Therapy for Black Girls

When Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks wanted to write her dissertation on Black women and beauty, her graduate program told her the topic wasn't serious. Her research went on to reveal something the field didn't expect: Black women reported a stronger sense of control over their bodies than white women, and the more connected a Black woman felt to her culture, the stronger that sense of control became. More than a decade later, that "unser...

Welcome back to our minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week. 

This we...

In honor of Black Music Month, Dr. Joy sits down with two women who experienced twenty years of Black music from opposite sides of the industry. Shanti Das spent over 25 years as a marketing executive at labels like LaFace and Universal Motown, working with artists from OutKast to Prince, before founding the mental health nonprofit Silence the Shame. Ivie Ani came of age alongside the music itself — a Bronx-raised teenager re...

Welcome back to our minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week. 

This we...

If you listened to last week’s episode, we explored soul food as a living tradition. We talked about how it continues to evolve, and how we’ve used it as a tool of expression across generations.This week, we’re continuing that conversation by looking at soul food from a wider scope. I’m happy to be joined by one of the leading voices in Black food studies, Dr. Psyche A. Williams-Forson. She is an award-winni...

Welcome back to our minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week. 

This we...

When you think about the Black American experience, soul food is interwoven throughout its fabric. It carries stories and traditions across generations, and marks memories shared with people you love. And through the years, its definition has evolved and even been misunderstood by those who don’t understand its significance. Today, we’re unpacking all of that with Sierra Reece. Sierra is a culinary creator and entr...

Welcome back to our minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week. 

This we...

What does it look like to build a creative career online without completely losing yourself in the process? Today I’m joined by creator and beauty influencer Toni Bravo for a conversation about creativity, visibility, rest, and the evolving relationship many of us have with work in the age of social media. During our conversation, Toni shares what it’s been like navigating visibility online, how she protects her me...

Welcome to our new minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week. 

This wee...

When was the last time you really thought about your colon health? For many of us, conversations about digestion, gut health, and colorectal cancer can feel uncomfortable or easy to put off—but the reality is that colorectal cancer rates are rising among younger adults, and Black communities continue to face significant disparities when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Today, I’m joined by gastroenterolog...

Welcome to Episode 1 of our new minisode series, "I Have Some Thoughts." These short episodes are designed to contextualize the pop culture moments we're currently paying attention to through a mental health lens. Pop culture isn't just fun to chat about, it can reveal important information about how we relate, cope, and understand ourselves. Join us each Friday to hear Dr. Joy share her thoughts about the happenings of the week.&n...

What does it mean to feel fully seen, valued, and loved—especially as a Black woman navigating relationships, ambition, and self-worth? In today’s conversation, I’m joined by journalist, political analyst, and author Tiffany Cross to discuss her new book, Love Me. Tiffany opens up about the inspiration behind the book, the complexities Black women face in dating and relationships, and the importance of reclaiming ...

This week I’m joined by licensed psychotherapist Dr. Natalie Jones for a thoughtful conversation about what it really means to go “no contact” with people in your life who may be causing harm. Dr. Jones brings deep expertise in trauma, boundaries, and emotional wellness, and she shares from both her clinical work and her passion for helping people build healthier relationships. In this conversation we talk about h...

This week, we’re talking all things ‘The Drama,’ and ‘You, Me, and Tuscany.’ For different reasons, both of these films, starring beloved Black women, have taken over the conversations we’re having on social and in our own circles. What do these new-age black rom-coms say about how we currently look at love and relationships? And who gets to tell those stories? We get into all of that and more in...

For this episode of TBG U, council member Mikayla Weary, who’s been dreaming of a career in storytelling and documentary work connects with someone who’s already blazing that trail—filmmaker Taylor Hosking. In their conversation, Mikayla and Taylor explore what it really looks like to build a creative career from the ground up, how Taylor found her voice as a filmmaker, and the behind‑the‑scenes realities of ...

This week we’re back for another session of “Ask Dr. Joy, our exclusive Patreon segment where I answer questions submitted by our community members. Today, we’re talking about the journey of getting back to yourself. If you’ve ever wondered, “Who am I when I’m not performing?” If you’re learning to trust your voice, reclaiming your worth, or finally choosing you after years of everyth...

This week, I’m joined once again by Dr. Sharon Malone for an important conversation in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. We’re digging into the realities of Black maternal health—from the historical roots of medical bias to the ways those patterns still shape our experiences today. Dr. Malone and I talk about why Black women are so often left out of the center of maternal health conversations, what we need...

Hair always seems to be a hot topic, doesn’t it? From what style is “acceptable” to wear at work, to the politics of what’s considered “going natural,” hair is, no pun intended, always on the brain. And as Black women especially, there is so much tied to our hair–it can dictate how we’re perceived in certain spaces, signal lifestyle choices, and can reflect much more than a simple aes...