The Addy Hour

We all want to experience life satisfaction and emotional health. But getting to that place is another matter. From lockdowns to isolation, ongoing racial injustice to political turmoil, lost lives and lost jobs — this past year has tested our minds and bodies in profound ways.

During the Addy Hour podcast, we’ll discuss topics at the intersection of brain science, mental health, faith, culture, & social justice. Join us for dynamic conversations and insights based on the lived experience and professional expertise of guests from expected and unexpected places — community leaders, scientists and researchers, professional athletes and entertainers, faith leaders, mental health experts and advocates.

Dr. Nii Addy — Yale professor & researcher, man of faith, sports & hip-hop fan, and mental health advocate — is your host. To be healthy and whole, we must approach things holistically. Addy Hour will explore the topics and questions you’ve been thinking about and will create a unique space for us to talk about them.

Episode 1: Wellness, Pandemics, Race & Politics
Our goal is wellness and health, which seem ever elusive amid a pandemic, the challenges of racial injustices, and the toxicity of our politics. We yearn to move on and past these strains. In this episode, we’ll instead lean into them. You’ll hear unique perspectives, explore uncomfortable topics and experience the power of truthful dialogue. We’ll move ahead together in a conversation with Dr. Jeff Gardere, psychologist and professor, and Dr. Andra Gillespie, political science professor and public scholar.

Episode 2: Stress & Resilience
Have the stresses of the last year harmed us or helped us build resilience – or both? On this episode of the Addy Hour, NBA legend Allan Houston and Professor and stress expert Rajita Sinha join for an honest and personal conversation on stress, pain, resilience, and community. We’ll consider how our bodies and minds respond to our personal and societal challenges, and the ways we can hold on to hope!

Episode 3: Tackling Disparities and Stigma with Alfiee Breland-Noble and Doug Middleto‪n
In our often polarized society, mental health disparities can be viewed as either underappreciated or overblown. In today’s episode, we consider disparities, the importance of cultural competence, and the fight against stigma in youth and adults alike. Mental health expert Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble and mental health advocate Doug Middleton join for a discussion.

Episode 4: The Science of Trauma & Resilience with Bianca Jones Marlin and Kerry Ressler
The ongoing stress and trauma of the last year deeply affects us as individuals and as a society, impacting our daily lives. For many, these challenges extend far beyond the last year. Two pioneering scientists, Dr. Bianca Jones Marlin and Dr. Kerry Ressler, join for a timely discussion of life experiences and stresses that are passed to future generations through our biology. Along the way, we’ll hear surprising parallels in our guests’ life journeys, talk about resilience, and consider ways we can thrive amidst our ongoing challenges.

Episode 5: Where do we go from here? Lecrae and Professor Amy Arnsten
With recent steps towards accountability mixed with ongoing injustices and lack of accountability, many of us are asking, "Where do we go from here?" This week, we consider how music, neuroscience and faith can help us move toward personal and societal empathy and healing, amidst these challenges. Hip hop artist & author Lecrae and professor & neuroscientist Amy Arnsten join for a personal, forward facing conversation on stress, activism, social justice, the police and de-escalation. Along the way, we'll even hear Lecrae talk neuroscience and Professor Arnsten talk music!

Episode 6: Faith Communities & Mental Health with Michael Walrond Jr, Lena Green and Warren Kinghorn
Our faith communities can provide powerful places of sanctuary and safety. But are houses of worship safe spaces when it comes to our mental health? Within our faith communities, are we living with hope or suffering in silence, when it comes to emotional wellness? This week, Pastor Michael Walrond Jr., Dr. Lena Green, and Dr. Warren Kinghorn speak poignantly about their personal and professional journeys with mental health. We also discuss honest truths about mental health approaches in the church and the importance of combining faith and mental health practices to help us thrive individually and as a society.

Episode 7: Activism, Self-Care & Ending Gun Violence with David Hogg
How do we strike a balance between addressing larger societal issues and meeting our own needs? Is balance even realistic, or is it selfish to focus on personal emotional wellness, when others are suffering and struggling? Additionally, what’s the personal cost of activism when it comes to self-care, mental health and organizational health? This week, March for Our Lives Co-founder, Parkland survivor, and activist David Hogg joins for a candid conversation about these topics and more, in his efforts to end gun violence. Join us as we grapple with the tensions between activism, self-care, and social change, and how to apply helpful practices in our daily lives.

Episode 8: Self-care, Vulnerability & Real Talk with Tara Schuster
As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, many of us have felt a need to reprioritize and reevaluate what matters most. And yet, it can still be difficult to honestly acknowledge personal challenges along the way, especially when it comes to emotional wellness and mental health. This week, veteran entertainment executive and best-selling author, Tara Schuster, joins for a deeply honest conversation with Dr. Addy, where they discuss self-care, vulnerability, life balance & accountability in their own lives, along with principles that apply to us all.

Episode 9: Athlete Life, Stigma, Body Image & Wellness w/ Victoria Garrick
This week, influencer, mental health & body image advocate, and former D1 athlete, Victoria Garrick, joins for an honest conversation about life as a competitive student athlete and high performing individual. We'll chat about the differences between mental health and mental toughness, and wrestle with the line between pushing forward towards peak performance versus stepping back, in athletic pursuits and in life. Join in, as we also talk through the differences between sadness and depression, nervousness and anxiety and chat about our life perspectives as we emerge from the pandemic.

Episode 10: Mental, Physical & Spiritual Health with Shino Prater and R. Kweku Smith
What’s our perspective as we all deal with challenges and traumas in our lives and the lives of those around us? How do we find balance between giving to and caring for our communities, while not spreading ourselves too thin? And how do we meet people where they are, with sincerity, empathy and compassion, without being dismissive? This week, NYC Pastor, Shino Prater, and Psychologist, activist, and urban education expert, Dr. R. Kweku Smith, join for an honest, challenging, refreshing and relatable conversation about their mental, physical and spiritual health journeys over the last year, both in their personal lives and professionally. Join us, as we also consider practical ways we can all strive for balance, perspective, & holistic health in our current moment.

Episode 11: Race, Religion, Politics & Mental health with Eddie Glaude Jr. & AD Thomason
We seem to be living in a culture where so many are speaking as instant experts on almost everything. But how do we navigate the noise and find truth, while also cultivating the disciplines of listening and sitting with silence? This week, distinguished professor, scholar & author Eddie Glaude Jr., and author and filmmaker A.D. Thomason join for an honest, wide-ranging conversation on these topics and the realities of brokenness, growth through pain, true hope, and much more. We’ll also discuss whether our nation is in a true moment of racial reckoning. Join the conversation and hear personal insights from both guests on how they maintain balance, approach emotional health, and stay true to their purpose in today's complex world.

Episode 12: Black mamas and the #PostpartumRevolution w/ Stacey D. Stewart & Angelina Spicer
Far too often, the crisis around maternal health and maternal mental health support in the United States is underappreciated and even ignored, especially for women of color. This week, March of Dimes President and CEO, Stacey D. Stewart, and comedian and “accidental activist” Angelina Spicer join for a conversation that can truly be a matter of life or death. Join in, as we share and hear stories of those who have walked through postpartum depression and other maternal health challenges. We also discuss societal pressures on women and black women in particular, the true definition of a strong black woman, and the reward of risk taking and vulnerability in order to walk in your purpose.

Episode 13: Campus Life, Mental Health & Faith in a Pandemic w/ Sharon Kugler, Orlando Yarborough & Omer Bajwa
For students, faculty, administrators, staff and family members across the country, there’s so much for us to consider as we embark on another unique college and university semester. This week, Chaplain Sharon Kugler, Pastor Orlando Yarborough III, and Imam Omer Bajwa join for a timely, rich, honest and compelling conversation about campus life, mental health and faith amidst an ongoing pandemic. Join us to hear insights from their roles and personal experiences with students on campus. We also discuss how to navigate our expectations and desires for normalcy, what it means to return, the realities of our hustle culture, and the importance of pausing and resting. Amidst all of the uncertainty, unease, and anxiety, our guests also share about sources of joy, the strength we can draw from being in spiritual community, and our tremendous opportunities for growth in this moment. A powerful and moving episode!

Episode 14: Wellness, Community & the Scientific Workforce with Amy Newman and Luigi Ferrucci
Conversations about science and society have somehow become more divisive as of late, even as we continue to battle a global pandemic. But what about the scientists from various disciplines who’ve continued in their training, research endeavors and leadership in the midst of everything we've endured as a society? This week, two scientific leaders from the National Institutes of Health join for a refreshing conversation about wellness, work-life balance, community and thriving amongst our scientific trainees, researchers, staff, administrators and leaders. Come hear Dr. Amy Newman, Scientific Director at NIDA, and Dr. Luigi Ferrucci, Scientific Director at NIA, share about flexibility in the midst of challenges, support amongst our scientific teams as we deal with stress, ongoing investments in diversity and inclusion, and the necessity of improving relationships and trust between research communities and the general public.

Episode 15: Sleep, Emotional Wellness, & Mental Health with Obo Addy
We all have personal experience with sleep, likely good and bad! This week Dr. Obo Addy, father of Dr. Nii Addy, joins for an informative and practical conversation on good and poor sleeping habits, how to address sleep challenges, and how sleep impacts our emotional wellness, mental health and overall health. We discuss topics like sleep deprivation, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea and more. Dr. Addy also shares his life story and the Addy family journey, including how he developed a passion for sleep medicine & psychiatry. And of course, we’ll also discuss important topics such as the consequences of sleep-related health disparities, the benefit of holistic approaches for addressing sleep challenges, and the impact of faith.

Episode 16: Race, Community & Mental Health with Michael Eric Dyson
This week, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, professor, prolific writer, cultural critic, political commentator, Baptist minister, and one of the country's leading authorities on race and racism, joins for a fascinating and wide-ranging Addy Hour conversation on Race, Community & Mental Health. Dr. Dyson shares keen insights on the nuances of topics like belonging, safe spaces, vulnerability, self-care, care for others, and our commitment to society. The conversation also gets personal and practical, as we consider daily discernment in our lives, and how it impacts our decision making and how we align our gifts, goals and passions. We also delve into individualistic and community attitudes towards Black people in the U.S., especially around stereotypes, trauma, racism, and mental health, but also around our talents, success, and impacts on society. A dynamic episode!

Episode 17: Navigating Society, Mental Health & Wellness with Sean Astin
This week, acclaimed actor and mental health advocate, Sean Astin, joins for an enjoyable and thought-provoking conversation on several topics including his personal & family journey over the last year and a half, our re-engagement in society, our daily rhythms, how we engage with our mental wellness, and the benefits of living with a spirit of playfulness. Sean also shares powerful mental health insights on stigma, empathy and the sometimes unintentional condemnation of mental illness, from his perspective as the son of Patty Duke, who both navigated mental illness and was a strong mental health advocate. A genuine and honest conversation, challenging all of us to examine how we approach and talk about mental health and mental illness, the importance of hope, and the benefit of focusing on how to effectively navigate mental health challenges. We’ll even hear quotes from a well-known hobbit “guest” speaking to the community and the importance of holding onto the good, amidst many of the challenges we may face.

Episode 18: Support, Advocacy and Resources with Matt Kudish and Corey Minor Smith
As we approach the holiday season and a time of thanksgiving, it’s important that we reflect on joys, express genuine gratitude and savor time together, even while acknowledging the realities of stress, reminders of losses or lost loved ones, and the mental health challenges that can also accompany this time of year. Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – NYC Metro, Matt Kudish, and transformational speaker, author and mental health advocate, Attorney Corey Minor Smith, join for a heartfelt and helpful conversation on mental health advocacy, support and resources. Throughout the conversation, we discuss gratefulness, the importance of looking after ourselves, and the realities of mild and severe mental health challenges of loved ones in our circles and in society. On a practical note, both guests also share information on resources offered through NAMI, the benefits of community support for addressing mental health challenges, the need for policy changes, the importance of reasonable housing accommodations for those living with severe mental illness, and the necessity of support and self-care for caregivers and family members. We even engage in a lively discussion about brain health and about holistic approaches to mental health and overall wellness. A wonderful, genuine, and uplifting episode!

Episode 19: Oxytocin, Social Behavior, Community, & Mental Health with Larry Young and Pat Churchland
After the past two years, many of us now have a deeper appreciation of the power and importance of social interactions, social relationships, and strong community. This week, renowned neuroscientist, Larry J. Young, and pioneering neurophilosopher, Pat Churchland, join for a fascinating discussion about the science of social behavior and social bonding. Through the conversation, they share helpful insights about our understanding of family and social bonds, as well as the impacts of these bonds on our relationships, how we tackle racism, and even our interactions with our pets! We’ll also discuss the science of altruism, the impacts of our "us" versus "them" culture, how changing social interactions are influencing our mental health, and ways we can move forward in stronger community for a healthier society. A dynamic, generative and informative conversation!!