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S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast podcast artwork

S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast

by Kay Rufai

A podcast that explores a public health approach to improving the mental health of black boys while challenging the negative stereotypes associated with this demographic in the society. This is a happiness research informed creative podcast featuring discussions with professionals, changemakers and young people. It is hosted by Kay Rufai, a poet, photographer, filmmaker, playwright, mental health researcher.…he keeps himself busy with anything creative. So expect to hear interesting thoughts, discussions with professionals, change-makers and audio recordings from the young people that participated in the programme.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Apr 11, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. Season One Finale (Recap Episode)

    The Season One Finale episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Trust, Togetherness & Belonging, Health (Mental & Physical), Freedom, Security, Purpose, Money & Wealth and Democracy as it pertains to Black boys, and the wider black experience. The host,...

  2. Togetherness & Belonging (Are Black fathers absent?)

    The Fifteenth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Togetherness & Belonging, as it pertains to Black boys and the myth of the absent Black father. In this episode, I explore the statistics with nuance and engage in the underlying systems and...

  3. Togetherness & Belonging (Are role models necessary?)

    The Fourteenth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Togetherness & Belonging, as it pertains to Black boys and the impacts of role models vs mentors in their lives. In this episode, I explore the argument for and against role models while…

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  4. Purpose ( How do we find it?)

    The Thirteenth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Purpose, as it pertains to Black boys navigating through the society in pursuit of what their purpose - for coming to school, in contribution to the society and in life generally. In this...

  5. Freedom ( Are MASKs a part of MASK-ulinity?)

    The Twelfth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Freedom, as it pertains to Black boys navigating through the society with 'Masks' is here. In this episode, I explore the concept of 'Masks' worn by black boys in the society and how this could...

  6. Money & Wealth (How easy is it to make £100?)

    The eleventh episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Money & Wealth, as it pertains to black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore a specific question ' How easy is it to make £100?' to the 13yr old black boys,...

  7. Money & Wealth (Does Money Equal Happiness?)

    The tenth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Money & Wealth, as it pertains to black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore the age old question ' Does Money Equal happiness?' using research and anecdotal...

  8. Freedom (Are black boys raised to be homo/transphobic?)

    The ninth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Freedom, as it pertains to black people, black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore the socialisation of homophobia & transphobia as a by product of patriarchy to…

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  9. Freedom (Can Black Boys Ever Truly Be Free?)

    The eight episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Freedom, as it pertains to Black people, black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore the theme of freedom or lack thereof, set against the current backdrop of Black...

  10. Freedom (Black Lives Matter)

    The seventh episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Freedom, as it pertains to Black people, black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore the theme of freedom or lack thereof, set against the current backdrop of Black...

  11. Togetherness & Belonging (Do galleries & museums treat black boys differently?)

    The sixth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Togetherness & Belonging, as it pertains to young people, black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore the theme of togetherness & belonging as it pertains to the...

  12. Security (Is The Society Equal For All Of Us?)

    The fifth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Health (Mental), as it pertains to young people, black boys and the society as a whole is here. In this episode, I explore the theme of security as it pertains to black boys, black and Minority...

  13. Mental Health (Are Black Boys More Affected By Mental Health Issues?)

    The fourth episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Health (Mental), as it pertains to young people, black boys and the society as a whole. In this episode, the theme Mental Health as it pertains to black boys and black men, what the stats say, and...

  14. Togetherness & Belonging (Boys hugging, is that Gay?)

    The third episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Togetherness & Belonging, as it pertains to young people, black boys and the society as a whole. In this episode, the theme of boys and men hugging is explored as it pertains to self expression -...

  15. Togetherness & Belonging (Should snitches get stitches?)

    The second episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Togetherness & Belonging, as it pertains to young people, black boys and the society as a whole. The host, Kay Rufai ( https://www.instagram.com/universoulartist/ ) explores using his happiness...

  16. Trust (Are schools & police institutions negatively biased towards black boys?)

    The first episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ING Boys Podcast that explores 1 of the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Trust, as it pertains to young people, black boys and the society as a whole. The host, Kay Rufai ( https://www.instagram.com/universoulartist/ ) explores using his happiness research from the top…

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  17. S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast Trailer

    The trailer is finally here for the long awaited S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys podcast. Listen to the audio and/or watch the super fun video which is bound to leave you with more positive hormones (endorphins & dopamine 😊 ). Thank me later

About this show

A podcast that explores a public health approach to improving the mental health of black boys while challenging the negative stereotypes associated with this demographic in the society. This is a happiness research informed creative podcast featuring discussions with professionals, changemakers and young people. It is hosted by Kay Rufai, a poet, photographer, filmmaker, playwright, mental health researcher.…he keeps himself busy with anything creative. So expect to hear interesting thoughts, discussions with professionals, change-makers and audio recordings from the young people that participated in the programme.

Hosted by

Kay Rufai

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast have?

S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast has 17 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on August 10, 2020.

What is S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast about?

A podcast that explores a public health approach to improving the mental health of black boys while challenging the negative stereotypes associated with this demographic in the society. This is a happiness research informed creative podcast featuring discussions with professionals, changemakers and...

How often does S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast release new episodes?

S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast publishes weekly, based on its 17 episodes since April 2020.

Who hosts S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast?

S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast is created and hosted by Kay Rufai.
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