This episode, we’re diving deep into Doechi’s “Denial Is a River”—because let’s be real, we all know we have denied some stuff. We’ll unpack the layers of denial, avoidance, grief, and self-reflection woven into the song while connecting it to mental health and black culture. Expect honest conversation, cultural context, and maybe even a few laughs as we explore what happens when the river of denial runs through our relationships, our self-worth, and our healing journeys. As usual, two licensed therapists gab, educate, and tell the truth about everything at the intersection of Black culture and mental health.

Time stamps:

00:00 intro

03:42 when you try to get rid of a part of you

06:10 why numbing, avoiding, and distracting from your feelings is only a temporary fix

10:05 self-reflection is a skill you can build (Trauma can make self-reflection hard)

19:15 different skills for different parts of life (surviving is not thriving)

22:30 Why you can never run from yourself

Videos mentioned:

Doechii’s breakdown of her lyrics: https://share.google/o0jaVYymHe0CYwY2W

Waiting to Exhale: Waiting to Exhale Pt.1: Savannah and Parent Expectations

How To Die Alone: https://youtube.com/live/oY4_YOMbkrE

Podcasts versions are at:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-dope/id1673538196

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DiRPvXY1ua6ftLg5FR98Q?si=aa3601b4b9ca490f

Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a85c229-4bd8-4526-a65d-66b453998bce/mentally-dope

Mental health x Black culture

#Blackculture #Traumasurvivor #ptsd #mentalhealth #therapy #blacktherapist #blackyoutube #blackpodcast #blackmovies #blackwoman #blackwomenoftiktok #blackwomenshealth #blackwomenpodcasts #doechii #denialisariver #music #ifstherapist #addictionsurvivor #sobriety

Podcasts for women

mental health podcast

podcast for black women

Doechi

Is Denial is a River a true story in Doechii

Who is the other voice in Denial is a River

What is emotional avoidance

What does it mean to avoid your feelings

Is emotional numbness a trauma response

Why do I distract myself from my feelings

Is self-reflection good or bad

Why is mindfulness hard for trauma survivors

We are back and still discussing Gabrielle Union’s book, We’re Going to Need More Wine. From confronting trauma to celebrating joy, Union’s storytelling offers a raw and unfiltered look at the intersections of race, gender, mental health, and culture.

We discuss the importance of vulnerability in breaking generational cycles, how humor and honesty can serve as healing tools, and why Black stories like Union’s are vital in shifting narratives around mental health. Join us as we unpack part two of the lessons within her book and reflect on how her journey invites all of us to embrace our full selves—with grace, courage, and maybe even a little more wine.

Time stamps:

00:00 intro

03:50 Proving your knowledge and worth in white spaces

13:00 Safe spaces for black women/Why crabs in a bucket mentality is actually a fallacy

18:48 Finding your value apart from money, work and relationships

26:50 QTNA (crazy parts of Gabrielle Union’s book)

Podcasts versions are at:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-dope/id1673538196

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DiRPvXY1ua6ftLg5FR98Q?si=aa3601b4b9ca490f

Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a85c229-4bd8-4526-a65d-66b453998bce/mentally-dope

Mental health x Black culture

#gabrielleunion #bookclub #Blackculture #mentalhealth #therapy #blacktherapist #blackyoutube #blackpodcast #blackmovies #blackwoman #blackwomenoftiktok #blackwomenshealth #blackwomenpodcasts #80sbaby #celebritymemoir #therapy #blacktherapist #blackyoutube #blackpodcast #blackmovies #blackwoman #blackwomenoftiktok #blackwomenshealth #booklover #bookreview #booktube #blackwomenpodcasts #80sbaby #therapistpodcast #therapistreacts Podcasts for womenmental health podcast podcast for black womenWhat are we going to need more wine about?What was Gabrielle Union's first book?Growing up black in a white suburbCan black siblings be different shades?Is there colorism in the black communityInvisibility of black womenWhy do some people not know how to be single

​​Grab a glass, because Gabrielle Union said it best: We’re Going to Need More Wine. In this episode, join Jasmine and Charmaine as they laugh and maybe cry a little as they unpack Gabrielle’s essays on love, identity, and those awkward moments we all pretend didn’t happen (but absolutely did).From navigating Hollywood as a Black woman to navigating family drama that could easily be its own Netflix series, Union reminds us that mental health and healing doesn’t always look neat—and sometimes the best therapy session comes with snacks and side-eye. We’ll talk about how humor can keep us sane, why being “strong” is overrated, and how mental health and Black culture shows up in the joy, pain, and in-between.

Time stamps: 00::00 intro03:00 Growing up in a predominantly White neighborhood010:45 Colorism in white spaces and in Black spaces22:00 When the people pleaser finally needs figure out who they are27:00 Learning the skill of listening to yourself is life changingPodcasts versions are at:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-dope/id1673538196Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DiRPvXY1ua6ftLg5FR98Q?si=aa3601b4b9ca490fAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a85c229-4bd8-4526-a65d-66b453998bce/mentally-dopeMental health x Black culture #Blackculture #mentalhealth #gabrielleunion #bookclub #celebritymemoir #therapy #blacktherapist #blackyoutube #blackpodcast #blackmovies #blackwoman #blackwomenoftiktok #blackwomenshealth #booklover #bookreview #booktube #blackwomenpodcasts #80sbaby #therapistpodcast #therapistreacts Podcasts for womenmental health podcast podcast for black womenWhat are we going to need more wine about?What was Gabrielle Union's first book?Growing up black in a white suburbCan black siblings be different shades?Is there colorism in the black community