EPISODES
Let’s get into it…
Every week, host Stevon Lewis, a licensed psychotherapist, offers guidelines for high achieving people of color who are dealing with challenges such as imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, and peer pressure. After listening to their testimonials, he offers analysis and concrete actions for dealing with such issues. We get into difficult but necessary topics that help us succeed on our own terms.
Tuning Out Negative Body Image
December 11, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Charlene is advancing in her career as an actor. But contending with narrow industry notions of AAPI body shapes is draining and distracting. Stevon and Juleyka discuss strategies for inventing your own path forward in a creative field. And Stevon offers advice to avoid internalizing negative feedback that has little to do with talent or skill.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Pushing Through Public Speaking Fears in Med School and Telling Your Inner Bully to Shut Up.
Finding It Hard to Network in a New City
November 27, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Lloyd, a content creator, just moved to Los Angeles but is struggling to build a fulfilling personal and professional network in his new city. Stevon and Juleyka break down the importance of making meaningful connections that are aligned with your goals, and Stevon shares strategies for setting realistic expectations during and after a big move.
Lloyd George is a content creator with a passion for empowering creators of Color. Learn more about his work here.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work and new journal here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Telling Your Inner Bully to Shut Up and Pushing through Fears of Public Speaking in Med School.
Grieving at Work
November 13, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
After a sudden passing in the family, Rita had a hard time adjusting to her “new normal" while balancing multiple responsibilities as CEO of her creative agency. Stevon and Juleyka discuss caring for ourselves during the grieving process, and Stevon shares tips for accepting help from loved ones.
Rita Thomas is an award-winning producer specializing in authentic storytelling that touches the heart of people. She established 110 North Creative Agency in 2022.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Uncertain During a Business Leap and Telling Your Inner Bully to Shut Up.
Telling Your Inner Bully to Shut Up
October 30, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
As an entrepreneur, wife and a mother of two, Jennifer cannot stop thinking about all the ways she falls short in her personal and professional life. Stevon and Juleyka discuss toxic self-criticism, and Stevon helps us interrogate our irrational demand for perfection.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to When Your Job is Killing You and Feeling Inadequate Because Her Clients Aren't Making Progress.
Uncertain During a Business Leap
October 16, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Elzie is stepping back from day-to-day operations to help his podcasting company grow. This stressful transition is forcing him to reconsider his business model, and even his own identity. Stevon and Juleyka unpack the dangers of narrow forecasting and Stevon offers strategies for staying grounded during business and career changes without catastrophizing the future.
Elizie Flenard is a business leader and entrepreneur and founder of Podcast Town.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work and his new journal, Silencing Your Inner Bully, here.
If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Learning to Trust Your Instincts and Tackling the Emotional Challenges of Starting a New Business.
Pushing through Public Speaking Fears in Med School
October 2, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
To advance her career as a future doctor, Melissa is determined to improve her public speaking abilities, but doing so requires she overcome deep-seated insecurities. Stevon and Juleyka discuss strategies for tackling impostor syndrome head-on, including collecting evidence from your environment and questioning the stories you tell yourself in high-stress situations.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to When Your Job is Killing You and Feeling Inadequate Because Her Clients Aren't Making Progress.
Feeling Inadequate Because Her Clients Aren't Making Progress
September 18 , 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Keyonna is a mental health practitioner who loves her work. But when she doesn’t see the client progress she expects, she questions her own abilities. Stevon and Juleyka discuss strategies for remaining clear-eyed about your accomplishments.
Stevon Lewis is a licensed psychotherapist and coach. Learn more about his work here. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Your Lived Experience is Expertise and Proving Sel-Limiting Beliefs Wrong.
Your Lived Experience Is Expertise
September 4 , 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
As the leader of an organization that supports formerly incarcerated individuals, DeAnna must constantly assert her authority when working with stakeholders who do not share her background. Stevon and Juleyka break down how to take back your power when your knowledge or skills are being undermined, and he offers tips for leading and negotiating without compromising our values.
Proving Self-Limiting Beliefs Wrong
August 21, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
When Yare decides to change careers to become a model and disability advocate, she must confront not only industry stereotypes but her own restrictive mindset about her abilities. Stevon and Juleyka talk about why taking chances and looking for evidence can help high achievers overcome their perceived limitations.
When Your Job is Killing You
August 7, 2023 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Our show is back with a new format! Stevon welcomes Juleyka Lantigua, the show's creator, as a discussion partner as he delves into the complexities high achievers face. In this episode Deepa tells us that after 20 years of moving up in corporate America she felt like the epitome of success. But when physical symptoms of burn out began to intensify, she knew she'd reached a breaking point. Stevon and Juleyka talk about how to address somatized stress and his advice on stepping down from a demanding leadership role.
REPLAY: When Self-Doubt Creeps Up
December 26, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
As we look ahead to 2023, we leave you with one of our favorite episodes to set you up for success in the new year. Takara is an Emmy-nominated producer and director making her way in a new industry. She's doubting her abilities and questioning the decisions that got her here. Stevon helps us tackle self-doubt by updating our definitions of success.
This episode originally aired on April 4, 2022.
Breaking In, Moving Up, but Not Feeling Welcomed
December 12, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
David Bizzaro is an award-winning professional puppeteer, actor and filmmaker who has taken an unconventional path toward breaking into the entertainment industry. While successful, he sometimes feels pigeonholed by an industry that frequently treats him as a stereotype. Stevon offers strategies for standing out by emphasizing rather than downplaying our full selves.
Giving up on Perfection as the Standard
November 27, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Amanda has transformed her love of travel and living abroad into a lucrative career as the creator of a digital platform that celebrates Black expats. But her rigorous efforts to represent the full spectrum of the Black experience have started to feel like a burden. Stevon helps us avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism by sharing practical tips on how to worry less about the "how" and focus more on what we want to accomplish.
Learning to Stand Up for Yourself
November 14, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Chandi is a fundraising professional advancing her career in the nonprofit world. She’s the face of her organization and interacts with donors, but behind the scenes she often feels dismissed and overlooked. Stevon helps us develop a sense of belonging and get comfortable taking up space in rooms that don’t feel affirming.
Changing Your M.O. to Put Marriage First
October 31, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Lindsey is a social media marketing leader who has witnessed his years of hard work and focus blossom into a successful career. As a newlywed, he feels torn between his desire to be a caring and attuned partner and his professional ambitions. Stevon helps us reevaluate our constant drive to produce and create a path forward towards a more harmonious work-life balance.
Managing the Emotional Risk of Pitching Your Passion
October 17, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Tech founder Anna DeShawn is driven by her startup's mission to elevate the work of BIPOC and QTPOC creatives. But asking potential investors for support and capital makes her feel raw and vulnerable. Stevon breaks down how we can make key decisions and talk about money confidently when business feels personal.
Asking for What You’re Worth and Meaning It
October 3, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Felicia Pride has big ambitions for her production company, Honey Chile, but her sense of responsibility makes it hard to acknowledge the value she brings to creative projects, collaborators, and her team. Stevon helps us avoid burnout by honoring our needs and asking others for the time and money we deserve.
Gut Punching Procrastination and Beating Our Inner Bully
September 19, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Risa is a therapist and writer who starts book projects with gumption and enthusiasm, but struggles to reach the finish line as self-doubt sets in. Stevon offers advice for standing up to our inner bully by building in down time and celebrating our accomplishments.
Is Tenure the End or the Beginning?
September 5, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Associate professor Michelle Espino Lira feels uncertain about how to prepare to grow professionally. And Stevon offers advice on creating your own career rubric, and helps us figure out how to stay aligned with our purpose after significant benchmarks.
Tackling the Emotional Challenges of Starting a New Business
August 22, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Akarsh never thought he would become an entrepreneur. As his product is about to launch, he doubts whether he can handle what's next. And Stevon offers advice on not catastrophizing, and helps us harness negative emotions in the face of business uncertainty.
Deciding When to Quit Your Day Job
August 8, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
In addition to a full-time gig, Leslie enjoys her freelance work as a writer, voice actor and audio creator. And big ambitions have her looking for the next big project, one that might become a dream job. Stevon offers advice on figuring out the right time and necessary mindset to turn a side hustle into a promising career.
Pushing for More Despite a Chronic Mental Illness
July 25, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Dr. Pipkins is dealing with her severe depression while running a business, which poses significant limitations. Stevon offers strategies for adjusting our expectations and adopting a strength-based approach to how we define our skills and successes.
When Everything Feels Like a Personal Attack
July 11, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Mesh credits much of his career success in the investment and media fields to feeling like an underdog who needs to prove himself. But he also recognizes this outlook has come at a great cost. Stevon helps us understand trigger responses to rejection, and offers tips for how to avoid taking things personally.
Feeling Pressure to “Catch Up”
June 27, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
After building a stable career in the corporate world, Monica is ready to take risks and chase dreams she put off. But feels she's racing against the clock. Stevon helps us differentiate between safety and success, and gives advice on not discrediting our hard-earned accomplishments in pursuit of new goals.
Afraid of Disappearing in the Role of Mom
June 13, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Mykella is excited to become a mom, but fears she'll throw herself into the role and risk losing a fulfilling career as a media maker and the beautiful life she's created around it. Stevon shares strategies to remain adaptable and reframe our thinking when anticipating change
Learning to Trust Your Instincts
May 30, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Hector feels pressured to set aside his creativity to dedicate his energy to business operations, but running his company this way feels soul-crushing. Stevon shares strategies for gaining back our confidence and reconnecting with our true selves.
Tired of Always Being in Charge
May 16, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
As a serial entrepreneur, a mom, and the oldest daughter in an immigrant family, Georgie-Ann is a natural leader personally and professionally. But this life-long tendency is beginning to take a toll on her. Stevon offers strategies for relieving the pressure to be all things to all people.
Tired of Being Overlooked
May 2, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Vanessa is a highly motivated communications professional looking to move up in her career and make an impact in her community. But she feels overlooked in her personal and professional life. Stevon offers advice on radical self-acceptance, and shares tips on how to build self-confidence by being a work-in-progress.
When Self-Doubt Creeps Up
April 18, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Takara is an Emmy-nominated producer and director making her way in a new industry. She's doubting her abilities and questioning the decisions that got her here. Stevon helps us tackle self-doubt by updating our definitions of success.
Still Needs Validation
April 4, 2022 | VIEW TRANSCRIPT | DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker transitioning from working in corporate America to being an entrepreneur. But looking to others for approval and reassurance creates significant challenges. Stevon offers strategies for managing our need for outside validation.