Journey To Joy Live
Begin a transformative journey with Dr. NJoy (child, adolescent, & adult psychiatrist) and her engaging guests as they delve into the world of mental health, self-discovery, and the pursuit of joy, with a special emphasis on the experiences and challenges within the black community. Each episode of this podcast is crafted to elevate your spirits, confront stigmas, and guide you towards a life filled with more joy and empowerment. Join us for enriching conversations, gain valuable insights, and create your own path to happiness. Tune in for vibrant discussions, inspiring stories, and practical advice, all aimed at uncovering the transformative power...
Ep 162: The Hidden Habits That Protect Your Joy
Joy doesn't just happen—it has to be protected.
What if the key to better mental health isn't waiting until you're burned out... but building daily habits that protect your peace before life drains it?
This week, I'm joined by fellow psychiatrist Dr. Jen Olabisi (@TheDocMomOf2) for a practical conversation about the everyday habits that help us stay mentally well—even in the middle of busy lives.
If you've been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or like you're constantly pouring from an empty cup, this episode is your reminder that protecting your joy is one...
Ep 161: Could Your Feet Be Stealing Your Joy?
Could your feet be stealing your joy?
We don't think much about our feet—until they start keeping us from doing the things we love.
This week, I'm joined by podiatric physician Dr. Ashley Varner to talk about the surprising connection between foot pain, mobility, mental well-being, and quality of life.
We’ll unpack how ignoring foot pain can eventually affect your ability to exercise, travel, work, play with your kids, and simply enjoy your life—and why we need to stop normalizing pushing through pain.
Because as Dr. Varner says:
“...
Ep 160: "Choose Joy" Isn't Toxic Positivity
After a week in Colombia with my family, something unexpected happened. Every time plans changed, we were exhausted, or things didn't go our way, someone would laugh and say...
"Choose Joy!"
What started as a family joke became a powerful reminder that choosing joy isn't about pretending life is perfect—it's about deciding how you'll respond when it isn't.
In this solo episode, I share what this trip taught me about the difference between toxic positivity and true resilience, and why joy can exist alongside disappointment, exhaustion, and uncertainty.
If you've ev...
Ep 159: Your Inner Voice Is Not Your Anxiety
Have you ever stopped to wonder: Is this my intuition talking, or is this my anxiety?
In this episode, I explore one of the most common mental health questions I hear. Anxiety and intuition can sound surprisingly similar, but they don't lead us in the same direction. I'll discuss how anxiety tends to create fear, urgency, and avoidance, while intuition brings clarity, wisdom, and alignment.
If you've ever struggled to trust yourself, questioned your decisions, or wondered whether your inner voice is protecting you or holding you back, this episode is for you.
...
Ep 158: Why You Keep Doing The Things That Stress You Out?
You know it stresses you out.
You know it's draining your energy.
You know it's not serving you.
So why do you keep doing it?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I'm joined by Rosa Henao, LSW, RCSWI, for a powerful conversation about the hidden behaviors, thought patterns, and emotional habits that keep us stuck in cycles of stress, overwhelm, and burnout.
If you've ever found yourself saying, "I know I shouldn't do this, but..." this episode is for you.
Ep 157: What We Get Wrong About Joy: Three Years, 157 Episodes and One Surprising Truth
What If Everything You've Been Told About Joy Is Wrong?
Three years. 157 episodes. Countless conversations about mental health, healing, and resilience.
As we celebrate the 3-year anniversary of Journey to Joy Live during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm sharing some of the biggest lessons I've learned about joy—and why so many of us keep chasing it in all the wrong places.
- Why success doesn't guarantee joy
- The biggest myth about happiness and well-being
- How to protect your joy before burnout steals it
...
Vacation Burnout Is Real Because Parenting Doesn't Take PTO
Let's be honest...
Some of us came home from vacation needing another vacation.
The flights were booked. The resort was beautiful. The memories were made. But if you traveled with kids, you already know: parenting doesn't clock out just because you're on PTO.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I'm getting real about the mental load of family vacations, why travel can leave parents more exhausted than refreshed, and how to protect your mental health when your normal routines, workouts, and self-care practices get disrupted.
I'll talk about:
...
Ep 155: The Anxiety of Being “The Strong One”
The Anxiety of Being “The Strong One”
What happens when everyone leans on you?
You're the one everyone calls.
The one who keeps it together.
The one who solves the problems, carries the load, and shows up no matter what.
But who supports you?
Today, I'm talking about the hidden anxiety, pressure, and emotional exhaustion that often comes with being "the strong one." I'll help you recognize the signs that strength has turned into self-sacrifice and share practical ways to protect your peace without feeling guilty.
Be...
Ep 154: Joy On Your Plate: Why 'Eat Less, Move More' is Failing Women
“Eat less, move more” is failing women — and it’s time we talk about it.
Episode 154 of Journey to Joy Live is here, and I’m joined by Dr. Lauren Powell, MD, The Culinary Doctor®, to unpack why your metabolism isn’t broken — the advice is.
We’re talking hormones, muscle mass, stress, sleep, and why food is medicine — especially for women over 35. This conversation bridges the exam room and the kitchen, giving you practical tools to support your metabolism, your mood, and your mental health.
It’s not about will power. It’s about understanding y...
If You're Money Isn't Supporting Your Peace, It's Misaligned
What if wealth isn’t just about money — but about alignment, peace, and legacy?
In this powerful episode of Journey to Joy Live, I sit down with Ashley D. Varnado, seasoned wealth management executive, strategist, and philanthropic leader, to explore the connection between financial wellness and overall well-being. After nearly two decades leading at the highest levels of corporate finance and stewarding multibillion-dollar portfolios, Ashley made a bold decision: she chose a “radical sabbatical” to realign her life, redefine success, and design a more intentional second half.
We discuss:
Why wealth without well-being isn’t winningT...Ep 152: "Shock" Therapy: The Truth About Interventional Radiology
“Shock” Therapy? The Truth About Interventional Psychiatry
Let’s talk about it.
When people hear “shock therapy,” fear and stigma usually follow.
But what’s the truth?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I’m breaking down what interventional psychiatry really is — and what it isn’t.
In this episode, we unpack:
-The difference between Hollywood myths and modern medicine
-What treatments like ECT and other interventional approaches actually involve
-When these options are considered — and why
-How they can res...
Doing Everything Right, But Still Pre-Diabetic? How to Get Your Joy & Health Back
Doing Everything Right… But Still Pre-Diabetic?
How to Get Your Joy & Health Back
You’re working out.
You’re trying to eat better.
You’re doing “all the things.”
So why is your body still waving a red flag?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I’m joined by Malica Ahmad, author & health coach for women 40+, and we’re talking about what many women overlook — the power of releasing sugar.
In this episode, we unpack:
- Why your workout isn’t the whole story
...
Joy Is a Team Sport: The Village Behind the Brand
Joy Is a Team Sport: The Village Behind the Brand
Nobody told you joy was a solo mission — so why are you carrying it alone?
This milestone episode gets real about what it actually takes to protect your mental health and sustain your joy.
Spoiler alert: it takes a village.
By the Joy Bundle featuring the NJoyNAL + Inspire Joy for the Wife Mom Boss on DrNJoyLife.com on sale for a limited time during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Ep 149: ADHD or Burnout: You're Not Distracted, You're Overloaded
ADHD or Burnout?
You’re not distracted — you’re overloaded.
So many high-achieving women are walking around thinking they have a focus problem… when what they actually have is a capacity problem.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, as we begin Mental Health Awareness month, I’m joined by Breanna Perry, LCSW of Rooted Swan Wellness, LLC, and we’re breaking down:
- The difference between ADHD symptoms and burnout
- Why chronic stress can mimic executive dysfunction
- How overload impacts your brain, motivation, and productivity...
Ep 148: You're Not Lazy, You're Mentally Exhausted
You used to laugh easier. Move lighter. Show up fuller. Now you're just going through the motions — and you can't figure out why.
In this episode, Dr. NJoy takes you on a journey through the real story of mental exhaustion: how you got here, what it's actually doing to you from the inside, the lies that have kept you running on empty, and what it truly looks and feels like to come back to yourself.
In This Episode:
How mental exhaustion builds silently — and why it's never just "one bad day"The invisible weight our...Ep 147: They're Not Difficult, They're Toxic
Are the people in your life lifting you up — or quietly stealing your joy? If you've been feeling drained, anxious, or like you've lost yourself, it's time to look closer at who's in your circle.
In this episode, I break down exactly how to recognize the toxic relationship signs you may be overlooking — and give you a clear, practical 5-step framework to stop letting toxicity steal your joy and start Living In Full Empowerment.
In This Episode:
The critical difference between "difficult" and truly toxic — and why naming it is your first act of empowe...Your Mental Health Is Under Attack: How To Fight Back Against Political Stress
Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and mentally drained by what's happening in the world right now? Political anxiety is real — and it's taking a serious toll on your mental health.
In this episode, I'll break down exactly what political stress is doing to your mind and body, and give you practical tools to protect your mental wellness — no matter what's happening in the news cycle.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why political anxiety affects your mental health more than you realize
- The physical and emotional signs that stress is winn...
Ep 145: Becoming Empowered: Living Joy On Your Own Terms
You don’t need more motivation.
You need structure.
If you’re tired of restarting your goals…
tired of saying “this time will be different”…
tired of knowing you’re capable of more but not seeing it stick…
This conversation is for you.
Life Coach, Yaa Astar joins me to break down:
- Why discipline beats motivation
- How to stop trying to fix everything at once
- The power of focusing on ONE area at a time — health, c...
Ep 144: So You're Just Never Gonna Have Sex Again Because You Don't Like Your Body?
So you’ve decided…
“Nope. I’m just not having sex again.”
But is it really about sex?
Or is it about how you feel in your body?
This week I’m joined by Dr. Nikki Coleman, licensed psychologist and sexologist, and we’re talking about:
- Body image and desire
-Shame and sensuality
- The mental blocks that kill intimacy
- Why disconnection from your body often becomes disconnection in your relationship
And how to rebuild confidence, pleasure, and ownership of your sexual...
Ep 143: Her Power. Her Joy. Her Longevity. — Rewriting Menopause
As we wrap up Women’s History Month, we’re honoring the true power of women — not just in what we build, but in how we evolve.
Because real power isn’t just about achievement.
It’s about transformation.
Menopause isn’t the end of vitality.
It’s a biological transition into wisdom, strength, and a new kind of clarity.
Joined by OB/GYN Renée Simone Yolanda Allen MD MHSc. FACOG, we’re talking about:
- The truth about hormones and midlife
-Brain health, mood, and energy<...
Ep 142: The Burnout Reset: Listening Before Your Body Screams
If you don’t slow down… your body will. Burnout isn’t just exhaustion. It’s what happens when stress goes unchecked for too long.
In this episode, I’m breaking down:
-What chronic stress does to your brain
-How burnout turns into physical symptoms
- Why high-functioning women crash the hardest
And an important conversation about conversion disorder — when emotional overload shows up in the body in very real, neurological ways.
This is not about weakness. This is about your nervous system being overwhelmed. Reset before resentment...
Ep 141: Her Work. Her Worth. Her Impact. A Women's History Month Tribute
March is Women’s History Month, and this week on Journey to Joy Live, I wanted to honor a woman who is not just making history… she’s building it.
Episode 141: Her Work. Her Worth. Her Impact.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, I am putting the spotlight on Nikki Porcher — U.S. Air Force veteran, former public school teacher, and founder of Buy From A Black Woman, a national nonprofit that has generated more than $6.12 million in documented economic impact supporting Black women business owners.
And she’s not done.
Nikki is n...
Ep 140: Emotional Flooding — Why You Feel Everything at Once and How to Regulate Your Mood
Ever feel like you’re fine one minute… and completely overwhelmed the next?
That’s not “being dramatic.”
That’s emotional flooding.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I'm breaking down what happens when your brain and nervous system get overloaded — and why you suddenly feel everything at once.
In Episode 140, I'm unpacking:
- What emotional flooding actually is (and what triggers it)
-What’s happening in your brain during overwhelm
-Why high-functioning women crash hard
- Practical tools to regulate your mood in real tim...
Ep 139: Becoming Your Own Safe Space — The Science and Joy of Self-Love
The world may not always feel steady…but you can become your own safe space.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, we’re diving into The Science and Joy of Self-Love — not the surface-level version, but the neurological, emotional, healing kind.
In Episode 139, I’m breaking down:
-How self-criticism activates your stress response
-Why self-compassion calms your nervous system
-How to stop outsourcing your worth
-Practical ways to feel emotionally safe within yourself
Because self-love isn’t indulgent.
It’s regulation.
It’s stabi...
Ep 138: Stress, Anxiety, & Depression: How to Tell the Difference and What Actually Helps
Is it stress… anxiety… or depression?
And how do you actually know the difference?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I’m breaking down the science behind what you’re feeling — and more importantly, what actually helps.
Because being “overwhelmed” isn’t a diagnosis.
And high-functioning doesn’t always mean healthy.
In Episode 138, we’re unpacking:
How to tell normal stress from clinical anxietyWhen sadness becomes depressionThe brain and body signs you shouldn’t ignorePractical, evidence-based tools to start feeling betterNo guessing. No stigma. Just clarity a...
Ep 137: Black Love. Black Healing. Black Joy: The EMBRace Approach to Wellness and Resilience
In honor of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, this week on Journey to Joy Live we’re celebrating Black Love, Black Healing, and Black Joy.
Join me and Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP — Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Columbia University Professor, and creator of the EMBRace program — for a powerful conversation on how connection, culture, and communication can transform racial stress into wellness and resilience.
Because this month, we honor Black love as community care, Black healing as resistance, and Black joy as freedom.
Contact Dr. Riana Elyse Johnson at TheEMBRaceProgram@gmailcom if you have...
Ep 136: Aligned For Joy: Awakening Your Calling, Purpose, Passion, & Vision
What if the peace you’re searching for isn’t in doing more — but in aligning more deeply?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, we’re getting Aligned for Joy with special guest Bianca Ariel, MBA, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Recalibrated Vision™. @BiancaArielMBA
We’re breaking down the Core Four — Calling, Purpose, Passion, and Vision — and how to uncover each so you can move from burnout to alignment, from confusion to clarity, and from survival to joy.
Tune in as we explore:
- How to recognize when you’re out of alignmen...
Ep 135: Behind the Smile: The Link Between Dental & Mental Health
You can fake a smile, but your body always tells the truth.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, we’re going Behind the Smile to uncover the powerful connection between dental health and mental health.
I’m joined by Ria Sahara, DDS, Dentist and CEO of Gentle Dentistry of Newnan, to explore how our emotional well-being impacts our oral health — and how what’s happening in our mouths can reflect what’s happening in our minds.
Together, we’ll discuss:
-The stress–inflammation connection and how it affects your teeth and gums
Ep 134: Brain On Fire: The Link Between Stress, Inflammation, & Mental Health
Ever felt like your mind just won’t shut off — like your brain is running hot from stress, exhaustion, or emotional overload?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I'm diving deep into the science behind that feeling in “Brain on Fire: The Link Between Stress, Inflammation, and Mental Health.”
As a psychiatrist, I’m breaking down how stress doesn’t just affect your mood — it impacts your brain chemistry, your body, and your joy.
We’ll explore:
- What happens in your brain when stress turns chronic
- How inflammation...
Ep 133: No Is A Full Sentence
Your “no” is not rejection, It’s protection.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, we’re talking about the power of boundaries and the freedom that comes with protecting your peace.
Join me and my guest, Jen Fry, PhD (she/her) — social justice educator, speaker, and CEO of JenFryTalks — as we unpack:
-Why “no” is a complete sentence
-How to set boundaries without guilt
-What it means to choose yourself without apology
-And how protecting your energy can actually multiply your joy
Because saying yes to everythin...
Ep 132: The Career Reset: Realigning Your Work with Your Joy
Are you working hard but feeling disconnected from what once fueled you?
It might be time for a Career Reset — not to start over, but to realign your work with your joy. This week on Journey to Joy Live, I sit down with Laura E. Knights, LCSW , CEO of Knights Consulting and Founder of Black Woman Leading, to talk about what it really means to:
-Recognize when you’ve outgrown a role or routine
- Heal from professional burnout
-Realign your career with your values and vision
-Reconnect your purp...
Ep 131: The Joy Reset: Beginning Again Without Burning Out
New year. Same you — but lighter, clearer, and ready to begin again without burning out.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, we’re talking about The Joy Reset — how to move into a new season with peace instead of pressure. Because you don’t need a new you — you need a renewed you.
Because joy doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from learning when to pause, breathe, and begin again.
Get your Joy Bundle at www.drnjoylife.com which includes The NJoyNAL and the Inspire Joy for the Wife Mom Boss: Bala...
Ep 130: All I Want Is Presence: Choosing Joy Beyond The Gifts
This Christmas, let’s talk about the greatest gift of all — presence.
In the middle of wrapping paper, holiday pressure, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to miss the quiet joy of simply being.
But peace doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from presence.
Join me for a special Christmas Day episode of Journey to Joy Live as we reflect on:
How to slow down and be fully here this holiday season
Finding joy in moments, not material things
Reconnecting with gratitude, peace, and purpose
Ep 129: More Than A Mood: HEALing Your Mind & Spirit for Real Joy
Joy isn’t just a mood — it’s a mindset, a movement, and a form of healing. This week on Journey to Joy Live, I’m joined by Dr. La’Shonda Lane-Gammell, CEO of Dreams and Visions and founder of H.E.A.L., to talk about what it really means to heal your mind and spirit for lasting joy. We’ll unpack:
-Why joy is more than a fleeting feeling
-How mental & spiritual alignment create real wellness
-Practical steps to H.E.A.L. — Holistically Evolve, Align & Live.
Find Dr. La'Shonda at w...
Episode 128: Imposter Syndrome: The Lie That Steals Our Joy
Have you ever felt like you don’t belong, even when you’ve earned every bit of your success?
This week on Journey to Joy Live, we’re exposing one of the biggest joy-stealers of all — Imposter Syndrome.
I’m joined by Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin, psychologist, executive coach, and imposter syndrome expert, for a powerful conversation about:
The root causes of self-doubt and perfectionism
How imposter feelings show up in work, relationships, and leadership
And, most importantly, how to reclaim your confidence, peace, and joy
Episode 128: “Imposter Synd...
Ep 127: Can’t Sleep, Can’t Cope: How Sleep Impacts Your Joy
If you’ve been running on empty lately — irritable, anxious, or just tired of being tired — this one’s for you.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I’m joined by Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, Board Certified Physician & Certified Clinical Sleep Specialist, to talk about the real connection between sleep, mental health, and joy.
We’re breaking down how lack of sleep impacts your emotions, focus, and ability to cope — and sharing simple, science-backed strategies to help you rest, restore, and reclaim your joy.
Episode 127: “Can’t Sleep, Can’t Cope: How Sleep Impacts Your Joy”
Learn how better sleep can boost your mood, strengthen your resilience, and transform
Ep 126: The Joy of Enough: Finding Peace In What Already Is
In a world that keeps shouting “more,” what if peace is found in enough?
This Thanksgiving week on Journey to Joy Live, I’m slowing things down to talk about contentment, gratitude, and finding joy in what already is.
Because sometimes, the real work isn’t about chasing more — it’s about seeing what’s already here.
Episode 126: “The Joy of Enough: Finding Peace in What Already Is”
Let’s talk about how to quiet comparison, release perfection, and return to gratitude for the life you’re living right now.
Episode 125: Joy After Loss: Finding Light When the Holidays Feel Heavy
The holidays can be full of warmth, but for many — they also bring waves of grief, reflection, and missing the ones we love most.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I open my heart and share a deeply personal conversation about grief, healing, and honoring those we’ve lost while still finding light in the season.
In honor of my father and everyone navigating loss during the holidays, this episode is a reminder that grief and gratitude can coexist — and that joy isn’t the absence of pain, it’s the light that helps us carry i...
Ep 124: Dating In The Spotlight: Protecting Your Joy While The World Is Watching
Let’s be real — dating is hard. The highs, the heartbreaks, the “what are we even doing?” moments. It’s a whole emotional rollercoaster just trying to find your person.
Now imagine doing all of that in front of the world.
Tonight on Journey to Joy Live, I sit down with Nicole Johnson from OWN’s Ready to Love: Detroit to talk about the joys, frustrations, and mental health impact of dating in the spotlight.
We’re diving into what it means to protect your peace, your confidence, and your JOY when everyone has an opinion...
Ep 123: Joy In The Dark
The clocks have fallen back… but your joy doesn’t have to.
This week on Journey to Joy Live, I will dive into “Joy in the Dark” — exploring how Daylight Saving Time and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can impact your mood, energy, and motivation as the days grow shorter.
Learn how to protect your peace, reset your rhythm, and keep your light shining — even when the sun sets early.
🎙️ Episode 123: “Joy in the Dark”
💡 Practical tips for managing seasonal mood shifts and finding joy through the winter months.
