The Back to Me Podcast

Let’s talk about empathy! Do we really want to understand each other? As we wrap up Suicide Prevention Month, we welcome back Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Clifton Bright, Jr. for an honest dive into the challenges people face with their feelings in today's world. Clifton unpacks three distinct types of empathy to emphasize their value, especially in times of crisis, and guides us thro...

As we continue to honor Suicide Prevention Month, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Alexander Dorsey returns to share practical insights on mental health, suicide prevention, and supporting college athletes. With six years in private practice, Alex discusses how to recognize warning signs of suicidal thoughts in yourself, friends, and loved ones while introducing the Stanley-Brown Safety Pl...

School is back in session, and you may be feeling that familiar wave of overwhelm. So, how are you managing your stress? In today's episode, we are joined by Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist, Samantha Tubbs-Crews, who shares actionable steps for evaluating "how big is your situation?"—so you can tackle challenges without spiraling into panic, even when grades and goals feel dau...

We’re back and we’re celebrating 5 years of empowering incoming college students and postgraduates with the support of some amazing experts in mental health and career development. For this milestone episode, our host and founder, Yoli Tamu shares her personal college experience and five key ways to maintain focus on your journey as you start the school year. If you’ve ever asked, “Who am I now?”...

“The world needs more artists” – and we couldn’t agree more! For our final episode of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are joined by Laurel Donley, Vice Provost of Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Ms. Donley brings a unique perspective, blending her background in social work with her experience in higher education by sharing how she and her team are building...

Did you know Black Americans are twice as likely to have a stroke-sometimes as early as age 22? In honor of Mental Health and Stroke Awareness Month, we welcome Dr. Christine Cosby-Gaither, Visionary Founder and Executive Director of A Stroke of Grace, to discuss how her nonprofit supports Black stroke survivors and their families. Find out how to spot stroke symptoms early using the B.E. F.A.S.T....

Graduation season is here! Excitement is in the air as students prepare for the next chapter, but for many, this transition brings a mix of anticipation and anxiety. As students face uncertainty about their future, mental health remains a top concern. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re joined by Joshua Mayfield, Interim Program Director of the Resilience in Your Student Experience (R...

Thinking about homeownership or investing in real estate while still in college? Join us as we wrap up Financial Literacy Month with Brady Thomas, Senior Mortgage Advisor at LaSalle Mortgage Services. Mr. Thomas reveals three key strategies to qualify for a mortgage. He explains why building your credit early matters and shares tips on managing student loans as a foundation for future home buying....

“Slow and steady wins the race” – truer words were never spoken when you start investing in yourself. It’s Financial Literacy Month and it’s the perfect time to figure out how to make your dreams a reality! This week, we are joined by Christopher Cobb, Financial Strategist and Founder of The Chosen Agency. This retired corporate insurance agent launched his own brokerage and has amassed over 6 mil...

As we continue celebrating Financial Literacy Month, it is important to consider just how you plan to be more charitable in your giving. This week, we are joined by TeeJ Mercer, Founder of Move-In Day Mafia. TeeJ has transformed the lives of HBCU students who have aged out of foster care or face financial hardships by providing dorm makeovers and four years of monthly care packages. During the pan...

It’s Tax Season and Financial Literacy Month! How effectively are you managing your monthly expenses and making smart investment decisions? This week, we’re thrilled to welcome back Shelby Patrice, Financial Literacy Educator and Founder of Budget University. Ms. Patrice shares how students choose their favorite stocks and explore concepts like assets and liabilities through popular rap songs. As...

As Women's History Month comes to a close, join our host and founder, Yoli Tamu, in celebrating her most inspirational mentor! This week features Ka-Ron Brown Lehman, Artistic Director of Lehman Danceworks, Inc. and Retired Modern Dance Instructor. "Dancing Mama," as she’s affectionately known to her students, is a legendary dancer, teacher, choreographer, artistic director, and mother of three, w...

In celebration of International Women's Day, we were honored to return to Coppin State University at the invitation of Dr. James Stewart, Associate Vice President for Student Development and Achievement. We hosted a special live event to recognize four extraordinary women in higher education, affectionately known as "Coppin's Aunties." This week, we are joined by Ms. Loretta Mask Campbell, Mrs. Va...

As we continue to celebrate amazing women for Women’s History Month, we invite back Dr. LaToya René Robertson, Associate Director of Community Values and Student Conduct at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Dr. Robertson is working on the second edition to her popular book, “The College Cheat Sheet”. She shares how she helps students navigate conflicts on campus, while helping them manage per...

It's Women's History Month! How do you plan to honor the women in your life this month? How will you honor yourself? In this week’s episode, our founder and host, Yoli Tamu reminds young women to pause and take personal inventory of their value and personal worth in these changing times.⁠ ⁠ Yoli completed her M.Ed. in Cross-Cultural Teaching at National University, and received her Bachelor of Fin...

In a society that claims to value religious freedom and personal happiness, many students feel constrained in exploring their spirituality due to the perceived judgment of others. As we close out our love series titled, “Relationships That Matter,” we are joined by Rev. Wendy Silvers, Minister, Spiritual Teacher and Conscious Activist of the Agape International Spiritual Center. Feeling dismissed...

At a time when our students need to be affirmed now more than ever, we continue our love series titled, “Relationships That Matter” with Dr. Jonli Tunstall, Director of Pre-College and Summer Programs at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After serving in this department for the past 20 years, Dr. Tunstall joins us to share how her department serves as a safe space for students of diver...

Dating in college with the hopes of building a sustainable relationship nowadays takes serious effort and a strong consideration of your selection process. In this week’s episode, we continue our love series titled, “Relationships That Matter” with André Carpenter, Assistant Director for Student Outreach and Support at the University of Southern Florida, St Petersburg (USFSP), along with his wife,...

When life seems to overwhelm you, how do you pick yourself up, so you can live to fight another day? For Black History Month, we are proud to bring back our 4-part Love Series titled, “Relationships That Matter”. In this week’s episode, we are joined by Motivational Entertainer, Kevin Bracy also known as Coach Greatness! Born, raised and educated in Sacramento, California, Kevin joins us to remind...

When you think about pursuing a career, do you also consider how it may impact your community? In this week’s episode, we are joined by Mohammed Ali, a graduating senior at Northern Kentucky University. Mohammed is majoring in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, while also serving as an Auto Repair Technician for his own business. Born and raised in Uganda, Mohammed knew at a young age that...

For many students, the idea of living on campus far away from home can be a hard transition. In this week’s episode, we are joined by Ashley Mentor, Resident Assistant (RA) and Graduating Senior at the University of Arizona. Ashley is currently majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, while also serving as an RA for many anxious students learning to adapt to their new environment on camp...

As students search for career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), there are plenty of opportunities available that many have not considered In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Ja’Wanda S. Grant, Co-Founder of Celebrate Sisters Foundation and Chief Innovation Architect of JSG Innovation Labs. Dr. Grant shares how her mother inspired her interest in youth mi...

It’s a new year and we’re coming in blazing new trails for the diverse future leaders of our nation! In our first episode of the year, we are joined by Norma Spencer, Director for the Center of Black Student Excellence at Long Beach Unified School District.⁠ Ms. Spencer’s unyielding dedication revolves around heightening the standards of student support services, ensuring that every Black student...

The spirit of collaboration is needed now more than ever, and it is up to us to explore how we can all benefit, in order to thrive in an ever changing society. In this week’s final episode of Our 4th Annual Divine 9 Series, we are joined by Randy Becton, Jr., Upsilon Omega Chapter Initiate of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Known to many as the Slauson Activist, Randy is a dedicated community outr...

The complexities of this life have caused many people to suffer for years with unrealized trauma that has stunted personal growth and prohibited some from actually fulfilling their goals. In this week’s episode of Our 4th Annual Divine 9 Series, we are joined by Kharee Hoggs, Theta Epsilon Chapter Initiate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Studying Law initially interested Kharee until she discove...