We're Not OK: A Community of Healing

Antija Allen and Justin Stewart
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing features honest, engaging conversations about mental health, relationships, wellness, identity, belonging, personal growth, leadership, and the issues shaping our lives. Hosted by TEDx speakers Dr. Antija Allen and Justin T. Stewart, co-editors of the award-winning book We’re Not OK, the show brings together experts, leaders, creators, and people with powerful lived experiences for real talk, practical insight, laughter, healing, and connection. You don’t have to do it alone.

  1. Sep 25

    One Goal: Paths to Possibility w/ Dr. Alaina Harper

    What if we stopped asking young people, “What are you going to do?” and started asking, “What possibilities do you see for yourself?” We are joined by Dr. Alaina Harper, Executive Director of OneGoal in New York, for a conversation about education, career pathways, and helping young people envision their futures. OneGoal partners with schools and districts to make college and career planning an integral part of the high school experience, helping students explore their aspirations, discover their purpose, and navigate pathways toward college and career success. A lifelong educator with more than 20 years of experience, we explore Alaina’s journey in education, helping students discover career pathways, and the assumption that a four-year college degree is the only route to success. We also discuss trade school and other alternative pathways, and how an emphasis on grades, metrics, and traditional measures of achievement can sometimes limit how we see a student’s potential and future opportunities. Because there isn't just one path to a meaningful future — and every young person deserves the opportunity and support to discover their own. Connect with Dr. Alaina Harper & OneGoal: https://www.onegoalgraduation.org/ Connect with the hosts: ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart⁠ IG, TikTok, and YouTube: @thenotokpodcast

  2. Sep 11

    Who Gets to Tell Black Stories?

    Who gets to tell Black stories, and who gets to decide which ones are worth funding, promoting, and seeing? Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with filmmaker, novelist, and Black Film Space co-founder Lande Yoosuf to talk about Black storytelling, representation, identity, and creative ownership. They explore the myth that Black films don’t sell, the pressure to make stories more palatable for mainstream audiences, the challenges facing independent filmmakers, and how AI may reshape the future of storytelling. Plus, Lande shares how her Nigerian-American identity shaped her work and why culturally specific stories can still connect with audiences everywhere. Connect with Lande & Black Film Space: @Blackfilmspace @LandeYoosuf Website  www.blackfilmspace.com  YouTube  www.youtube.com/BlackFilmSpace  Connect with the hosts: ⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart⁠

  3. Aug 28

    The Black Girl Magic Crew w/ Dr. Seanna Leath

    We’re back for a new season! In our season premiere, we welcome Dr. Seanna Leath, Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and director of the Fostering Healthy Identities and Resilience (FHIRe) Collaborative. Dr. Leath’s work centers the lives and well-being of Black girls, women, and families. Together, we explore misconceptions about Black girls’ development, psychological safety and the freedom to be yourself, building confidence in underrepresented spaces, and the impact of adultification. We also discuss friendship as a source of healing and belonging, the emotional labor Black mothers carry in preparing their daughters for the world, and the power of community—the reminder that sometimes, it truly takes a village.Connect with the hosts, ⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart

  4. May 8

    Leading with Love w/ Yashmine Cooper

    Closing out the phenomenal sixth season of We're Not OK, we're proud to introduce Yashmine Cooper—educational leader, mindset coach, speaker, and founder of Leading with Love Consulting. With nearly two decades of experience in K–12 education, Yashmine joins the conversation to unpack the realities of burnout among women leaders and the hidden emotional, mental, and personal costs that often come with constantly showing up for others. We explore how leadership rooted in overwork can lead to exhaustion, disconnection, and even the loss of identity beneath professional titles and expectations.   Yashmine shares how her frameworks, including Power Pause and LeadHER, help leaders reclaim their time, regulate their energy, establish boundaries, and move from survival mode toward more sustainable and aligned leadership. The conversation also highlights real stories of transformation and what becomes possible when leaders prioritize well-being without abandoning their purpose. This season finale is an honest and healing discussion about redefining success, challenging toxic leadership norms, and creating lives that feel as good as they look on paper. Connect with Yashmine. Connect with the hosts, Dr. Antija Allen & Justin Stewart.

    Leading with Love w/ Yashmine Cooper

  5. Apr 9

    Problk Health w/ Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel & Darian McDaniel

    Today, we are joined by Problk Health co-founders Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel —a board-certified bariatric surgeon—and Darian McDaniel—a marketing executive with 20+ years of C-suite experience— as they share the personal journey that led them to build a wellness brand rooted in purpose, prevention, and community impact to transform Black health.  Together, we explore the real impact of healthcare gaps in Black communities, the rise of preventable chronic conditions, and how Problk Health was created to offer solutions that meet those needs. From choosing the right vitamins and supplements to avoiding harmful or ineffective options, this conversation is both practical and eye-opening.   Grounded in purpose, D. K and Darian also discuss their commitment to reinvesting in organizations and initiatives that support health and healing—turning individual wellness into community impact.   This episode is a powerful reminder: if we don’t prioritize our health early, we’ll feel it later.  Connect with the Dr. K & Darian: Visit their website:Problk Health Vitamins - Black Doctor Owned Vitamin Company – PROBLK HEALTH Check out their mission: Our Mission – PROBLK HEALTH Follow them on Instagram Connect with the hosts: Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://tidycal.com/allenivyprep/introductory-meeting If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

    Problk Health w/ Dr. Karleena Tuggle-McDaniel & Darian McDaniel

  6. Mar 27

    Unmasking Brilliance: Black Women with ADHD w/ Drs. Chinyere Oparah and Loucresie Rupert

    In this powerful Women’s History Month episode, Dr. Antija Allen leads an intimate and affirming conversation centering the lived experiences of Black women with ADHD, stories too often overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. Joined by Dr. Chinyere Oparah and Dr. Loucresie Rupert, this episode explores what it means to be brilliant in systems that were not built for you. Together, they unpack late diagnoses, the emotional weight of “what could have been,” and the invisible labor of navigating life through workarounds that were never named. Dr. Chinyere Oparah is an educator, author, and executive leadership coach who supports visionary leaders in navigating complex systems. As the founder of NeuroSpicy Leaders and the Center for Liberated Leadership, she brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership, including roles as dean, provost, and vice president. Her work challenges deficit narratives and advances sustainable, courageous approaches to leadership. Dr. Loucresie Rupert is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence. She is co-founder of Physician Women SOAR and a member of BLACK. Her work centers mental health, trauma, and equity across multiple identities, and she brings both clinical expertise and lived insight into this conversation. From hyperfocus to burnout, from misdiagnosis to self-discovery, this conversation reframes ADHD through a lens of strength, adaptability, and cultural context. You will hear how masking shows up in leadership, how success can coexist with struggle, and why community and collective care are essential tools for thriving. This is more than a conversation about ADHD. It is about identity, survival, and reclaiming the fullness of who you are. If you have ever questioned your capacity, your pace, or your path, this episode is a mirror, a validation, and a reminder. Your brilliance was never the problem. Connect with our guests: Dr. Loucresie Rupert www.insightfulconsultant.orgFacebook: Insightful Consultant LLCLinkedIn: Dr. Loucresie Rupert | LinkedInDr. Chinyere Oparah  https://www.neurospicyleaders.com/Follow @neurospicyleaders on IGResources Article on the power of ND leadership: https://www.neurospicyleaders.com/post/when-the-system-cracks-open-neurospicy-leaders-and-the-evolution-of-leadershipCoaching for ADHD/ND leaders and entrepreneurs: https://www.neurospicyleaders.com/FocusCafé Body doubling space for leaders, changemakers and entrepreneurs: https://www.neurospicyleaders.com/focuscafeAI FocusPartner -digital ally tailored to support ND professionals: https://www.neurospicyleaders.com/focuspartnerConnect with the hosts: Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://tidycal.com/allenivyprep/introductory-meeting If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

    Unmasking Brilliance: Black Women with ADHD w/ Drs. Chinyere Oparah and Loucresie Rupert

  7. Mar 13

    Hidden Wounds: Healing from Shame w/ Telvin Peterson

    Today, we sit down with Telvin Peterson, Licensed Professional Counselor, Addictions Counselor, and founder of Inner Depth Counseling & Consulting LLC. Drawing from his work within the Department of Corrections, Telvin shares insights from supporting incarcerated men navigating trauma, shame, addiction, and deep emotional barriers. Together, we explore how relational trauma, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to perform masculinity can keep people stuck in survival mode. Telvin also challenges common myths about addiction and discusses how substance use disorders are often rooted in unresolved trauma. From correctional facilities to community spaces, this conversation reflects on what it takes to move from silence and survival toward vulnerability, self-leadership, and healing. Connect with Telvin: TikTok  @mrpthetherapist Psychology Today: Inner Depth Counseling & Consulting LLC, Licensed Professional Counselor, Florence, SC, 29505 | Psychology Today Connect with the hosts: Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠⁠ https://tidycal.com/allenivyprep/introductory-meeting If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

    Hidden Wounds: Healing from Shame w/ Telvin Peterson

  8. Feb 27

    The Psychology of Generational Trauma w/ Dr. Justin S. Hopkins

    We’re joined by Dr. Justin S. Hopkins, a clinical psychologist, psychoanalytic scholar, and founder of Hopkins Behavioral Health, a BIPOC-focused therapy practice in Washington, DC. Through his clinical work, speaking engagements, and organizational partnerships, Dr. Hopkins applies the psychology of trauma to issues of identity, race, and the stress and pain underlying societal challenges.  Together, we explore how identity begins to form and how intergenerational trauma is transmitted through both what is spoken and what remains unspoken. Dr. Hopkins unpacks the difference between stress and trauma, how unresolved pain can be projected into present relationships, and how generational patterns can be unknowingly reinforced. We also discuss misconceptions about healing, the role of formal therapy—particularly psychoanalytic therapy—in breaking cycles, and the broader cultural forces contributing to what many describe as “the anxious generation.” This episode invites us to become more aware of the hidden forces shaping our lives—and how intentional healing can move us toward greater freedom and joy. Connect with the hosts: Follow the Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Antija Allen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Justin Stewart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart - Introductory Call | TidyCal⁠⁠ If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/thenotokpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/⁠⁠⁠

    The Psychology of Generational Trauma w/ Dr. Justin S. Hopkins
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About

We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing features honest, engaging conversations about mental health, relationships, wellness, identity, belonging, personal growth, leadership, and the issues shaping our lives. Hosted by TEDx speakers Dr. Antija Allen and Justin T. Stewart, co-editors of the award-winning book We’re Not OK, the show brings together experts, leaders, creators, and people with powerful lived experiences for real talk, practical insight, laughter, healing, and connection. You don’t have to do it alone.

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