Podcast
Unapologetically Black Unicorns
Hosted by Keris Jän Myrick · EN
Have you ever chatted with an Unapologetically Black Unicorn? Someone who symbolizes freedom, power, strength and is a true force of nature and thought, ‘WOW people need to hear this’? Now you can and learn how to be a U.B.U. too! Join the weekly conversation with host Keris Jän Myrick, an unapologetically black unicorn in their own right, and nationally recognized mental health advocate chatting with amazing U.B.U. folk who are advancing all things mental health, racial justice, and anything cool to enhance human existence.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
“The Value of Support”
Yesterday00:14:42Tap to summarizeFrom the beautiful view at Niagara Falls, Keris reflects on the people whose support, encouragement and belief helped shape her mental health recovery and her career. Keris shares stories about her mentors, friends and some unexpected connections. She explores the value of support and it serves as a reminder to reach out and let people know how much they have meant in your life. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“The Trauma and Celebration through Hair” with Kelechi Ubozoh
1w ago00:36:23Tap to summarizeKelechi Ubozoh (she/her) is a peer supporter, a Black Liberatory Coach, co-editor of “We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health,” a contributor to the anthology “Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives” and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Keris and Kelechi reflect on why they decided to rethink the nuances of talking about Black hair and when and why they “hair code-switch”. Kelechi reads her chapter in the anthology, how she uses her hair strategically and the trauma and celebration through hair. “TRAUMA, TRESSES, & TRUTH: 2nd Virtual Conference Interrogating Black Women's Natural Hair” - August 4th - 6th: https://trauma-tresses-truth-conference-interrogating.heysummit.com/ The Anthology “Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives”: https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/trauma--tresses--and-truth-products-9781641606707.php The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Transcribe →“AI in Health Care” with Charlotte Blease
2w ago00:45:27Tap to summarizeCharlotte Blease, PhD (she/her) is an Academic, Author, Public Speaker and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Charlotte talks about what influenced her to write a book about AI in health care and the pros and cons of technology in the health care system. They talk about how AI could combat built in biases, how generative AI is already appearing with doctors and patients and truly working on getting the patient the best care possible. Dr. Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us―and How AI Could Save Lives: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300247141 Charlotte Blease: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/crblease.bsky.social https://bleaseondrbot.substack.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-blease-phd-207806134/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“Who Decides the Value of a Disable Life” with Reid Davenport
3w ago00:30:48Tap to summarizeReid Davenport (he/him) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Reid talks about disability rights, medical ableism and the things that shape how society values disabled lives. They talk about Reid’s powerful film “Life After” and the issues it raises about the value of a person’s autonomy, the intersectionality of race and disability and the supports people need to live meaningful lives. To learn more about Reid Davenport visit: https://www.reiddavenport.com/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“Go Be Boldly Practical” with Wendy White Tiegreen
4w ago00:39:04Tap to summarizeWendy White Tiegreen (she/her), MSW, is the former Director of Medicaid and Health System Innovation for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Wendy shares how she became part of the movement that reshaped mental health services nationwide. They talk about policy battles, the long-term impact of embedding peer specialists into the system and how advocacy, relationships and persistence drive meaningful change. To learn more about Wendy and her work: Wendy White Tiegreen — Lexicon Strategies The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“We Are the Hope Dealers” with Taina Martinez
Apr 2800:34:44Tap to summarizeTaina Martinez (she/her/Ella) is the CEO of Baltic Street Wellness Solutions and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Tiana shares her powerful journey from a small retail program to one of the largest peer-led organizations in the country. They talk about education and lived experience, challenging ideas about what it means to belong in peer spaces and emphasizing growth, connection and self-advocacy. To learn more about Baltic Street Wellness Solutions, visit: www.balticstreet.org You can also connect with Taina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taina-borinquen-martinez-msw Taina's Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/tainaborinquen The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“The Black Patient Bill of Rights” with Rhonda Smith and Yolanda Whittington
Apr 2100:36:36Tap to summarizeRhonda Smith (she/her) the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network and Yolanda Whittington LCSW (She/Her), is a member of the California Black Health Network’s Behavioral Health Peer Network and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Rhonda and Yolanda discuss the fight for better health outcomes and equity for Black Californians. They discuss an upcoming virtual conference focused on black mental health, share their own health journeys and how they inspired them to serve their communities and build meaningful support systems across the state, the power of collaboration and creating spaces where Black health and wellness remain the priority. To find out more about the CBHN Virtual Mental and Behavioral Health Conference on May 13, 2026 visit: https://yourcbhn.org/hidden-crises/ The Black Healthcare Bill of Rights: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hqWSHxfKxG4oRtyaE8E_38USUA-KfdC_/view The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“SPMI SMI...WTF?”
Apr 1400:31:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Unapologetically Black Unicorns, Keris tackles a tough and complex subject that requires her to be vulnerable in sharing her thoughts, experiences, research and observations over the years about mental health panels. Keris unpacks the history and harm behind labels like “Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)” and “Serious Mental Illness (SMI),” challenging how language can shape fear, stigma and public policy. Keris explores how these terms influence the way people with mental health diagnoses are treated and how they often reinforce barriers instead of supporting recovery. Keris advocates for more compassionate language, community-based care and a full continuum of support that honors people’s humanity and potential. Note: NIMBY = Not In My Back Yard The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“Cool or creepy?: Tech and Mental Health” with Dr. John Torous
Apr 700:32:40Tap to summarizeDr. John Torous (He/his), MD is a Psychiatrist, Director: digitalpsych.org at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, an expert in “mobile mental health technologies” and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Torous shares the concept behind MindApp.org and the connection between technology and mental health. They talk his tech background, how to navigate the privacy settings through your apps, the oversight of the digital mental health space and he the need for digital literacy. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →UBU Hop on the Mic: Soteria House Las Cruces with Vesper Moore, Meghann O’Leary and Rupi Legha
Mar 3100:39:53Tap to summarizeKeris is joined by Vesper Moore, Meghann O’Leary and Rupi Legha to talk about the launch of Soteria House Las Cruces in New Mexico. They share how Soteria Las Cruces is a home-like residential community program where adults experiencing psychosis or extreme states can find belonging, dignity, respect and healing. They discuss why they want to challenge traditional models of treating psychosis and how approaches like Soteria House are important because they focus on healing, autonomy and understanding rather than labels and hospitalizations. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
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