Black Mental Health, Sex & Marriage | Dr. Monique Tarver, PsyD

Send us Fan MailY'all. This episode. Dr. Monique L. Tarver walked into the D&D studio and did not hold back, not even a little bit. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over two decades of experience, a published researcher, a ministry leader, and one of the most grounded, real, and brilliant people we have had the pleasure of sitting with. This conversation covers a lot of ground, and every single topic connects back to something that matters for your health, your relationships, and your life.Here's what we got into:Why "pray about it" has value AND why it cannot always be the only tool, and how to know which one you needThe real definition of mental health (hint: it is a process, not a destination, and it is not just the absence of stress)How "protecting your peace" can actually be a form of avoidance, and what accountability looks like when it's been mislabeled as toxicityDr. Tarver's take on AI as therapy, why she sees value in it as a supplement but not a replacement for human connectionWhat 80 combined years of marriage looks like at one table, including the biggest lie people tell themselves before walking down the aisleWhy marriage is 100/100 and not 50/50, and what that actually means when you're running on emptyDr. Tarver's published research on Black women's sexual health, the shame-blame-guilt cycle that starts in middle school, and why most Black women were never taught to expect pleasureHow she holds her faith and her clinical practice in the same hands without choosing sidesWhat disrupting your own life looks like in practice, from slow mornings and coffee to walking the Whitney Plantation and arriving at gratitudeAbout Dr. Monique L. Tarver: Dr. Monique L. Tarver is a licensed marriage and family therapist, wellness educator, curriculum designer, and published author whose research on the sexual health of Black women has been featured in the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy. She is the founder of Good Times Ahead Marriage and Family Ministries, where she has served couples and families since 2000. She is also an adjunct professor training the next generation of therapists. When she is not in session or in the classroom, she is spending time with her husband of nearly 30 years, Mr. Wonderful (spelled O-N-E-derful, and yes there is a reason for that), and their four children.Before you close this episode: If something Dr. Tarver said hit a nerve, that is the conversation you need to keep having. Share this episode with someone who grew up being told to pray about it and never got anything else. They need to hear this.The Disrupt and Discuss podcast is offering a free Misogi goal-setting template to help you prepare for 2026. This resource identifies your specific goal-setting style and provides a structure that works for your brain. Whether you are building a business or improving health, the framework turns ideas into challenging but doable goals. You can access this free offer by clicking the link in the description. Support the showDnD YouTube: https://shorturl.at/vXTkeDnD Instagram: https://shorturl.at/IxIH4DnD TikTok: https://shorturl.at/WH2YPREFERRAL LINKS -  🎙️ Edit Faster, Sound Better, Create Smarter! 🎬I use Descript for seamless podcast & video editing—auto-transcription, AI tools, and pro-quality sound in minutes!Try it FREE today: 👉 https://get.descript.com/tn15bft44m9f🎙️ Launch & Grow Your Podcast with Ease! 🚀I use Buzzsprout to host and distribute my podcast—it’s simple, reliable, and packed with great tools!Start your podcast today! 👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2375227📩 FREE DOWNLOADS - https://stan.store/BesheaVenturesOps 2026 Misogi Goal Reset Guide & The Hiring Brief