Episodios

  • A Self-Care Reset: Travel, Venting & the Power of Slowing Down

    A Self-Care Reset: Travel, Venting & the Power of Slowing Down
    May 7 2025

    In this solo episode of Be Well, Sis, Dr. Cassandre Dunbar shares reflections on travel, nature, and the power of pause. She recaps a joyful family trip to New Orleans, explores the healing benefits of gardening, and shares her current favorite hair care finds.

    Plus, she answers the first listener letter in the Not Well, Sis segment—reminding us that venting is a powerful form of self-care.

    If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or in need of a reset, this episode offers gentle reminders to slow down, savor beauty, and stay connected.

    Topics Covered:

    • Family travel as a form of self-care
    • How gardening supports emotional wellness
    • Favorite hair care products right now
    • Why venting matters for mental health
    • The first-ever Not Well, Sis listener letter


    Got a “Not Well, Sis” submission? I’d love to hear it- Send it in here!

    Shop the products mentioned in the On My Radar Segment here!

    We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

    Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

    Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

    Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    30 m
  • You’re Not a Basket Case: Reclaiming Your Mental Wellness with NK

    You’re Not a Basket Case: Reclaiming Your Mental Wellness with NK
    Apr 30 2025
    April is Stress Awareness Month, but let’s be honest—many of us have been stress-aware our whole lives. If you’ve been navigating anxiety, people-pleasing, burnout, or just feeling emotionally exhausted... This conversation is for you.In this episode of Be Well, Sis, I’m joined by NK—storyteller, mental wellness advocate, and host of the podcast Basket Case. We dive into an honest conversation about what it means to care for your mental health in real, practical, and deeply personal ways.NK shares her journey of navigating anxiety, internalized shame, and self-loathing—and how relocating to Mexico offered her a new way of living, healing, and connecting to emotional well-being. She also unpacks the power of storytelling to dismantle mental health stigma, and how ceremonial healing practices like temazcal helped her come back to her body and spirit.We explore what it looks like to move beyond surface-level self-care and begin to replenish yourself in ways that are culturally grounded, spiritually aligned, and emotionally honest.In this episode, we discuss:What high-functioning anxiety can feel like and how it shows upWhy storytelling matters in the fight against mental health stigmaNK’s decision to move to Mexico to support her mental wellnessHow conflict can actually strengthen relationships and build community careCeremonial healing and the role of practices like temazcal in emotional releaseWhy self-awareness and accountability are essential for personal growthHow to stop performing wellness and start living it—from the inside outMentioned in this episode:Temazcal ceremony (traditional Indigenous sweat lodge for detox + healing)Basket Case Podcast – a space for honest conversations about mental healthAbout NK: NK is a writer, speaker, and host of the Basket Case podcast—a mental health storytelling platform that centers the experiences of marginalized communities. Her work helps normalize emotional honesty, encourage personal growth, and challenge the systems that contribute to mental distress.🎧 Listen to Basket Case: Click here to listen! 📸 Follow NK on IG here!Stay connected with me:✨ Subscribe to Be Well, Sis wherever you listen to podcasts💌 Subscribe to the newsletter!📱 Follow me on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re own Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    26 m
  • How Stella Got Her Groove Back w/ Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons (Rom Com Vom)

    How Stella Got Her Groove Back w/ Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons (Rom Com Vom)
    Apr 25 2025

    We’re excited to bring you a special feed drop from Rom Com Vom, a miniseries from Sex Ed with DB that dives into the messy, funny, and sometimes uncomfortable themes in our favorite romantic comedies.

    This clip comes from their episode on How Stella Got Her Groove Back, where host Danielle Bezalel is joined by Dr. Candice Nicole — award-winning psychologist, associate professor at Emory University, and author of Good Sex: Stories, Science, and Strategies for Sexual Liberation. They dig into how the film handles sexuality, age gaps, grief, and what it means for Black women to prioritize pleasure and joy.

    Listen to the full episode here and find Sex Ed with DB wherever you get your podcasts.

    Learn more about Dr. Candice Nicole: drcandicenicole.com

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    11 m
  • Soft Life, Real Talk: Ditching Performative Wellness

    Soft Life, Real Talk: Ditching Performative Wellness
    Apr 23 2025
    Black women are reimagining wellness on their own terms—beyond trends, beyond performance. In this episode, we explore what it really means to opt out, slow down, and live well.In today’s conversation, Dr. Cassandre Dunbar is joined by Dominique Fluker, contributing lifestyle editor at Essence, writer, interior designer, and wellness storyteller. Together, they unpack the evolution of wellness for Black women, the pressure to perform self-care online, and how community, authenticity, and creativity are helping us reclaim what it means to be well.You’ll hear about:Dominique’s bold leap from tech to journalism (without a backup plan)How Essence is shifting the narrative around Black women and wellnessThe rise of revolutionary rest and opting out as resistanceWhy “soft life” is about healing, not consumptionWellness trends to be cautious of—including AI therapy and TikTok fadsThe impact of curated home spaces on emotional well-beingAnd why human connection is still our most powerful medicineThis episode is a love letter to self-trust, slowing down, and designing a life that reflects who you truly are.Guest Spotlight: Dominique B. Fluker is a nationally recognized multimedia journalist, editor, content marketer, and interior design storyteller based in Los Angeles. She currently is the Contributing Lifestyle Editor at ESSENCE Magazine. She has created purpose-driven and multicultural content for iconic web and print publications like ForbesWomen, Glamour Magazine, ESSENCE Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Business Insider, Women’s Health, Variety, and more. As a culture and entertainment enthusiast, she's interviewed legendary celebrities such as Oprah, Toni Braxton, John Legend, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Robin Roberts, Serena Williams, and more. As an established advocate for diversity and inclusion within the tech and entertainment industries, she's also a noted public speaker, moderator, host, on-camera talent, red-carpet correspondent, and thought leader. Dominique has found solace in curating physical spaces while creating a name for herself at the intersection of digital content curation and editorial storytelling. She believes interior design is an extension of thoughtful storytelling. 2021 marked Dominique's official foray into professional interior styling with the launch of her first business, DBF Interiors. She has been featured as an interior design expert in Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, and more. Connect with Dominique: Follow her on Instagram @dominiquebflukerConnect with her on LinkedIn Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    30 m
  • High Functioning with Dr. Judith Joseph

    High Functioning with Dr. Judith Joseph
    Apr 16 2025
    If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” things—showing up for work, taking care of everyone, checking all the boxes—but inside, you feel numb, disconnected, or just... not okay, this episode is for you.This week on Be Well, Sis, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher, to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: high functioning depression.We often associate depression with what we see—sadness, withdrawal, tears. But what happens when it looks more like achievement, perfectionism, and over-functioning? When the pain hides behind productivity? That’s where this conversation begins.Dr. Judith breaks down what high functioning depression actually is, why it’s often missed in clinical settings, and how trauma, societal pressure, and internalized expectations can all contribute to emotional burnout, anhedonia (the loss of joy), and disconnection.She also introduces her powerful framework, the Five V’s to Thriving—a model that prioritizes validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision to support true emotional well-being.In this episode, we explore:What high functioning depression really looks and feels likeThe link between trauma, anhedonia, and collective numbnessHow societal expectations can mask mental health struggles in high-achieving womenWhy validation and venting are essential for healingThe Five V’s to Thriving and how to use them as tools for personal growthWhy joy is an experience, not an achievementHow to stop chasing external validation and start doing the inner work of self-careDr. Judith also speaks candidly about how mental wellness is deeply connected to relationships, rest, and reimagining what success and happiness truly mean—especially for Black women and women of color who are often taught to suppress their feelings to survive.This episode is for you if:You feel emotionally drained, even when everything looks “fine” on the outsideYou’ve normalized burnout and high stress as your baselineYou’re curious about new ways to think about healing and emotional regulationYou’re doing the work, but still feel like joy is just out of reachYou want to understand your mental health through both a clinical and compassionate lensAbout Dr. Judith Joseph: Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, media expert, and mental health advocate whose work bridges the gap between clinical research and culturally competent care. Her mission is to empower people—especially those in marginalized communities—to prioritize their mental wellness with evidence-based, heart-centered tools.🔗 Learn more about here 📲 Follow Dr. Judith on InstagramMentioned in this episode:Click here to purchase Dr. Judith’s High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy!More on High Functioning Depression here and here Looking to go deeper?✨Join Replenished audio wellness series here✨ Subscribe to Be Well, Sis wherever you listen to podcasts💌 Subscribe to the newsletter!📱 Follow me on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcastIf this episode hit home, I’d love for you to leave a review or share it with someone who needs to know they’re not alone.-We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    24 m
  • Survival Mode

    Survival Mode
    Apr 9 2025

    Feeling burned out, stuck in survival mode, or constantly on edge? In this vulnerable solo episode, Dr. Cassandre shares the moment she realized that what she had accepted as “normal” was actually survival mode. High-functioning. Always “on.” But beneath the surface? Exhausted, disconnected, and stretched way too thin.

    We explore:

    • What survival mode really looks like (even when you're "doing fine")
    • The science of chronic stress and how it affects your body and brain
    • Symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system you might be ignoring
    • Small but powerful ways to begin feeling safe, soft, and regulated again
    • Why joy, rest, and boundaries are essential—not indulgent


    If you’ve been stuck in go-mode for way too long, this is your invitation to breathe deep, unclench, and begin your journey back to yourself.

    ✨ Subscribe to Be Well, Sis wherever you listen to podcasts

    💌 Subscribe to the newsletter!

    📱 Follow me on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast


    If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!


    We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

    Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line!

    Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

    Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

    Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    21 m
  • Self-Advocacy Is Self-Care: Reclaiming Power in the Exam Room with Dr Bayo

    Self-Advocacy Is Self-Care: Reclaiming Power in the Exam Room with Dr Bayo
    Apr 2 2025
    Navigating the healthcare system as a woman, especially as a Black woman, can feel like a battle. A battle to be heard, believed, and treated with the care and respect we deserve. In this affirming and eye-opening episode of Be Well, Sis, I’m joined by Dr. Bayo, a physician and patient advocate who’s using her voice to challenge bias in medicine and close the gap on maternal health disparities and healthcare inequities.Together, we dive into what it really takes to build trust in healthcare- not just between patient and provider, but within ourselves as we learn to speak up, ask questions, and challenge the harmful systems we’ve been taught to accept.Dr. Bayo shares her own journey into medicine and advocacy, including the influence of family, personal experience, and generational knowledge that shaped her commitment to making healthcare safer and more human.We explore the power of self-advocacy, the necessity of community, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we can bring into any medical setting. This episode is for you if:You’ve ever felt dismissed or gaslit in a medical settingYou’re curious about how to become a stronger advocate for yourself or your familyYou’re a provider seeking to understand and confront your own biasesYou believe in the power of community-based healing and generational wisdomYou’re ready to reclaim agency over your body, your choices, and your careWhether you're a patient trying to make sense of conflicting medical advice, a new mom seeking support, or a provider looking to serve with more empathy and equity—this conversation is your reminder that you deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for.Mentioned in this episode:Why Black patients don’t trust the healthcare system | Bayo Curry-Winchell | TEDxRenoDo No Harm | Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell | TEDxRutgersAbout Dr. Bayo: Dr. Bayo is a physician and passionate advocate for health equity, especially within maternal health. Her work centers around patient empowerment, provider accountability, and breaking cycles of harm in medicine. She believes in treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—with intention, respect, and curiosity.📲 Follow Dr. Bayo on Instagram: @doctor.bayo 🌐 Learn more about her work: https://doctorbayo.comStay connected with me:✨ Subscribe to Be Well, Sis wherever you listen to podcasts💌 Subscribe to the newsletter!📱 Follow me on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    36 m
  • Why Self-Love Is Never Frivolous: Say More with Tulaine Montgomery

    Why Self-Love Is Never Frivolous: Say More with Tulaine Montgomery
    Mar 28 2025

    We’re passing the mic to another podcast you may like: Say More with Tulaine Montgomery. Each episode features conversations with changemakers who are making the world a better place- while also prioritizing self-care and community support.

    In this episode, Tulaine sits down with CeCe Olisa, founder of beauty brand Cocoa By CeCe and theCURVYCon, to discuss why self-love is essential, not frivolous. They dive into the ways we can show up confidently for ourselves and our communities.

    Follow Say More for more episodes!

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    47 m
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