The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema

Episode #252 Healing and Justice Work with Yolo Akili Robinson 31.05.2026 34min

Founder and Executive Director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective), Yolo, joins Dr. Thema and shares his thoughtful insights on womanist and anti-patriarchal therapy. Yolo also reflects on his homecoming journey and the context of identity and expectations for boys and men. For over two decades, Yolo Akili Robinson has served as a counselor, organizer, facilitator, and community healer working at the intersections of mental health, womanism, spirituality, and collective care. A Ford Foundation Global Fellow and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Award recipient, Yolo is the founder of the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)—a national grantmaker for healing justice and mental health organizations that has designed evidence-based interventions centering radical wellness and collective care. His work bridges clinical, community, and movement spaces, with experience spanning Men Stopping Violence, NYU Langone Medical Center, and national initiatives with the CDC and NIH—helping to design and implement community-based mental health and wellness interventions nationwide. Recognized by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy for his leadership in advancing emotional well-being and social connection, Yolo’s areas of specialization include anti-patriarchal counseling and healing work with Black men and boys, collective and community-based curricula and interventions, mental health and HIV/AIDS in Black queer communities, and body-centered healing practices. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #251 Healing Childhood Racial Trauma with Ashley McGirt-Adair 31.05.2026 27min

Ashley joins Dr. Thema and shares her homecoming journey from childhood wounds and empowering ways to heal. She also reads a moving narrative of racial trauma from her bestselling book: The Cost of Healing in Silence: Navigating Racial Trauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care. Pick up your copy today. Ashley McGirt-Adair is a psychotherapist, TEDx international speaker, author, and the founder and CEO of the Therapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care in Black and historically excluded communities. She specializes in trauma, racial trauma, leadership, health equity, mental health, and self-care. Ashley holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, operating a private practice where she addresses racial trauma, depression, and anxiety. Featured in Forbes, MSNBC, and HuffPost, Ashley also serves as the NAACP State Area Conference Health Chair. Don't forget to subscribe and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #250 Epstein Files and The Truth About Serial Offenders 31.05.2026 26min

In this week's special episode, Dr. Thema shares a powerful and helpful message on the psychology of serial offenders as it relates to The Epstein Files. Remember to like, subscribe and share. Dr. Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister who is leading the way in creating healthy relationships, healing traumas, and overcoming stress and oppression. Her life changing books include Matters of the Heart, Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, and The Antiracism Handbook: Practical Tools to Shift Your Mindset and Uproot Racism in Your Life and Community and they empower readers to connect with themselves and to others, exploring topics such as: control issues, emotional unavailability, practical activation activities, case studies, and teaching how to shift mindset and patterns around mental health, relationships, and liberation. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #249 High Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph 16.05.2026 26min

Dr. Judith shares with Dr. Thema her journey with high functioning depression. She provides keys to recognizing it and addressing it with knowledge and self compassion. Dr. Judith Joseph, M.D., M.B.A., is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Award Winning Researcher, author of the national bestselling book High Functioning, which was named a Top 10 Audible Well-Being Book of 2025 and top 8% shared books on Spotify 2025. She chairs Columbia University’s Women in Medicine Initiative and is a clinical assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine where she teaches doctors how to educate the public using social media. A renowned speaker, Dr. Judith has presented at the White House, Fortune 500 companies, and the United Nations. Named a 2024 NAACP Mental Health Champion, an Official Masterclass Instructor, a LinkedIn Top Voice and LinkedIn Learning Instructor, she advocates for mental health through research, media, and education. In 2026 she was nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award for her contribution in literature and mental health. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast today and get your copy of Dr. Judith’s book! Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #248: Remembering Yourself with Dr. Jaiya John 30.04.2026 29min

Poet, author, and social psychologist, Dr. Jaiya John shares his journey of being separated from his mother at birth. With tenderness and transparency, he provides powerful insights from his latest book entitled Wild Flowers Praying at Midnight. Integrating indigenous wisdom, cultural truths, and sacred practices, he provides guidance on how we can remember the truth of who we are. Dr. Jaiya John was orphan-born on ancient Indigenous Anasazi and Pueblo lands in the high desert of New Mexico, and is an internationally recognized freedom worker, poet, novelist, author, and speaker. Jaiya is the founder of Soul Water Rising, a global rehumanizing mission to eradicate oppression. The mission has donated thousands of Jaiya’s books in support of social healing, and offers grants to displaced and vulnerable youth. He is the author of numerous books, including Daughter Drink This Water, We Birth Freedom at Dawn, Fragrance After Rain, and Freedom: Medicine Words for your Brave Revolution. Jaiya writes, narrates, and produces the podcast, I Will Read for You: The Voice and Writings of Jaiya John, and is the founder of The Gathering, a global initiative and tour reviving traditional gathering and storytelling practices to fertilize social healing and liberation. He is a former professor of social psychology at Howard University, and has spoken to over a million people worldwide and audiences as large as several thousand. Jaiya holds doctorate and master’s degrees in social psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a focus on intergroup and race relations. As an undergraduate, he attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and lived in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he studied Tibetan Holistic Medicine through independent research with Tibetan doctors and trekked to the base camp of Mt. Everest. He is a Lewis & Clark College Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. His Indigenous soul dreams of frybread, sweetgrass, bamboo in the breeze, and turtle lakes whose poetry is peace. Dr. John’s book titles include We Birth Freedom at Dawn, Volumes One and Two, Dear Artist, All These Rivers and You Chose Love, No Man Came, Fragrance After Rain, Freedom: Medicine Words for Your Brave Revolution, Your Caring Heart: Renewal for Helping Professionals and Systems, Daughter Drink This Water, Calm: Inspiration for a Possible Life, Sincerity of Sunlight, Fresh Peace, Legendary: A Tribute to Those Who Honorably Serve Devalued Children, Beautiful: A Poetic Celebration of Displaced Children, Reflection Pond: Nurturing Wholeness in Displaced Children, Clear Moon Tribe, The Day Jumoke Found His Name, Father to Son: Ode to Black Boys, Habanero Love: A Poem of Sacred Passion, Lyric of Silence: A Poetic Telling of the Human Soul Journey, and Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #247: Overcoming Perfectionism and Life as a Single Mother with Glory Edim 29.04.2026 24min

Author, Glory Edim joins Dr. Thema to share her homecoming journey in understanding the roots of her perfectionism and the path to self acceptance and worthiness. Glory talks about the role of books as a coping strategy, imagination activator, and source of comfort and liberation. From the departure of her father to her experience as a single mother, Glory shares a powerfully transparent testimony. Glory Edim is a writer, literary advocate, and the founder of Well-Read Black Girl (WRBG), a nationally recognized community and literary imprint dedicated to celebrating and publishing the voices of Black women writers. Founded in 2015, WRBG has grown from a book club into a cultural platform that amplifies diverse narratives and fosters dialogue at the intersection of literature, identity, and social change. Edim is the editor of the Well-Read Black Girl anthology and the author of the memoir Gather Me (2024), a reflective exploration of self-discovery and the transformative power of books. Through her writing and editorial work, Edim continues to champion literacy, representation, and Black literary traditions. Don't forget to get her book and like, subscribe, comment, and share.

Episode #246 The Art of Healing with Keenan Chapman 19.04.2026 37min

Visual artist, Keenan Chapman, joins us for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation about the role of art in healing his heart in the aftermath of his father's death. He shares the importance of receiving both talk therapy and opportunities for artistic expression. He has continued to use the arts and his creativity to give voice to his experiences and reflection

Episode #245: Dr. Thema Answers Your Questions 10.04.2026 28min

In this week's episode, Dr. Thema takes time to answer the questions you have submitted about healing, wellness, and relationships. To get insights for your questions and concerns in a future episode, send your questions to support@drthema.com. Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, and comment.

Episode #244: Improving your sleep with Dr. Chris 02.04.2026 33min

This week we are joined by Sleep Dr. Christ as he shares empowering information about ways to improve your sleep. He provides key insights into barriers to our rest as well as ways to maximize our rest. Dr. Chris also shares a special message about men's mental health and rest. Sleep Dr. Chris is a double board-certified physician in sleep medicine and pediatric neurology. He uniquely blends medical expertise with lived experience. As the founder and lead sleep specialist at Quality Sleep & Neurology, he educates his massive social media following, empowers communities and partners with organizations to elevate the importance of sleep health. His insights have been featured on national platforms including Way Up with Angela Yee, Prevention, Daily Mail UK, and Yahoo Life helping expand the conversation around sleep health in diverse communities. Additionally, he is the author of Sweet Dreams, a children's book inspired by his own life story that gently teaches children and families about healthy sleep habits, hope, and the importance of listening to their bodies. Our musical selections are provided by Joy Jones. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, comment, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #243 Healing Hyper-independence with Nedra Tawwab 18.03.2026 29min

New York Times bestselling author and therapist Nedra Tawwab shares her journey of discovering the need for finding healthy, dependable relationships instead of clinging to hyper-independence. She shares how others benefited while she paid the cost of staying strong for everyone else but neglecting her own needs. She shares her healing roadmap from her new book Balancing Act. Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist and the author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace, an instant New York Times best-seller translated into over 35 languages worldwide. In addition, she has authored six other books, including Drama Free and, most recently, a children's book titled What Makes You Happy. A sought-after relationship expert, she has practiced relationship therapy for more than fifteen years. With more than 2.5 million followers across her social media platforms, Tawwab has appeared as an expert on Red Table Talk, The Breakfast Club, Good Morning America, and CBS Morning Show, to name a few. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice, and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including The School of Greatness, We Can Do Hard Things, and Ten Percent Happier. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.

Episode #242 Surrendering to Grief and Divine Love with Koya Webb 09.03.2026 28min

In this powerful conversation, Koya explains her healing journey from the grieving her mother’s death as an initiation into her authentic self. She discusses her spiritual and emotional path as well as the role of nutrition and social support. Koya Webb is a globally recognized thought leader, transformational speaker, holistic wellbeing expert, and longevity specialist. Known for her groundbreaking Lifestyle Design Method, Koya empowers individuals and organizations to create sustainable lifestyle shifts that cultivate self-love, vitality and long-term wellbeing. Founder of Get Loved Up Yoga School, Koya has inspired millions worldwide to embrace self-care, social justice, plant-based living and conscious wellness. She is the author of Let Your Fears Make You Fierce (Hay House) and Wellbeing Rituals (Wiley), and has been featured in Forbes, Goop, ESSENCE, NBC, CBS, E! and more. She has guided celebrity clients and global brands toward holistic transformation. Remember to subscribe, comment, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #241 Reclaiming Community and Financial Success with Dr. LaKeysha Hallmon 05.03.2026 21min

Author and organizer, Dr. Key discusses the importance of healthy relationships and positive, collaborative community support. Dr. Key also shares her life’s journey and provides practical guidance for economic growth and purposeful, intentional partnerships. Dr. Lakeysha “Key” Hallmon, EdD, is a transformational social entrepreneur, speaker, civic leader, and author of No One Is Self-Made. Dr. Hallmon is reshaping the future of economic power by building ecosystems where small businesses thrive and communities flourish. She is the founder of The Village Market, Our Village United, The Village Retail, and Village Books— enterprises that have supported thousands of small businesses, facilitated over $10 million in direct sales, delivered services to entrepreneurs valued at over $15 million, and deployed more than $1 million in grants and technical assistance. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share. Music by Joy Jones. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #240 The Journey to Joy and Freedom with Tina Lifford 23.02.2026 25min

Actress and author Tina Lifford and Dr. Thema discuss the journey to joy and freedom. While discussing the wisdom of the inner fitness revolution, they explore the pathways and techniques of reclaiming the truth of who we are so we can live our authentic lives. Tina Lifford is an actor, author, and pioneering voice in emotional intelligence and wellbeing. She is the founder and CEO of The Inner Fitness Project, a life-changing framework that helps people build inner resilience, self-awareness, and trust in themselves as they navigate transition and growth. A veteran actress who has played over 100 characters, she is beloved for her role as Aunt Vi on the award-winning, critically acclaimed drama series Queen Sugar. Off screen, she brings the same depth and wisdom to her books, including The Little Book of Big Lies—a Forbes Must-Read selection—and her newest release, The Inner Fitness Revolution: A Roadmap to Your Freedom and Joy. Her work reflects a deep love for humanity and empowers people to live well from the inside out. Thanks for listening. Music by Joy Jones. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #239 Stay or Leave: Relationship Decisions with Dr. Thema 17.02.2026 25min

Dr. Thema shares green flags and red flags in romantic relationships. She shares concrete examples of what to consider as you're deciding if your relationship is worth fighting for. Healthy love enhances our lives. Dysfunctional relationships sabotage us. Learn the difference in this week's episode. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones.

Episode #238 Coping with Millennial Grief and Loss with Lia Mancao 11.02.2026 24min

Lia shares her journey with invisible grief and family loss as a Millennial. She and Dr. Thema explore ways of coping and healing with collective losses during difficult times and how to reclaim your wellbeing. Lia Mancao, LCSW, is a licensed therapist, writer, and founder of Alyssa Marie Wellness in Los Angeles. Born in the Philippines and raised in an immigrant household, Lia draws from her cultural roots and lived experience to support adults through grief, identity shifts, relationships, and major life transitions. With over 15 years in the field, she centers self-trust, inner child healing, and emotional honesty in her work. She writes about relationships, self-worth, and the realities of being human, with work featured in outlets like The Knot, PopSugar, MindBodyGreen, and Wondermind. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #237 Rising Overcoming Your Stuck Season with Dr. Thema 03.02.2026 26min

Dr. Thema shares a heartfelt and inspiring message on rising, growing, and thriving. She combines insightful keys to staying motivated with practical tips for you to move from stagnant and stuck to soaring. Dr. Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister who is leading the way in creating healthy relationships, healing traumas, and overcoming stress and oppression. Her life changing books include Matters of the Heart, Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, and The Antiracism Handbook: Practical Tools to Shift Your Mindset and Uproot Racism in Your Life and Community and they empower readers to connect with themselves and to others, exploring topics such as: control issues, emotional unavailability, practical activation activities, case studies, and teaching how to shift mindset and patterns around mental health, relationships, and liberation. Dr. Thema Bryant completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Duke University and her post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical Center’s Victims of Violence Program. Upon graduating, she became the Coordinator of the Princeton University SHARE Program, which provides intervention and prevention programming to combat sexual assault, sexual harassment, and harassment based on sexual orientation. She is currently a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. Dr. Thema is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and leads the mental health ministry at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. Most recently, she was the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is the host of The Homecoming Podcast. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #236: Coping with disappointment and depression with Jenné Claiborne 26.01.2026 27min

Jenné Claiborne joins Dr. Thema to share her path to resilience. She reflects on disappointment and depression as well as her motherhood and professional journeys. Check out her soulful vegan recipes on her YouTube page and incredible cookbooks. Jenné Claiborne is a vegan chef, content creator, and author of "Sweet Potato Soul" and the upcoming "Vegan Vibes" (February 2025). Known for her colorful, innovative Southern-inspired vegan recipes, Claiborne's work has been featured on The Today Show and in The New York Times and Washington Post. Her recipes are available at SweetPotatoSoul.com, and her cookbooks can be found at major retailers. When she’s not creating yummy recipes, Jenné spends most of her time being a mother, practicing yoga, and playing tennis. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones.

Episode #235: Healing Poltical Stress and Disappointment with Angela Rye 12.01.2026 27min

Angela Rye joins Dr. Thema to share her personal journey of coping with and healing from political stress and disappointment. Angela shares the importance of community care and spirituality in her process of homecoming. She also is transparent about the challenges of self care when your sense of purpose and meaning get disrupted. Angela Rye is an award-winning host, lawyer, social justice advocate, and Principal/CEO of IMPACT Strategies, where her political advocacy and crisis management firm’s Professional Development Program has supported more than 500 alumni now serving at the highest levels of government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Rye is also the co-creator of State of the People, a coalition of 200 local and national organizations providing resources, education, empowerment, and relief to thousands of citizens. She is co-host of the NAACP Image Award–winning podcast Native Land Pod and co-founder of Reasoned Choice Media with Lenard “Charlamagne tha God” McKelvey and Chris Morrow. With more than two decades of experience in political strategy, coalition building, and advocacy, Rye previously served as Executive Director and General Counsel to the Congressional Black Caucus and as Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel for the House Homeland Security Committee. She currently serves as a board member for Wilberforce University, the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, Black Futures Lab, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, and on the advisory boards of Club 61 and Boon Boona. She holds honorary doctorates from Wiley College and LeMoyne-Owen College and is a proud alumnus of the University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law. After you listen, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #234 Reclaiming yourself after losses and shifts with Devi Brown 05.01.2026 28min

Devi Brown joins Dr. Thema to share the wisdom she gained after multiple losses and shifts from relationship and health challenges to the death of loved ones. They explore embracing the mystery of life and the reclaiming of joy. Devi Brown is a Well-Being Educator, Multidisciplinary Healer, Creative Advisor, and Author. As the founder of her namesake company, Devi Brown Well-Being, she serves as a trusted voice and advisor to global corporations & high-impact individuals and as a compassionate and supportive teacher to her students. Creator and host of leading wellness podcast, ‘Deeply Well’ and author of Crystal Bliss and Living in Wisdom, her work is founded in creating elevated inner and external wellness practices that support a complex-lived experience. Her process is rooted in trauma-informed holistic wellness, spiritual psychology, advanced meditation, and metaphysics. Devi Brown Well-Being strives to ignite internal transformation that leads to community impact and an elevation of consciousness and compassion for all. er second book, Living in Wisdom: A Guide to Awakening Your Highest Self and Developing Self-Mastery (Hatchette, Spring 2025) explores life experiences that have informed her spiritual awakening and teachings, offering readers the processes and practices to craft a full-body wellness framework dedicated to servicing all facets of their well-being. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode #233 Repair: Healing the Nation with Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter 03.01.2026 26min

Dr. Marcus joins Dr. Thema to discuss the importance of holistic reparations as they explore his thought provoking book in light of the American Psychological Association resolution on Individual, Collective, and Intergenerational Trauma Recovery: Considering the Restorative Roles of Resttition and Reparations. Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter is a professor of sociology and African American studies at UCLA. He is also the author of "Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation," among other titles. In his last book, he talks about the many forms of reparations and things the nation can do to bring healing and repair to descendants of enslaved Africans. He is committed to raising awareness about the many contributions of Black people towards building the United States of America. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com