Safe Place For Brown Girls

Every day you’re pushing through, holding everything together for work, family, and everyone around you. And sometimes, you just want to step back and breathe. At work, you have no problem requesting PTO. But as a mom, you feel guilty for even wanting a break. The truth is, never taking that break is what leads to burnout. That’s why my guest today, faith-based wellness coach and busy mom Precious...

Life is full of moments that force us to pivot. Getting married, having a baby, starting a new job, or even losing one can completely change the direction of your life. These experiences can help you grow or hold you back, depending on how you respond to them.  When you face them with fear or negativity, it can keep you from moving forward. In this episode, I sit down with Dshawn Russell, CEO...

Have you been feeling tired, irritable, depressed, or on edge lately? What you’re putting into your body might be playing a bigger role than you realize. Today, my guest, gutpreneur and nurse practitioner Paula Richardson, shares the connection between gut health and brain health. She explains how the gut impacts your mental state and what you can do to begin reversing the effects. Meet Paula Rich...

Sis, listen to me. Please stop saying, “I’m fine,” every time you’re drowning in motherhood. Between the kids, work, and just regular life, there comes a point where you have to open up and let someone know that you’re struggling. I know what it’s like to try to balance it all, and I’m here to share advice on how to pause, reset, and stop pretending that you’re okay. Name the Pattern ·  ...

You can have it all—money, career, marriage—and then one day, it’s all gone. That loss often leaves us wondering: How can I recover from this?  If you’re in the middle of rebuilding your life, my guest, Dr. Jena L. Bell, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, executive coach, and entrepreneur, is here to provide a blueprint to help you detach from the past, lead with purpose, and build healthy rel...

Silence around women’s health has been passed down for generations. From menstruation to menopause, women are often told to “just deal with it,” leading to shame, misinformation, and isolation—especially in communities of color.  In this episode, I’m joined by nurse practitioner and women’s health advocate Roshni Graydus, who shares how breaking the silence around hormones, cycles, and menopa...

Returning to your roots can bring unexpected clarity. In this episode, I’m joined by fashion stylist Toddre’ DaLaura Monier, who shares how reconnecting with the East African fashion scene brought her peace, purpose, and a deep sense of connection to her motherland. She opens up about how her lifelong bond with Africa blossomed into a creative entrepreneurial venture and a sense of cultural pride...

In Caribbean communities, it’s almost unheard of for anyone to seek help with their mental health. You might even wonder if people from our background work in this profession at all.  Well, I’m here to surprise you — I’m not the only Haitian mental health professional!  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eva Beaulieu, a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and mental health advocate...

Have you ever found yourself shutting down and giving someone the silent treatment for days after an argument? And then, when you finally do talk, you act like nothing ever happened? This isn't just a habit; it's a common pattern of behavior that can be rooted in generational trauma. Unresolved trauma often shows up in our daily lives without us even realizing it, and it can feel impossible to bre...

Why is it so difficult for Black and Brown women to ask for help when struggling with their mental health? How do you begin healing when you fear judgment? I’m tackling these tough questions with psychologist Dr. Angela Clack in this episode. She'll unpack the cultural barriers to seeking help and provide a roadmap for embracing vulnerability, building support, and finding your community. Meet Dr....

We all want to be a safe place for others—a go-to person, a source of strength. But how can we do that if we're running on empty? The truth is, self-care isn't a luxury; it's the foundation for everything.  Yet, it can be a challenge for many Black and brown women to find self-care practices that genuinely rejuvenate their mind, body, and soul.  That's why I invited Rikki McCoy, a therap...

I've noticed a clear pattern in my practice: many of my patients—especially overstimulated working moms—are dealing with the same three mental health issues. Today, I'm going to pull back the curtain on these common struggles and explain why they're so widespread. What Are the Three Common Mental Health Issues? These are the three common mental health issues I find: Anxiety Disorder Depression/ Ma...

Going back to school over forty can feel like a nightmare. Your negative thoughts creep in, and due to life obligations, you're too tired to even think about studying. But I'm here to tell you that it is possible, and I want to share advice on how to conquer this goal. The Seasons of Sacrifice If you go back to the very first episode, you'll hear my story of when I had to send my children to Haiti...

Have you ever felt unseen, unheard, and underpaid at your job? These are often three common problems women of color face in the workplace. In this episode, I invite Dr. Deeawn Roundtree, who is a leadership coach and management consultant. She joins me in this much-needed conversation on the improper treatment of Black and Brown women at work. Welcome, Dr. Deeawn Roundtree Dr. Roundtree holds a du...

Hey girls! Today, I’m sharing three coping tools for moms who are always on the move. If you’re struggling with balancing career goals, kids' activities, and an active social life, join me in this episode and hear my strategies to become a master of harmony. What Do We Carry? I see it in every woman in my practice and even myself. You have to agree that it can be exhausting to nurture everyone els...

Did you know that the type of food you eat can prevent you from experiencing the joys of becoming a mother? Through personal experience and entrepreneurship, my guest, Kendra Collins, a Houston health coach, shares how switching to a keto diet can improve fertility issues, along with mental health. Meet Kendra Collins Kendra Collins empowers women through her Houston-based health brand, Black Keto...

In a world where food is often a source of comfort, many find themselves trapped in a painful cycle of emotional eating and self-neglect. This week, Erica Bell Barnes shares how she overcame food addiction and depression to reclaim her mental health and sense of self. The Turning Point Erica’s story began with a moment of deep self-awareness. At nearly 400 pounds and struggling with severe depress...

Growing up around trauma and then going through it yourself can keep you in a loop of relationships that wreak havoc on your mental health. How can you break the cycle so you can attract friendships and lovers who are there to support you? How can you heal so you’re not accidentally spreading hurt to others? I’m going to show you how in this episode, so you can have emotionally safe relationships...

Okay, ladies, let's all take a deep breath before we dive into this sensitive topic. One... Two... Three... Today, I'm going to share ways to challenge and strengthen yourself when you're not feeling good enough. The advice I share in this episode can help you work through negative thoughts about your look and push toward body positivity. Current Beauty Standards I'm sure you've noticed how the me...

Grief can linger in your body even after you've laid a loved one to rest. Sometimes it sticks around until someone in your family is ready to heal. You might be that person who puts an end to generational grief. If you're unsure how, listen to this episode with my guest, Herdyne Mercier, a licensed clinical social worker. She'll show us how to recognize generational grief and how to release it so...

Society may have unconsciously taught us that therapy isn't meant for Black and Brown women. This belief, often rooted in mistrust, keeps us from seeking the help we need to stay empowered. In this episode, I'll explore the challenges we face when seeking mental health support. The Dangers of Underrepresentation Even when we do seek help from a mental health professional, we might be told we're ju...

Living in a world saturated with "ideal" body types, it can be challenging to find the confidence to truly embrace and love your own. From the powerful "slim-thick" era of the '70s to today's glamorized "Georgia peaches" aesthetic, Black and brown women have often been taught their bodies are only ideal if they conform to one of these options. If you carry a few extra pounds around your waistline,...

Hi, welcome to the introductory episode of A Safe Place for Brown Girls Podcast. My name is Dr. Kathleen Estimé, DNP, PMHNP-BC, and I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner. This is a short little episode where I will give you details about myself and what you can gain from listening to this podcast. Meet Me: Dr. Katheen Estimé, DNP, PMHNP-BC It’s only right for me to introduce myself to you and expl...

As Black women, we often stay quiet when the world is tearing us down. On the outside, you may look just fine, waking up every morning and presenting the world a big smile.   Yet inside, the daily grind is eating you alive. This may be a silent indication that you're suffering from anxiety and just don't know it.  In our community, anxiety isn't often talked about, but we're discuss...

In the introductory episode, I briefly shared my mental health story with you. Today, I’m going to delve a bit deeper into it. This way you can see that you’re not alone. Also, if there’s a specific mental health topic you would like for me to discuss, please feel free to reach out. My Humble Beginnings I know there’s someone out there who can relate to my story. For years I dealt with depression,...