Category: Addy Hour

We all want to experience life satisfaction and emotional health. But getting to that place is another matter. From lockdowns to isolation, ongoing racial injustice to political turmoil, lost lives and lost jobs — this past year has tested our minds and bodies in profound ways. During the Addy Hour podcast, we’ll discuss topics at the intersection of brain science, mental health, faith, culture, & social justice. Join us for dynamic conversations and insights based on the lived experience and professional expertise of guests from expected and unexpected places. We’ll hear from community leaders, scientists and researchers, professional athletes and entertainers, faith leaders, mental health experts and advocates. Dr. Nii Addy — Yale professor & researcher, man of faith, sports & hip hop fan, and mental health advocate — is your host. To be healthy and whole, we must approach things holistically. Addy Hour will explore the topics and questions you’ve been thinking about and will create a unique space for us to talk about them.

Thriving or Burn Out In Mentoring, Pastoring, Service & Vocation – Part 1 w/ Christine Pfund

Thriving or Burn Out In Mentoring, Pastoring, Service & Vocation – Part 1 w/ Christine Pfund

In this new Addy Hour conversation, we start with a two-part episode on thriving without burnout – especially in vocations that involve investing in each other as team members, mentors, educators, leaders and more. In part one, we’re joined by Dr. Christine Pfund, a leader and national director at the forefront of teaching, learning and mentor and mentee training who has written on mentor burnout. Join us for a rich, honest and pragmatic conversation.

Dr. Pfund helps us identify the signs and different types of burn out, and then provides practical tips for replenishing and recharging. In this candid conversation, Dr. Pfund and Dr. Addy also share personal insights from their own mentoring approaches, successes, tensions, growth areas, and navigation with burnout. We also consider the circumstances and internal and external pressures that can move us towards burnout, such as our internal expectations and guilt. To push against this tendency for burnout, we reflect on the powerful role of community, the importance of checking in and support of one another, and the essential practice of setting boundaries. We end by discussing the role of faith perspectives, and the benefits and challenges of servant-hearted leadership and discerning when to say no. This is a great episode that will help you reflect and identify early signs of burnout and give you practical tools that you can apply today. It’s a truly wide-ranging, informative and encouraging conversation!!

A conversation with Joanne “Coach P” McCallie – Mental Health Warrior

A conversation with Joanne “Coach P” McCallie – Mental Health Warrior

An absolutely wonderful episode with the honest, insightful, brilliant and inspiring Joanne “Coach P” McCallie. Join in for a candid conversation about Coach P’s journey as a Hall of Fame NCAA women’s basketball coach, living her best life with bipolar disorder across most of her coaching career. This episode is packed with helpful take-aways and perspectives, as we discuss daily routines, mental health stigma and care, relationships, trust, life stage transitions, and the integral role of community in mental health and wellness. We’ll dive into the circumstances and complexities that led to Coach P receiving guidance to not disclose her illness, but to instead navigate as a secret mental health warrior for 26 years. You’ll also hear about Coach P’s changed perspectives towards medication, her faith journey, and the ways she continues to coach and empower on a daily basis.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Mental Health on Campus & in Society w/ Stephanie Pinder-Amaker

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Mental Health on Campus & in Society w/ Stephanie Pinder-Amaker

This week, it’s a joy to welcome a guest whose passion, work, and writing encompasses so many topics at the heart of the Addy Hour. Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker joins to discuss her roles as a mental health provider and program director, and as a Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. Our conversation spans across topics of mental health wellness, mental illness, effective and sustainable diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and strategies for navigating work-life juggling. This is truly an informative episode!

Join in to hear Dr. Pinder-Amaker share helpful perspectives on self-care, approaches for team care in our organizations, and daily steps we can use to build resilience – including practices she continues to use in her own life. We also discuss her innovative College Mental Health Program that meets, supports and engages students at various levels of mental health care in settings all over the United States. Finally, we hear about her book, co-authored with Dr. Lauren Wadsworth, entitled “Did That Just Happen?! Beyond Diversity – Creating Sustainable and Inclusive Organizations.” So many gems and practical take-aways in this episode!!

Addiction Psychiatry, Recovery Journeys, Fighting Stigma and Holding on to Hope, with Myra Mathis

Addiction Psychiatry, Recovery Journeys, Fighting Stigma and Holding on to Hope, with Myra Mathis

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Myra Mathis, an addiction psychiatrist, clinical leader and community leader, and a person of faith. In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Mathis walks us through her daily experience as a psychiatrist in our present-day society, and she describes what gives her joy in her work. As one who embraces holistic approaches to mental health, she shares practical ways to put that approach into practice. Dr. Mathis also touches on how a better understanding of the science of mental health and addiction can help us understand behaviors in our loved ones and help us fight mental health stigmas. Along with these helpful perspectives, Dr. Mathis stresses the importance of meeting people where they are and the necessity of holding on to hope. This is a wonderful conversation with a true leader who is striving to remove barriers that prevent many of us from moving to a better place of wholeness in our mental health.

Mental Health, Politics and Advocacy with former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy

Mental Health, Politics and Advocacy with former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy

This week, former US representative Patrick J. Kennedy joins for an authentic, inspiring and practical conversation about his personal journey and his long-standing mental health advocacy and policy efforts. More than ever as a society, we’re acknowledging the reality of mental health challenges, the need for access to care and coverage for care, and the importance of mental health wellness. In this episode, we discuss the need for a true mental health reframing and normalization, where we’ve made societal progress, and the critical work that remains. Rep. Kennedy also shares refreshing stories about effective, daily practices he uses in his life, especially in the midst of our ongoing societal challenges. We also talk through aspects of brain biology, our experiences, and how these intersect to impact how we navigate and experience the world. A truly poignant and generative conversation!

Faith Community & Mental Health Partnerships with Ayana Jordan & Sidney Hankerson

Faith Community & Mental Health Partnerships with Ayana Jordan & Sidney Hankerson

An inspiring episode as I host two of my Psychiatry role models who are making great impacts through mental health programs and offerings in our churches and faith communities. Dr. Ayana Jordan and Dr. Sidney Hankerson join to discuss how they’re elevating community voices and walking in partnership with faith leaders and communities to address and improve mental health. We’ll hear how these two leaders are transforming society as they teach, learn from, employ and deploy individuals and groups in our communities. This is an empowering episode on so many levels! Join in for a conversation filled with joy, laughter, reflection and inspiration.

A conversation & time of reflection with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

A conversation & time of reflection with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

In the midst of ongoing tragedy in the US, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl joins for a timely conversation where we intentionally pause and reflect, but also support and encourage. As she powerfully states in this episode, we desperately need to hold on to hope, instead of giving in to despair. As the first female senior rabbi in the 180-year history of Central Synagogue in New York City, Rabbi Buchdahl also shares about her path as a trailblazing religious leader and her experience growing up as the daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and Jewish American father. We also talk through the challenges and opportunities of community building, the importance of addressing racism within faith communities, and the necessity of advancing leadership opportunities for women. We also consider our experiences around the restorative discipline of cultivating rest, and we discuss ways we can walk in hope. A wonderful and encouraging conversation!

On Culture, Society, and Being a Voice for Marginalized Communities with Juju Chang

On Culture, Society, and Being a Voice for Marginalized Communities with Juju Chang

Award winning journalist and ABC News’ “Nightline” co-anchor, Juju Chang, joins for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation about her coverage of the societally transformative stories of our time. In this episode, Juju shares insights on how she connects with people from various, and often marginalized, backgrounds and how she navigates delicate situations to give voice to nationally important narratives. We’ll talk through many topics, including Juju’s family immigration journey, her coverage of increasing Anti-Asian hate, and our need to address the myth of the AAPI model minority and the stereotype of “crazy rich Asians.” We also talk through the ways Juju is bringing her identity more centrally into her work, and the life-giving nature of authentic, mental health check ins from colleagues and friends. In this generative conversation, we’ll hear gripping stories of hope in the midst of tragedy, consider opportunities for unity in the fight against hate, and discuss the healing power of grace and forgiveness.

Faith, Spirituality and Psychiatry with Charles Dike

Faith, Spirituality and Psychiatry with Charles Dike

Faith versus science. Spirituality and religion versus psychology and psychiatry. Are these topics truly incompatible or are they related and intertwined? Also, is it ethical for mental health practitioners to support or dismiss faith and religion in clinical settings? This week, Dr. Addy’s mentor, colleague and friend, Dr. Charles Dike, joins to discuss these topics and more. Dr. Dike shares insights from his perspective as a psychiatrist, educator, leader at the State and Federal levels, and as a person of faith who’s called to make a difference in people’s lives. In this conversation, we’ll weave through the layered tensions, misconceptions and opportunities of considering religious, psychological, and psychiatric approaches to mental health and mental illness. We’ll also hear fascinating findings about the practical and positive health outcomes of integrating religious activities with clinical care. Finally, we’ll hear from Dr. Dike’s personal experience and how his faith has guided his professional journey. A thought provoking and inspiring episode!

A conversation w/ Jeremy Lin & Esther Choo: Mental Health, Race, Culture & Wellness in AAPI communities

A conversation w/ Jeremy Lin & Esther Choo: Mental Health, Race, Culture & Wellness in AAPI communities

This week, pro-basketball star Jeremy Lin & ER doctor and healthcare equity advocate, Esther Choo join for a candid discussion about mental health, culture & wellness in Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. We’ll hear both guests describe their lives growing up in the US and their experiences navigating different cultural communities from childhood through adulthood. We’ll also talk through the realities of the last year, including Jeremy’s time living and working in China, and Dr. Choo’s experience as an ER doctor during the pandemic. Jeremy also shares transparently about mental health challenges and lessons learned, during his complicated COVID-related experience in China. Join us for an authentic and generative conversation, as we learn from each, as we discuss our societal progress, and as we consider opportunities for further growth.