The Bibliotherapy for Black Women Podcast

Hey yall! On this episode, I talk about my personal tools of mental hygiene and the strategies I use to re-regulate when I need to. I dive into the ways I use journaling, meditation, yoga, and audio voice notes to manage intense feelings on a day to day basis. I also briefly talk about hitting a milestone on this podcast journey at the beginning of this episode.  I hope you enjoy! Please follow/subscribe, share and recommend! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @bibliotherapy_pod

Hey everyone! I've got my Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner hat on this episode and am putting my Yale degree to use by breaking down the clinical symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (5:47). It delights me that we are taking mental health more seriously as a generation, and it's important to be equipped with the right language and information so listeners like you all are able to properly identify when you may need to seek help.  Also a warning that there is a brief discussion of suicidal ideation in this episode (22:25) as it can be a symptom of MDD. A list of episode timestamps are below: Symptoms (13:13) Statistics  (28:00) Comorbidities (34:10) Family History (37:11) Depressive Subtypes (39:37) If any questions arise about this topic that you'd like to ask me personally, feel free to reach out via my contact info below. Despite the heavier nature of this episode's content, I hope it is impactful. Please follow/subscribe, share and recommend to those you feel it may help. If you have been having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Hotline is accessible 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. Literature references for the episode:  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders (V) ; Synopsis of Psychiatry Contact email: btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @bibliotherapy_pod

Hey yall! On this episode of the podcast, we're rounding out our two-part mini-series on The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (starts at 2:52). I discuss the remaining three agreements in the book: Chapter 3:Don't Take Anything Personally Chapter 4: Don't Make Assumptions Chapter 5: Always Do Your Best I hope you enjoy! Please follow/subscribe, share and recommend! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com   Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @bibliotherapy_pod

As we venture full steam ahead into 2022, I'm discussing in this first episode of a two part series, the experience of reading this book ten years later (starting at 12:38) and focusing specifically on the following chapters: Chapter 1: Domestication and the Dream of the Planet Chapter 2: Be Impeccable with your Word I talk about internal agreements I have divorced, and also share a realization I had sometime ago that was literally life changing when it comes to my inner voice. This part of podcast gets a little emotional, just a heads up! Another note that this episode was recorded before "Discussing my Reads for 2021" as the idea for that episode succeeded this one, but made sense to publish first considering timing. Regardless, I hope you enjoy the episode! Please follow/subscribe, share and recommend! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

Happy New Year! On episode 9 of the podcast I'm reflecting on my reads of 2021. Hope you enjoy! A Promised Land - Barack Obama (13:10) Professional Troublemaker - Luvvie Ajayi Jones (23:50) What Happened to You - Dr. Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey (27:05) You Are Your Best Thing: An Anthology - Edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown (34:00) Set Boundaries, Find Peace - Nedra Glover Tawwab (39:47) The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz (44:00) If you have any book suggestions for the new year, please share! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com or reach out to me via my social media below. Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

No book this episode! I felt moved to just turn on the mic, hit record, and talk to you guys. The end of the year is approaching, so in true "me" fashion, I am reflecting on the season, the year, and life in general. We're discussing realizations about work, adult friendships and living alone. Please share, follow/subscribe, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

In the final installment of this 3 part series discussing the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by psychotherapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, I share a recent experience around instituting boundaries at work, and talk about the importance of honoring boundaries with yourself. Discussion of the book begins around the 18:25 minute mark . Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

In part 2 of this 3 part series discussing the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by psychotherapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, I share my thoughts about the importance of honoring children's boundaries and its impact as adults, along with the difficulty that can come from deciding to end a close relationship. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

In episode 5 of the podcast, I embark on a 3 part series discussing the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by psychotherapist Nedra Glover Tawwab. I share my reflections around my perception of boundaries from childhood to adulthood, the gems I have taken from the book so far, and what I find resonates with me the most. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

On episode 4 of The Bibliotherapy for Black Women Podcast, I discuss some takeaways from a new experience I recently had, I share reflections about going through a transitional season in my life, and I discuss my thoughts on the book You Are Your Best Thing: An Anthology, edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, I'd love to hear from you! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

In episode 3 of the podcast, I recap my thoughts on the book "What Happened to You" by Dr. Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey. I share how my new insight from the book has influenced my daily life, and the importance of knowing what tools of re-regulation work for you. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, I'd love to hear from you! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

On Episode 2 of The Bibliotherapy for Black Women Podcast, I discuss my takeaways from the book Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi-Jones. I also share some personal reflections of how I've began to measure progress in my life, which have helped me keep things in perspective. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

This episode of BTBW chronicles my journey towards graduating as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Yale University May 2021. It started in 2017 with a move to Philadelphia, where I would begin a season of challenges, triumphs, and immense self discovery. I hope you enjoy the episode. If you would like to share any thoughts, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag

The Bibliotherapy for Black Women Podcast is a new podcast created and hosted by myself, Amaka Gratia - an early 30s, Black woman Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who recently graduated from Yale, with a passion for books and mental health. This trailer is an introduction to myself as the host and details a preview of what to expect from this podcast series. Episode 1 of this podcast will premier on Wednesday, September 1st. I hope you will join me!