Light Up The Darkness: Recent Episodes
Erin Edwards
Because Black people deserve to heal too. This podcast is a response to the stigma that exists around acknowledging and addressing mental health challenges in the Black community. By providing education and sharing stories of black people on their journey to healing, I hope to chip away at this stigma. We deserve to be a part of the larger conversation around wellness in this country. Especially now.
In this two-part episode, host Erin Edwards is joined by a friend of the show, Thérèse Kempf, LCSW to discuss suicide. In the wake of the passing of Stephen "Twitch" Boss by suicide, Thérèse helps us to understand that we need to examine the journey that leads up to suicide to support people struggling with suicide ideation.
Helpful Resources if you or someone you know is struggling with intolerable feelings:
- Call or text 988 to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. - Safehorizon Domestic Violence Hotline
Our hotline advocates offer personalized, non-judgmental support. They can talk to you about your safety, provide information about resources in your community, and connect you to our programs and services.
Our confidential hotlines provide one-on-one support including:
– Crisis counseling
– Safety planning
– Assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters
– Information about resources
Assistance is available in any language - NYC WellNYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.
- Suicide Support Groups
- https://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/
- https://allianceofhope.org/
Support the show* Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram * Shop LUTD Merch
In this two-part episode, host Erin Edwards is joined by a friend of the show, Thérèse Kempf, LCSW to discuss suicide. In the wake of the passing of Stephen "Twitch" Boss by suicide, Thérèse helps us to understand that we need to examine the journey that leads up to suicide to support people struggling with suicide ideation.
Helpful Resources if you or someone you know is struggling with intolerable feelings:
- Call or text 988 to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. - Safehorizon Domestic Violence Hotline
Our hotline advocates offer personalized, non-judgmental support. They can talk to you about your safety, provide information about resources in your community, and connect you to our programs and services.
Our confidential hotlines provide one-on-one support including:
– Crisis counseling
– Safety planning
– Assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters
– Information about resources
Assistance available in any language - NYC WellNYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.
- Suicide Support Groups
- https://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/
- https://allianceofhope.org/
Support the show* Follow LUTD Podcast on Instagram * Shop LUTD Merch
In this episode, I was joined by the amazing light that is - Hakim Pitts (they/them). And we have an illuminating and beautiful conversation about their work and origins as a provider of spirit care.
More about Hakim:
Hakim is a multi-award-winning, Black genderqueer creative and scholar crafting at the nexus of visual culture, community health, social justice, & spiritual activism. Utilizing this interdisciplinary practice, their mission is twofold: to resource people, communities, and organizations with theoretical and pragmatic tools to create, sustain, and manifest their best; and to use fine arts and media to (re)craft works that carefully explore notions of power, identity, ritual, embodiment, and formations of Black religious social and political life.
You can find Hakim:
- Instagram (@keemhasthedreem)
- Twitter (@KeemHastheDream)
- Email them: Hakim@DreamWithHakim.com
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This is an addendum to Episode 4, "Can Energy Healing Benefit Mental Health?"
My guest Ebony Medas, LMHC, answers questions that were submitted by LUTD Podcast Instagram subscribers.
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In today's episode my guest, Ebony Medas, LMHC, discusses Reiki, IET (Integrated Energy Therapy), and how they can be a huge benefit to our mental health care.
Make sure to listen to the bonus episode after this, to hear Ebony answer specific questions that came in from our* Instagram subscribers.**Mentioned in this episode:
- Ebony's upcoming Energy Healing training which you can register for here: https://minka.as.me/ietlevel1
- Minka Brooklyn, who offer community Reiki sessions at an accessible rate: https://www.minkabrooklyn.com/
- Heal Haus - Ebony is a therapist here and it is a Black-owned wellness space that combines diverse healing modalities and practitioners under one roof to provide people with an inclusive space focused on holistic health and wellness: https://www.healhaus.com/
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Host, Erin Edwards shares how and why this podcast came to be and gets a little personal!
Check out the article mentioned in the episode, "Shelly, A Strong Black Woman." Join our community on Instagram and support the show by donating on CashApp.
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In this episode, Naomi of The Glorious Hum & Black Folks Grieve shares her perspective on grief journeys and we're here for it! It was a lovely conversation and an even more beautiful "Mindful Moment" at the end of the episode.
More on Naomi, who you can follow on IG at @theglorioushum:
Naomi Edmondson (she/her) is a Grief Guide, Space holder, and Black Queer Femme with all the feelings. The loss of a mother figure is what brought her to deathcare, her training with Going with Grace, and the beginning of her time as a Hospice Volunteer. The death of her mother brought her to Grief care, her training as a Grief Guide, Breathwork, and what it really means to lose a parent. She provides safer, gentler spaces for conversations around death, loss, grief, and everything in between.
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In this mini-episode, host Erin Edwards shares a personal letter to her Auntie on the anniversary of her death. It's all about growth and healing ya'll.
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Welcome back to Light Up The Darkness Podcast! In this second "season," host Erin Edwards is joined by a friend of the show, Naiylah [Ny-eel-ah] Warren, LMFT to discuss grieving and giving yourself grace through the process.
Naiylah is a licensed marriage/Family therapist, Clinical Content Manager at Real, and Corporate Wellness Facilitator. She specializes in treating interpersonal conflict, family trauma, addiction counseling, work-related stress, and spiritual development with BIPOCs. You can follow her on Instagram at @naionlife.
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In this episode, Heather Chelan discusses how she began what is a lifelong healing journey through her own mental health challenges. She also produced a lovely Mindful Moment song in the vein of her PSA, viral songs (i.e., "The Pandemic Isn't Over, Just Because You're Over it")- "Be Patient with Yourself." It's definitely a mantra and tune I'll have on repeat indefinitely!
You can follow Heb on all the social platforms @hebontheweb. Make sure to go and give her music some streams on Spotify and Apple Music.
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My little cousin Chris shares his deeply personal story about a suicide attempt and his healing journey. Looking for a moment of joy? Check out my cousin Chris' breakdance videos on Instagram.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help Iis available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). They provide 24/7, free and confidential support.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$EFIE)
In this episode I am joined by "The Breakthrough Mama," Anese Barnett, M.Ed. This episode is about sowing the seeds for developing emotional intelligence in our children in order to create "generational health." Anese also offers many gems and tangible advice for parents and caregivers that will help them to maneuver and manage the effects the pandemic may be having on children's mental and emotional health. Stay tuned to the end for our "Mindful Moment," which you can do with your children!
In this episode, Anese suggests two books: Ruby's Worry & Purple Elephants. Links to purchase from a Black-owned bookstore local to me - The Lit. Bar.
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In Part 2 of this episode, my expert guests Naiylah Warren, LMFT and Thérèse Kempf, LCSW, discuss healthy ways to move through racial trauma. Thérèse Kempf, LCSW leads this week's "Mindful Moment" with a visualizatin and body scan.
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In this episode, with the help of my expert guests, Naiylah Warren, LMFT and Thérèse Kempf, LCSW, we define trauma and racial trauma.
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Start here for a brief intro on what you can expect In the episodes to come! This podcast centers black healing. Let's go on the journey together!
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In this episode I speak with Rebekah Ferguson, LMHC about how we can move past stigmas and any misconceptions to begin healing. She offers actionable and helpful tips that can get you started on your healing journey. We close out the episode with a mindful moment led by Ebony Medas, LMHC.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$EFIE)