Black and Diagnosed

Black and Diagnosed

by Gerron Scott
Mental HealthSociety & Culture
Season 2
The Pilot’s Perspective: Navigating the Clouds of Depression with Tristan Ervin
Explicit
What do you do when your brain is screaming at you to run from an invisible threat, but your body feels entirely pinned down by a lead weight? How do you navigate a reality where your internal system is caught in a perpetual gridlock—one foot slammed on the gas of anxiety, and the other locked on the brake of major depression? In this deeply moving, transparent, and incredibly grounded episode of the Black and Diagnosed Podcast, host Gerron Scott welcomes filmmaker, videographer, and private pilot Tristan Irvin into the Rhythmic Sanctuary. Pulling back the curtain on his life as a creator, Tristan takes off the mask completely to share the visceral realities of living with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and social anxiety. He steps away from standard clinical jargon to deliver a raw look at his lowest valley—recalling a terrifying spiral triggered by the comparison trap of creative metrics that ultimately led to an emergency three-month outpatient treatment program. Together, Gerron and Tristan unpack the exhausting weight of tying self-worth directly to external validation and professional output. They challenge the toxic positivity of casual mental health advice, unmasking why well-meaning phrases like "just go do something you love" or "it’s going to be okay" completely ignore the complex neurological processing required to heal. From utilizing the camera lens to block out social hypervigilance to exploring how leaving the ground as a pilot serves as a literal form of therapy, this episode is a powerful roadmap for any high-achiever looking to separate who they are from what they produce. Key Topics Unmasked in This Episode: * The Driver and the Passenger: Metaphorically breaking down the paralyzing co-existence of anxiety and depression, where anxiety acts as the frantic driver and depression sits as the stagnant passenger. * The Comparison Trap & Identity: How digital vanity metrics and a lack of separation between human identity and career output created a psychological storm that led to clinical intervention. * Dismantling "Good Intentions" Advice: A necessary pushback against generic advice to "go to the gym" or "hit golf balls" when caught in a deep executive shutdown. * Aviation as Sanctuary: The literal biology of turbulence and how climbing into the sky allows a pilot to leave the heavy, structural noises of the earth completely behind. * The "Six Thoughts from Death" Catastrophizing Loop: A transparent look into how an anxious brain escalates a minor daily frustration into a cascading internal narrative of systemic ruin. * Stigma into a Superpower: Tristan’s blueprint for changing the generational narrative for his two-year-old son, ensuring his legacy includes a vocal village of support and zero psychiatric shame. * The Simple Maintenance Blueprint: Radical transparency around basic self-care on dark days, from utilizing a hot shower as a somatic reset to driving aimlessly without a GPS. Join the Conversation The garden is always growing, and your voice belongs here. We are actively seeking stories from individuals with lived experiences, as well as mental health professionals, to help us continuously unmask the journey. * Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for daily rhythmic reflections. * Connect with Our Guest: Follow Tristan Irvin's continuous visual and aviation journey on Instagram @flywithtristan. * Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, professional collaborations, or clinician recruitment, email us directly at info@gerronscott.com.
S2 · E3
Jul 1, 2026
56:29
"That White People Shit:” Unmasking Homophobia, Invisible Spaces, and Black Queer Mental Health
Explicit
Welcome back to the Sanctuary. What happens when you are raised at the intersection of two rigid religious doctrines that both demand your absolute silence? What happens when you climb to the top 2% of your professional field, only to realize the standard of success you’re maintaining is a gilded cage for your nervous system? In this deeply vulnerable, necessary, and beautifully aligned episode of the Black and Diagnosed Podcast, host Gerron Scott pulls back the layers of systemic survival with Dr. Sydney Nelloms, an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Queer Criminology. Growing up a queer Black woman in the South under the dual weights of Southern Baptist and Islamic traditions, Sydney unmasks the intense psychological toll of being forced to perform an identity that never belonged to her. Together, Gerron and Sydney strip away the textbook definitions of anxiety and depression to detail how mental illness uniquely maps itself onto Black women—often disguising itself as hyper-productivity, high ambition, and a relentless drive to protect everyone else at the expense of their own soil. From a liberating conversation about dropping the shame around psychiatric medication to a raw, beautifully human reflection on finding literal sanctuary inside a crowded women's bathroom, this episode is a masterclass in breaking generational code silences and choosing collective joy as an act of resistance. Key Topics Unmasked in This Episode: * The Gilded Cage of the 2%: Unpacking the staggering mental pressure placed on the tiny percentage of Black women holding PhDs, and why high ambition is often a mask for deep clinical survival. * The "White People Shit" Myth: Confronting the harmful cultural narratives that attempt to completely erase the history and existence of Black queer individuals. * Is This What Normal Feels Like?: A beautifully transparent, shared laugh between host and guest on the exact moment their anxiety went quiet after letting medication do the heavy lifting. * The Dual Altar Threat: Navigating the intense spiritual hypervigilance of growing up split between a Southern Baptist household and an Islamic legacy. * The Bathroom Sanctuary: Reclaiming the definition of community, and why safe spaces are often found in the most unexpected, unforced corners of the world. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing, and we are looking for your voice. We actively seek out stories from individuals with lived neurodivergent experiences and mental health professionals to help us continuously take off the mask. * Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for daily rhythmic updates. * Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, professional collaborations, or clinician recruitment, email us directly at info@gerronscott.com. Hit that subscribe button on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your pods. Stay unmasked, grant yourself radical mercy, and just breathe.
S2 · E2
Jun 24, 2026
1:03:48
Tending the Internal Garden: Unmasking Psychiatric Stigma, Grief, and the Architecture of Vulnerability with Dr. Candicee Childs
Explicit
What happens when your internal architecture is built entirely on being the unshakeable pillar for everyone else? What happens when the constant performance of strength keeps your nervous system trapped on high alert? In this deeply soulful and beautifully aligned episode of the Black and Diagnosed Podcast, host Gerron Scott welcomes you back into the Rhythmic Sanctuary for a powerful conversation with Dr. Candicee Childs, a writer, artist, and third-year psychiatry resident at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital. In a stunning moment of synchronicity, Dr. Childs introduces a vivid "garden metaphor" for mental health that perfectly mirrors the podcast's cover art and heart. Together, Gerron and Dr. Childs strip away the institutional clinical walls to unpack how we can actively clear out the overgrowth in our minds. Dr. Childs challenges the deeply entrenched cultural stigma that views psychiatric medication as a moral failure or a chemical cage, reframing it beautifully as a stabilization tool that simply reduces the internal noise so your true personality can step forward. Gerron also takes off his mask completely, detailing a raw look into his past battles with suicidal ideation. He shares how receiving a proper clinical diagnosis radically shifted his vision away from a short-term timeline capped by his PhD, expanding his perspective toward a rich, long-term future filled with family, purpose, and life. From re-evaluating the "Strong Black Woman and Man" survival archetype to identifying grief as a continuous process of love, this conversation is an urgent masterclass in extending radical mercy and self-compassion to your own soul. Key Topics Unmasked in This Episode: * The Garden Metaphor for Mental Health: Mapping out an internal ecosystem where biology is the soil, trauma is the weather, medication clears the overgrowth, and therapy teaches you how to tend to the roots. * The Medication Misconception: Why we don't label insulin as a personal weakness for diabetes, and why psychiatric tools are meant to return you to yourself—not change your identity. * The "Absolute Drought" of Suicide: Reframing suicidal ideation not as attention-seeking behavior, but as an unspoken neurological cry for relief when the nervous system is entirely overwhelmed. * Grief Is Love with No Place to Go: Navigating the lifelong trajectory of loss and learning how to honor the heavy, unspent love that gathers in the corners of our eyes. * Dismantling the Strong Archetype: A historical look at how the over-functioning performance of the "Strong Black Woman or Man" acts as a protective slavery survival framework that inadvertently locks out the healing power of vulnerability. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing, and your voice belongs here. We are actively seeking stories from individuals with lived experiences as well as mental health professionals to help us continuously unmask the journey. * Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for daily rhythmic reflections. * Connect with Our Guest: Learn more about Dr. Candicee Childs, her clinical journey, her memoir, and her newly released children's picture book, CeCe's Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School, at www.candicee-childs.com. * Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, professional collaborations, or clinician recruitment, email us directly at info@gerronscott.com. Hit that subscribe button on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your pods. Stay unmasked, grant yourself grace, and keep breathing.
S2 · E1
Jun 17, 2026
1:00:55
Season 1
Beyond the Textbook: Lived Experience, Culturally Competent Pastoring, and Radical Self-Advocacy
Explicit
In this soulful and unfiltered episode of the Black and Diagnosed Podcast, host Gerron Scott steps out of the storm with Licensed Professional Counselor Brittney Nation to unmask the raw realities of navigating the mental health system. Together, they bridge the gap between clinical science and cultural survival, offering a step-by-step guide to pulling the weeds out of your internal garden so you can finally reclaim your flow. Brittney breaks down why certifications can never replace an organic understanding of cultural nuances, challenges the generational stigma of "praying it away," and delivers a powerful framework for medical self-advocacy. Gerron also takes off his own mask, sharing a deeply vulnerable look into his high-achieving paradox—navigating a doctoral program while his personal life felt in complete shambles following a Bipolar Type 1 diagnosis. Key Topics Unmasked in This Episode: * Textbook vs. Lived Experience: Why certifications and training are valuable, but can still completely lack the unforced comfort of a therapist who shares your cultural background. * The Normalization of Trauma: How chronic struggle in Black households can trick us into mistaking deep childhood wounds for "just a standard part of growing up". * Culturally Competent Pastoring: Moving past the harmful narrative of "worshiping the pain away" and why true spiritual leaders provide tangible resources outside the church walls. * Fear vs. Systemic Anxiety: Dissecting whether hypervigilance in Black skin is a clinical malfunction or a fully justified survival response to navigating systemic racism every day. * The Danger of Silence: Why the old rule of keeping children "seen and not heard" strips away their defenses and paralyzes their ability to self-advocate later in life. * Therapy Graduation: Why therapy is designed to lead to self-sufficiency, not lifelong dependency, and why firing your therapist is entirely okay if the chemistry isn't clicking. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing, and we are looking for voices—both those with lived experience and mental health professionals—to help us unmask this journey. * Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for daily rhythmic reflections. * Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, professional collaborations, or clinician recruitment, email us directly at info@gerronscott.com. Hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your pods. Stay unmasked, and keep breathing.
S1 · E8
May 27, 2026
54:24
Hyper-Focus and High Stakes: A Sports Journalist’s Journey with ADHD
Explicit
Can a mental health diagnosis actually be your professional superpower? In this soulful and transparent episode, host Gerron Scott sits down with USA Today women's sports journalist Meghan L. Hall to unmask the realities of living with ADHD and Postpartum Depression. Meghan shares her journey from a decade in marketing to landing her dream role in sports journalism—a transition fueled by a late-stage diagnosis at age 34. The dialogue dives deep into the "Perfectionism Trap" that many Black women face, the sensory overload of covering a Super Bowl, and the radical act of asking for workplace accommodations. Meghan and Gerron explore the concept of "Body Doubling" as a tool for executive dysfunction and discuss why therapy is a non-negotiable form of maintenance for the mind. Key Topics Covered: * Late-Stage Diagnosis: The "earth-shattering" experience of discovering ADHD in your 30s. * The Masking Burden: How the pressure to be "twice as good" forces Black women to hide their symptoms. * Hyper-Focus as a Superpower: Using the ADHD brain to pick up minute details and patterns courtside. * ADHD & Motherhood: The overwhelming transition from pregnancy to the "mental manual" of parenting. * Advocating for Accommodations: Learning to tell a boss, "This is too much noise, and here is what I need to succeed". Whether you are a professional feeling "too much" for the room or a peer seeking the language to describe your own internal rhythm, this episode offers a path toward self-acceptance and authentic success. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing. We are looking for voices, both those with lived experience and mental health professionals, to help us unmask the journey. Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for rhythmic reflections. Get in Touch: For guest inquiries or clinician recruitment, contact info@gerronscott.com.
S1 · E7
May 20, 2026
50:56
Unmasking the System: Cutting Through Red Tape in Mental Health
Explicit
Does the mental health system see you as a person or just a billing code? In this soulful conversation, host Gerron Scott sits down with Della Roderick, CEO of August Rose Health Center, to discuss the radical act of providing person-centered care. Della shares her journey of founding an outpatient clinic designed to bypass the red tape that often prevents Black patients from receiving holistic support. The dialogue explores different dimensions of wellness, including the often-overlooked concept of environmental wellness and how our surroundings impact our emotional stability. Della explains why her clinic prioritizes 30-minute medication management sessions and two-hour intakes to ensure every individual feels seen, heard, and valued—not just symptomatic. Key Topics Covered: * Navigating the Red Tape: How August Rose helps families manage IEPs, 504 plans, and systemic hurdles. * The Dignity of a Name: Why treating patients with honor is the foundation of mental health success. * Environmental Wellness: Understanding how community violence and home organization correlate with mental health symptoms. * Medication & Remission: Maintaining stability even when you feel "fine" or "cured". * Generational Healing: Bridging the gap between Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z to normalize mental health conversations. Whether you are a clinician looking to lead with more empathy or seeking the courage to advocate for your own treatment, this episode offers a rhythmic path toward empowerment. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing. We are looking for voices, both those with lived experience and mental health professionals, to help us unmask the journey. Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for rhythmic reflections. Get in Touch: For guest inquiries or clinician recruitment, contact info@gerronscott.com.
S1 · E6
May 13, 2026
1:07:07
The "MRI" of the Mind: Unmasking Psychiatry and the Black Patient Experience
Explicit
Is psychiatry just about "pills," or is there a deeper rhythm to mental health care? In this episode of Black and Diagnosed, host Gerron Scott sits down with Dr. Stephen Tourjee, a psychiatrist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Tourjee shares his unique journey from orthopedic surgery to the mental health field, explaining why he chose to trade "mechanical" bone health for the profound vulnerability of the human mind. The conversation pulls back the curtain on the psychiatric diagnosis process, the reality of substance-induced mania, and the historical mistrust Black communities often have toward medical institutions. Dr. Tourjee details his "Integrative Holistic" approach, which combines traditional medication management with deep psychotherapy and talk therapy, providing a sanctuary for patients to be seen as people, not just a list of symptoms. Key Topics Covered: * The Clinical Alliance: Why a trusting relationship is the "MRI machine" that allows a doctor to truly see their patient. * Breaking Stigma: Navigating the fear of diagnosis and the misconception that therapy is a sign of spiritual failure. * Emergency vs. Outpatient: The intense reality of working in the Emergency Department at Mass General Hospital versus building long-term relationships in private practice. * The Role of Faith: Balancing the power of prayer with the biological necessity of medication. * Drug-Induced Psychosis: Understanding how substances like high-potency cannabis can trigger underlying mental health conditions. Whether you are a clinician seeking authenticity or a peer seeking the courage to start your healing journey, this episode offers a rhythmic path toward clarity and connection. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing. Whether you have a story to share or are a mental health professional looking to connect, we want to hear from you. ✨ Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @gdotscott or @blackanddiagnosed for rhythmic reflections. 📩 Get in Touch: For inquiries, recruitment, or deep dives, email us at info@gerronscott.com.
S1 · E5
May 6, 2026
1:06:43
I Can’t Hide This Anymore: When Professional Success Meets Personal Crisis
Explicit
I Can’t Hide This Anymore: When Professional Success Meets Personal Crisis In this deeply personal and transparent episode of Black and Diagnosed, host Gerron Scott sits down with Shayla Hubert, a higher education professional and world traveler. Shayla pulls back the curtain on her journey with Bipolar 1 Disorder, from the initial shock of a hereditary diagnosis to surviving two major suicide attempts in 2023 and 2025. Shayla and Gerron dive into the complexities of being the "life of the party" while privately battling debilitating lows. They explore the double mask of professional success, discussing how to maintain a high-level career in student affairs while managing a mental health crisis. This episode is a raw look at suicide prevention, the importance of stabilization units, and the radical act of setting boundaries with loved ones during recovery. Key Topics Covered: * The Hereditary Trigger: Shayla’s initial hesitancy to accept a diagnosis linked to family history. * The Bipolar Buzzword: Dispersing the myth that bipolar disorder is just a mood swing or a reaction to the weather. * Worth vs. Work: Navigating the pressure to be “Dr. Scott" or a Director while personal lives are in transition. * Recovery & Support: How to articulate needs to friends without feeling swaddled or overwhelmed. * Practical Advice: What to say to someone who is terrified of visiting a psychiatrist or psychologist for the first time. Whether you are navigating your own diagnosis or supporting a friend, this conversation offers a rhythmic path toward healing and authenticity. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing. Whether you have a story to share or are a mental health professional looking to connect, we want to hear from you. ✨ Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @gdotscott or @blackanddiagnosed for rhythmic reflections. 📩 Get in Touch: For inquiries, recruitment, or deep dives, email us at info@gerronscott.com.
S1 · E4
Apr 29, 2026
1:00:30
Stop Gift-Wrapping Your Trauma: The Power of Black Representation in Therapy
Explicit
In this soulful and transparent episode of Black and Diagnosed, host Gerron Scott welcomes Jessica Hunt, LPC, a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of experience and licensure in eight states. Jessica pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to be a "representation you never saw" in the mental health field. From her early days in juvenile detention to her current work as an EAP and private practice therapist, Jessica discusses the vital importance of cultural competency and why many Black clients feel a "sigh of relief" when they finally see a Black face on the other side of the screen. The conversation dives deep into the "Double Mask" of professionalism, the reality of family secrets and confidentiality, and how to advocate for yourself within a healthcare system that often overlooks the Black experience. Key Topics Covered: The Power of the Pivot: Jessica shares her transition from criminal justice to counseling to help youth before they reach the system. Breaking the "Crazy" Stigma: Overcoming the cultural narrative that "prayer only" is the answer to clinical problems. The Therapy "Fit": Why it is okay to "fire" your therapist if the rapport isn't there and how to find a provider who resonates with your specific rhythm. Boots on the Ground: A candid look at the differences between HBCU and PWI training and the necessity of "boots on the ground" experience. Mental Health Resources: Practical advice on using Psychology Today, EAP (Employee Assistance Programs), and insurance benefits to access care. Whether you are a clinician seeking authenticity or a peer seeking the courage to start your healing journey, this episode is your sanctuary. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing, and your voice is a vital part of this sanctuary. Whether you have a story to share or are a mental health professional looking to recruit, we want to hear from you. ✨ Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for behind-the-scenes moments and rhythmic reflections. 📩 Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, clinician recruitment, or deep dives, email us at info@gerronscott.com. Connect with Jessica Hunt, LPC: Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @blsdjess or find her on Psychology Today.
S1 · E3
Apr 22, 2026
57:15
Radical Honesty: Bipolar Disorder, Blackness, and the Gay Identity
Explicit
Host Gerron Scott welcomes Ron Alexander (@roniscozy) to the sanctuary for an unflinching look at living with Bipolar 1 Disorder. Ron, an international traveler and higher education professional, explores the complex intersection of being Black, gay, and neurodivergent. This episode explores the "pre-medicated" vs. "post-medicated" life, tackling heavy themes of hypersexuality, impulsivity, and the trauma of mandatory hospitalization. Ron and Gerron share a powerful moment of honesty regarding how untreated bipolar symptoms can fracture friendships and the work required to make amends and build a stable, "cozy" life. Key Topics Covered: The Mask of Professionalism: Managing bipolar disorder in the workplace and high-level careers. Coming Out Twice: The parallels between revealing one's sexuality and one's mental health diagnosis. The Hospitalization Wake-Up Call: A transparent look at the reality of a 72-hour psych hold and losing your rights to the state. Breaking Patterns: Moving away from repeated destructive behaviors toward radical self-love and consistency. Connect with our Guest: Follow Ron Alexander on Instagram @roniscozy. Join the Conversation: The garden is always growing, and your voice is a vital part of this sanctuary. Whether you have a story to share, a question to ask, or just want to tell us how an episode touched your heart, we want to hear from you. Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @gdotscott or @blackanddiagnosed for behind-the-scenes moments and reflections. Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, partnerships, or deep dives, email us at info@gerronscott.com. Remember: You aren't just diagnosed; you are seen, you are heard, and you are whole.
S1 · E2
Apr 15, 2026
1:04:07
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