Black People Die By Suicide Too Podcast

Black men tend to stuff their emotions and thoughts because of the mental health stigma and expectations society has on them. For this week’s episode, Kea spoke with Robert ‘Rob’ Brown who lost his dad to suicide and shares his experience with depression, and overcoming suicidal thoughts. Rob is very candid about the highs and lows of losing his dad and says that exercise helped save his life. As...

Do you have a hard time setting boundaries? Personal boundaries are guidelines, rules and limits that a person identifies reasonable, safe and permissible ways for other people to behave towards another and how to will respond when someone passes those limits. Therapist and Life Coach Yesenia Villata joins Kea to dive deeper into setting boundaries and its benefits.  References/Resources:  Connect...

On February 11, 2011, Kea's life changed forever. For this week's episode, Kea takes time to reflect on her suicide attempt and share the details of the day she was hospitalized. Instead of focusing on this day a reminder of trying to end her life, she chooses to look at it as a 'birthday', a day to thank God for giving her another chance, celebrate her progress and inspire oth...

In this episode, Kea challenges you to think about if you are living life with intention and on purpose. Can you answer the question who am I if you remove your degree(s) and materials? Do you attach your value to your job title, purse or car? What do you value?  Join the FB/IG LIVE & Podcast Recording On Feb. 8 at 8pm EST Topic: How To Set Boundaries  For the FB LIVE, you need to be a part of...

This week, Kea is joined by author Darrell Williams. He shares his story of living with ADHD and ways to cope. ADHD is a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Therapist Shout-Out: Lifeline Family Enrichment Counseling Services in Austin, TX Therapist and Owner: Barbara Fountain https://www.lifelinefamilyenrichment.com/   Mind, Body & Soulness Segme...

Inspired by XONecole.com article on women who have been single for three plus years, Kea shares her single and celibacy journey, and how she has to navigate relationships differently given her mental illness. She also shares three tips, pose questions to challenge listeners to think about their emotional and mental health, and to work on ourselves in our singleness.  XONecole Article: http://www.x...

Are your goals for the new year S.M.A.R.T? Many of us are guilty of setting new year resolutions or goal that are unrealistic. In this episode, Kea offer three tips for you to consider when making goals for 2019 and challenge you to be real about your mental health.  Therapist Shout-Out: Dr. Randolph Sconiers Based In South Plainfield, NJ http://www.newstepscounseling.com/ Enter the giveaway! Here...

Do you have a hard time saying no? Are you overextending yourself to make others happy and feel depleted? Are you resentful because people do not meet your expectations? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode is for you. People pleasing is something that many struggle with. In this episode, Kea speaks with Paul Bashea Williams, owner and therapist of Hearts In Mind Counseling....

Happy One Year Anniversary, Fireflies! As 2018 comes to a close, Kea reflects on her accomplishments, healing and excitement for 2019. "Thank you to everyone who supported me in anyway from sharing on social media to attending a speaking engagement, sponsoring my event, and so much more. The podcast and Fireflies family would not be a success without you. "-Kea It's 2019, please sen...

Do you have things you need to let of off? Is it a job, a relationship or self- limiting belief? As 2018 comes to a close, Kea encourages us to let go whatever is holding us back from being the best version of ourselves.  Negative self talk does much damage to your mental health than you may think. This episode was inspired by the season that Kea is currently in. The tips and framework of this epi...

It’s the end of the year so many of us are reflecting on 2018 and making New Year’s Resolutions. But are you really ‘bout’ that life? Are you ready to address your insecurities, commit to therapy, let go of toxic people and simply, become a better person. We all have things we want to change yet often find ourselves getting stuck in a cycle of reverting back to old habits. In this episode, Kea tal...

Are you booked and busy or booked and broken? Do you feel the need to showcase everything on social media or take down a post if it does not get a certain number of likes? Do you constantly compare yourself to others as you scroll through your timeline? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, this episode is for you! #BookedandBusy is one of the most popular hashtags which can m...

Some call it the “winter blues” and others call it “SAD”, this week Kea educates us on seasonal affective disorder. What is it and what type of treatment is available? With the holidays upon us and the lack of natural light, it can have more of an impact on us that we may think.  Article on Seasonal Affective Disorder: https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.seasonal.htm Therapist Shout-Out:  Sa...

This week's episode, Kea discussed dating with a mental illness with her friend TK who battles with bipolar disorder. TK shared her story, tips on what to do if you're dating someone with a mental illness, and offered encouragement to anyone live with a mental illness and find dating difficult.  Tristeza K Duncan also known as “TK” is a Public Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, and Perform...

A real conversation about domestic violence and mental health with domestic violence survivor, author and speaker Crystal Williams. More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the U.S. report having experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention. Crystal shares her stor...

You are in for a treat with today's guest! The powerhouse and right hand girl/executive assistant of Issa Rae is Candis Welch of CanCan On Wheelz , a blog that highlights her life as she navigates life being disabled. She was born with spinal muscular atrophy , a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to wal...

Are you shy? How do you recharge? Do you get energy from being around people? We often throw around the terms introverts and extroverts but do we really know where we fall on the spectrum? In this week’s episode, Kea encourages us to become more self-aware and discusses the different personality types introversion, extroversion and ambiversion.  In the mind, body and soulness segment, Kea refers b...

Did you know cognitive behavioral therapy also known as talk therapy is not the only model of therapy? On this episode, we speak with Sharon Lawrence who tells us all about EMDR and how it can be helpful for trauma. She also discusses self care for therapists and professionals, relationships and having a healthy marriage.  Sharon Lawrence is s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C/ LCSW) (MD/V...

Known for her roles on Black-ish, The Fresh Price of Bel-Air, Think Like A Man, and The Wedding Ringer (just to name a few), Jenifer Lewis graces the Fireflies podcast with her wisdom. "We are as sick as our secrets. Tell it to the world. Lay your burden down so you can fly," are words of wisdom from Ms. Lewis. What a joy it was to have a conversation with her as she shared about her str...

In this week's episode, Kea speaks candidly about how a conversation with friends made her realize that she has a hard time explaining what depression is like for her. It also makes it challenging for others to understand. She encourages us to be mindful when comparing experiences because it can minimize the other person's experience. According to the WHO study, depression is the leading...

Meet one of Kea's little brothers Sabri as he discussed the effects of witnessing domestic violence and being forced to grow up earlier than most peers. Kea poses questions to get her brother to process his emotions and provide him the opportunity to share his voice. During this interview, you will hear how Kea opening up about her story of surviving suicide has shifted the trajectory of her...

Kea decided to do something light as many of the episodes are heavy and deep. Surprise, here's an early release! In honor of the season finale of Issa Rae's hit HBO show Insecure, Kea is releasing the episode now. She is paying homage and sharing with you how Issa Rae was the inspiration for the Fireflies Unite podcast and brand! When you watch Insecure tonight at 10:30 pm, please don&ap...

Do you have a vision to be your own boss and it seems that your prayers go unanswered? Inspiration, realism, and goal-digging paired with scripture and prayer are the formula in Blessed + Bossed Up. Using her own journey as a diving board, Tatum Temia plunges deep into her struggles with believing and trusting that God wanted her to be an entrepreneurial success. Using the word of God as her platf...

In this episode, Kea gives a recap of her two week break and as promised, discussed options for free and low cost therapy.  Resources/References:Find out if you’re eligible for medical assistance or a tax credit in the state of Marylandwww.marylandhealthconnection.gov If you live outside of the state of Maryland, please contact your county's social service office for information on medical as...

In this episode, Kea gets real about where she is and talks about her depression relapse. Self-care is the best care and she knows that she cannot give from an empty cup so she is taking a two week break to prepare to go into a mental health hospital program. She hopes this will encourage the listeners to be real with themselves and know when its time to take a break. In the meantime, please don&a...