Conversations with Coach LA

Lakisha R. Austin LICSW MBA MSW

Hi, my name is Lakisha Austin also known as Coach LA. I am a psychotherapist and life coach with a down-to-earth approach to providing therapeutic support. I love using music, an emphatic ear, a witty sense of humor, and unapologetic clinical skills to debunk myths about therapy. Step into my office and listen to real people have candid conversations about this thang called LIFE. Don’t hesitate to Chime in & help me encourage individuals to own their stuff & set boundaries to fix their life! Share your experiences, relationship issues, and daily stressors on the live interactive Facebook chat! My virtual office hours are Sundays 10-11 pm on the UrbanHeat 98.1fm! Call-In 617.238.7111, Tune In, or Just Listen live at https://www.heat981fm.com/ weekly on Sundays at 10 pm. Listen to the replay weekly on Thursdays or watch it on the UrbanHeat Facebook page.

  1. Attachment Styles Explained: How Childhood Shapes Adult Relationships

    MAY 14

    Attachment Styles Explained: How Childhood Shapes Adult Relationships

    Tonight on Conversations with Coach LA, psychotherapist, Lakisha Renee Austin takes listeners on a powerful and deeply reflective journey into the emotional roots of attachment styles, relationship patterns, mother wounds, grief, and healing. This solo episode explores how childhood experiences, emotional safety, and early caregiving relationships shape the way we love, communicate, trust, avoid, pursue, and protect ourselves in adulthood. From anxious attachment and people-pleasing to emotional shutdown and fear of vulnerability, Coach LA breaks down the psychology behind our relational behaviors through both clinical insight and real-life reflection. In honor of Mother’s Day, this conversation also creates space for the complicated emotions many people experience around motherhood, including grief, estrangement, generational trauma, identity loss, emotional neglect, and reparenting yourself while healing. Listeners will gain insight into: ✨ Attachment styles and relationship dynamics ✨ Mother wounds and generational cycles ✨ Emotional regulation and nervous system responses ✨ Grief, loss, and healing during holidays ✨ The importance of emotional safety and self-awareness ✨ Reparenting your inner child through the BET on SELF™ framework This episode is a reminder that healing isn’t about becoming perfect — it’s about becoming aware, intentional, emotionally honest, and courageous enough to grow through what hurt you. 🧠 Clinical references include: Attachment Theory Intergenerational Trauma Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE Study) Grief Psychology Emotional Regulation & Trauma Responses 🎙️ Conversations with Coach LA airs live on Urban Heat 98.1FM and iHeartRadio, creating authentic conversations around mental health, relationships, healing, culture, and personal growth. 💡 Take the attachment style quiz discussed during the episode:Attachment Style Quiz 🌻 Remember: You are not “too much.” You are not “hard to love.” Many of us learned survival before we learned safety. #ConversationsWithCoachLA #AttachmentStyles #MotherWounds #MentalHealthMatters #BETonSELF #HealingJourney #TherapyTalk #EmotionalWellness #BlackTherapist #UrbanHeat981FM 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  2. Healing, Accountability & Dating After 40 — Clinical Insights on Megan Thee Stallion, Cheyenne Bryant & Relationship Patterns

    MAY 7

    Healing, Accountability & Dating After 40 — Clinical Insights on Megan Thee Stallion, Cheyenne Bryant & Relationship Patterns

    Conversations with Coach LA “Are You Healed or Just Guarded? 👀 Let’s Be Honest…” This week on the Virtual Couch, Coach LA invites entrepreneur and foodie, Tuneka Green from Neek's Kitchen  to dive into one of the most honest conversations of the season—healing, accountability, relationships, and the emotional realities of dating after 40. From trending headlines to personal reflection, this episode explores the difference between true emotional healing and simply becoming emotionally guarded. Using pop culture moments involving Megan Thee Stallion and Cheyenne Bryant as conversation starters, Coach LA unpacks how trauma, attachment styles, social conditioning, and unresolved pain impact the way we love, communicate, and protect ourselves. This episode blends: ✨ Real talk ✨ Clinical insight ✨ Relationship accountability ✨ Emotional wellness tools ✨ BET on SELF™ moments that challenge listeners to grow intentionally 🛋️ IN THIS EPISODE: Are people truly healing—or just becoming more emotionally unavailable? Why “strong” people often struggle silently The psychology behind relationship triggers and viral dating advice Trauma responses disguised as independence Attachment styles and how they show up in adult relationships Dating after 40: boundaries, standards, and emotional discernment The difference between protecting your peace and avoiding intimacy Why awareness alone is not enough for transformation 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  3. Moment of Truth: Big Shug on Legacy, Loyalty & Healing

    APR 30

    Moment of Truth: Big Shug on Legacy, Loyalty & Healing

    From Survival to Significance: The Big Shug Legacy This episode of Conversations with Coach LA hits different. Boston’s own Big Shug steps onto the Virtual Couch for a conversation that goes beyond music—into identity, healing, loyalty, and what it really means to evolve. Rooted in the legacy of Gang Starr and shaped by his journey alongside Guru, Big Shug opens up about the unseen chapters—the pressure, the pain, the pivots—and how hip-hop became both an outlet and a lifeline. This isn’t just storytelling—it’s narrative therapy in real time. A masterclass in turning survival into strategy… and pain into purpose. If you’ve ever had to rebuild yourself while staying true to who you are—this conversation is for you. 🔑 What We Unpack: 🎤 Identity & Origins How Boston culture shaped Big Shug’s voice and foundation The evolution from who he had to be… to who he chose to become 🔥 Pain, Pressure & Purpose The struggles behind the spotlight—and the resilience it required Hip-hop as emotional expression, release, and survival tool   🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  4. Laughter as Healing: Jonathan Gates on Comedy, Culture & Coping Through Life

    APR 23

    Laughter as Healing: Jonathan Gates on Comedy, Culture & Coping Through Life

    We’re laughing—but let’s be clear, this is strategy, not distraction. Healing is in the room. Comedian and radio personality Jonathan Gates pulls up to the 🎙️ Virtual Couch for an Up Close & Personalconversation that goes beyond the punchline. Because every joke carries weight… and every laugh has a backstory. In this episode, we unpack: 😂 Humor as a healing tool—not avoidance, but transformation 💭 Mental health and how it shows up in the culture 🔥 Turning real-life pain into purpose, power, and punchlines 📍 Streaming LIVE on all platforms Pull up for the laughs… but stay for the insight, the honesty, and the kind of truth that actually shifts something. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  5. Purpose in Motion: Integrating Passion & Impact with Asha Hardnett

    APR 16

    Purpose in Motion: Integrating Passion & Impact with Asha Hardnett

    What does it really look like to rebuild your life—and your identity—after everything falls apart?   In this deeply impactful episode, Coach LA sits down with Asha J.W. Hardnett, also known as “The Purpose Doula,” to explore how purpose is not something you find—it’s something you activate through movement.   From surviving breast cancer and navigating profound grief to becoming a purpose strategist, speaker, and author, Asha shares how she transformed her life experiences into a platform that helps others align passion, purpose, and profit.   Grounded in principles from Positive Psychology and the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth, this episode highlights how meaning-making after adversity can lead to resilience, clarity, and emotional wellness.       🔑 Key Takeaways     Purpose is not discovered—it’s developed through action Your pain can become your most powerful strategy Healing requires letting go of who you were to become who you’re called to be You can align purpose with profitability without compromising your well-being Emotional wellness is essential when leading, serving, and building impact         💬 Notable Quotes     “When you move with purpose, everything else has to catch up.”   “You don’t just survive your story—you learn how to use it.”   “Healing will change you… and that’s the point.”       🛠️ BET on SELF Reflection     Believe: Your experiences have value—even the painful ones Empower: Give yourself permission to evolve beyond survival Transform: Turn your story into impact, income, and influence       🎯 Coach’s Corner     Topic: You Can’t Heal and Stay the Same   Growth requires release. Healing will stretch your identity. Purpose will demand movement—even when it feels uncomfortable.       📚 Clinical Insight     Research in Positive Psychology shows that having a strong sense of purpose is linked to improved mental health, resilience, and life satisfaction Post-Traumatic Growth highlights how individuals can experience transformation, deeper relationships, and renewed meaning after adversity         🔗 Connect with Asha     Platform: AshaOnPurpose Founder: Life on Purpose Solutions Author: WAS: What Asha Said         🎧 Listen & Subscribe     Stream this episode on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms. Follow, rate, and share to keep the conversation going.       💭 Join the Conversation     What part of your story are you ready to turn into purpose?   Tag us and share your takeaways using: #BETonSELF #PurposeInMotion #ConversationsWithCoachLA     Because healing is the strategy… and purpose is the assignment. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  6. APR 9

    confidence, identity, and the journey back to YOU

    This episode is a call-back, not a makeover. We unpack what it truly means to rebrand yourself from the inside out—not by becoming someone new, but by reconnecting with who you’ve always been beneath survival mode, expectations, and life transitions. If you’ve been feeling disconnected, out of alignment, or like you’ve outgrown old versions of yourself… this conversation will meet you right there and move you forward. 💭 Key Conversation Points The difference between losing yourself vs. evolving How life roles, trauma, and expectations impact identity Confidence as a practice and decision, not just a feeling The connection between body image and self-worth Why self-perception shapes behavior, relationships, and outcomes Letting go of outdated versions of yourself to step into alignment 📊 Clinical Insight Body-image acceptance therapy has been shown to increase self-esteem by 28% Self-perception directly impacts: Emotional regulation Decision-making Relationship dynamics Overall confidence and life satisfaction 🔥 Coach LA’s Key Takeaways You don’t need a new identity—you need reconnection Confidence is built through aligned action, not perfection Your environment can either reinforce your past or support your evolution The way you speak to yourself shapes the version of you that shows up 🧠 Reflection Questions Take a moment to sit with this: When did I feel most like myself—and what changed? What parts of me have I silenced or abandoned? What am I ready to release that no longer reflects who I am? What would it look like to fully show up as HER right now? 💎 BET on SELF™ Application Believe: You are not lost—you are layered Empower: Choose yourself, even when it feels unfamiliar Transform: Align your actions with the version of you you're reclaiming 🎧 Stay Connected Follow: @conversations_withcoachla Follow: @therapist_coachla Stream on iHeartRadio + all major podcast platforms 📢 Share the Message If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who’s in their rebrand season. Because the truth is— You’re not starting over… you’re returning with power. 💫 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  7. Dear Women… Listen to This (Men Get Honest About Relationships)

    APR 2

    Dear Women… Listen to This (Men Get Honest About Relationships)

    As we close out Women’s History Month, this episode of Conversations with Coach LA invites a powerful shift—from celebration to connection. On the Virtual Couch, Coach LA is joined by James Lambert III and Mathematics, two men who have been intentionally creating spaces for men to connect, be vulnerable, and engage in conversations many were never taught to have. In this honest and unfiltered dialogue, they share what they’ve learned from those spaces—offering women deeper insight into how men experience love, pressure, communication, and emotional support. This episode is not about blame—it’s about understanding, growth, and building stronger relationships. Because when we listen differently… we love differently. 💭 What We Discuss Why men often shut down emotionally What emotional support looks like for men The difference between love, respect, and understanding How men experience pressure and vulnerability Lessons learned from men’s healing and accountability spaces The importance of listening to understand—not just respond 🔥 Key Moment The conversation culminates in a powerful reflection as each guest completes the sentence: “Dear Women…” A raw and meaningful moment you don’t want to miss. 🧠 Clinical Insight Men are significantly less likely to seek mental health support, yet account for a higher percentage of suicide rates. This highlights the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where men can express emotion, build connection, and engage in healing conversations. 🎯 BET on SELF Reflection Believe • Empower • Transform This episode challenges listeners to reflect on how they show up in relationships—and how understanding, emotional awareness, and accountability can transform connection. 📣 Call to Action If this conversation resonates with you: ✔️ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔️ Subscribe and follow Conversations with Coach LA ✔️ Join the conversation on social media 💌 Want to share your #BETonSELF story on the Virtual Couch? Email: admin@weroclives.com 🔗 Connect with Our Guests James Lambert III Community leader and engagement specialist focused on leadership, equity, and systems change Instagram: @3rdExposure Mathematics Motivational speaker and recovery advocate Instagram: @motivatedbymathematics   🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m
  8. Navigating Grief: Honoring the Life, Voice, and Legacy of Marrk “The Voice” Harris

    MAR 26

    Navigating Grief: Honoring the Life, Voice, and Legacy of Marrk “The Voice” Harris

    Grief is one of the most universal human experiences—yet one of the least understood. This week on Conversations with Coach LA, we hold intentional space to honor the life, voice, and legacy of Marrk “The Voice” Harris, while diving deeper into the emotional and psychological realities of grief. This episode blends heartfelt tribute with clinical insight, unpacking what it truly means to process loss in real time. Did you know that while grief is natural, nearly 40% of individuals experience symptoms of depression during early bereavement, and many feel unprepared to cope with the emotional and physical toll? From the impact on the body and mind to the myths around “moving on,” we explore how grief shows up—and how healing begins. Together, we’ll examine: ✨ The truth about grief beyond the stages ✨ How loss affects your mental, emotional, and physical health ✨ The power of meaning-making and legacy in the healing process ✨ Why staying connected to those we’ve lost can be a path forward This is more than a conversation—it’s a moment of reflection, remembrance, and restoration. Because grief isn’t something you get over… it’s something you learn to carry with care. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and give yourself permission to feel, remember, and heal. 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to Conversations with Coach LA! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new episode—dropping every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen live every Sunday at 10PM on Urban Heat 98.1FM or via iHeartRadio. Want to join the conversation or share your story? We’re always looking for inspiring voices! Email us at admin@weroclives.com to be considered as a future guest. This show is brought to you by Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives, LLC, where we champion self-awareness, mental wellness, and transformational growth through therapeutic coaching and community empowerment. If you're looking for a therapist or support on your healing journey, visit our website or reach out—we're here to help you BET on SELF:🌱 Believe. Empower. Transform. Because when you bet on yourself, you invest in your peace, your power, and your purpose.   Opening Theme song created by Daniel Laurent   www.daniellaurent.com  Closing Theme Song created by Nancia produced by Jay Hunt -SmokeHouse Media

    1h 41m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hi, my name is Lakisha Austin also known as Coach LA. I am a psychotherapist and life coach with a down-to-earth approach to providing therapeutic support. I love using music, an emphatic ear, a witty sense of humor, and unapologetic clinical skills to debunk myths about therapy. Step into my office and listen to real people have candid conversations about this thang called LIFE. Don’t hesitate to Chime in & help me encourage individuals to own their stuff & set boundaries to fix their life! Share your experiences, relationship issues, and daily stressors on the live interactive Facebook chat! My virtual office hours are Sundays 10-11 pm on the UrbanHeat 98.1fm! Call-In 617.238.7111, Tune In, or Just Listen live at https://www.heat981fm.com/ weekly on Sundays at 10 pm. Listen to the replay weekly on Thursdays or watch it on the UrbanHeat Facebook page.