Unoffended Talks with Dr. Tiffany and Dr. Mariza

In recent years, social media consumption has been linked to depression, and anxiety symptoms. Social media has also been found to promoting disconnection and distraction in public,  home, and workplace setting.  It is disrupting society in ways that world never saw coming. In this episode, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza discuss this ongoing problem and how a social media detox can be beneficial for your health.

Long term friendships can be really important relationships in our lives.  But what happens when friendships get tested?  What happens when you've outgrown someone?  Are they worth holding on to?  In this episode Drs. Tiffany and Mariza discuss if friendships expire?  What happens if they are no longer serving you?  And what your friendships say about who you are.    

Have you been re-evaluating your work life balance lately? If so, yo are not alone!  There is surge of people stepping back and questioning whether they want to live to work or WORK TO LIVE. To work smarter and not harder  allows us to live healthier lifestyles. For many, this may mean changing jobs or entire careers. Listen to this quick podcast and share your thoughts!

As famous individuals become transparent about their mental health struggles, we are learning a lot about society's opinion of mental health. A couple of days ago Simone Biles did an interview that brought more transparency to why she did not perform at the Olympics. . This episode reviews what Simone Bile taught us about mental health in the public eye.

Do you have a hard time resting? Is your self worth connected to you feeling productive or a  sense of accomplishment? If this sounds like you, you may be experiencing the negative impact of being over productive. Yes, you can in fact become over-productive; so over productive that it  impacts your mental health. This is also referred to as "Internalized Capitalism".   This happens when people internalize principles of capitalism that says being "productive" means you are  advancing.  Over-productivity or internalized capitalism can lead to burnout or mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.  In this episode, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza identify over-productivity as a problem experienced by many, particularly in the U.S.  where lifestyles are often centered around work or being productive in general.

Did you postpone or give up on the  career or job of your dreams ?  Like many people,  your answer may be a a big YES.... because life happens or unexpected obstacles got in the way. This episode focuses on goals and highlights the importance of re-evaluating goals to increase chances of reaching them.  A re-evaluation may actually lead you to your dreams.  In this episode, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza are joined by guest Dr. Claudia Fontes to share her journey of enrolling in medical school after putting her goals on hold for some years.  Now a  successful pediatric resident, Dr. Fontes' story is an inspiration for many who may feel discouraged or defeated by hurdles. 

Do you sometimes feel like a fraud?  Like you couldn't possibly be smart or talented enough to be in the position you're in?  Like you're going to be found out in any moment?  If so, you could be experiencing imposter phenomenon.  Imposter phenomenon falsely makes individuals question their professional legitimacy and expertise and is linked to psychological well-being.  Surprisingly, it's more common than not and can lead to a lack of motivation and overall work-life satisfaction.  In this episode, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza will break down how  imposter phenomenon is defined, what it looks like, and offer some ways to interrupt imposter experiences.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. In light of this, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza used this episode as a way to help spread the word that mental health is something everyone should know and care about.  Now, more than ever after going through a global pandemic, we saw a profound impact on mental health, with an increased amount of individuals struggling.  In this episode, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza discuss what mental health awareness is, why it's important, and provide some practical tips on how to either get started on your own mental health journey or how to help someone else.   

 The Cancel Culture has been front and center in the media in recent months. From celebrities to  politicians, people are being “cancelled” or revoked everywhere for expressing opinions or behaving in ways viewed as offensive.  In this episode, Drs. Tiffany and Mariza  discuss what defines cancel culture,  the psychology behind it, and potentially unhealthy aspects of this culture. 

Most of us will experience grief at some point in our lives.  Grief is acute pain from a response to loss that is sometimes hard to understand and process.  It encompasses a range of feelings and often seems overwhelming for those experiencing it.  In this episode Drs. Tiffany and Mariza discuss how grief is defined, the difference between grief and mourning, and some of the myths associated with grief, such as how long it takes one to grieve.  

Now than ever before society is more aware of mental health. This increased awareness of mental health comes with an overload of information for individuals to comb through and apply to their own lives. Mental health resources are coming from self help, religious/spiritual leaders, life coaches , mental health advocates and mental health professionals. It is important to navigate the world of information carefully to avoid problems such as self diagnosing, learning false information and health anxiety. This episode presents tips to be aware of as individuals explore the plethora of information widely accessible now.

Bringing change to our lives can be difficult. One area we have found to be helpful for growth is recognizing the difference between ownership vs responsibility. Sometimes we need to take ownership for our behaviors, thoughts and emotions in order to bring about change. There are times, however, when there's no ownership to take. These are times when the root cause of a problem may not be us. In these times, its important that individuals recognize there's a responsibility to identify how our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions could be contributing to a problem in order to live the healthier life. In this episode, we highlight the difference between ownership and responsibility , discuss why its important and provide examples of the two. This episode may be what you need to hear to get you closer to your goals!

No matter someone's race, gender, popularity, fame, or social economic status, most everyone is seeking happiness. Happiness is a universal language sought after continuously. In this episode Drs. Tiffany and Mariza raise the question "Is Happiness a Myth?" They discuss what happiness really is and is it something truly obtainable? Is happiness something we should all be striving for? And is seeking happiness in fact causing us to be unhappy?

With the ending of each year, it's typical to reflect back on the last 12 months to evaluate what the year brought. As 2020 ends, we suspect the same will happen as we all review this year. The ups, downs, twists, turns, met and unmet goals, unexpected blessings, wins, losses, and everything in-between. In this episode Dr. Tiffany and Dr. Mariza review 2020, discuss New Year Resolutions versus goals, how they are different, why so many are not met, and provide tips on how to set goals in a way they can actually be achieved in the new year. If you are ready to accomplish something different in the new year, this episode is for you.

Between this year’s presidential election and the Black Lives Matter movement, 2020 showed us that we, "the people", are powerful when it comes to addressing issues of public concern and creating change. We used civic engagement to bring unprecedented voting and attention to our concerns like never before. This episode focuses on what is social policy, how this aspect of politics can impact our mental health and teaches us how we can bring change to policies. Our guest Ngozi O. Lawal, a project director for the Center for the Study of Social Policy's (CSSP) and longtime social policy analyst, joined us to discuss these issues. If you have had concerns about mental health resources, treatment and support, this episode is for you! Ngozi O. Lawal can be reached at 1575 Eye Street N.W. Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 or Ngozi.lawal@cssp.org.

Being in and maintaining healthy relationships is hard. Navigating a healthy, relationship with law enforcement/first responders can be especially difficult due to chronic stress brought by the demands of their profession. In this episode Dr. Tiffany and Dr. Mariza speak with Cyndi Doyle, LPCS, NCC, CDWF, CCISM, a psychotherapist who provides couples therapy for law enforcement and first responders. Cyndi is a law enforcement wife and the founder of Code4Couples, a resource for successful law enforcement/first responder relationships. You can find out more about Cyndi and her work at code4couple.com

Are you a woman who suffers with “Superwoman Syndrome”? You know, the woman who has to be all things to everyone and everything and be the best at it while doing it? The woman who is always busy, but whose work is never done? In this episode we speak with Crystal Carroll, a self-proclaimed “Superwoman”, who takes us on her journey from being a stay at home supermom, to a full-time professional, and now an entrepreneur in her new endeavor Crystals Ladybug Creations. For all the “Superwomen” out there, we believe her story is one you will certainly be able to relate to. Find out more about Crystal on social media @crystalsladybugcreations and on crystalsladybugcreations.com.

The months of November and December bring end of the year holidays that are thought to be a "wonderful time of the year", a time to enjoy a season of thanks and joy. This episode questions - is it truly the most wonderful time of the year? During the holidays many people are looking forward to festivities, while others experience it as a time of stress, anxiety and depression. A recent survey of the National Alliance of Mental Illness showed around 24% of people with a mental health problems find that the holidays make their condition “a lot” worse and 40% “somewhat” worse. This sentiment is also shared by people without diagnoses who experience loneliness, financial burden and other difficulties during the holidays. In 2020, this has been especially true. Join us as we bring awareness to the realities of this time of the year.

One of the things the COVID-19 pandemic has made so many of us painfully aware of is the detrimental effects of loneliness. The pandemic has caused many of us to revaluate our friendships and the importance of having them. In this episode we brought in four of Dr. Mariza's best girlfriends: Kimberly, Gina, Christina, and Keila to discuss their unique sisterhood bond, what it means to them, how they have maintained their friendships for over 30 years, and what the pandemic has taught them about their friendships. This was a great conversation on the importance of girlfriends.

In therapy we see a myriad of issues related to relationships and marriages. One topic in particular that shows up often is the husband/spouse feeling neglected due to the needs and concerns of the children taking precedence over them. Research suggests that parents who love and show love for each other yields happier children, as this teaches them how to love and care for others. While this may be the true, it is arguable that some parents believe you should put your children ahead of your husband/spouse because they need more attention and nurturing. Tune in to hear our thoughts about this topic. You might be surprised to hear our take on this.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history. It has affected students, teachers and professors from elementary to universities. School closures and distance learning brought new challenges and/or exacerbated learning problems that were already there for students. With no clear end to this pandemic in sight, it’s fair to say anxiety is high in the education system as we figure this out as we go. This episode sheds light on the challenges we’re facing.

In this episode we revisit the idea that faith and religion are often used to mask underlying mental health concerns. This happens both consciously and unconsciously, due to the stigma of having mental health issues. Celebrities, in particular, may be in a category of their own with respect to advantages they have which allows them to mask their mental problems. We present the idea that fame, money, and power can oftentimes transcend the stigma associated with mental health problems.

Faith and spirituality can provide strong and effective strategies for promoting a healthy wellbeing. The practice of mindfulness is the ability to be present and fully engaged in any activity you’re doing by using your senses. Mindfulness in mentioned in scripture, as well as a widely used tool in therapy. In this episode, we discuss what mindfulness is, its’ relation to meditation, and how they can both be powerful tools to use in difficult time from both a faith and therapeutic perspective.

Faith, spirituality and religion is important to many of us. For some, it may even guide your lifestyle and how you may approach seeking or not seeking healthcare. This episode discusses how mental health providers are prepared to incorporate or not incorporate faith when treating patients/clients. We also discuss our own experiences with this and how we have come to address faith. If you can relate, this unedited and unoffended topic is for you!

Faith, religion and spirituality play a vital role in the lives of so many. The church acts as more than a place of worship. In many cases it also acts as a safe haven, hospital or therapy office. In this first episode of our faith and mental health series we discuss how having faith in a higher being, attending church, and having a therapist can all coincide with each other. We also detail why seeking mental health services/advice within the church may not be beneficial for someone dealing with mental health concerns.

Our personal research and clinical experiences have shown us that faith has a profound impact on mental health. Faith can impact how individuals and their families conceptualize the cause of mental health problems, how they cope with mental health problems, and their willingness to seek professional mental health services. Faith can also influence how mental health providers evaluate and treat individuals. Our upcoming series sheds light on these rarely discussed topics, as faith impacts the mental health of people all over the world.

Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith have been all over the media after addressing Jada’s extra-marital affair, which she referred to as an “entanglement”. The cliche is true - we all have "baggage" and bring into relationships a history that can be a mirror into our mental health issues and past trauma. This episode uses the “entanglement” to discuss the importance of addressing such conflict and healthy approaches to having needs met in efforts to promote healthy relationships.

Talking about mental health problems has been taboo in the U.S and around the world forever, but this taboo is slowly changing as mental health is gaining attention and more people are seeking out treatment than ever before. The millennial generation has been dubbed the "Therapy Generation" as people in their 20s and 30s are seeking therapy and changing the stigma. Hospitals and clinics around the country have started Integrated Behavioral Health programs that treat both mental and physical health problems. This episode provides some basic information about what to expect from therapy. If you have been thinking about seeking a therapist or wondering about what therapy is like, this one is for you!

Summer is here! And although 2020 has been met with barriers and restrictions due to COVID-19, warmer weather undoubtedly brings about the dreaded pressure of wearing less clothing and looking sexy. From television, magazines, IG models and work out junkies to the "snap back culture", women (and a growing number of men) are constantly bombarded with fictitious images and messages of having the perfect body or "body goals". This episode asks the question - To Nip & Tuck or Not?....from a mental health and wellness perspective.

This year's Covid 19 pandemic has had a traumatic effect on our lives. The way we live changed in a quick and radical way, in an unprecedented way around the world. These changes forced many of us to take a deeper look at how we were living our lives prior to the pandemic and how to cope with the changes we don't want......or want. With that has come lessons that can be used to enrich our daily lives and mental health. This episode discusses some of the lessons that have come up in our personal and professional work.

The murder of George Floyd at the hands of a cop and Amy Cooper's threat to call police on an "African American" are events that have spurred serious conversations about racism and race relations in the U.S. It's 2020 - our country is more diverse than its ever been, yet Black people and other ethnic minorities are sadly not shocked at the current events. These injustices are not new, but just being recorded. This episode brings to light the realities of racism and suggests ways to discuss these issues with our white counterparts who are friends, partners or family etc that have a hard time understanding our experiences. It aims to bring a greater understanding of Black and ethnic minority experiences with racism.

If you don't place sleep as a priority in your life or have problems falling and staying asleep, this episode is for you! Sleep is a naturally occurring state of mind and body. It is something we all do, yet hardly discuss. This episode briefly discusses how common sleep problems are and provides helpful sleep hygiene tips that are known to promote better sleep quality. Don't sleep on this one!

The term self care is now being used regularly by health professionals and the general public alike. This episode breaks down what self care really is, where it came from, what it has come to mean, and what it should look like. We raise the question - are you really practicing self-care... and what it should look like? Tune in!

The stats are showing that people of Black descent are dying at higher rates than others. This episode discusses some reasons why this is happening and ideas of what (you) people can do to address this problem.

The Covid 19 Pandemic is bringing unprecedented effects on our lives. How are you coping with all the changes? We will share with you our experiences at work and personal lives, then end with some tips on what can help manage the changes.

Learn about who we are and why we decided to start this podcast!