moral failing, and discussing new treatment options like GLP-1 medications that are changing lives. 

Dr. Stanford is an obesity medicine Physician-Scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. What makes her perspective so valuable is that she understands the unique experiences of Black women navigating weight and health in a world that often judges us harshly. As one of the few Black women leading research in this field, she sees how chronic stress, systemic barriers, and generational trauma show up in our bodies in ways that traditional medicine has often overlooked. During our conversation, we talk about the science behind weight regulation, how new medications actually work, and why it's time to move beyond BMI as the only measure of health. 

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Find obesity medicine physicians

Where to Find Our Guest

Website: https://www.askdrfatima.com

Instagram: @askdrfatima

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askdrfatima/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/askdrfatima

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever heard someone casually say “I’m so OCD” just because they like things neat and organized? That kind of language often oversimplifies a serious mental health condition and can make it harder for those living with OCD to be seen and understood. Today, we’re digging into what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder actually is and how it uniquely impacts Black women. Dr. Jameeka Moore joins us again for this conversation. During the conversation, we explore what OCD looks like beyond the stereotypes, the ways it often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed in Black women, and how effective treatment can help. Dr. Moore also offers insights on supporting loved ones with OCD and tips for finding culturally responsive care.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Website: drjameekamoore.com

Instagram: @jam_sessionz

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing attention to a topic that doesn’t always get the space or care it deserves: the mental, emotional, and physical toll of living with a severe autoimmune condition. Joining me for this conversation is Dr. Martine Hackett, a public health expert and the host of the podcast "Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition". In her show, she shares her own experience navigating chronic illness while also holding space for others who live with conditions that are often invisible but deeply impactful. During our conversation we discussed the ways chronic illness intersects with race, gender, and health equity, and how all of that shows up in the body and mind. If you or someone you love is managing a chronic condition, this conversation is for you.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Balancing a career and family life isn’t always easy, but it is possible. Today, I’m joined by actor, producer, author, and podcast creator Tika Sumpter. A true multi-hyphenate, her career continues to thrive. Since becoming a mother, she’s embraced her creativity even more, defying the societal expectation that women should scale back their ambitions after motherhood. Through her company Fort Sumpter, she has thrust herself into amplifying the experiences of mothers and children. And after releasing children’s media like her debut book ‘I Got It From My Mama’ and podcast ‘The Adventures of Curiosity Cove,’ Tika is rewriting the narrative on what it means to realize your dreams while raising a family.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram

Fort Sumpter Instagram

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s guest is Renée Bryan, a Licensed Professional Counselor and educator with a Master's in Education from Mercer University and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University. What makes Renée's work particularly compelling is her role as a mental health co-responder with law enforcement. This growing field many mental health professionals may not even know exists. In today's conversation, we explore what it's like to ride alongside police officers daily, responding to mental health crises in real-time.

Renée takes us inside the day-to-day realities of co-response work, from gas station interventions to family crises, sharing the de-escalation strategies that work in the field and the safety protocols that protect both clinicians and community members. We discuss the challenges of navigating different professional languages between mental health and law enforcement, the current state of community mental health resources, and how this collaborative model is achieving a 98% diversion rate from incarceration to treatment.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

We're building our TBGU Advisory Council and are looking for some amazing young women to join us! The Advisory Council will be made up of traditionally college-aged young Black women (18-23) who are passionate about shaping conversations around mental health and the experiences of this community. This group will be instrumental in helping to develop content for the TBGU podcast and social media channels. Please go here if you're interested in learning more or applying.

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Website

Instagram

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nila Morton is a graduate of  Howard University where she earned her Masters in Social Work  and a passionate disability advocate born with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that requires her to use a wheelchair. Her advocacy work focuses on challenging ableism and promoting inclusivity within the disability community. In this episode, Nila opens up about the struggles of fighting for accountability in accessibility for disabled people on campus, in the professional world, and their personal lives.

Where to Find Nila

Instagram: @nilanmorton

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram

TikTok

We're building our TBGU Advisory Council and are looking for some amazing young women to join us! The Advisory Council will be made up of traditionally college-aged young Black women (18-23) who are passionate about shaping conversations around mental health and the experiences of this community. This group will be instrumental in helping to develop content for the TBGU podcast and social media channels. Please go here if you're interested in learning more or applying.

Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE. 

Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE. 

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we are joined by Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, a clinical psychologist, hairstylist, professor, and the founder of “PsychoHairapy,” an innovative approach that uses hair care as an entry point into mental health in the Black community. As Black women, our hair is more than just what’s at the surface. It shapes identity, signals care, and holds cultural memory. In our conversation, Dr. Afiya and I dig into the deep, emotional, and historically nuanced ties we have to our hair, and how that relationship can mirror our mental health. 

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

We're building our TBGU Advisory Council and are looking for some amazing young women to join us! The Advisory Council will be made up of traditionally college-aged young Black women (18-23) who are passionate about shaping conversations around mental health and the experiences of this community. This group will be instrumental in helping to develop content for the TBGU podcast and social media channels. Please go here if you're interested in learning more or applying.

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Dr. Afiya on IG - @dr_afiya

Psychohairapy on IG - @psychohairapy

Website - psychohairapy.org

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're joined by award-winning scholar, ethnomusicologist, and cultural anthropologist Dr. Kyra Gaunt to explore the powerful intersections of music, play, and identity in the lives of Black girls and women. Dr. Gaunt, author of The Games Black Girls Play: Learning the Ropes from Double-Dutch to Hip-Hop, offers a brilliant breakdown of how musical play, like hand games, cheers, and jump rope rhymes, does more than entertain. It becomes a form of cultural transmission, identity-building, and resistance for Black girls navigating their earliest social worlds. 

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

We're building our TBGU Advisory Council and are looking for some amazing young women to join us! The Advisory Council will be made up of traditionally college-aged young Black women (18-23) who are passionate about shaping conversations around mental health and the experiences of this community. This group will be instrumental in helping to develop content for the TBGU podcast and social media channels. Please go here if you're interested in learning more or applying.

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Dr. Kyra Gaunt

Instagram - @kyracurates

www.kyraocity.com

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re throwing it back to Session 321 — Some Thoughts On Playing Small.

This quick episode was inspired by a line from Issa Dee, the beloved character played by Issa Rae in Insecure: “How much different would your life be if you actually went after what you wanted?” It’s a question that feels especially relevant now as we head into summer. The days are longer, the sun is out, and so many of us are ready to stretch, grow, and shine a little brighter. So, what would it look like to stop shrinking and give yourself permission to take up more space, both at work and in your daily life, as well as in your relationships and dreams?

I hope this episode encourages you to reflect on where you might be playing small and how you can start showing up more fully for yourself.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Registration for the 2nd Annual Holding Space for Healers Therapist Summit is now open! Join us July 24–26, 2025 in Atlanta, GA for this one-of-a-kind event designed for Black mental health professionals, offering the tools, connections, and resources to grow your practice, strengthen your brand, and expand your impact in a meaningful way.​Register for the summit here!

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re stepping into summer, and vacation season is in full swing. For many, that means excitement, adventure, and a packed travel itinerary. But for others, especially when it comes to flying, it can stir up a lot of anxiety. With everything we’ve seen in the news this year, those feelings might be new, or more intense than ever. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to navigate flight anxiety so it doesn’t get in the way of the special moments and experiences that matter most. To help us explore ways to manage and move through this anxiety, this week we're joined by Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett . She is a professor of Psychological Science at Kent State University and the author of ‘Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear.’ We're also joined by Aviation professional and Flight Attendant Isaiah Peters, who provides some helpful tips for tackling a fear of flying and shares how his own experience in the skies has shaped his approach to supporting anxious travelers.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Registration for the 2nd Annual Holding Space for Healers Therapist Summit is now open! Join us July 24–26, 2025 in Atlanta, GA for this one-of-a-kind event designed for Black mental health professionals, offering the tools, connections, and resources to grow your practice, strengthen your brand, and expand your impact in a meaningful way.​Register for the summit here!

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guests

Dr. Angela Neal Barnett 

Website: https://www.drangelanealbarnett.com/

Isaiah Peters

Instagram - @isaiahpete_ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiah-peters-1017/ 

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.