Belonging Reimagined
Do you ever feel isolated or disconnected in your life? Are you trying to learn how to be authentic in a world that asks you to change who you are in order to make others comfortable? Do you ever feel shame or anger or confusion because you move through your life feeling either too much or not enough? Join Dr. Mona, a mental health therapist, professor, and researcher, as she speaks with guests who share fascinating stories of how to create a stronger sense of belonging and overcome isolation. Together, we will explore the many roles we all have and how to experience belonging, acceptance, and connection in the world around you and the world within yourself.
Episodes
March 6, 2025 • 45 mins
In this reflective season finale of Belonging Reimagined, Dr. Mona welcomes her friend Pip Davidson — a seasoned publicist, influencer strategist, and familiar voice from “Belonging While Gender Expansive.” In a thoughtful twist, Pip gently turns the conversation inward, inviting Dr. Mona to share how podcasting has shaped her journey and transformed her sense of self. Their dialogue is intimate and sincere, explor...
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February 27, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona sits with her Nour Counseling colleagues Kristin Reddick, LCMHCA, and Danay Scott, LCMHC, to discuss the profound connection between hair and belonging. Join as they explore how hair serves as a powerful medium for self-expression, a source of cultural pride, and an essential element of personal and communal identity.
Tune in now to learn about:
-The cultural messaging that has tra...
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February 20, 2025 • 42 mins
Part two of Belonging + Ethical Non-Monogamy picks back up with game designer and ENM practitioner Ian Riutta. Dr. Mona and Ian expand on their initial conversation to cover topics such as misconceptions about ethical non-monogamy, family dynamics in ENM relationships, and resources like books for those wanting to discover more.
Tune in now and explore:
- Misconceptions about ENM, including that ENM is all a...
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February 13, 2025 • 46 mins
Part one of Belonging + Ethical Non-Monogamy features Ian Riutta, a game designer and single dad who has been practicing ethical non-monogamy (ENM) for seven years. Dr. Mona and Ian demystify the relationship dynamic and dive into the unique set of challenges, expectations, and boundaries in ethically non-monogamous relationships.
Tune in now and explore:
- What type of person thrives in an ethically non-mon...
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February 6, 2025 • 54 mins
This episode features Khalida Himes, a certified EMDR therapist and trauma-informed school social worker you may recognize from Instagram and TikTok as @sassyblacksocialworker. Dr. Mona and Khalida discuss the challenges of belonging in public schools, highlighting how the current national climate affects students, teachers, and administrators.
Tune in now and explore:
- How to advocate for trauma-informed pra...
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November 21, 2024 • 36 mins
This episode is Part 2 of Dr. Mona’s conversation with Sylvester McNutt III, host of the Free Your Energy podcast, a public speaker, a course creator, and a father. Sylvester is the author of the new book “Live The Life You Deserve: How to Let Go of What No Longer Serves You and Embody Your Highest Self” and has used storytelling to teach people how to introspect, gain confidence, and sustain self-love.
Sylveste...
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November 14, 2024 • 32 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Sylvester McNutt III, host of the Free Your Energy podcast, a public speaker, a course creator, and a father. Sylvester is the author of the new book “Live The Life You Deserve: How to Let Go of What No Longer Serves You and Embody Your Highest Self” and has used storytelling to teach people how to introspect, gain confidence, and sustain self-love.
Sylvester points out tha...
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October 10, 2024 • 41 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with Clinical Mental Health Counseling student Mark Stone about belonging in the gaming communities and the potential benefits of gaming to our mental health.
Tune in now and explore:
- How gaming communities can provide safe spaces for kids
- Cultural representation and stereotypes in games
- Warning signs when gaming starts to impact daily functioning
- How to find a balan...
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October 3, 2024 • 38 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with Asha Frost, an Indigenous (Ojibwe) healer, best-selling author, speaker, and guide. Asha invites us to find humility, peace, and grace through nurturing our connections and relationships with all the creations that we interact with every day.
Tune in now and explore:
- Intergenerational joy and gifts in Indigenous communities
- Re-indigenizing as reclamation
- The inter...
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September 26, 2024 • 40 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Lindley Cherry, licensed therapist and owner of C&C Betterworks Counseling and Therapist Learning Center. Lindley shares her work on adult ADHD assessment and counseling and advocates for seeing, embracing, and celebrating ADHD traits.
Tune in now and learn:
- How an ADHD diagnosis can foster self belonging
- Issues in assessing ADHD in adults
- Social Media and ADHD
...
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September 19, 2024 • 46 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Shelby Kittinger about religious trauma, its impact on one’s belonging, and how to heal from it. Dr. Shelby invites listeners to create authentic connections with oneself and others by staying curious and releasing black-and-white thinking.
Listen now and learn about:
- What is religious trauma?
- Religious trauma and the lack of trust ...
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September 12, 2024 • 34 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Julius Shepard-Morgan, an experienced media professional and producer of the Belonging Reimagined podcast. Julius is also the Creator and Host of the new podcast “Hey You, Yes You”, a show dedicated to inspiring listeners to reach new heights and become their best self. Julius shares how he fosters belonging in his creative journey and inspires the listeners to get creative in ...
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September 5, 2024 • 37 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Chavi Khanna Koneru, co-founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to supporting equity and justice and fostering community among Asian Americans and allies in North Carolina. A daughter of Indian immigrants, Chavi shares how her bicultural upbringing and lived experiences in both India and ...
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August 29, 2024 • 60 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Matteo Pistono, a meditation teacher, conscious breathing guide, and author of the book “Breathe How You Want to Feel: Your Breathing Toolkit for Better Health, Restorative Sleep, and Deeper Connection.” Matteo explains the importance of conscious breathing and offers practical breathing techniques for improving overall wellbeing.
Listen now and learn about
- Conscious bre...
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August 22, 2024 • 45 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with internationally recognized psychic, author, and cosmic coach Dougall Fraser about toxic positivity and its impact on our belonging. Dougall encourages us to embrace discomfort, reflect on our privileges, and find a balance between negativity and positivity.
Tune in now and explore:
- Toxic positivity in the spiritual communities
- Motivators behind toxic positivity
- H...
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August 15, 2024 • 35 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with Ca’ren Hudson, a licensed therapist, certified Reiki practitioner, and registered Yoga teacher. Ca’ren develops the concept of systemic pleasure that explores pleasure beyond just the body and the senses. She encourages us to form a relationship with pleasure in a new way and discover pleasure in all the different layers and systems in our day-to-day life.
Listen now and lea...
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August 8, 2024 • 38 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with basketball legend Mr. Phil Ford about his esteemed career as a basketball player and coach in the ACC and NBA and what he learned about belonging and sportsmanship from these experiences.
Tune in now and hear:
- How family and childhood experiences shaped Mr. Ford’s view on sportsmanship
- What he learned from playing for North Carolina Tar Heels under Coach Dean Smith
-...
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August 1, 2024 • 45 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona talks to Jen Garrett, a mental health therapist and clinical supervisor who explores the field of social health and its impact on mental health. Jen shares her personal journey of self-discovery, including growing up in a conservative, evangelical home in the South as a queer woman and her recent autism diagnosis.
Listen now and explore:
- The the nuances of autistic experiences
- H...
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July 25, 2024 • 44 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona sits down with psychic medium and intuitive Royale Heart for a candid conversation about spirituality, faith, and personal transformation. Royale shares her extraordinary journey from a religious upbringing to embracing her psychic abilities, overcoming challenges, and finding her place in the world.
Listen as Royale discusses her experiences in the military, the process of faith deco...
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July 18, 2024 • 41 mins
In this episode, Dr. Mona dives into the complexities of the Asian American experiences with mental health therapist Lys Lin. Born and raised in Taiwan, Lys was the first person in her family to move from Taiwan to the United States. She decided to stay in the US for her career and love.
Listen now and explore:
- The diversity within the Asian American community
- Common mental health challenges among Asian ...
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