What does psychotherapy actually look like beyond diagnoses and coping strategies?

In this episode of The BrainCore Podcast, host Tolu Faromika sits down with psychotherapist [Guest Name] for an in-depth conversation about therapy, mental health, healing, culture, faith, and representation in mental health care.Together, they discuss:

• What psychotherapy is and how therapy helps people heal

• Common misconceptions about therapy and the therapeutic relationship

• What it means to heal emotionally through psychotherapy

• The experience of being a Black psychotherapist in Canada

• Why cultural competence matters in mental health care

• Faith, spirituality, and mental health

• Mental health stigma in underrepresented communities

• Advice for new therapists, psychology students, and people considering therapy

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, mental health careers, emotional healing, or learning more about how therapy works in real life.

----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

Kayla Lewis didn't receive her ADHD diagnosis until her 30s — and it changed how she understood her entire life. In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with Kayla to unpack what late diagnosis really feels like, how she navigates motherhood with ADHD (including supporting her son through his own assessment), and what it means to be a Black woman balancing home, work, and mental health. Kayla also opens up about her journey through multiple diagnoses - including GAD, MDD, PMDD, and ADHD - and why finding the right labels was validating, not limiting.They dig into coping strategies, working with clinical psychologists, the gaps in the mental healthcare system, and why community and open conversation are the first step to healing.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?

Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

You’ve probably heard these before:

“Autistic people lack empathy.”

“You can outgrow autism.”

But how many of them are actually true?

In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu is joined by Dr. Iris Rose to challenge some of the most persistent myths about autism spectrum disorder. Together, they explore what gets lost when autism is framed only in terms of deficits, and what shifts when we begin to center lived experience, communication differences, and context.

This Autism Acceptance Month, we invite you to rethink how you view and understand autism!

Special Offer for Clinicians:

Interested in deepening your practice? Dr. Rose and other psychologists created Autism Reframe, an online course designed for mental health professionals to learn foundational skills through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.

DISCOUNT CODE: Use CODE BRAINCORE50 for $50 off! (https://www.autismreframe.com/)

References: ​​Crompton, C. J., Ropar, D., Evans-Williams, C. V., Flynn, E. G., & Fletcher-Watson, S. (2020). Autistic peer-to-peer information transfer is highly effective. Autism, 24(7), 1704-1712.

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Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?

Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com

⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠

Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod

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Email - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.com

Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-Penson

Intro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-Davidson

Videography: OluVision Media

What do you do when you want help… but your family says no?

In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with mental health advocate Jessie Sidhu to talk about navigating mental health in cultures where it’s often misunderstood or dismissed.

From late ADHD and autism diagnoses to building platforms that support others, Jessie shares how she turned her experiences into impact. If you’ve ever felt torn between your mental health and your environment, this conversation is for you.Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

Did you know that two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease patients are women?

In this episode, Tolu sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Natasha Rajah to discuss why women are disproportionately affected and what researchers are beginning to learn about the connection between menopause and brain health.

We talk about the Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause (BHAMM) study, why this topic has historically been overlooked, and what women should know about brain fog, aging, and cognitive health. Here are some of the themes we discuss:

• Why Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects women
• The Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause (BHAMM) study
• Why this research has historically been overlooked• How sociocultural factors shape brain health
• The impact of studying mostly “WEIRD” populations in psychology
• Brain fog during menopause vs. early dementia
• What women can do to support brain health

We also explore Dr. Rajah’s journey into neuroscience and her advice for students interested in studying brain health, aging, and gender differences in research.

#BrainHealth #WomenAndAging #Neuroscience #HealthEquity #MidlifeMatters

Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with behavioural scientist and professor Tosen Nwadei for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, academia, and the science of human behaviour. As a first-generation Nigerian American, Tosen reflects on the concept of double consciousness and how it shapes his experience navigating academic and professional spaces.Together, they explore how behavioural science connects with psychology, the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, and what research reveals about identity expression in the workplace. Tosen shares insights from his work on career outcomes, belonging, and the subtle social forces that shape decision-making. The episode closes with reflections on the future of behavioural science and an unexpected turn into salsa!Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

In this episode of BrainCore, host Tolu Faromika sits down with social psychologist and relationship researcher Dr. Amy Muise to talk about love, sex, and the advice we’ve all heard but rarely question.

Do love languages actually predict relationship success? Is scheduling sex romantic… or the opposite? And what are we really saying when we repeat phrases like “happy wife, happy life”?

Amy brings the science to the table as we unpack the myths, the data, and the cultural narratives that shape how we think about intimacy.From the research on desire to why talking about sex can still feel taboo, especially for women, this conversation is honest, practical, and just uncomfortable enough to be necessary.

Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

In this episode of BrainCore, host Tolu Faromika sits down with clinical psychology graduate student and lecturer, Melanie Mascarenhas for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about what clinical psychology really looks like and how she found her way into the field. From once dreaming of becoming a chef on a cruise ship to navigating the realities of traumatic brain injury in her family, Melanie shares the unexpected experiences that shaped her path into psychology.Together, they unpack what clinical psychology involves beyond stereotypes, including assessment, intervention, and the clinical thinking that happens behind the scenes. This conversation is fun! It blends insight with humor and reflection, making it especially relatable for students who are curious about psychology but unsure what the path is supposed to look like. Tolu ends the episode with a little gift for Melanie!Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠X - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media