This week, I’m joined by activist, educator, and author, Kim Samuel. As a leading voice in the global movement for belonging, Kim takes us on a journey on this timely topic. We start with Kim’s captivating story, as she describes her inspiration, moments of epiphany, and the vocational calling that has shaped her life. As someone whose work has spanned across trade negotiations, poverty, human rights, climate change, and education, Kim shares keen insights from each aspect of her journey. We discuss the ways people are treated, and often othered, based on health, ability, resources or the perceived lack thereof. We also hear about the conversation Kim had with Nelson Mandela – a conversation that affirmed her life mission to ensure that no one feels alone. Gracefully, she describes candid and challenging family experiences that have also shaped her perspective. This is a truly rich episode touching on topics like calling and faith, loss and loneliness, advocacy, wholeness and healing.

A must listen, quintessential Addy Hour conversation! In this episode, we discuss the place of science in society as we talk through both big picture and practical, and both straightforward and nuanced aspects science. I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Diana Martinez, and neuroscientist Dr. Steve Mahler. We start with personal, family stories related to addiction and mental health. In considering career journeys, we hear some surprising parallels, as our guests describe early roadblocks, hard work and perseverance, their internal motivation, and the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities. We also delve into important, but sometimes uncomfortable and easily ignored topics. We talk about drug experimentation, use and misuse in teens and others, as well as the challenges of overdose and drug-related assaults. We consider the challenges of anxiety and depression, the realities of things like antisocial personality disorder and pedophilia, the line between good and bad behavior, and our societal struggles around these topics. Thankfully, we also talk about ways that attitudes are shifting around these topics. Both guests powerfully describe the importance of different perspectives, and the ways we can incorporate science informed approaches in our societal conversations and daily lives. Impressively, they brilliantly share from their expertise in addiction research, while also integrating their perspectives informed by psychology and philosophy. A thought provoking and engaging conversation! Whether you’re generally interested in mental health and neuroscience, a student training in research, or a scientist, clinician or mental health provider, this is an episode for you.

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!