TONIGHT ON THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST: A SPECIAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH CONVERSATION!

Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms.

Breast cancer is more than a diagnosis. It is a journey that affects individuals, families, and entire communities. For the African American community, raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and creating space for survivors to share their stories are especially important.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 9 Black women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Breast cancer also affects Black men, who experience the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality rates among men across racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

These realities remind us that breast cancer awareness must extend beyond pink ribbons. It is about knowing your body, recognizing potential warning signs, seeking medical attention, and encouraging the people we love to prioritize their health. Breast cancer can affect men, too, and their experiences and stories deserve to be heard.

🌸 A SPECIAL MONTH-LONG SERIES ON THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST

Throughout October, I am dedicating The Lotus Flower Podcast to a special series featuring breast cancer survivors and individuals at different stages of their breast cancer journeys. Through these powerful conversations, we are highlighting the realities of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, faith, emotional wellness, resilience, and the journey toward healing.

Each guest brings a unique story of courage, challenge, perseverance, and hope. My goal is to create meaningful conversations that help break the silence, raise awareness, encourage early detection, and remind survivors and their families that they are not alone.

Because behind every diagnosis is a human story. Behind every survivor is a journey. And within every story is the potential to encourage someone else.

🌸 TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUEST: DEDRA HARRELL

Join me as I welcome Dedra Harrell, a powerhouse leader with more than 40 years of experience in leadership, service, and administration. A proud U.S. Army and Army National Guard veteran who served for 21 years, and an ordained Elder, Dedra is passionate about empowering others to recognize their potential and move forward with purpose.

In October 2024, Dedra was diagnosed with triple-negative, Stage 3, metastatic breast cancer. Today, she is celebrating more than a year cancer-free and courageously sharing her journey of faith, strength, and triumph to bring hope, comfort, and encouragement to others.

Her story is a powerful reminder that a breast cancer diagnosis does not define an entire life. Through her experiences, Dedra offers a meaningful perspective on navigating life's unexpected challenges, drawing strength from faith and family, and continuing to embrace life with gratitude and purpose.

🌸 A CONVERSATION OF FAITH, RESILIENCE, AND HOPE

Tonight, we will have the opportunity to hear Dedra's story in her own words, learn from her experiences, and reflect on the realities of her breast cancer journey. Her testimony offers an opportunity to consider the importance of support, perseverance, faith, and finding renewed purpose through life's most challenging seasons.

Whether you are a survivor, currently navigating a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to become more informed, this conversation is for you.

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 407! This is the second feature in our Breast Cancer Awareness Month series on The Lotus Flower Podcast. In this moving episode titled Healing in Real Time, I am joined by my cousin, apparel creator and entrepreneur Sheryl Lynn Haymon.

Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Sheryl is navigating her healing journey with incredible strength, resilience, and a heart ready to share her story. Born in Long Beach and raised in Fresno, California, with deep roots in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Sheryl operates her home and business studio out of Inglewood, Southern California.

During our conversation, Sheryl shares her powerful journey to early detection, her creative legacy honoring our ancestors through Sheryl Lynn Apparel, and her vital community initiatives, including the Sheryl Lynn Apparel Mentor Program, the "Shadow Me Then Shine, Haymon Scholarship Fund," and the "Black Design Collective."

All month long on The Lotus Flower Podcast, we are BREAKING THE SILENCE. We are talking about the real numbers, confronting health disparities, emphasizing the power of early detection, and creating space for honest conversations about breast cancer, healing, resilience, and hope.

📊 THE NUMBERS MATTER

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 321,910 women in the US will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, alongside 60,730 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

While incidence rates are similar between Black and White women, Black women experience a mortality rate approximately 40% higher and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

Access to timely screening, follow-up care, and research remains critical, especially for Black and Brown communities.

💕 AWARENESS MUST LEAD TO ACTION

Don't just wear pink. Take action:

Get screened and know your personal and family health history.

Talk with your healthcare provider about the right screening schedule for you.

Support one another, share reliable information, and contribute to reputable cancer organizations if you are able.

🌸 WHERE CAN YOU GET SCREENED?

Nationwide Resources: Check the FDA-certified mammography directory, the National Cancer Institute, or the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program for uninsured and low-income individuals.

North Carolina & Triangle Area: Eligible women ages 40–64 can explore the NC Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (NC BCCCP). Local imaging services are also available through Wake Radiology UNC Health Rex, Duke Health, and WakeMed. Always ask about financial assistance if cost is a concern!

📺 CONNECT & LISTEN

Watch: YouTube (The Lotus Flower) | Facebook (The Dr. Pamela Robinson)

Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

Website: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

💕 Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your health matters. Don't just wear pink—TAKE ACTION.

The Lotus Flower Podcast

🌸 Where Healing Begins & Purpose Blooms.

Disclaimer: The content shared on The Lotus Flower Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

#TheLotusFlowerPodcast #HealingInRealTime #BreastCancerAwareness #BlackHealthMatters #Resilience #EarlyDetection #MentalWellness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for our community, the conversation goes far deeper than a pink ribbon. 🎗️

While overall diagnosis rates are similar, systemic barriers mean Black women face a mortality rate nearly 40% higher than their white peers, often fighting aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer at younger ages.

But statistics do not tell the whole story. Resilience does. 💪🏾

All month long, we are breaking the silence. We are tackling the real numbers, challenging health disparities, and spotlighting the power of early detection and community healing through powerful conversations with breast cancer survivors—including a special, eye-opening interview with a male survivor. By featuring both women and men who have walked this path, we are shattering the dangerous myth that breast cancer is exclusively a women's health issue. Tissue is tissue, awareness has no gender, and survival takes all of us.

Tune in this Thursday to share in stories of triumph, reclaim our health, and shift from disparity to unstoppable power.

BROADCAST DETAILS:

📅 Date: Thursday at 7:00 PM EST

📺 WATCH LIVE ON: * YouTube: The Lotus Flower

Facebook: The Dr. Pamela Robinson

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🌐 CONNECT: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms. 🌸

#BreastCancerAwareness #HealthEquity #TheLotusFlowerPodcast #BlackHealthMatters #MaleBreastCancerSurvivor #Resilience #EarlyDetection #MentalWellness

Welcome to an inspiring conversation with featured guest Dr. Jason T. Mahoney (CEO & Principal Consultant at Crafted To Motivate, LLC) as we dive into vulnerability, authenticity, and intentional transformation.

🪑 THE PARADIGM OF PULLING UP A CHAIR

Pulling up a chair is a bold, intentional choice to engage, leave complacency behind, and allow the Holy Spirit to move us out of stuck places.

That screeching sound of a heavy wooden chair being dragged across a hardwood floor represents the friction of change—pulling us away from familiarity. When we endure that discomfort and sit at the table of uncertainty, God repaints our purpose and prepares a beautiful table setting that nourishes us and everyone connected to us.

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Overcoming spiritual and emotional complacency with the Holy Spirit.

Embracing the friction of change to stretch, shift, and grow.

Sitting at the table of uncertainty with courage.

Overcoming the fear of judgment and asking for support.

Showing up with openness, humility, and hope to begin true healing.

✨ MEET DR. JASON T. MAHONEY

Known as "Crafted2Motivate," Dr. Mahoney is a human services professional, speaker, poet, and author of Four Faces of a Revolution, Tried In The Fire, and Edification On The Go. His mission is to educate the mind, build inner strength, and empower individuals to reclaim control of their lives.

🗓️ BROADCAST DETAILS:

Thursday, September 24th at 7:00 PM EST

📺 WATCH LIVE ON:

YouTube: The Lotus Flower

Facebook: The Dr. Pamela Robinson

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🌐 CONNECT: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

🌸 The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms.

#TheLotusFlowerPodcast #DrPamelaRobinson #DrJasonMahoney #PullUpAChair #CraftedToMotivate #Authenticity #Vulnerability #TrueHealing #HolySpirit #ShiftAndStretch #PodcastLife #ConversationsThatMatter #MentalWellness #WhereHealingBegins #PurposeBlooms #PRR

I am honored to welcome special guest Dr. Charles Wyatt Johnson (D.Th., Pastor, Advisor, Strategist & Thought Leader) for a powerful conversation exploring how the Church can embrace creativity, technology, and digital platforms to reach people with the timeless truth of the Gospel.

🐟 WHERE ARE THE FISH?

Using the fish as a metaphor for ministry, we will challenge traditional approaches to evangelism and ask: Are we willing to go where the people are, or are we expecting them to come to us? Together, we will explore what it means to fulfill the Great Commission in today's digital world.

📖 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15

💡 WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE:

Discover how faith leaders, churches, and Christian creators can use digital tools to communicate biblical truth, build meaningful communities, and reach people who may never enter a traditional church.

We will discuss the difference between creating Christian content and making disciples, the importance of authentic connection, and how innovation can expand ministry without compromising the Gospel.

This conversation invites us to consider whether we are measuring ministry by numbers or transformed lives—and whether God is calling us to launch into unfamiliar waters.

📖 “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” — Luke 5:4

🔥 A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR MINISTRY

What if ministry is not simply about building bigger spaces, but building broader bridges? What if the mission field has changed, but the assignment has not?

Join us as we explore how creativity, faith, and digital innovation can help us reach people where they are.

📺 WATCH LIVE NOW:

YouTube: The Lotus Flower

Facebook: The Dr. Pamela Robinson

Join the conversation, ask questions, and share what resonates with you throughout the episode!

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

🌐 FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com for additional resources, to connect with me, leave a comment, and subscribe for updates!

🌸 The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Hope Blooms & Healing Begins.

#TheLotusFlowerPodcast #DrPamelaRobinson #DrCharlesWyattJohnson #DigitalMinistry #CreativeMinistry #FaithAndInnovation #ChristianPodcast #ChurchInnovation #GreatCommission #ChristianCreators #WhereHopeBlooms #WhereHealingBegins

Welcome, everyone, and thank you so much for joining us tonight for this powerful and important conversation!

I am Dr. Pamela Robinson, and I am honored to welcome my special guests, Dr. Michael Bart Mathews and Mr. Ray Scott, as we discuss: “Who Holds the Strong Black Man? Black Men, Grief & the Permission to Heal” Tonight, we are having an honest and meaningful conversation about Black men, grief, mental health, emotional resilience, and the permission to feel, process, and heal. To everyone joining us from Chicago and the Central Time Zone, thank you for being here with us at 6:00 PM Central Time. We are grateful that you have chosen to spend this time with us.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH This is more than a conversation about grief. It is an opportunity to better understand the emotional experiences of Black men and the expectations, pressures, losses, and responsibilities they often carry. As a Trauma-Informed Mental Health Therapist, Dr. Pamela Robinson specializes in blending evidence-informed secular and faith-based principles to support healing, hope, emotional wellness, and personal growth. Tonight's conversation creates space for both practical mental health insight and the role that faith, spirituality, community, and healthy relationships can play in the healing journey.

WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS? Join us and walk away with greater insight into: Why many Black men have been conditioned to be strong while struggling to give themselves permission to grieve and heal How grief can impact emotional health, relationships, identity, faith, and daily life The importance of creating emotionally safe spaces where Black men can be honest about what they are carrying How women can better listen to, understand, encourage, and support the Black men in their lives Practical and faith-centered perspectives on healing, resilience, hope, and emotional wellness Why strength and vulnerability do not have to be opposites Ladies, I especially encourage you to join this conversation and engage with us. As women, we often love, support, work alongside, raise, and care deeply about Black men. This conversation gives us an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand how we can support the emotional health and healing of the men in our lives. Whether you are a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, colleague, or someone who simply cares about the well-being of Black men, your voice and perspective are welcome here.

📺 WATCH LIVE NOW The Lotus Flower YouTube Channel The Dr. Pamela Regina Robinson Facebook Page 🎧 LISTEN TO THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST

You can also listen to The Lotus Flower Podcast on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music And other major podcast platforms Let’s have an honest, culturally relevant, and meaningful conversation about grief, healing, emotional wellness, faith, and the question: Who Holds the Strong Black Man?

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT Engage: LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE! Share your thoughts, questions, and insights in the live chat during the broadcast. Share: Invite a friend and pass this conversation along to someone who needs to hear it. Connect: For therapy resources, educational materials, and additional information, visit DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com.

About The Lotus Flower Podcast Hosted, created, and produced by Dr. Pamela Robinson, The Lotus Flower Podcast is dedicated to elevating diverse voices and meaningful conversations surrounding mental health, faith, culture, leadership, personal growth, healing, and holistic wellness.

Women, come join us. Men, come join us. Let’s have an honest and meaningful conversation about grief, healing, and who holds the Strong Black Man. Thank you again for joining us! We are so glad you are here.

Hello Everyone!

I’m Dr. Pamela Robinson—Doctoral Theologian, Trauma-Informed Mental Health Therapist, and Ordained Minister in Raleigh, North Carolina—and I am excited to invite you to join me for an inspiring month of conversations on The Lotus Flower Podcast, your weekly destination for growth, healing, and empowerment.

✨ WATCH LIVE

The Lotus Flower YouTube Channel

The Dr. Pamela Robinson Facebook Page

Every Thursday at 7:00 PM EST

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music & More

Thank you for being a part of The Lotus Flower Podcast community. I would be honored if you would share the attached flyer with your family, friends, and social media networks and invite others to join us!

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe.

With gratitude and love,

Dr. Pamela Robinson 🌸

The Lotus Flower Podcast, where we explore life's challenges with resilience. I’m Dr. Pamela Robinson, your host—a licensed clinical social worker associate, ordained minister, and mental health advocate. Join me as we delve into comedy, religion, music, mental health, fitness, and more, with a focus on African American voices. Each episode is packed with helpful tips, useful tools, and vital discussions. Tune in during your commute, on a walk, or even during your lunch hour.

Join us on this journey toward mental wellness and personal development. Blooming through difficult situations is a metaphor for navigating life's trials without being overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. In Matthew 17:7-8, Jesus reassures his disciples, saying, "Don't be afraid," reminding us to trust in divine presence even in our darkest moments.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health and behavioral health issues, and to reduce stigma. The 2024 theme is "Take the Moment," which encourages open dialogue, empathy, understanding, and sharing resources to support individuals and families on their journey towards mental wellness. Our aim this month is to educate the public, fight stigma, provide support, advocate for policies that support mental illness, remove treatment barriers, celebrate recovery, and raise awareness of the impact of trauma.

Tonight we will have another esteemed guest, my cousin Ms. Amber Roberts, MSW, RCSWI discussing "The Impact of Technology on Mental Health." Ms. Roberts is a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern in the state of Florida. Amber has been working as a social worker since 2011, specializing in at-risk teenagers. She obtained her Bachelor in Social Work (2011) and Master in Social Work (2016) from the University of South Florida. Throughout her career, she has served in various roles including case manager, school social worker, care advocate, counselor, and school-based mental health therapist. Amber is passionate about instilling hope in those who have lost their sense of hope due to past experiences. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Resources

Headspace: A mindfulness and meditation app that helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Calm: Provides guided meditation, sleep stories, and relaxation techniques.

BetterHelp: An online counseling platform connecting individuals with licensed therapists.

Common Sense Media: Provides reviews and advice on age-appropriate media and technology usage for children and teens.

Child Mind Institute: Offers resources and articles on how technology affects children's mental health.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Guidelines on screen time and media usage for children and adolescents.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Information on the impact of technology and screen time on mental health.

Tools for Managing Screen Time

Family Link by Google: Allows parents to set screen time limits and monitor app usage on their children's devices.

Apple Screen Time: A built-in feature on iOS devices that helps monitor and control screen time.

Bark: A parental control app that monitors texts, emails, and social media platforms for signs of cyberbullying and other issues.

Website

Helplines and Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 – Provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress.

Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741 – Offers free, 24/7 support via text.

Local Mental Health Services: Contact local hospitals, clinics, and mental health organizations for resources and support in your area.

School Counselors: Utilize school-based counselors and psychologists for additional support and resources.