Host Jaquel welcomes her guest and best friend, Miss Akira Westlake, for a deep dive into the intersection of mental health, grieving, and the homeless population. This episode shifts the focus from anger to the often-unaddressed emotion of guilt within the grieving process. What You'll Hear: Meet Akira Westlake: Hear from an amazing woman, entrepreneur, and mentor who has dedicated nearly twenty years to working with the homeless community, especially in Milwaukee County. She shares what drew her to this work, starting with her childhood experiences. Mental Health as the Barrier: The conversation highlights that the biggest challenge in housing the homeless is often mental health, as many individuals are hopeless or lack the belief that they can successfully transition to housing. The Struggle with Isolation: Jaquel and Akira discuss the heartbreaking reality of separating individuals from their "chosen family" and the community they built on the streets, which often leads to relapse into homelessness. Grief in Homelessness: The hosts argue that society often excludes the homeless from grieving. They explore the concept that being housed may not feel "normal" for those who have created a life on the streets, leading them to sleep on floors or never truly settle into their new homes. Jaquel's Truth: In a moment of raw transparency, Jaquel shares her personal experience with being technically homeless while leaving a domestic violence situation and struggling with depression. She opens up about the pride and manipulation she used to hide the fact that she and her child had no place to sleep. Encouragement for Direct Service Workers: Akira closes Part 1 with a powerful message for those working in direct service housing, urging them to prioritize their own well-being and not let the work overwhelm them. We're all one paycheck away. Don't miss this powerful first half of a necessary conversation! Stay tuned for Part 2!

How do you move forward when the past still feels like today? In this episode of the "Working Out With Wanda Podcast," host Jaquell Bates and her producer discuss the lasting impact of 9/11. They talk about how the tragic events of that day brought a massive wave of grief across America, affecting the entire nation. Jacquel emphasizes that while for the younger generation, 9/11 is a historical event, many people who lived through it are still grappling with the fear and loss they experienced.

The episode delves into the various forms of loss that occurred, including the loss of loved ones, jobs, and a sense of security. Jaquell highlights the struggles of those still "stuck" in a phase of grief, unable to recover from what they lost. She also shares her own memories of that day as a college student, recalling the fear and confusion as the events unfolded. Jaquell poses the question of how to move forward when grief has no "expiration date". She points out that many people are still living with fear, experiencing forms of PTSD, and dealing with health issues from their time as volunteers. 

The episode encourages listeners to be more empathetic and understanding toward people who are still struggling, reminding them that everyone's grieving process is unique and individual. Jaquell concludes by looking ahead to a future episode with a special guest who will discuss how mental health affects grief and the homeless population.

Jacquel, host of the WOW podcast, opens by welcoming listeners and emphasizing the show's focus on health, body, mind, and spirit. She explains that recent episodes have explored the stages and effects of grief—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and are now transitioning to how to properly let go.The current discussion dives into anger as a root issue behind stress and various medical conditions like hypertension, aches, and pains. Jacquel highlights the importance of listening to our bodies and practicing self-care, noting that ignoring signs of fatigue can lead to serious health issues, including strokes or heart attacks.The core of this episode shifts to the connection between anger and addictions, asserting that addictions are often a way to numb pain and unresolved issues. Jacquel clarifies that addiction isn't solely about substance abuse (drugs, alcohol) but can encompass anything used to avoid feelings, such as food, shopping, sex, social media, or overworking. She identifies common roots of addiction as unresolved trauma, shame, grief, loneliness, and anger, particularly unspoken anger stemming from childhood rejection or betrayal.Jacquel distinguishes between someone who appears functional (e.g., excelling at work) but secretly battles severe addiction, often releasing pent-up emotions only when under the influence. She challenges the generational silence around trauma, where families were taught to keep problems private, leading to individuals "swallowing poison" and resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms. She advocates for open expression of pain to address root issues, rather than soothing or deflecting.She also touches on how addiction can lead to abnormal behaviors, isolation, and a distorted sense of trust. The host stresses the importance of addressing these deep-seated emotional roots to break cycles of addiction, which she believes are often fueled by "demons" or overwhelming thoughts.Jacquel passionately argues that unresolved trauma from childhood, such as abuse or neglect, can lead to various addictions and self-destructive behaviors. She emphasizes that these past experiences were not the victim's fault and that validating those feelings is crucial for healing. She points out that if root issues aren't addressed, cycles of trauma and addiction will continue into future generations.The podcast concludes with a powerful call to self-reflection and action, urging listeners to recognize signs of addiction in themselves or others and seek help from unbiased sources like therapists, counselors, or pastors. Jacquel reinforces the message of hope, stating that everyone's life is important and that with faith, individuals can overcome challenges and fulfill their predestined purpose.

Welcome back to the WOW Podcast with your host, Jacquell, for a deeply insightful episode focused on the pervasive and often debilitating effects of anger and unresolved emotional baggage. Building on our ongoing conversation about emotional health, Jacquell opens up about her personal struggles with chronic anger and the severe health repercussions she experienced, including dangerously high blood pressure. She sheds light on how our bodies store stress and trauma, leading to physical tension, mental health challenges like PTSD and bipolar disorder, and damaged relationships. This episode is a compelling narrative about the journey from being "frazzled" by anger and external triggers to discovering the transformative power of letting go. Jacquell provides a raw and honest look at confronting painful truths, such as the grief of losing loved ones and the anger stemming from a perceived lack of control. She shares tangible strategies for embracing peace, from practicing self-care like massages and journaling to the profound shift in mindset that comes from trusting in a higher power and knowing your self-worth. Discover how to effectively release anger towards people, places, and things, and why this liberation is essential for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual alignment.

Jaquell began by emphasizing that grief isn't always about tears; it often surfaces as frustration, rage, or emotional numbness. She highlighted that feeling furious after a loss is a normal, albeit challenging, part of the process. The core message underscored that if left unmanaged, anger can consume us, whether internalized or externalized, hindering healthy processing and forward movement. Jaquell stressed that anger is a universal reaction, not limited by age, race, culture, gender, or size, and it often acts as a protective mechanism against pain, sometimes stemming from feelings of injustice, powerlessness, or rejection.

A crucial point Jaquell made was how difficult it can be to recognize anger in ourselves, especially when it manifests subtly. She used relatable examples like snapping at family after a bad day at work or simply being "short" with responses. She passionately explained how anger, particularly in grief, often gets "swept under the rug," leading to bitterness, negativity, and a pushing away of support systems.

Jaquell then delved into the distinct ways anger presents: Internalized Anger:
Characterized by self-blame, irritability, and depression with an angry tint.
Externalized Anger: Seen through snapping, negative outbursts, and risky behavior.
Disguised Anger: Including numbness, control issues, and hyper-productivity.

This was a particularly insightful point, demonstrating that anger isn't always loud or obvious. The most impactful part of the episode was Jaquell's raw and courageous sharing of her own journey. Losing her father at 14 led to deep, unresolved anger, even directed at God. This anger manifested physically as hypertension at 16, a stroke at 23, and a near heart attack before 30. She powerfully described how her body was constantly tense, unable to release the emotional burden. Jaquell's story is a profound testament to the long-term damage that suppressed emotions can inflict on the body, mind, and spirit.

She credited her high school counselor, Ms. Simonson, and a later therapist for helping her understand the importance of validating her feelings and verbalizing her emotions, even if it meant saying, "I don't want to talk about it right now." This process of acknowledging, understanding, and strategizing for positive outcomes was crucial for her healing. Jaquell concluded by challenging the societal pressure to suppress emotions ("don't cry, be strong"). She firmly advocated for allowing ourselves and our children to fully express their feelings, emphasizing that crying is a healthy release that prevents the body from remaining in a tense, painful state.

Her story is a powerful reminder that "hurt people hurt people," and by choosing to process our anger healthily, we can break cycles and foster deeper, more authentic connections.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Wild Podcast, host Jaquel sits down with community advocate, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate Antonio "Mr.Tonedef" Luckett to share his inspiring journey of resilience, healing, and self-discovery.

Tone opens up about the deep struggles he faced with depression, loss of employment, and the trauma rooted in his childhood and cultural experiences. He discusses how he transformed pain into purpose by founding the TDR Podcast Network, creating a safe space for unheard voices, and emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, community, and self-acceptance. Through candid storytelling, Tome highlights the significance of mental health awareness, authentic parenting, and breaking societal stereotypes placed on Black men. 

This episode encourages listeners to embrace their imperfections, lean into their struggles, and find strength in their stories to empower others.

In this heartfelt episode of the Woww the Podcast, host Jaquell welcomes a special guest, Pastor Marlon Lock, a certified life coach and substance abuse counselor. Together, they explore the multifaceted journey of grieving and how it intersects with maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the body, mind, and spirit. Jaquell and Pastor Lock share personal stories, shedding light on the realities that pastors and community leaders face while navigating their own grief. Pastor Marlon Lock emphasizes the importance of living life on purpose, drawing from his own experiences of loss and recovery. With insights on how to blend faith and therapy, he encourages listeners to embrace their brokenness as a pathway to healing. The conversation touches on the necessity of community support, the challenges of leadership, and the transformative power of love and faith in times of adversity. Join us as we delve into the importance of mental health and the ways we can honor our journey through grief by living joyfully and purposefully.

Welcome back to the WOWW podcast, where Jaquell guides us on a journey of health, body, mind, and spirit. In this powerful continuation of our grief series, we delve into the crucial aspect of therapeutic measures and their impact on our well-being. Picking up from our last conversation on accepting versus dealing with grief in its various forms – from job loss and homelessness to the loss of loved ones and physical changes – Jaquell emphasizes the importance of active participation in our healing process. We explore how engaging in physical therapy, counseling, and self-care transforms us from passive recipients of grief's waves to active rowers navigating towards a healthier future. 

Jaquell transparently shares her own challenges with prioritizing self-care and highlights the significance of intentional actions like solo movie dates, pursuing hobbies like cooking, and creating new memories. We discuss the profound influence of music on our emotional state during grief, from triggering sadness to uplifting our spirits. Discover practical therapeutic measures such as journaling, setting realistic goals, and the power of creating a positive environment. Join Jaquell as she underscores the importance of self-compassion, detaching from negativity, and finding strength in faith and self-belief. Remember, you are important; even in the darkest moments, there is hope. Let's smile through the pain and keep pushing forward together.