0:08 A Journey Beyond Hate

1:55 Embracing Unexpected Moments

4:50 The Challenge of Forgiveness

6:44 Defining Grace

8:17 The Inner Child

9:10 Finding Unity in Division

11:12 Lessons from Great Leaders

13:55 Empowering Marginalized Voices

18:26 Breaking Paradigms as Adults

20:54 Understanding Addiction Today

27:45 Social Justice in the Digital Age

30:48 Wisdom from the Past

In this episode, we examine the transformative power of community through the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Drawing from Dr. Jetaun Bailey's background as a clinician and educator, she stresses the importance of healing and forgiveness against the backdrop of social unrest. We discuss the necessity of grace in dialogue, the role of personal narratives in breaking down barriers, and the resilience found in marginalized communities.

Dr. Jetaun Bailey advocates for positivity and authentic connections, urging listeners to find courage in their voices to challenge injustice. Ultimately, Dr. Jetaun Bailey encourages a reconnection with personal stories and compassion as catalysts for community change.

Who is Dr. Jetaun Bailey?

Jetaun Bailey is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Certified School Counselor with over two decades of experience in counseling, teaching, assessment, and evaluation. Guided by the quote that has served as her motto—“Expect Nothing but Appreciate Everything”—she empowers future counselors to lead with compassion, cultural awareness, and purpose.

#MLK2025

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Shanae Thomas, a leading advocate for inclusive and equitable education. Dr. Thomas shares insights from their two-decade journey, addressing challenges faced by marginalized communities post-pandemic. We explore the significance of authentic listening and emotional connectivity in education, alongside their "legacy framework" that integrates diversity into curricula. Dr. Thomas discusses strategies to engage students in meaningful dialogue around trauma and social justice, emphasizing the vital role of community support. This conversation may inspire you to foster inclusive environments that empower all voices.

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0:02 Introduction to Dr. Shania Thomas

15:32 The Challenge of Invalidation

17:16 The Legacy Framework

20:30 Building Community Connections

24:21 Advice for the LGBTQ+ Community

27:05 The Role of Curriculum in Inclusion

32:45 Empowering Students in Learning

40:14 Secrets to Effective Curriculum Design

47:11 Defining a Curriculum Architect

52:44 Closing Thoughts on Happiness

Who is Dr. Shanéa Thomas?

Dr. Shanéa Thomas, LICSW, CSE (he/she/Dr.) is a bold lecturer, seasoned scholar–practitioner, TEDx Speaker, and AASECT’s (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists) 2024 Sexuality Educator of the Year, has more than 20 years of professional clinical social work experience in the Washington, D.C. metro area. As a proud Howard University School of Social Work graduate, Dr. Thomas’ main commitment in the field is training and strategizing with social workers, educators, and service providers around building safer therapeutic, educational and workplace spaces for all people. He has facilitated over 120 workshops centering needs around diversity, equity and inclusion, grief and loss, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Dr. Thomas ended his 10-year position at the University of Southern California School of Social Work as a Senior Lecturer in 2022 to further the commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity through the University of Maryland School of Public Health as their LGBTQ+ Training Specialist and Assistant Clinical Research Professor. She has assisted the Prevention Research Center in launching their national training program using evidence-based tools to build LGBTQIA+ competency in practice amongst mental health professionals.  After witnessing a deep disconnect between decision-makers, direct service professionals, and the community, and recognizing the urgent need for educators and practitioners to thrive, not just survive, Dr. Thomas shifted from her appointed role as Executive Director of Accreditation at the Council for Social Work Education to invest more intently into Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services. Today, she partners with clinicians, educators, and healthcare leaders highlighting what she calls as "The Thomas Standard" to build strategies and cultures rooted in empathy, accountability, and transformative growth through the lens of grief, legacy and equitable strategy.
My current book in pre-production, “Accountable Care and Identity Camaraderie for Transgender and Queer Service Providers: Preventing Burnout” (Bloomsbury Academic, release date July 9, 2025) centers the experiences of those who hold marginalized identities within community work, with recommendations to organizations on how to uplift their work environments to prevent burnout and encourage longevity.

0:02 It's a heartbreaking mess.0:04 The Power of Targeted Approaches0:26 Introducing Dr. Bruce Perry5:27 The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma9:54 The Role of Technology in Development13:32 Effects of COVID-19 on Children16:46 Mindfulness in Education20:24 Self-Regulation Techniques23:29 Patterns of Stress Explained29:57 Wisdom from Adversity35:33 The Challenges in Psychiatry37:56 Rethinking Therapeutic Approaches45:02 The Importance of Community48:05 Healing Without Financial Resources58:23 The Overuse of Trauma Terminology1:02:36 Future Directions in Trauma Treatment

In this episode, we engage with Dr. Bruce Perry, a renowned neuroscientist and child psychiatrist, to explore the profound effects of adverse experiences on human development. We discuss the importance of human connection in healing and resilience, particularly in the context of intergenerational trauma among marginalized communities. Our conversation touches on the transformative power of overcoming adversity and the necessity of nurturing environments for children. We reflect on the societal shift towards instant information access, which can detract from relational richness and emotional intelligence. We also examine the impact of COVID-19 on youth mental health and advocate for a community-focused approach to psychiatric practices that emphasize collective healing. Throughout our discussion, we highlight the critical importance of precise language in discussing trauma, advocating for an integrated approach that combines neuroscience, psychology, and community insights to enhance overall well-being.Dr. Perry is the Principal of the Neurosequential Network and a Professor (Adjunct) at theSchool of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia. Over the last thirty years, Dr. Perry has been an active teacher, clinician and researcher in children’s mental health and the neurosciences holding a variety of academic positions. His work on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain has impacted clinical practice, programs and policy across the world. Dr. Perry is the author, with Maia Szalavitz, of The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, a bestselling book based on his work with maltreated children and Born For Love: Why Empathy is Essential and Endangered. Dr. Perry's most recent book, What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing (2021), co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, has been translated into 26 languages and has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for over 100 weeks after becoming #1 on the list in April of 2021.