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.
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
“Collective Elevation” with Elizabeth Morrison
Jul 8, 202500:38:37Tap to summarizeElizabeth Morrison PhD, LCSW, MAC (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Master Addiction Counselor, the Co-Creator of the LCA and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Elizabeth talks about the Lay Counselor Academy and why lived experience is key. They talk about tapping into people’s core gift, supporting employee mental health and why we don’t need to fix people when they share their struggles with you. For more information on the Lay Counselor Academy: https://www.emorrisonconsulting.com/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts of this episode are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“A Conversation with Medicaid”
Jul 3, 202500:07:35Tap to summarizeOn the eve of Independence Day, the House passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a $4.5 trillion package. Inside that bill…over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare over ten years. So Keris has a conversation with ‘Medicaid’ to see how it felt about the bill passing. 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 →“Random Recollections”
Jul 1, 202500:13:11Tap to summarizeKeris celebrates a birthday, her late father’s birthday. Keris shares how she found a journal that she got her dad for a Father’s Day in 1997 and she reads a story that her dad wrote in that very journal on his birthday June 22, 1997. 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 →“Collective Elevation” with Elizabeth Morrison
Jun 24, 202500:38:37Tap to summarizeElizabeth Morrison PhD, LCSW, MAC (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Master Addiction Counselor, the Co-Creator of the LCA and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Elizabeth talks about the Lay Counselor Academy and why lived experience is key. They talk about tapping into people’s core gift, supporting employee mental health and why we don’t need to fix people when they share their struggles with you. For more information on the Lay Counselor Academy: https://www.emorrisonconsulting.com/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts of this episode are available on Apple Podcasts.
Transcribe →“Chasms of Care” with Lauren Clark
Jun 17, 202500:34:32Tap to summarizeLauren Clark (She/Her), PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor of Nursing at UCLA, a teacher in the Disability Studies Department, and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. In this episode, Lauren shares insights from her work and reflects on the groundbreaking legacy of Judy Heumann, a trailblazer in disability advocacy. She discusses how they aim to continue Judy’s work through their community partnership project at the Judy Heumann Lab, focusing on the intersectionality of disability, mental health, and immigration/citizenship, and its impact on the campus community. They also explore the concept of “chasms of care,” the importance of language, and the power of community in this work. Our Judy Heumann Lab: https://dslabs.ucla.edu/chasms-in-the-continuum-of-care-for-people-with-psychiatric-disabilities/ https://dslabs.ucla.edu/labs/heumann-community-partnerships-lab/2023-2/ The overall Judy Heumann Lab initiative: https://dslabs.ucla.edu/labs/heumann-community-partnerships-lab/ UCLA Disability Studies https://www.uei.ucla.edu/academic-programs/disability-studies/ UCLA Disability Studies Inclusion Labs https://dslabs.ucla.edu/disability-studies/ UCLA Disability Studies creates first disability studies major at a California public university https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/ucla-creates-first-disability-studies-major-california-public-university The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Transcribe →“The Ghost Network”
Jun 10, 202500:10:40Tap to summarizeKeris celebrates a birthday, along with her birthday triplets, which also marks the anniversary of the release of the podcast. This episode is about the hauntings of the ghost network and how we can fight back against its evil ways. Tell your story about ghost networks: PERSONAL (patient and or family members): https://app.storyprompt.com/reply/VNszzRw78dtaNiOfWw3atp PROVIDER: https://app.storyprompt.com/reply/ezEfe7sWZnJWJhcobOgM 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 →“What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” with Dr. Jonathan Edwards and Rita Cronise
Jun 2, 202500:33:43Tap to summarizeDr. Jonathan Edwards (he/him) and Rita Cronise (She/Her) are editors for the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Jonathan and Rita explain how the book came about and the history of Peer Support. They talk about who the target audience is for the book, why this book is needed and remembering their colleague Steve Harrington. For more information about the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” visit: https://www.peersupportworks.org/naps-members-author-guide-to-peer-support/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Transcribe →“Rest is Resistance”
May 27, 202500:09:30Tap to summarizeKeris talks about living in an overwhelming world and the importance of implementing the quiet part of the work. This episode is about just listening and pausing but more importantly getting the rest you need and the rest you deserve. Keris pulls cards for the collective all of which pushes against the grind culture narrative. Rest is Resistance A Manifesto (audiobook): https://tinyurl.com/mr3pmd8d The Rest Deck: https://tinyurl.com/mr3pmd8d Rest is Resistance: Free Yourself from Grind Culture and Reclaim Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/2xf5ak8v 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 →“Be Visible as your Fully Authentic Self” with Dr. Jei Africa
May 20, 202500:36:20Tap to summarizeDr. Jei Africa (he/his/him) is the first openly transgender county behavioral health director in California and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Africa shares his experience being raised in the Philippines and the disparities he saw when he came to the United States. They talk about bringing people together to create change, cultural humility and the importance of being visible. 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 Met Gala & Black Dandyism”
May 13, 202500:19:41Tap to summarizeFollowing the Met Gala, Keris talks about why fashion interests her and who influenced her style. She speaks on the origin of the Met Gala’s theme this year – “Black Dandyism” and how it was a tool of rebellion, joy and self-definition. Keris’ Met Gala “Look Book” - bit.ly 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 →