The session in which we discuss the increasing amount that political thoughts and concerns have permeated therapy sessions since 2016. In the past, politics did not enter therapy in the same ways that it seems to now. In this session, we talk about politics in therapy and how it has changed the way we manage our therapeutic relationships.
Health Psychology
The session in which we speak with Dr. Phil Fizur, a clinical psychologist in the department of Behavioral Medicine at Cooper University Healthcare in Camden, NJ. Dr. Fizur’s day-to-day work involves patient care at Cooper’s Urban Health Institute, focusing on providing healthcare to Camden’s underserved populations. In addition, since the pandemic hit, he is also dealing with the traumatic impact of COVID19 on patients and providers.
Loneliness
We haven’t been in person together in almost 6 months now and the title of this Shrinks After Hours episode perhaps, in part, reflects that fact. Loneliness is experienced very differently by different people and in this particular episode we were reflecting upon that with Allison Gibbs, LCSW, of Therapy Concierge, LLC.
Dreams and Nightmares
Not too many bonuses in 2020 but here’s one! We talked to Director of the Philadelphia Storytelling Project, Mark Lyons, on this week’s main episode. He mentioned a book he helped to edit and translate by a young woman who fled alone to the United States when she was 14. In this bonus episode, Mark reads a powerful excerpt from the book, Dreams and Nightmares/Sueños y Pesadillas by Liliana Velásquez.
The Power of Story
The session in which we talk to Mark Lyons about the power of stories to create social change. As an author, and director of the Philadelphia Storytelling Project, Mark has worked with youth and adults to create audio stories about their lives. He has worked with inner-city youth using audio stories to improve literacy; with immigrants to document their dreams, barriers and determination, and with veterans who have found a way out of homelessness.
Education Activism
The session in which we meet Samuel Reed III, aka Reed, and Ismael Jimenez to talk about education activism and teacherpreneurship. Reed and Ismael are two passionate and dedicated educators who are core members of the Teacher Action Group (tagphilly.org). Ismael recently spearheaded the founding of the Philly Hub for Liberatory Academics (phlaed.org) while Reed currently focuses most on being a teacherpreneur and helping to promote economic and financial empowerment. Both believe in education as a tool of social change and liberation.
Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom
The session in which we spoke with Marion Hamermesh about her participation in the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, an organization working to build relationships between Muslim and Jewish women. We focused our discussion on a ‘Building Bridges’ trip some of the Sisterhood went on in January 2020. A group of 48 Muslim and Jewish women from all across the United States traveled to the U.S./Mexican border in Arizona.
The bonding and learning was deep and heartfelt for all of the participants. In addition to each woman’s personal moral compass, they were following respective Islamic and Jewish text (from their website):
“You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the soul of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus, 23:9)
“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Beware of oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection.’” (Muslim 2578)
Learn more at sosspeace.org
Viral Inequities
An After Hours session with Allison Gibbs, LCSW (Therapy Concierge, LLC) focusing on the Coronavirus health disparities highlighted in the news. We first debunk a very offensive and baseless idea that this is because of some biological predisposition to the novel coronavirus among Black people, and talked more sanely about why these inequities truly exist and why we’re seeing them right now. Not the most lighthearted of our After Hours conversations, but it’s always a positive experience to open up in heartfelt dialog with Allison.
@BlackGirlsEatDC
The session in which we chat with Cornelia Poku, Communications professional by day – foodie/food blogger the rest of the time. We talked about food blogging, relationships, and race.
We spoke with Cornelia in DC on the first weekend in March 2020, right before things totally shut down. The day we met, elbow bumps were the recommended greeting and after the interview we thought maybe we shouldn’t, but we hugged each other anyway. Cornelia is the last person, outside of immediate family members that we hugged.
Once things shut down, we asked Cornelia for an update. Her update: (on audio) Hey everyone, the time we’re in is insane and we all feel helpless. But I’m always looking for things I can do to make some difference. I’m blessed to still be working and definitely trying to give whenever I can. I have also been patronizing small businesses and working with local restaurants to share their special offers to my audience. Hope you’re safe, enjoy the episode.
Grant Blvd
The session in which we speak with Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D. about her brand, Grant Blvd and the ways she works to challenge economic injustice and marginalization. Dr. McGlonn launched Grant Blvd – named for the Milwaukee street where she grew up – as a sustainable design brand creating pathways to employment for people with a history of incarceration. All of their original and stylish garments are made from reclaimed fabrics, and through her brand, Kimberly works to advance the collective good of both people and the planet.
You can learn more on her website; you can also shop there! Fyi – they’re also making and selling masks right now.