You Ain't Imagining This!

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death and disability in the Black community. Yet many Black people do not understand the impact of their risk factors or know the early symptoms of cardiovascular illness. The Espresso Talk Today team is joined by Dr. Clyde Yancy, cardiologist, and Professor of Cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Yancy is also a former president of the American Heart Association. In this episode, Dr. Yancy will discuss the eight essential steps that can reduce heart disease risk by 80 percent!  These are the "Essential Eight Steps to Heart Health."  Dr. Yancy gets real and specific about these steps that can maintain cardiovascular health and promote longer, healthier, and happier living.  This is part 2 of our 2-part conversation. Join us for this life-saving show!

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death and disability in the Black community. Yet many Black people do not understand the impact of their risk factors or know the early symptoms of cardiovascular illness. The Espresso Talk Today team is joined by Dr. Clyde Yancy, cardiologist and Professor of Cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Yancy is also a former president of the American Heart Association. He will discuss cardiovascular disease in the Black community as well as important risk factors and symptoms that everyone should know and understand. Dr. Yancy gets real and specific about confronting cardiovascular disease and important differences in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Yancy shows us that we can beat heart disease. This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Join us for this life-saving show!

Attending college is part of the American dream.  However, attending a college or university in the United States is expensive. Very expensive. American universities are some of the most expensive in the world. Most students rely on financial aid to pay for their education. However, financial aid is not a perfect solution. It is a confusing and difficult system to navigate. Delays, mistakes, and misunderstandings can be costly. Most students and their parents are unfamiliar with the benefits and detriments of financial aid. Espresso Talk Today is committed to encouraging education and supporting financial empowerment. In this uncommon episode, we are joined by Financial Aid Advisor Kim Bradley who will present the basics about financial aid, how to choose the right type of financial aid, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Join us for this enlightening and empowering episode!

Have you ever had a racial encounter? What did you do? Deny it or Ignore it? Many Black people experience such encounters but deny their physical and emotional effects.  The evidence proves that racism damages health! In this show, we discuss a real-life racial encounter and three simple steps that can avoid the damaging effects of racist encounters. Self-care is essential!

Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968, the book, Black Rage, by Black psychiatrists William H. Grier and Price M. Cobbs, was published. This widely acclaimed work has established itself as the classic statement of the desperation, conflicts, and anger of black life in America today. In our first literary mentor talk, Ben Koponen reads excerpts from the book, Black Rage, and provides commentary and analysis about the research and its relevance for Black people today. Join us for this insightful discussion.

Black Americans are traveling and living abroad at increasing levels. Europe. Africa. South America. Asia. We are not limiting ourselves to the problems and difficulties (and pervasive racism) in the United States. Robin Lofton, co-founder, and host of the Espresso Talk Today show, has studied and lived abroad (in the Netherlands, England, and Sweden) since 1994. She and her family currently live in Belgium. In this unique interview, Robin discusses her reasons for moving abroad, her experiences living in Europe, and the surprises she encountered as a Black woman ex-pat (now permanent resident!) in Europe.  What does racism look like in Europe?  Robin will answer this question and others about living abroad as well as what's next for her popular podcast show. 

Doing Dashiki Fridays. Studying Black history. Learning a (non-colonial) African language. Visiting an African country. Cooking foods from Black heritage. Singing the Black National Anthem. There are so many ways to connect with and celebrate Black culture!  In this Real Talk episode, Mel and Robin discuss their favorite ways to connect with Black culture--some surprises here!--and why they feel that it is important, especially now. Join this Real Talk! Bonus: Participate in our "Celebration of Culture" Challenge and be eligible to win a prize that celebrates Black culture. 

Hear amazing excerpts from the amazing Black health experts who have appeared on the Espresso Talk Today show!  This is your opportunity to hear some of the best discussions, explanations, research, and opinions from experts on Black health issues! Today, we will have Professor Deirdre Cooper Owens discussing medical racism and Professor William A. Smith discussing Racial Battle Fatigue.  

Deirdre Cooper Owens, Ph.D. on medical racism.

• Intro at 4:45.
• Show at 7:25

William A. Smith, Ph.D. on the physical and mental effects of Racial Battle Fatigue.

• Intro at 23:15.
• Show at 25:10

Would you like to hear amazing excerpts from the amazing experts who have appeared on the Espresso Talk Today show?  This is your opportunity to hear some of the best discussions, explanations, and opinions by the experts who have joined the show! Today, we will have Dr. Georges Benjamin from the American Public Health Association, Dr. Theopia Jackson from the Association of Black Psychologists, and Dr. Howard Stevenson from the Racial Empowerment Collaborative. 

Georges Benjamin, M.D. on Introduction to public health and the importance of health equity. Intro at 4:55. Show at 5:50

Theopia Jackson, Ph.D. on the unique and long-term impact of racial trauma. Intro at 17:10. Show at 18:20

Howard C. Stevenson, Ph.D. on developing racial literacy skills to cope with racial stress and the importance of discussing race. Intro at 29:35. Show at 31:40.  

Community. Culture. Great academic programs.  Committed professors. Amazing mentors.  Diverse. Welcoming and supportive environment. Yes, you find all of these at historically Black colleges and universities!  HBCUs have been educating Black students since 1837. These schools are graduating students who become leaders in every field.  The Espresso Talk Today team is joined by Leslie Jones, founder of the website, thehundred-seven.org, which is dedicated to positively promoting  HBCUs. Join us for this uplifting and uncommon conversation.