The Brain Love Podcast

Dr. Delvena
  • 4.9 (78)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

On Mother's Day in 2020, I created my podcast to help people in the community to better understand themselves, others, and a range of topics to support mental health, wellbeing, and ability to thrive as your true self. I share my experience and knowledge with you and have intimate conversations with a range of professionals on topics including depression, anxiety, dating and relationships, sex and masturbation, racism, alternative health, medications, and more. The discussions are "up close and " and often make listeners feel like they're right there in the room.

  1. Apr 20

    You Can’t Save Him: When Red Flags Turn Fatal

    SEASON 6 EPI 14 You can’t save him. I said what I said. Too many women—especially Black women—are out here loving potential…while ignoring patterns that are loud, consistent, and dangerous. 🚨 Red flags are not challenges to overcome. They are warnings to pay attention to. In this episode of The Brain Love Podcast, Dr. Delvena will break down: ✨ The psychology behind “I can save him”✨ Why women stay in unhealthy (and sometimes unsafe) relationships✨ How substance use, financial instability, and emotional dysregulation can escalate risk✨ And the hard truth: some situations don’t get better… they get worse Using real-life context—including the situation involving Justin Fairfax—we take a deeper look at what happens when red flags are ignored for too long. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness. It’s about protection. It’s about Brain Love. 💛 SiS, you are not his therapist. You are not his rehabilitation center. And you are not his savior. You can’t save a man who doesn’t want to be saved.But you can save yourself. 🎧 Listen now on all platforms(@thebrainlovepodcast) 👇🏾 Let’s talk in the comments:What’s one red flag you’ll never ignore again? #drdelvena #BrainLove #TheBrainLovePodcast #MentalHealthMatters #BlackWomenHeal #SelfWorth #RelationshipHealth #RedFlags #ChooseYou #EmotionalWellness #ProtectYourPeace #ToxicRelationships #WomensMentalHealth #HealthyBoundaries #LoveShouldntHurt #Accountability

    32 min

  2. Apr 16

    Understanding Stress

    SEASON 6 EPI 13 A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ADREANA JACKSON FOR HAVING DR. DELVENA ON HER SHOW, "THE BALANCE". "The Brain Love Podcast" is replaying an episode from, "The Balance" hosted by Andreana Jackson.COPIED FROM ADREANA'S BLOG:There’s a quiet truth many of us are living with but rarely pause to examine: stress is no longer occasional—it’s constant.This conversation brings together two medical experts, Dr. Delvena Thomas, Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Lieutenant Colonel, and Dr. Heather Britton, Board-Certified Neurologist, to explore how stress is not only experienced—but processed, stored, and expressed within the brain and body.What unfolds is both scientific and deeply human.The nervous system is divided into two key parts: the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system, which includes the autonomic system responsible for regulating involuntary functions.The sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight)The parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest)When the body perceives stress, it activates the sympathetic system—releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.“Stress affects the hypothalamus and amygdala… it produces cortisol and adrenaline, leading to rapid heart rate, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure.” — Dr. Heather Britton“Prolonged stress can affect memory, concentration, and even your personality—because it impacts the prefrontal cortex.” — Dr. Heather Britton“Stress in small doses is protective. But prolonged stress tears the body down.” Dr. Delvena Thomas“We’ve been conditioned to believe constant stress is normal—but it’s one of the reasons we see higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and anxiety.” — Dr. Delvena ThomasOver time, stress can lead to:Anxiety and depressionHigh blood pressureSleep disturbancesCognitive declineThe body, quite literally, was never designed to stay in survival mode.From childhood environments to cultural norms, the way we process stress is often shaped early in life.“You often learn how to manage stress based on how you saw your family handle it.” — Dr. Heather BrittonDr. Thomas expands further, introducing the concept of vicarious trauma—how historical experiences, systemic challenges, and lived environments can contribute to elevated stress levels across generations.This adds an important layer: stress is not always individual—it can be collective.Interrupting Stress in Real TimeUnderstanding stress is one thing. Managing it is another.When asked how to regulate stress in the moment, Dr. Thomas offers a practical and immediate solution: breathing.“You have to break the cycle. Engage your parasympathetic system through breathing—that’s what calms the body.” — Dr. Delvena ThomasIt’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful tools are also the simplest.The result? A state of continuous stimulation that can disrupt focus, sleep, and emotional balance.Mindfulness—being present and intentional—becomes increasingly difficult in a world designed for distraction.Dr. Britton highlights several ways to protect cognitive function and reduce the risk of conditions like dementia:Maintain a nutrient-rich diet (Mediterranean-style)Stay physically activeEngage sociallyContinue learning new skills“You have to keep your brain active—learning new skills creates new neural connections.” — Dr. Heather BrittonStress management, once again, plays a central role—reinforcing how interconnected mental and physical health truly are.Living in BalanceAt its core, this episode reflects what The Balance has always been about: awareness.Not eliminating stress—but understanding it.Not avoiding life—but learning how to move through it with intention.Because balance isn’t something we find once.It’s something we practice—daily.Final ThoughtStress may be inevitable—but living in a constant state of it is not.And sometimes, the most powerful reset begins with something as simple as a breath.

    38 min

  3. Apr 6

    Nancy Metayer Bowen, Vice Mayor of Coral Springs

    Season 6 EPI 12 Are you ready to take the couch? ®️ Welcome back to The Brain Love Podcast, where we unpack the mind, challenge the narrative, and get to the truth about mental health… and human behavior. Today’s conversation is a tough one—but an important one. Dr. Delvena is on the couch solo. Nancy Metayer Bowen, Vice Mayor of Coral Springs, was found dead in her home on April 1, 2026. Her husband, Stephen Bowen, was arrested and charged with premeditated murder and evidence tampering. According to police reports, he allegedly shot her multiple times, then attempted to conceal the crime. He reportedly told a relative he did it because he “couldn’t take it anymore.” The case is being investigated as domestic violence, and there is no confirmed motive publicly established yet. People are saying “mental illness.”Evil is not synonymous with mental illness.Planning a murder, carrying it out, and attempting to conceal it reflects awareness, intent, and choice.We have to stop labeling every horrific act as mental illness simply because it makes us uncomfortable to call it what it is.

    40 min

  4. Apr 2

    Faith Over Senses

    ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE COUCH? ®️ SEASON 6 EPI 11 What if I told you…everything you’ve been feeling… everything you’ve been seeing…everything your mind has been telling you……might not be the full truth?  We live by our five senses, but God calls us to live by something higher. On this episode of The Brain Love Podcast, I step into a different kind of conversation—where psychiatry meets Scripture and science meets faith. Because let’s be real, your mind will convince you to worry, magnify what you see, and misinterpret what you don’t understand. But the Word says: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” The real question is: Are you trusting what you see or who God is?  From a mental health perspective, we’re diving into: 1. Why your senses can mislead you 2. How fear distorts perception 3. The psychological power of faith 4. And how to anchor yourself when life doesn’t make sense Healing isn’t just about what you experience, it’s about what you choose to believe.  Tap in for this powerful episode and ask yourself: Am I living by my senses or by my faith? The Brain Love Podcast Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Pandora | iHeartRadio  @drdelvena | @thebrainlovepodcast

    43 min

  5. Mar 23

    Overcoming Anxiety God’s Way w/ Trina

    SEASON 6 EPI 10 Are you ready to take the couch?®️ During Brain Awareness Week, we talk a lot about the brain… The science… the structure… the neurons…But tonight? We’re talking about what the brain feels like… When it’s overwhelmed… When it’s anxious… When it won’t let you rest. And more importantly… How do we heal it? Not just clinically… But spiritually. So if you’ve ever felt anxious… If you’ve ever felt like your thoughts were louder than your faith… If you’ve ever smiled on the outside but felt overwhelmed on the inside… Tonight is for you. So go ahead—get comfortable…

    50 min

  6. Mar 16

    The Sparks That Endure: Why Our Core Human Drives Survive Mental Illness.

    SEASON 6 EPI #9ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE COUCH?Tonight, on The Brain Love Podcast, Dr. Delvena sits down with Clovis Raymond, MD, author of The Sparks That Endure: Why Our Core Human Drives Survive Mental Illness. In psychiatry, conversations often focus on symptoms—hallucinations, mood instability, depression, and cognitive disruption. But Dr. Raymond challenges us to look deeper. His work explores a powerful truth: even in the presence of severe mental illness, the most fundamental parts of our humanity remain alive. He calls these enduring forces “sparks.”From the desire for love and connection, to creativity, humor, spirituality, autonomy, and hope, these sparks continue to exist even when illness tries to obscure them. Drawing from decades of psychiatric practice, neuroscience, and real patient experiences, Dr. Raymond offers a compassionate framework for understanding the resilience of the human spirit.Tonight’s conversation will explore:• Why human drives persist even in serious psychiatric illness• The 14 Sparks Framework and what it teaches us about recovery• How clinicians and families can better recognize the humanity within mental illness• Why treatment must go beyond symptom control to nurturing purpose, identity, and meaningAt its core, this discussion reminds us that mental illness may disrupt thoughts and emotions—but it rarely extinguishes the deepest parts of what makes us human. Join us for a powerful conversation about psychiatry, dignity, and the enduring sparks that help people heal.

    44 min

  7. Mar 10

    It's Coming - World Bipolar Day

    SEASON 6 EPI #8 WORLD BIPOLAR DAY is March 30 Join Dr. Delvena Thomas, Board-Certified Psychiatrist, as she raises awareness about bipolar disorder, reduces stigma, and promotes mental wellness. 🧠 What We’ll Cover• What Bipolar Disorder Really Is• Signs & Symptoms• Treatment & Hope for Recovery• Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Illness 🎙 Special Awareness EpisodeThe Brain Love Podcast 📅 March 30 – World Bipolar Day Listen on:Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Pandora | iHeartRadio Presented byDRT Brain Love Foundation, Inc @DrDelvena

    20 min

  8. Mar 2

    "Golden. Grounded. Growing."

    ✨ I’m back on the mic tonight. SEASON 6 EPI#7 🎙️ The Brain Love Podcast – LIVE After turning 50… after loss… after global tension… after reflection…This episode is personal. We’re talking about: 💛 What 50 is teaching me as a woman🌍 Iran & Israel — from my perspective as an Army psychiatrist🕊 Forgiveness as emotional freedom🤝 Taking care of each other in hard times🧠 Real wellness (not just hashtags)🏈 And yes… I miss Ravens football This isn’t politics.This isn’t noise. This is growth.This is leadership.This is Brain Love. Join me live as we unpack what it means to be golden in wisdom, grounded in purpose, and growing through every season. Because healing isn’t passive. It’s intentional. Are you ready to take the couch? #BrainLove #GoldenGroundedGrowing #DrDelvena #WomenAt50 #ArmyPsychiatrist #MentalWellness #Forgiveness #CommunityCare #RavensNation #BrainLovePodcast

    34 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
78 Ratings

About

On Mother's Day in 2020, I created my podcast to help people in the community to better understand themselves, others, and a range of topics to support mental health, wellbeing, and ability to thrive as your true self. I share my experience and knowledge with you and have intimate conversations with a range of professionals on topics including depression, anxiety, dating and relationships, sex and masturbation, racism, alternative health, medications, and more. The discussions are "up close and " and often make listeners feel like they're right there in the room.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Delvena
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    252
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Delvena
  • Show Website
    The Brain Love Podcast