The Resilience Lounge Podcast

In this raw episode of The Resilience Lounge, Dewan pulls no punches as she unpacks why the fear of failure hits so much harder when culture, family, race, and gender are all screaming “don’t mess this up.” From Black and Brown men being told their only job is to provide and never fold, to women of every background carrying the weight of holding everyone else together while silently breaking, to i...

Celebrating wins, no matter how small, is one of the most powerful yet underrated habits for long-term motivation and mental health. Acknowledging your achievements releases dopamine, reinforces the neural pathways that link effort with reward, and prevents the common trap of only noticing what’s still missing—which quietly erodes confidence and leads to burnout. When you pause to recognize that y...

Finding Mentors and Allies: Building Your Support Network at Work Building a strong support network at work is essential for personal and professional growth. Finding mentors and allies can provide guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for development. Mentors offer wisdom, share experiences, and help you navigate challenges, while allies advocate for you, amplify your voice, and support your...

Navigating workplace politics means understanding the informal power dynamics, relationships, and unwritten rules that exist in every organization. It's not about manipulation—it's about building genuine relationships across departments, observing how decisions really get made, and communicating strategically with different stakeholders. Success comes from focusing on shared organizational goals r...

This critical exploration examines the profound impact of workplace trauma and the stark differences in how it manifests for Caucasian women and women of color. While toxic work environments can damage anyone's mental health and professional growth, women of color often face compounded trauma through the intersection of racism and sexism, experiencing microaggressions, cultural isolation, and syst...

Self-care isn't selfish—it's the non-negotiable foundation for your physical, emotional, and mental health. Think of it like the oxygen mask principle on an airplane: you must secure your own mask before helping others because without proper care, you cannot show up fully for your work, relationships, or responsibilities. Your body needs adequate sleep, nutrition, movement, and rest to prevent bur...

In this raw, story-driven monologue for The Resilience Lounge, Dewan pulls back the curtain on what it costs to live for approval. She shares how performing in the NFL world—code-switching, keeping the peace, looking perfect—slowly erased her voice until therapy three times a week, a shattering betrayal, profound grief, and even a K-9 raid forced a reckoning. This is not a scandal story—it’s a fre...

Parenting today often feels like juggling on a tightrope — balancing work, technology, responsibilities, and constant demands. In a world that moves so quickly, it’s easy to slip into autopilot, but children thrive most when parents are fully present. Being present doesn’t always mean carving out hours of uninterrupted time — it’s about creating small, meaningful moments of connection: listening w...

Balancing love and ambition is the practice of nurturing meaningful relationships while also pursuing personal and professional goals. It means honoring commitments to loved ones without sacrificing one’s dreams, and striving for success without neglecting emotional connection, intimacy, or care. At its core, it’s about creating harmony—recognizing that both love and ambition are essential parts o...

A dynamic, often unpredictable routine filled with balancing multiple roles and responsibilities. It typically involves managing the needs of children, household tasks, and professional or personal obligations, all within the same limited hours of the day. For a busy mom, the day may begin early with preparing meals, organizing school or childcare logistics, and coordinating family schedules. Thro...

Gratitude: Reclaiming Your Joy – What It Means 1. Gratitude as a Spiritual Anchor Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” — it’s a spiritual practice that roots you in the present, honors what you’ve survived, and reframes your life through abundance rather than lack. When life has taken much from you — your peace, your confidence, your energy — gratitude becomes a sacred way of remembering...

Burnout vs. Breakthrough is the tension between exhaustion and transformation. Burnout is the body’s cry for rest and realignment—born from doing too much for too long without replenishment. Breakthrough, on the other hand, is what happens when you pause, surrender, and allow purpose to rise from the ashes. One drains you; the other delivers you.

The art of saying no without guilt is about setting healthy boundaries with confidence and kindness. It means recognizing your own limits, values, and priorities—and choosing not to take on commitments that drain your time, energy, or well-being. Instead of overexplaining or apologizing, you communicate clearly and respectfully, often offering alternatives if appropriate. At its core, it’s about s...

Women of color often develop resilience through managing what researchers call "double jeopardy" or "multiple jeopardy" - facing both racial and gender-based challenges simultaneously, along with other potential factors like class, sexuality, or immigration status. This creates distinct stressors but also fosters unique forms of strength and wisdom. Some key aspects of resilience in this context i...

Recovering from Workplace Trauma explores the hidden epidemic of psychological injury in professional settings. Through survivor stories, expert insights, and practical healing strategies, we address toxic workplaces, burnout, harassment, and organizational betrayal. Each episode offers validation, tools, and hope for professionals rebuilding their careers and reclaiming their wellbeing after work...

 Is the permission slip high-achieving women didn't know they were waiting for. Each episode dismantles the myth that success requires suffering, offering practical mental health strategies for women who are tired of choosing between ambition and peace.

Microaggressions represent one of the most pervasive yet underrecognized forms of discrimination affecting African American women today. These subtle, often unconscious acts of bias create cumulative psychological stress and reinforce systemic inequalities across multiple spheres of life.

Imposter Syndrome is the internal experience of believing you’re not as competent or capable as others perceive you to be — even when there’s clear evidence of your success. People with imposter syndrome often: Feel like they’re “faking it” Attribute achievements to luck or timing Fear being “found out” as a fraud Set impossibly high standards for themselves It can affect anyone — from students to...

In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of Dewan Smith-Murray, who turned personal adversity into a mission to heal and empower others. Discover how resilience, education, and community support fueled her path from surviving domestic abuse to founding a mental health clinic serving hundreds. Learn how Black women are leading a revolution in entrepreneurship by creating solutions bor...