MentalHealthEmergencyFund
Podcast 1
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Jessica A. Smith Solo Episode
01/18/2026
Jessica A. Smith Solo Episode
Jessica Smith is a mental health advocate and community builder based in Baltimore, MD. She is the Founder of The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc., which helps provide financial assistance to marginalized community members experiencing a mental health crisis. She is an MSW student at Howard University and her therapeutic areas of focus are anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships and faith topics. No matter what she’s doing, she will always have a network around her because she believes that healing happens in community. In this special solo episode, Jessica shares her journey of picking a graduate school to attend and her experience as a student at Howard University’s School of Social Work so far. To learn more about her nonprofit work, visit: Or follow her on instagram at
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Dance My Pain Away
06/17/2025
Dance My Pain Away
Marquis Carrington is a multi-disciplinary artist and mindfulness practitioner. He is based in Baltimore, Maryland and uses music, creative writing, photography, yoga, and podcasting to bring a variety of offerings to professional and communal spaces. He is the author of three poetry books and the host of the podcast “A Guy From A Place.” In this episode, Marquis discusses issues around Black men’s mental health, how he moves through the world as a Black male poet and how growing up in Baltimore has shaped the man he is today. His fourth book, “Sometimes We Only Get a Piece of Something Beautiful and It’s Not for Us to Keep” is coming out soon. Follow him on YouTube and Instagram at
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The Power of Community as an Artist
06/07/2025
The Power of Community as an Artist
Ivory Haze is a singer-songwriter and mental health advocate from Washington, DC, whose music blends emotional honesty with powerful storytelling. Through raw lyrics and soulful melodies, she’s been building to create songs that speak to healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Offstage, Ivory has become a huge advocate for mental health issues and overall well being and in return hopes to use any platform given, either through singing or mentorship, to bring light and raise awareness about mental health and inspire open conversations. With a voice that uplifts and song messages that empower, Ivory is building a community where music and mental wellness go hand in hand. In this episode, she shares where her mental health journey began, how she navigates anxiety as a musical artist, and how she uses her platform to heal others. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok at IvoryHazeMusic
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Grace in Your Mental Health Journey
06/06/2025
Grace in Your Mental Health Journey
Dr. Kimberly R. Mayes, LCSW is the Founder & Clinical Director at Essence Therapy & Wellness Center, where she supports clients with individual therapy, corporate training, and culturally responsive interventions. With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Mayes has held leadership roles and worked in hospital, educational, and non-profit settings. Her most rewarding accomplishment is founding a successful group private practice for BIPOC clients, where the mission is to, “Recreate the definition of therapy & self-care for the BIPOC community through effective, relatable & holistic therapeutic services.” In this episode, she shares what it means to provide holistic services, what pre-work to do before finding a therapist and some of the things she’s working on improving in her life. Reach her at: LinkedIn:
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Finding Her Voice through Music
05/27/2025
Finding Her Voice through Music
Maya Elizabeth, the co-creator of From M.E. to You: A Mental Health Concert, is a singer-songwriter, artist, mentor + a member at the Recording Academy (DC Chapter). Maya studied marketing at Howard University and graduated in 2016 as the School of Business Valedictorian. Then, she launched Maya Elizabeth Music LLC and has been spreading healing, truth, +love as an independent artist ever since. She shares openly about her journey with self-image, anxiety + owning her unique sound. In this episode, she shares about her upcoming mental health concert, some of the ways she’s navigated anxiety as an independent artist and the connection between mental health and music. Follow her at these links:
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The Importance of Self-Disclosing as a Psychologist
05/18/2025
The Importance of Self-Disclosing as a Psychologist
Brittany J. Crawford, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Mind Bend Foundation. With years of experience in mental health, she witnessed firsthand how financial barriers prevent individuals from accessing the care they need. Recognizing the gap between affordability and quality therapy, she created Mind Bend Foundation to provide direct funding for those without adequate coverage. Her mission is simple—ensure that cost is never a barrier to healing. In this episode, Dr. Crawford shares about her day to day as a Clinical Psychologist in the hospital system, how she works with kids to explore curiosity and imaginative play in her sessions and what inspired her to create the Mind Bend Foundation in the Bay Area. Stay connected with her by visiting
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Motherhood as a Communal Practice
05/17/2025
Motherhood as a Communal Practice
Dr. Richardson is a mama, healer, and licensed psychologist with over 12 years of experience providing therapy in clinical, academic, and community-based settings. She brings a relational and culturally grounded lens to her work, centering the lived experiences of Black and Brown women and mothers. Taking a holistic approach, Dr. Richardson believes healing happens not just in the mind, but in the body, spirit, and community. She views motherhood as a communal practice—one that deserves care, compassion, and space to be both messy and beautiful. Her work is dedicated to breaking down stigmas surrounding women’s emotional lives, especially those tied to mothering and the generational pressures so many women carry. In this episode, Dr. Richardson brings awareness to maternal mental health with her practice Melanated Women’s Therapy, LLC, talks about motherhood as a communal practice and shares about the anthology she’s published.
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The Science of Behavioral Analysis
05/12/2025
The Science of Behavioral Analysis
Brandon Logan is a Licensed Behavior Analyst, transformation coach, and founder of 4 The Collective and The Thrive Nation Podcast. He serves on the board of AMINGA, a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth in the Global South with access to holistic education and sports training, fostering athleticism, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness. Through his work—ranging from wellness events to one-on-one coaching—Brandon blends science and spirit to help individuals build lives aligned with their purpose. Drawing from his background in Applied Behavior Analysis, he employs practical, evidence-based strategies to support personal growth, productivity, and lasting change for both individuals and communities. In this episode, Brandon talks about how he helps his entrepreneur clients through the science of behavioral analysis, why Black men aren’t exposed as much to mental health and wellness, and ways he’s created a platform at the intersection of the wellness and personal development spaces. Learn more about his work at the following links:
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The Importance of Rest for Your Soul
05/10/2025
The Importance of Rest for Your Soul
Based in Baltimore, MD, Rachel Darden is a social media director currently pursuing a divinity degree and building Chosen by Grace, an emerging nonprofit dedicated to helping women discover and walk boldly in their God-given purpose. She believes in the power of healing and the practice of rest as a form of liberation, offering Reset Day soul-tending journaling and meditation classes that create space for women to reconnect with God and themselves. Her mission is rooted in the truth that when one woman heals, she empowers others to do the same. With a heart for spiritual growth and sisterhood, Rachel Darden invites women to walk with her in freedom. In this episode, she shares how she needed to take a year to rest and recover from an illness. She also talks about scriptures to meditate on about rest and ways to plug into her community of Christian women. Find her platform online at:
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Finding the Beauty in Your Struggle
05/03/2025
Finding the Beauty in Your Struggle
Tiffany Snead-Rose is a dynamic creative and youth advocate from Baltimore, Maryland. With over 12 years of experience supporting youth and young adults, she is the founder of multiple platforms including Finding the Beauty in Your Struggle, TMI Consulting and Seasons of Singleness the Podcast Uncensored. In her free time, she enjoys content creation, hiking, and spending time with her kitten, Sox. In this episode, Tiffany shares her journey getting to know her Dad later in life, his death by suicide and how that’s impacted her. She also shares how she’s learning herself again at this stage of life and walking by faith. Find her on instagram at: ,
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Girl Get Up
03/15/2025
Girl Get Up
Marjhoree Washington is the founder of Girl Get Up, a movement dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and empowering women to rise. As a wife and mother of three, Marjhoree is passionate about creating safe spaces for healing and growth while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology to further her advocacy. Her mission is to equip women with the tools, support, and community they need to thrive unapologetically and break unhealthy cycles. In this episode, she shares how she is leading a women’s empowerment movement focused on self-love and mental health awareness. Contact:
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Supporting Moms Experiencing Infant Loss
12/14/2024
Supporting Moms Experiencing Infant Loss
Sadija A. Smiley, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of Stillborn And Infant Loss Support (SAILS), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating pregnancy and infant loss. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Sadija blends her personal journey of loss with professional expertise to advocate for equity and healing in her community. In this episode Sadija shares her infant loss journey, talks about the services she offers with SAILS and gives advice to grieving parents. To keep up with her visit , follow SAILS on instagram or Facebook at @_bornintosilence or call or text 410-941-9061.
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Wellthy Living with Elssa Kenfack, LCPC
11/29/2024
Wellthy Living with Elssa Kenfack, LCPC
Elssa Kenfack is many things to many people and rooms but one thing that she hopes she is remembered as she walks out of rooms or fades into memories of others is that she loves the Lord. Elssa has served in many capacities as a therapist, community development advocate, creative, friend, daughter, sister and in all of those roles, she has tried to embody three main principles: • 1. That we are all uniquely created and purposed for something significant here on this earth by God • 2. That being your boldest, brightest, dullest, purest version of yourself is always the best choice • And 3. That there is intersectionality in all of the parts of us. In this episode, Elssa talks about the unconventional journey to wellness and how she shares that with her platform, The Wellthy Living Project. She also gives tips on how to stay mentally healthy during the holiday season. Follow her on instagram and
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Economic Empowerment with Survivor Ventures
11/22/2024
Economic Empowerment with Survivor Ventures
Quintina Sonnie is a Lived Experience Expert in human trafficking and somatic practitioner who has been providing survivors with tools for healing for the past eight years. She is currently the Chief Operations Officer and Holistic Care Director at Survivor Ventures, a nonprofit based out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, lowering barriers and providing direct services to survivors of trafficking. In this episode, we talk about Survivor Ventures’s programs that help survivors move into a life of freedom and economic empowerment. Visit their website at www.survivorventures.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @SurvivorVentures. If you need to call the national hotline, dial 1888-373-7888 or text “be free” to 233733.
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Healing Trauma with Self-Love
11/13/2024
Healing Trauma with Self-Love
Janelle Carrington, LCSW-C, is the owner and a licensed clinical social worker at Alchemy Therapy and Holistic Wellness Space, LLC. She began her social work career in 2017, working with teens and young adults with autism and behavioral issues. In 2021, Janelle transitioned to private practice, expanding her focus to include adults and offering multiple therapeutic services. Driven by her mission to empower individuals to embrace self-love and overcome trauma, Janelle is dedicated to inspiring clients to connect with their authentic selves and take control of their lives. In this episode, Janelle talks about tips on healing from trauma and the importance of self-love’s role in the process. Stay connected to her by visiting her website at www.alchemy-therapy.com and on instagram at @alchemytherapyllc
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Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
11/05/2024
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
Autumn Walker is a Mental Health Therapist licensed in Maryland. After obtaining her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins in 2020, she founded The Soul Reasons LLC as a call to action to center mental wellness in response to the sociopolitical climate. Today, she equips mission-driven organizations to foster well-being in their companies to maintain morale and engagement and she empowers Black women to overcome impostor syndrome to build self-confidence and fulfill their purpose driven goals. In this episode, Autumn shares how 82 percent of people experience impostor syndrome, with women and people of color experiencing it the most. She gives practical tips to overcome impostor syndrome by knowing your purpose and staying in your lane.
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Beautification of the Inside
10/20/2024
Beautification of the Inside
Shountee Turner is the founder of The Write Narrative, LLC. Balancing responsibilities with the need for flexibility and supplemental income led Shountee to start her writing services business as a side hustle. What began as a necessity quickly grew into a passion for helping women and minority business owners through communication and fundraising, ensuring they have equal access to resources. In this episode she shares the mental health battles she faced caregiving to her mom with dementia and raising 3 children as a single mother, all while operating her business,
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Unpacking Grief with Shardae Carter, LCPC
10/06/2024
Unpacking Grief with Shardae Carter, LCPC
Shardae Carter, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founder and clinical director of Dae to Dae Counseling Services. She considers herself a Grief Relief Strategist and in this episode, we talk about the many forms of grief, debunk some myths and talk about ways to cope with loss. Follow Shardae on instagram at @dae2daecounsel, on Facebook at Dae to Dae Counseling Services and find her on Psychology Today by searching Shardae Carter.
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Mindset Coaching for your Personal Style
08/23/2024
Mindset Coaching for your Personal Style
Christen is the CEO, Founder of SCB Luxury Styling where she helps sophisticated women harmonize their inner beauty with their outer appearance. She believes that understanding your body shape and lifestyle is the key to curating a capsule wardrobe that works. She also focuses on shifting her clients' relationship with style so that they can confidently show up as the person they were created to be. In this episode Christen shares with us how she got into the field of personal styling 10 years ago, how she works with her clients to overcome limiting beliefs and how to invest in one’s personal wardrobe. LinkedIn: Christen Johnson Instagram: scbluxurystyling Youtube: @sochicchris Website:
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The Rest and Joy Fund
07/25/2024
The Rest and Joy Fund
Fatima M. Smith identifies as a Black woman who is a relentless advocate for anti-violence in our communities & community. She is also the Co-Founder of Collective 365, a grant-making, membership-based organization that serves Black and Brown changemakers in DC, MD and VA. She is a firm believer that, “a person who can describe a problem can also describe a solution; they just need time, space and resources.” The latter has shaped how she does her work with individuals, communities, and organizations. In this episode, we talk about The Rest and Joy Fund, a partnership between Collective 365 and The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc. The purpose is to provide Black and Brown adults in the DMV ages 18+ funding to prioritize their mental health, rest and joy. Applications open on August 28, 2024. Click here to keep up to date with the application: Donate and get involved at
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How The Four Agreements can Help our Healing Journey
06/20/2024
How The Four Agreements can Help our Healing Journey
Sharda Smith is a certified life coach, public speaker, and workshop facilitator, who is passionate about helping others reach their ultimate potential. She is committed to sharing the knowledge and personal experience she gained through her self-development journey to empower women, build their confidence, and unlock their purpose. In this episode, Sharda shares wisdom from the book The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and breaks each section down. She talks about how this book was pivotal in her own healing journey. Sharda also talks about the work she does at PIVOT Baltimore. Get in touch with Sharda on instagram at Learn more about PIVOT Baltimore by visiting
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Body, Soul and Spirit: Mental Health from a Biblical Lens
06/14/2024
Body, Soul and Spirit: Mental Health from a Biblical Lens
Doreen Boateng, LCPC, brings extensive experience in trauma-informed care, ensuring that all services are delivered with empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity. Her mission at Hope Restored Counseling Services is to create a nurturing environment where clients can safely explore their experiences, address underlying trauma, and integrate their faith into their healing process. In this episode, Doreen talks about a Biblical case for taking care of our mental health and what it means for our souls to be healthy. She also dispels some myths related to mental illness and Christianity. Contact: contact@hrcounselingservices.com 571-402-5122
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The Importance of Advocating for Black Maternal Health
06/10/2024
The Importance of Advocating for Black Maternal Health
Kiara (Anese) Barnett, M.Ed is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at George Washington University. Throughout Anese's academic and professional career, her work has focused on supporting both mothers and children. Anese is also a volunteer with Postpartum Support Virginia. Anese is a wife and a boy mom of two. In this episode, Anese shares her traumatic journey of her first high-risk pregnancy and how that led her to do advocacy work and perinatal therapeutic care for pregnant women and new moms. She talks about the importance of having a plan to bring to your doctor(s) so you can advocate for your needs. Contact:
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A Safe Environment for Transformation
05/18/2024
A Safe Environment for Transformation
D’Shawn Harris, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of MD and Founder of Safe Haven Therapy. Drawing on systemic and family-centered approaches, D'Shawn creates a professional and safe environment where clients can embark on their journey toward transformation. With a focus on fostering healing, empowerment, and growth, D'Shawn is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their emotional concerns and build a brighter future. In this episode, he talks about why he decided to switch from being a counselor in the criminal justice system to a private practice setting. He also discusses his new mental health conversational card game, “Hey Friend, How Are You?” and how this will be an important tool to help friends better check in on each other. Keep up with him as he soon announces which state he’s expanding his services to next! Contact: www.safehaventherapyservices.com www.instagram.com/safehaven_therapy
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Holistic Health for Complex Trauma
04/29/2024
Holistic Health for Complex Trauma
Jayden Aubryn (they/them), LICSW, is a Black, queer, non-binary, and ethically non-monogamous psychotherapist, personal trainer, and consultant. They specialize in the holistic healing of trauma by integrating mental, physical, spiritual, and sexual health. They aim to make healing both accessible and fun! In this episode, we talk about ways to incorporate art, music, movement and nutrition into one’s treatment plan to make mental healthcare more holistic in nature. This also helps us live life more authentically and understand that healing can be more affordable than we realize. tiseconsultingandtherapy@gmail.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/TISEConsultingandTherapy
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Rediscovering Yourself after Loss
04/19/2024
Rediscovering Yourself after Loss
Cynthia Issac is a personal growth and transformation mentor, EFT practitioner and personal development trainer. She is a widow whose purpose in life is to encourage, equip and empower widows worldwide to grow beyond their grief and loss so they can heal hurt and heartache, rediscover their real selves and recreate a more prosperous, fulfilling future they love with grace and ease. In this episode, Cynthia talks about the support systems she was able to lean into when her husband passed away and how that became a catalyst for the grief coaching work she does with widows today. She also shares information on her upcoming collaborative book and solo book that will be releasing soon. Contact Cynthia at: CoachIsaac@yahoo.com
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
03/30/2024
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
Kiara Hartwell Opara, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor based in Virginia Beach, VA and is also licensed in Maryland. In 2017, she opened her private practice where she helps millennial and gen-z aged women heal from anxiety, depression, life adjustments, and trauma by incorporating experiential and evidenced-based approaches, mostly internal family systems therapy (parts work). In this episode, Kiara shares the concept around Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and how it’s a treatment modality for people who may want to process trauma and engage their body in the healing process. The idea around IFS is that we have sub-personalities or “parts,” that can experienced through beliefs, emotions, bodily sensations, images, impulses, psychological responses and sounds. Follow Kiara’s work on Instagram @kjhartwell or visit her website at www.kjhartwell.com.
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“Definitions Matter”
03/30/2024
“Definitions Matter”
Charles Robinson-Snead was born and raised in Delaware but recently relocated to the DMV to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Howard University. Charles is a licensed therapist and a wellness coach, a role in which he enjoys working with individuals and groups from Black and Brown communities through trauma-informed treatment approaches. Ultimately, Charles believes in the social justice work of liberating Black and Brown people from the impact of oppressive systems and structures. In this episode we discussed the importance of definitions and distinctions in the field of therapy. Charles taught us about the differences between therapy and wellness coaching; he spoke on the distinctions between mental illness and mental health; and he educated us on how therapists don’t give advice but actually give treatment plans. For more information please follow and keep up with Charles’ brands’ IG pages: @colourmymindco and @brownbrothers.cmm and his main account @madeprodigy_. You can also find him on LinkedIn by searching
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Breakdown or Breakthrough?
03/27/2024
Breakdown or Breakthrough?
This special solo episode features our very own Jessica Smith, Founder and Executive Director of The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc. and Host of The Mental Health Emergency Fund Podcast. She shares her personal journey of becoming a nonprofit founder, resulting from what felt like a professional failure. She first told this story during Women's History Month, as part of The Stoop Storytelling Series in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University’s Women in Business Initiative at the Carey Business School.
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Anti-Oppressive, Inclusive and Accessible Therapy
03/09/2024
Anti-Oppressive, Inclusive and Accessible Therapy
“Anti-Oppressive, Inclusive and Accessible Therapy” Badia Khalid-Manning, LCPC, is the Owner of Larada Counseling Services. She holds certifications as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), and Level 1 Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFiT). Recently, she completed her Certification as a Clinical Supervisor and Maryland Board Approved Supervisor. In this episode, we talk about the importance of liberation work and holistic wellness in the mental health field, to include anti-oppressive nutrition counseling. We also discuss the barriers to care, including high deductibles from insurance companies and ways that her practice works with her clients to be more financially accessible. She can be reached at and on instagram and Facebook at LaradaCounseling.
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