Reimagining Black Health

About Reimagining Black Health

Reimagining Black Health is a podcast dedicated to advancing Black health equity by exploring critical health topics through the lens of the Eight Dimensions of Well-Being—emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial. Brought to you by The Council on Black Health, the show highlights experts, advocates, and community members who are reimagining what it means to thrive and live safe, healthy, and happy lives. Through insightful conversations, we amplify the voices of those driving meaningful change in Black health and wellness. https://councilbh.org/ Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

Publisher

Council on Black Health

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Nov 2025

Latest episode

30 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Apr 2026

   Reimagining Physical Wellbeing: From Surviving to Thriving!

   Physical health isn’t just about working out or eating clean—it’s about alignment. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Witt-Glover sits down with Christopher Williams and Dr. Maurice Hinson to unpack what physical wellbeing really means—and why so many of us are missing the bigger picture. Christopher shares his powerful story of surviving four heart attacks and cancer, despite living what looked like a “healthy” lifestyle. Dr. Hinson breaks down why traditional healthcare often treats symptoms instead of root causes—and how chronic stress, inflammation, and disconnection from our bodies are silently driving disease. Together, they challenge the idea that fatigue, stress, and burnout are “normal”—and offer a new, more holistic framework for understanding health that includes mind, body, and spirit. This conversation is a wake-up call—and a roadmap. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – What Is Holistic Health? 04:30 – Christopher’s Health Journey 09:30 – Chronic Inflammation Explained 14:30 – Health Screenings & Advocacy 22:30 – Stress & Barriers to Wellness 30:00 – Lifestyle Changes That Matter 37:30 – Rethinking Healthcare 45:00 – Actionable Takeaways 51:00 – Closing Thoughts If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to reflect: What’s one small, sustainable step you can take this week to support your health—or lighten the load you’re carrying? Learn more about the Council on Black Health and their work to advance health equity at: https://councilbh.org/ (https://councilbh.org/) Follow the show, share this episode, and join us as we continue reimagining what it means to truly be well.

2. 

   16 Apr 2026

   Reimagining Chronic Disease: Living Well, Aging Strong, and Caring for Each Other

   Chronic disease isn’t just something people have—it’s something they live with every day. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores how conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer shape not just physical health, but daily routines, relationships, mental wellbeing, and the aging process. Joined by Dr. Ahunna Freeman, a community pharmacist and entrepreneur, and Dr. Anisa Shomo, a family physician and geriatric specialist, this conversation goes beyond clinical definitions. It gets real about what optimal health actually looks like in everyday life—and why it’s not just about numbers on a chart. Together, they unpack: Why “optimal health” looks different for each person The emotional and mental toll of managing chronic illness The hidden burden carried by caregivers How trauma, stress, and life experiences shape health outcomes Why connection, trust, and time matter in healthcare Practical ways to support yourself while caring for others This episode is a reminder that health is not just about managing disease—it’s about creating space to live fully, age with dignity, and care for ourselves and each other. Episode Chapters — Chronic Disease, Daily Life, and Aging 00:00 — What Does Optimal Health Really Mean? 01:00 — Chronic Disease as a Daily Experience 02:00 — Meet Dr. Ahunna Freeman & Dr. Anisa Shomo 03:00 — Redefining Health Beyond Numbers 05:00 — The Mental and Emotional Toll of Chronic Illness 07:00 — The Hidden Burden of Caregiving 10:00 — Why Mental Health Screening Matters 12:00 — How Depression Really Shows Up 15:00 — Hormones, Aging, and Emotional Health 17:00 — Creating Space for Honest Conversations in Care 19:00 — Community-Based Care That Actually Works 22:00 — Trauma-Informed Care: What Happened to You? 25:00 — Why Patients Don’t Tell the Full Story Right Away 28:00 — Building Trust in Healthcare 31:00 — Supporting Caregivers Without Burning Out 34:00 — Practical Strategies for Managing the Load 37:00 — Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional 40:00 — Delegation, Boundaries, and Asking for Help 43:00 — Slowing Down and Listening to Yourself 45:00 — Grief, Joy, and Living Fully 48:00 — Final Takeaways: Small Steps Toward Better Health If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to reflect: What’s one small, sustainable step you can take this week to support your health—or lighten the load you’re carrying? Learn more about the Council on Black Health and their work to advance health equity at: https://councilbh.org/ (https://councilbh.org/) Follow the show, share this episode, and join us as we continue reimagining what it means to truly be well.

3. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Reimagining Men’s Health: Breaking Silence, Building Strength

   In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover leads an honest and layered conversation about Black men’s health—what it means, what gets in the way, and what it takes to move from survival to thriving. For many Black men, health is shaped by more than just individual choices. It’s influenced by history, identity, societal pressure, and lived experience. From mental health stigma to fear of the healthcare system, the barriers are real—and often unspoken. Dr. Melicia is joined by: Dr. Ailton Santonio Coleman, researcher and expert in Black masculinity and health Arthur “AJ” Johns, community health worker and living example of transformation Together, they unpack how masculinity, culture, and systemic realities shape health behaviors—and how community, accountability, and intention can create lasting change. This episode moves between research and real life, connecting the dots between identity, mental health, physical health, and the power of community support. In this episode, we explore: How Black masculinity influences health decisions and behaviors The hidden role of fear—not weakness—in avoiding healthcare Why mental health challenges often go undiagnosed in Black men Episode Chapters 00:00 — Defining Health and Masculinity on Our Own Terms 01:00 — Meet Dr. Ailton Coleman & AJ Johns 02:00 — What Is Black Masculinity? 04:00 — What Does Thriving Look Like for Black Men? 05:00 — Fear, Misinformation, and Avoiding the Doctor 09:00 — How Society Shapes Health Behavior 12:00 — The Stress of Providing and Its Health Costs 15:00 — Losing Safe Spaces for Black Men 16:00 — AJ’s Story: From 500+ Pounds to Transformation 18:00 — The Turning Point: Data, Accountability, and Embarrassment 20:00 — Learning Health from Scratch 22:00 — Small Changes That Led to Big Results 24:00 — Health as Legacy, Not Just Wealth 25:00 — Mental Health and the Fear of Seeking Help 27:00 — Why “Getting Help” Can Feel Dangerous 29:00 — The Role of Community and Brotherhood 31:00 — Giving Back and Becoming an Ambassador for Health 34:00 — Why Safe Spaces Matter for Black Men 36:00 — One Thing You Can Do Today 38:00 — Closing Thoughts 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow and subscribe to Reimagining Black Health for more conversations that challenge us to think differently about what it truly means to thrive. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

4. 

   19 Mar 2026

   Reimagining Women’s Health: From Surviving to Thriving

   Women’s health is often reduced to symptoms and quick fixes. But for many Black women, the reality is far more complex. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores what it really means to care for our bodies in a system that often overlooks, dismisses, or misunderstands our experiences. From heavy periods and fibroids to major decisions like hysterectomy, the conversation goes beyond treatment and gets to the root of what’s shaping our health. Dr. Wynne Brown, OB/GYN and integrative medicine physician, and ShLanda Burton, certified doula trainer and birth equity advocate, unpack the deeper issues — from medical mistrust and misinformation to cultural pressures and environmental exposures — and how they impact Black women across the lifespan. Together, they discuss: Why women’s health is often misunderstood in 2025 The myths and “quick fixes” that keep us stuck How stress, nutrition, and environment shape reproductive health The role of doulas and community in improving outcomes What it means to build a trusted care circle Simple, practical ways to start listening to your body again This episode is a reminder that women’s health is not just clinical — it’s personal, cultural, and deeply connected to how we live every day. And reclaiming it starts with paying attention to what our bodies have been telling us all along. EPISODE CHAPTERS — Women’s Health 00:00 — Opening + Why Women’s Health Is More Complex Than We Think 00:52 — Meet Dr. Wynne Brown & ShLanda Burton 01:50 — What Doulas Do and Why They Matter 04:30 — The Village We’ve Lost in Women’s Health 05:45 — What We’re Getting Wrong About Women’s Health 10:45 — Stress, Rest, and the Impact of Misinformation 14:15 — The Problem with Quick Fixes and Health Trends 18:45 — Food, Nutrition, and Making Better Choices 23:00 — Heavy Periods, Fibroids, and Root Causes 27:00 — Real Solutions: Food, Sleep, and Stress 32:30 — Doulas, Advocacy, and Barriers to Care 38:00 — Building a Trusted Circle of Care 42:30 — Finding the Right Providers and Trusting Your Instincts 46:00 — One Thing You Can Do This Week + Closing 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow and subscribe to Reimagining Black Health for more conversations that challenge us to think differently about what it truly means to thrive. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

5. 

   5 Mar 2026

   Reimagining Intellectual Wellbeing in Black Communities

   What does intellectual wellbeing really mean... especially in Black communities? In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores the dimension of intellectual wellbeing — not just as academic achievement, but as imagination, critical thinking, cultural knowledge, spiritual insight, and the confidence to claim our brilliance. She’s joined by Dr. Dawn N. Hicks Tafari, scholar, activist, and professor of education at Winston-Salem State University, and Tonya Ankhi Ma’at Poole, author, spiritual guide, and Executive Director of Indigo’s Cultural Art Centers. Together, they examine: ● Why Black intellectual excellence is a legacy — not an exception ● How intellectual well-being extends far beyond degrees and institutions ● The isolation of being “the only one in the room” ● How community and mentorship shape confidence and creativity ● The role of spirituality, intuition, and ancestral knowledge in scholarship ● Practical ways to reconnect with your own intellectual self This conversation challenges dominant narratives that marginalize Black contributions and invites listeners to reclaim their intellectual inheritance — boldly and unapologetically. Intellectual well-being isn’t about proving anything. It’s about remembering who we’ve always been. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 — Black Brilliance Is Legacy, Not Anomaly 00:30 — What Is Intellectual Wellbeing? 01:10 — Meet Dr. Dawn Tafari & Tonya Ankhi Ma’at Poole 02:30 — Intellectualism Beyond Degrees 05:00 — The Isolation of Being “The Only One” 08:00 — Contemporary Black Scholars Shaping the Future 12:00 — The Unique Lens of Black Women in Intellectual Spaces 16:30 — Community, Mentorship & Intellectual Confidence 20:00 — Confronting Imposter Syndrome 24:00 — Integrating Spirituality & Scholarship 28:00 — Ancestral Wisdom and Academic Rigor 32:00 — Decolonizing the Mind 36:00 — Books, Resources & Where to Begin 40:00 — Building Intergenerational Learning Communities 44:00 — Reimagining the Future of Black Intellectual Traditions 47:00 — One Step You Can Take This Week 49:00 — Closing Reflections 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow and subscribe to Reimagining Black Health for more conversations that challenge us to think differently about what it truly means to thrive. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

6. 

   19 Feb 2026

   The Air, Water, and Land We Live On: Reimagining Environmental Health in Black Communities

   What if the air you breathe, the water you drink, and even the pots in your kitchen are shaping your health more than you realize? In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, host Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover sits down with Dr. Kristin Motley, Health Commissioner for the City of Chester, PA, and Dr. Kendra B. McDow, Medical Officer for the School District of Philadelphia, to unpack how environmental health drives chronic disease in Black communities — and why we’re “late to the game” in addressing it. From lead paint and aging housing stock to pediatric asthma, trash incinerators, highway pollution, and even PFAS in cookware, this conversation makes one thing clear: environmental justice is not optional. It’s foundational to thriving. Drawing from frontline experience in Chester and Philadelphia, Dr. Motley and Dr. McDow connect the dots between policy, poverty, race, and health outcomes — and explain why solutions must move beyond individual behavior to systemic change. Together, they explore: Why environmental health is a root cause of asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, and infant mortality How policy decisions at the local and national levels shape community health Why wealthier communities aren’t immune to environmental harm What “environmental justice” really means — and what it looks like when it works The link between school environments and student health outcomes Practical steps you can take today to reduce toxin exposure at home How community organizing and civic engagement create real change You’ll also walk away with tangible actions you can take this week — from avoiding heating food in plastic to getting involved in local policy decisions that affect your air and water. The bottom line? We all breathe the same air. Environmental justice isn’t just about one neighborhood — it’s about all of us. EPISODE CHAPTERS — Environmental Health & Justice 00:00 — “We’re Late to the Game” 01:00 — Meet Dr. Kristin Motley & Dr. Kendra McDow 02:00 — What Is Environmental Health? 06:00 — Data Centers, Pollution & Modern Environmental Threats 08:00 — PFAS, Cookware & Hidden Toxins at Home 12:00 — What Does “Community” Really Mean? 14:00 — Chester’s Environmental Burden 17:00 — Wildfires, Air Quality & Our Interconnected World 21:00 — What Is Environmental Justice? 24:00 — Asthma & School Health in Philadelphia 28:00 — Chronic Disease as an Environmental Issue 31:00 — Trash, Policy & Who Bears the Cost 35:00 — Composting, Recycling & Real Solutions 40:00 — What You Can Do to Support Change 48:00 — One Immediate Step to Reduce Toxin Exposure 50:00 — Closing Reflections 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow and subscribe to Reimagining Black Health for more conversations that challenge us to think differently about what it truly means to thrive. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

7. 

   5 Feb 2026

   The Power of Spiritual Wellbeing in Black Communities

   What does spiritual wellbeing really mean—beyond church walls, social media platitudes, or “positive vibes only”? In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores spiritual wellbeing as a lived, relational practice rooted in meaning, purpose, connection, and care. Joined by Dorothy McGuire, pastor and retired registered nurse, and Jacqueline Mattis, researcher and psychologist, the conversation moves past abstract definitions and into how spirituality actually shows up in daily life—especially in Black communities. Together, they unpack how faith, forgiveness, joy, community, and dignity have historically sustained Black people through collective trauma—and why those same practices still matter now. They also examine the tension between spiritual depth and modern culture, from isolation and burnout to performative vulnerability and reality-TV conflict. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why spiritual wellbeing is practiced in relationship, not isolation How faith and spirituality have shaped Black resilience and survival The difference between feeling good and truly being well Why forgiveness—including forgiving yourself—is essential to healing How joy, laughter, and human connection are indicators of spiritual safety Simple, practical ways to begin strengthening spiritual wellbeing this week This episode is a reminder that optimal Black health isn’t just physical or emotional—it’s about feeling whole, grounded, and connected to something larger than yourself and to each other. 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health and its mission to advance health equity and reimagine what wellness looks like in Black communities. Follow us for future episodes, resources, and conversations that center healing, joy, and thriving. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

8. 

   22 Jan 2026

   Reimagining Financial Wellbeing in Black Communities

   Financial wellbeing isn’t just about how much money you make — it’s about stability, security, and freedom of choice. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores the dimension of financial wellbeing, examining what it truly means for Black individuals and families to move from surviving to thriving. Guests Stephanie Yates, Executive Director of the UAB Regions Institute for Financial Education, and Darrius Peace, master hairstylist, entrepreneur, and community leader, unpack the real barriers to financial health — from systemic racism and the racial wealth gap to everyday challenges around education, access, and generational wealth. Together, they examine: ● What it means to financially thrive beyond income alone ● How historic and systemic exclusion created today’s racial wealth gap ● Why Black Wall Street mattered — and what it teaches us today ● The role of land ownership, estate planning, and generational transfers ● How fear, lack of information, and missing paperwork lead to asset loss ● Why community, collective action, and shared knowledge are essential to financial liberation ● Practical steps individuals can take this week to strengthen their financial wellbeing This episode is a call to reclaim financial agency — through education, community connection, and intentional planning — and to reimagine financial wellbeing as a collective pathway toward freedom, dignity, and long-term health. EPISODE CHAPTERS — Financial Wellbeing 00:00 — Financial Wellbeing Defined: Surviving vs. Thriving 01:00 — Meet Stephanie Yates & Darrius Peace 02:00 — Stability, Flow, and Financial Confidence 05:00 — The Racial Wealth Gap Explained 09:00 — Redlining, Exclusion, and Predatory Lending 12:30 — Black Wall Street and Lessons from the Past 17:00 — Why Fear and Policy Block Rebuilding 19:00 — Keeping Wealth in the Community 22:00 — Land Ownership and Generational Transfers 26:00 — Estate Planning and Lost Assets 30:00 — Community, Trust, and Financial Conversations 35:00 — Education as Empowerment 41:00 — One Action You Can Take This Week 48:00 — Closing 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health and its mission to advance health equity and reimagine what wellness looks like in Black communities. Follow us for future episodes, resources, and conversations that center healing, joy, and thriving. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

9. 

   8 Jan 2026

   Emotional Wellbeing and the Courage to Feel

   Emotional wellbeing is more than “being okay.” It’s about how we process stress, set boundaries, heal generational trauma, and find peace in a world that often demands constant resilience from Black communities. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores the dimension of emotional wellbeing and why it’s foundational to thriving, not just surviving. She’s joined by Jahkazia Richardson, a clinician specializing in ancestral and decolonized therapy practices, and Malik Washington, a mental health advocate encouraging Black men to engage with therapy and emotional care. Together, they have an honest, grounded conversation about rest, healing, and what it really takes to support emotional health in everyday life. In this episode, you’ll hear about: What emotional wellbeing actually means beyond clinical definitions The “soft life” conversation and why rest can be an act of resistance Healing generational trauma and letting go of survival-based behaviors Why traditional, Eurocentric therapy models often fall short for Black communities This episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and rethink what emotional health looks like when it’s rooted in truth, culture, and care. Episode Chapters — Emotional Wellbeing 00:00 — What Is Emotional Wellbeing? 01:00 — Meet Jahkazia Richardson & Malik Washington 02:30 — The “Soft Life” and Choosing Rest 04:45 — Generational Trauma and Survival Mode 07:30 — Black Men and Mental Health Stigma 10:00 — Therapy, Fit, and Finding the Right Support 14:00 — Decolonized Therapy and Ancestral Healing 18:30 — Emotions, Expression, and Cultural Expectations 22:00 — Stress, Policing, and Everyday Trauma 27:00 — Community, Culture, and Belonging 31:00 — Coping Skills and Healthy Release 35:00 — What Thriving Emotionally Really Looks Like 38:00 — One Simple Step to Support Emotional Wellbeing 41:00 — Closing Reflections 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health and its mission to advance health equity and reimagine what wellness looks like in Black communities. Follow us for future episodes, resources, and conversations that center healing, joy, and thriving. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

10. 

    18 Dec 2025

    Reimagining Occupational Wellbeing: Rest & Liberation

    Grinding isn’t wellness — and rest isn’t laziness. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover explores the dimension of occupational wellbeing, asking what it truly means for Black people to thrive in the spaces where we work, lead, create, and care for others. Guests Kelsie Bonaparte and Dr. Monique Johnson join the conversation for a grounded, honest look at how hustle culture has shaped our health, why productivity has been glorified at the expense of rest, and how Black communities can reclaim joy, agency, and balance as essential parts of work-life wellbeing. Together, they examine: ● How grind culture disguises itself as “self-improvement” and “wellness” ● Why the pandemic forced a reckoning with our relationship to labor ● How rest, autonomy, and boundaries protect our mental and physical health ● Why optimal health must include joy, community, and meaningful purpose ● Practical ways to rethink your workday and redefine success on your own terms This episode is an invitation to reimagine work — not as a measure of worth, but as one dimension of a full, liberated, and healthy life. Because optimal Black health includes rest, play, purpose, and the freedom to choose how we show up. EPISODE CHAPTERS — Occupational Wellbeing 00:00 — What Does Occupational Wellbeing Really Mean? 00:30 — The Rise of Hustle Culture 01:15 — How “Wellness Challenges” Reinforce Overwork 03:00 — Rest as Resistance 05:00 — Is a Shift Happening Post-Pandemic? 07:00 — Redefining Wellness Outside the Medical Model 10:00 — Joy, Agency, and Autonomy at Work 14:00 — Balancing Roles Without Burning Out 18:00 — Boundaries, Intention, and Working Smarter 23:00 — Giving Yourself Grace 27:00 — One Action You Can Take This Week 38:00 — Closing 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow us for future episodes, resources, and tools to help reimagine what it means to be well. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

11. 

    4 Dec 2025

    Rethinking Social Wellbeing in Black Communities

    Loneliness isn’t just a feeling — it’s a public health crisis. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover digs into the dimension of social wellbeing, exploring why real connection is as vital to our health as sleep, nutrition, and movement. Guests Michele Paul, creator of Let’s Get Social Raleigh and founder of the Adult Recess movement, and Chelsey Reese, therapist and somatic practitioner, break down how community, joy, play, and vulnerability shape our emotional and physical health. Together, they examine: Why loneliness raises the risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and early death Why joy is a birthright, not something we have to earn What “being seen” truly feels like — and why it's deeper than just being around people How play and community events can spark radical healing Practical, simple steps anyone can take this week to strengthen their own social wellbeing This episode is an invitation to step outside, reconnect, and remember that we’re designed for community — and that connection is a core part of thriving. EPISODE CHAPTERS — Social Wellbeing 00:00 — Joy as a Birthright 00:26 — What Is Social Wellbeing? 01:00 — Meet Michele Paul & Chelsey Reese 01:20 — Loneliness as a Public Health Crisis 03:00 — Systemic Barriers to Connection 03:35 — Social Media’s Role 04:45 — Is Loneliness Really That Serious? 05:30 — Ubuntu and Community 07:00 — Adult Recess & the Power of Play 09:00 — Rethinking Optimal Health 10:00 — Inside Chelsey’s Therapy Practice 11:00 — How Disconnection Shows Up in the Body 14:30 — The Hardest Step: Getting Out of the House 18:00 — Creating Safe, Welcoming Spaces 23:00 — What It Means to Be Seen 27:00 — Why Adults Lose Touch With Joy 31:00 — Teens, Tech, and Isolation 36:00 — One Simple Step to Improve Social Wellbeing 38:00 — Closing 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org (https://councilbh.org/) to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow us for future episodes, resources, and updates on how you can join the movement to reimagine what it means to be well. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

12. 

    20 Nov 2025

    What Does Optimal Black Health Really Look Like?

    What does it mean to be truly well — not just free from illness, but whole, joyful, and liberated? In this premiere episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover brings together a dynamic panel — physician and activist Dr. L. Toni Lewis, wellness advocate Jerica Robinson, and trainer Antoine Hudson — to unpack how health extends beyond numbers on a chart. Together, they explore how rest, joy, boundaries, and community care are central to Black wellness. From grind culture to mental health, from body scans to Beyoncé, this conversation challenges traditional health models and celebrates a vision of optimal health rooted in freedom. ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Redefining “health” beyond the medical model 02:00 – The Wellness Trap: Are challenges like “75 Hard” helping or harming? 06:30 – Anti-Grind Culture: Dr. Toni Lewis on rest as resistance 10:00 – Joy and Liberation: Why community, play, and happiness matter 17:00 – Defining Optimal Health: Perspectives across generations 29:00 – Decentering Grind Culture: Setting boundaries and working smarter 39:00 – Balancing Roles: The cost of “doing it all” 44:00 – Takeaway Round: One thing you can do this week to move toward optimal health 50:00 – Closing Reflections: A win is a win — give yourself grace 💡 Connect and Learn More Visit councilbh.org (https://councilbh.org) to learn more about the Council on Black Health’s mission to advance health equity and reshape the future of Black wellness. Follow us for future episodes, resources, and updates on how you can join the movement to reimagine what it means to be well. Join us in achieving equity for generations. Donate to help the Council on Black Health drive lasting impact! https://councilbh.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

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Apple Podcasts (US)

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