Supporting and Uplifting Black Women
It’s no secret that black women continue to bear the brunt of society’s ills. From pay disparities to the lack of access to leadership opportunities in corporate America despite being more than qualified, we are subjected to countless negative stereotypes and microaggressions that constantly chip away at our self-esteem and self-worth. And while this is in no way new or surprising, it does reinforce the need for spaces and places that not only protect us, but uplift, inspire, and empower us.
Surviving the Rona – Your Guide to Weathering Covid’s Latest Surge
Where am I supposed to find an N95 mask? Do I need to see a doctor? Do I have Covid or is this just the flu? Or do I have Flurona?
These are just a few of the questions that I had when I recently found myself in bed with a fever, chills, and a sore throat. With Omicron still raging across the nation and flu season being in full effect, it’s perfectly understandable if you’re a little confused about what to do if you find yourself coming down with something that may or may not be Covid.
A Playlist to Start Your New Year Off Right…
The New Year is always a time of hope – hope for new beginnings, hope for a year of endless possibilities, and hope that the future will be brighter than the past. But, starting anew also means that you’re leaving some things behind. Whether that’s a relationship that no longer serves you or a job that you’ve simply outgrown, starting over can be both wildly exciting and immensely terrifying. To help you tame your fears as you move into 2022, we’ve created a playlist that helps you step into this new year with a renewed sense of self, confidence, and an abundance of love for all that we, as black women, bring to the table this year and every year.
New Year, Newish Me!
AmPopsy…It’s that time again!! You know what it is…it comes every year like clockwork- Happy New Year!! And much like preparing your annual tax return, it is a time for an endless supply of hope that you will receive a kind of windfall in life, quietly fearing the truth will be quite the opposite. But alas, it’s only the first week, so let’s stay hopeful and ambitious, folks!
The Transformative Power of Energy Healing
In the Season One finale of “Talk Wellness to Me”, Ashley Johnson and Delilah DaSilva sit down with musician and Energy Healer, João Pires Correia. The three discuss the transformative experience of learning to be with yourself and healing through gratitude and compassion for self and others. They also speak about Correia’s journey of overcoming his obstacles of being a blind, black, and queer man.
Key Popsyisms From This Episode…
“It’s really important to understand what you need to heal and that there’s many forms of healing.” – DaSilva on embarking on a wellness journey
“Energy is all about the intention.” – Correia on understanding how energy works
“If we could come from a space where we’re a little bit more compassionate and empathetic to one another, the world would be a better place.” – DaSilva on understanding that everyone is struggling with something
“We are the ones that can change our lives.” – Correia on recognizing that we can be the heroes of our own stories
“You’re not really free until you can free your mindset.” – Johnson on the foundation of energy healing
“There’s always a moment in time where things are very, very difficult, and there are dark moments, but you can get through them.” – DaSilva on the power of resilience even in the midst of great trials
“What’s the point of having a close circle of loved ones if you’re not accepting any of [what] they have to share with you?” – Johnson on overcoming her reservations about sharing her hardships with others
Missed an episode or two? Don’t fear! All of Season One’s episodes are available right here on AmPopsy for your listening pleasure and to aid you in your journey from wellness to wholeness.
About the Co-Hosts….
Delilah Dasilva is a first gen Cape Verdean American from Boston. She began her career in entertainment working at the Roxbury International Film Festival and went on to work in the film festival circuit including working at Sundance and then transitioned to working in Film/TV Production for the last 8 years. She has worked on the Netflix show GENTEFIED both seasons 1+2. In 2020, she produced her first short DREAMER that has screened at the LA LATINX FILM FEST and OUTFEST. Delilah is a the Co-Creator of the Talk Wellness To Me Podcast, with her producing partner Ashley Johnson, that discusses the intersectionality of being black/brown children of immigrants and how we process trauma and get to wellness. Follow her on IG @ staayydope.
Ashley Johnson was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She began her career in entertainment working on hit shows such as “American Idol”, “Little Big Shots”, “Speechless”, and “So You Think You Can Dance”, and transitioned into Jfilms such as Universal Pictures’ “The Photograph” and MGM’s “Everything, Everything”. Ashley took the leap into independent producing, which led her to collaborating with “Talk Wellness To Me” co-host and co-creator, Delilah. Ashley and Delilah began TWTM to normalize discussions of wellness within black and brown and immigrant communities; and to share tools and resources that can help facilitate healing and expand awareness of wellness for others. Follow her on IG @ a.noel.j.
Follow Talk Wellness to Me on IG at talkwellnesstomepodcast.
The Wonderful Benefits of Therapy
In Episode 4 of Talk Wellness to Me, Ashley Johnson and Delilah DaSilva speak with David Hernandez, Therapist and Host of “Beyond the Pulpit”, a KJLH radio show that hosts provocative conversations with prominent faith leaders. In Episode Four, the hosts speak with Hernandez about all things therapy – from surviving an abusive, alcoholic father and honoring his calling to become a therapist to pointers on finding the right therapist for you. This episode is a fantastic listen for anyone who’s ever been to therapy, considered therapy, or is just plain curious about how it works.
Key Popsyisms From This Episode…
“I had an innate desire to help and connect with people that were hurting like me.” – Hernandez on honoring his calling to become a mental health provider
“When you go through anything traumatic…you always feel like (1) It’s your fault, and (2) No one else understands…” – DaSilva on the emotional effects of trauma
“One of my greatest tools in connecting with other people is just sharing my story…I want people to know that talking to me is safe.” – Hernandez on how he approaches his role as a therapist
“There are not enough men of color in this field…There are so many young teenage males of color…that need to hear from a man and see what it looks like to have a man talk about feelings and be vulnerable and sometimes cry.” – Hernandez on the importance of representation in the field of therapy
“Something has to be the impetus to get you out of your old patterns.” – Johnson on self-awareness
Missed last week’s dynamic episode on activism as a form of wellness? No worries. You can always check out Episode Three here. Until next time…
About the Co-Hosts….
Delilah Dasilva is a first gen Cape Verdean American from Boston. She began her career in entertainment working at the Roxbury International Film Festival and went on to work in the film festival circuit including working at Sundance and then transitioned to working in Film/TV Production for the last 8 years. She has worked on the Netflix show GENTEFIED both seasons 1+2. In 2020, she produced her first short DREAMER that has screened at the LA LATINX FILM FEST and OUTFEST. Delilah is a the Co-Creator of the Talk Wellness To Me Podcast, with her producing partner Ashley Johnson, that discusses the intersectionality of being black/brown children of immigrants and how we process trauma and get to wellness. Follow her on IG @ staayydope.
Ashley Johnson was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She began her career in entertainment working on hit shows such as “American Idol”, “Little Big Shots”, “Speechless”, and “So You Think You Can Dance”, and transitioned into Jfilms such as Universal Pictures’ “The Photograph” and MGM’s “Everything, Everything”. Ashley took the leap into independent producing, which led her to collaborating with “Talk Wellness To Me” co-host and co-creator, Delilah. Ashley and Delilah began TWTM to normalize discussions of wellness within black and brown and immigrant communities; and to share tools and resources that can help facilitate healing and expand awareness of wellness for others. Follow her on IG @ a.noel.j.
Follow Talk Wellness to Me on IG at talkwellnesstomepodcast.