In this episode Dr. Sharon Givens and her guests Dr. S. Kent Butler and Dr. Michael Jones discuss the mental health challenges faced by Black men. Both guests share their personal journeys and professional insights into how cultural upbringing, systemic racism, and access barriers influence mental wellness in the Black community. They emphasize the importance of authentic representation, community support, and the evolving role of churches and social media in changing the narrative around mental health. Drs. Butler and Jones also introduce their upcoming book "Mental Health and the Black Man: A Mixtape Experience of Hardship and Harmony," which aims to provide both academic and practical perspectives on Black men's mental health.

Dr. S. Kent Butler is a dedicated advocate for social justice and a passionate supporter of family, firmly believing in the power of community to uplift and inspire. As an esteemed educator and counselor, Dr. Butler emphasizes the importance of meeting individuals where they are, not to change them, but to provide pathways to self-discovery, self-love, and a genuine desire for positive change. Dr. Butler holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Psychology from the University of Connecticut. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Nationally Certified School Counselor (NCSC). Currently, Dr. Butler serves as a Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida. A former President of the American Counseling Association (2021-2022), Dr. Butler is also an ACA Fellow and previously hosted the ACA's weekly vodcast, "The Voice of Counseling." His leadership extends to the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), where he served as President and ACA Governing Council Representative. Dr. Butler is a proud member of AMCD’s Multicultural Counseling Competencies Revisions Committee, which developed the Multicultural & Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC). Dr. Butler has co-edited two influential textbooks: "Introduction to 21st Century Counseling: A Multicultural and Social Justice Approach," which received the 2022 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association, and the newly published "Intersectional Counseling Skills: The Journey to Becoming a Culturally Inclusive Counselor." These works are seminal in guiding counselors to adopt multicultural and social justice perspectives in their practice.

Dr. Michael Jones is a licensed mental health counselor, clinical supervisor, and counselor educator committed to advancing culturally responsive, ethical, and accessible mental health care. His clinical work focuses on supporting historically marginalized communities, and his leadership in counselor education is grounded in practical training, identity-affirming supervision, and values-driven advocacy. Dr. Jones is an active writer and editor whose current projects examine Black masculinity, spirituality, mental health stigma, and the intersections of identity and clinical care. He serves as co-editor of Mental Health and the Black Man: A Mixtape Experience of Hardship and Harmony and is contributing to several book chapters that explore the role of culture in therapeutic practice. His research explores how artificial intelligence can enhance counselor education and clinical training without compromising ethics or client care. He is particularly interested in the use of AI to support documentation, decision-making, and diagnostic clarity while maintaining cultural sensitivity and practitioner accountability. Through his work, Dr. Jones pushes the field to integrate innovation with intention. Whether teaching, supervising, or presenting nationally, he centers the voices of underserved populations and challenges the profession to move toward equity, effectiveness, and long-term impact.

In this episode Dr. Sharon hosts Dr. Yvonne Thayer, a thought leader in workforce development. They delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the modern workforce. Yvonne outlines how AI, which has its roots in the 1950s, is now rapidly reshaping industries through big data, machine learning, and deep learning. Thayer emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a partnership and sophisticated tool rather than a job eliminator. The discussion also touches on misconceptions about AI, the necessity of adaptability and flexibility, and the implications for various sectors including sales, medical, and construction. The conversation concludes with advice for career development professionals on preparing individuals for an AI-driven future, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, upskilling, and understanding the evolving role of AI in different fields.

More about Dr. Thayer:

Dr. Yvonne Thayer is a career educator – having worked as a teacher, in school district leadership, as a policy analyst and state director of adult education for the Virginia Department of Education, and with national and federal school improvement initiatives throughout the United States. For the last decade, Yvonne’s consulting work with states, colleges and universities has focused on training and developing workers for the transforming workplace – including responding to the more recent fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, while preparing workers to be flexible and adaptable.

Her ongoing research on the future of work led to co-authoring a book with Canadian Professor Saul Carliner and U.S. corporate executive Margaret Driscoll, entitled Career Anxiety: Guidance Through Tough Times. Look for their podcast on artificial intelligence, which will be available to the human resources community in the Summer of 2025.

Yvonne received her doctorate in adult education from Columbia University and her coaching certification from the International Coach Academy.

Resource

• Gartner

In this episode Dr. Sharon Givens, welcomes Dr. Ashley Lowe-Simmons to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and financial wellbeing. Dr. Ashley highlights that 90% of financial decisions are driven by emotions rather than logic, causing stress and anxiety which often manifest physically. She discusses how childhood experiences shape our money mindset and emphasizes the importance of awareness and education in addressing financial stress. Practical strategies such as financial self-care, utilizing budgeting apps, and focusing on financial affirmations are recommended. This conversation also covers the impact of societal pressures and social media on financial behaviors, the vulnerability of marginalized populations to financial stress, and the importance of transparency and education in improving financial health. Dr. Sharon and Dr. Ashley stress that making informed and intentional financial decisions can lead to better mental health and overall life satisfaction.

Dr. Ashley Lowe-Simmons is a serial entrepreneur, certified financial social worker, TedX speaker, wife, mother, world traveler and money mindset disruptor. Dr. Ashley is the CEO and lead clinician at Conversations with a Clinician, a premier mental and financial wellness firm that works specifically with women of color to help them to understand their emotional relationship with money, why they spend the way they spend and provide these women with the tools necessary to create a healthy life with their fin-emotions.

Resources:

• Steps to Making My Money Work for Me!!! [PDF] by Dr. Ashley
• The Body Keeps Score