CRxOWN Talks

“Who run the world? Girls.” 🎶But what happens when the women who run everything start feeling… off?In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re diving into the intersection of menopause, brain health, and high performance — because brain fog, burnout, and hormonal shifts can hit even the most accomplished women.Joining me is Dr. Agena Renee, a board-certified OB-GYN, speaker, and coach who is redefining how we talk about midlife and mental wellbeing. Together, we unpack what’s really going on when focus fades, emotions shift, and the mental load becomes overwhelming — and why so many high-achieving women feel like they’re struggling in silence.In this episode, we discuss:🧠 Brain fog, executive dysfunction, and cognitive changes🔥 Burnout, mood shifts, and mental health in midlife🧬 The link between menopause and late ADHD diagnoses💼 How high-achieving women can protect their wellbeing and still thriveAbout Our Guest:Dr. Agena Renee is a board-certified OBGYN, speaker, and coach who is transforming the way we talk about midlife, menopause, and mental wellbeing. After more than a decade in academic medicine as a clinician, educator, and residency leader, Dr. Agena shifted her career to focus on her true passion, supporting high-achieving women through the complex intersection of hormonal transitions, leadership, and neurodiversity.Her brand, Dr. Agena Renee, is built on both clinical expertise and lived experience. During her own perimenopausal journey, she was diagnosed with ADHD and faced profound burnout and depression, which sparked a personal rebirth and a mission to help other women navigate these same challenges with clarity, confidence, and compassion.Dr. Agena is now a sought-after speaker and coach who teaches women — and the organizations that employ them — how to better understand the cognitive and emotional shifts of menopause, including mood changes, executive dysfunction, and late neurodivergent diagnoses. Her warm, relatable, and deeply insightful approach empowers women to lighten their mental load, protect their wellbeing, and thrive in their careers and lives.Contact Dr. Agena Renee: Website: https://doctoragenarenee.comThis episode is your reminder: you’re not losing your edge — your body is asking for a new strategy.🎧 Tune in to Run the World (Girls) — because high-achieving women deserve support at every stage.#CRxOWNTalks #RunTheWorld #MenopauseMatters #BrainFog #BlackWomensHealth #HighAchievingWomen #HormoneHealth #MentalWellbeing #BlackNP

Beyonce said... “You won’t break my soul"… But not being heard in healthcare just might break trust.🖤In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re having a necessary conversation about HIV prevention in Black women — and the critical gaps that continue to put our communities at risk.Black women are speaking. Asking questions. Seeking care.So why are so many still being overlooked?Joining me is Dr. Christina Madison, a nationally recognized clinical pharmacist and public health expert, to break down where healthcare is missing the mark — and what providers must do differently to truly serve Black women.Together, we discuss:🧠 Why Black women are often left out of HIV prevention conversations💊 The role of PrEP and why access and education matter⚕🏾 How bias and communication gaps impact care📣 What it means to truly listen and center Black women in healthcareAbout Our Guest:Dr. Christina Madison is a nationally recognized clinical pharmacist, public health expert, and healthcare media contributor with over 20 years of experience. As the Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist, she specializes in culturally competent health communication, with a focus on HIV prevention, STI awareness, and advancing health equity. Dr. Madison is a trusted voice in media and public health, known for amplifying critical conversations around Black women’s health and empowering communities through evidence-based education.This episode is about more than prevention — it’s about being heard, being respected, and being prioritized.#CRxOWNTalks #HIVPrevention #BlackWomensHealth #ListenToBlackWomen #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #BlackNP

Ari Lennox sang about a different kind of pressure, but on this episode of CRxOWN Talks we’re talking about the kind that can quietly damage your body — high blood pressure.Often called the silent killer, hypertension can develop without symptoms while increasing the risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health issues. In this episode, we break down what blood pressure numbers actually mean, why hypertension impacts Black communities at higher rates, and what steps you can take to protect your heart.Joining me is LaToya Lucas, MSN, ANP-C, a nurse practitioner, educator, and health equity advocate who is passionate about expanding access to culturally responsive care. Together we discuss:❤️ Why hypertension is known as the silent killer🩺 How to understand and track your blood pressure numbers🥗 Lifestyle and prevention strategies that can make a differenceGuest Bio:LaToya Lucas, MSN, ANP-C, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, nurse practitioner, educator, and health equity advocate based in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is the Founder and CEO of Lucas Exceptional Healthcare & Consultation, a nurse practitioner–owned primary care practice dedicated to delivering patient-centered, culturally responsive care and expanding access to underserved communities in the Piedmont Triad region. She is also the founder and executive director of Simone Cares Center for Health Equity, a nonprofit organization in Greensboro, NC.With advanced training in adult/gerontological primary care and nursing education, LaToya blends clinical excellence with academic leadership. Her scholarly work centers on health equity, digital equity as a social determinant of health, and culturally competent obesity screening for African American women.A passionate community leader, LaToya is deeply engaged in civic and service organizations and is committed to empowering women, strengthening families, and advancing justice in healthcare. Above all, she is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother who believes in leading with purpose, faith, and service.🎧 Tune in to Pressure on CRxOWN Talks — because knowing your numbers could save your life.#CRxOWNTalks #Pressure #Hypertension #SilentKiller #BlackHealthMatters #KnowYourNumbers #HeartHealth #HealthEquity #BlackNP

Pelvic health is something we don’t talk about enough — but it impacts everything from bladder control to intimacy. In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re breaking the silence on pelvic floor dysfunction and what your body may be trying to tell you.Joining me is Dr. Sha’Rose Erion, PT, DPT, who helps us unpack why leaking is common but not normal, when to seek pelvic therapy, and why many people are doing Kegels completely wrong.In this episode we discuss:💪🏾 What pelvic floor therapy is❗ Signs it’s time to see a pelvic PT🧠 Common mistakes people make with KegelsGuest Bio:Dr. Sha’Rose Erion, PT, DPT is the owner and CEO of Rose Pelvic Physiotherapy, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Huntsville, AL. Dr. Sha’Rose is a Florida Girl, born and raised, an avid Miami Dolphins fan, and a lover of foods of all kinds. Her passion is in providing under-served and marginalized communities with the education and affirming care they deserve through wholeness and authenticity. Dr. Sha’Rose graduated with her Bachelor of Science from the University of South Florida, in Tampa, her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine, in Austin, and has trained directly under manual physiotherapists in Queensland, Australia. She has written for and been featured in multiple magazines and is a host and public speaker on all things health/wellness. To sum up Dr. Sha’Rose, she is a woman that enjoys her family, some sunshine, travel, and a hot plate of food.Pelvic health is whole-body health — and it’s time we talked about it.Check out Dr. Erion's lube she mentioned in the showhttps://www.rosepelvicphysio.com/product-page/oh-asis-personal-lubricant#pelvicfloortherapy #pelvicPT #PT #urinaryleakage #menopause #cancer #intimacy

“I’m a survivor, I’m not gon’ give up…” 🎶For the first time on CRxOWN Talks, we center something just as powerful as clinical knowledge: lived experience is expertise. In this special episode, we’re joined by Niasha A. Fray, MA, MSPH — breast cancer survivor, researcher, and health equity advocate — who shares her personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, along with the emotional and family dynamics that often go unspoken.Together, we discuss:💗 The emotional reality of hearing the words “you have cancer”💊 Navigating treatments and the physical toll of survivorship👨‍👩‍👧 How breast cancer reshapes family roles and support systemsAbout Our Guest:Niasha A. Fray, MA, MSPH is a breast cancer survivor, social and behavioral researcher, and health equity professional whose work centers the lived experiences of Black communities navigating health systems. She is the Founder and CEO of Niasha Fray Consulting LLC and host of the podcast Questions You Didn’t Ask, where she leads candid, evidence-informed conversations about health, trust, and social justice. Her scholarship and advocacy related to breast cancer survivorship and racial disparities in care have been featured in peer-reviewed journals and national platforms, including NPR and Duke University media outlets.To hear more from Niasha, tune in to her episode “Ageless Intimacy” on Questions You Didn’t Ask, which we discuss during this conversation.This episode is a reminder that healing is shaped not only by medicine, but also by story, community, and the power of voices that have lived the journey.#CRxOWNTalks #BreastCancerAwareness #Survivor #LivedExperienceIsExpertise #BlackWomensHealth #CancerSurvivor #HealthEquity #BlackNP

In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we explore the power of presence, listening, and emotional safety in schools with Reverend Keia R. Boyd — an ordained minister, certified social worker, grief educator, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist with over 20 years of experience in mental health, education, and community-based practice.Reverend Boyd is the founder of Living Beyond and Graced for Grief, two initiatives dedicated to providing grief education, SEL-aligned programming, and healing-centered support for individuals and organizations navigating loss and life transitions. Her work integrates evidence-informed social-emotional learning frameworks, trauma-responsive practices, and culturally responsive approaches to address how grief impacts learning, behavior, leadership, and overall well-being.In this conversation, we discuss why listening is one of the most powerful tools school counselors can offer, how grief shows up in students’ lives, and what it truly means to create grief-aware and emotionally safe school environments. Reverend Boyd also shares how schools, districts, faith-based institutions, and community organizations can work together to build cultures of compassion, resilience, and emotional literacy.Grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience, this episode reminds us that healing begins when students feel seen, heard, and supported.Guest Bio:Reverend Keia R. Boyd is an ordained minister, certified social worker, healing and hope strategist, grief educator, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist with over 20 years of experience in mental health, education, and community-based practice. She designs and facilitates educational workshops, professional development, and community programs that promote emotional literacy, resilience, and adaptive coping strategies. Her work centers family-focused practice, legacy building, and long-term community impact.Contact Reverend Keia R. Boyd:📧 [email protected]

🎶 This is how we do it… we take care of our health.In this New Year episode of CRxOWN Talks, Dr. Ragan sets the tone for 2026 by putting routine health maintenance on the vision board — because prevention doesn’t feel urgent until it is.We break down why this conversation matters right now, especially as Affordable Care Act protections face rollbacks and legal challenges that threaten access to preventive care many people don’t even realize they’re using.The episode also speaks directly to Black men about prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in men and one that disproportionately affects our community. With so many public diagnoses — including This Is How We Do It artist Montell Jordan — Dr. Ragan breaks down what prostate cancer screening actually looks like today, why early disease often has no symptoms, and why waiting for warning signs can be dangerous.If you’ve been putting off a checkup, avoiding the doctor, or assuming you’ll “know when something’s wrong,” this episode is for you.Because taking care of your health is how we do it.🎧 Listen. Share. And start the year Black, healthy, and crowned.

'Lemme see your Grillz'This week on CRxOWN Talks, we’re talking teeth — the culture, the care, and everything in between. Inspired by the hit song “Grillz,” this episode dives into the truth about oral health and why it matters for so much more than aesthetics. Our guest, Dr. Camille Tabor-Cobb, breaks down how oral health connects to whole-body wellness, the myths that keep our community from getting the care we deserve, and the daily habits that can make or break your smile.From that “missing side tooth” folks pretend isn’t gone, to tongue health, gum care, inflammation, and the rise of cosmetic dentistry (yes, including grillz!), we explore how access, culture, confidence, and health all collide in the mouth. Whether you floss daily or haven’t seen a dentist in a minute, this conversation keeps it real — and keeps you smiling.👩🏾‍⚕️ Meet Dr. Camille Tabor-CobbDr. Camille Tabor-Cobb is a dedicated dental professional with a rich background spanning the military, private practice, public health, and education. A proud Memphian, she began her journey at the University of Memphis and served in the Army Reserves while completing her undergraduate studies. She went on to earn her dental degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, setting the stage for a career grounded in service and community care.Dr. Tabor-Cobb commissioned into the Air Force as a Captain, completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program and ultimately serving a full decade in the military. After returning home to Memphis, she worked across rural Tennessee in locum roles, served as Dental Director for a Federally Qualified Health Center, and taught future dentists at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Her dedication to service also extends globally — she has traveled with students to Jamaica to provide essential dental care.Today, Dr. Tabor-Cobb focuses her work on communities that are too often overlooked or forgotten, ensuring that everyone — regardless of background — has access to the dental care they deserve. Outside the clinic, she finds joy in painting, traveling, and spending time with her lively and spirited son.Contact Dr. Tabor-CobbBlessed Smiles Mobile Dental(901)878-0242www.blessedsmilesmidsouth.comadmin@blessedsmilesmidsouth.com

Tupac said we gotta make a change in his song Changes... Well we are about to get into some health changes. This solo episode of CRxOWN Talks honors men’s health month Dr. Ragan dives into andropause — the gradual hormonal shift men experience as testosterone levels dip with age. From mood and motivation to muscle, intimacy, and overall vitality, this episode breaks down what’s happening inside the body and how to navigate it with knowledge and power.We’ll unpack the myths, the science, and the stigma — especially for Black men who face higher health risks and less access to care. Plus, hear real talk about natural ways to boost energy, how to eat for hormone health, and why those gas-station “enhancement” pills are not the move.#andropause #menopause #perimenopause #menshealth #nurse #nursepractitioner

We gone be alright! Tell em Kendrick. This episode of CRxOWN Talks invites men to the fight against breast cancer. Breast cancer isn’t just a women’s issue—men can be affected too, and their stories often go unheard. In this episode, we break the silence on male breast cancer, explore the signs to watch for, and share a real story of someone diagnosed with breast cancer. Join us as we raise awareness, fight stigma, and remind men everywhere: you’re not alone in this battle.

Bey said , “I break chains.” 🖤Those three words speak to strength, survival, and the power of prevention.Human trafficking isn’t just a “somewhere else” problem — it’s happening in our own communities, often hidden in plain sight. In this powerful episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re talking about awareness, protection, and what every family needs to know to keep our kids safe and free.Joining me is Coasy Hale, LMSW, Chief Operations Officer and Co-Founder of Restore Corps by Freed Life, where she’s spent the last seven years leading advocacy, survivor support, and community education across West Tennessee. With over 20 years of experience serving vulnerable populations, Coasy brings wisdom, compassion, and a deep understanding of how exploitation happens — and how we can all play a role in stopping it.We discuss:🧠 What trafficking really looks like (and what it doesn’t)💬 The warning signs every parent and school worker should know🌍 How communities can prevent exploitation before it starts🤝 The power of advocacy, collaboration, and survivor-centered careCoasy reminds us that freedom is not only a right — it’s a responsibility.Because when we protect our children, we protect our future.🎧 Tune in to Freedom: Keeping Our Kids Safe — because prevention starts with awareness, and awareness starts with us.Contact Coasy at restorecorps.org or the 24 hr hotline 901-409-6586National Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or Text INFO to 233733#CRxOWNTalks #Freedom #IBreakChains #HumanTraffickingAwareness #PreventionIsProtection #CommunityCare #RestoreCorps #BlackNP #ListenToBlackWomen #BlackWomensHealth

Nas said “I know I can…” but only if the system makes space for me. In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we sit down with Dr. LaStassia Williams — a nurse leader, educator, and Human Services Board Certified Practitioner — to talk about how health equity shows up in schools and why advocacy is a critical part of care.As Director of Health Services for a Texas school district, Dr. Williams leads district-wide initiatives to support student wellness and improve school outcomes. Recognized by D Magazine for Nursing Excellence in Leadership, she’s also an author and speaker who bridges health, education, and leadership with a passion for equity.We’ll dig into the invisible struggles school nurses face, the fight for resources in underresourced schools, and how trauma, access, and systemic barriers shape student health. Because every child deserves not just care — but the freedom to thrive.Connect with Dr. LaStassia Williams:🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lastassiawilliams📸 Instagram: @lastassiaw🌐 Website: lastassiawilliams.com

School nurses are often the first line of care for our kids, but their work goes far beyond Band-Aids and ice packs. In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re joined by Lisell Zuñiga, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, a powerhouse in school health leadership and advocacy.Lisell brings over eight years of experience in school nursing and administration, currently serving as Health Services Administrator for a large school district in Illinois. She also leads as President-Elect of the Illinois Association of School Nurses and hosts The School Nurse Huddle podcast, amplifying the voices of nurses who care for our children daily. Her leadership and contributions have been recognized with honors such as School Nurse Administrator of the Year and the 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award.Together, we talk about:🚌 What families often don’t realize school nurses really do🏥 How school health services connect kids to critical care📉 The impact of COVID-19 and beyond on children’s health💬 Why representation and advocacy matter for Black and Brown studentsLisell’s story is one of leadership, advocacy, and cultural pride. As an Afro-Latina from Panama, a mom of three, and a dedicated mentor, she brings both professional insight and lived experience to this vital conversation.🎧 Tune in to hear why school nurses aren’t just keeping kids in class — they’re keeping communities healthy.#CRxOWNTalks #SchoolNurse #BlackHealth #BlackHealthyCrowned #PublicHealth #CommunityCare #SchoolHealth #BlackNP #LatinaNurse #RepresentationMatters

School nurses are often the first line of care for our kids, but their work goes far beyond Band-Aids and ice packs. In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re joined by Lisell Zuñiga, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, a powerhouse in school health leadership and advocacy. Lisell brings over eight years of experience in school nursing and administration, currently serving as Health Services Administrator for a large school district in Illinois. She also leads as President-Elect of the Illinois Association of School Nurses and hosts The School Nurse Huddle podcast, amplifying the voices of nurses who care for our children daily.Together, we talk about:🚌 What families often don’t realize school nurses really do🏥 How school health services connect kids to critical care📉 The impact of COVID-19 and beyond on children’s health💬 Why representation and advocacy matter for Black and Brown studentsLisell’s story is one of leadership, advocacy, and cultural pride. As an Afro-Latina from Panama, a mom of three, and a dedicated mentor, she brings both professional insight and lived experience to this vital conversation.🎧 Tune in to hear why school nurses aren’t just keeping kids in class — they’re keeping communities healthy.#CRxOWNTalks #SchoolNurseLife #BlackWomensHealth #CommunityCare #SchoolHealth #BlackNP #LatinaNurse #RepresentationMatters

In Part 2 of It’s Getting Hot in Here, we keep it real about the parts of perimenopause and menopause that rarely get talked about — especially for Black women.Because it’s not just about hot flashes and mood swings — it’s about feeling seen, supported, and still fully yourself.Joining me again is Dr. Shakeeka Misher, a nurse practitioner and hormone health advocate who’s walking this journey herself and helping others do the same with honesty, compassion, and cultural care.We get into:💊 Non-hormonal supplements that can ease symptoms💞 How your partner can show up for you (and why they need to!)🔥 The truth about intimacy, desire, and vaginal dryness💨 And yes… even what that fan might be doing to your body 👀If you’re navigating the change — or loving someone who is — this episode is your reminder that you are not alone, and you deserve care that works.🎧 Tune in now.#CRxOWNTalks #MenopauseMatters #ItsGettingHotInHere #Perimenopause #BlackWomensHealth #IntimacyAndMenopause #BlackNP #ListenToBlackWomen #menopause #Blackhealth

🎶 “It's getting hot in here…” and not because you're overdressed. Hot flashes, mood swings, and sleepless nights are real — and they deserve real answers.In this episode of CRxOWN Talks, we’re turning up the heat — literally and figuratively — with a much-needed conversation about perimenopause and menopause, especially as they show up in Black women.Joining me is Dr. Shakeeka Misher, a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner with over 17 years of experience and a fierce passion for women's hormone health. After facing dismissals and care gaps during her own perimenopause journey, Dr. Misher built the space she needed but couldn’t find — one where Black women are seen, heard, and cared for with intention.Together, we break down:🌡️ Hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep struggles🧠 The emotional and mental shifts during hormonal changes🧬 Why culturally-informed care is essential💬 How to advocate for yourself and get the support you deserveWhether you're in perimenopause, full menopause, or just want to be prepared — this is the conversation we all need.Follow Dr. Misher:Instagram: @perimenopausepractitionerTikTok: @perimenopausepractitionerYouTube: Perimenopause PractitionerSubstack: perimenopausepractitioner.substack.comLinkedIn: Shakeeka Misher🎧 Tune in now. It’s short, smart, and made with care.#CRxOWNTalks #MenopauseMatters #ItsGettingHotInHere #BlackWomensHealth #Perimenopause #BlackNPBIO: Dr. Shakeeka Misher, a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner with over 17 years of experience in nursing and a lifelong commitment to showing up for women who are often unheard and underserved. Her service to women's care was born from both professional passion and personal experience. As a Black woman navigating the early symptoms of perimenopause, she encountered dismissals, gaps in care, and a lack of culturally informed support. She knew she wasn’t alone and I knew something had to change.Dr. Misher created what she needed but couldn’t find: a space where women could be fully seen, heard, and treated with intention. A place where hormone health is approached with compassion, education, and cultural context—not shame or dismissal.Dr. Misher's passion lies in rewriting the story of menopause, one rooted in advocacy, ownership, and joy. She is not just here to treat symptoms. She is here to help women reclaim their power, understand their bodies, and thrive in every season of life.She is not just walking this path, she is paving it with you. 

🎶 “Aye you look good, won’t you back that thang up…”This week on CRxOWN Talks, we’re talking about the one thing too many of us avoid: colon cancer screening.Inspired by Juvenile’s iconic anthem, “Back That Thang Up,” this episode takes a real, unfiltered look at why colon cancer is hitting Black communities harder and earlier, and what we can do about it.We’re breaking down:🔹 Why Black adults should start screening before age 45🥬 How diet plays a role in colon health🧼 What colonoscopy prep is actually like (spoiler: it’s not as bad as you think)Joining us is Dr. Ricketta H. Clark, DNP, FNP — a seasoned Family Nurse Practitioner with clinical expertise in Gastroenterology and Primary Care. With a career that spans hospitalist roles, nursing education, and healthcare leadership, Dr. Clark brings deep insight and real-world experience to the mic. She’s also a community advocate, currently serving on the Health Advisory Board for Porter-Leath in Memphis.This is your sign to protect your backside — literally.⏱️ 15 minutes or so. Real talk. Real solutions. Always for the culture.#podcast #CRxOWNTalks #BlackhealthyCrowned #Crownsecured #blackhealthmatters #colonoscopyawareness #colonoscopy #coloncancerprevention #GetScreened #nursing #BlackNP

“I gets high off your sugar, don’t know how to behave…” 🎶Or whatever D’Angelo said...Sugar can be addictive — but in this episode, we’re unpacking what that sweetness can really mean for your health.This week on CRxOWN Talks, we’re talking diabetes in the Black community — including prediabetes, carbs, healthy snacking, weight loss, and yes… how diabetes can impact your sex life. Our guest, Dr. Nykkia Sellers, NP, is a powerhouse in diabetes education. She’s a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, founder of Diabetes Care and Wellness, and serves on national advisory boards, including the American Diabetes Association. From launching programs in the Mid-South to receiving the AANP® State Award for Arkansas, she’s dedicated to changing how we talk about and manage diabetes.Follow Dr. Sellers on socials @DiabetesCare&Wellness and @thediabetes wellnessNPLet’s break myths, talk facts, and keep it short, sweet — and real.⏱️ 15 minutes or less. Always for the culture.

"Though I can't let you know it, pride won't let me show it... Pretend to be heroic...but deep inside, I'm so sick." – Jay-ZIn this follow-up episode, we keep the conversation going—digging even deeper into Black Men's Mental Health.We’re talking masculinity—not the version rooted in hardness and isolation, but one shaped by self-awareness, vulnerability, and growth.We also open up about therapy and medication—the tools that are often misunderstood, stigmatized, or kept quiet in our communities. What does it mean to seek help? What does healing actually look like? And how do we make space for both strength and softness?Whether you’re a brother navigating this journey or someone trying to better understand it, this episode is for you.Tune in. Reflect. Share it with someone who needs to hear it.

"I can’t see 'em comin’ down my eyes, so I gotta make the song cry."In this deeply moving episode, we lean into the silence behind the strength. Titled after Jay-Z’s Song Cry, we explore the emotional weight Black men carry—and the cost of never letting it show. I sit down with licensed counselor Rick Harrell for an honest, vulnerable conversation about mental health, masculinity, trauma, and healing in the Black community.Why are so many Black men taught to suppress their emotions? What does it mean to show up for yourself when the world expects you to stay silent? And how can therapy become a tool—not a taboo?Rick brings both lived experience and clinical insight to a dialogue that’s long overdue. This episode is about more than mental health—it’s about reclaiming the right to feel. We could not do this justice in 10 minutes, so I am breaking this up into 2 episodes. Part 2 drops next week!Guest Bio:Richard (AKA) Rick Harrell Jr. is a native Memphian and proud graduate of The University of Memphis, where he majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Sociology. After earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Rick worked in the Criminal Justice System for 11 years as a probation officer, working with adult and teen offenders. Rick later continued his education and completed a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. Rick also earned a second Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management. He is a licensed mental health provider in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Georgia, providing mental health services in all three states. Rick is currently a doctoral candidate at Freed-Hardeman University pursuing a Doctorate in Behavioral Health, where his research explores preventive approaches to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in law enforcement officers, with an emphasis on early intervention and resilience-building following exposure to trauma.Rick Harrell served as the Director of Employee Counseling for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for providing mental health services to corrections, law enforcement, and civilian staff. During his tenure in Shelby County Government, Rick served as Shelby County Pretrial Services Administrator and later the Chief Inspector Administrator for the Shelby County Jail Mental Health Programs Division. Rick is now the CEO & Owner of RH Counseling & Consulting, an agency that provides behavioral health services to adolescents, adults, and families. He is also a published author of the book What You See Is What You Get, A Spiritual and Non-Traditional Perspective to Understanding Behaviors Within Relationships.Contact Info: RH Counseling & Consulting  1331 Union Ave, Ste 1014Memphis, TN 38109Ph#: (901) 569-2103 or (901) 930-8418

It's the principle of pleasure! What if protecting yourself didn’t kill the vibe — but actually amplified it? In this episode of Crown Talks, I run it back with last episode's guests to talk about the tools we use for prevention can also be tools of pleasure. Let’s break it all the way down. Knowing your options is the ultimate flex. We talk language to use to assert your boundaries and ask your partner the questions to reach Pleasure. Protection. Power!

Salt-n-Pepa said let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be... Join me, Krista Thayer, and Andrea Moore as we talk HIV prevention and PrEP.For more information on PrEP reach out to your PCP or here is a national link to locate a PrEP provider. https://preplocator.org/Disclaimer:The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of any affiliated organizations. Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship.Krista Wright Thayer is the current End the Syndemic Manager of Health Services at the Shelby County Health Department decreasing rates of HIV, Hepatitis C, STI's, and substance use. She is a PhD student at the University of Memphis in the Urban Affairs and Public Policy program. She is on the board of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce as the Advocacy Chair, a member of the CDC Faith Advisory Board, End HIV 901 Advisory Board, St. Jude’s Community Champion Group for youth and Focus Mid-South Community Advisory Group. Her goals include the removal of barriers to care for everyone and a focus on stigma reduction. She aims to amplify traditionally unheard voices and increase representation for the queer South. Please quote her as saying, “We all deserve joy!”Andrea Moore is a dedicated Marriage and Family Therapist (Temporary Licensure) specializing in addiction counseling, harm reduction, and HIV prevention. With a passion for sexual health equity, Andrea hosts PrEPPED: Sex, Stigma, Science, and the South, a podcast that dismantles barriers to PrEP access, challenges stigma, and normalizes healthy sexual practices—particularly in Southern communities.Blending clinical expertise with advocacy, Andrea integrates trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and CBT into addiction treatment while promoting intersectional approaches to wellness. Their work bridges gaps between substance use recovery and sexual health, empowering clients to navigate recovery, harm reduction, and self-compassion.Andrea is committed to fostering inclusive, science-based conversations that center marginalized voices—both in the therapy room and on the airwaves.

It's CRxOWN Talks birthday, so we need a Birthday Song right? Well, like 2 Chainz said, they ask me what I do and who I do it for. Welcome to the introduction episode for The CRxOWN Talks podcast. In this episode I tell a little about myself and why I decided to start this series of health talks for the Black community and the providers that care for them. Read more about me at coveryourcrown.com