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Niteesa discussed her journey from social work to tech, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of social work and its transferable skills. She highlights her work with a digital health research company and her involvement in blockchain and cryptocurrency through Chain Slate, which aims to educate communities in Zambia about financial technology. Niteesa stressed the importance of patience, confidence, and continuous learning in navigating non-traditional roles. She also addressed the lack of diversity in tech conferences and the need for education and representation in these spaces.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ journey into social impact and technology
+ challenges and opportunities in cryptocurrency and blockchain
+ navigating non-traditional roles and overcoming challenges
+ diversity and inclusion in tech and crypto spaces

Guest Bio:

Niteesa Brooks is a speaker, social entrepreneur, social worker, and global program and project management leader. She has worked with organizations including NewYork-Presbyterian, Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, and early-stage health tech startups, leading large-scale digital health research studies for pharmaceutical companies. In the blockchain space, she has managed compliance and security audits for both emerging and established blockchain organizations. She’s the co-founder of Chainslate, an educational community expanding access to blockchain and crypto education in Zambia. Niteesa holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and is passionate about creating opportunities where technology, healthcare, and social impact intersect.

Contact/Socials:

Website: https://niteesabrooks.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theniteesa/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theniteesa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niteesabrooks/

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Paula discusses the concept of presenteeism, where employees work while unwell due to a variety of different contributing factors. She shares personal experiences and the negative impacts of presenteeism on productivity, recovery and overall health. Paula highlights its prevalence among communities of color due to systemic and economic workplace factors. She emphasizes ways that we can combat presenteeism as well as stresses the need for organizations to support employee well-being through flexible work policies and paid sick leave.

In this episode, you will hear:

• understanding presenteeism
• impact on health and productivity
• systemic and cultural contributing factors
• personal strategies to combat presenteeism

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Albert shares his experiences as a psychology professor, talent agent, and author of "Rising Script: Confronting Self-Doubt and Self-Sabotage". He highlights the challenges actors face, such as self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of mindset and presence. Albert speaks to his experience of working with actors, noting the high turnover rate due to self-sabotage and the impact of various external factors. He provides tangible, supportive suggestions for actors and describes ways to adopt a growth mindset to succeed.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ journey to becoming a PhD
+ transition to teaching and building his agency
+ understanding self-defeating behaviors
+ challenges and strategies for actors
+ impact of COVID-19 and industry changes

Guest Bio:

Dr. Albert Bramante is a talent agent, performance psychologist, and mindset expert who has spent over 20 years helping high performers—both in the entertainment industry and beyond—conquer their mental roadblocks. With a Ph.D. in Psychology and certifications in hypnosis and NLP, he bridges the gap between talent, business success, and the psychology of peak performance.

Contact:
Linktree: linktr.ee/albertbramante

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Paula discusses the benefits of karaoke as a coping skill by highlighting karaoke's accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and therapeutic value, noting its impact on memory, stress reduction, and social connection. She shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes its role in boosting mood, reducing anxiety, and improving respiratory health.

Paula's Upcoming Events

Millennial Social Work Conference: March 6th - 7th

Retreat, Remix, Revive: March 27th- 29th

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Thomas shares his journey from a recovering addict to advocating for young people. He discussed his military background, including his service as a Navy SEAL, and his transition to working with adolescents at Daytop Village and Boys & Girls Clubs. Thomas emphasized the importance of consistency and trust in his work, noting the significant challenges youth face today, such as anxiety and suicidal ideation. He highlights his efforts to address these themes, contributing factors, and stresses the need for a national platform to amplify his message and support young people.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ personal journey and early career
+ transition to The Boys & Girls Club and further education
+ challenges and strategies in working with youth
+ impact of societal and economic factors on youth
+ commitment and future goals

Guest Bio

Thomas J. LaGrave Jr. is a bestselling author, licensed clinical social worker, and former Navy SEAL Hospital Corpsman with over 35 years of experience working with more than 3,000 young men. Known for his raw, real approach to adolescent mental health, Tom blends lived experience with clinical expertise to help teens—and the adults who care for them—navigate depression, addiction, masculinity, and emotional intelligence in a tech-saturated world. A sought-after speaker and media guest, Tom is the author of Special Welfare. Social Warfare and a trusted voice on raising emotionally healthy men in today’s complex culture. A media favorite, Tom has been interviewed on Good Day San Antonio, ARC Seattle, KOMO News, and countless podcasts.

Contact

Website: https://www.thomasjlagravejr.com

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Paula's Upcoming Events

Millennial Social Work Conference: March 6th - 7th

Retreat, Remix, Revive: March 27th- 29th

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Paula addresses the concept of moral injury by breaking down its meaning, exploring its history and roots in military psychology, prevalence, and importance of addressing it through ethical support systems.


In this episode, you will hear:
+ defining moral injury
+ examples in various professions
+ impact on mental health and safety
+ strategies for prevention and management
+ resources and support for addressing moral injury

Events:

Millennial Social Work Conference: March 6th - 7th

Retreat, Remix, Revive: March 27th- 29th

Resources:

Start Here

Resource List

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Jennalyn shines a light on her work in trauma-informed puberty education. She highlights the lack of puberty education and emphasizes the importance of beginning early. Jennalyn not only shares her experiences with students who lack this knowledge but also receives feedback from parents and school staff, as well as focuses on professional development and family consultation to improve puberty education.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ challenges and importance of puberty education
+ normalizing and integrating puberty education
+ addressing criticism and building confidence
+ incorporating trauma-informed care in puberty education
+ creating safe spaces and empowering students
+ role of media and pop culture in puberty education

Guest Bio:

Jennalyn Suda, LMSW, is a school social worker in Rochester, NY, and a Doctor of Social Work student at the University at Buffalo. With both her BSW and MSW in social work from SUNY Brockport, her current work centers on trauma-informed, developmentally responsive support for students with complex social-emotional and behavioral needs. Through her consulting practice, Long to Learn LLC, Jennalyn researches and advocates for inclusive and empowering puberty education that helps students understand their changing bodies and emotions within safe, affirming, and healing-centered learning environments.

Contact/Socials:

LinkedIn: Jennalyn Suda, LMSW
Email 1: JSuda@Buffalo.edu
Email 2: info@LongtoLearn.com
Website: www.LongtoLearn.com

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In the second part of the fourth annual Ask P Anything episode, Paula continues to answer questions submitted by the community, focusing on themes that are impacting our mental health professionals, most likely in varying stages of their careers. She provides some food for thought and encourages folks to access one of their best resources, themselves!

In this episode, you will hear:
+ how to stop bringing work home
+ strategies for self-care during commuting
+ addressing emotional work and personal boundaries
+ being a good clinician without being drained
+ managing imposter syndrome and professional competence

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Got a topic you want explored on a future episode? Please email us at whydontwetalkaboutthispod@gmail.com