Inclusive Minds: Voices on Race and Health Equity

Brain Chemistry and Relapse: Using Food to Repair the Addictive Brain

Are you or a loved one struggling with chronic relapse, persistent cravings, or anxiety in recovery? This episode is a game-changer. Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross welcomes her longtime friend and expert, Christina Veselak, to dive deep into the often-overlooked biochemical roots of addiction and mental health struggles. Learn how simply changing what and when you eat can eliminate cravings in minutes and dramatically improve long-term sobriety. * The "Starving Brain" Theory: Christina explains how years of poor nutrition or substance use depletes the brain's necessary neurotransmitters, leading to debilitating cravings, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. * Amino Acids as a Game Changer: Discover how targeted amino acid supplementation can rebuild a depleted brain and stop cravings within 20 minutes—a highly effective, non-addictive solution. * The Five-Star Pro Recovery Diet: Christina breaks down her easy-to-follow food philosophy focused on stabilizing blood sugar and maximizing nutrient intake. The key elements are Protein (20g every 4 hours), Healthy Fats, Complex Carbohydrates, Personalization, and Clean Eating. Bio: Christina T. Veselak, LMFT, CN, is the founder and director of the Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition. A licensed psychotherapist for over 30 years, she provides online Relapse Prevention Coaching and Mental Health Nutrition support, consulting with supplement companies, IV detox programs, and residential treatment centers to integrate nutritional approaches to recovery. She is also the founder and CEO of Eating Protein Saves Lives! and bestselling author of EAT! A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings. A seasoned national speaker and founding member of the Alliance for Addiction Solutions, Christina continues to advance evidence-based nutritional and biochemical strategies for brain and mental health. "I'm dedicated to saving and transforming lives through amino acid and nutrient therapy." Guest Links: https://aminoacidtherapy.com/about-christina-veselak/ [https://aminoacidtherapy.com/about-christina-veselak/] Dr Carolyn's Links www.CarolynRossMD.com [http://www.carolynrossmd.com/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/] TEDxPleasantGrove talk: https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM [https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM] To buy "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies" - bit.ly/3ZuSp1T [http://bit.ly/3ZuSp1T]

Making Space for Black Voices: Why It's the Key to Health Equity for Everyone

I am so thrilled to share this incredible conversation with Dr. Camilla Nonterah where we truly dig into her chapter, "Making Space When Black Voices Speak Their Truth." If you've ever felt confused or frustrated by conversations around race and justice, this episode is for you. We break down the complex issues using simple, clear examples that will change how you view everything—from scientific research to your own workplace! We discuss the shocking reality of Black maternal health outcomes. We clarify that the problem isn't biology; it's the institutional failures that we must address to achieve health equity. Guest Links: @drcnonterah on Instagram; @drcnonterah.bsky.social Dr Carolyn's Links www.CarolynRossMD.com [http://www.carolynrossmd.com/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/] TEDxPleasantGrove talk: https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM [https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM] To buy "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies" - bit.ly/3ZuSp1T [http://bit.ly/3ZuSp1T] Episode Timestamps: 00:01:24 Intro 00:03:14 Defining SDOH 00:04:30 The "WEIRD" Problem 00:12:00 The Curb Cut Effect 00:14:14 Why Speaking is Hard 00:18:53 The Sharon Osborne Example 00:24:15 Weaponizing Courage 00:26:54 How to Be an Ally 00:31:43 The Anti-DEI Backlash 00:34:48 Outro

Black Scholars Expose Systems Failure: The Intersections of Anti-Blackness and Educational Abandonment

In this vital episode of the Inclusive Minds Podcast, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross welcomes three leading Black academics and co-editors from the book, Anti-Blackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies. They dive deep into their chapter, "Systems Failure. Black Children Left Behind," providing an unflinching look at how deeply embedded racial bias creates and sustains the devastating School-to-Prison Pipeline. Our experts expose the institutional policies, like Zero Tolerance, and the subtle but destructive psychological bias—known as Adultification—that targets Black girls and boys, sometimes as early as preschool. They discuss the shocking statistics behind suspensions, the impact of implicit bias on teacher expectations, and the role of HBCUs and community solutions in breaking this perpetual cycle. About our guests Dr. Felicia Dix Richardson Dr. Dix-Richardson is an Associate Professor of Criminology at Florida A&M University (FAMU). Holding a Ph.D. in Criminology from Florida State University, her extensive research focuses on corrections, racial disparities in the justice system, the educational system's failures (specifically the School-to-Prison Pipeline), and the resultant effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). She is deeply involved in community engagement, serving as the liaison for FAMU's Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice with Bond Elementary School. Dr. Kideste Yusef Dr. Yusef is a tenured Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Associate Dean for Research at Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU), where she also directs the Center for Law and Social Justice. With 20 years of collegiate teaching experience, her expertise includes community-police engagement, race and social justice, and performance management. Dr. Yusef has been featured in national outlets, works with law enforcement agencies, and is a recipient of numerous honors, including the White House Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award and the NBA Orlando Magic Social Justice Game Changer Award. Dr. Randy Nelson Dr. Nelson is the former Director of the Criminal Justice Administration Graduate Program and Center for Law and Social Justice at Bethune-Cookman University. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and is a nationally recognized consultant in community policing and engagement strategies. He is the founder of the Situational Environmental Circumstances (SEC) Mentoring Model, which was specifically designed to support the educational, social, and emotional needs of high-risk Black males and has been implemented across several Florida universities, securing millions in funding for equity initiatives. Connect with Dr Carolyn www.CarolynRossMD.com [http://www.carolynrossmd.com/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/] TEDxPleasantGrove talk: https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM [https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM] To buy "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies" - bit.ly/3ZuSp1T [http://bit.ly/3ZuSp1T]

From Pain to Purpose: Finding Your "Undaunted Hope"

In this powerful episode, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross speaks with pioneer in addiction and trauma recovery, Dr. Claudia Black. The discussion centers on the deep, interconnected issues of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic shame, and the urgent need for a complex approach to healing addiction and mental illness. They explore how early life trauma fuels destructive adult behaviors, the necessity of treating trauma alongside addiction, and the escalating crisis facing youth due to the pervasive negative impacts of social media and overprotective parenting. Dr. Black shares insights from her latest book, Undaunted Hope, offering a roadmap for true transformation. Guest Links: https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaBlackPhD [https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaBlackPhD] Dr Carolyn's Links www.CarolynRossMD.com [http://www.carolynrossmd.com/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/] TEDxPleasantGrove talk: https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM [https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM] To buy "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies" - bit.ly/3ZuSp1T [http://bit.ly/3ZuSp1T]

The Unseen Hurt: Confronting Anti-Blackness in Your Closest Relationships

In this powerful episode of the Inclusive Minds Podcast, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross speaks with liberation psychotherapist Liana Maneese about her personal and professional journey. Liana, a transracially adopted Afro-Brazilian and Black American woman, shares her "origin story" and the deeply personal impact of anti-Blackness within her own family and most intimate relationships. The conversation explores how racism doesn't disappear in the presence of love and family. It instead manifests as an "unseen hurt," with microaggressions, unexamined biases, and a defensive lack of awareness from those we are closest to. Liana introduces the concept of undoing, a lifelong process of decolonizing our minds and rejecting the white supremacist ideas that are so deeply ingrained in society—and ourselves. She emphasizes that true healing requires more than just calling out racism in public; it demands we confront it in private, and a liberation-focused therapy offers the tools to do this. Liana's lived experience highlights the critical responsibility of therapists to create a space where these difficult, painful truths can finally be seen, heard, and healed. Guest Bio: Liana Maneese is a liberation psychotherapist and identity navigation specialist. She is the founder of Transitional Characters, a Pittsburgh-based liberation-focused practice, and is a member of the #NotWhite Collective. Her chapter in the book Anti-Blackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies is titled "Interracial Relationships: How Anti-Blackness Informs Kinship and Therapist Responsibility." Guest Links: @transitionalcharacters (instagram) Dr Carolyn's Links www.CarolynRossMD.com [http://www.carolynrossmd.com/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/] TEDxPleasantGrove talk: https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM [https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM] To buy "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies" - bit.ly/3ZuSp1T [http://bit.ly/3ZuSp1T]