Black Men & Mental Health: Blake Johnson on Creativity, Depression & Podcasting

Content Note: This episode includes open conversation about depression, mental health challenges, and suicide. If this topic is sensitive for you, please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support in the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Blake Johnson, creator of Diary of a Mad Black Man and founder of the Black Podcast Club, for a grounded conversation about Black men's mental health, vulnerability, and creative liberation through audio storytelling. Blake shares how podcasting became both a therapeutic outlet and a historical record of his lived experience navigating depression, anxiety, hospitalization, and renewal. The discussion explores isolation, stigma, survival, and the responsibility that comes with documenting your story in real time. Talib and Blake also reflect on independent podcasting, industry pressure, creative freedom, and building intentional community through the Black Podcast Club. This episode is especially relevant for podcasters, creatives, mental health advocates, and anyone working through transformation while remaining visible. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DISCLAIMER: You may notice that the audio on this episode isn't as crisp as our usual standard. We experienced some technical issues during recording. That said, Blake Johnson's perspective on creativity, depression, and mental health is powerful and worth your time. We invite you to lean in and stay with the conversation. The substance of what he shares carries weight. Thank you for your patience and for listening beyond the imperfections. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 05:00 Diary of a Mad Black Man: Origins and Mental Health Journey 10:00 Podcasting as Therapy and Personal Reflection 15:00 Realizing the Work Is Bigger Than You 20:00 Black Men, Isolation, and Mental Health Conversations 25:00 Privilege of Survival and Choosing to Keep Going 30:00 Building Legacy Through Audio Storytelling 35:00 Creative Freedom vs Industry Pressure 40:00 Evolution, Vulnerability, and Showing Up Anyway 45:00 The Black Podcast Club and Community Rebirth 50:00 Final Reflections and Creative Advice To learn more about Blake Johnson: https://linktr.ee/Podfather_ Follow on Instagram: @diaryofambm and @theblackpodcastclub Subscribe for more conversations spotlighting creators, builders, and voices pushing audio forward. Watch on YouTube or stream on your preferred podcast platform. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform. VhDkj7LL6ff4n5Ik0bHi