The SonRise Project Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Your Body Speaks to Your Circumstances Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Dr. Linda McGhee. Dr. McGhee is a clinical psychologist who specializes in young adult and child psychology. In this episode, she discusses the debilitating effects of trauma, including how it affects our bodies, minds and spirits. She defines trauma as an emotional response to an event in one’s life such as an accident, sexual assault or divorce. Dr. McGhee also suggests that the Covid pandemic is a devastating experience for everyone and is causing trauma around the world. She says when one experiences trauma the person is at risk for physical and mental health problems. She believes because most people don’t seek help to process trauma, the trauma burrows in causing a deep and lasting impact physically, emotionally and mentally. Dr. McGhee says trauma left unchecked can be deadly. She urges SonRise listeners to refrain from descending into a state of denial about their own trauma. Dr. McGhee discusses concrete steps on how to create a plan of self-care and how to seek some form of therapy.

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Empowering Black Gay Men Jul 04, 2022

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The SonRise Projectcreator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Emil Wilbekin. Emil is the founder ofNative Sona platform created to inspire and empower Black gay men. Emil is also a multi-media executive, content creator, cultural critic and human rights activist. He is the former editor-in-chief ofGiantand Editor-at-Large atEssence. He was the first openly gay Black man to run a major publication when he was appointed editor-in-chief ofVibe Magazinein 1998. In this episode, Emil shares withSonRiselisteners his personal journey including the difficulties he experienced coming out to his parents. He describes the event as one of the darkest days of his life and initially did not feel seen, heard nor accepted. Nevertheless, Emil says after a lot of therapy and family negotiations, he found the confidence to be his authentic self and his parents learned to love and accept him as he is. Emil shares with SonRiselisteners the importance of parents relating to their children with unconditional love and compassion. He also urges parents to learn to respect their children and indeed all people regardless of what their journey might look like.

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How Can We Be Better Parents to Our Sons? Jun 27, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Halim Ali, who is the founder, Executive Director and President of the non-profit From the Heart Foundation. Dr. Ali is also an activist, mentor, motivational speaker and mental health professional devoted to uplifting boys and men in the Black community. In this episode Dr. Ali shares his own incredible personal story that led to a life of service and giving back. As the third son of five, he said he was constantly bullied. He learned to fight at an early age and was suspended from school 27 times in just 3 years. He went on to become a gang member and was shot in the chest at 19 years old. He became homeless and eventually grew weary of crime. Years later was he able to connect the dots of all the trauma and abuse he suffered in childhood. He says men don't want to admit they’re hurting. Many are raised in a hyper-masculine culture that does not allow them to cry or feel their emotions. Dr. Ali is working to change all that. He says it’s possible to heal and outlines his Wellness Recovery Action Plan including 5 key concepts including: hope, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, self-discovery and education.

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The Black Family: Healing Addiction in Young Black Men Jun 20, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Rick Wallace. He is founder and CEO of The Visionetics Institute and uses a wide range of disciplines including neuro-linguistic programming, psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals thrive in every area of their lives. He is also author of “The Undoing of the African American Mind” as well as “The Mis-education of Black Youth in America.” In this episode, Dr. Wallace explores the multiple issues plaguing the black community including systemic racism, racial trauma, poverty and collective biases. Dr. Wallace also talks about the restoration of the Black family nucleus and the critical role it plays in personal development, especially its youth. He says functional family dynamics are essential and can be a powerful force for healing from addiction and mental illness. He believes it’s possible expand the inner circle beyond family to include friends, teachers, mentors and professionals who are willing to facilitate healing, growth and expansion of one’s potential.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Your Child Won’t Tell You Jun 13, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker and psychologist, Dr. Linda McGhee. Dr. McGhee is a clinical psychologist specializing in children and young adult psychology. In this episode, she talks about all the issues children, especially teenagers, won't tell their parents but share with others. Those include the fear their parents won’t recognize their mental health problems as real and will be labeled “crazy.” Dr. McGhee says often children won’t tell parents they're cutting themselves or self-harming. She explains teens also won’t share with parents they have an eating disorder. Dr. McGhee says there is an uptick in eating disorders among children of color and especially in boys. She says in addition teens usually avoid discussing issues related to race, gender identity and sexuality. Dr. McGhee says even if your child doesn’t discuss any of these issues with you, it’s important to find a therapist they can talk to. The goal is to help teenagers or young adults move toward positive mental health and ultimately independence, while also being part of a healthy functioning family.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Debunking the Myths That Break Black Families Jun 06, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces her guest Maliek Blade. He is CEO of Whole Brother Mission, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping men become healthy and whole in every area of their lives. He’s also the author of The Whole Brother: Debunking the Myths that Break the Black Family. In this episode Maliek illuminates a myriad of challenges facing black families including: systemic racism, mental-health, addiction issues, toxic masculinity, absent fathers and the plight of single mothers. Maliek challenges men to unlearn and rethink what it means to be a man and a father. Statements like “boys don’t cry,” or “man up” rob men of their opportunity to express their emotions and to be fully human. He says we’ve mistakenly embraced the idea that emotions are inherently feminine. Maliek presents what a healthy view of what black manhood and masculinity should look like.

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Understanding the Love Languages of Our Children May 30, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces therapist Danielle Boucree. Danielle is a clinical social worker with a specialty in family therapy and a mother of three. In this episode, Danielle talks about helping our children to feel more loved. She says when children are young they may be more receptive to love from their parents. However, once they become teenagers all that changes. Yet, she says within the soul of every teenager is the desire to feel connected, accepted and nurtured by their parents. While we may show our love, they don’t always recognize it as such. Danielle believes parents can communicate more effectively by learning to speak our children’s specific love language. She references the five love languages as defined by Dr. Gary Chapman: Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Quality Time, Acts of Service and Gifts. Danielle explains that speaking your teenager’s primary love language does not necessarily mean he or she will not rebel later, however it does mean they will know you love them, which inspires hope and security.

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Taking Care of You May 23, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Tamiko Ruby J. Tamiko is a Usui Holy Fire Reiki master and spiritual teacher. In this episode, Tamiko talks about taking care of ourselves before giving to others. She asks listeners if they prioritize the needs of others while neglecting their own. She says for many women this is a common, deeply entrenched pattern. Tamiko takes listeners through a live meditation to help find balance, peace and abundance even in the midst of life’s challenges. She says we cannot create a happy home or care for our children without being happy ourselves. Tamiko believes we must learn to set boundaries with others and then we will learn to love and find compassion for ourselves.

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Staying Senior to Your Circumstances May 16, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Sylvia High. Sylvia is a master life coach with over 30 years experience and is the founder and CEO of Aiming High Inc. She is also an author of several books including The Little Book of Big Questions, a Journal of Self-Discovery. In this episode, Sylvia talks about the importance of staying senior to your circumstances. She says it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and experience tremendous stress due to the challenges, disappointments and the emotions that come with raising children who are struggling with addiction or mental wellness issues. Sylvia says in those circumstances we learn to become intentional in our thinking and reprogram our thoughts. She believes if we step back and observe the thoughts rather than react to them, we realize we are not our thoughts and we don’t let them control us. She says it’s critical that we find the positive energy in the midst of life’s challenges and shift from fear to faith.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soul Wealth May 09, 2022

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The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Vikki Johnson. Vikki is a transformational speaker, a chaplain, a spiritual wellness practitioner and best-selling author of 12 books. Her most recent book is called Soul Wealth: Finding Vision, Compassion, Authenticity, Abundance and Legacy in the Midst of Chaos. Dr. Johnson defines Soul Wealth as thriving from a place of emotional, mental and spiritual strength. She encourages women to find that source deep within which includes vision, compassion, authenticity and abundance. She says mothers have to manifest those things in their lives first before they can help their children, partners, families, communities, and even the world. Soul Wealth guides women to invest in their most treasured and hidden resources, themselves.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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