Love Letters To Our Bodies podcast

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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BLACC - Peer Navigation Research Project 30:41

לפני 16 weeks30:41

30:41

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Black community, and we need to be about helping to save these lives. Today’s guest, Starla Gay, believes that she was born a community health advocate because she has been standing up for what is right since childhood! Starla is a health insurance specialist, community health activist, and BLACC activist. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Starla’s life and what led her to her career, what BLACC is and what they do, and a little bit about their Peer Navigation Research Project. We delve into the importance of a peer navigator before hearing about their partnership with Stanford and what they learned from it. Finally, Starla tells us how we can support BLACC. Thanks for tuning in! Key Points from This Episode: • An overview of today’s impressive guest, Starla Gay. • Starla tells us how she became a community health advocate. • What BLACC stands for, what they do, and their research study. • What a peer navigator does and why they are so important. • Starla shares what it’s been like to partner with Stanford. • What the public can do to support BLACC and this project. Quotes: “Even though Black women experience breast cancer at a lower rate than white women, — we die from it far more often, we get far more aggressive and deadly forms, [and] we tend to discover the breast cancer at a later stage.” — Starla Gay [0:15:15] “We’re trying to spread the work that we’re doing and our relationship with Stanford has really made that possible.” — Starla Gay [0:23:23] “This work is so important because we are trying to save the lives of Black women.” — Starla Gay [0:24:58] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Starla Gay on LinkedIn Starla Gay on Instagram BLACC Peer Navigation Program Recruitment Charlotte Maxwell Clinic Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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A Life of Purpose & Self-Advocacy 36:42

לפני 17 weeks36:42

36:42

Self-love in times of physical and mental challenges is the best medicine.’ This powerful quote comes from today’s guest, Ms. Delorme McKee-Stovall, in her letter that was part of our first Love Letters to Our Bodies booklet. An ordained minister, peace and social justice advocate, and retired human rights and healthcare administrator, Delorme brings a wealth of wisdom and experience. In this episode, we delve into her career and educational journey, what sparked her passion for human rights advocacy, and her deeply personal experience of being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. She shares the challenges of navigating disparities in the healthcare system, the need to advocate for herself, and the profound importance of truly understanding and loving your body. Don’t miss this inspiring and insightful conversation on the Love Letters to Our Bodies podcast. Key Points From This Episode: • An introduction and background of our guest, Delorme McKee-Stovall. • Delorme shares the details of her career journey, from nursing to human rights advocacy. • What compelled her to pursue religious studies. • She breaks down what her work as a human rights advocate looked like. • Her journey through the diagnosis, treatment, and process of breast cancer. • What it felt like being forced to advocate for herself. • She recounts her most vulnerable experience during her breast cancer treatment. • The importance of loving and understanding your body. • How embracing a vegan lifestyle became a cornerstone of her healing journey. • Discovering and embracing gratitude and joy amidst life’s challenges. • What motivated Delorme to keep the faith and continue moving forward. Quotes: “[My religious studies] helped me to understand not only the basis of religion and why human beings require religion in their lives these days — but also to help me to understand rituals that helped people to heal.” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:05:36] “When you’re diagnosed [with breast cancer], you’re in a state of unrest, concern, your mind isn’t working really well. You can’t focus really well on anything else but that and so you really need people around you that are going to help you stay focused on healing.” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:10:06] “Loving your body is really important because that means you are paying attention to it as well.” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:16:21] “ So I was meditating three times a day in gratitude, not meditating asking for a cure, but in gratitude for the life that I've been given, for the family, and oh, the career that I had. I mean, everything that happened in my life when I looked back on it, wow, am I grateful…” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:28:36] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Delorme McKee-Stovall on LinkedIn Delorme McKee-Stovall on Facebook Love Letters to Our Bodies Vol 1 Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Beyond Chemotherapy: Integrative Cancer Care Supports Healing 28:23

לפני 18 weeks28:23

28:23

Show Notes What if cancer care could go beyond managing symptoms to help patients truly heal in mind, body, and spirit? Joining us today is Melbra Watts, Executive Director of Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, a women’s health clinic in Oakland, California, offering free integrative care to under-served, low-income women with cancer. Melbra shares how this clinic goes beyond conventional care to deliver acupuncture, energy healing, nutritional counseling, and more, all in a space that honors the full person. Discover how their holistic support helps women manage pain, renew their spirits, and reclaim power in their healing journeys, transforming their treatment experience. This episode reveals not only the clinic’s impact but also the inspiration and resilience that drive Melbra’s work to make compassionate care accessible to those who need it most. Listen in for a heartening look at how love and dedication fuel a healing community! Key Points From This Episode: • A warm welcome to today’s guest, Melbra Watts. • The history of Charlotte Maxwell Clinic and its mission. • How complementary therapies can support cancer care. • Melbra's journey and how she joined Charlotte Maxwell Clinic. • Understanding the difference between curing and healing. • How unresolved trauma and shame can affect your health. • The surprisingly positive impact that the pandemic had on the clinic. • Unpacking some of the funding and support challenges that the clinic faces. • Volunteer practitioners and their indispensable contributions to the clinic. • Why integrative care is essential for comprehensive cancer treatment. • Reflections on the beauty in helping clients reconnect with their mind, body, and spirit. Quotes: “Studies have shown that complementary therapies actually do improve the quality of life. They actually do boost the immune system so that the women can recover from the radiation and the chemotherapy and surgeries and different kind of things that they go through.” — Melbra Watts [0:08:47] “I have to say, the pandemic, in a way, was a gift for us because it really helped us to shift what we were doing, and we were able to take advantage of some resources that became available during that time.” — Melbra Watts [0:16:54] “One of our principles is making sure [women don’t] – blame themselves for having contracted the illness or the disease.” — Melbra Watts [0:18:43] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Melbra Watts Melbra Watts on LinkedIn Charlotte Maxwell Clinic Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Food, Nutrition and Cancer 32:03

לפני 19 weeks32:03

32:03

There are many ways in which your health and nutrition affect your chances of getting cancer and how your body recovers from a cancer diagnosis. Today on Love Letters 2 Our Bodies, Assistant Professor of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Howard University, Dr. Linda Thompson joins us to discuss food and nutrition in relation to cancer. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about our guest and what inspired her to work in nutrition, how certain lifestyle choices increase the risk of cancer, the effect of chronic disease, stress, mental health, and food on cancer, and so much more! We delve into the kinds of foods to avoid with a cancer diagnosis and what you should prioritize in your diet before discussing organic fruits and vegetables and their benefit. Dr. Thompson even shares tips for eating nutritious foods on a low budget, shares examples of carcinogenic foods, and warns us to avoid genetically modified foods. Finally, our guest tells us what has inspired her in her nutrition journey. Thanks for tuning in! Key Points From This Episode: • An overview of today’s guest, Dr. Linda Thompson. • How Dr. Thompson became interested in nutrition. • She discusses the lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cancer. • How chronic disease and stress are related to breast cancer. • The foods that may increase the risk of getting breast cancer. • Recommended foods for breast cancer survivors to eat. • Dr. Thompson shares her thoughts on organic fruits and vegetables. • How you can manage to eat nutritious foods on a lower budget. • The danger of eating genetically modified foods. • Why grill food (that’s been charred), processed foods, and fizzy drinks can cause cancer. • What inspires Dr. Thompson in her nutrition path and life. Quotes: “In order to live, we have to eat and what we eat affects our quality of life and our risk of disease.” — Dr. Linda Thompson [0:04:13] “It doesn’t matter what size you are as long as you are in good health.” — Dr. Linda Thompson [0:09:20] “There’s so much going on in the [food] industry that we have to keep up instead of just being blind consumers. We need to really be paying attention to what we’re putting in our bodies, particularly if we’re dealing with an issue like breast cancer, or any cancer.” — Dr. Linda Thompson [0:25:31] “We may not be able to control a lot of things in our [lives] but we can control what we put in our [mouths] for sure.” — Dr. Linda Thompson [0:29:28] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dr. Linda Thompson Dr. Linda Thompson Email ‘Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention’ Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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The Black Beauty Justice Project 30:57

לפני 20 weeks30:57

30:57

Episode 8: Show Notes Could the beauty products you're using be silently harming your health? In this powerful episode of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Astrid Williams, Director of Programs and Initiatives for the California Black Health Network, to reveal a disturbing truth: many of the beauty products marketed to Black women contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious health issues. Join us as Dr. Williams dives into the heart of the Conscious Black Beauty Movement (CBBM), which is fighting to protect our communities from these dangers while challenging the harmful Eurocentric beauty standards that pressure women to conform. From exposing startling truths, like the fact that the $7.5 billion Black beauty industry often promotes carcinogenic products, to sharing practical ways to choose safer products and support legislative efforts that are pushing for better regulation, this episode is an urgent wake-up call. If you want to reclaim your health, embrace your natural beauty, and take a stand against toxic beauty norms that don't serve you, be sure to tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: • An introduction to Dr. Astrid Williams and the California Black Health Network. • Harmful toxins in Black beauty products that contribute to breast and uterine cancer. • How the CBBM advocates for access to clean, safe, and affordable beauty products. • Legal protections like the Crown Act that safeguard natural hairstyles at work and school. • The importance of rethinking (and reclaiming) our relationship with beauty. • Eurocentric beauty standards that often pressure Black women into using toxic products. • Why education and awareness are critical in the under-regulated beauty industry. • Vote with your dollars: the buying power we have in the $7.5 billion Black beauty industry. • Legislative initiative pushing for regulations to ensure safer Black beauty products. • The scope of the CBBM and how the campaign is being received by communities of color. • Practical tips and tools to help you choose safer beauty and fashion products. • How to join the Conscious Black Beauty Movement and make meaningful change! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dr. Astrid Williams on LinkedIn California Black Health Network California Black Health Network on Instagram California Black Health Network on Facebook California Black Health Network on X Conscious Black Beauty Movement (CBBM) Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Living App Think Dirty App Clearya App Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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The Role of a Cancer Doula 29:20

לפני 21 weeks29:20

29:20

Today’s episode shows how a cancer diagnosis is not the end of one’s life. We are joined by Talaya Dendy, a renowned cancer doula (and 12-year cancer thriver!) who in her daily life and work, goes above and beyond to provide guidance & support. Talaya discusses what she prioritized before and after her cancer diagnosis. We learn about her diagnosis and how her view of her body has changed, how she processed the trauma of her diagnosis, how her lived experiences pushed her to become a cancer doula, and the ins and outs a cancer doula’s role and responsibilities. We also unpack the challenges that Talaya must overcome to serve those in need and what led to her podcast Navigating Cancer TOGETHER. Press play now for this thoughtful and insightful conversation about health, healing, and happiness! Key Points From This Episode: • Understanding Talaya Dendy: Her values before and after her cancer diagnosis. • The stress of a corporate ladder pursuit. • How she felt about her body before cancer versus how she feels about it now. • Her approach to processing and accepting her diagnosis as a young, healthy woman. • The ins and outs of being a cancer doula. • The barriers that Talaya must overcome to reach the people who need her help the most. • Why she started her important and inspirational podcast, Navigating Cancer TOGETHER. • What you can learn from the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies Workshops. • Talaya explains why Tabitha Brown is her current source of inspiration. • The affirmations that help her navigate tough times. Quotes: “Like most women, you always find those things that you think are imperfect, but in reality, God made us perfectly. Being able to come to that realization took a lot of time, maturity, and self-love.” — Talaya Dendy [0:07:54] “As a cancer doula, I walk with my clients; I guide them and support them; I make sure that they are heard and seen; and I make sure that they have the information and resources that they need to make informed decisions about their care and become the gatekeepers of their health.” — Talaya Dendy [0:10:51] “It doesn’t mean that you’re going to die because you get a cancer diagnosis.” — Talaya Dendy [0:11:16] “It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way that you carry it.” — Talaya Dendy [0:26:28] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Talaya Dendy | On the Other Side, LLC Talaya Dendy on LinkedIn Talaya Dendy on Instagram Navigating Cancer TOGETHER I Survived Cancer and Here Is How I Did It Greater National Advocates Tabitha Brown Love Letter 2 Our Bodies Online Workshop – 19-20 October Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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The Power of Intention and Sacred Space 38:55

לפני 22 weeks38:55

38:55

What if setting a simple intention could transform your life? In this powerful episode, Gwendolyn Mitchell sits down with Astrid Richardson-Ashley, a licensed clinical social worker and Reiki practitioner, to explore the profound impact of intention and sacred space in healing and personal growth. Together, they delve into how the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies workshops create safe, transformative environments for Black women to heal, connect, and align their minds, bodies, and spirits. From the introduction of the Soma process, an ancient ritual that brings peace and joy, to the importance of resilience, conscious awareness, and community, this episode is filled with inspiring insights into how spirituality and intentionality can lead to profound change. Tune in today to find out how you can bring these healing practices into your own life! Key Points From This Episode: • How Astrid came to be part of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies Project. • The power of intention-setting as a catalyst for personal growth and healing. • A ritualistic formula for setting intentions that unites mind, body, and spirit. • Why it’s important to create a safe, sacred, grounded space to facilitate openness. • Astrid’s favorite aspects of the workshops, namely the relationships. • Acknowledging the courage and resilience of women throughout their healing journeys. • An introduction to the Soma process and how it promotes joy and peace. • Beautiful quotes from workshop participants about their transformative experiences. • Astrid’s profound personal experiences as a result of the Soma ritual. • How mentioning balance between mind, body, and spirit can enhance feelings of bliss. • Insight into the Conscious Black Beauty Movement and its inclusion in the workshop. • The unique integration of spiritual practices that fosters collaborative healing. • Aspirations for the future of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies project. Quotes: “We have a role in our consciousness and the thoughts that we put out there. The intentions that we set can change our lives. That has been my experience.” — Astrid Richardson-Ashley [0:06:43] “We’re holding sacred space. You can feel it. It’s palpable – The women who [participate in these workshops] come back and they say, ‘Something happened here. I can feel it.’” — Astrid Richardson-Ashley [0:14:47] “Intention has made a huge change in how my life has grown and evolved. I [now see] prayer as such. This is part of me co-creating with the universe, with the divine, to create the life that I want to have.” — Astrid Richardson-Ashley [0:32:44] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Love Letters to Our Bodies Project Astrid Richardson-Ashley on LinkedIn California Black Health Network Conscious Black Beauty Movement (CBBM) Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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The Power of Living Authentically 34:40

לפני 23 weeks34:40

34:40

Show Notes When a woman receives a breast cancer diagnosis, it can feel earth-shattering. However, as today’s incredible guest demonstrates, it can also serve as a powerful wake-up call to reevaluate and make meaningful changes that lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life. In this episode, we’re joined by Dee Manuel Cloud, an empowerment coach, author, speaker, and two-time breast cancer survivor. Her book, Beauty in the Breakdown: Finding Peace in the Midst of Life's Disruptions , encapsulates her mission to help women stop suffering in silence, reclaim their lives after trauma, and elevate their self-worth so they can live a life of freedom, love, and abundance. Join us as she shares how her diagnoses profoundly shaped her outlook on life and led her to embrace the immense power of authenticity. We also discuss why vulnerability is an essential component of strength, how our stories become survival guides for others, the importance of leaning on your community, and so much more. This inspiring conversation offers invaluable insights into how embracing both authenticity and adversity can lead to deeper growth, empowerment, and fulfillment. Be sure to tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: • How Dee’s two breast cancer diagnoses shifted her outlook on life. • The immense power of authenticity and embracing your uniqueness. • Some of the biggest challenges Dee has faced and how she overcame them. • The vital role of healing childhood trauma and doing the inner work. • How Dee’s experience with breast cancer informs her work with other survivors. • What she means when she refers to her cancer experiences as “divine disruption.” • Practical and emotional advice for anyone who has recently received a diagnosis. • The importance of self-advocacy and developing a strong support system. Quotes: “I don’t think there’s anything more powerful than being who we came into this world to be.” — Dee Manuel Cloud [0:09:13] “When I share my story and I share about being vulnerable, coming out, living as my authentic self, and finding my voice, not only [was it] inspiring to other women, but it gave them the courage to find their authentic voice as well.” — Dee Manuel Cloud [0:19:27] “[Divine disruptions] don’t come to destroy us. They come to put us on the right course.” — Dee Manuel Cloud [0:23:32] “[Advocate] for yourself. You are your number one priority.” — Dee Manuel Cloud [0:31:39] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dee Manuel Cloud Dee Manuel Cloud Email Beauty in the Breakdown Dee Manuel Cloud on LinkedIn Dee Manuel Cloud on Instagram Dee Manuel Cloud on Facebook Dee Manuel Cloud on TikTok Dee Manuel Cloud on YouTube Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Embracing Life Navigating Multiple Myeloma 25:02

לפני 24 weeks25:02

25:02

According to the International Myeloma Foundation, African Americans in the US make up 20% of all multiple myeloma patients, despite comprising only 14% of the country’s population. While science has yet to find a cure, today’s guest, Valarie Traynham, is undeterred. A multiple myeloma thriver, breast cancer survivor, and patient leader, Valarie sheds light on health disparities and advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. Diagnosed at just 42, she shares her personal journey through the often-overlooked symptoms of this rare blood cancer, the challenges African Americans often face in receiving timely diagnoses, and the critical role of early intervention. Valarie’s experience has empowered her to become a community educator and advocate, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and self-care. Tune in to hear how she transformed a devastating diagnosis into a powerful story of healing and purpose. Her message is a beacon of hope for anyone confronting life’s toughest challenges, and her unwavering commitment to both her own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others is truly remarkable. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation! Key Points From This Episode: • The story of how Valarie found out that she had multiple myeloma. • What multiple myeloma is, what its causes are, and why it isn’t a death sentence. • CRAB criteria for diagnosing myeloma and how its symptoms may present. • The prevalence of this incurable disease in the African American population. • Difficulties that many African Americans encounter in obtaining a timely diagnosis. • Living with multiple myeloma: the critical role of acceptance, hope, and self-care. • How Valarie’s cancer diagnosis helped her discover her purpose in life. • The importance of connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences. • Destigmatizing mental wellbeing for cancer patients in the Black community. Quotes: “When you accept it, then you can move past it.” — @MyelomaValarie [0:13:43] “I can honestly say that [cancer] is the best thing that happened to me. [Through] dealing with cancer, I found my purpose – Had I not been dealt the cancer hand, I would not have found my purpose.” — @MyelomaValarie [0:15:15] “To my Black sisters, you are enough. You don’t have to be all things to everybody. Take care of yourself. Self-care is just realizing that you are who you are. That’s self-acceptance and seeing the value that you hold. You are worthy.” — @MyelomaValarie [0:20:55] “To my Black brothers, it’s okay not to be okay. You don’t always have to be that tough, manly man because you’re going through things. Let that guard down and let somebody in.” — @MyelomaValarie [0:21:15] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Valarie Traynham on Instagram Valarie Traynham on Facebook Valarie Traynham on X Valarie Traynham Email Black Myeloma Health Community Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Losing a Leg and Finding a Life Purpose 27:46

לפני 25 weeks27:46

27:46

What if your greatest challenge became the key to unlocking your true purpose? In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by internationally renowned motivational speaker, personal trainer, and triathlete Erin “Bionic” Brown, who turned a life-altering tragedy into a story of triumph. After losing her leg to cancer at a young age, Erin embarked on a journey that propelled her into a life of empowerment and advocacy. Today, she is a passionate advocate for adaptive sports, encouraging others to overcome life’s obstacles with courage and determination. As a mother, athlete, and mentor, Erin draws on her personal experiences to promote resilience, authenticity, and self-advocacy. Tune in for an uplifting conversation about finding your purpose and the courage it takes to be unapologetically yourself. Erin’s story will remind you that no matter how difficult life gets, you have the strength to rise, grow, and make a lasting impact! Key Points From This Episode: • A candid account of Erin’s experience with cancer, amputation, and treatment. • The story of how she met someone in the airport who changed the course of her life. • Why she chose not to cover or change the appearance of her prosthetic limb. • Ways that Erin’s self-advocacy journey propelled her to discover her “divine purpose.” • The profound lesson she has learned about the power of authenticity and self-love. • How she hopes to inspire young people who lack role models that look like them. • Community initiatives and educational projects that she is involved in right now. • The lived experiences, resources, and safe spaces Erin has been able to create. • Inspiring advice to help you to continue to show up, even when times are tough. Quotes: “It’s okay to be 1,000% you in every shape, color, mood, feeling, expression.” — Erin Brown [0:14:12] “Something that [people] may have seen as – so tragic and life-altering for me – was transformed into something that was absolutely needed for me to get to this point.” — Erin Brown [0:16:08] “Lean into the belief that your voice is valuable. Your value is not tied to anyone’s narrative or anyone’s experience of you. Your value is tied into what you are prepared to stand on, to define yourself as, and what you answer to.” — Erin Brown [0:25:02] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Erin Brown Erin Brown on Instagram Erin Brown on Facebook Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn Love Letters to Our Bodies Love Letters to Our Bodies Online Workshop Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Making Peace with Life's Challenges 44:10

לפני 26 weeks44:10

44:10

How do we find peace and healing in the face of life’s toughest challenges? In this episode, host Gwendolyn Mitchell is joined by Dr. Lucretia Bolin, a Ph.D.-trained family nurse practitioner, advocate, and BIPOC wellness coach with over three decades of experience in public health, addiction recovery, and violence prevention. In our conversation, Dr. Bolin shares her powerful personal journey as a cancer survivor and healthcare worker, offering insight into the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of healing. Together, they delve into the deep connection between trauma, body health, and community healing. Dr. Bolin's reflections on the importance of gratitude, self-acceptance, and finding peace with life’s inevitable changes provide valuable lessons for anyone facing health struggles. From understanding the body’s innate wisdom to cultivating a deeper appreciation for its resilience, this episode offers heartfelt wisdom for listeners at any stage of their journey. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that challenges the way we view healing and invites you to embrace your own body’s power. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from Dr. Bolin’s unique perspective and lived experience! Key Points From This Episode: • Dr. Bolin’s 30-year career in public health, addiction recovery, and violence prevention. • She shares her cancer journey, starting with her diagnosis in 2003 at the age of 42. • Unpacking the role of safe spaces for Black women healing from trauma and illness. • The Love Letters project: where women share their stories and find support. • Paying attention to the body's signals and intuition. • The impact of trauma on health; why it’s essential to address trauma in the healing process. • Why self-advocacy is so important in healthcare, especially for Black women. • The stigma around cancer and the need for support and understanding within the community. • Reclaiming and embracing the beauty of our bodies; rejecting destructive beauty standards. • Gratitude as a powerful tool for healing and moving through life’s challenges. • Life’s uncertainties and the importance of living with intention and joy. Quotes: “I've been a healthcare provider for over 35 years working in Western medical systems, and sometimes providers miss the mark. They're not always right.” — Dr. Lucretia Bolin [0:16:13] “Keep throwing love on it. That’s the super sauce. That's the healing salve. That's something we don't get enough of. And it's an action. It's not just a word.” — Dr. Lucretia Bolin [0:39:05] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dr. Lucretia Bolin, Ph.D on LinkedIn Dr. Lucretia Bolin, Ph.D on Instagram @curas_sagrada Dr. Lucretia Bolin, Ph.D on Instagram @‌coloringpsychedelics Send Dr. Lucretia Bolin a message via WhatsApp 4155778582 The Body Keeps the Score Tickets to the Love Letters to Our Bodies Oct 19/20 Workshop Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Why Love Letters 2 Our Bodies 38:45

לפני 27 weeks38:45

38:45

Welcome to the first episode of Love Letters 2 Our Bodies, with your host, Gwendolyn Mitchell, Founder and CEO of MOYO Institute, Inc. As a lifelong spiritual seeker and energy worker, Gwendolyn leads thoughtful conversations on health, healing, and happiness, by, for, and about Black and African American women. In this debut episode, she explores the profound impact of chronic stress, especially among African Americans, and its link to poor health outcomes like cancer and diabetes. While acknowledging racism’s role in exacerbating chronic stress, Gwendolyn powerfully advocates for radical self-care as a path to changing these harmful dynamics. Tuning in, you'll hear how prayer and meditation can become transformative tools for managing stress and fostering healing, leading to inner peace and improved health. She emphasizes that prayer isn’t just a plea for help, but a method for manifesting desires with clarity and gratitude. Gwendolyn also shares a powerful reminder about self-love, urging us to appreciate and cherish our bodies just as they are. Tune in for an inspiring invitation to embrace radical self-care and recognize the beauty within yourself! Key Points From This Episode: • An introduction to host, Gwendolyn Mitchell, Founder and CEO of MOYO. • The Love Letters 2 Our Bodies workshops and what to expect from the podcast. • MOYO's decision to focus on cancer among African American women. • The particularly severe effect of cancer on African Americans compared to other cohorts. • How being Black in America, and many other countries, contributes to chronic stress. • Key findings on the effect of chronic stress on the body, and the role of racism. • Prioritizing self-care to alter the life-diminishing effects of chronic stress. • Unraveling messages of self-hatred embedded in systemic racial oppression. • Methods for living in an empowered state and how to take cues from your body. • Prayer as a powerful tool for manifestation when approached with clarity and gratitude. • Techniques for quieting repetitive stress thoughts through meditation and mindfulness. • Embracing your body's beauty and intelligence, regardless of appearance. Quotes: “We have a responsibility to make radical self-care a priority if we're ever going to change these life-diminishing dynamics.” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:17:16] “We need to unravel the messages of self-hatred that are embedded in systemic racial oppression.” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:19:15] “Becoming sovereign beings, that's my recommendation for how to meet racism with a life-affirming response.” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:36:30] “Your body is a gift from God. Your body has intelligence. Your body is beautiful. Love it.” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:37:09] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ‘Meditation and Self-Care: A Radical Life-Affirming Response to Racism’ ‘Racial discrimination and telomere shortening among African Americans: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study’ Free Ananda (Joy) Transfer Evenings Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

Love Letters to Our Bodies

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Coming Soon - Love Letters 2 Our Bodies 2:17

לפני 27 weeks2:17

2:17

Episode Trailer: Show Notes Host Gwendolyn Mitchell invites you to Love Letters 2 Our Bodies, a podcast exploring health, healing, and happiness with a focus on Black women’s wellbeing. From health disparities to spiritual empowerment, this podcast tackles how we think, feel, and live in today’s world. In season one, you’ll hear from sisters who’ve faced a cancer diagnosis and turned their journeys into stories of self-discovery and triumph. Episodes launch Thursday, September 12, with weekly releases. Learn more at MOYO Institute, Inc., and subscribe to join the conversation! Quotes: “African Americans have poorer health outcomes than other groups. Why is that? Could it be because of the disparities in access to health care and treatment? What is the role of stress, eating habits, [and] exercise?” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:00:20] “Hear from sisters who've faced a diagnosis with the big C (yes, cancer), many of whom are participating in the Love Letters 2 our Bodies workshops project. They will share their journeys from diagnosis to self-discovery, and how those journeys are shaping their lives.” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:01:01] “Hear from women who are providing support and access to non-traditional and integrative care and other important information and tools to help prevent this plague from devastating the Black community even further.” — Gwendolyn Mitchell [0:01:31] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn MOYO Institute, Inc instagram.com/moyoinstitute…

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