You may not know about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), but you probably know someone with the disorder. Listen as Dr. Topaz takes a deep dive on this often-misunderstood condition with Saviour Achilike, MD MPH, a board certified neurologist. He has always seen practicing medicine as a sacred vocation, an extension of his faith, and takes seriously the trust placed on him by families/patients. FND affects how the brain and nervous system work. Those who experience FND often have symptoms that cannot be explained medically. Saviour compares FND to a computer with faulty software. He also brings awareness to the fact that FND comes with a stigma, with many who have the condition accused of faking their symptoms. FND is more commonly diagnosed in women. Don’t be afraid to discuss FND with your medical provider.

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sis!

From a mental health perspective, sometimes a change of environment and pace is just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Topaz recently traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, and she took the show on the road…literally. If you follow Dr. Topaz on social media, you probably spotted her recent posts from her adventures at the She’s Got Time Summit (a professional ecosystem for women building careers across sports) and the NBA Summer League. She was ‘walking the talk’, living out loud, and doing things that she really enjoys. Dr. Topaz embodied the advice that she and many of her guests have shared over the past few months. She showed up for herself, and flexed a myriad of WNBA jerseys throughout her trip. (Shout out to Sheryl, her favorite WNBA player, for this recording!)

Listen as Dr. Topaz sat in the ‘hot seat’ with Yvonne Harris & Drew Lasker, founders of 21 Media, as they discussed a variety of topics related to the of intersections with mental health and sports.

As an added plus, Dr. Topaz was also a guest on the Crossover the Pond podcast, where she talked more about mental health issues impacting performance & athletics. That episode will drop soon. Be sure to check it out.

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sis!

Nowadays, people are living longer. The quality of someone’s life as they enter their geriatric season is a direct result of both their physical and mental health. Dr Topaz recently talked with Dr. Kristin Jones, who is double board certified in adult and geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Jones underscores the importance of not labeling mental health issues in the elderly as just ‘getting old’. Seniors experience depression and anxiety just like other age groups, but the symptoms may not manifest the same ways that they do for our youth or middle-aged adults. Your children cannot be a litmus for how mental health concerns will show up in your parents. The inability to manage daily functions, and a pronounced lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, Dr. Jones cautions us to view as possible mental health concerns. Depression and anxiety are not a normal part of aging.

The topics discussed in this episode will really hit home for those who identify as being a part of the sandwich generation, adults who care for both their children and their parents. Now that we know different, let’s support our elderly differently.

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sisters…and Grandmothers, and Great Aunties too!

Many of us have heard, “You are what you eat.” Guess what… you are! If you eat better, you will be healtier. On this #TherapyThursday, Dr. Topaz has a powerful conversation with her Spelman College and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sister, Dr. Andre’a Watkins. “Dr. Andy” is the CEO/Owner and Culinary Psychiatrist for FreedomMind Wellcare and Consulting LLC. She has over a decade of expertise in the field of psychiatry, layered with an innovative, nutritional approach to mental health, gut health, and nervous system regulation to drive lasting transformation. As they delve into the gut-brain connection, their conversation underscores that our bodies are naturally designed to help and to heal us. As we consider how to optimize our mental wellness journey, Dr. Topaz and Dr. Andy remind us of two powerful truths: 1) every journey to optimal mental health is individualized; 2) do not underestimate the power of a tailored nutritional plan in support of your mind. This episode deserves a double-listen. Spoiler alert: Sugar is not your friend!

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives. Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Drop the candy bar and join us, Sis!

On this #TherapyThursday, the Spelman C’2010 love continues as Dr. Topaz has a heartfelt conversation with her former classmate Mia-Rose Dunlap. Mia-Rose is a mindset coach who anchors her support of her clients to her innate passion for education. Listen as she explains in simple terms the distinction between a coach and a therapist. Language matters, and it is extremely relevant as to the type of mental health support you seek. On a topic that so many can relate to, Mia-Rose shares candidly about being the child of parents who struggled with substance abuse and the impact that has had on her mental health, specifically in the area of forgiveness. She reminds us that forgiveness is about us, not the other person. She also shares an energy-shifting tool to bring more forgiveness to yourself, even if the other person does not apologize. Who can you forgive this summer, and in doing so, create more room to live a life of audacity and joy?!?

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives. Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sis!

If you have been listening to Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz, you know she always shows love for the women. Dr. Topaz is intentional about showing lots of love for the men too, and on deck in this episode is Dr. Aldwin Ben Aziz Soumare a 2nd year psychiatry resident at UC Davis. Dr. Soumare is also the author of Tools of Excellence: From Hood to Hooded, A Guide to Becoming the Physician You Dream, which serves as a guide for black men and women from high school and beyond to find the confidence and conviction to achieve their goals. Listen as Dr. Topaz and Dr. Soumare delve into common themes related to Black men and mental health…with the intention of sending an energy to shift the dynamic for real, sustainable change. Just like we need help to strengthen our bodies, it is ok to need help to strengthen our minds. It is ok for Black men to show a full array of emotions. It is ok for Black men to seek health coping mechanisms. It is ok for Black men to share their voices. It is ok for older Black men to prioritize their mental health. It is more than ok for Black men to actually feel great!

In the words of Dr. Topaz, “We need our brothers to be well.” Share this episode with a man who holds a place in your heart. It is ok not to be ok. And that is where community can provide the needed uplift.

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives. Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sisters…and Brothers too!

If you have been tuning into Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz, you know she always shows love for the women. This month, Dr. Topaz is intentional about showing lots of love for the men too. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month which is designed to raise awareness, eradicate stigma, and encourage a focus on mental wellness for men. The Spelman College/Morehouse College love runs deeps as Dr. Topaz chats with Michael McClam, MD, FAPA. In addition to his mathematics degree from Morehouse, Michael earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. Listen as they discuss continuing societal standards the limit the views on what is acceptable in terms mens’ emotional expressions. There is still a common belief that stoicism is strength. It is ok for men to express anger, but not sadness or grief. Dr. McClam advocates for teaching our brothers to understand their emotions and how to use them in ways that are therapeutic and helpful to themselves. In tandem, our entire community must exercise more grace and allow our men to share emotions and not judge them as personality flaws. In the words of Dr. Topaz, “We need our brothers to be well.” Share this episode with a man who holds a special place in your heart.

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives. Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sisters…and Brothers too!

If you have been tuning into Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz, you know she always shows love for the women. This month, Dr. Topaz is intentional about showing lots of love for the men too. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month which is designed to raise awareness, eradicate stigma, and encourage a focus on mental wellness for men. This week, Dr. Topaz talks with Mychal Riley, LCSW-S. Mychal earned a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in brain, behavior and cognitive science from the University of Michigan. He completed a postgraduate fellowship with the University of Michigan's Institute for Human Adjustment and a postgraduate fellowship with the Menninger Clinic. Mychal is a proponent of client centered and wellness-based care that focuses on an individual's strengths, motivation and goals. He also enjoys live music, running, cycling, reading, poetry and spoken word, snowboarding, Chicago sports and Michigan sports. (Go Bulls!, Go Wolverines!) The topic of masculinity has been a hot one in the recent discourse. Listen as Dr. Topaz and Mychal share their thoughts on the subject, and its connectedness to mental wellness and burnout in men.

In the words of Dr. Topaz, “We need our brothers to be well.” Father’s Day is coming up. Share this episode with a man who holds a special place in your heart.

Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives. Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.

Join us, Sisters…and Brothers too!