In this episode, Robin Douglas, explores a critical question posed by her paper: "In a racially unjust world, what good is mindfulness?" Robin challenges the Westernized, individualistic, and "non-extensive" application of mindfulness, which is often co-opted to serve "discriminatory and depressive logic of mainstream institutions" like schools and workplaces. Instead, she advocates for a culturally grounded, non-appropriative approach rooted in collectivist and ancestral healing practices.

Robin’s work focuses on integrating critical consciousness and civic engagement with healing-centered approaches to address the mental health toll of systemic inequities on youth of color. She explains how Black youth, in particular, can internalize trauma from issues like gun violence, leading to decreased racial self-esteem. The conversation explores practical, revolutionary ways to combat systemic oppression, moving beyond mere individual resilience (which can become "quiet endurance") toward collective liberation. She details intervention examples, where youth use art-based activism to document community issues and strengthen their voice, self-esteem, and connection to their peers and community.

Robyn Douglas’s Contact:

Website - https://www.robynddouglas.com/

Resources:

Douglas, R. D., Alvis, L. M., Rastogi, R., Golden, C., Ouch, S., Maldonado-Morales, M. X., & Gaylord-Harden, N. (2025). “In a racially unjust world, what good is mindfulness?” recommendations for bridging the gap between culturally grounded mindfulness interventions and critical consciousness development programming to support youth of color exposed to ethnic–racial stressors. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ort0000863

Continuing Education Courses at The Multicultural Counseling Institute - https://www.tmcinstitute.org/continuing-education/recorded-webinars

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Music Samples:

Intro 1 by Mikhail Smusev - Heroic Quest

Outro by Alex Kizenkov - Inspirational Cinematic Adventure

Mental health is a universal experience, but access to meaningful care is not one-size-fits-all. In this episode, we sit down with Fahad Zahid, the founder and CEO of Sukoon Cares, a pioneering platform that is truly rewriting the playbook for accessible and culturally relevant mental health support for the South Asian diaspora.

Fahad shares his deeply personal journey, from grappling with a lack of language for anxiety growing up in Pakistan to navigating the pressure of a "duty as a son" while helping his immigrant parents acclimate in a new country. He explains why traditional Western therapy, often focused on "individual autonomy," failed to serve his cultural reality of valuing collective harmony over self-focus.

Key takeaways from our conversation:

• The Different Stress Architecture: Fahad breaks down the unique "stress architecture" in South Asian communities, revealing that the potential primary cause of divorce is often issues with in-laws, reflecting the complexities of multi-generational, joint households.

• The Three Pillars of Culturally Adapted Care: Learn how Sukoon Cares is addressing this gap by focusing on:

• • Language: Offering services in 13 South Asian languages.

  • Generational Context: Tailoring care to the distinct stressors of first-generation immigrants (survival) versus subsequent generations (identity).

  • Specialized Training: Ensuring clinicians are trained in culturally adapted models by leading advisors.

• A Community-First Approach: Beyond psychotherapy, Sukoon Cares builds community through nutrition, movement, and awareness events, including screening mental health-focused films.

Find out more about Sokoon Cares and their mission at www.sukooncares.com.Fahad Zahid’s Contact:

Website - https://www.sukooncares.com/our-story/

Resources:

Singh A, Shanbhag T. Parental Interference and Marital Stability: A Scoping Review of Sociocultural Influences on Indian Families. Indian J Community Med. 2025 Oct;50(Suppl 2):S155-S160. doi: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_470_24. Epub 2025 May 30. PMID: 41200687; PMCID: PMC12588131.

Continuing Education Courses at The Multicultural Counseling Institute - https://www.tmcinstitute.org/continuing-education/recorded-webinars

Enter “FRIENDS50” for 50% off CE courses!

Support this Podcast:

Donate 1-time any amount - https://checkout.square.site/buy/DFUO7XYMQ27EZ6QVUL6PC6FA

Music Samples:

Intro by Mikhail Smusev - Heroic Quest

Outro by Alex Kizenkov - Inspirational Cinematic Adventure

Dr. Jean discusses her vital work, "Strategically Navigating Anti-Black Racism in Professional Spaces," a new workbook and academic publication offering a crucial decision-making model for Black graduate students and early career professionals.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

• The Decision-Making Model: This framework is not an algorithm but a guide for Black individuals to assess and consider various factors—especially their mental and emotional well-being—when responding to anti-Black racism in the workplace. It centers the individual's needs over the perpetrator's.

• The Power of Community: Dr. Jean shares how the work was inspired by her own experience of "culture shock" moving from an HBCU to a predominantly white PhD program, highlighting the critical role of Black students and colleagues in providing "navigational capital" and support.

• A Strengths-Based Approach: Dr. Jean reflects on what it means to be a Black psychologist—using her access and privilege to uplift the strengths of the Black community, bridge the gap between embodied knowledge and academia, and provide culturally affirming resources for authentic healing.

Contact Information:

Website - www.drpearisjean.com

Connect with Dr. Jean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearisjeanphd/

Connect with Dr. Jean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pearis-jean-842108a1

Purchase the book here: https://www.drpearisjean.com/books

Continuing Education Courses at The Multicultural Counseling Institute - https://www.tmcinstitute.org/continuing-education/recorded-webinars

Enter “FRIENDS50” for 50% off CE courses!

Support this Podcast:

Donate 1-time any amount - https://checkout.square.site/buy/DFUO7XYMQ27EZ6QVUL6PC6FA

Music Samples:

Intro 1 by Mikhail Smusev - Heroic Quest

Outro by Alex Kizenkov - Inspirational Cinematic Adventure