Emotional wellbeing is more than “being okay.” It’s about how we process stress, set boundaries, heal generational trauma, and find peace in a world that often demands constant resilience from Black communities.

In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores the dimension of emotional wellbeing and why it’s foundational to thriving, not just surviving. She’s joined by Jahkazia Richardson, a clinician specializing in ancestral and decolonized therapy practices, and Malik Washington, a mental health advocate encouraging Black men to engage with therapy and emotional care.

Together, they have an honest, grounded conversation about rest, healing, and what it really takes to support emotional health in everyday life.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What emotional wellbeing actually means beyond clinical definitions

• The “soft life” conversation and why rest can be an act of resistance

• Healing generational trauma and letting go of survival-based behaviors

• Why traditional, Eurocentric therapy models often fall short for Black communities

This episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and rethink what emotional health looks like when it’s rooted in truth, culture, and care.

Episode Chapters — Emotional Wellbeing
00:00 — What Is Emotional Wellbeing?
01:00 — Meet Jahkazia Richardson & Malik Washington
02:30 — The “Soft Life” and Choosing Rest
04:45 — Generational Trauma and Survival Mode
07:30 — Black Men and Mental Health Stigma
10:00 — Therapy, Fit, and Finding the Right Support
14:00 — Decolonized Therapy and Ancestral Healing
18:30 — Emotions, Expression, and Cultural Expectations
22:00 — Stress, Policing, and Everyday Trauma
27:00 — Community, Culture, and Belonging
31:00 — Coping Skills and Healthy Release
35:00 — What Thriving Emotionally Really Looks Like
38:00 — One Simple Step to Support Emotional Wellbeing
41:00 — Closing Reflections

💡 Connect and Learn More
Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health and its mission to advance health equity and reimagine what wellness looks like in Black communities.

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