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Mental Wellness Episodes

July 24, 2026

Healing Changed Everything: Eboni Caldwell's Journey from Survival to Purpose

Can healing truly change your life? This week on Conversations with Karen and Kat, we welcome Eboni Caldwell, founder of Productive & Prosper-Us Empowerment, LLC. After surviving homelessness, domestic violence, divorce, and financial hardship, Eboni transformed her pain into purpose and now helps women heal emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In this powerful conversation, she discusses healing trauma, inner-child work, setting healthy boundaries, journaling, faith, forgiveness, and d...
July 3, 2026

The Story Behind the Behavior: Trauma-Informed Leadership, Healing, and the Power of Community with Dr. Erlange Elisme

What if the behaviors we label as resistance, defiance, or laziness are actually signs of an untold story? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Karen and Kat, we welcome Dr. Erlange Elisme, behavioral health consultant, trauma-informed leadership strategist, author, and founder of Elisme Consulting Services. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in behavioral health, education, and leadership, Dr. Elisme explores how trauma shapes our relationships, workplaces, and communit...
Feb. 12, 2026

Healing Through Ubuntu: Reclaiming Our Minds, Our History, and Our Wholeness

In this powerful and deeply affirming episode of Conversations with Karen & Cat, we welcome back renowned African-centered psychologist, educator, and author Dr. Kevin Washington (Mwata Kiari Emeka Sankara) to explore a transformative approach to mental health and healing. Grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — Dr. Washington introduces his groundbreaking work, Ubuntu Psychotherapy: Addressing the Transgenerational Trauma of Afrikan/Black People. Together, we unpack ho...
Sept. 26, 2025

Faith, Family & Mental Health: A Conversation with Sister Sayeedah

In this episode, we sit down with Atlanta-born Author and Advocate, Astrid Serika Ross, affectionately known as Sister Sayeedah. A mother, grandmother, suicide loss survivor, and fierce voice for mental health and education, Sister Sayeedah shares her journey of transforming personal tragedy into powerful advocacy. As Executive Director of the Mental Health Support Network and a 20-year leader at the City of Knowledge Islamic School, she has dedicated her life to breaking the stigma around me...
Guest: Astrid Ross
Aug. 29, 2025

Embracing Behavior Change: Helping Parents, Teachers, and Leaders Build Stronger Connections

In this episode, we sit down with Sharoya Ham — a mother of three, devoted wife, and the founder of Embrace Behavior Change. As a behavior change specialist and parent coach, Sharoya is passionate about helping families, educators, and workplaces shift their focus from constant problem-solving to creating meaningful, joy-filled connections. Through her Parent Coaching, Teacher Coaching, and Workplace Coaching services, Sharoya equips people with the tools to reduce stress, strengthen relation...
Guest: Sharoya Ham
June 7, 2025

Transforming Communities Through Love: The Power of Service with LA Pink

In this powerful episode, we sit down with humanitarian, advocate, and community transformer LaQuana “LA Pink” Alexander —First Lady of Street Groomers and CEO of The Community Boutique. From her personal journey through homelessness to becoming a force of change in Atlanta and beyond, LA Pink shares how her passion for service turned into a global mission. Through The Community Boutique, a nonprofit she founded, LA Pink provides critical support such as clothing, mental health services, ment...
Guests: L.APINK , ale
May 23, 2025

Purpose in Power: Mohamed Berte on Leadership, Legacy, and Law

Mohamed Berte, graduating senior from Shiloh High School and incoming University of Pennsylvania student. Mohamed discusses what it takes to lead with purpose as a young changemaker. Mohamed held various leadership roles on campus and founded the Shiloh Student Athlete Association. He opens up about balancing academic excellence (holding a 4.54 GPA and ranking #3 in a class of 420+, being a four-year varsity athlete despite undergoing two major knee surgeries, and managing a successful ser...
Guest: Mohamed Berte
Nov. 22, 2024

Harvesting Hope: Overcoming Barriers in Agriculture

Kelsha Weaver is a retired Army Major with over 24 years of service in the Medical Service Corps and a Doctor of Business Administration candidate at the University of Phoenix. Alongside her husband, a retired Command Sergeant Major, she runs a small farm in South Georgia, purchased in 2013 as part of their retirement plan. Kelsha, originally from Southern Louisiana, is a novice Black farmer whose passion for Black Agrarianism stems from her journey and experiences with systemic challenges in ag...
Guest: KELSHA WEAVER
Oct. 25, 2024

Empowering Change: Job Training and Food Justice with Erica Allen

Erika Allen is the CEO for Urban Growers Collective, President of Green ERA Educational NFP, and Co-Owner of Green Era Sustainability Partners. Urban Growers Collective is a Black- and women-led non-profit farm in Chicago, Illinois working to build a more just and equitable local food system. They provide hands-on job training and create economic opportunity for youth, and beginner BIPOC farmers. Urban Growers cultivates eight urban farms on 11 acres of land, predominantly located on Chicago’...
Guest: Erika Allen
April 12, 2024

A Warrior's Journey: From Homelessness to Presidential Recognition

In this episode, we talk with Curtis Butler, III, as he shares his journey of becoming an unhoused veteran into acts of compassion and service to receiving the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, his story is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Curtis shares his early struggles with homelessness and the challenges he faced as a veteran reintegrating into civilian life. Despite these obstacles, he embarked on a journey of resilience and determination that would eventually lead him...
April 5, 2024

Inside the Mind: Exploring Men's Mental Health Challenges

In this episode we are joined by Gamel DeWise and Paul Posey from the Helping Hands Travels, LLC to discuss mental health challenges for men. Gamel is the CEO/Founder of The Helping Hand Travels LLC and a certified behavior modification & anger management specialist who worked in the field of Social Service and Behavioral Health for over three decades. Paul Posey is an author, Inspirational Speaker and Mental Health Coach. To contact or purchase his books, go to www.neg2posbooks.com Helpin...
Guest: Gamel DeWese
Jan. 26, 2024

From Stigma to Support: Teenagers Leading the Way in Mental Health Advocacy

Ta’Lia and Tanya are the Co-presidents and founder of Mind Over Matter. Mind Over Matter was formed in February of 2023 to spread awareness of mental health among teenagers. The students discuss how they are helping to break down the stigma of mental health and the self-care practices they are sharing with their peers. If you have any young people in your life, please share this episode with them. If you would like to donate or learn more about Mind Over Matter, please follow them on IG @sghs...
Dec. 9, 2023

Karen and Cat's Kidprenuer Christmas Shopping

Are you looking for unique Christmas gifts? On this episode we talk with two youthprenuers that started their own businesses while still in high school. The students juggle school, extra-curricular activities and entrepeneurialship. Support these small business owners by shopping with: Taliaa Pouncey, Owner, Liaas Arts and Crafts Website: https://liaasartsncrafts.myshopify.com/ IG: Liaas_ArtsnCrafts ____________ Awa Kone, Owner, Starzhoodies IG: Starzhoodies _____________ ...
Nov. 3, 2023

Empowering Special Needs Families: Stories of Strength and Resilience

In this episode, we are joined by Mimi Cole and Jaidah Liverman. Mimi is the founder of The Ivy Elite Foundation. She shares her personal journey of starting the organization and the inspiration behind it. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges faced by families and individuals with special needs, and how the foundation aims to support them. Contact The Ivy Elite Foundation at : Email: MrsJaidah@theivyelite.com Phone Number: (678) 424-0711 Website: https://theivyelite.com Insta...
Oct. 13, 2023

Moving from fearful to fearless with Ketara Gray!

Ketara Gray is a wife, mother, daughter and worshipper. After experiencing loss and learning how to overcome her fears and move past the grief, Ketara had a desire to work with others who need to step out of their comfort or uncomfortable zone. It became her life mission to inspire people to be brave and full of coverage. Ketara created the Brave Woman Academy to transform the fearful into fearless. Her goal is to help create healthy community and strong leadership! Join us for this conversat...
Guest: Ketara Gray
Sept. 23, 2023

Check on your strong friends - Suicide Prevention Awareness

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We are joined by mental health professional, Arlevia DeLoach of Building Brighter Futures, Inc to discuss how to talk about mental health, signs to look for in our loved ones, when and how to get assistance for yourself or someone that you love and gun safety. We can all help prevent suicide. If you or someone that you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 to talk to a professional. The 988 Lifeline provides...
Sept. 15, 2023

Getting Your Shift Together with Ursula

In this episode we chat with fellow podcaster, Ursula B of, "Black Girls Getting Their Shift Together". Ursula dispenses her wisdom on the importance of therapy, the power of saying no, and making yourself a priority. You can find the "Black Girls Getting Their Shift Together" podcast on the following platforms: Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36HxpXIiAxk8ukRVF4tajw Podcast Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bggtst Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/Gemston197606...
Guest: Ursula B