Progress, Not Perfection-Choosing Growth Over Self-Criticism
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
Release Date: 01/16/2026
From Survival to Advocacy: Using Lived Experience to Create Change (Featuring Lived Experience Expert, CEO, and Author Odessa Perkins)
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
In this episode Dr. Niesha is joined with lived expert and human trafficking thriver who courageously shares their lived experience—from survival to reclaiming their voice. Through this conversation, we explore the realities of trafficking, the long road to healing, and how lived experience can become a powerful tool for advocacy and prevention. This episode centers survivor voice, honors resilience, and highlights the importance of listening to those most impacted as we work toward meaningful change. Content note: This episode discusses human trafficking and may be triggering for some...
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Progress, Not Perfection-Choosing Growth Over Self-Criticism
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
Healing from trauma isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. In this episode, Dr. Niesha talks about honoring where you are, releasing self-judgment, and recognizing that even the smallest steps forward are signs of real healing. Trauma often teaches us to survive, not to be gentle with ourselves. This episode explores what it means to heal without pressure, to choose progress over perfection, and to allow growth to happen at its own pace—one compassionate step at a time. Healing doesn’t come from getting it “right.” It comes from continuing, even when it’s hard Thank you...
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2026- A Year of Intention and Purpose
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
What if this year wasn’t about doing more, but about doing what truly matters? In this episode, you and Dr. Niesha will step into 2026 with clarity, focus, and heart. Together, you will explore how to move beyond autopilot and set intentions that align with your values, passions, and long-term vision. This isn’t about rigid resolutions or chasing perfection, it’s about living on purpose, making meaningful choices, and creating a year that reflects who you are and who you’re becoming. You’ll hear practical reflections, mindset shifts, and simple tools to help you define what success...
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Looking Back to Move Forward- A Reflective Journey Into 2026
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
As 2025 comes to a close, in this episode with Dr. Niesha, it is all about pausing, reflecting, and realigning. As she challenges you to take an honest look back at the lessons, growth, challenges, and wins that shaped the past year, reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and what it all taught us. Then, Dr. Niesha shifts your focus forward to 2026: new intentions, fresh goals, and the mindset needed to step into the next chapter with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re navigating change, setting new goals, or simply taking time to reflect, this episode is an invitation to reset, refocus,...
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Heartbreak & Healing: Rebuilding After Relationship Loss (Featuring Pamela Shakir, LCSW, Author, and Relationship Coach)
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
Relationship loss is a form of real grief. In this episode, Dr. Niesha creates a compassionate space to honor both the pain of losing a relationship and the hope that can follow. Joined by special guest therapist and relationship recovery coach Pamela Shakir, LCSW, the conversation centers on honest reflection and gentle understanding. Pamela shares what relationship loss can look like, how it impacts us emotionally and physically, and how healing unfolds through growth, resilience, and courage. If your heart feels heavy or confused, know that your pain is valid. Healing isn’t about...
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Gratitude During Difficult Holidays (Grief, Loss & Transition)
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
The holidays can feel heavy when you're grieving, missing someone, or moving through life transitions. In this episode, Dr. Niesha expounds on what gratitude looks like during the difficult moments during the holidays. She provides gentle tools, grounding practices, and ways to find small moments of gratitude, even when the season is hard! Give yourself permission to feel everything! Let gratitude be soft and healing. Look, take what you need from this episode and leave what you can't. Move through this season at your own pace and be okay with it. If the holidays feel heavier this year,...
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30 Plus Years of Celibacy: A Life of Intention and Discipline (Featuring Patricia Perry, MSW, ASW)
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
In this episode, Dr. Niesha sits down with her good friend Patricia Perry, who's been celibate for over 30 plus years. Can you believe it....over three decades of celibacy and consciously choosing not to have sex! Whooo....! You will here about what led to this decision for Patricia. How it shaped her life, and what people get wrong about choosing a sex-free path. Whether you are a woman, a man, curious, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this is a conversation worth hearing. Whether you associate celibacy with religion, self-discipline, healing, or just something you've never really...
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More Than Pink: Surviving and Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer (Featuring Shalanda Layton, Mechanical Engineer, and CEO)
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in this powerful episode, Dr. Niesha is honored to share the voice of Shalanda Layton, Mechanical Engineer, and CEO of Charmed & Chosen, Inc; a breast cancer survivor whose story is one of courage, faith, resilience, and unwavering hope. From the moment of diagnosis to the challenges of treatment- and everything in between-- Shalanda takes us through the emotional and physical journey of fighting breast cancer, and how her crazy faith, forgiveness, sowing, love, and support contributed to her healing. Whether you've been personally...
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When I Pitch The Curve Ball in My Life (Featuring Miriam Popp, MSW, Life Coach)
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
Life doesn't always follow a straight path. But what about when you detour from the path intentionally and make things more complicated for yourself. In this episode Dr. Niesha, sits with her friend and Life Coach and upcoming Therapist, Miriam Popp. To explore the upredictiable, twists, turns, and total curveballs that she pitched in her own life. From unexpected losses to life-changing opportunities in disguise. They dive deep into the resilence, growth, and perspective that emerged for Miriam from navigating through the chaos. Whether you are in the middle of a personal detour or just...
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You Are Not Alone
Your Story Does Not Define You The Podcast With Dr. Niesha Davis Massey
In this deeply important episode, Dr. Niesha opens up a conversation about suicide prevention — exploring the warning signs, the emotional weight many carry in silence, and the truth behind suicidal ideations. Suicide isn’t always about wanting to die; often, it’s about not knowing how to keep living through unbearable pain. Dr. Niesha breaks down common misconceptions, share insights from a mental health yet human perspective and discusses how to support someone who may be struggling. If you or someone you love feels lost in the dark, this episode is a reminder: there is help, there is...
info_outlineHealing from trauma isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. In this episode, Dr. Niesha talks about honoring where you are, releasing self-judgment, and recognizing that even the smallest steps forward are signs of real healing. Trauma often teaches us to survive, not to be gentle with ourselves. This episode explores what it means to heal without pressure, to choose progress over perfection, and to allow growth to happen at its own pace—one compassionate step at a time. Healing doesn’t come from getting it “right.” It comes from continuing, even when it’s hard
Thank you again for tuning in and following this podcast. Please share this podcast leave a 5 star rating and leave a review. Dr. Niesha would love to hear from you and hear your feedback and questions. Email Dr. Niesha at info@drnieshadavismassey.com and follow her on IG @nieshadavislcsw.