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

In this episode Dr. Sharon discusses the importance of reflection and intention setting at the start of the year and offers five guiding questions to help you reflect on the past year and set priorities for the coming one. Dr. Sharon emphasizes celebrating achievements, learning from challenges, identifying top priorities, retaining effective habits, and seeking necessary support. As you focus on your career, mental health, relationships, and self-care, know that you are capable of achieving your goals in 2025.

In this episode, Dr. Sharon's guest is Dr. Dayna Jones, a clinical psychologist from South Florida who shares insights on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). They explore the difference between SAD and general depression, common symptoms, diagnosis criteria, susceptibility factors, and effective treatments such as therapy, medication, and light therapy. The discussion also highlights the importance of self-awareness, geographical influences on SAD prevalence, and the critical need for continuous support and professional help. Dr. Jones emphasizes the significance of proactive measures and self-advocacy in managing mental health.

Dr. Dayna Jones is a licensed clinical psychologist in South Florida. She is the owner of Jones Psychological Health Services, LLC. As the sole psychologist in her private practice, she works with adults suffering from mild to severe psychological distress. Dr. Dayna began her career with a master’s degree in child adolescent clinical psychology in 2006 and thereafter worked with people suffering from schizophrenia as a mental health clinician. From there she worked overnight providing crisis intervention and involuntary hospitalizations for Bergen County, New Jersey. She later decided to go back to school for a second master’s and doctorate so that she could gain more knowledge and experience to start her private practice. She worked throughout her educational endeavors, mostly with severe mentally ill populations. Dr. Dayna made it a point to gain exposure to the various levels of care in the field of psychology to enhance her knowledge of the human experience from diverse lenses. She’s committed to her clients and has an unwavering desire to assist and guide them toward their optimal living experience.

What if recognizing workplace stress could save your mental and physical health? On this episode, Dr. Sharon and Dr. Tega Edwin uncover systemic barriers that Black and Brown women face in professional environments. From lack of support and social capital to microaggressions, they explore how these factors contribute to inequities in policies and workloads, leaving many marginalized women underpaid and overworked. Dr. Edwin shares her expertise on the far-reaching impacts of these challenges on mental health and job performance, emphasizing the need for systemic change. The discussion includes the toll that chronic workplace stress can take on the body and mind and offers practical strategies to transition out of unhealthy situations, including self-care, aligning personal values, and seeking professional support.

Dr. Tega Edwin is an award-winning career development researcher, educator, and speaker. She provides consultation and training for corporations that want to leverage trauma-informed leadership to improve employee productivity, retention, and engagement. She’s the owner of Her Career Doctor, where she provides coaching to women who are stuck in soul-sucking jobs. Dr. Edwin is a licensed professional counselor, a national certified counselor, a certified trauma professional, and a certified salary negotiation facilitator.

In this episode, Dr. Sharon and Dr. Kimberly Frazier discuss the experiences of marginalized women in the workforce, the impact of toxic work environments, and the systemic barriers that these women face.

Dr. Kimberly N. Frazier recently served as the 71st president of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and is one eight African Americans to be elected to this role for the ACA. She is a full professor and director of academic and clinical training for clinical mental health counseling at National University and also serves as the CEO of Kimberly Frazier Consulting.

This episode emphasizes the importance of having diverse voices and perspectives represented in the workplace, aligning one's efforts with the leader or organization's vision, and the need for mental, emotional, and physical preparation for those treating or mentoring others. The conversation also offers strategies for mental health professionals to help clients experiencing workplace trauma, including the importance of mentorship and support networks.

More about Dr. Kimberly Frazier:
Dr. Frazier received her PhD in counselor education from the University of New Orleans. She holds licensure in the state of Louisiana as a professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), and certification as a nationally certified counselor (NCC).

Dr. Frazier served as president for the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development from 2016-2017 as well as the mentoring program chair from 2008-2015. Additional leadership roles include serving on the American Counseling Association Governing Council Board and executive committee. She also has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development and the Journal of Mental Health Counseling.

Dr. Frazier has served as a guest editor for the Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling special issue on “The Impact of Race, Equity, and Marginalization on Child and Adolescent Populations." Her research areas of interest include the impact of systemic oppression and trauma on marginalized people of color. Dr. Frazier has conducted trainings, workshops, presentations on best practices applying cultural competency in the workplace, leadership, advocacy and working with children and families of color.

Dr. Frazier was awarded the American Counseling Association’s most prestigious distinction of ACA Fellow. She is most proud of the work she does encompassing the areas of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion with organizations, universities, and mentoring future leaders.

In this episode Dr. Sharon and Dr. Diandra Prescod, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Counselor Education at the University of Connecticut, discuss the challenges faced by marginalized women in the workforce. Diandra shares her personal experiences and the intersectionality of the barriers she has faced. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of mental health, empathy, and active listening in creating a supportive workplace environment, and the role of mental health professionals in providing support. Lastly, they discussed the power of mentorship and support networks in advancing the careers of marginalized women, and their hopes for more equitable and supportive workplaces in the future.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Diandra J. Prescod is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Counselor Education at the University of Connecticut. In her previous role, she spent five years as an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Program Coordinator of Career Counseling at Penn State University. Dr. Prescod is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Career Services Provider. From 2020-2023 she served as the National Career Development Association’s Trustee for Higher Education Career Counselors and Specialists and Secretary for the European Branch of the American Counseling Association. She is currently President of the Connecticut Career Counseling and Development Association.

Dr. Prescod’s research focuses on effective career development interventions for STEM undergraduate students and underrepresented students in higher education. She has over 10 years of counseling experience, over 80 academic presentations, numerous publications in academic journals, and $3M in external funding.