Are we truly supporting Black boys emotionally — or just expecting them to be "strong"? Psychologist and researcher Dr. Alvin Thomas joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to unpack the mental health crisis impacting young Black men, the critical role fathers play, and how we can break generational cycles before it's too late.

Dr. Alvin Thomas, nationally recognized psychologist and leading expert on Black fatherhood and youth development, joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast for a powerful and solution-focused conversation about the emotional well-being of Black boys.

In this episode, Dr. Thomas challenges the idea that strength means silence. He explains how emotional suppression, lack of safe spaces, and generational trauma are quietly shaping the lives of young Black men — and what fathers, parents, and communities must do differently.

JoJo opens up about his own experiences as a father, leading to an honest dialogue about vulnerability, discipline, and how to raise boys who are confident, emotionally intelligent, and secure in who they are.

They dive into:
The silent mental health crisis impacting Black boys
Why emotionally present fathers change everything
How generational trauma shows up in parenting
Practical tools for raising resilient, confident young men
Breaking harmful stereotypes around masculinity

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Psychologist and mental health advocate Dr. Rheeda Walker joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast for an honest conversation about grief, trauma, and the cost of silence in Black communities. Together, they unpack why naming pain is essential to healing, how generational survival shapes emotional health, and what it truly takes to begin healing — individually and collectively.

Mental health is often discussed, but rarely addressed with honesty — especially in Black communities. On this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with Dr. Rheeda Walker, psychologist, researcher, and leading voice in mental health advocacy, for a necessary conversation about grief, trauma, and emotional survival.

Dr. Walker shares how personal loss and lived experience shaped her work, why silence around mental health can be just as harmful as trauma itself, and how grief shows up in our bodies, relationships, and communities. Together, JoJo and Dr. Walker explore what healing actually looks like when people are taught to "stay strong" instead of processing pain.

The conversation expands into cultural expectations, emotional labor, and the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability — especially for Black men and women navigating grief without support.

They also discuss:

• Why grief doesn't have a timeline — and why rushing healing can be harmful
  
  

• The difference between surviving trauma and actually healing from it
  
  

• How stigma keeps people from seeking help
  
  

• What doing good looks like when it comes to mental health and community care
  
  

This episode is a reminder that healing isn't weakness — it's necessary, intentional, and deeply human.

🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

What happens when the cannabis industry promises equity but delivers obstacles instead? Ernest Toney, founder of BIPOCAN, joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to expose the hidden barriers Black and brown entrepreneurs face in legal cannabis—from predatory practices to impossible tax rates. He breaks down what real equity looks like and how he's creating pathways for communities locked out of an industry built on their backs.

The cannabis industry claims to be creating opportunities for communities harmed by the War on Drugs—but is it really? Ernest Toney, founder of BIPOCAN (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Cannabis Network), sits down with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to reveal the truth about cannabis equity programs and why so many BIPOC founders are being set up to fail.

Ernest shares his journey from working at MJBizCon to launching a mission-driven organization that's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs navigate one of the most heavily regulated industries in America. Growing up with a father who worked at a correctional facility, Ernest witnessed firsthand how cannabis prohibition tore apart Black and brown communities. Now, he's fighting to ensure those same communities have real access to the legal cannabis industry—not just licenses, but capital, mentorship, and sustainable business pathways.

In this powerful conversation, Ernest and JoJo dive into:

• Why cannabis equity programs offer licenses but not the resources to succeed

• How predatory practices exploit BIPOC founders desperate for capital

• The mental health toll of leading a mission-driven business through feast-or-famine cycles

• Finding hope when progress feels slow and building something that lasts

• The difference between access and true economic equity

Ernest gets real about the "valley of despair" every entrepreneur faces, the importance of community and mental health practices like running and reading, and why he refuses to be a leader who pleases everyone. He also shares practical advice for anyone feeling locked out of opportunity—in cannabis or any industry.

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What happens when life forces you to grieve, parent through uncertainty, and rebuild your faith at the same time? Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with author and autism mom Alicia Lorde for a powerful conversation about grief, faith, motherhood, and resilience on the For Good Podcast.

Life doesn't always unfold the way we imagine — and for Alicia Lorde, survival became a daily act of faith. On this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with Alicia, author of True Survivor, for a raw and deeply honest conversation about grief, autism parenting, healing, and purpose.

Alicia opens up about losing her husband, raising a child on the autism spectrum, and confronting generational trauma while learning how to lean fully into her faith. Together, JoJo and Alicia explore what it means to heal when life feels overwhelming, how honesty and vulnerability become tools for growth, and why survival isn't meant to be the final destination.

The conversation also dives into the realities autism parents face — from emotional exhaustion to unseen fears — and the strength it takes to keep showing up, even when you're the village.

They dive into:

• Navigating grief while raising a child with autism
  
  

• How faith evolves when life doesn't meet expectations
  
  

• Breaking generational trauma through honesty and healing
  
  

• What resilience really looks like on the hardest days
  
  

• Moving from survival mode into purpose and hope
  
  

This episode is a reminder that healing is possible, faith doesn't require perfection, and your story can become a lifeline for someone else.

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What does success really cost when your mental health isn't protected? Joseph "JoJo" Simmons reflects on MJBizCon and sits down with Vic Mensa for an honest conversation about leadership pressure, mental health, and how fatherhood reshapes purpose, priorities, and legacy on the For Good Podcast.

MJBizCon brought together founders, leaders, and visionaries building real businesses — but some of the most impactful moments happened offstage. Joseph "JoJo" Simmons revisits MJBizCon with a powerful, reflective conversation alongside Vic Mensa on the For Good Podcast, diving into what success looks like when mental health and purpose come first.

In this episode, JoJo and Vic talk openly about the pressure of leadership, the expectation to always be "on," and the importance of protecting your mental health while navigating business, creativity, and life. The conversation naturally shifts into fatherhood, as Vic shares how becoming a dad has changed the way he moves, thinks, and defines success — not just as a parent, but as a man and leader.

They dive into:
The mental health challenges that come with leadership and visibility
Why success means nothing without emotional wellness
How fatherhood realigns priorities and purpose
Building legacy through intention, growth, and presence

This episode is a reminder that the real work happens within — and that healing, growth, and leadership go hand in hand.

🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

From grief and growth to balance and burnout — every guest we've had on The For Good Podcast has shared one common truth: healing starts from within.

In this special "For Good Reflections" episode, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons brings together powerful moments from past conversations, featuring guests opening up about how they care for their mental health, protect their peace, and stay grounded when life gets heavy.

You'll hear wisdom from voices like Dreka Gates, Vanessa Simmons, Angela Simmons, Lil Eazy E, Corvain Cooper, and more — each revealing their personal tools for healing, reflection, and self-preservation.

Whether it's therapy, faith, fitness, mindfulness, or simply slowing down, these stories remind us that mental health isn't just maintenance — it's movement. It's how we stay aligned with our purpose, break cycles, and live For Good.

In this For Good Reflections episode, JoJo Simmons revisits powerful moments from past guests as they open up about how they care for their mental health, protect their peace, and find balance in the middle of life's chaos.

From therapy and faith to fitness and mindfulness, these reflections reveal what healing really looks like behind the scenes — unfiltered, honest, and deeply human. Because taking care of yourself isn't selfish — it's For Good.

• The daily practices that protect our peace and mental clarity
  
  

• How therapy, faith, and fitness help us stay grounded
  
  

• The importance of slowing down and creating boundaries
  
  

• What healing looks like when life gets heavy
  
  

Why mental health is more than maintenance — it's movement

McKenzi Brooke has spent most of her life in front of a camera — but who is she outside the viral videos? The TikTok star, dancer, actor, and storyteller joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about growing up online, separating her real identity from her internet persona, navigating pressure at a young age, and turning criticism into fuel.

From her close bond with her family to the creative honesty behind her music, McKenzi opens up about the parts of her life people don't see — and what it really means to stay grounded when millions are watching.

McKenzi Brooke is one of TikTok's biggest breakout creators — a dancer, actor, musician, and storyteller who built a massive following by being relatable, creative, and unapologetically herself. But behind the viral moments is someone who has been performing since childhood, learning how to grow up while the internet watched.

In this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with McKenzi for a raw, thoughtful conversation about identity, pressure, confidence, and the power of knowing who you are beyond the screen.

McKenzi opens up about what it's really like to grow up in the public eye, how she separates her real personality from the one people assume she has online, and why she still considers herself "just a normal girl with weird quirks" despite millions of fans.

They go deep into:

• Growing up online and learning to stay authentic while the world watches

• Finding her voice beyond dance — from acting to storytelling to writing music

• Using heartbreak and friendships as creative fuel in her songwriting
  (yes… she thanks her exes for the inspiration)

• The support system that keeps her grounded — especially her brother and her mom

• How to handle comparison, hate, and pressure as a young creator ("Haterade is Powerade" might be the best quote of the episode)

• Why being underestimated became her superpower

McKenzi also shares the moment she was invited to the United Nations for women's empowerment — and what it felt like to be the youngest person in the room.

This episode is a reminder that the internet doesn't always show the full story — and that staying grounded starts with knowing yourself first.

Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on TikTok, Spotify, Apple, and everywhere you listen.

What happens when a lifetime journalist turns the camera inward? Award-winning CNN editor and author John DeDakis joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about truth, grief, mental health, and the painful losses that shaped him as a man, husband, and writer. He opens up about losing his sister and son, why men need to cry more, and how storytelling became his path toward healing.

John DeDakis spent decades shaping the news at CNN — but the stories that shaped him were the ones rooted in personal loss, truth, and resilience. The award-winning journalist, novelist, and writing coach sits down with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast for one of the most heartfelt, emotionally open conversations of the season.

John opens up about losing both his sister and his youngest son, how grief never truly ends, and why he believes men must learn to feel instead of suppress. He and JoJo dive into how journaling, mindfulness, and honest emotional expression saved him from breaking — and how those same tools can help others heal, too.

They explore:

• What CNN's fast-paced newsroom taught him about truth, storytelling, and integrity
  
  

• How grief changes a man, a marriage, and the way you show up in the world
  
  

• Why tears are necessary, not weak — and how "your tears become bullets" when you hold them in
  
  

• The evolution of journalism, misinformation, and the responsibility of telling real, human stories
  
  

• How he used fiction to process pain and why writing from a woman's perspective changed his life
  
  

• The sixth stage of grief — and how finding meaning rebuilt his purpose
  
  

In one of the most powerful moments of the episode, John shares that the proudest accomplishment of his entire career isn't CNN, his books, or the awards — it's the choice to fight for his marriage after losing his son. A raw, honest, deeply human conversation about love, loss, truth, and living "for good."

🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.