Speaking with Gravity

Gravity Counseling Group; Kervin K. Searles, LPC
  • 5.0 (10)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Speaking with Gravity is a bi-weekly mental health and culture podcast created to break stigma and open doors to healing in the Black community. Hosted by mental health professionals and real people living real life, we have honest, down-to-earth conversations about what we’re carrying and how to cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, identity, relationships, grief, purpose, and more. Our mission is simple: spark conversations that help you think, feel, and do what’s best for you, because everything affects everything. This podcast is educational and inspirational. It does not replace therapy.

  1. 12/17/2025

    Undrafted and Purposed | Speaking With Gravity Episode 100

    This is more than an episode. This is a milestone. Episode 100 of Speaking With Gravity celebrates 100 conversations centered on Black mental health, self-awareness, and growth—and it marks the release of Undrafted and Purposed, the debut book by our executive producer and founder, Kervin Searles. If you were drawn to Shannon Sharpe’s conversation with Dr. Cheyenne Bryant, this episode creates a unique lane—real talk about reflection, purpose, emotional growth, and healthy relationships in the African-American community, grounded in lived experience and clinical insight. In this episode, the hosts reflect on what it means to feel “less than,” how early experiences shape adulthood, and how self-awareness, connection, and commitment can change how we live, love, and lead. While this episode celebrates longevity and consistency, it also invites you into the why behind the work—and the book born out of it. 🎉 100 episodes in. Still standing. Still growing. Still purposed. Honest reflections on feeling overlooked, underestimated, and “undrafted” How childhood experiences quietly shape adult identity and relationships Why self-awareness is foundational to healing, especially for Black men The difference between healthy growth and unhealthy comparison How connection and community protect mental health Why commitment—not motivation—sustains purpose The story and message behind Undrafted and Purposed Rooted in real experiences and clinical insight, Undrafted and Purposed explores how men—and especially Black men—can reclaim identity, build healthy relationships, and lead intentionally without needing external validation. The book is structured around Self-Awareness, Connection, and Commitment, themes deeply explored throughout this episode. 00:00 — Welcome to Episode 100 Celebrating the journey, the growth, and the purpose behind Speaking With Gravity 01:50 — The People Want To Know: Feeling “Less Than”- Where It Starts Personal stories of being overlooked, underestimated, and internalizing identity 08:20 — The Meaning Behind the Title “Undrafted and Purposed” How early experiences quietly shape adult decisions and self-worth 14:45 — Reaching 100 Episodes: How does it feel? Not just longevity but consistency first. The initial purpose, the current purpose and how it connects to Black mental health advocacy. 18:30 — Self-Awareness: Knowing Who You Are Why awareness is the foundation of growth and not perfection. 25:40 — Connection: Why Healing Doesn’t Happen Alone Knowing the difference between healthy vs. unhealthy and the myth of isolation 32:30 — Boundaries, Triggers, and Emotional Intelligence How self-awareness shows up in relationships and conflict 38:55 — Commitment: Staying the Course When Life Happens Discipline, purpose, and finishing what you start—even during hardship. Personal story of staying the course. 43:20 — Undrafted and Purposed: The Book Where to find this book. 46:30 — Final Reflections 100 down. Still building. Still becoming. While our listeners numbers may fluctuate, the community continues to grow because conversations like this meet people where they are. This episode isn’t chasing algorithms; it’s serving people. If you’re navigating purpose, emotional growth, or healing within your community—this episode is for you. 📖 Undrafted and Purposed is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (online), WalMart, and at gravitycounselinggroup.com 🎙️ Follow Speaking With Gravity on Spotify, YouTube, and Facebook 🧠 For counseling and support: Gravity Counseling Group

    47 min

  2. 12/03/2025

    Invisible Battles: When Smiles Hide the Struggle | Speaking With Gravity Ep. 99

    Episode 99 is here — “Invisible Battles: When Smiles Hide the Struggle.” In this powerful conversation, Joshua, Hannah, and Terance unpack the quiet realities so many people carry: anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma that get hidden behind “I’m good,” overworking, humor, or staying busy. They talk about why masking feels safer, how psychological safety matters not just at work but in families and relationships, and what it looks like to move from survival mode into healing mode. If you’ve ever felt like you had to be strong all the time… this one’s for you. What you’ll hear in this episode: The phrases we use to convince people we’re okay when we aren’t How “invisible battles” show up as busyness, achievement, avoidance, or silence Why safe spaces and psychological safety are essential for mental wellness The cost of masking: burnout, loneliness, and emotional spillover Learning to recognize the signs of masking and start unmasking Building a plan for hard days before they arrive Encouragement to seek therapy, support, and community care Whether you’re a returning listener or new to Speaking With Gravity, this episode reminds us: hiding doesn’t help you heal — confronting the truth does. 00:00 — Welcome back + Road to Episode 10002:00 — “The people want to know…”: What do you say when you’re not okay?06:30 — Patterns, safe spaces, and why we keep it surface-level10:15 — Psychological safety beyond the workplace12:50 — Inner work, self-awareness, and emotional freedom16:15 — QD of the Hour: stats on stigma, masking, burnout19:10 — Why masking feels easier… until it doesn’t22:40 — Survival mode vs. healing mode in our community26:30 — “Push in public, coach in private” and what that teaches us30:45 — Unaddressed struggles becoming physical and visible33:45 — Entertainment diet, social media, and avoidance40:15 — When is the best time to stop masking? Build your plan now46:40 — Personalized healing plans + recognizing your masking signs49:05 — Final takeaways: hiding doesn’t heal Connect with us:Follow @speakingwithgravity for clips, reflections, and community.Need support? Gravity Counseling Group is here for your mental health journey. Listen, share, and subscribe — because everything affects everything.

    51 min

  3. 11/19/2025

    Media, Music, and Mental Health: What We Consume Consumes Us | Speaking With Gravity Ep.98

    Welcome back to Speaking With Gravity, where everything affects everything.In Episode 98, Joshua, Hannah, and Terance dive deep into how media, music, social platforms, and entertainment shape our emotions, mental health, habits, identity, and even cultural norms. From hip-hop and gospel to TikTok and reality TV, the crew unpacks how our entertainment diet influences the way we show up every day—often without us even realizing it. This episode is perfect for listeners struggling with social comparison, emotional triggers, stress, or unhealthy media habits—and for anyone wanting to be more intentional about the content they allow in their mind and space. 00:00 – Welcome to Episode 98Joshua, Hannah, and Terance set the stage and shout out Executive Producer Kervin Searles and Winston Stewart of Winston J. Stewart Photography. 01:28 – “What You Wanna Know?” Icebreaker: One Artist ForeverThe hosts share which single artist they’d keep if they had to delete every other from their playlist—and why. From John Coltrane to Lauryn Hill to Sounds of Blackness, their answers say a lot. 04:23 – QD of the Hour: What Research Says About Media & Mental HealthHannah shares APA research showing how TV, music, and social platforms impact stress, sleep, and self-esteem. The team breaks down how even subconscious exposure affects us. 06:07 – Social Comparison: The Hidden Consequence of ScrollingA conversation about comparing real life to others’ highlight reels—and how it creates feelings of inadequacy and burnout. 10:19 – Emotional Triggers & Consuming Content While SadThe hosts explore how media triggers emotions, especially during hard moments, with examples like the George Floyd video and the rabbit-hole effect of TikTok. 14:31 – Cultural Norms, Messaging & Intergenerational TraumaFrom hip-hop lyrics to gospel music, the crew discusses how media creates cultural expectations and even reenacts trauma across generations. 18:21 – How Entertainment Shapes Daily BehaviorMusic that sparks fights, songs that stir sadness or joy—Joshua and Terance explain how content subconsciously influences our moods and decisions. 20:03 – Entertainment as a Tool vs. Entertainment as a MaskIs content helping us grow, or helping us hide? The hosts break down how people use media personas to cope with insecurity. 24:39 – Fun Segment: Top Five Artists (and Comedians!)A lighthearted moment as the hosts name the artists and performers who shaped their worldview—from Maxwell and Kirk Franklin to Bernie Mac and Dave Chappelle. 31:18 – Beyond Music: Media Also Includes Photography & ArtShoutout to Winston J. Stewart and how visual media also influences identity and creativity. 32:17 – Takeaways: Intentional Consumption & Setting BoundariesA powerful closing message about monitoring your entertainment diet, modeling healthy habits for children, and setting limits online. 34:51 – The Positive Side of TikTok & Being YourselfHannah highlights how TikTok encourages authenticity over perfection. 35:54 – Closing & What’s Next: Chapter 99 on the Road to 100The hosts remind listeners: everything affects everything—and tease the milestone episode ahead. Follow @speakingwithgravity on all platforms for clips, updates, and new episodes.

    37 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    Love, Strength, and Burdens in Families | Speaking With Gravity Ep. 97

    In this heartfelt episode of Speaking with Gravity, hosts Joshua Williams, Hannah Jones, and Terance Dawkins explore what it really means to love, support, and set boundaries within families. 💞 From the “burden of being the strong one” to finding balance between helping others and protecting your own peace, this conversation dives deep into the paradox of family love — how it can both uplift and overwhelm. The hosts share personal stories about healing, generational love, emotional boundaries, and communication, reminding us that being strong doesn’t mean being silent, and love doesn’t always mean sacrifice. If you’ve ever felt torn between caring for your loved ones and caring for yourself — this episode is for you. 🕒 Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & IntroductionsJoshua, Hannah, and Terance kick off Episode 97 and introduce the theme: Love, Strength, and Burdens in Families. 01:19 – What the People Want to KnowThe hosts debate: Does love always mean carrying each other’s burdens, or can love look like setting boundaries instead? 06:41 – The Support-Stress ParadoxHannah shares insights from a Journal of Marriage and Family study revealing how support and stress often come hand in hand in family relationships. 09:26 – Boundaries and Emotional HealthThe team discusses setting healthy boundaries — from saying “no” to understanding that someone else’s emergency doesn’t have to be yours. 11:31 – Healing and Saying No Without GuiltHannah opens up about becoming a “yes woman” and the journey toward emotional boundaries and personal healing. 13:43 – The Burden of StrengthTerance and Joshua reflect on always “holding it together” and learning to audit their emotional energy before burnout hits. 19:51 – Marriage, Priorities & Family RolesHannah and Joshua share how marriage reshapes emotional priorities and how communication transforms family expectations. 24:37 – The Cost of Carrying Others’ BurdensThe hosts unpack the emotional and clinical toll — stress, anxiety, burnout — that comes from taking on everyone else’s struggles. 26:30 – Two-Way Boundaries & CommunicationThey remind listeners that being the strong one also means not dumping emotional weight on others. 28:37 – Takeaways: Internal Audits & Self-AwarenessPractical advice for maintaining emotional health through self-awareness, communication, and regular check-ins. 31:19 – Closing & Counseling ResourcesFinal reflections, gratitude to the audience, and a reminder to seek professional help when needed through Gravity Counseling Group. 💬 Call to Action If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or family member who carries the weight of others.Follow Speaking with Gravity on all platforms @speakingwithgravity, and join the journey to Episode 100: The Season of Purpose.

    32 min

  5. 10/22/2025

    The Hustle Myth, When Success Hurts Mental Health: Episode 96

    Breaking Generational Cycles and Healing Beyond Survival: Episode 95 In a world that glorifies the grind, Speaking with Gravity takes a hard look at what “success” is really costing us. Joshua, Hannah, and Terance unpack the mental, emotional, and physical toll of hustle culture—especially within Black communities where resilience is often mistaken for restlessness. From burnout and boundaries to redefining what achievement means, this episode challenges listeners to rethink the myth that constant motion equals progress. Because rest isn’t laziness—it’s liberation. 🎧 Listen as the hosts share real stories, research, and practical steps to help you balance ambition with mental wellness. 📊 QD of The Hour: Working more than 55 hours a week increases your risk of stroke by 35% and heart disease by 17% (World Health Organization, 2021). 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Gravity Counseling Group: gravitycounselinggroup.com Missing Pieces Counseling Undrafted and Purposed: Still Living, Loving, and Leading in Life by Kervin Searles 📲 Follow @speakingwithgravity | #SpeakingWithGravityPodcast 💡 Everything affects everything.

    44 min

  6. 10/10/2025

    Breaking Generational Cycles and Healing Beyond Survival: Episode 95

    Season 10 | On Purpose: The Road to 100 In this episode of Speaking with Gravity, hosts Joshua Williams, Hannah Jones, and Terance Dawkins unpack what it really means to break generational cycles and move beyond mere survival into true healing. From unspoken pain and “what happens in this house stays in this house” mindsets, to the biological imprint of trauma through epigenetics, the crew explores how silence, resilience, and inherited behaviors shape who we are—and what we pass on. 💬 The People Want to Know:“What’s one generational habit, belief, or saying you grew up with that you now see differently as an adult?” 📊 Quotable Data:Trauma doesn’t just stop with the person who experiences it—it can echo through generations. Research published in Biological Psychiatry (2016) found that children of Holocaust survivors carried biological signs of their parents’ trauma, showing how deep generational wounds can run. Together, the hosts discuss: How to name and recognize unhealthy family cycles Turning resilience into healing rather than avoidance Tools for transformation—like therapy, journaling, and open conversations Building an emotional inheritance for the next generation 🗣️ Featuring: Terance Dawkins, a licensed therapist and creator of the B.L.A.C.K. Trauma Cards (Store 1 — Missing Pieces Counseling Services) Hannah Jones, bringing a counselor’s insight and a newlywed’s reflection Joshua Williams, guiding the conversation with warmth and depth 🎧 This episode reminds us: healing doesn’t dishonor the past—it strengthens what comes next. 🌐 Connect & Learn More👉 Visit gravitycounselinggroup.com for counseling, workshops, and community resources.📲 Follow us on social media: @speakingwithgravity📖 Stay tuned for Episode 100 and the release of Undrafted and Purposed: Still Living, Loving, and Leading in Life by Kervin Searles. 🎵 Speaking with Gravity—because everything affects everything.

    44 min

  7. 06/18/2025

    How Disability Impacts Mental Health: Episode 94

    In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Speaking With Gravity welcomes Dr. Ebony Collins, a faith-driven advocate and survivor of low vision due to long COVID. Together with hosts Joshua Williams, Hannah Williams, and Terrence Dawkins, Dr. Collins shares her eye-opening story of sudden visual impairment, mental health struggles, and spiritual resilience. 👁️‍🗨️ Learn how a COVID-related vision loss diagnosis reshaped her identity, tested her faith, and forced her to redefine her professional and personal life. This episode dives into: The overlooked connection between disability and mental health How sensory decline impacts daily life, identity, and employment The role of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in workplace accommodations Why community, faith, and advocacy are crucial in healing Challenges within the Black community around disability awareness and participation in case studies This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating life after disability, health advocates, Christians seeking inspiration, and professionals in mental health and disability services. 🔎 Perfect for audiences interested in:#MentalHealthAwareness #DisabilityAdvocacy #LowVision #FaithAndHealing #COVIDLongHaulers #BlackMentalHealth #ADA #RehabilitationCounseling #InspirationalStories 👉 Listen, learn, and be inspired to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and informed community.📲 Follow us @SpeakingWithGravity on IG, Facebook, TikTok, and visit www.drebonymichelle.com to support Dr. Collins’ advocacy work. 00:00 – Intro & Guest WelcomeMeet Dr. Ebony Michelle Collins and the hosts of Speaking With Gravity. 03:14 – Dr. Collins’ Background & CredentialsFrom sociology to Christian counseling—her path to advocacy. 06:50 – Living with Low Vision: What It’s Like Day-to-DayDr. Collins explains how her vision loss impacts daily functioning. 09:30 – COVID-19 & the Onset of Vision LossHow COVID and the vaccine triggered her unexpected diagnosis. 13:58 – First Surgery & Emotional TollFacing retinal detachment just days after diagnosis—and the mental shock. 18:05 – Mental Health Struggles & Coping with FaithWhy spiritual grounding became her lifeline. 22:47 – Workplace Accommodations & ADAThe difference the Americans with Disabilities Act made in her career. 27:55 – Disability in the Black CommunityWhy Black and Brown communities must engage in research and seek support. 32:40 – Navigating Independence After DisabilityFrom driving to planning travel—how everything changed. 37:02 – Rehabilitation & Redefining IdentityAdjusting professionally and personally after disability. 41:18 – Advocacy Work & Creating AwarenessHer new mission: amplify low vision issues, especially in underserved communities. 45:20 – Spiritual Purpose & ResilienceHow obedience to God helped her step into her next calling. 50:11 – Call to Action: Support, Awareness & Inclusion

    46 min

  8. 06/04/2025

    Episode 93 – Mental Health Strategies For Spiritual Leaders and Congregation | Speaking With Gravity

    Episode 92 – The Discipleship of Men Cultivates Healthy Masculinity | Speaking With Gravity Mental Health Strategies For Spiritual Leaders and Congregation: Episode 93 In this powerful episode of Speaking with Gravity, hosts Terance Dawkins, Joshua Williams, and Hannah Williams are joined by special guest Dr. Mekeshia Bates—a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and ordained minister—to discuss the critical intersection of mental health and spiritual leadership in the African American community. Dr. Bates shares insights from her upcoming book, No Shame: Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health and the Black Church (releasing Summer 2026), and unpacks the mental health education gap among pastors and faith leaders. She emphasizes the urgent need for formal training, emotional resilience, and community care in church spaces. This episode challenges outdated stigma and offers practical ways to integrate mental wellness into congregational life. Whether you're a pastor, mental health advocate, or simply passionate about emotional well-being in the Black community, this episode delivers real talk, informed perspective, and inspiration to spark change. 🎧 Listen now to explore how faith and healing can work together—not apart.

    47 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Speaking with Gravity is a bi-weekly mental health and culture podcast created to break stigma and open doors to healing in the Black community. Hosted by mental health professionals and real people living real life, we have honest, down-to-earth conversations about what we’re carrying and how to cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, identity, relationships, grief, purpose, and more. Our mission is simple: spark conversations that help you think, feel, and do what’s best for you, because everything affects everything. This podcast is educational and inspirational. It does not replace therapy.

Information

  • Creator
    Gravity Counseling Group; Kervin K. Searles, LPC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gravity Counseling Group; Kervin K. Searles, LPC
  • Show Website
    Speaking with Gravity