ፐRሃ

Yonatan Derbew

Hi my name is Yoni, and I am currently finishing up my M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University in order to become a licensed psychotherapist. I created this podcast as a challenge to myself to find and use my voice, but my hope is that it will help others to find theirs. My goal with this podcast is to have it become a safe space for anyone and everyone to discover, reflect, and hopefully find out who they truly are. I've been using this podcast to help make meaning of all that happens in life, so if that interests you, take a listen and let me know your thoughts.

  1. 6d ago

    The Inherited Mirror: Culture, Moral Judgment, & the Architecture of Internalized Shame

    In this episode, I explore how collectivist culture and community dynamics shape moral judgment, identity, and personal mental health, specifically within Habesha and immigrant households. Some general themes discussed this episode: • The Communal Mirror: Unpacking Yilunta (ይሉኝታ) and the psychological toll of chronic social surveillance. • Masculinity & Emotional Necrosis: Why equating strength with out-enduring pain leaves men numb and burned out. • The Baseline of Provision: Why financial support doesn't replace emotional availability in fatherhood. • Guilt vs. Shame: Why your brain turns behavioral mistakes into attacks on your fundamental self-worth. • The Diaspora Trap: Moving past "Us vs. Them" gatekeeping to protect culture without stifling growth. • The Ancestral Home Metaphor: How to keep the solid foundation of your heritage while renovating what is broken. Disclaimer: Reflections from a counselor-in-training. Not licensed therapy or clinical advice. 💬 Discussion Questions:1. Did you grow up managing "Yilunta" (what will people say), and how does that voice show up in your adulthood? 2. How do you distinguish between honoring your family's sacrifices and living a life of blind conformity? 3. What is one cultural cycle or expectation you decided to renovate rather than pass down?

  2. Sep 14

    What's Your Story?

    Welcome back to the podcast! This is Episode 12, and today we’re diving into narratives, stories, and how we make sense of our lives. Inspired after watching The Odyssey, I wanted to explore what it means to look at your life through the lens of Narrative Therapy, where you aren’t just a character reacting to circumstances, but the active author holding the pen. I get into what happens when 5-year plans fall apart, why intelligence doesn't make anyone immune to life's storms, the difference between comfortable safety and uncomfortable growth (Scylla vs. Charybdis), and why reaching a long-awaited destination often feels completely different than we imagined. Disclaimer: I am a counselor-in-training (emphasis on training!). This podcast is based on my personal reflections, academic learning, and experiences. It is not licensed professional advice or therapy. Discussion Questions (Drop your thoughts below!): 1. What was a major setback in the last two years that felt like the end, but in hindsight redirected you to where you were meant to go? 2. When did you first realize you weren't just a passenger, but the driver of your life? 3. Outside of your career, school, or resume, who are you?

  3. Aug 10

    Grief & Loss

    Welcome back to the channel. This is the first episode I'm posting with my face on camera, so hopefully it's easier to follow along. This episode does cover some heavier topics, so don't feel pressured to sit through it all at once. Here are some of the general topics I covered in the episode: The Personal Journey: Looking back at a rough, heavy year of dealing with back-to-back losses. A Counselor's Perspective: Stripping away academic clinical theory to talk honestly about how grief actually manifests. The Power of Cultural Catharsis: Exploring the Ethiopian practice of Lekso, collectivist healing, and dismantling standard emotional stoicism. Moving Forward: Shifting mindsets from a place of lack to a place of abundance, and learning to sit comfortably within the discomfort of growth. Disclaimer: I am a counselor in training, not a licensed professional. This episode does not constitute professional medical/mental health advice. If you are going through a high moment of crisis or experiencing an emotional episode, please remember you are not alone. Reach out to someone you trust or utilize the 988 Crisis Hotline.

  4. Jul 13

    Episode 10: Akale Kinfe

    Our guest episode for today is Akale Kinfe, a rising senior at John's Hopkins majoring in Public Health and Computer Science. Akale joins us as we talk about her interests in Public Health as a career and how that began. We also reflect on our music journeys and analyze each others' Spotify Wrapped.

  5. Jun 29

    Episode 9: Theophilus Acheampong

    Our guest episode for this episode is Theophilus Acheampong, a recent graduate of John's Hopkins. Theo joins this episode as we discuss his identities as Bronx native and Ghanian and how they've influenced his love and passion for sports.

  6. Jun 15

    Episode 8: Nana Osei-Owusu

    Our guest star for this episode is Nana Osei-Owusu, a John's Hopkins alum who studied Biomedical Engineering. Nana hops on the podcast to talk about his identity as a poet and how poetry has impacted him as well as the evolving dynamics between him and his family after moving to America from Ghana for school.

  7. Jun 1

    Episode 7: Asier Belay

    Our guest star for this episode is Asier Belay, who just graduated from John's Hopkins as an Electrical Engineering major. Asier joins to discuss the importance of his family in his journey to Hopkins and the beauty of watching those relationships develop over time.

  8. May 18

    Episode 6: Adiam Asgedom

    In this episode of ፐRሃ, we have Adiam Asgedom, a graduating senior at Johns Hopkins studying Molecular and Cellular Biology. Adiam joins to discuss his journey to Hopkins and America from Ethiopia after COVID and reflects on his family's role in this journey.

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About

Hi my name is Yoni, and I am currently finishing up my M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University in order to become a licensed psychotherapist. I created this podcast as a challenge to myself to find and use my voice, but my hope is that it will help others to find theirs. My goal with this podcast is to have it become a safe space for anyone and everyone to discover, reflect, and hopefully find out who they truly are. I've been using this podcast to help make meaning of all that happens in life, so if that interests you, take a listen and let me know your thoughts.

Information

  • Creator
    Yonatan Derbew
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Yonatan Derbew
  • Show Website
    ፐRሃ