The Chillspot Radio warmly welcomes CSUN MSW Alumni, Michael Curry.  Being among the first graduating class in the pandemic, Michael reflects on how he navigated that time period.  He shares the real ways he accesses self-care including painting, fitness, and commuting as a means of decompressing. He also shares his aspirations and goals not only for professional growth, but his personal mission to make social work and mental health services more accessible for black people. We talk about the importance of representation within higher education, training spaces, and how we can meaningfully and intentionally take up more space! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_michaelcurrry?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc   Instagram: @currycurrymcflurry   (Non-Profit Organization) Stronger Together Now: https://www.strongertogethernow.online

Terrence Stewart, ASW joins us for the podcast today and reflets on his educational journey as one of the few Black men in the CSUN Master's of Social Work Program during his time in the program. He shares how he found wellness through balance and intentionality (from daily meditation habits to mentors modeling and holding compassionate and supportive spaces) during the many demands and stressors of graduate school. With warmth, authenticity, and enthusiasm, Terrance is an inspiration for anyone, but particularly black men, questioning whether they could/should pursue higher education.

Dr. Daniel Lee, Mayor and first Black elected Council Member of Culver City, CA joins the Chill Spot Radio. We look at black male identity and how it intersects with social work values, the systematic racism and urban education. We learn how, "not going with the flow" bends the arc towards change. Councilmember Lee if running for U. S. House Representative for CA-37. Please visit his website to learn more: https://danielwaynelee.com/

It's been quite a year... and we're back! Glad to have you all listen in on today's podcast where we take a look back on the year and examine where we are in terms of healing.  We've been subjected to a lot as black people, and where there has been some justice, there needs to be larger healing. How do we do that? What does that mean? Join the conversation and listen now.

Sarah, LCSW, joins the podcast for an introspective conversation on racial identity, self care, and radical healing. We look at the parallel process of being a mental health provider who engages in mental health services. Sarah also shares how she maintains her strength and grounding in the midst of rising hate crimes against her identified racial group.

In this episode of the Chill Spot Radio, three generations of Black male therapists converge on issues of identity, culture, and experience. Reflecting on his 42 years of therapeutic work, Michael Hughes, LMFT, shares his story. With a unique view of working as a Black therapist on the Westside of Los Angeles since the 1970s, Michael details through storytelling how he came into his "clinical own". https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/michael-d-hughes-los-angeles-ca/172615

Brett Riley, practicing Associate Clinical Social Worker joins the Chill Spot Radio. With tenderness and vulnerability, Brett shares his personal journey and reflects on the parallel process of being a healer to others while also being in need of healing from multiple griefs and losses. https://www.theblueclinic.com/ https://www.aswis.org/ https://socialjusticeinsports.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-r-b5b26171/    

With a grounding presence, engaging spirit, and progressive vision, Yolo Akili Robinson joins Chill Spot Radio for it's 10th episode! Yolo is a writer, yoga instructor, and the founder of BEAM Collective. In this episode we talk about BEAMs method of, "container building" and how to build other wellness skills within and for the black community. We process how to show up for oneself, one's family, and one's community when carrying the weight of trauma and other stressors. We also talk about the spectrum of how males emotionally connect and the impact of the generational messages we've received about gender and masculinity. We continue to explore male grief and healing.    https://www.beam.community/

James "Dat Yoga Dude" Woods (trained MFT children's book authoer, and certified yoga instructor) shares his story of integrating mental health, yoga, and creating a community for black people, particularly men, to embrace these two disciplines. James shares the cognitive, kinesthetic, and spiritual impact of yoga and its positive impact on his clients, community, and k-12 students.   https://www.datyogadude.com/

In today's podcast we explore the importance of being seen.  Dr. Wendy Ashley and Professor Jolene Swain, co-creators of Black Girl Magic share the work they're doing in connecting with and providing spaces of belonging to black women enrolled in the Masters of Social Work Program at California State University of Northridge.  

Today we're holding space and providing opportunity to traverse the experience of being black. We begin to see what "healing enough" looks like.

Leroy, from BEAM, Black Emotional and Mental-Health shares his wisdom, insight and magnetic energy as we discuss black wellness, wholeness and healing. We learn about ways to create healing organizations and culturally responsive mental health practices and spaces. He also defines and unpacks "black masculinity".   https://www.beam.community/

Jose Paez joins the Chill Spot to discuss how colonialism impacts the mental health of people of color. We also explore decolonization of American social constructs and review liberation practices.    References from Decolonizing the Mind

Dr. Boris Ricks, whose expertise is in urban politics, joins the Chill Spot today. We examine the psychological burden of being black, marginalized and undermined in America. We also explore the physiological and psychological impact of police brutality and Dr. Ricks talks about economic and political transformation and the barriers we currently face in achieving progress.

Continuation from last episode's conversation around police brutality, trauma and how it impacts individuals, families and communities. How do we heal, and what is healing-enough? We also begin to unpack implicit bias.

In this episode, we talk about the trauma black males experience when seeing other black men murdered. We examine trauma, it's impact on communities of color, and dive deeper into Dr. Lipscomb's research on black male grief. We also look at resilience, and what to do after the trauma experience.

Today’s topic is intended to explore the meaning of mental health. First, through exploring the difference between mental health and mental illness. Then looking at how mental health/wellness has affected communities of color.