When the world tells you who you should be, how do you come home to your authentic self?

Can you be both stressed and blessed at the same time, or must you choose one?

How do we find room for joy and celebration while facing collective suffering and oppression?

 

In this episode of A Really Good Cry, Radhi sits down with Dr. Thema Bryant, a trauma recovery expert and 2023 President of the American Psychological Association (APA), for a deeply reflective conversation on identity, faith, and the process of "Homecoming."

 

Dr. Bryant shares her personal journey growing up with ministers who practiced liberation theology, which is about the community and the collective, not just the individual and God. This led her to discover liberation psychology, focusing on context and systems to empower everyone. 

 

She also discusses how her childhood home was like her "first time working at like a crisis hotline" and how moving to Liberia, West Africa, gave her confidence from seeing people who looked like her in positions of authority. Together, they explore how stress, trauma, and oppression disconnect us from ourselves, the meaning of her podcast and book Homecoming, and how to cultivate joy while working for justice.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 
Why "Homecoming" is about liberation and coming back to yourself, even for the first time
How healthy relationships and spaces are required for you to be able to come back to yourself
The difference between coping with trauma and healing from it
Why avoidance in therapy prevents healing and the value of trauma-focused and somatic therapy.
How liberation psychology recognizes that systems (like media and educational systems) affect us, beyond just personal issues.
The connection between the desire for control (or "busy-ness") and past trauma or anxiety.
The importance of self-care practices like quiet time to stay grounded and not be easily moved by others' opinions.
That true worthiness and sacredness are not tied to performance.
The difference between "God-fearing" and believing in a loving God 

 

This episode is a powerful reminder that while stress and oppression may disconnect us, liberation is possible. Healing isn't about becoming someone new; it's about remembering, accepting, and appreciating who you were before the world told you who to be. You hold the special sauce within you.





Dr. Thema Bryant's Matters of the Heart is a guide to healing your relationship with yourself and the people you love. Grab a copy here - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760456/matters-of-the-heart-by-thema-bryant-phd/





Follow Dr. Thema: 

https://drthema.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dr.thema/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpb1ZdNd6M99Fhaw09H81Q/videos

The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema

Get Dr. Thema’s book here: Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole, Authentic Self

 

Follow Radhi:

https://www.instagram.com/radhidevlukia/

https://www.instagram.com/areallygoodcry/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe9A4kMf9V_AHOXkGhCzQ

https://www.facebook.com/radhidevlukia1/

https://www.tiktok.com/@radhidevlukia

When the world tells you who you should be, how do you come home to your authentic self?
Can you be both stressed and blessed at the same time, or must you choose one?
How do we find room for joy and celebration while facing collective suffering and oppression?
&nbsp;
In this episode of A Really Good Cry, Radhi sits down with Dr. Thema Bryant, a trauma recovery expert and 2023 President of the American Psychological Association (APA), for a deeply reflective conversation on identity, faith, and the process of "Homecoming."
&nbsp;
Dr. Bryant shares her personal journey growing up with ministers who practiced liberation theology, which is about the community and the collective, not just the individual and God. This led her to discover liberation psychology, focusing on context and systems to empower everyone.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
She also discusses how her childhood home was like her "first time working at like a crisis hotline" and how moving to Liberia, West Africa, gave her confidence from seeing people who looked like her in positions of authority. Together, they explore how stress, trauma, and oppression disconnect us from ourselves, the meaning of her podcast and book Homecoming, and how to cultivate joy while working for justice.
&nbsp;
In this episode, you&rsquo;ll learn:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why "Homecoming" is about liberation and coming back to yourself, even for the first time</li>
<li aria-level="1">How healthy relationships and spaces are required for you to be able to come back to yourself</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between coping with trauma and healing from it</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why avoidance in therapy prevents healing and the value of trauma-focused and somatic therapy.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How liberation psychology recognizes that systems (like media and educational systems) affect us, beyond just personal issues.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The connection between the desire for control (or "busy-ness") and past trauma or anxiety.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of self-care practices like quiet time to stay grounded and not be easily moved by others' opinions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">That true worthiness and sacredness are not tied to performance.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between "God-fearing" and believing in a loving God&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
This episode is a powerful reminder that while stress and oppression may disconnect us, liberation is possible. Healing isn't about becoming someone new; it's about remembering, accepting, and appreciating who you were before the world told you who to be. You hold the special sauce within you.
 
Dr. Thema Bryant's Matters of the Heart is a guide to healing your relationship with yourself and the people you love. Grab a copy here - <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760456/matters-of-the-heart-by-thema-bryant-phd/">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760456/matters-of-the-heart-by-thema-bryant-phd/</a>
 
Follow Dr. Thema:&nbsp;
<a href="https://drthema.com/">https://drthema.com/</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.thema/">https://www.instagram.com/dr.thema/</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpb1ZdNd6M99Fhaw09H81Q/videos">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpb1ZdNd6M99Fhaw09H81Q/videos</a>
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-homecoming-podcast-with-dr-thema/id1471604689">The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema</a>
Get Dr. Thema&rsquo;s book here: <a href="https://drthema.com/product-category/books/">Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole, Authentic Self</a>
&nbsp;
Follow Radhi:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/radhidevlukia/">https://www.instagram.com/radhidevlukia/</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/areallygoodcry/">https://www.instagram.com/areallygoodcry/</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe9A4kMf9V_AHOXkGhCzQ">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe9A4kMf9V_AHOXkGhCzQ</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/radhidevlukia1/">https://www.facebook.com/radhidevlukia1/</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@radhidevlukia">https://www.tiktok.com/@radhidevlukia</a>

This podcast won’t solve all your problems, but it WILL go through them with you. Radhi Devlukia brings you a new weekly show called A Really Good Cry, a space where we can embrace the real, the messy and the beautiful parts of life that can be difficult to digest alone, together. Tune in for a good ole’ laugh, maybe shed a tear or two, and join a community where you can have a really good cry!

There's no small talk here, we are diving straight in and it’s gonna get real. Whether it’s raw, unfiltered conversations, debate and discussions of different perspectives and life experiences or going on an emotional rollercoaster. A Really Good Cry is there for you to learn, connect, and find comfort together - that allows us to see the world and ourselves with a new perspective. 

Some episodes will also feature surprise guests, including celebrities, scientists, experts and more. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Tag @areallygoodcry on Instagram with your best crying face for a chance to be featured on our social media channels. Like, comment and follow @areallygoodcry on Instagram if you want the chance to be featured on episodes. You can also subscribe to get exclusive and bonus content. Radhi will give listeners the opportunity to be part of the show by responding to dms, comments, questions and more. 

This podcast won’t solve all your problems, but it WILL go through them with you. Radhi Devlukia brings you a new weekly show called A Really Good Cry, a space where we can embrace the real, the messy and the beautiful parts of life that can be difficult to digest alone, together. Tune in for a good ole’ laugh, maybe shed a tear or two, and join a community where you can have a really good cry!
There's no small talk here, we are diving straight in and it’s gonna get real. Whether it’s raw, unfiltered conversations, debate and discussions of different perspectives and life experiences or going on an emotional rollercoaster. A Really Good Cry is there for you to learn, connect, and find comfort together - that allows us to see the world and ourselves with a new perspective. 
Some episodes will also feature surprise guests, including celebrities, scientists, experts and more. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Tag @areallygoodcry on Instagram with your best crying face for a chance to be featured on our social media channels. Like, comment and follow @areallygoodcry on Instagram if you want the chance to be featured on episodes. You can also subscribe to get exclusive and bonus content. Radhi will give listeners the opportunity to be part of the show by responding to dms, comments, questions and more.

A Really Good Cry

This podcast won’t solve all your problems, but it WILL go through them with you. Radhi Devlukia brings you a new weekly show called A Really Good Cry, a space where we can embrace the real, the messy and the beautiful parts of life that can be difficult to digest alone, together. Tune in for a good ole’ laugh, maybe shed a tear or two, and join a community where you can have a really good cry!
There's no small talk here, we are diving straight in and it’s gonna get real. Whether it’s raw, unfiltered conversations, debate and discussions of different perspectives and life experiences or going on an emotional rollercoaster. A Really Good Cry is there for you to learn, connect, and find comfort together - that allows us to see the world and ourselves with a new perspective. 
Some episodes will also feature surprise guests, including celebrities, scientists, experts and more. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Tag @areallygoodcry on Instagram with your best crying face for a chance to be featured on our social media channels. Like, comment and follow @areallygoodcry on Instagram if you want the chance to be featured on episodes. You can also subscribe to get exclusive and bonus content. Radhi will give listeners the opportunity to be part of the show by responding to dms, comments, questions and more.

How to Heal, Let Go, and Find Faith | Dr. Thema Bryant

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/096a2573-997d-47cb-a8af-b45d005e14d6/transcript