Pastor, author and activist Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III joins for a wonderful and wide-ranging conversation on justice, activism, and community. We begin with practical reminders of the necessity of grounding in community, even as we consider the many layers of community. This ranges from personal friendships to local gatherings in places like the barbershop, to engagement our larger societal communities. Dr. Moss also shares honestly about the daily realities of pastoring in the Black Church, walking through joys and challenges of life and death with his congregants. Dr. Moss knows the power of community to change narratives, perspectives, and opportunities from the cradle to the grave. In light of this power, he shares his church’s ongoing transformative community development efforts on the southside of Chicago. Their three development pillars are to benefit the local community, to engage in green and sustainable endeavors, and to disrupt the mass incarceration system. Listen in to these powerful stories of that work in action, including community facilitated renovations to the renowned Carter G. Woodson library, the creation local community jobs, home ownership, and a health care clinic. These efforts also include enhanced community engagement in libraries, schools and churches. An inspiring conversation on the power of community, especially in navigating the joys and trauma of life, to promote healthy flourishing.

A quintessential Addy Hour conversation with Dr. Thema Bryant, president of the American Psychological Association (APA), psychologist, practitioner, minister, trauma expert and author. In this reflective discussion, we explore the ways psychology continues to fill a void in society and the ongoing needs these perspectives can address. We also contemplate how psychological approaches impact society, our schools, faith communities, businesses and non-profit organizations, as well as the implications for health care, health care access, climate change and policy. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Bryant graciously reveals her leadership principles as the current president of the 130,000-member APA. She highlights the important role of mentorship and sponsorship in her path to becoming the second Black woman to lead this premier psychological organization. With keen insights from her years of clinical practice, research, leadership and advocacy, she also provides helpful perspectives on the guiding psychological principles that impact both individuals and systems. We’ll hear Dr. Bryant’s powerful inspiration and witness from working with trauma survivors and the offenders who’ve inflicted the trauma. As a “bridgebuilder” and the daughter of two pastors, Dr. Bryant also shares ways we can all thrive and bear witness amidst the joys and challenges of daily life. Finally, we consider the important role of the creative arts in holistic psychological approaches. Join us for a rich and dynamic conversation, full of helpful perspectives and vital tips on how we can successfully navigate each day as individuals and a society.

Join in for this generative conversation with Yu-Jay Harris, who was born and raised in Liberia, survived a civil war, and eventually immigrated to the United States as a teenager. In this episode, Yu-Jay shares the joys of his early childhood, and the power of community and faith that supported his resilience amidst war and immigration. We also delve into his multiethnic experience, as someone who has navigated life in the U.S. identifying as both an African and an African American. As a strong mental health advocate, Yu-Jay shares about his role as president of a mental health non-profit that focuses on equity and access for underserved and under resourced communities. We delve into a fascinating discussion about the perceptions we carry, and how we can honestly consider when our perceptions are consistent or inconsistent with reality. We go further to discuss how perceptions impact our mental health and our approach to race, racism and culture. Join us for an inspiring conversation about mental health, faith and culture with insights and perspectives from African and Western contexts!

In this powerful episode, we consider personal and societal representations of Black bodies in art, academia and society. Our two guests, sociologist Dr. Daniel Swann and visual artist Dr. Imo Imeh, start with their revealing life journeys. Their stories tell a vivid picture filled with support and kindness from many people as they’ve navigated opportunities and challenges. At the same time, we hear the realities and anxieties that both guests encountered learning and teaching in spaces where others don’t look like them, the challenges of biases and “othering,” and the joy of finally operating as their authentic selves. As they describe their experiences as Black men, we’ll consider what’s perceived as acceptable versus unacceptable in academic and societal settings – especially as professors and practitioners in sociology, philosophy, visual art and art history. We also delve deep into the ways our guests teach and challenge their students, their colleagues and society in a range of topics like art, representation, black trauma, culture, wealth gaps, atheism and religion. This is a truly moving and powerful discussion that will leave you encouraged, inspired and challenged!

In part two of this two-part episode, we’re joined by pastor, author, leader and executive coach, Dr. David Ireland. We’ll hear his fascinating personal and vocational journey, from a career in engineering, to a shift into pastoral ministry, to ongoing roles in organizational leadership, social innovation and executive coaching. As the founding and senior pastor of a multi-site congregation of 10,000, with a staff of 100 and a leadership team of 500, Dr. Ireland will also share helpful leadership principles. He’s definitely one who’s accustomed to hard work. As he acknowledges, it can be easy for many of us to feel energized or overwhelmed (or both) in our responsibilities, obligations, and vocations. At times, it can seem impossible to pause or slow down. And yet, we know a non-stop pace is not sustainable, and can lead to burnout. In this refreshing episode, we follow up on topics from our part-one episode with Dr. Chris Pfund, to identify some easy to miss signs of burnout. We also consider ways to create environments that value effectiveness and well-being, healthy work rhythms, and frequent times of respite. As we talk through practical ways to establish structures, space, and permission to care for ourselves, we also name the internal tensions that still arise. This is a great episode for anyone looking to apply practical principles in your daily life and in the organizations where you serve, lead, mentor, teach, and do so much more.

In this new Addy Hour conversation, we start with a two-part episode on thriving without burnout – especially in vocations that involve investing in each other as team members, mentors, educators, leaders and more. In part one, we’re joined by Dr. Christine Pfund, a leader and national director at the forefront of teaching, learning and mentor and mentee training who has written on mentor burnout. Join us for a rich, honest and pragmatic conversation. Dr. Pfund helps us identify the signs and different types of burn out, and then provides practical tips for replenishing and recharging. In this candid conversation, Dr. Pfund and Dr. Addy also share personal insights from their own mentoring approaches, successes, tensions, growth areas, and navigation with burnout. We also consider the circumstances and internal and external pressures that can move us towards burnout, such as our internal expectations and guilt. To push against this tendency for burnout, we reflect on the powerful role of community, the importance of checking in and support of one another, and the essential practice of setting boundaries. We end by discussing the role of faith perspectives, and the benefits and challenges of servant-hearted leadership and discerning when to say no. This is a great episode that will help you reflect and identify early signs of burnout and give you practical tools that you can apply today. It’s a truly wide-ranging, informative and encouraging conversation!

An absolutely wonderful episode with the honest, insightful, brilliant and inspiring Joanne "Coach P" McCallie. Join in for a candid conversation about Coach P's journey as a Hall of Fame NCAA women's basketball coach, living her best life with bipolar disorder across most of her coaching career. This episode is packed with helpful take-aways and perspectives, as we discuss daily routines, mental health stigma and care, relationships, trust, life stage transitions, and the integral role of community in mental health and wellness. We'll dive into the circumstances and complexities that led to Coach P receiving guidance to not disclose her illness, but to instead navigate as a secret mental health warrior for 26 years. You’ll also hear about Coach P’s changed perspectives towards medication, her faith journey, and the ways she continues to coach and empower on a daily basis.