Freedom at The Mat | A Women's Wellness Sanctuary

AI Isn’t Your Bestie: Protecting Your Mental Health in the Age of AI with Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson

AI is becoming a bigger part of how we search for support, comfort, and answers — but can it really replace human connection? In this Well Chat, Olivia F. Scott sits down with Columbia University Professor Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP, to explore the mental health impact of AI, emotional dependence, loneliness, and why protecting our well-being matters now more than ever. This conversation is especially important for Black women navigating stress, overextension, and the pressure to always “hold it together.” Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson is a licensed psychologist and expert in mental health equity and the impact of racism and stress on Black families. Together, we unpack what it means to stay grounded, discerning, and emotionally well in a digital age where AI is everywhere. In this episode, we discuss: * Why AI can feel emotionally comforting. * The risks of over-relying on AI for mental health support. * How loneliness and disconnection show up in modern life. * What Black women need to protect their peace and emotional health. * Why real community, therapy, and self-awareness still matter. CHAPTERS: 0:00 — Intro: AI, Mental Health, and Why This Matters 1:08 — Meet Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson 3:06 — What AI Is Changing in Our Lives 6:12 — Can AI Replace Human Connection? 9:18 — Loneliness, Comfort, and Emotional Dependence 13:02 — The Mental Health Risks of Over-Relying on AI 17:24 — Why Community Still Matters 21:10 — Black Women, Stress, and Emotional Labor 25:08 — How to Stay Grounded in a Digital Age 29:06 — Healthy Boundaries With Technology 33:04 — Closing Thoughts and Final Wisdom Subscribe for more Well Chats on wellness, healing, mental health, and Black women’s well-being. #WellChats #MentalHealth #AI #BlackWomensWellness #EmotionalHealth #Therapy #WellnessPodcast #DrRianaElyseAnderson

The Truth About Black Maternal Health, Bias & Postpartum Care with Dr. Danielle Tate

This conversation about Black maternal health is an important and life-saving conversation. In this Well Chat, Olivia F. Scott sits down with Dr. Danielle Tate, board-certified OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physician with Baptist Medical Group in Memphis, TN, for a powerful conversation about the barriers Black women face in pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, and what families can do to advocate for safer outcomes. Following the maternal health survivor story with Moriah Ballard, this conversation goes deeper into the realities of implicit bias, care teams, red flag symptoms, doulas, postpartum risks, and the importance of speaking up and being heard. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why Black maternal outcomes are still so unequal * The role implicit bias plays in pregnancy and childbirth care * Warning signs in pregnancy and postpartum that should never be ignored * How to build a care team and where doulas fit in * Why postpartum care matters up to a full year after birth Dr. Danielle Tate also shares practical guidance for expectant mothers, partners, families, and caregivers on how to prepare, advocate, and protect maternal health before, during, and after delivery. Helpful resources mentioned in this episode include Hear Her, TIPQC, March of Dimes, ACOG, and SMFM.

A Black Maternal Health Survival Story: Moriah Ballard on Surviving Preeclampsia & Child Loss

In this Well Chat, Freedom at The Mat Foun derOlivia F. Scott, , sits down with Moriah Ballard for a deeply moving and necessary conversation about Black maternal health, preeclampsia, child loss, medical trauma, and healing. In 2019, Moriah went into the hospital in Houston, Texas with severe preeclampsia trusting that she and her unborn son, Denim, were in good hands. What followed was a traumatic birth story that changed her life forever. In this episode, Moriah shares what she experienced before entering the hospital, how her symptoms were dismissed, the moment she learned her baby no longer had a heartbeat, and what recovery looked like after losing vision, undergoing surgery, and discovering that an epidural needle had remained in her back. She also speaks honestly about grief, faith, relationships, healing, and what she wants other Black mothers and families to know about self-advocacy in pregnancy and childbirth. This conversation is offered with care and intention. Our goal is to honor Denim’s memory, protect Moriah’s dignity, and give other women, families, providers, and policymakers information, language, and courage to help make birth safer for Black women. #womenswellness #pregnancy #blackwomenswellness #womenshealth Content note: This episode includes discussion of pregnancy complications, child loss, medical trauma, and grief. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Well Chat 01:47 Moriah on how she’s feeling today 02:06 Who Moriah is as a woman and Denim’s mom 03:49 Pregnancy, early symptoms, and warning signs 05:12 Learning about preeclampsia 07:17 Hospital expectations vs. reality 08:02 Pain, the call light, and being dismissed 10:36 The moment the heartbeat was gone 17:13 The response after the loss 23:52 Surgery, recovery, and medical complications 26:26 Grief, relationships, and trust in healthcare 31:01 Reconnecting with body, mind, and spirit 33:02 Faith, purpose, and healing 35:28 Advice for Black mothers and families 37:16 Warning signs not to ignore 39:02 How to advocate with providers 42:03 What Moriah would say to another grieving mother 44:51 What doctors, nurses, and hospital leaders need to change 47:49 Where to follow Moriah

Black Women’s Health Talk: Fibroids, Hormones, Hysterectomy Truths with Dr Veronica Gillispie-Bell

In this eye-opening 20-minute interview, host Olivia F. Scott sits down with OB-GYN and nationally renowned Women's Health Expert Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell to break down uterine fibroids—what they are, why Black women face higher risks and severity (with key stats vs. White women), and proven prevention tips like green tea and vitamin D. They dive into hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, perimenopause hormonal shifts, and the real emotional changes many women experience post-hysterectomy. No more silent suffering—this is your guide to empowered health decisions. Episode Highlights: 1. What are fibroids? Symptoms and causes explained 2. Fibroid stats: Black women 3x more likely, earlier onset 3. Prevention strategies: Green tea, vitamin D, and lifestyle hacks 4. HRT methods for hormone balance 5. Perimenopause: Managing the transition 6. Post-hysterectomy emotions: What science says 👉 Subscribe to Freedom at The Mat's Well Chats for more Black women's wellness wisdom, real talk on reproductive health, and healing journeys. 👉 Support our mission by purchasing our art yoga mats or vegan leather journals at FreedomAtTheMat.com! Get more insights from Dr. Gillispie-Bell at @drveronicamedicalmedia.com [http://drveronicamedicalmedia.com] and Instagram @drveronicawomenshealth

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence with Simone Sloan

In this episode of Well Chat, Executive Coach Simone Sloan sits with Olivia F. Scott for a powerful conversation on overcoming imposter syndrome, breaking free from perfectionism, and building real confidence from the inside out. Simone shares practical strategies for self-trust, preparation, audience awareness, and handling criticism in professional spaces. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room, struggled with negative self-talk, or felt pressure to prove yourself over and over again, this conversation is for you. Simone also explains how to strengthen your confidence muscle through consistent action, strong support systems, and intentional daily practices.