The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema

Lia shares her journey with invisible grief and family loss as a Millennial. She and Dr. Thema explore ways of coping and healing with collective losses during difficult times and how to reclaim your wellbeing. Lia Mancao, LCSW, is a licensed therapist, writer, and founder of Alyssa Marie Wellness in Los Angeles. Born in the Philippines and raised in an immigrant household, Lia draws from her cultural roots and lived experience to support adults through grief, identity shifts, relationships, and major life transitions. With over 15 years in the field, she centers self-trust, inner child healing, and emotional honesty in her work. She writes about relationships, self-worth, and the realities of being human, with work featured in outlets like The Knot, PopSugar, MindBodyGreen, and Wondermind. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Dr. Thema shares a heartfelt and inspiring message on rising, growing, and thriving. She combines insightful keys to staying motivated with practical tips for you to move from stagnant and stuck to soaring. Dr. Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister who is leading the way in creating healthy relationships, healing traumas, and overcoming stress and oppression. Her life changing books include Matters of the Heart, Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, and The Antiracism Handbook: Practical Tools to Shift Your Mindset and Uproot Racism in Your Life and Community and they empower readers to connect with themselves and to others, exploring topics such as: control issues, emotional unavailability, practical activation activities, case studies, and teaching how to shift mindset and patterns around mental health, relationships, and liberation. Dr. Thema Bryant completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Duke University and her post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical Center’s Victims of Violence Program. Upon graduating, she became the Coordinator of the Princeton University SHARE Program, which provides intervention and prevention programming to combat sexual assault, sexual harassment, and harassment based on sexual orientation. She is currently a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. Dr. Thema is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and leads the mental health ministry at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. Most recently, she was the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is the host of The Homecoming Podcast. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Jenné Claiborne joins Dr. Thema to share her path to resilience. She reflects on disappointment and depression as well as her motherhood and professional journeys. Check out her soulful vegan recipes on her YouTube page and incredible cookbooks. Jenné Claiborne is a vegan chef, content creator, and author of "Sweet Potato Soul" and the upcoming "Vegan Vibes" (February 2025). Known for her colorful, innovative Southern-inspired vegan recipes, Claiborne's work has been featured on The Today Show and in The New York Times and Washington Post. Her recipes are available at SweetPotatoSoul.com, and her cookbooks can be found at major retailers. When she’s not creating yummy recipes, Jenné spends most of her time being a mother, practicing yoga, and playing tennis. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones.

Angela Rye joins Dr. Thema to share her personal journey of coping with and healing from political stress and disappointment. Angela shares the importance of community care and spirituality in her process of homecoming. She also is transparent about the challenges of self care when your sense of purpose and meaning get disrupted. Angela Rye is an award-winning host, lawyer, social justice advocate, and Principal/CEO of IMPACT Strategies, where her political advocacy and crisis management firm’s Professional Development Program has supported more than 500 alumni now serving at the highest levels of government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Rye is also the co-creator of State of the People, a coalition of 200 local and national organizations providing resources, education, empowerment, and relief to thousands of citizens. She is co-host of the NAACP Image Award–winning podcast Native Land Pod and co-founder of Reasoned Choice Media with Lenard “Charlamagne tha God” McKelvey and Chris Morrow. With more than two decades of experience in political strategy, coalition building, and advocacy, Rye previously served as Executive Director and General Counsel to the Congressional Black Caucus and as Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel for the House Homeland Security Committee. She currently serves as a board member for Wilberforce University, the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, Black Futures Lab, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, and on the advisory boards of Club 61 and Boon Boona. She holds honorary doctorates from Wiley College and LeMoyne-Owen College and is a proud alumnus of the University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law. After you listen, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Devi Brown joins Dr. Thema to share the wisdom she gained after multiple losses and shifts from relationship and health challenges to the death of loved ones. They explore embracing the mystery of life and the reclaiming of joy. Devi Brown is a Well-Being Educator, Multidisciplinary Healer, Creative Advisor, and Author. As the founder of her namesake company, Devi Brown Well-Being, she serves as a trusted voice and advisor to global corporations & high-impact individuals and as a compassionate and supportive teacher to her students. Creator and host of leading wellness podcast, ‘Deeply Well’ and author of Crystal Bliss and Living in Wisdom, her work is founded in creating elevated inner and external wellness practices that support a complex-lived experience. Her process is rooted in trauma-informed holistic wellness, spiritual psychology, advanced meditation, and metaphysics. Devi Brown Well-Being strives to ignite internal transformation that leads to community impact and an elevation of consciousness and compassion for all. er second book, Living in Wisdom: A Guide to Awakening Your Highest Self and Developing Self-Mastery (Hatchette, Spring 2025) explores life experiences that have informed her spiritual awakening and teachings, offering readers the processes and practices to craft a full-body wellness framework dedicated to servicing all facets of their well-being. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Dr. Marcus joins Dr. Thema to discuss the importance of holistic reparations as they explore his thought provoking book in light of the American Psychological Association resolution on Individual, Collective, and Intergenerational Trauma Recovery: Considering the Restorative Roles of Resttition and Reparations. Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter is a professor of sociology and African American studies at UCLA. He is also the author of "Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation," among other titles. In his last book, he talks about the many forms of reparations and things the nation can do to bring healing and repair to descendants of enslaved Africans. He is committed to raising awareness about the many contributions of Black people towards building the United States of America. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Dr. Thema has an inspiring conversation with her father Bishop Bryant about his journey moving from being a late bloomer as a youth to a champion for spiritual and political liberation. He shares what helped him to launch as someone who struggled with academics and behavior as a result of fear. He shares his success story and his wisdom for parents who are raising children who have not yet flourished. Bishop John Richard Bryant is the son of the late Bishop Harrison James Bryant and Edith Holland Bryant. He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and is a graduate of Baltimore City College High School and is a graduate of Morgan State University in his hometown. After college, Bishop Bryant joined the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in West Africa from 1965 to 1967. He has taken seriously the words "study to show thyself approved…" Bishop Bryant received his B.A. in 1965 from Morgan State University, Master of Theology in 1970 from the Boston University School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1975 from the Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He also receivedseveral Honorary Doctoral Degrees from Wilberforce University, Paul Quinn College, Payne Theological Seminary, the Southern California School of Ministry, Virginia Seminary and his alma mater, Morgan State University. In addition, he was honored as an outstanding alumni of Boston University School of Theology and was inducted into the Baltimore City College High School Hall of Fame. Bishop Bryant was a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow and while pursuing his doctoral studies at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, he completed special studies at the University of Lagos [Nigeria] and the University of Ghana at Legon and served as a Peace Corp volunteer. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share.

Dr. Anita shares her homecoming journey as a multi-gifted person. She is a New York Times bestselling author, trauma therapist, and interim lead pastor of One Church in Los Angeles. Along with discussing her multiple callings, she and Dr. Thema explore her heart's journey post-divorce which includes both healing and re-opening her heart to new possibilities. Widely recognized as a thought leader at the intersection of mental health, faith, and culture, Dr. Anita holds degrees from the University of Maryland and Regent University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is a dynamic speaker and podcast host who adores her family and friends, a good pint of ice cream, and sitting by the ocean. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Grace Amaku and Dr. Thema explore the truth about people pleasing, depression, and handling conflict. They unpack how to honor yourself and make courageous decisions to reclaim your peace. Grace Amaku is a nurse turned comedy queen whose viral character work has earned her features with Forbes and Essence, four years creating content for the Oscars, and collaborations with icons like Serena Williams, Ariana Grande, Kerry Washington, and Omar Sy. She hosts Get Reel with Grace Amaku, a film-first podcast where comedy and culture collide. Music by Joy Jones. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share.

Filmmaker, author, and journalist, Esther Armah joins Dr. Thema to discuss the pressure and expectation of emotional caretaking placed on Black women as well as our pathway to healing and liberation. They explore the emotional and physical costs of being an emotional mammy and the psychological and social steps to freeing one's self from these societal expectations. Esther A. Armah is an author, former international award-winning journalist, film-maker and playwright. Esther is author of ‘EMOTIONAL JUSTICE: a roadmap for racial healing’ Emotional Justice is a racial healing roadmap Esther created over a 15-year period through assignment, research and community engagement in Accra, Philadelphia, Cape Town, London, Chicago and New York. She is CEO, The Armah Institute of Emotional Justice, a global non-profit devising, developing, designing and delivering programming for international human rights organizations, global philanthropy, social justice organizations and academia. As a journalist she has worked in London, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. As a playwright, she has written five plays, that have been produced and performed in New York, Chicago, and Accra. As a film-maker, her short film is called ‘…goodbye to the EMOTIONAL MAMMY.’ which centers Black women’s wellness and the emotional weight we carry. Throughout 2025, she’s done a global screening and dialogue tour for this short film across the US and Africa, in New York, Ghana, South Africa and Washington DC. Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Music by Joy Jones.

Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia joins Dr. Thema to share her personal psychological and cultural journey of being a cycle breaker and how you can become one too. They explore the role of self awareness, truth, and wisdom as you reclaim your authentic self. Generational patterns are present but don't have the final say on who we can become. Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia is a licensed clinical psychologist, survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and mother of two boys whose work bridges psychology, somatic and parts work, and intuitive energy healing. She holds a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, and she is an international speaker who has shared her work on embodied trauma healing with audiences in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Deniz works with clients in her Beverly Hills practice and through her online programs—Heal the Inner Child and Cycle Breaker Collective—guiding survivors in transforming trauma into truth, embodiment, and self-trust. Her integrative approach emerged through her own healing journey, using somatic and parts work to help clear the body of trauma’s residue so that something greater—the self that remembers—can emerge. Take a listen and don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones.

Dr. Thema and Allie explore body positivity, confidence, and joy despite the realities of fat phobia. Allie shares the importance of supportive parents and faith as she pursues her dreams of modeling. Despite encountering biases from leaders in schools, faith communities, and the modeling industry, Allie victoriously reclaims and celebrates herself. Allison Sowle is a model and storyteller who’s passionate about body positivity, self-acceptance, and navigating life transitions. Originally from a small Midwestern town, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue modeling and has worked to challenge fatphobia in the fashion industry while staying grounded in her own confidence and joy. Allison also shares her journey of embracing visible skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, inspiring others to feel at home in their own bodies. For more support on your journey, check out Dr. Thema’s books Matters of the Heart, Reclaim Yourself, and Homecoming. As you listen to this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. Music by Joy Jones.

Dr. Thema and Dené Logan discuss the social pressures to conform and the negative effects of self erasure on individuals and relationships. Dene shares her incredible journey of reclaiming and her sense of self and the ripple effect this process had on her understanding of genuine intimacy. Dené Logan is a Relationship Coach and Therapist, a group facilitator, and an author based in Los Angeles. In addition to working with clients in private practice, she is a mindfulness coach, a yoga teacher, and specializes in supporting others in showing up more authentically in all of their relationships - including (and perhaps most importantly) in the relationship with themselves. Dené utilizes her background in depth psychology to infuse archetypes, ritual, and metaphysics into the exploration of how each of us can reclaim the aspects of our authentic selves that we’ve been culturally conditioned to turn away from in an attempt to maintain attachments. Her first book, Sovereign Love: A Guide to Healing Relationships by Reclaiming the Masculine and Feminine Within, is available now. You can connect with Dené further at denelogan.com or on IG: @dene.logan Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share. Music by Joy Jones.

In this mini solo episode, Dr. Thema explores the profound connection between the loss of grief and the gifts of grief. She shares insights on how to cultivate inner peace and resilience amidst the life challenge of grief, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and intentional practice. Discover how embracing love’s imprint even in grief can lead to a more fulfilling existence. To learn more about coping with the pain of grief, check out Homecoming episodes 88 and 142 and Dr. Thema's books Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself, and Matters of the Heart.

Join Dr. Thema Bryant and special guest, bestselling author Lalah Delia as they explore the journey of embracing one's homecoming, focusing on healing, growth, and reclaiming your authentic self. Lalah shares her personal journey and insights on navigating life's transitions and finding strength within. Lalah Delia is a spiritual writer and practitioner, meditation poet, and bestselling author of Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power. Having alchemized her own journey from crisis and survival into empowered healing and spiritual transformation, she now walks alongside those called to rise into their own power, purpose, alignment, and courage. Discover her transformational work and community at VibrateHigherDaily.com and @lalahdelia on Instagram. She also shares reflections and sacred writings on Substack through her publication, Embodiment Chronicles.

Arielle and Dr. Thema discuss being the fullness of yourself despite the opinion of others. They discuss the homecoming journey for those who are often called "too much." Dr. Thema and Arielle discuss the journey of self-acceptance, freedom, love, and unfolding. The invitation to stop shrinking and begin embracing your authentic self is explored including Arielle's powerful poem for Wild Flowers from the book The Unfolding. Arielle Estoria (R-E-L EH-STORY-UH) (she/her) is a multi-passionate poet, actor, author, and speaker whose work lives at the intersection of storytelling and soul. With a mantra of “words not for the ears but for the soul,” Arielle creates transformative experiences through performance, poetry, and presence. A Sofar Sounds Los Angeles artist with over ten shows across California, Arielle has also worked as a teaching artist with Get Lit and facilitated writing workshops for incarcerated youth and adults, helping individuals tap into freedom through words. Her artistry has been featured in ESSENCE, POPSUGAR, OWN, and Well+Good, and she has collaborated with brands like Google, Lululemon, SKIMS, and TEDx. As both performer and facilitator, Arielle brings intentionality, connection, and warmth to every room she steps into, making her a sought-after voice for events, conferences, and creative communities worldwide.

Dr. Thema and Brittney Moses discuss intergenerational patterns and scripts we inherit and ways of healing and shifting them. They explore empowering, healing pathways that help us accept and affirm our authentic selves. Brittney Moses is a liberatory thinker, meaning-maker, and compassionate voice exploring the intersection of psychology, identity, and culture with a deep reverence for human complexity. She holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from UCLA and a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. For the past decade, Brittney has contributed to the community and online space through writing, content, and public dialogue, sharing not only psychology and insight, but also a deeply human and relatable approach, with room for both humor and honesty. Her lens is narrative, humanistic, existential, and liberation-oriented, and her values are rooted in compassion, curiosity, and inclusivity. She's a proud Los Angeles native, a lifelong theater kid at heart, wife to Jason, mom to her teenage son Austin, and proud human of her pup Lily. In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, Brittney is committed to creating spaces that help us slow down, return to ourselves, and find one another again.

Dr. Thema and phenomenal poet Aja Monet explore the poetry of coming home to yourself. They discuss growth, shifts, and breakthroughs within one’s self and within relationships. aja monet is a Grammy-nominated Surrealist Blues Poet and cultural worker whose artistry transcends boundaries. As the recipient of the Nuyorican Grand Slam Poetry title, aja monet first made her mark in New York’s Lower East Side, honing her voice and craft on the storied stages of a burgeoning poetry movement. She follows in the long legacy and tradition of poets participating and assembling in social movements. Her collaborative spirit has seen her shape and shift culture alongside internationally renowned artists, scholars, activists, and organizers. aja's first full collection of poems, my mother was a freedom fighter, is a powerful tribute to mothers, women, and girls striving for freedom, earning a nomination for a NAACP Image Award for Poetry in 2018. Her debut poetry album, when the poems do what they do , was nominated for a Grammy Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2024. The album explores themes of resistance, love, and the inexhaustible quest for joy. Awarded the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for Poetry (2019), the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award (2024), The Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award (2024), the EBONY 100 Artist In Residence Award, and the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award (2025), aja also serves as the Artistic Creative Director for V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls. In 2022, she created "VOICES," an audio play amplifying the stories of Black women across the diaspora and the African continent. aja monet released her latest book of poems, florida water, with Haymarket Books on June 3rd, 2025 and is currently working on her second studio album. Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe.

Dr. Thema discusses with Zabie Yamasaki her homecoming journey of healing from sexual violence. They explore the role of embodiment, family, community, and authenticity. Zabie Yamasaki (she/her), MEd, RYT, is the founder of Transcending Trauma through Yoga, which is an organization that offers trauma-informed yoga to survivors, consultations for universities and trauma agencies, and training for healing professionals. Zabie is widely recognized for her intentionality, soulful activism, and passionate dedication to her field. She has trained thousands of healing professionals, yoga instructors, and mental health practitioners in her signature trauma-informed yoga certification both in person and online. She is a trauma-informed yoga instructor, resilience and well-being educator, and a sought-after consultant and keynote speaker. Her yoga as healing program and curriculum is now being implemented at over fifty college campuses and trauma agencies across the country including the University of California (UC) system, Stanford, Yale, University of Southern California, University of Notre Dame, and Johns Hopkins University. Her work has been highlighted on CNN, NBC, KTLA 5, and HuffPost. Zabie received her undergraduate in psychology and social behavior and education at University of California, Irvine, and her graduate degree in higher education administration and student affairs at the George Washington University. She is the author of several publications including: Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault: Practices for Healing and Teaching with Compassion, Trauma-Informed Yoga Affirmation Card Deck, Trauma-Informed Yoga Flip Chart: A Teaching Tool for Healing Professionals, Your Joy Is Beautiful: The Magic of Remembering That You Are Enough, Just As You Are, H Is for Healing Card Deck: 52 Everyday Practices to Strengthen Children’s Physical, Emotional, and Mental Well-Being, and Protect Your Energy: A Gentle Guide to Nurture Your Nervous System, Cultivate Rest, and Honor Your Needs. You can learn more about her work, trainings, and speaking engagements at zabieyamasaki.com or on Instagram @transcending_trauma_with_yoga. To learn more about healing sexual trauma, check out Dr. Thema's books Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself, and Matters of the Heart. Intro and outro music by Joy Jones.

Dr. Thema describes the psychology of high achievers as well as the potential impact of high stress environments, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. She provides some insights regarding signs of burnout as well as ways to both cope with it and prevent it. In addition, Dr. Thema shares ways to maximize mental health, well-being, and psychological resilience. Music provided by Joy Jones. To learn more, check out her books Homecoming, Reclaim Yourself, and Matters of the Heart. After you listen, don't forget to like, subscribe, share, and comment.