Freedom at The Mat | A Women's Wellness Sanctuary

AI is becoming a bigger part of how we search for support, comfort, and answers — but can it really replace human connection? In this Well Chat, Olivia F. Scott sits down with Columbia University Professor Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP, to explore the mental health impact of AI, emotional dependence, loneliness, and why protecting our well-being matters now more than ever.

This conversation is especially important for Black women ...

This conversation about Black maternal health is an important and life-saving conversation.

In this Well Chat, Olivia F. Scott sits down with Dr. Danielle Tate, board-certified OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physician with Baptist Medical Group in Memphis, TN, for a powerful conversation about the barriers Black women face in pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, and what families can do to advocate for safer outcomes.

Follo...

In this Well Chat, Freedom at The Mat Foun derOlivia F. Scott, , sits down with Moriah Ballard for a deeply moving and necessary conversation about Black maternal health, preeclampsia, child loss, medical trauma, and healing.

In 2019, Moriah went into the hospital in Houston, Texas with severe preeclampsia trusting that she and her unborn son, Denim, were in good hands. What followed was a traumatic birth story that changed her life...

In this eye-opening 20-minute interview, host Olivia F. Scott sits down with OB-GYN and nationally renowned Women's Health Expert Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell to break down uterine fibroids—what they are, why Black women face higher risks and severity (with key stats vs. White women), and proven prevention tips like green tea and vitamin D.

They dive into hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, perimenopause hormonal shifts, and t...

In this episode of Well Chat, Executive Coach Simone Sloan sits with Olivia F. Scott for a powerful conversation on overcoming imposter syndrome, breaking free from perfectionism, and building real confidence from the inside out. Simone shares practical strategies for self-trust, preparation, audience awareness, and handling criticism in professional spaces.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room, struggled with ne...

Feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and tired of doing everything? Embrace minimalism and doing less to get more. In this powerful podcast, Christine Platt breaks down why doing more is actually keeping you stuck and how a simple mindset shift can help you reclaim your peace, energy, and life.

If you’ve been struggling with productivity burnout, overworking, or constantly feeling like you’re not doing enough… this conversation will chan...

In this enlightening conversation, Olivia Scott interviews Nishiki Barnes, a trailblazer in a non-traditional career as a distribution designer at Entergy. Nishiki shares her journey from being a line worker to a leadership role, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, mentorship, and breaking societal norms. The mother of five shares candidly challenges faced in a male-dominated field, the motivation she draws from her children...

In this conversation, Freedom at The Mat Founder Olivia F. Scott speaks with Vanessa Garrison, GirlTrek Co-Founder, a movement aimed at empowering women, particularly Black women, through walking and community engagement. They discuss the origins of GirlTrek, its philosophy on self-care, and the importance of collective action.

Vanessa shares insights on how walking serves as a tool for mental and physical health, the significance ...

In this Black History Month spotlight podcast episode, we sit down with Yirser Ra Hotep, the founder of Kemetic Yoga, to explore the African origins of yoga and the life mission behind one of the world’s most influential African-based yoga systems.Learn more directly via the link, https://kemeticyogaskills.com/Drawing on over 50 years of experience, Yirser Ra Hotep explains that Kemetic Yoga is rooted in ancient African philosophy,...

In this Well Chat, Executive Health Coach & Strategist Adrian Williams imparts healthy lifestyle wisdom and tells us how we can each be the CEO of our health. Moderated by Freedom at The Mat Founder Olivia F. Scott, they explore the importance of valuing health as a valuable asset, the math behind weight loss, and the significance of moderation in diet. As a prelude to his upcoming book, The CEO of Me: Because Your Health Is Yo...

Sleep problems affect 1 in 3 Americans. ~50-70 million Americans having a diagnosed sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea, impacting daily functioning and long-term health. Maybe it's you, or someone you love who doesn't get the sleep they need or deserve.Listen in to this conversation to get proven, science-backed tips from respected Ted Speaker, Author, Writer, and Director, Council on Black Health Dr. Olivia Affuso.In fact...

In this enlightening conversation, Olivia Scott engages with Dr. Kay and Dr. Satara to explore the critical distinction between health span and lifespan. They discuss the importance of not just living longer, but living well, emphasizing the need for proactive health management, stress reduction, and understanding food psychology. The doctors share insights on how to improve health span through small, manageable changes and the sig...

In this enlightening conversation, Olivia Scott speaks with Aya-Nikole Cook, the founder of Haji Healing Salon, about her journey into alternative healing practices. They explore the influence of Buddhism on Aya's life, the significance of community healing, and the various modalities offered at Haji Healing Salon, including shamanism, Reiki, and herbalism.

Aya shares her personal experiences with illness and healing, emphasizing t...

Raising boys when you're a woman can be hard. While we're both human, boys and girls relate to the world differently.

Chicago-based Author, International Speaker and Psychologist Dr. Obari Cartman is one of the nation's most respected experts on the mental health of young black men.  Cartman shares wisdom on how mothers can nurture boys to be emotionally well and articulate, without co-dependency.

Dr. Cartman is the President of Chic...

Raising boys when you're a woman can be hard. While we're both human, boys and girls relate to the world differently.

So, to get wisdom and insights on how to best nurture black boys to be emotionally well and articulate, without co-dependency, we spoke with Author, International Speaker and Psychologist Dr. Obari Cartman. Chicago-based Dr. Cartman is one of the nation's most respected experts on the mental health of young black men...

In this conversation, Pygmalion Health CEO Nzinga Lowe discusses with Freedom at The Mat Founder Olivia F. Scott the current challenges in healthcare, particularly the jeopardy of Medicaid and the need for alternative healthcare options like direct primary care -- which she defines. Nzinga shares insights on how her company, Pygmalion Health, is innovating chronic healthcare management and empowering patients to take control of the...

In this conversation, Olivia Scott and Nzinga Lowe discuss the current challenges in healthcare, particularly the jeopardy of Medicaid and the need for alternative healthcare options like direct primary care. Nzinga shares insights on how her company, Pygmalion Health, is innovating chronic healthcare management and empowering patients to take control of their health. They emphasize the importance of community, patient autonomy, an...

This episode of Freedom at the Mat supports new moms facing the darkest sides of this joyous life experience. Writer & Author Ayana Lage shares with Writer Olivia F. Scott the difference between Baby Blues, PPD, and Postpartum Psychosis, explain the signs of a mental health emergency, and provide immediate resources. You are not alone.

Get more insights & support by purchasing Ayana's book "Missing Me: A Memoir of Postpartum...