Dr. Moore interviewed Lilac Colandra, a marriage and family therapist and mindfulness life coach, about boundaries, mental health, and self-care. Lilac shared her personal journey into mental health work, including how her family background and experiences led her to pursue therapy, particularly her work helping clients navigate mental health within religious contexts. They discussed the importance of recognizing physical and emotional cues when boundaries are being crossed, the guilt often associated with setting boundaries, and how boundaries protect one's internal well-being rather than keeping others out. The conversation also covered stigma around therapy, particularly in religious communities, and emphasized that self-care should be viewed as maintenance rather than something reserved for crises, with practical examples like daily activities that promote relaxation and mental breaks. Links to Lilac Calandra for coaching services:https://www.facebook.com/lilac.calandraYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LilacCalandraInstagram https://www.instagram.com › lilac_calandra

Jennifer shared insights from a sermon by Bishop G. Mark Mitchell about the biblical figures Hannah and Peninnah, focusing on the difference between being reactive and proactive. She explained how Peninnah provoked Hannah, representing reactive behavior that leads to stress and mental drain, while Hannah chose to be proactive by praying instead of engaging in conflict. Jennifer emphasized the importance of moving beyond reactive patterns to proactive approaches in handling difficult situations, highlighting the benefits of prayer, setting boundaries, and maintaining peace.

In this deeply personal episode of the Empowering Minds Mental Health Podcast, Dr. Jennifer D. Moore shares a powerful testimony of resilience, trauma recovery, and transformation.This is not a story about titles or accomplishments.This is a story about survival.From online harassment, racism, threats, and public targeting — to the hidden medical toll of chronic stress and trauma — Dr. Moore opens up about the season that reshaped her identity, health, and faith.She discusses:• The psychological impact of being publicly attacked• How trauma alters your inner dialogue• The physical effects of prolonged stress, including chronic pain and immune challenges• Living with Klippel-Feil Syndrome Type I and inflammation under stress• Anxiety, hypervigilance, and the body’s response to fear• The unexpected healing found in simple moments of relief• Rebuilding confidence, peace, and purpose• Removing the “I’m fine” maskThis episode is about becoming — not who you used to be, but who you are growing into.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, targeted, anxious, or unseen… this conversation is for you.You bent.But you did not break.🎧 Listen. Reflect. Heal.#MentalHealth #TraumaRecovery #Resilience #HealingJourney #EmpoweringMinds

In this deeply personal episode of the Empowering Minds Mental Health Podcast, Jennifer Moore shares her journey through leadership under pressure, imposter syndrome, public scrutiny, and spiritual restoration.This is not a gossip episode. It’s not about reliving events or pointing fingers. It’s about growth, healing, and what happens when God restores you in front of the same people who misunderstood you.Jennifer opens up about:• The mental and emotional weight of leadership• Navigating imposter syndrome despite credentials and experience• The breaking point that impacted her health• Stepping away to protect her peace• Unexpected public redemption — including appearing on the NASDAQ billboard in Times Square• Walking across the stage to earn her Doctorate in Christian Theology• And the release of her upcoming book, Becoming: Mask OffThis episode is for anyone who has ever felt judged, overwhelmed, embarrassed, or unsure how to come back from a hard season.Your fall does not cancel your destiny.Redemption is real.Healing is possible.And your story is not over.

This podcast episode featured Dr. Andrea Niestas discussing mental health awareness and support strategies. Dr. Niestas shared her 25-year career in behavioral health, including 20 years in inpatient settings, and her current work as a life coach helping people achieve fulfillment. The discussion covered key signs of mental health struggles, including mood changes, sleep patterns, isolation, and behavioral changes, along with practical guidance for supporting someone in crisis. Dr. Niestas outlined steps for approaching conversations about mental health, active listening, and encouraging professional help while respecting the individual's control over their care. The conversation also addressed different levels of mental health care, the distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists, and available resources, including the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale and various support organizations.Website: https://lifecoachingbyandrea.godaddysites.comSocials:https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachingbyandreahttps://www.instagram.com/LifeCoachingByAndreahttps://www.tiktok.com/ ⁨@LifeCoachingByAndrea⁩  https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@LifeCoachingByAndrea⁩  ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaniestasphdResources:https://www.nami.orghttps://988lifeline.org/get-helphttps://mentalhealthfirstaid.orghttps://takeaction4mh.com

Jennifer conducted a podcast interview with Simone, an Army veteran and author of "PTSD and What Helped Me," focusing on Simone's experiences with trauma and PTSD following a military sexual assault that went undiagnosed for 10 years. Simone shared her journey from trauma to advocacy, emphasizing that PTSD is treatable and can affect non-combat experiences like sexual assault. She discussed the importance of addressing PTSD through multiple approaches including physical exercise, therapy, and journaling, and highlighted that her book and workbook provide practical solutions rather than just personal memoirs. Simone stressed that PTSD doesn't have to control someone's entire life and encouraged survivors to seek help, noting that military sexual trauma is underreported and affects many more people than commonly acknowledged.Website: https://www.ptsdandwhathelpedme.comBook via Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bNASZSP or https://www.ptsdandwhathelpedme.comSocials:https://www.instagram.com/ptsdandwhathelpedmehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/monie-swartz-21a472348https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Ptsdandwhathelpedme⁩  https://www.tiktok.com/@PTSDandwhathelpedme

Jennifer conducted a podcast interview with Sarah Merritt Ryan, a mental health advocate who shared her experience with psychosis and recovery. Sarah discussed her journey from being overprescribed Adderall in college to experiencing multiple psychotic breaks over a two-year period, highlighting the importance of emotional recovery alongside cognitive recovery. She emphasized how emotional recovery involves trusting and believing in oneself, navigating stigma around antipsychotic medication, and building a support system. Sarah recommended NAMI support groups, therapy, and maintaining hope as key components for early recovery, while also sharing her ongoing work as a speaker and writer focused on mental health education and stigma reduction.

Jennifer conducted an interview with Lonnie Atkinson for her Empowering Minds Mental Health Podcast, focusing on Lonnie's journey through addiction and recovery. Lonnie shared his story of growing up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, facing challenges with his mother's substance abuse, and eventually finding peer support while incarcerated. He discussed how multiple losses, including his brother's overdose, his mother's death, and his brother's suicide, shaped his approach to helping others in recovery. Lonnie emphasized the importance of taking action rather than just thinking about change, maintaining sobriety for nearly three years, and finding motivation through his relationship with God and family support. He concluded by offering advice to others struggling with addiction, encouraging them to write down their goals, seek help from trusted mentors, and try harm reduction approaches.

The podcast episode focused on the topic of doom scrolling and its impact on mental health, featuring Noel Miller, a health and wellness expert with 15 years of experience. Noel explained that stress is not just a chemical reaction but anything that impedes personal growth, and he discussed how doom scrolling disrupts cognitive processes and prevents deep thinking. Jennifer shared her personal experience with excessive social media use affecting her sleep and focus, while Noel emphasized that technology should be used as a tool for connection rather than replacing human experiences. The conversation concluded with Noel encouraging listeners to focus on mental nutrition and creating environments that empower personal growth, rather than just addressing mental health issues.Follow Noel on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/design.fitness/Contact info for Noel: https://www.designfitness.ca/

Jennifer conducted a podcast interview with Mike Sealy, a former senior leader at companies like Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft, who now runs a coaching business called Zinc Global focused on inclusive leadership and helping people overcome imposter syndrome. Mike defined imposter syndrome as the persistent belief that success isn't truly earned, explaining how even high-achieving professionals experience it due to perfectionism, self-criticism, and comparison with others. He discussed practical strategies for managing imposter feelings, including redefining success as progress rather than perfection, tracking evidence of competence, and normalizing mistakes as learning opportunities. Mike also shared specific recommendations for leaders to create environments that reduce imposter syndrome through modeling vulnerability, praising effort and strategy, providing specific feedback, encouraging healthy risk-taking, and creating psychological safety. The interview concluded with Mike promoting his book "Mindset Unlocked" which addresses imposter syndrome and growth mindset concepts, and he shared his personal experience of facing imposter feelings during a leadership program where he was the only Black leader among 60 participants.LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/sealymikeMINDSET UNLOCKED: How Leaders, Learners, and Dreamers Crush Self-Doubt and Unlock True Potential via Amazon https://a.co/d/00aWUd8aBook a discovery call - https://calendly.com/mike-sealy/discovery-call