Who gets to tell Black stories, and who gets to decide which ones are worth funding, promoting, and seeing?

Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with filmmaker, novelist, and Black Film Space co-founder Lande Yoosuf to talk about Black storytelling, representation, identity, and creative ownership. They explore the myth that Black films don’t sell, the pressure to make stories more palatable for mainstream audiences, the challenges facing independent filmmakers, and how AI may reshape the future of storytelling.

Plus, Lande shares how her Nigerian-American identity shaped her work and why culturally specific stories can still connect with audiences everywhere.

Connect with Lande & Black Film Space: @Blackfilmspace @LandeYoosuf

Website www.blackfilmspace.com

YouTube www.youtube.com/BlackFilmSpace

Connect with the hosts: ⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart⁠

We’re back for a new season!

In our season premiere, we welcome Dr. Seanna Leath, Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and director of the Fostering Healthy Identities and Resilience (FHIRe) Collaborative.

Dr. Leath’s work centers the lives and well-being of Black girls, women, and families. Together, we explore misconceptions about Black girls’ development, psychological safety and the freedom to be yourself, building confidence in underrepresented spaces, and the impact of adultification.

We also discuss friendship as a source of healing and belonging, the emotional labor Black mothers carry in preparing their daughters for the world, and the power of community—the reminder that sometimes, it truly takes a village.Connect with the hosts, ⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart

Closing out the phenomenal sixth season of We're Not OK, we're proud to introduce Yashmine Cooper—educational leader, mindset coach, speaker, and founder of Leading with Love Consulting.

With nearly two decades of experience in K–12 education, Yashmine joins the conversation to unpack the realities of burnout among women leaders and the hidden emotional, mental, and personal costs that often come with constantly showing up for others. We explore how leadership rooted in overwork can lead to exhaustion, disconnection, and even the loss of identity beneath professional titles and expectations.

Yashmine shares how her frameworks, including Power Pause and LeadHER, help leaders reclaim their time, regulate their energy, establish boundaries, and move from survival mode toward more sustainable and aligned leadership. The conversation also highlights real stories of transformation and what becomes possible when leaders prioritize well-being without abandoning their purpose.

This season finale is an honest and healing discussion about redefining success, challenging toxic leadership norms, and creating lives that feel as good as they look on paper.

Connect with Yashmine.

Connect with the hosts, Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart.

Today, we are joined by Problk Health co-founders Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel —a board-certified bariatric surgeon—and Darian McDaniel—a marketing executive with 20+ years of C-suite experience— as they share the personal journey that led them to build a wellness brand rooted in purpose, prevention, and community impact to transform Black health.

Together, we explore the real impact of healthcare gaps in Black communities, the rise of preventable chronic conditions, and how Problk Health was created to offer solutions that meet those needs. From choosing the right vitamins and supplements to avoiding harmful or ineffective options, this conversation is both practical and eye-opening.

Grounded in purpose, D. K and Darian also discuss their commitment to reinvesting in organizations and initiatives that support health and healing—turning individual wellness into community impact.

This episode is a powerful reminder: if we don’t prioritize our health early, we’ll feel it later.

Connect with the Dr. K & Darian:

Visit their website:Problk Health Vitamins - Black Doctor Owned Vitamin Company – PROBLK HEALTH

Check out their mission: Our Mission – PROBLK HEALTH

Follow them on Instagram

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://tidycal.com/allenivyprep/introductory-meeting

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

Today, we sit down with Telvin Peterson, Licensed Professional Counselor, Addictions Counselor, and founder of Inner Depth Counseling & Consulting LLC.

Drawing from his work within the Department of Corrections, Telvin shares insights from supporting incarcerated men navigating trauma, shame, addiction, and deep emotional barriers. Together, we explore how relational trauma, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to perform masculinity can keep people stuck in survival mode.

Telvin also challenges common myths about addiction and discusses how substance use disorders are often rooted in unresolved trauma.

From correctional facilities to community spaces, this conversation reflects on what it takes to move from silence and survival toward vulnerability, self-leadership, and healing.

Connect with Telvin:

TikTok @mrpthetherapist

Psychology Today: Inner Depth Counseling & Consulting LLC, Licensed Professional Counselor, Florence, SC, 29505 | Psychology Today

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠⁠ https://tidycal.com/allenivyprep/introductory-meeting

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

We’re joined by Dr. Justin S. Hopkins, a clinical psychologist, psychoanalytic scholar, and founder of Hopkins Behavioral Health, a BIPOC-focused therapy practice in Washington, DC. Through his clinical work, speaking engagements, and organizational partnerships, Dr. Hopkins applies the psychology of trauma to issues of identity, race, and the stress and pain underlying societal challenges.

Together, we explore how identity begins to form and how intergenerational trauma is transmitted through both what is spoken and what remains unspoken. Dr. Hopkins unpacks the difference between stress and trauma, how unresolved pain can be projected into present relationships, and how generational patterns can be unknowingly reinforced. We also discuss misconceptions about healing, the role of formal therapy—particularly psychoanalytic therapy—in breaking cycles, and the broader cultural forces contributing to what many describe as “the anxious generation.”

This episode invites us to become more aware of the hidden forces shaping our lives—and how intentional healing can move us toward greater freedom and joy.

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

Parenthood can bring joy, growth, and unexpected mental health challenges. In this episode of We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing, we’re joined by Patience Riley, Licensed Professional Counselor and certified perinatal mental health specialist.

With 14 years of experience, Patience supports individuals and families navigating parenthood and mental wellness through therapy, parental leave coaching, yoga, and organizational wellness programming. Her work spans clinical, community, and military settings, and she is a national advocate through her leadership with Postpartum Support International.

Together, we explore maternal mental health, family and workplace transitions, and strategies for supporting individuals and families through critical life moments.

Connect with Patience Riley
Website: www.whoamamas.com
Email: info@whoamamas.com
Therapy: GA & NE residents
Yoga Services: U.S. & International

Connect with the hosts:

Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠

Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠

Book Us ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Therapy Support Funds & Programs
• Loveland Foundation — Therapy fund for Black women and girls
• Georgia Perinatal Action Fund — Support for GA residents navigating fertility, pregnancy, loss, and postpartum (up to 1 year)
• Black Girls Smile — Therapy Assistance Program
• Black Men Heal — Services available in PA, NJ, DE, NYC, MD, D.C., VA, GA

Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Free support resources including support groups, peer mentor programs, and provider directories
www.postpartum.net

If you or someone you know is navigating parenthood and mental wellness challenges, this conversation offers insight, support, and resources.If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠