The Real with Dr. Wendi

Episode 8 — Clearing the Air: What Every Parent, Educator & Teen Should Know About Vaping, Nicotine & THCVaping among young people continues to raise important questions for parents, educators, schools and communities.In this episode of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi Watson welcomes Olivia Cunningham, a Tobacco Health Education Specialist with the Durham County Department of Public Health, for an important conversation about youth vaping, nicotine, THC and prevention.Vaping devices can be easy to conceal and come in many forms. At the same time, young people may encounter misinformation suggesting that vaping is harmless, that nicotine isn't addictive, or that THC vaping doesn't carry serious risks.This conversation goes beyond the myths to help parents, educators and teens better understand the issue.In this episode, we discuss: Youth vaping and nicotine use  What today's vaping products may contain  Nicotine addiction  Why adolescent nicotine exposure is concerning  Nicotine vs. THC vaping  Vaping misconceptions  Warning signs parents and educators should recognize  Youth tobacco prevention  Talking with teens about vaping  The role of parents, educators and communities in prevention CDC states that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine and that nicotine can harm the developing brain. CDC also recommends that parents and caregivers talk with young people about the risks of vaping and create an open space for those conversations. The goal isn't fear. It's education, prevention and informed conversations.🎙️ The Real with Dr. Wendi Host: Dr. Wendi Watson Guest: Olivia Cunningham Episode 8: Clearing the AirLet us know how this episode has impacted you

When does trauma stop being one person's story and become a family pattern?In Episode 7 of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi Watson welcomes Stephanie Greer, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and Clinical Supervisor, for a powerful conversation about trauma, addiction, PTSD, hypervigilance, substance use and generational patterns.Stephanie shares her personal journey from growing up around addiction and experiencing significant challenges to achieving 27 years of sobriety and building a career dedicated to helping others navigate addiction and behavioral health.Together, Dr. Wendy and Stephanie explore what trauma really is, how unresolved trauma can affect the brain and nervous system, why hypervigilance can keep someone constantly on alert, and how trauma can influence relationships, parenting and substance use.They also discuss intergenerational trauma, epigenetics, historical trauma, family systems and the ways unhealthy patterns can continue across generations.Most importantly, this episode focuses on breaking the cycle.Stephanie emphasizes the importance of having difficult but honest family conversations, addressing shame, seeking professional help, educating ourselves and taking responsibility for our own healing.As the conversation reminds us:Instead of asking only, "What's wrong with you?" we should also ask, "What happened to you?"If you've ever wondered how trauma affects addiction, why certain family patterns keep repeating, or how healing can begin, this episode is for you.The Real with Dr. Wendi — Real Talk. Real Tools. Real Change.Host: Dr. Wendi Watson Guest: Stephanie Greer Topic: Trauma, Addiction, the Brain & Breaking Generational CyclesThis podcast is for educational and awareness purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical, mental-health or addiction treatment.Let us know how this episode has impacted you

From Student to Scholar to Service: The Power of Giving BackWhat happens when your personal struggles become the foundation for your purpose?In this episode of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi Watson sits down with a social work professional whose journey demonstrates how education, resilience, mentorship, advocacy, and service can transform both an individual life and an entire community.She shares her journey from earning her undergraduate degree to pursuing a master's degree in social work, discovering her passion for advocacy, working with individuals who have experienced wrongful convictions, and pursuing a future in law.She also opens up about the financial and personal challenges she experienced as a graduate student, including housing insecurity, limited finances, unpaid internships, health challenges, and the importance of using community resources.One of the most powerful parts of the conversation is her decision to create a community impact scholarship for HBCU students. Inspired by her own struggles as a graduate student, she wanted to create an opportunity for another student to continue their education without having to carry the same financial burden alone.This conversation explores:• The connection between social work and law • Social work advocacy and community service • Wrongful convictions and reentry support • The role of social workers in helping people rebuild their lives • HBCU education and student success • Graduate school challenges • Housing and financial insecurity among students • Mentorship and the power of believing in someone • Scholarships and educational opportunity • Resilience and perseverance • The importance of asking for help • Creating a legacy through service • Using education and success to create opportunities for othersKey takeaway: Success becomes even more meaningful when we use what we've gained to help someone else move forward.🎙️ The Real with Dr. WendiReal talk. Real tools. Real change.If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a student, social worker, educator, advocate, community leader, or anyone who needs a reminder that their circumstances do not define their future.Let us know how this episode has impacted you

What happens when 20 years of homelessness and 15 years of addiction become the beginning of a story of hope, recovery and transformation?In Episode 5 of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi Watson talks with Dr. Michael Watkins about his extraordinary journey from homelessness and addiction to earning multiple degrees and ultimately achieving his doctoral degree.Dr. Michael shares the circumstances that led to his homelessness, the barriers he faced as a single homeless man, how addiction became a way of coping with pain and isolation, and what finally helped him change the direction of his life.He also shares how getting clean in 2007, finding a mentor, securing housing in 2010, returning to college and refusing to give up on himself helped him rebuild his life.This conversation challenges common stereotypes about homelessness and addiction while offering an important message of hope: your past does not have to determine your future, and change is possible.If you're experiencing homelessness, addiction, hopelessness or simply struggling to believe in yourself, Dr. Michael's message is one worth hearing:"You are worth saving."In This Episode00:00 – Welcome to The Real with Dr. Wendi01:05 – What led Dr. Michael into homelessness03:30 – His first night in a homeless shelter06:01 – How homelessness changed his life09:10 – The truth about why people become homeless11:57 – Barriers to escaping homelessness14:15 – How addiction entered his story15:57 – Addiction as a way of coping with pain18:39 – How addiction kept him trapped20:22 – The turning point23:39 – Finding a mentor and beginning recovery24:17 – Getting clean in 200725:40 – Getting his own apartment26:42 – Rebuilding belief in himself29:00 – Moving into his apartment with only two garbage bags30:55 – How his community furnished his apartment32:25 – Losing his mother34:54 – Returning to school01:47 – What education meant to him02:57 – Earning multiple degrees04:49 – Completing his doctoral journey06:13 – Advice for people experiencing homelessness and addiction07:18 – Breaking the stereotypes around homelessness10:17 – What Dr. Michael would tell his younger self11:06 – Your past does not determine your futureKey TopicsHomelessness • Addiction Recovery • Mental Health • Recovery • Resilience • Hope • Substance Use • Housing Stability • Overcoming Adversity • Education • Second Chances🎙️ The Real with Dr. WendiReal Talk. Real Tools. Real Change.Let us know how this episode has impacted you

Mental illness does not define a person's identity.In this powerful episode of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi welcomes Charmie Leza, a neuroscience student at Arizona State University, mental health advocate, Starbucks shift manager, and NAMI presenter, to share her deeply personal journey of living with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and depression.Charmie opens up about growing up in a culture where mental illness was misunderstood, facing stigma within her family, struggling through high school before receiving an official diagnosis, and learning how therapy, medication, education, and self-advocacy transformed her life.Together, they discuss the difference between mental health and mental illness, why early intervention matters, how parents can better support neurodivergent children, the realities of ADHD, overcoming shame, and why seeking help is one of the strongest decisions anyone can make.Whether you're living with a mental health condition, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand mental health better, this conversation offers hope, practical insight, and encouragement.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Mental Health vs Mental Illness Explained02:28 Welcome to The Real with Dr. Wendi04:46 Mental Health Statistics Every Parent Should Know06:15 Meet Shami Louisa08:39 Growing Up with Mental Illness and Cultural Stigma11:43 Family Expectations and Living with ADHD15:50 School, Procrastination and Depression19:32 Why ADHD Helped Her Thrive at Work23:34 Understanding the ADHD Brain26:02 Advice for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children29:14 Common Mental Health Misconceptions32:21 Getting Diagnosed and Asking for Help37:01 Advice for Anyone Afraid to Seek Therapy39:37 Managing Bad Mental Health Days45:15 Coping Beyond Medication47:02 Message to Her Younger Self48:25 NAMI and Ending the Silence52:35 Final ThoughtsWhat You'll Learn What mental health actually means  Mental illness vs mental health  ADHD symptoms in young adults  Living with anxiety and OCD  Depression in college students  Why early diagnosis matters  Therapy and medication realities  Parenting children with ADHD  Breaking cultural stigma  Self-care and emotional resilience  Mental wellness strategies  Mental health advocacy Resources MentionedNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Connect with Dr. WendiFollow for more conversations about:Youth Mental HealthSubstance Use PreventionFamily WellnessEmotional ResilienceCommunity ResourcesRecoveryMental Health EducationSubscribe for more real conversations that create real change.👍 Like💬 Comment📤 Share with someone who needs encouragement today.Let us know how this episode has impacted you

Childhood trauma doesn't end in childhood—it can shape your relationships, emotional health, confidence, parenting, and overall well-being well into adulthood.In this powerful episode of The Real with Dr. Wendi Podcast, Dr. Wendi Watson sits down with licensed clinical social worker and trauma specialist Samara Bowser to discuss how childhood trauma affects brain development, emotional regulation, mental health, and healing.Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey as a survivor, Samara shares practical tools, hope, and evidence-based strategies that help individuals move from surviving to healing.Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, caregiver, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this conversation offers practical insights that can help you better understand trauma and its lifelong impact.In This Episode✔ What childhood trauma really is✔ How trauma changes brain development✔ Why trauma affects adult relationships✔ Emotional regulation after trauma✔ Trauma-informed parenting✔ Supporting children who have experienced trauma✔ Healing from childhood sexual abuse✔ Building resilience after trauma✔ Why therapy works✔ Trauma-informed care for educators✔ Breaking generational cycles✔ Mental health tools for healingHealing is possible—and it begins with understanding.🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform:• Spotify• Apple Podcasts• Amazon Music• Buzzsprout(Search: The Real with Dr. Wendi)📺 Subscribe for weekly conversations about:• Mental Health• Trauma Recovery• Parenting• Youth Mental Health• Addiction Prevention• Emotional Wellness• Community Resources💬 Share your thoughts below:What was your biggest takeaway from this conversation?If this episode helped you, please Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe to help us reach more people.#ChildhoodTrauma #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #TraumaInformedCare #TherapyWorks #SelfHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #DrWendiWatson #TheRealWithDrWendiLet us know how this episode has impacted you

What does it truly mean to be a father—and why is it time to change the narrative around Black fatherhood?In Episode 2 of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi Watson sits down with Rufus Wilson for an honest conversation about fatherhood, family, resilience, and the power of positive role models. Together, they explore the realities of becoming a father at a young age, overcoming stereotypes, building trust with children, and creating a legacy of love through intentional parenting.Whether you're a father, parent, mentor, educator, youth advocate, or someone passionate about strengthening families, this episode offers practical wisdom and hope for building healthier relationships and stronger communities.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why positive representation of Black fathers matters• How communication strengthens parent-child relationships• The role of fathers in supporting youth mental health• Lessons on resilience, faith, and personal growth• How community support empowers families🎙️ Guest: Rufus Wilson🔔 Subscribe to The Real with Dr. Wendi for weekly conversations on youth mental health, parenting, family wellness, resilience, and substance use prevention.🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms.#BlackFatherhood #Fatherhood #Parenting #FamilyWellness #YouthMentalHealth #BlackFamilies #Resilience #MentalHealthPodcast #DrWendiWatson #TheRealPodcastLet us know how this episode has impacted you

What does it really mean to be resilient? Is resilience simply about being strong, or is there more to the story?In the premiere episode of The Real with Dr. Wendi, Dr. Wendi Watson sits down with resilience expert and board-certified holistic health practitioner Erica Elle to unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in mental health and personal growth.Together, they challenge common misconceptions about resilience and explain why resilience is not about suppressing emotions or pretending everything is okay. Instead, it's about learning to adapt, recover, grow, and make intentional choices even during life's most difficult moments.The conversation explores how resilience looks different in children, teenagers, and adults, and offers practical strategies for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone navigating life's challenges. From emotional intelligence and healthy boundaries to addiction recovery, parenting, grief, trauma, and everyday stress, this episode provides practical tools that listeners can begin applying immediately.Whether you're facing personal adversity, raising resilient children, supporting someone you love, or simply looking to strengthen your own emotional well-being, this episode offers valuable insights to help you move forward with confidence and hope.In This Episode You'll Learn• What resilience really means—and what it doesn't.• Common myths that prevent people from developing resilience.• Why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.• How resilience differs in children, teens, and adults.• The importance of emotional intelligence and healthy coping skills.• Why asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do.• Practical parenting strategies that build emotionally healthy and resilient children.• How boundaries contribute to mental wellness.• Protective factors that help young people thrive.• Why resilience is about growth—not simply "bouncing back."About Our GuestErica Elle is a board-certified holistic health practitioner, resilience subject matter expert, and public health professional with a Master's degree in Public Health and Leadership, specializing in Epidemiology. She also holds a graduate certificate in Healthcare Informatics and is passionate about helping individuals, families, and communities develop practical resilience strategies that support lifelong wellness.Key Takeaways✔ Resilience isn't about never struggling—it is about learning how to respond to life's challenges.✔ Strong people still experience fear, grief, anxiety, and emotional pain.✔ Healthy boundaries are a sign of emotional resilience.✔ Children develop resilience through supportive relationships and consistent communication.✔ Parents don't have to be perfect—they simply need to be present, intentional, and emotionally available.✔ Asking for help is an act of courage, not weakness.✔ Every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and transformation.Memorable Quotes"Resilience isn't about being strong all the time. It's about choosing how you respond.""You don't have to hide your emotions to prove you're resilient.""Asking for help doesn't make you weak—it strengthens your resilience.""Parents don't have to be perfect. They simply need to be present."Mental Health ResourcesIf you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, help is available.📞 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988📱 Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741If you are outside the United States, please contact your country's local emergency mental health services.Connect With Dr. WendiFollow The Real with Dr. Wendi for honest conversations about mental health, resilience, emotional wellness, relationships, and practical tools that empower people to live healthier, stronger lives.Subscribe so you never miss a new episode.If You Enjoyed This EpisodePlease rate, review, and share this podcast with someone who could benefit from today's conversation. Your support helps us reach more people with practical mental health education and meaningful conversations that inspire change.Let us know how this episode has impacted you