When We Speak is a podcast where we have inspirational, candid, and empowering conversations. It’s a place where we share insight into how we cope, heal, and find meaning in a wide range of experiences. Hosted by mental health therapist, speaker, and author of “What Children Remember”, Tasha Hunter, MSW, LCSW.
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31: Andrea Kingsley Miller
Today's episode is with my closest friend Andrea Kingsley Miller. We recorded this episode at Andrea's home during the weekend of my birthday weekend and it was easily one of the BEST birthdays I've ever celebrated. Having Andrea as a friend has honestly been the gift I didn't know I needed. She is one of the kindest, most empathetic people I've ever met and I am so glad that we both took a chance at getting to know each other and being intentional about growing our Instagram conversations into an actual friendship. On this episode we discuss the following:
—Why I'll never be anyone's token Black friend
—The importance of safe friendship
—Being your full self in relationships
—The grief experienced when relationships end
30. Bonus Episode: People Pleasing
Today's episode is by request and I'm speaking about the people pleasing. I am discussing some of what I believe is the root cause of people pleasing behavior, symptoms of people pleasing behavior, Internal Family Systems perspectives as the behavior being a protector, and the long-term impact of people-pleasing, and ways to address the behavior and speak up without allowing fear to stop you.
29. Black Women Woes Part I
Today's episode was birthed from an idea that I had several months ago. So Cha, Lettie, Marcie, and Patricia all said yes to speaking about the power of being a Black woman and some of what we deal with on a regular basis. I wanted to utilize the month of August to talk to feature all of us together. This episode is more than I could have dreamed. They represent healing, love, courage, authenticity, and truth. Listening to the convo made me proud to be in community with them and this wasn't just a podcast recording--- it was Black Woman power being exemplified. Here are just a few of the questions that I asked them:
1. What will you no longer return to?
2. What will you no longer accept from others?
3. How are you honoring your Blackness from the perspective of self-care?
4. How is pleasure incorporated into your lives? What give you pleasure?
5. What have you learned about love?
28. Lettie Elizabeth
On today's episode I get to interview my friend Lettie Elizabeth about what it means to be an actual historian and why it's important for history to be taught by people of color. Lettie also shares why this country has a fear of Black history and how education was kept from Black people. Lettie goes on to discuss the following:
—How she practices self-care
—Productivity vs self-worth
—How she shows up authentically
—The importance of doing what you're called to do
—How she honors her ancestors
—What she wants people to learn from her lessons
27. Post-Abortion Forgiveness and Healing with Patricia Taylor
"The more I began to really explore who God is apart from people who profess the name of God, then I started to know more about my own worth and my own value in God's eyes and the love that Jesus has for me regardless of what I've done." - Patricia Taylor
In this episode, Patricia Taylor shares her experience having an abortion at the age of 19 years old. Patricia reflects on the pain and trauma experienced after the procedure and what ultimately led to her desire to share her story with others.
26. Bonus Episode : Barriers to Safe Bodies, Trusted Relationships, and Healthy Sex
Trigger Warning: I discuss childhood sexual abuse, sexual trauma, and other forms of childhood maltreatment.
This episode is inspired by Glennon Doyle's podcast " We Can Do Hard Things". I listened to her most recent episodes which pertain to sex. It made me realize the importance of speaking out and why we must do everything possible to de-stigmatize the topic of sex and sexuality. It also prompted me to want to discuss some of the barriers that we face that prevent us from having healthy sexual relationships with others and why at times we feel unsafe in our bodies. As many of us know, it is often due to child abuse. As long as I have a voice, I will never grow tired of advocating for abused children and anyone living with PTSD due to childhood abuse, neglect, and abandonment. I will never get tired of speaking about how we heal. If you would like to listen to those episodes here they are:
—Silent Sex Queen
—Sexy Qs, Farewell to Faking It & Vouching For Vibrators
25. Anxiety And Other Barriers To Becoming with Monica DiCristina
" What I know for sure is, it's never too late and it's never over."
My friend Monica DiCristina joins me for today's show where we discuss anxiety, grief, fear, and common barriers to becoming the person you were always meant to be. Monica shares her experience with anxiety which is sure to encourage and inspire listeners to keep going even with fear.
24. Authentic Friendship with Cha Sears-Barefield
" If I have to modify myself for you to value, see, or hear me--- then that means I'm not seen, valued, or heard." Cha Sears- Barefield
On today's episode, I get to talk with my friend and sister Cha Sears-Barefield. I first became acquainted with Cha while listening to her the Still Becoming podcast with Monica DiCristina, Episode 65 for anyone who would like to listen to this powerful, loving, and passionate woman. Cha has the kind of voice that commands anyone in her presence, to take a seat and just listen--- because if you don't you're going to miss something valuable and potentially life-changing. Cha shares the following:
—what life has taught her about people
—what she's learned about authentic relationships
—how to exit toxic relationships
—what it means to show up for others
—how to know when you've found your people
23. Self-Harm and Finding Love Within Yourself with Grace Kingsley Miller
"Hey I see this pain. I see it. I'm willing to sit with you in it. I don't want to drag you out of it. I don't want to tell you it's going to be ok. I see you. And that pain is valid, but that pain won't last forever."
On today's episode we are hearing from Grace Kingsley Miller as she shares her journey healing from self-harm. Grace reveals what it was like growing up and being unable to express her feelings at a young age. During this conversation, Grace bravely shares past family difficulties that led her to protect herself by becoming a people-pleasure at an early age. While coping with painful and unexpressed emotions, Grace details the impact of not having any safe people or spaces.
22. Being Black in STEM with Diamond Williams
On today's episode we listen to Diamond Williams as she shares why we need more Black professionals in the STEM ( science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field. Diamond works in the engineering field and shares her professional journey. She delves into some of the barriers that prevents so many people from entering the STEM field and how they can move past those barriers.
21. Travel Can Heal with Jackie Roby
"I know what real looks like and as a trauma survivor...I also know what healing looks like."
Today's interview is with Jackie Roby. Jackie details her story of surviving childhood sexual trauma, coping with family secrets, PTSD, and her journey to finding freedom from the shame and secrecy. Jackie's career in the travel industry led her to the world of wellness travel and healing retreats. Jackie shares how travel can heal those who suffer with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Jackie also started a movement called #TravelCanHeal to support those in need of healing.
20. Revolution of Love Ministry with Rev. Felicia Parazaider
"If one is committed and married to systems, structures, and any forms of hatred, oppression, and violence, it's probably not going to work for you here. You might want to keep it moving."
Today we are speaking with Reverend Felicia Parazaider about her Revolution of Love Ministry. We discuss what prompted her to create this community and why community is important.