Resilient Black Women
by Joi McGowan, Producer/Co-Host and Deneshia Simpson Co-Host
The Resilient Black Women podcast highlights BLACK MENTAL HEALTH. Joi and Deneshia are licensed professional therapists who come to the mic talking about how mental health can be supportive to the Black community. Oftentimes, these episodes shed light on stories of resilience for Black Women and Women of color. They are mothers, professionals, and community advocates for social justice, change, and holistic well-being. They believe that education and advocacy can sometimes happen through conversation and connection. They are redefining strength and resilience for all women. Take a listen.
Episodes
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RBW SZN 6 Ep.3 : Black Culture Thrives
RBW SZN 6 Ep.3 : Black Culture Thrives ✨ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ In this episode, Joi and Deneshia explore how Black culture is THRIVING 🌱🔥 while diving deep into the importance of safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community and Black men 🖤🌈 Joi highlights a recent article naming Arkansas as the...
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RBW SZN 6: Welcome Back Deneshia!
SZN 6 of the Resilient Black Women Podcast is HERE! We’re back and better — and welcoming our amazing co-host Deneshia back to the mic! This season, we’re diving deep into the issues impacting Black women — from the weight of survival mode to the truth about depression in our communities.…
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RBW SZN 6 Continues
In this heartfelt transition episode, Deneshia and Joi open up about the changes happening both in the world and in the journey of their podcast. From new directions in their message to saying goodbye to a partnership with KUAF NPR Radio as host and producer, this episode marks a bold and…
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Friendship for Valentines Day?
We welcome back our producer Leah Grant for the “Producers Corner” series!
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“Transitions in 2025: Embracing Change, Owning Our Voice”
In this episode, we’re diving deep into transitions that have occurred for us in 2025—
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RBW Season 5: Deneshia’s journey with therapy
Welcome back to our new segment called “Producer’s Corner”.In this episode our producer, Leah will interview Deneshia about how she got into therapy and why she continues to pursue her passion in the mental health and wellness community.
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RBW Season 5: Joi’s journey with therapy
Welcome back to our new segment called “Producer’s Corner”!In this episode our producer, Leah will interview Joi about how she got into therapy and why she continues to pursue her passion in the mental health and wellness community.
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RBW Season 5: Reflections of art, therapy, and hope with Lakisha Bradley!
Lakisha Bradley is no stranger to the podcast. She has been a consistent friend and community partner for us. We are excited to have her back! In this episode she shared her passion for art as it stems from both her father and her mother. She traces the early civil rights activism her father had…
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RBW Season 5: Post Election Reflections
This episode is a reflection of what has happened since 11/5. Joi, Dr. Jordan and Dr. Silena share their reflections of the election. This episode is all about helping us find our way in during a Trump Presidency! We deal with issues of feminism versus womanism. Dr. Jordan reminds us all that we...
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RBW Season 5: Food as passion and Mental Health as an avenue for healing the Black Man
On this podcast, we often hear the Black woman’s perspective but we also want to listen to Black Men. In this episode, Deneshia and Joi want to pause to interview a Black man on how he has allowed his passion to fuel his healing journey.Nate Walls has been a pillar in the Northwest Arkansas...
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RBW Season 5: ELECTION SEASON & MENTAL HEALTH
SPECIAL EPISODE FOR THE CULTURE: In this episode you hear Joi McGowan talking with special guests Dr. Silena Scott and Dr. Jordan Harris all things ELECTION! As we know this year is election year, tensions are high and yet this election is so monumental to have a Black woman running for…
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RBW SEASON 5: Healing through the arts with Na’Tosha Devon
Deneshia and Joi had a chance to sit down with Na’Tosha Devon to talk about her way of finding healing through the arts. She reminds us that our resilience is not just about out strength. She asserts that our resilience has a lot more to do with our ability to be vulnerable and deeply connected....
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RBW SEASON 5: Producer’s Corner: Let’s talk all things attachment
Our Producer Leah Grant is an artist in her own right. Leah is a passionate artist based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who brings a personal touch to her craft. She graduated with her MFA in Studio Art from the University of Arkansas’ School of Art program in 2021 and her BFA from Henderson State...
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RBW SEASON 5: Inspired by special guest Larissa Ramey
Larissa Ramey is a multi-disciplinary maker, entrepreneur, and arts organizer. Deneshia & Joi invited Larissa for a conversation on the intersection of art and mental health. Larissa, shares her unique perspective within her own healing journey, motherhood, and the development of her artistry. We...
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RBW Season 5: Welcome to Season 5!
Welcome to Season 5! You will catch Deneshia and Joi sharing their heart behind the intersection of mental health and art. Season 5 of RBW is all about learning from the local artists in NWA! Deneshia and Joi share how they use art in the therapy room. They share their thoughts on what’s been...
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk more about Black Men in Therapy Episode with Dr. James Hawkins
Welcome Back Dr. James Hawkins, LPC, Certified EFT Trainer/Supervisor! We talked with James about therapy and Black Men. James shared light on how to encourage and support Black Men to take care of themselves by prioritizing their own mental health. He gave us so many tips on how to just be a…
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk Belonging with Tfatgshsheo from South Africa
Tšhegofatšo Ndabane is a writer, podcast publicist for mental health practitioners, and Master of Arts in clinical psychology candidate at the University of Cape Town. Her words have been featured in various international publications including Refinery29, Well + Good, Life & Thyme, and APL…
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk Vulnerability with Dr. James Hawkins
Dr. James Hawkins, is a dear friend, colleague and something like a big brother to Joi and Deneshia. James is a certified trainer in EFT COUNSELING/Supervisor. He is the host of The Leading Edge Podcast for therapists and the host of a marriage podcast with his wife, called A More Excellent Way....
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk Health and Pleasure with Tiara Hudson, LCSW, LISCW, Local Therapist
Tiara Hudson, LCSW, LISCW is a therapist located in NWA and seeing clients virtually! She stopped by to talk to us all about HEALTH AND PLEASURE. Tiara shared her story and journey with her own health. She redefines pleasure as the guide to her healthy living lifestyle. She says, she allowed...
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk Passion and Purpose with Nicole, Host of Nicole Please podcast!
Nicole is the host of the Nicole Please Podcast streaming on all major platforms! Joi and Deneshia had the privilege of hearing more of Nicole’s passion and purpose. She shares why she started her podcast and more of her story of learning how to set boundaries and prioritize her own health. She...
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk Failure and Refocusing with Shakira Eason, LCSW
Shakira Eaksins, LCSW stops by the studio this week to tell us more about her journey with failure. We often consider failure to be negative or even life threatening. Shakira redefines failure as a way to help refocus one’s goals and aspirations. Her spin on failure helps us to tell a better…
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk All Things Mothering and Building a Career with Nicola Hawkins, LAC
Nicola Hawkins is a Licensed Associate Counselor who works at The Joshua Center in Northwest Arkansas. She is also hosting her own podcast called, Healing for Her, which is streaming everywhere! Deneshia and Joi really appreciated the authenticity of this interview. Deneshia says, “Nicola is one…
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RBW Season 4: Let’s Talk Legal with Dequishia Prude-Wheeler
Dequishia Prude Wheeler, the owner and founder of Prude Legacy Law Group PLLC. Prude Legacy Law Group is a premiere modern law firm focused on providing business and estate planning services to communities of color. She talks to us passionately about her practice and the importance for all of us…
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RBW Season 4: Let's Talk About Justice and Black Women
Gina is the founder and director of The Essie Justice Group is on a mission to harness the collective power of women impacted by mass incarceration and empower these women to help end mass incarceration. Deneshia and Joi were so grateful to talk with Gina! In this episode you will learn ways you...
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RBW Season 4: Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! This is the first episode of season 4! Deneshia and Joi make some space to identify how they feel about the New Year and how they are trying to tackle this year. One thing to note is that this is the only LIVE recording for this season due to Joi’s upcoming delivery of her 4th...
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RBW Season 3: Accept & Embrace it All with author Kim Bell
Kim Bell talks with Deneshia and Joi all about her new book, Accept and Embrace it All! Kim’s honest about her life and what helps sustain her. Kim talks about acceptance helped her to embrace even the most difficult things that have happened in her life. She left our hosts Deneisha and Joi…
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RBW Season 3: Special guest Heidi Dennis, discusses her book which is all about anxiety
Heidi Dennis,MS, LPC is a therapist and author of her new book Hello Anxiety! Deneshia and Joi invited Heidi to come into the studio to tell us all about her new book! In this episode Heid defines anxiety as she discusses so many tangible ways to help you deal with your own anxious thoughts!...
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RBW Season 3: Setting boundaries with family when there is trauma
Deneshia and Joi share a little about why boundaries are so important in your life when there has been trauma in your family, friendships or even dating relationships.Deneshia and Joi really wanted to take time to recognize that the holidays are not always good for all of us. They hope you give...
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RBW Season 3: What is trauma and how do we heal?
Deneshia and Joi were so honored to talk with Shakira about this topic. Trauma is all too common for many of us. Sometimes it is difficult to heal. We hope this episode serves as a reminder that you are more than the trauma that has happened to you. We hope you find the tangible tools discussed…
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RBW Season 3: RBW Let’s Talk About SEX! For Mature Audiences ONLY.
Dr. Candice is an award-winning associate professor of counseling psychology at the University of Kentucky, where she studied sexual wellness and liberation. She is the host of F*ck the System: A Sexual Liberation Podcast, as well as How to Love a Human, a liberation podcast that asks people with...
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RBW Season 3: Black Women and IMPOSTER SYNDROME
In this episode Deneshia and Joi tackle the issue of Imposter Syndrome! Today's topic is all about dispelling the lies we tell ourselves regarding imposter syndrome! Joi shares the research on how these cognitive schemas get us stuck as Black Women. All people probably from time to time struggle...
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RBW Season 3: Transitions, Boundaries, and Barriers
Deneshia and Joi begin a new season with a discussion about honoring life’s transitions! Joi shares some big news with the listeners! Deneshia talks about the importance of guarding our emotional energy. Deneshia shares that transitions are maybe not always so exciting. She hopes our listeners…
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Resilient Black Women: Reflections of Our Time at UAPB
Joi and Deneshia reflect on their time at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff earlier this Spring, where they led a presentation on Black girls and mental health.
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Resilient Black Women: Talking About Trauma with Bricia Tatiana Mayombo
Trigger Warning - This episode discusses child sexual abuse, assault, and trauma. Joi and Deneshia talk with Bricia Tatiana Mayombo, a certified Healing and Transformation Coach. She is on a divine mission to help women on their journey of healing from past trauma and become the best version of...
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Resilient Black Women: The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Black Women
Continuing the series on Black Women's Health in March, this episode features Joi and Dr. Bri. Dr. Bri specializes in perinatal care, pediatric care, and athletic care. Originally from Edmond, Oklahoma, she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and…
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Resilient Black Women: Creating Your Plan for Success with Dominique Blake
Joi and Deneshia speak with Dominique Blake. A standout athlete since childhood, Dominique has written her goals, stuck to her game plan of success, and committed herself to become the very best she can be in every facet of life. Her mission has always been to motivate others to understand that…
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Resilient Black Women: Black Women's Gynecological Health with Dr. Gabi
Joi and Deneisha are releasing an episode each week in March to highlight Black Women's Health. This week's episode features an interview with Dr. Gabi, a gynecologist based in the UK who is on a mission to save black women’s wombs, by addressing the root cause of genecology disease, a disease…
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Resilient Black Women: Dr. Cornel West's Visit to Northwest Arkansas and his Message of Disruptive Love
On this episode, Joi and Deneshia reflect on Dr. Cornel West's visit to Northwest Arkansas, brought here by the Northwest Arkansas MLK Council for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January, 2023. They especially reflect on Dr. West's message of "Disruptive Love" and how in being vulnerable, sharing...
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Resilient Black Women: Resolutions and Grace
In the first new episode of 2023, Joi and Deneshia talk about resolutions, for themselves personally and for their nonprofit organization, Resilient Black Women. Providing assistance, to black women and women of color especially, to access mental health care is a central tenet of RBW. Joi and...
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Resilient Black Women: A Meditation for the New Year
The podcast begins the new year with a meditation from Joi, on taking it one day at a time. Use this 20-minute guided meditation to slow down, to check in with your body, to practice gratitude for your body, and to remember all you have to do is take it one day at a time.
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Resilient Black Women: A Meditation for the End of the Year
For the final episode of 2022, Joi leads us in a quick end of the year meditation moment with co-founder and co-host, Deneshia, and few other guests. We hope this meditation moment allows you to reflect, let go, and breathe. This year is almost over. You have done enough. Now just take a moment…
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Resilient Black Women: Coping with the Holidays
For the final episode of Resilient Black Women's second season, Joi and Deneshia discuss the stresses that often come up during the holidays, the importance of giving yourself and others permission to be your authentic self and to break traditions if necessary.
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Resilient Black Women: Art and Our Emotions
Joi and Deneshia welcome two guests to the podcast in this episode, Lakisha Harper-Bradley, CEO and owner of Mytbydesign and Lauren Gray, owner of Gray Lotus Counseling, to talk about the role of art in counseling and in processing emotions.
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Resilient Black Women: Rethinking Sadness
Joi and Deneshia continue their discussion about emotions, focusing on sadness for this episode. Starting with the story of Elizabeth Eckford - who at 15 years-old was harassed, yelled at, and spit on, as she attempted to attend Central High School, as one of the first nine students to integrate...
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Resilient Black Women: Women and Emotions
Throughout Season 2, Joi and Deneshia have been discussing what you might expect from therapy and what our emotions can tell us if we allow ourselves to sit with them and feel them. In episode 6, Joi and Deneshia discuss women and emotions and the trope of the angry Black woman.
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Resilient Black Women: Befriending our Emotions
On Episode 5, Joi and Deneshia continue to answer listener questions about what it means to be in therapy. This time, Deneshia and Joi discuss emotions, what they are, what they mean and how there are no "good" or "bad" emotions.
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Resilient Black Women: 3 Mental Health Mindfulness Moments
For this episode, Joi guides us through three mental health mindfulness moments - the first is a holistic check-in, the second is on self-compassion and the third is on rest.
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Resilient Black Women: So... How Do I Start Therapy?
For the third episode of Season 2, Joi and Deneshia answer listener questions all about therapy - How do you even find a therapist? What happens if the therapist you like doesn't take your insurance? What do you do if you're not vibing with your therapist? How do you know you're done with…
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Resilient Black Women: A Conversation with Ms. Dorothy Marcy Part 2
In episode 2, we hear more of Joi and Deneshia's conversation with professional licensed counselor Ms. Dorothy Marcy. She shares her wisdom on the power of Black women to persevere and to flourish under the hardest circumstances.
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Resilient Black Women: A Conversation with Ms. Dorothy Marcy
On the first episode of the second season of Resilient Black Women, Joi and Deneshia welcome Ms. Dorothy Marcy, licensed professional counselor, educator, mentor, mother and proud Black woman. She shares insight and stories from her own life and recent trip to Egypt and celebrates the resiliency...
About this show
The Resilient Black Women podcast highlights BLACK MENTAL HEALTH. Joi and Deneshia are licensed professional therapists who come to the mic talking about how mental health can be supportive to the Black community. Oftentimes, these episodes shed light on stories of resilience for Black Women and Women of color. They are mothers, professionals, and community advocates for social justice, change, and holistic well-being. They believe that education and advocacy can sometimes happen through conversation and connection. They are redefining strength and resilience for all women. Take a listen.
Hosted by
Joi McGowan, Producer/Co-Host and Deneshia Simpson Co-Host
Categories