Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz

21 Media
  • 4.9 (14)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist, provides a relaxed, informative forum to discuss how to prioritize and optimize mental wellness. The words strong and soft appeared to be juxtaposed; they actually work together. Like a diamond (or a topaz), some of the strongest elements are also the most precious. A strong mind helps you choose a soft life. A soft life protects your strong mind. The community created by Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz helps us to step out of self-imposed isolation and garner the skills to better ourselves and each other.

  1. Sep 3

    Dr. Kensa Gunter

    In this episode, Dr. Topaz keeps the conversation connected to sports as she chats with another esteemed Soror of Delta Sigma Theta. Listen as she talks with Dr. Kensa Gunter, a licensed psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Through her Atlanta based private practice she provides counseling and consultation services to individuals, teams, and organizations. Dr. Gunter also serves as the Director of NBA and WNBA Mind Health, the league’s mental health, wellness, and performance program. Dr. Gunter grounds us with the reminder that our mental health is our ability to function effectively in our lives, mentally and emotionally. The state of our mental wellness is reflected in the health (or lack thereof) of our thoughts, feelings, and relationships. This is no different for athletes. So often with athletes we focus only on their athleticism and physical health. For those of us who support athletes, let’s encourage their accomplishments that are not sports related. We should speak life into our student athletes, win or lose. Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives for our athletes! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, athletes, coaches and sports families!

    Dr. Kensa Gunter

  2. Aug 27

    Crossover The Pond

    To really know Dr. Topaz is to know that she is a huge sports fan, specifically the NBA and WNBA. In this episode, Dr. Topaz joins the hosts of the Crossover the Pond podcast, Drew Lasker and Josh Sexton to record live in Las Vegas. Drew is an Analyst for Amazon Prime Video Short. Josh is a member of the credentialed NBA media.   Listen as Dr. Topaz chops it up with Drew and Josh and shares her mental health expertise within the context of sports and athletes. This is a great episode for athletes and parents of student athletes. We all need to remember that athletes are NOT super human; they are human with special talents and gifts in sports. Athletes should be allowed to fully feel their feelings and be given the tools to have healthy responses and resolutions. Athletes should be encouraged to seek professional mental health support as a part of their overall wellness regime. (Shout out to universities and professional sports teams who now provide mental wellness services for their athletes. It’s about time.) Dr. Topaz also advises athletes to stay focused on their support system, those who are taking this journey with them. As best they can, athletes need to ignore the naysayers. (There will always be naysayers.) Don’t allow your haters to impact your mental health and impact your game. This is sage advice, no matter your profession. Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives for our athletes! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, athletes, coaches and sports families!

    Crossover The Pond

  3. Aug 20

    Mental Health Round Table

    One of the hot topics for 2026 has been the use of the ‘Dr.’ credential, and how to confirm who has earned the right to use of that title. (IYKYK!) Understanding the different types of credentials that are held by mental health professionals is helpful in determining who is best suited to meet your needs.  In this episode, Dr. Topaz hosts a Mental Health Round Table designed to address some common concerns when seeking mental health care, in terms that are easy to understand.  This conversation is moderated by Yvonne Harris (21 Media), and Dr. Topaz is joined by Erin Stanley, LCSW, (Episode 7 guest of "Strong Mind, Soft Life") and a social work professional expert. Along with Keith Bryant, PsyD, (Episode 11 guest of "Strong Mind, Soft Life") and a psychologist professional expert. Listen as the group discusses some of the seemingly interchangeable terms used to describe the roles played by the professionals, and some of the related misconceptions. They also breakdown which professional you should see based on the concerns you need addressed. Exploring your mental health services options is a serious matter. Do not rely heavily on social media content or personalities for important information. Link with credible professionals, and always advocate for yourself. Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, Sis!

    Mental Health Round Table

  4. Aug 13

    Dr. Kevin Simon

    In this episode, Dr. Topaz shifts her focus to the unique intersections to mental health experienced by young, Black boys. Bringing expertise to this conversation is Dr. Kevin M. Simon, MD, MPH, MBA. Dr. Simon is a triple board-certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine specialist, and the inaugural Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the City of Boston. His clinical, research, and public health work focuses on youth mental health, substance use, health equity, and improving care for young people navigating complex systems. Raised in Brooklyn by Haitian parents, Dr. Simon approaches medicine and leadership with a guiding conviction: attention is the first medicine. This is a great back-to-school episode. Parents of Black children know the importance of having ‘talks’ with their children. The topics discussed by Dr. Topaz and Dr. Simon go to the root causes of why these ‘talks’ have become a part of the fabric of Black culture. Dr. Simon explains that at an early again, Black boys’ behaviors are often mischaracterized as they are perceived as older, less innocent, and threatening as compared to White boys. It, therefore, becomes innate to Black boys to adapt to how people perceive them; which often stunts their ability to feel and express joy and innocence, like all children should be able to. As the parents, families, teachers and coaches of young, Black boys, it is incumbent upon us to give them the skills and permission to have strong minds AND soft lives…emphasis on the latter. Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, Sis, and bring your young brothers with you!   *21 Media congratulates Dr. Topaz on her first 21 episodes of Strong Mind, Soft Life!. The number 21 is often associated with creativity, optimism and inspiration. 21 Media thanks Dr. Topaz for her steadfast courage to bring consistent messages of hope and wellness to her audience. Mental health is important to everyone. Period. Dr. Topaz, you are an inspiration to so many. Here’s to the next 21+ episodes!*

    Dr. Kevin Simon

  5. Aug 6

    Dr. Saviour Achilike

    You may not know about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), but you probably know someone with the disorder. Listen as Dr. Topaz takes a deep dive on this often-misunderstood condition with Saviour Achilike, MD MPH, a board certified neurologist.  He has always seen practicing medicine as a sacred vocation, an extension of his faith, and takes seriously the trust placed on him by families/patients. FND affects how the brain and nervous system work. Those who experience FND often have symptoms that cannot be explained medically. Saviour compares FND to a computer with faulty software. He also brings awareness to the fact that FND comes with a stigma, with many who have the condition accused of faking their symptoms. FND is more commonly diagnosed in women. Don’t be afraid to discuss FND with your medical provider. Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, Sis!

    Dr. Saviour Achilike

  6. Jul 30

    Dr. Topaz in Las Vegas

    From a mental health perspective, sometimes a change of environment and pace is just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Topaz recently traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, and she took the show on the road…literally.  If you follow Dr. Topaz on social media, you probably spotted her recent posts from her adventures at the She’s Got Time Summit (a professional ecosystem for women building careers across sports) and the NBA Summer League. She was ‘walking the talk’, living out loud, and doing things that she really enjoys. Dr. Topaz embodied the advice that she and many of her guests have shared over the past few months. She showed up for herself, and flexed a myriad of WNBA jerseys throughout her trip. (Shout out to Sheryl, her favorite WNBA player, for this recording!) Listen as Dr. Topaz sat in the ‘hot seat’ with Yvonne Harris & Drew Lasker, founders of 21 Media, as they discussed a variety of topics related to the of intersections with mental health and sports. As an added plus, Dr. Topaz was also a guest on the Crossover the Pond podcast, where she talked more about mental health issues impacting performance & athletics. That episode will drop soon. Be sure to check it out. Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, Sis!

    Dr. Topaz in Las Vegas

  7. Jul 23

    Dr. Kristin Jones

    Nowadays, people are living longer. The quality of someone’s life as they enter their geriatric season is a direct result of both their physical and mental health. Dr Topaz recently talked with Dr. Kristin Jones, who is double board certified in adult and geriatric psychiatry.  Dr. Jones underscores the importance of not labeling mental health issues in the elderly as just ‘getting old’. Seniors experience depression and anxiety just like other age groups, but the symptoms may not manifest the same ways that they do for our youth or middle-aged adults. Your children cannot be a litmus for how mental health concerns will show up in your parents. The inability to manage daily functions, and a pronounced lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, Dr. Jones cautions us to view as possible mental health concerns. Depression and anxiety are not a normal part of aging.  The topics discussed in this episode will really hit home for those who identify as being a part of the sandwich generation, adults who care for both their children and their parents. Now that we know different, let’s support our elderly differently.  Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives, no matter your age! Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Join us, Sisters…and Grandmothers, and Great Aunties too!

    Dr. Kristin Jones

  8. Jul 16

    Dr. Andre’a Watkins

    Many of us have heard, “You are what you eat.” Guess what… you are!  If you eat better, you will be healtier. On this #TherapyThursday, Dr. Topaz has a powerful conversation with her Spelman College and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sister, Dr. Andre’a Watkins. “Dr. Andy” is the CEO/Owner and Culinary Psychiatrist for FreedomMind Wellcare and Consulting LLC. She has over a decade of expertise in the field of psychiatry, layered with an innovative, nutritional approach to mental health, gut health, and nervous system regulation to drive lasting transformation. As they delve into the gut-brain connection, their conversation underscores that our bodies are naturally designed to help and to heal us. As we consider how to optimize our mental wellness journey, Dr. Topaz and Dr. Andy remind us of two powerful truths: 1) every journey to optimal mental health is individualized; 2) do not underestimate the power of a tailored nutritional plan in support of your mind.  This episode deserves a double-listen.  Spoiler alert: Sugar is not your friend! Let’s establish an interconnected community that is committed to creating strong minds and soft lives. Listening to this podcast is an investment in yourself. And when you are better, we are all better.  Drop the candy bar and join us, Sis!

    Dr. Andre’a Watkins
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist, provides a relaxed, informative forum to discuss how to prioritize and optimize mental wellness. The words strong and soft appeared to be juxtaposed; they actually work together. Like a diamond (or a topaz), some of the strongest elements are also the most precious. A strong mind helps you choose a soft life. A soft life protects your strong mind. The community created by Strong Mind, Soft Life with Dr. Topaz helps us to step out of self-imposed isolation and garner the skills to better ourselves and each other.

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