Growing up, Brandon Russ often felt emotions deeply yet found himself navigating a world that questioned his vulnerability. His journey took a significant turn after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2017, a revelation that led him to embrace his emotional depth and channel it into advocacy.

Through our conversation Brandon shares moments from his life illustrating how faith, creativity, and serving others have become his anchors in managing mental health challenges.

Our discussion also takes a critical look at the societal norms surrounding masculinity, especially the stigmas that discourage men from expressing emotions or seeking mental health support.

Brandon bravely shares his experiences of criticism and conformity to hyper-masculine ideals and how he's found liberation in spaces that welcome emotional openness. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of authenticity.

In this episode, Brandon and I aspire to inspire others to pursue their own paths for healing and growth.

In this episode we cover:

● Brandon’s journey with bipolar disorder and emotional vulnerability

● Challenges of masculinity norms and emotional suppression in men

● The role of faith, creativity, and service in managing mental health

● Unique cultural pressures faced by Black men regarding mental health

● The importance of advocacy, open conversations, and redefining strength

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Brandon on Instagram and find out more of his work HERE!

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠shop⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com

Still growing up in the Black church, Donal faced the formidable challenge of reconciling faith with mental health struggles. This episode of the Rough Edges podcast invites you into his heartfelt journey through the emotional landscapes shaped by post-traumatic slavery syndrome.

We find out how historical and cultural factors have influenced the suppression of grief and lament in the Black community, and also learn how Donal found strength in grieving openly much like the biblical figures he admires.

Our discussion shines a light on the need for a compassionate and informed approach to mental health within faith communities highlighting the potential for healing when we acknowledge our shared history.

Listen to this episode and explore how we can build a supportive environment that embraces both mental health and faith.

Let me know what you thought of this episode! Email me at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram at @rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode we cover:

● Reconciling faith with mental health struggles in the Black church

● Suppression of grief and lament in the Black community

● The role of the church in emotional processing and communal support

● How Donal uses activism and music to create supportive mental health spaces

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Donal ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ to learn more about his journey and music

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠shop⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com

"Growing up in a Black church, mental health wasn't always the first topic on the table, but everything changed when I discovered the transformative power of counseling during my master's program."

In this episode of Rough Edges, I'm thrilled to welcome Donal Cogdell Jr. also known as Reflect, who shares his journey through faith, justice, and music. Together, we unravel the complexities of men's mental health challenging the outdated stereotypes of "real manhood" with a fresh perspective rooted in biblical teachings. Donal’s experiences as an educator, hip-hop artist, and motivational speaker shine a light on the importance of faith as a guiding anchor in life's turbulent seas.

We emphasize the value of finding the right therapist especially within the Black community to navigate the unique cultural nuances that often go unrecognized.

Join us as we share our personal experiences encouraging a shift in societal norms and fostering a more compassionate understanding of men's mental health.

In this episode we cover:

● The role of mental health in the Black church and personal discovery of counseling

● Donal Cogdell Jr.'s journey through faith, justice, and music

● Challenging outdated stereotypes of "real manhood" through biblical teachings

● The importance of culturally competent therapists in the Black community

● Barriers to accessing mental health support, including financial and systemic challenges

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Donal ⁠HERE⁠ to learn more about his journey and music

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠HERE⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠shop⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠here ⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com