Couched in Color

Latest Episodes:

S2E10: Black Men: Mental Health, Marketing, and Media with Dr. Jeff Rocker Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Jeff Rocker is a licensed mental health counselor specializing in individuals, couples, families, and teens. He is the founder of How We See It, a non-profit organization committed to dispelling myths about psychotherapy in communities of color and young people, and CEO of Rocker Management, where he trains early career mental health professionals to brand and market themselves as clinicians in the field.

As a strong advocate for mental health in youth, Dr. Jeff Rocker aims to bring the people who provide mental health care to the forefront of personal development and self-improvement through social media and his close relationships with BIPOC celebrities. His main message? That it is okay to NOT be okay and to seek the right help! Tune in to this episode as Dr. Alfiee and Dr. Jeff Rocker chat about branding as a psychotherapist, creating relatability with your audience, and his thoughts on recent events such as the insurrection and inauguration. Watch over on You Tube, listen on all podcast outlets and join the conversation!

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

The importance of branding for mental health providers.
Engaging with youth on social media.
About How We See It and the Hip Hop Therapy Workshop.
Navigating cultural and generational differences in mental health education.
Ways to be an authentic ally.
Thoughts on the insurrection and its impact on young people.
Making space for youth to express themselves.
How to find the right help.
Sending his message through his work with celebrities.

QUOTABLES:

"You can write X amount of books, you can be on TV, and so forth. But if you're not relatable or personable, nobody wants to talk to you"

"Kids nowadays don't feel comfortable expressing their emotions, their thoughts, and their feelings. So what better way to do it in the music that they listen to?"

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

Follow Dr. Jeff Rocker on Instagram @askjeff - https://www.instagram.com/askjeff/?hl=en

Follow How We See It on Instagram @howwee_seeit - https://www.instagram.com/howwe_seeit/

Visit the How We See It website at http://howweseeit.org/

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org/

Couched in Color is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at www.instapodcasts.com)

S2E9: Dr. Charles Corprew My Mental Health Revolution: A Brother's Vision for Black Men Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Charles Corprew's personal revolution began just three years ago - since then, he has been on a path of vulnerability and honesty, and has not looked back . As a strong believer in everyone's ability to transform their lives from the inside out and with a dedicated focus on Black men, Dr. Corprew is committed to helping others become the best versions of themselves. He is leading his revolution of positive change as host of the What's Your Revolution? podcast, serving as a role model and through creating educational and mentored experiences for Black-owned businesses through CamelBack Ventures. Tune in as Dr. Corprew and Dr. Alfiee talk about the dreaded "V" word, how vulnerability can empower you, and how you can spark your own inner revolution.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

The reason and process behind What's Your Revolution?
What sparks an inner revolution?
The power of vulnerability and authenticity.
The story of Dr. Corprew's personal revolution.
About CamelBack Ventures and what they do.
What does it mean to work for a venture company?

QUOTABLES:

"Everyone has the ability to transform their lives, and particularly black men, we have this opportunity to look within ourselves and say, 'how can I be better? How can I be the best and healthiest version of ourselves?' and that's what I do every day."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

Follow What's Your Revolution? on social media:

Instagram @whatsyourrevolution - https://www.instagram.com/whatsyourrevolution/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wyrevolution?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhatsYourRevolution/

Tune in to the What's Your Revolution? Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whats-your-revolution-show-with-dr-charles-corprew/id1438461235

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lrC6NCVqxPNaQR6qbDprM

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/whatsyourrevolution

Have a story to share? Reach out to Dr. Charles Corprew at ccorprew@wyrevolution.com

Learn more about CamelBack Ventures on their website: https://www.camelbackventures.org/

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org/

Couched in Color is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at www.instapodcasts.com)

S2E8: Ryan Peete Free to Be Me: Adulting and Mental Health with Black Gen Z Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Tune in to this special episode as singer-songwriter and author of the NAACP award-winning book 'My Brother Charlie' Ryan Peete talks about her personal struggles with mental health. Learn about her journey towards finding proper care and medication, as well as how she rediscovered her artistic identity and craft amidst a pandemic. Ryan also opens up about her frustrations with misdiagnoses and being swept under the rug as a Person of Color with mental illness. As a strong advocate for the mental health and autism community, Ryan tackles many of the issues faced by these communities through her music and writing. Join in on the conversation to find out more about her story and her craft!

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

Navigating mental illness and medication.
The challenges and struggles of misdiagnoses among People of Color.
Finding the right medication for you.
Generational differences with mental health.
About the book 'My Brother Charlie'.
Graduating and making music in a pandemic.
High expectations and pressure in college.

QUOTABLES:

"There're a lot of people that have felt very anxious about graduating, but for me, it's been just like a breath of fresh air because I feel like I finally have peace to work on my music at my own pace however I want to without any outside opinions about anything."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryanepeete - https://www.instagram.com/ryanepeete/

Follow Ryan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanepeete

Get a copy of Ryan Peete's books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Ryan-Elizabeth-Peete/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARyan+Elizabeth+Peete

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram @dralfiee - https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com/

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org/

INTRODUCTION:

Tune in to this special episode as singer-songwriter and author of the NAACP award-winning book 'My Brother Charlie' Ryan Peete talks about her personal experiences with mental health. Learn about her journey to finding proper care and medication, as well as how she rediscovered her artistic identity and craft amidst the COVID pandemic. Ryan also opens up about her frustrations with misdiagnoses and the mental health concerns of People of Color being "swept under the rug" and minimized. As a strong advocate for the mental health and autism communities, Ryan tackles many of the issues faced by these communities through her music and writing. Join the conversation to find out more about her story and her craft!

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

Navigating mental illness and medication.
The challenges and struggles of misdiagnoses among People of Color.
Finding the right medication for you.
Generational differences with mental health.
About the book 'My Brother Charlie'.
Graduating and making music in a pandemic.
High expectations and pressure in college.

QUOTABLES:

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryanepeete - https://www.instagram.com/ryanepeete/

Follow Ryan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanepeete

Get a copy of Ryan Peete's books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Ryan-Elizabeth-Peete/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARyan+Elizabeth+Peete

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram @dralfiee - https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com/

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org/

S2E7: Shira Lazar Authentic White Allyship and BIPOC Mental Health Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

We are excited and honored to have bright light Shira Lazar on this episode of Couched in Color! From creating the digital platform What's Trending?, to hosting a show on the first-ever LGBTQ+ music talk station We Are Channel Q, to co-creating Peace Inside Live - a virtual platform for mindfulness and meditation, Shira constantly manages to put herself ahead of the curve by listening to her intuition and fully committing to her vision and passions. Tune in as she opens up about her journey of self-discovery which led her to bring some of her biggest ideas and visions to life. Learn more about true advocacy and allyship with Shira and how she stepped into her power to co-create inclusive spaces partnering white allies with intersectional BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities for social change and mental health.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

The story behind 'What's Trending?'.
Becoming a true advocate for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
Claiming your vision and committing to it.
Finding light and peace within yourself.
Learning to minimize and simplify your life.
How to make room for better things by letting go.

QUOTABLES:

"I'm doing it because this is what I do. I'm not gonna wait for someone to hire me to do it. And if people didn't get it at the time, now they get it."

"Wherever you're supposed to land is going to be where you land. You have to trust and surrender to that while putting in the intention than force the hard work. It doesn't need to be hard."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

Follow Shira Lazar

Instagram @shiralazar - https://www.instagram.com/shiralazar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShiraLazar/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shiralazar

Follow What's Trending?

Instagram @whatstrending - https://www.instagram.com/whatstrending/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatstrending/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhatsTrending?

Tune in to We Are Channel Q here: https://www.radio.com/wearechannelq

Listen to the Let's Go There podcast here: https://www.radio.com/wearechannelq/podcasts/lets-go-there-with-shira-ryan-22293

Join the mindfulness community Peace Inside Live -here: https://www.peaceinside.live/

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram @dralfiee - https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com/

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org/

S2E6: Technology, Mental Health and Supporting BIPOC Youth Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

On this episode, behavioral health technology guru Solome Tibebu opens up about her struggles with Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as a teen. She shares how she and her parents navigated a new and challenging experience, which in turn allowed Solome to identify the lack of resources online for other teens like herself. Since that time, she has committed herself to creating easy access for psycho-education of young people of diverse backgrounds experiencing struggles similar to hers as a young woman of color.

This week, we share her journey in mental health technology innovation and allow her the space to describe how she took charge and began developing and leading tech innovations at just 16 years of age! Tune in to find out how she is changing the behavioral health landscape today and moving the field forward by connecting teens, providers and tech innovators to build and share resources and tech advances for BIPOC, Queer and LGBTQ youth of color and all teens and how you can help.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

The importance of committing and providing support to kids.

How Solome carried her experience into her company and work.

How the Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech Summit came about.

Using Empathy Matching instead of Face Matching.

The Upswing Fund: What is it, what they hope to do, and who it's for.

What Solome envisions for behavioral health tech.

QUOTABLES:

"I'm of the opinion that to really be successful in supporting the end-users for seeing real behavior change, it has to be provider-driven digital."

"It's really important to know that these conditions are so common. You are not alone in what you're experiencing. And there is no shame in reaching out and connecting with a clinician because surely they have seen what you're dealing with."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Visit the Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech website at https://www.behavioralhealthtech.com

Visit The Upswing Fund website at https://theupswingfund.org

Visit Solome Tibebu's website at https://solometibebu.com

Follow Solome and her other resources on social media!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/solometibebu

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solome

Anxiety in Teens on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anxietyinteens

Anxiety in Teens on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anxietyinteens

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org

S2E5: Diversity, Developmental Disorders, and White Allies With Dr. Deborah Budding Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

INTRODUCTION:

We are thrilled to have special guest, Dr. Deborah Budding, with us today! Join in on the conversation as Dr. Alfiee and Dr. Budding share their passions and commitment for equity among the many diverse communities they serve. Dr. Budding is a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist with a pediatric specialization and is also a strong advocate for providing proper support to children with neurodevelopment differences. Tune in to find out exactly what she does, how she makes herself an authentic ally as a White woman, and why you should stop trying to 'fix' your kid.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

What does a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist do?
The pursuit of providing proper access to young people.
Replicating bad behavior - what children see (and repeat) in our leadership and environment.
How to be an authentic ally.
Navigating the multiple points of intersectionality.
Gaming in parenting, building rapport, and engaging with youths.
How to acknowledge, see, and respond with support.

QUOTABLES:

"Parents aren't neutral. Parents have their own personalities, styles, and experiences. And so I always like to see parents and children working together."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Visit Dr. Budding's website at http://deborahbudding.com

Listen to the NeuroCurious Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neurocurious/id1078031049

Listennotes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/neurocurious-deborah-budding-xhdryamT58W/

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism: http://www.thinkingautismguide.com

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaprojec t.org

S2E4: Love and Teach the Babies: Black LGBTQ Mental Health Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

Mr. David Johns of the National Black Justice Coalition is an educator, an unapologetic advocate for youths who far too often find themselves neglected or ignored, and so much more. We are honored to have him on this episode to talk about his passion for young people's mental health and share with us the many important lessons that he learned in the process of helping them figure out their identities and navigate the environment in which they live and grow up in. Tune in to find out what he means when he says there is no such thing as a problem child, what parents can do to communicate better with their teenagers and kids, and other invaluable tools and insights in this episode.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

Working with mental health in youths: Why it's important to David.
Lessons learned in his work.
The omnipresence of white supremacy in data.
How you listen to learn and not listen to respond.
Why adults need to hold themselves accountable for their failures.
Why do we keep boxing our Black youths? How can we stop and do better?

QUOTABLES:

"Too often adults seek to solve problems for youths without ever asking them what's wrong. The question is usually, 'What's wrong with you?' We don't ask, 'What's wrong?'"

"Whenever people talk about young people, for me, it's important that young people are able to talk for themselves and whenever young people are centered for me, it's important that people hold space for the fullness of their diversity."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Visit the National Black Justice Coalition website at http://nbjc.org

Follow Mr. David Johns on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrdavidjohns

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrDavidJohns

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaprojec t.org

S2E3: Black Influencers and Mental Health, A Guys Perspective With Landon Moss Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Landon Moss is an influencer, filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and so much more! In this special episode, Landon joins us to talk about his journey behind wearing these many different hats. After letting go of his full scholarship by dropping out of school and moving to LA, Landon continues to find himself at different crossroads in his life. Find out how he navigates these territories to not just survive, but thrive! Tune in as he shares his experiences of being Black in a White space, the many pressures that life brings, as well as how he copes with them.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

Vine: Landon's turning point in life.
The pressures and struggles of content creation.
Being Black in a White space.
The Black Friend short film - the inspiration, process, and response.
Navigating pain and anger in today's climate.
The benefits and stigma behind therapy.

QUOTABLES:

"I think the most overwhelming thing for me was feeling like I had to be what other people wanted me to be. I felt like I was a caricature of myself."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Watch "The Black Friend" - a short film by Landon Moss on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XECQ-9AxS0U

Follow Landon Moss on:

Instagram: instagram.com/landonmoss

TikTok: tiktok.com/@landonmoss

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCThBq4YEMarupap-_0Mgyfg

Visit his other links here: linktr.ee/landonmoss

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit her website here: www.dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: www.aakomaproject.org

S2E2: The Black Kids Have Mental Illness Too With Christina Hammonds Reed Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we invite special guest and author of The Black Kids, Christina Hammonds Reed, to talk about her book, her experience growing up as a privileged black kid, and finding her place in her community as a minority. Find out how they navigate the tricky territory of representing their race and their own identities, as well as observations made from parenting in black families (what is respectability politics and how does it affect your family?). So much more is uncovered in this episode, so tune in now and join in on the conversation!

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

About The Black Kids, the book.
Why talk about black privileged kids?
Raising black children with respectability politics.
The burden of representing your race.
What isolation can do to a black kid.
Figuring out where you fit in the white structure.
The pressures of being the "good kid".

QUOTABLES:

"Even now, just because you're not out in the streets with a sign protesting, it does not mean that one you're not passionate about it. And it does not mean that you're not impacted by it. You just may have a different way of managing and engaging."

"We see a lot of coming of age stories about depressive white kids, but we don't really see what that depression can look like in black kids."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Get your copy of The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Black-Kids/Christina-Hammonds-Reed/9781534462724

Follow Christina on Instagram: instagram.com/christinahammondsreed

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit her website here: www.dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: www.aakomaproject.org

S2E1: You Can't Just Pray It Away, You Actually Have To Act on It: Mental Illness In Black Teens With The "Not Ok" App Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to Season 2 of the Couched in Color Podcast! In our first ever episode, we meet the creators and innovators behind the notOK App, Charlie and Hannah Lucas. These two teens have left their mark on mental health communities and continue to do so on their mission to build strong support systems for those in need of it! Learn about their journey leading up to creating the notOK app, the struggles behind breaking communication barriers among black families regarding mental health, and the pressures of upholding higher and different standards as a black student.

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

What is the notOK app, how does it work, and who is it for?
The stigma of mental illness in black families.
Black families living in primarily white communities - A child's experience.
The impacts of COVID-19: Virtual Prom.

QUOTABLES:

"My dad was trying to pray it away instead of actually going to therapy and seeking solutions. You can't just pray something away and expect it to go away. You also have to act."

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Download the notOK app here: www.notokapp.com/download

Follow notOK on Instagram: instagram.com/notokapp

For more information on the notOK app, visit their website: www.notokapp.com

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dralfiee

Visit her website here: www.dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: www.aakomaproject.org