The Community Couch

Health EN ↓ 7 episodes

We see mental health as a shared human experience shaped by relationships, culture, and systems. The Community Couch bridges knowledge and community realities, promoting healing not just in therapy, but in families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and policies that foster connection.

Author

The Community Couch

Episodes

TCC S1E7 - Trans Visibility, Care, and Resilience in a Politicized Climate 22.06.2026 1:11:36

Welcome back to The Community Couch, where real life meets real conversations ! This week, Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham welcome Holly Savoy for an honest conversation about what it means to live authentically in a time of heightened political and social debate. Together, they explore the power of visibility, the importance of affirming spaces, and the resilience that emerges when individuals a...

TCC S1E6 - Men, Loneliness, and the Importance of Connection 05.06.2026 54:43

Welcome back to The Community Couch, where real life meets real conversations ! In recognition of National Men’s Health Month and PRIDE Month, Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham explore loneliness, mental health, and the importance of connection. They discuss the pressure many men face to stay strong, the value of friendship and community, and the unique challenges older gay men can experience when s...

TCC S1E5 - Breaking the Silence! Child Abuse Awareness in a Troubled Time 14.04.2026 1:03:48

Welcome to this episode of The Community Couch, where real life meets real conversations ! Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham are joined by Verónica Santiesteban, for a conversation on child abuse awareness in recognition of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. They discuss what child abuse is, its impact on mental health and families, and how communities can better recognize, prevent, and respond...

TCC S1E4 - Community Leadership and Representation 17.03.2026 1:11:48

In this special episode of The Community Couch, where real life meets real conversations , Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham sit down with their guest, Councilman Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias, Charlotte City Council representative for District 5 and a proud son of East Charlotte. They talk about JD’s journey into public service and the work he is doing to bring East Charlotte’s voice to City Hall...

TCC S1E3 - Mental Health and the Community (Part 2) 24.02.2026 46:38

Welcome back to The Community Couch , where real life meets real conversations! In this episode, Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham continue the dialogue on how political tension, financial stress, and social division impact our mental health. Through a therapy-informed lens, they explore survival mode, emotional burnout, and the toll of living in constant uncertainty, while offering reflection and...

TCC S1E2 - Mental Health and the Community (Part1) 02.02.2026 51:01

Welcome back to The Community Couch , where real life meets real conversations! In this episode, Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham dive into how today’s political climate, financial pressure, and community division are affecting our mental health. Through a systemic lens, they unpack chronic stress, survival mode, emotional numbness, and the toll of living in a constant state of crisis on our bodies...

TCC S1E1 - Why We Built This Couch 16.01.2026 46:59

Join Ray Castillo and Shacoya Graham, two systemic therapists, as they introduce The Community Couch ! A warm, honest, and culturally aware space for real conversations about family, love, identity, and healing. In this first episode, they share their personal stories, why they started this podcast together, and what listeners can expect each week: therapy-informed, not a therapy session, with hum...