Shifting Perspectives to help Black men ft. Odilakachi William Hezekiah-Onwukwe

Mind Ya Mental Podcast

In this week's episode, Dr. Raquel Martin and Odilakachi William Hezekiah-Onwukwe discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, particularly in the black community. They explore the challenges of scheduling and time management, as well as the impact of patriarchy and racism on black men. They emphasize the need for emotional intelligence programs for black boys and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering connection and presence. The conversation highlights the signs of emotional intelligence and the importance of empathy. This conversation explores the impact of absence on empathy, the adultification of black children, the long game of oppression, reevaluating feminism and masculinity, the importance of selfishness, societal expectations and mental health, black men's value and rest, facilitating rest for black men, recognizing signs of discomfort, and shifting expectations and listening.

Helpful Nuggets From The Episode:

• Emotional intelligence is crucial, especially in the black community, where emotions are often invalidated and not accepted.
• The impact of patriarchy and racism on black men contributes to the need for emotional intelligence programs and support.
• Accountability and self-advocacy are essential for personal growth and development.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in fostering connection, presence, and empathy. The absence of connection and presence can lead to a hardening of oneself and a reduced ability to empathize with others.
• Black children are often adultified at a young age, which diminishes empathy for their childhood experiences.
• Oppressive systems have been strategically implemented over time, making it important to play the long game in dismantling them.
• Feminism and masculinity should be reevaluated to challenge societal expectations and promote equality.
• Selfishness can be healthy when it prioritizes self-care and self-awareness.
• Societal expectations around masculinity can hinder black men's willingness to prioritize their mental health.
• Creating safe spaces and actively listening can help facilitate black men's willingness to prioritize their mental health.
• Recognizing signs of discomfort and providing support can help black men feel safe to express their needs.
• Shifting expectations and projecting empathy can create a space for black men to open up about their mental health.
• Treating partners with empathy and care can foster a supportive environment for black men's mental health.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Name Pronunciation 00:21 Scheduling Challenges 05:05 Challenges of Marketing 06:25 Personal Challenges with Meetings and Time Management 09:00 Importance of Emotional Intelligence in the Black Community 13:46 The Impact of Patriarchy and Racism on Black Men 19:06 Accountability and Self-Advocacy 21:20 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Community Psychology 27:12 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Connection and Presence 28:42 Signs of Emotional Intelligence 28:53 The Impact of Absence on Empathy 30:32 Childhood Development and Adultification 33:30 The Long Game of Oppression 35:58 Reevaluating Feminism and Masculinity 39:08 The Importance of Selfishness 44:51 Societal Expectations and Mental Health 48:13 Black Men's Value and Rest 53:23 Facilitating Rest for Black Men 56:21 Recognizing Signs of Discomfort 59:24 Shifting Expectations and Listening 01:00:06 Treating Partners with Empathy

Guest Bio:

Professor Odilakachi William Hezekiah-Onwukwe AKA Professor Odi is a Therapist and Mental Wellness Coach. Professor Odi specializes in behavioral health interventions that originate in finding highly personalized solutions for his clients. He has a breadth of experience in wellness and decision based interventions, with a centralization in Africentric Theory. Odi obtained his Masters of Community Psychology from FAMU in 2017, having been molded by the FAMU Community Psychology Program, a producer of multiple presidents of the Association of Black Psychologists. He has over half a decade in mental health practitioner experience, ranging from independent interventions into administrative logistics and strategy implementation. Clinically, he is eclectic. He has experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Interventions, and Mindfulness based interventions. Odilakachi aspires to be wholly present for his clients while simultaneously allowing them to guide him through what it is that they need. You can find Professor Odi on Instagram