Finding the Right Therapist
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
Dr. Raquel Martin helps a listener navigate the search for a therapist, breaking down how to find a provider who understands your background, goals, and needs.
info_outline
Being Black, Military, and Raising LGBTQ+ Kids
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
An active-duty soldier opens up about balancing identity, service, and family. Dr. Raquel Martin unpacks what it means to be Black in the military while raising LGBTQ+ kids, and how self-awareness and purpose help maintain connection.
info_outline
Understanding White Curiosity and Racial Boundaries
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
Dr. Raquel Martin answers a listener’s question on the psychology of white curiosity, unpacking how social privilege and racial dynamics shape boundaries and behavior.
info_outline
Learning to Love After Trauma
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
In this Mailbag episode, Dr. Raquel Martin explains how to build love and connection after growing up unseen, unheard, or unloved, and why self-compassion is the first step.
info_outline
Grief Isn’t Something You Get Over
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
Grief isn’t linear, and it’s not something you just “get over.” Dr. Martin discusses the long arc of grief in Black communities, from personal loss to generational trauma, and how we can make space for its full expression.
info_outline
The Danger of Pray It Away Culture
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
When religious beliefs are used to silence pain, it’s called spiritual bypassing. Dr. Martin discusses how Black faith spaces can hold both healing and harm, and why therapy and faith can coexist.
info_outline
Black Kids Are Not Little Adults
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
From schools to home life, Black children are often denied the innocence and support others receive. Dr. Martin explores how adultification harms mental health and how reparenting can start the healing process.
info_outline
Burnout From Performing Blackness
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
What happens when being "Black enough" becomes a performance? Dr. Martin unpacks the mental health cost of masking, code-switching, and respectability politics, and why reclaiming your identity is an act of liberation.
info_outline
Why Respect Beats Obedience in Parenting
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
Many Black families parent from a place of fear, shaped by generations of trauma. Dr. Martin explores how shifting from obedience to respect-based parenting can break harmful cycles and nurture emotional resilience in kids.
info_outline
Black Youth Suicide Crisis
Mind Ya Mental Podcast
Black youth suicide rates have surged over 50% in recent years. In this episode, Dr. Raquel Martin debunks the myth that Black people don’t die by suicide and explores the impact of racial trauma, stigma, and silence in families and schools.
info_outlineSummary
The conversation explores the concept of black identity and the limitations of existing frameworks. It delves into the idea of blackness as a performance and the different responses to racism within the black community. The discussion also touches on the role of agency in black identity development and the complexities of defining blackness. The conversation highlights the importance of inclusivity and the recognition that blackness can manifest in various ways. It concludes with a conversation about code-switching and masking as survival strategies in different contexts. In this conversation, Touré discusses the importance of advocating for oneself in professional settings and the strategies to navigate power dynamics. He emphasizes the need to marshal allies and speak to decision-makers in a way that allows them to change their minds without feeling attacked. Touré also reflects on his experience of being rooted in but not restricted by race and the confidence it has given him in predominantly white spaces. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of private school education and the importance of self-esteem in navigating different environments.
Takeaways
- Black identity is complex and cannot be limited to a single definition or framework.
- Blackness can be performed in different ways and responses to racism vary within the black community.
- Agency plays a crucial role in black identity development.
- Inclusivity is important in recognizing and embracing the diversity of black experiences.
Bio
Touré is a renowned writer, music journalist, cultural critic, and podcaster, known for his deep insights into music, race, and culture. He gained prominence as a co-host on MSNBC's The Cycle and has contributed to The Dylan Ratigan Show. Touré also hosted Hiphop Shop and On the Record on Fuse, and serves on the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.
A respected voice in the world of hip-hop, he has taught courses on the genre’s history at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Touré is the author of several acclaimed books, including Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness? and I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon. He regularly contributes to The Daily Beast and The Grio.