The Zaiyari Wellness Podcast

Ever been told that if your faith was strong enough, you wouldn’t be struggling with mental health? For many believers, the message is clear: God and prayer are all you need. But what happens when faith alone doesn’t take away the anxiety, the trauma, or the depression? If you’ve ever felt judged for seeking therapy or told that you just need more faith, this episode is for you. We dive deep into the complex intersection of religion and mental health—challenging the stigma that “real” believers don’t struggle, or that seeking professional help is somehow a lack of faith. In this conversation, we explore what it means to balance spiritual guidance with qualified mental health support, and why both can coexist in a journey of healing. For anyone who’s felt shame or doubt about needing more than prayer to heal, we’re here to unpack the myths and break down the walls that prevent people from seeking help. This is about redefining what faith and mental health can look like together, understanding the limitations of pastoral counseling, and finding supportive church communities that uplift rather than judge. Because true faith doesn’t mean ignoring mental health—it means trusting that God’s love can guide you through every step, with the help you deserve. 00:00 Introductions 00:57 The Intersection of Religion and Mental Health 04:01 Personal Spiritual Journey 08:16 Mental Health Journey 11:02 Impact of Trauma on Self-Perception 14:26 Religious Beliefs and Mental Health 18:10 Balancing Spiritual and Mental Health 20:43 Limitations of Religious Practices 29:38 Seeking Spirituality Beyond Church 31:46 Balancing Spiritual and Mental Health 35:01 The Unhealthy Pursuit of Perfection 36:46 Prioritizing Family and Relationships 37:41 The Dangers of Self-Righteousness 38:26 Understanding Grace and Vulnerability 38:55 God's Love in the Midst of Imperfection 39:54 The Journey to Self-Acceptance 40:02 Walking with God Despite Imperfections 40:31 Personal Experiences of Insecurity and Abandonment 41:31 The Impact of Past Experiences on Self-Worth 42:11 The Need for Validation and Acceptance 42:55 Questioning One's Knowledge and Worth 43:25 The Importance of Listening and Learning 44:12 Maintaining Relationships Amidst Challenges 45:27 The Impact of Trauma on Coping Mechanisms 46:26 Different Responses to Trauma 47:26 Numbness and Peacekeeping in Difficult Situations 48:48 The Journey to Self-Awareness and Growth 49:44 The Delicate Balance Between Faith and Mental Health 50:43 The Importance of Qualified Help in Mental Health 53:22 Providing Accessible Mental Health Support in Churches 56:16 The Danger of Pastoral Counseling 58:19 The Journey of Education and Qualification 59:09 The Importance of Qualified Counselors 01:01:11 Seeking Professional Help Alongside Faith 01:01:47 Finding Supportive Church Communities Laura's Books Can be Found On Amazon by Laura Spencer: Reflect | A 90-Day Thoughts & Gratitude Journal Sermon Notes Journal Find Me Bible Study Journal: A 90 Day Self-Guided Undated Journal 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂

Explore the misconceptions of being single & maybe the reasons you find yourself in this position constantly. Can you be single & satisfied? Or does being single mean there's something wrong with you? Afterall, you are the common denominator in all of your relationships.Join the conversation as we dive into why society loves to put singles under a microscope, labeling anyone without a partner as “missing something.” This episode unpacks the messy myths around singleness, from the guilt and judgment people throw your way to the internal struggle of wondering if you’re the “common denominator.” For anyone tired of the pity looks or the well-meaning but misplaced “advice,” this is a space to question it all.Explore how your upbringing, past relationships, and even societal pressures shape the way you view yourself as a single person. From breaking the cycle of dating for validation to learning to love yourself outside of a relationship, this episode digs into what it really means to be single and satisfied. Whether you’re single by choice or by circumstance, this conversation challenges you to rethink what “relationship status” says about your worth. 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂.

Ever feel like you don’t fully fit in anywhere—too Black for some, too gay for others? Being both Black and gay comes with its own set of challenges, facing judgment from society at large and from within your own community. For Black men who are gay, the struggle isn’t just about acceptance; it’s about navigating identities that often feel at odds with each other. Join Marcus as we dive into the complexities of navigating life as a Black, gay man, where masculinity, identity, and self-worth are all up for debate. From the pressure to “prove” your masculinity, to the silent rules about what it means to be Black and gay, we tackle the deep questions—are you really dealing with outside discrimination, or is some of it coming from within? We talk about family acceptance, cultural expectations, and breaking stereotypes that have held us back for too long. For anyone who’s felt torn between two worlds, this episode is for you. It’s a raw look at the internal and external battles, and a reminder that you don’t have to compromise parts of yourself to fit in. Join us as we explore what it means to stand fully in who you are, unapologetically Black and unapologetically gay. 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂.

You're either Hispanic or Black...but you can't be both. Ever feel like you don’t belong fully in either world—too Black to be Hispanic, too Hispanic to be Black? Being both can feel like you’re pushed to pick one side, and it leaves you wondering where you really fit. But what if you didn’t have to choose? Join Milton, as we get into the real struggles that come with straddling two identities and how Black and Hispanic communities share more than most people think. From the quiet struggles with mental health and the weight of family expectations to the generational trauma that so many of us carry, this conversation is for anyone who’s felt torn between two cultures. Let’s talk about finding strength in embracing all of who you are, even when others don’t get it. This is about challenging the stigma, seeing the connections, and finding a space where you don’t have to pick a side—because both are a part of you. For anyone out there feeling split down the middle, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone, and that there’s power in owning every piece of your identity. If you want to hear more about Milton & his life, you can follow him on social media platforms at: Facebook: Mr. Dominican11 Instagram: Milton Ramirez 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂.

Ever feel like you’re spiraling—irritable, moody, exhausted—but you can’t pinpoint why? What if the answer isn’t in your head, but on your plate? Sometimes it’s not just “mental health”—sometimes, it’s nutritional deficiencies showing up as anxiety, fatigue, or mood swings.  In this episode, we dig into the often-overlooked link between what you eat and how you feel. From the gut-brain connection to the hidden impact of nutrient deficiencies, we’re breaking down why your diet might be the real culprit behind the way you feel. Forget the quick fixes and look at what’s feeding your mind and body. For anyone who’s questioned if there’s something wrong with them, this conversation sheds light on the power of nutrition in supporting mental wellness. Discover how making small, realistic changes can shift your mood, stabilize your energy, and help you feel like yourself again. Because sometimes, taking control starts with understanding that you really are what you eat. Stacie offers nutrition consultations online and in person in the DFW and Killeen area. She also does speaking engagements, cooking demos, and nutrition support for teams and athletes. 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂

Ever feel like you’re constantly pretending to be someone else just to fit in? Like social interactions are exhausting, and you’re always missing some unspoken cue that everyone else seems to get? For many, especially in Black communities, the struggle to “just be normal” comes with added weight. You’re told there’s “nothing wrong with you” and that it’s just a phase, leaving you feeling misunderstood and alone. In this episode, we dive into the reality of high-functioning autism—undiagnosed, often overlooked, and hidden behind years of masking. Imagine going through life, relationships, even military service, without realizing that the way you process the world is different. For anyone who’s ever felt socially awkward, struggled to understand why others are so emotional, or just felt like they’re on the outside looking in, this conversation is for you. We talk about what it’s like to navigate relationships, handle emotions, and live with undiagnosed autism in a culture that often brushes it off. If you’ve ever felt there’s something “wrong” with you but couldn’t quite put a name to it, tune in as we explore the challenges and strengths of high-functioning autism, breaking down the stigma and showing that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Sometimes, understanding yourself starts with realizing there’s a reason behind the struggle—and that there’s strength in embracing it. If you want to hear more about Darius & his community you can follow him on social media platforms at: Music on Youtube:TyD-Lofi Twitch: FidgetySleet 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂.

Ever been called a “bitter baby mama” just because you’re protecting your child from a father who’s inconsistent or absent? People love to label single moms as “bitter” for setting boundaries, for being the one who stays and does it all, while the other parent walks away. But is it bitterness, or is it strength? In this episode, we get real about the challenges of single motherhood when society acts like you deserve to struggle because he didn’t want the responsibility. For moms who feel the weight of two parents, who have to make the impossible decision of telling their child the truth about their father’s absence, this conversation is for you. We’re breaking down the myths, the judgments, and the harsh labels society throws at women who refuse to let their children get hurt by someone’s inconsistency. This is more than just a story of struggle; it’s about resilience, growth, and the hope that comes from standing strong for your kids. Join us as we explore what it really means to be a “protective mother,” the strength it takes to balance independence with love, and the journey of moving forward without shame. Because being a single mom isn’t about bitterness—it’s about doing whatever it takes to give your child the stability they deserve. 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂.

Ever felt like your struggles are invisible because no one can see what’s going on inside? Living with a rare disorder can feel like carrying a silent weight, especially when others just don’t get it. This episode dives into the unspoken reality of Kallmann Syndrome—an invisible condition that impacts everything from body image to intimate connections. In a world that loves to offer “helpful” advice, people with silent diseases often face doubt, judgment, and frustration. Can you relate to those moments when someone’s “well-meaning” comments cut deeper than they realize? From insensitive questions about fertility to the burden of religious and societal expectations, we explore the impact of ignorance and the toll it takes on mental health and self-worth. This conversation isn’t just about the disorder; it’s about reclaiming your sense of self in a world that can’t see your pain. We tackle the complexities of body image, the pressure of cultural expectations, and how invisible struggles can isolate you from the support you deserve. For anyone living with an unseen condition or for those wanting to understand what it’s really like, this episode sheds light on the importance of empathy, self-acceptance, and finding a support system that sees you for who you are—not just what they assume. If you want to hear more about Luz & her life you can follow her on social media platforms: Instagram: Lil.Pretty.Rican Facebook: Luz Y. Matos 🎯 Trauma Informed Mental Health Humor & Fun 🎉 Create a Free Account: zaiyari.passion.io 🎮 Heal with gaming, tools, & connection 😉 Made by a therapist with PTSD Create an account for 👇🏽 ✏️ Learn: 5 minute modules to help you understand why people do what they do 🎯 Engage: Apply what you learned with daily challenges to create change for yourself or others 🍃 Reflect: Discover yourself and others deeply with exercises & guided meditations designed to explore your intentions 🎮 Connect: Play games, quizzes, and exercises to get clarity and set realistic goals for change 💬 Communities: Share the journey with others and be empowered with the Zaiyari Family 🌟 Our Mission: Helping BIPOC communities break free from stress and trauma through fun and play. Follow us to learn about mental health 🧠 through a trauma-informed lens from a culturally RELEVANT perspective 👀...with a mix of humor. Because we all know we make fun of EVERYTHING 😂.

In this conversation, Brian Hampton discusses his journey of being single and finding satisfaction in singleness. He shares his background, including growing up in a single-parent household and his experiences in the military. Brian talks about the importance of breaking the cycle of negative relationship patterns and the role therapy played in his personal growth. He emphasizes the need for men to seek help and break the stigma around therapy. Brian also discusses the impact of childhood on relationships and the importance of taking care of oneself in singleness. He shares insights from his divorce and the lessons he learned. In this conversation, Zaiyari Wellness and Brian Hampton discuss their personal experiences with relationships and the importance of self-love and healing. They address misconceptions about being single and the power imbalance in relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for individuals to focus on personal growth and building a supportive community while being single. Join his private groups on: Link Tree and search Humble Hampton 🌟 Join the Zaiyari Wellness Community🌟 Follow us on the following platforms by searching “Zaiyari Wellness” 🎵 TikTok📘 Facebook 📷 Instagram 🔗 LinkedIn 🎧Spotify 📚 Audible 📻 Castbox 🎤Google Podcasts❤️ iHeart Radio If you are interested in applying for our podcast visit our website and fill out an application! #SingleAndSatisfied #RelationshipWisdom #EmpowerLove #PodcastJoy#SoloThriving #LoveLifeBalance #SatisfyingSingles #DatingTips #SelfLoveJourney #healthyrelationships #SingleLife #SatisfactionInSingleness #BreakingNegativePatterns #TherapyJourney #MenAndTherapy #ChildhoodImpact #SelfCareInSingleness #DivorceLessons #RelationshipInsights #SelfLoveJourney #HealingProcess #Misconceptions #PowerInRelationships #PersonalGrowth #SupportiveCommunity

Join us as we delve into balancing mind, body, soul, and spirit for ultimate well-being. Get actionable tips and insights for a harmonious life in our new video. Subscribe for more wellness wisdom. #LifeHarmony #WellBeing HolisticLiving