Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. "If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the ⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠ at 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can ⁠contact safety teams at the social media company⁠ . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need."

This week, we sat down with Dr. Pamela Buchanan, the visionary behind Strong Medicine, to examine the often-unspoken toll that stress and mental health challenges take on healthcare professionals—especially those working in the ER. Together, we explore the silent crisis facing those on the frontlines of care and what it truly means to reclaim wellness, resilience, and balance in demanding environments.

With a mission to empower physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and women leaders, Dr. Buchanan guides others to master stress, discover their purpose, and create lives rooted in health, wealth, and fulfillment. Through her signature programs and coaching, she helps women heal from within, prevent disease, and thrive with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

This conversation challenges us to rethink how we care for ourselves, especially those on the frontlines of care.

For more info visit: drbstrong.com.

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We’re Back – Welcome to Season 5!

In the season opener, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Alford Young Jr.—University of Michigan professor and founding director of The Scholars Network on Masculinity and the Well-Being of African American Men—to explore the complexities of Black male identity.

Together, they unpack the burdens, expectations, and societal pressures that shape how Black masculinity is perceived and lived. From emotional repression to distorted public narratives, the conversation examines how these forces impact mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Dr. Young offers powerful insight into how healing begins—not just through research, but through honest, community-centered dialogue.

Welcome to the Season 4 Finale!

Today, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Shawntal Z. Brown, a seasoned higher education professional and DEI advocate, to discuss the emotional and professional challenges faced by DEI practitioners amid increasing institutional pushback.

Shawntal shares insights from her article, "What to Expect When Expecting a DEI Layoff," where she candidly reflects on her own experience of being laid off due to anti-DEI legislation. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, community support, and resilience during such transitions. The conversation delves into the broader implications of these layoffs on the higher education landscape and the ongoing fight for inclusive excellence.

Connect with Dr. Brown:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShawntalBrown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawntal_brown_22/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawntalbrown/

TADOHE: https://www.tadohe.com/

TADOHE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-association-of-diversity-officers-in-

higher-education/?viewAsMember=true

TADOHE Twitter: https://x.com/TADOHE2

TADOHE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadohe

Connect with us:

Follow @notokbookprojectFollow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

In this powerful episode, host Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Amanda Hollowell, Interim Chief of Campaigns at Color of Change—the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. With a career rooted in organizing, advocacy, and bold leadership, Amanda shares how she and her team are pushing campaigns that hold power to account and create lasting change for Black communities.

From her early days with 9to5 Georgia to national impact with When We All Vote, Amanda’s journey reflects the heart of grassroots power meeting policy. We also talk about motherhood, legacy, and what it truly means to lead with purpose in a world that often resists justice.

This conversation will leave you charged up and ready to take action, offering both inspiration and practical insight on how to step into the fight for equity with intention and impact.

Connect with Color of Change:

https://www.facebook.com/colorofchange

https://x.com/ColorOfChange

https://www.youtube.com/user/colorofchange

https://www.instagram.com/colorofchange/

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Get ready for an eye-opening, honest, and inspiring conversation with Jane Dunhamn—founder and Director of the National Black Disability Coalition (NBDC) and a trailblazer in Black disability advocacy with over 50 years of experience.

Speaking with hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart, Ms. Dunhamn breaks down the big issues: ableism, the myths we believe about disability, how households respond to disabled family members, and what real inclusion actually looks like. Together, we talk about why disability justice matters, how race and disability intersect, and what all of us can do to better show up for disabled communities.

You won’t want to miss this one!

http://www.blackdisability.org

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart are talking lab coats, legacy and breaking all the ceilings with the brilliant Dr. Russell J. Ledet - co-founder and president of The 15 White Coats. In a journey from US Navy Veteran to Security Guard to a trailblazing, triple-boarded physician, Dr. Ledet is rewriting what success looks like in medicine.

In this episode, we talk about disrupting the status quo, why representation in the white coats matters for Black health outcomes, and how he's opening the doors for the next generation of Black excellence in medicine.

You'll leave this convo feeling inspired, empowered and reassured that "they not like us".

Learn More:
https://www.russellledet.com/
https://linktr.ee/drrussellledet
https://www.the15whitecoats.org/

More info on hosts, Justin & Antija: We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Today's episode is a mini reunion, as hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart are joined by Dr. Anica Mulzac.

Creator/Founder of Race (+) Positive, LLC, Dr. Anica also contributed the chapter "Preserving the Mental Health of Black and Brown Professors in Academia" to their 2022 book, "We're Not OK: Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies".
Dr. Anica is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in human behavior and group dynamics. As the Executive Clinical Director and Provost at Resilience Lab, Dr. Anica spearheads the development and expansion of the Resilience Institute, a learning platform for professional staff. She combines her passion for Race + Diversity with years of clinical training, research, and experience to help leaders and educators dismantle all expressions of racism, prejudice, and bias in their unique spheres of influence.
Join us as we welcome Dr. Anica to the stage.

Website: www.doctoranica.com

Instagram: Dr_Anica

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn: @DoctorAnica

Connect with us: We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Hosts Justin Stewart and Dr. Antija Allen welcome Rochelle Rawls and Girsea Martínez Rosas to the We're Not OK stage, both members of the Baddies in Tech community,

Rochelle Rawls is a highly regarded Diversity Talent Attraction Partner and community-recognized dot connector, and has been recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Recruiting Voices. With an impactful career spanning over five years in recruitment, Rochelle has made significant contributions to diversifying the tech and healthcare industries, with a focus on creating inclusive opportunities for underrepresented communities. Her expertise lies in navigating the complexities of tech recruitment, where she has played a pivotal role in dispelling misconceptions and providing valuable information about career pathways in the sector.
She is accompanied by Girsea Martinez Rosas, who has a decade of experience spanning technology, academia, and progressive advocacy, specializing in leveraging research to craft stories that energize people to change the world. Whether it’s working with educators to develop engaging digital learning tools or partnering with social justice organizations to amplify marginalized voices through technology, she consistently uses her research expertise to bridge gaps and create meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they most value.