Skills and Pills Podcast

At Skills and Pills, we define resilience as the ability to bounce back and grow in the face of adversity. But an important question we all have to ask is this: what are we actually growing into?Growth is not just about getting through hard moments. It is about who we are becoming because of them. This means shifting our mindset from asking why me to embracing why not me. It means choosing to believe I am going to be healed, I am going to be free, and I am going to be well.In this episode, we continue the conversation on resilience by focusing on the direction of our growth and the identity we are forming along the way. As we navigate challenges, we are learning to trust God more deeply and move forward with confidence in our healing journey. Our hope is that this conversation gives you practical insight and encouragement as you grow into the person you are called to be!Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

We are closing out the month of April, the Month of the Military Child, with a special episode on how military families can build resilience, featuring our guest April McBride. In this episode, we explore how military spouses and children can navigate uncertainty and change to build strong families, along with methods for balancing emotions and practical skills for developing resilience.April McBride is  a native of Walterboro, South Carolina, wife of Michael L. McBride. April obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the College of Charleston and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University. April has 13 years of clinical experience that encompass mental health, crisis, family, rehabilitation and career counseling. April is a Certified University of California Los Angeles FOCUS Family Resilience Trainer, Certified Integrative Somatic Trauma Practitioner, and ICF- Associated Certified Coach.April McBride: https://www.mecoachingllc.com/Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

In this episode, we react to Yvette Henry’s podcast episode and her book Release, Rest, Remain, unpacking what these powerful ideas actually look like in real life. How do you truly let go of what is weighing you down? What does it mean to find real rest in God’s presence? And how do you stay grounded in His love when life feels anything but steady? We dive into these topics and unpack the nuggets that Yvette left us in the previous episode. Listen to the first conversation here: https://youtu.be/6bpG78wFlc0Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcastYvette Henry’s book: https://yvettehenry.com/releaserestremaindevotional

On this episode, we are joined by Yvette Henry–a wife, mom of four, podcaster, and the author of Release, Rest, & Remain, a 30-day journey designed for busy women to release burdens to God, rest in His presence, and remain steadfast in His love.From overflowing inboxes and the constant pull of other people’s needs to endless to-do lists, finding even a moment of peace or joy can feel impossible. If you’ve been looking for reprieve from the nonstop activity and noise of life, this conversation is an invitation to pause in the presence of the God who holds all things together. He isn’t asking for more from you—He’s inviting you to lay it all down.In this episode, Yvette shares her personal story of grief, the experiences that led her to write her book, and how therapy, parenting, and life’s challenges shaped her journey. Together, we explore what it means to remain in the presence of the Lord—to slow down, be present, and learn how to simply be.We also discuss how striving can quietly become an idol, especially in a culture that celebrates constant efficiency and pushes us to move from one thing to the next without ever slowing down.This conversation offers practical encouragement for gaining clarity, moving forward with peace, and learning how to abide with God so you can live and lead from a place of true rest! Connect with YvetteBook: https://yvettehenry.com/releaserestremaindevotionalWebsite: https://yvettehenry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsmelanin/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yvetteunpluggedTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrsmelaninConnect with Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

Pain turned into purpose produces power. There isn’t necessarily meaning in pain in and of itself—that’s not what we’re saying. But what we are saying is that when we look for meaning, when we look for purpose after we’ve experienced suffering and life’s pain, it can produce power in our lives.That power may show up as joy. It may be hope. It may be greater resilience.It could even lead to growth in compassion—empathy for others, and maybe even grace or mercy.So today, we’re going to spend some time talking about how the pain we experience can inform our future. In the last episode, we discussed how many people stop when they feel pain and pressure.Today, we’re talking about what it looks like to build resilience, to keep going, to derive meaning, and to find purpose and power in our lives.Follow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

Healing isn’t a one-time event. It’s a continual journey. Too often, we put pressure on ourselves to “arrive” at healing quickly, as if it’s something we achieve once and never revisit. But real healing is ongoing. It requires patience, intention, and a willingness to grow through every season. On this episode, we’re seeking to normalize the healing journey so that we can become the best versions of ourselves! Part of normalizing the healing journey is committing to the practice of reflecting, retooling, and resetting. Reflection creates space—space to slow down, assess where you are, and honestly evaluate your emotions, intentions, thoughts, and behaviors. This isn’t something that happens accidentally; it’s an intentional discipline. Taking time, even in your spare moments, to check in with yourself is key to growth.In that reflection, it’s important to give yourself both grace and space. Grace to not have it all figured out, and space to process without judgment. This is where self-awareness is developed—where you begin to understand how you respond to life, not just when things are going well, but especially when they’re not.Because life comes with ebbs and flows. Unexpected moments will come. Emotions will shift. Circumstances will change. The question isn’t if these shifts will happen—it’s how you respond when they do.Healing is learning how to navigate those shifts. It’s learning how to stay grounded in the middle of uncertainty, how to respond instead of react, and how to continue showing up for yourself, even on the hard days.Follow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

On this special episode of Skills & Pills, we pick up a Q&A session from our time with Lisa Marie Lovett. Lisa Marie shares how she dealt with the loss of family members and how we can develop grace and compassion for ourselves. Snuggle up and enjoy this special presentation!Follow Lisa Marie LovettInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasoned_dialogueYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SeasonedDialogueHer Book: https://www.seasoneddialogue.comFollow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

What happens when you try to carry everything on your own?In this episode of Skills & Pills, we explore the true cost of trying to manage every responsibility, burden, and expectation by yourself. Many of us believe strength means handling everything alone, but the reality is that constantly carrying more than our capacity leads to exhaustion, imbalance, and burnout.This is why we need the art of offloading. This means learning how to share burdens, release responsibilities that are optional, and bring others into the process so that life becomes more sustainable and balanced.A key part of this conversation is understanding capacity. Capacity changes depending on the season of life you are in. Your occupational self, relational self, and social self all require attention. Sometimes work demands more of you, and sometimes relationships require greater investment. Learning when and where to shift your energy is essential to maintaining balance.Here are questions you can ask yourself:What am I doing too much of? What am I doing well? What do I need to do more of?Strength is not about carrying everything alone. It is about knowing when to ask for help and allowing others to walk alongside you.Follow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

How do we carry all of the roles and responsibilities as a mother? As a friend? Or as a spouse? We can feel weighed down by all of the obligations while trying to grow personally at the same time. We weren’t meant to carry these weights by ourselves. We need friends and community, and we also need to recognize what we actually have the capacity for in the season we’re in.These are the topics in our latest episode. We discuss the importance of doing an emotional check-in and how to establish anchors, whether that’s family, prayer, meditation, or other grounding practices. Troubles are temporary. Remember, there are tools and practices that can help you in the middle of a crisis.If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.Follow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

Are you doing all the "right" things for self-care? Taking the bubble baths, booking weekend trips, downloading the mindfulness apps… but still feeling completely overwhelmed and exhausted?If your burnout isn’t getting better, it’s not your fault. It’s because hustle culture sold us a superficial fix for a deep and systemic problem. This is your playbook for moving beyond temporary relief. We’ll explore why so much of what we call self-care doesn't work and what true restoration actually looks like. Hustle culture has turned "self-care" into another item on our to-do list, but true self-care is about restoration, not performance. It's vital to understand the difference.Recovering from burnout requires radical self-compassion—treating yourself with the same support you would give a good friend. Your ability to set and defend boundaries is also crucial. Saying "no" to things that drain you isn't selfish; it's essential for preserving your mental health.Follow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

How do we practically move from a life of burnout driven by hustle culture to a "soft life" of intentional peace and rest? Hustle culture is built on a foundation of fear, equating relentless work with moral virtue. The soft life is the antidote, focusing on softening into the present moment and redefining success beyond output or status.In this episode, Dr. Jo and Dr. Mo dive deeply into tips on how to avoid burnout, compassion fatigue, and recognize the true cost of “hustling.” They share how it is possible to build a life of emotional, physical, and mental balance, free from overexhaustion and burnout that can result from working too hard.They discuss practical tips to help you pause, reflect, and embrace the soft life! Build boundaries, cultivate a support system, and practice the true rest that Jesus taught!Follow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

What does it truly look like to love yourself fully? To understand your worth, recognize the kind of friendships you deserve, and begin the journey toward inner healing?In this episode, Dr. Jo and Dr. Mo are joined by spoken word poet, speaker, and author, Lisa Marie Lovett to dive into these poignant topics!Healing begins when we stop pretending and start telling the truth about where we are. Finding a safe, healing space often requires being stripped down to the real you. Through vulnerability and reflection, we discuss how embracing your authentic self allows you to love yourself more deeply and intentionally.This episode explores self-worth, self-awareness, and the courage it takes to see yourself clearly.Lisa Marie Lovett work explores love, grief, faith, boundaries, womanhood, and restoration, often using metaphors of gardens, seasoning, and everyday life to make deep truths feel both sacred and accessible. She is such a powerful voice in the mental health and creative space, and we could not be more excited to share our conversation on self love, therapy, healing, and more.Follow Lisa Marie LovettInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasoned_dialogueYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SeasonedDialogueHer Book: https://www.seasoneddialogue.comFollow Ushttps://linktr.ee/skillsandpillspodcast

The holidays are meant to be joyful—but for many, they come with stress, resentment, and emotional exhaustion. In this episode, The Boundary Blues, we explore why boundaries aren’t barriers to connection, but the structure that allows relationships—and people—to thrive.Drawing from Dr. Henry Cloud’s work on boundaries, this conversation breaks down why healthy limits are a critical form of self-care, especially during high-pressure seasons. We unpack the emotional warning signs that signal a boundary is needed—anger, overwhelm, resentment, fear, and sadness—and explain how unspoken expectations often fuel holiday conflict.The episode also clarifies the often-confused differences between requests, boundaries, and ultimatums, helping listeners understand where personal responsibility begins and control ends. Finally, we address the hardest question of all: when going “no contact” becomes necessary, including the role of emotional and psychological abuse, accountability, and genuine apology—referencing Oprah’s powerful perspective on protecting your peace.This is an honest, practical conversation for anyone who wants less tension, clearer communication, and a healthier holiday experience—without guilt.

The holiday season has a way of magnifying whatever we’re carrying — and for anyone grieving, that weight can feel unbearable. In this episode, Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo open a compassionate conversation about navigating loss during a time when the world expects celebration. They explore the reality that grief isn’t something we “get over,” but something we slowly learn to live with, rebuild around, and grow through. As Elisabeth Kübler-Ross writes, we may become whole again, but we are never the same — and that truth deserves space, not shame.Drawing on current data and lived experience, they discuss how grief can intertwine with loneliness, depression, and even suicidal ideation during the holidays. Studies from the Centers for Disease Control show that while suicide rates may dip on Christmas Day itself due to increased social connection, those experiencing bereavement often face intensified emotional pain in the surrounding weeks. Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo talk through why this happens, how support networks make a difference, and what it means to seek help before the season becomes too heavy to carry alone.They also guide listeners through practical ways to cope with the absence of someone they love — from setting more realistic expectations to thoughtfully reshaping traditions that once felt sacred. Together, they explore what it means to honor a loved one’s memory through meaningful rituals: lighting a candle, telling stories, or creating intentional moments of remembrance that help keep connection alive.Faith becomes part of the conversation as well. How do we allow ourselves to feel sadness while still holding onto the idea of joy? What does Ecclesiastes 3:4 teach us about giving ourselves permission to mourn? And how does the Garden of Gethsemane remind us that even deep sorrow has a place within spiritual life? Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo reflect on how grief, faith, and emotional honesty can coexist without forcing a premature sense of peace.The episode closes with a grounding reminder: grief has no timeline, no “right way,” and no finish line. What matters is giving yourself grace, letting yourself feel what’s real, and honoring the memories that shaped you. As William Hoy once wrote, “We cannot have things like they were, but we can hold in our hearts the memories of days gone by.”Show Notes / Resources Mentioned:How Do I Say Goodbye — Dean Lewis (song)A Grief Observed — C.S. Lewis (book)7 Stages of Grief (grief framework)#skillsandpills #therapistadvice #holidayseason

This episode takes an honest look at why so many women — especially women of color — struggle silently with their mental health, even while appearing strong on the outside. Research shows just how deep this gap runs: women of color face higher rates of long-term mental health challenges, yet they seek treatment at dramatically lower rates. According to Psychiatric Times, only about 5–10% of Black women access mental health care compared to 21.5% of white women. https://www.psychiatrictimes.comDr. Mo and Dr. Jo unpack the cultural stigma, generational messaging, faith expectations, and emotional barriers that keep women quiet about their pain. They explore why so many feel pressure to “hold it together,” what it costs to maintain that mask, and how silence reinforces shame even in communities that appear supportive. The conversation moves into the healing power of naming what hurts — how simply saying “I’m not okay” can lift the weight of isolation, create space for vulnerability, and build the kind of community where people feel seen instead of judged.Listeners will hear why transparency brings relief, how sharing struggles breaks stigma, and why everyday conversations — not just therapy — can become life-changing moments of connection. With real talk around faith, resilience, and emotional honesty, this episode invites anyone who feels alone to rethink what support truly looks like.A grounding, compassionate reminder that you’re not the only one carrying what you carry — and speaking your truth is often the first step toward healing.Books referenced: Behind the Mask: Unveiling Hidden StrugglesStronger Together: How Sharing Your Story Builds Community

The holidays are supposed to feel joyful — but what happens when you don’t feel joy at all? In this episode, Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo open up a real conversation about the emotional pressure so many women carry this time of year. From the unspoken expectation to “hold it together,” to the guilt that comes with taking even a moment for yourself, they explore why this season often intensifies stress even for people who genuinely love it.Together, they unpack the tension between cultural, family, and faith expectations, the signs of emotional burnout, and the quiet weight of trying to meet everyone’s needs at once. They offer perspective on how to recognize when you’re overwhelmed, how to find peace in small moments, and how faith can anchor you without demanding perfection.This episode invites listeners to be honest about what the holidays bring up, to release the pressure to perform “joy,” and to step into the new year with steadier rhythms, healthier boundaries, and a more compassionate understanding of themselves. A thoughtful and reassuring listen for anyone who feels like they’re carrying more than they can say out loud.

Words can open us up—or shut us down.In this episode, Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo dive deep into the hidden power of language and how the most familiar phrases can quietly sabotage growth, healing, and connection.So many of us use everyday expressions like “I should be better by now,” “You always do this,” or “That’s toxic” without realizing these “therapy-adjacent” words can distort meaning, reinforce shame, or block honest reflection. This conversation pulls those phrases into the light and explores how to replace judgment with clarity.Inside This Conversation: “The Dirty Words of Therapy”Why some words wound, even when they sound insightfulThe “Should” Trap and how expectations become emotional quicksandThe danger of absolutes like “always” and “never”How social media has turned “therapy speak” into a shield instead of a bridgeWhy labels like “narcissist” feel satisfying but rarely lead to healingHow to catch the small linguistic habits that limit self-awarenessThe line between language that clarifies…and language that condemnsDr. Mo and Dr. Jo unpack the way phrases, labels, and buzzwords shape the therapeutic process—and how misused language can keep clients stuck in old emotional patterns. They also break down practical reframes that anyone can use to promote self-compassion, honesty, and real change.You’ll hear strategies the hosts use in session to help people shift from blame to understanding, from judgment to curiosity, and from identity labels to behavior patterns. They share the subtle language swaps that make a major difference in healing.If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own self-talk—or overwhelmed by all the “therapy language” online—Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo remind you that healing starts with gentle awareness, not perfection. You’re allowed to rethink your words, rewrite your story, and reclaim your voice.If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs a softer, clearer way to speak to themselves.And make sure you follow, rate, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.#skillsandpills #therapyforwomen #podcastlaunch

Every movement starts with a moment of honesty—and that’s exactly where Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo begin.In this premiere episode, your hosts open up about the real reason they created this show, the gaps they’ve witnessed in the wellness and therapy space, and why they felt compelled to build a platform that speaks directly to the people and stories often overlooked.Across the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness, yet most never receive treatment. That reality hits even harder for African American women, who experience nearly twice the rates of depression and anxiety yet often push through in silence. That silence—rooted in stigma, strength narratives, and community pressure—is exactly what Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo are here to challenge.The moment they realized a major gap existed in mental-health conversationsWhy therapy still feels taboo in many families, workplaces, and communitiesWhat voices and stories have been missing—and why representation mattersTheir shared mission to normalize healing, vulnerability, and emotional wellnessIf you’re seeking connection, clarity, and conversations that feel like finally exhaling, you’re home.This podcast is designed for listeners exploring therapy, navigating burnout, rebuilding identity, or simply wanting honest talk led by trusted professionals.Expect a tone that’s conversational, curious, culturally aware, and boldly hopeful—guided by the lived experiences and clinical insight of Dr. Mo and Dr. Jo.Weekly episodes featuring expert interviews, lived-experience storytelling, solo “mini-sessions,” and round-table discussionsConversations unpacking burnout, boundaries, emotional exhaustion, identity, self-advocacy, mothering, and reclaiming joyTeasers of upcoming guests including therapists, authors, advocates, and women redefining wellness in their own communitiesDr. Mo and Dr. Jo share their fears—being vulnerable, showing up imperfectly, stepping outside the comfort of their clinical roles—and the excitement of creating a space that feels like therapy for the soul.A year from now, “success” means a thriving community of listeners who feel seen, supported, and less alone on their healing journey.Season 1 officially drops this winter, right in time for a holiday season when many people quietly struggle.Make sure you subscribe, share, and bring someone with you—because healing grows when we don’t do it alone.Dr. Monica Riffey, DNP, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, RN is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, private practice owner, and artist. Her passions are biblically integrative mental health services and wholistic wellness. She is an advocate for the intersection of mental health and faith-based communities. Dr. Mo holds degrees from Old Dominion University, Herzing University, and Longwood University.Dr. Josephs began her career as a generalist social worker serving as a Virginia Beach, VA Community Service Board Case Manager in 2002. She discovered her passion for adult learning and clinical mental health counseling during her graduate programs in 2014. She began teaching and supervising counselors in training in 2018. She currently devotes her time to counselor education and supervision. In addition, she serves the public as a national disruptive event consultant for Fortune 500 companies and municipalities, responding to major life interruptions, mass shootings, and national disasters.Dr. Josephs’ research interests include counselor wellness, multiculturalism and social justice, and trauma and resilience. She finds great joy in being an educator, mentor, and advisor to the next generation of counselors. Her greatest desire is to assist others to live, love, and work to their highest optimal potential.