In this heartfelt and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Mzwa, a teacher, mentor, and mental health advocate from Cape Town to explore his journey navigating life with multiple mental health diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar type 1.

Mzwa opens up about the silent struggle of living undiagnosed for years, the weight of cultural and religious expectations, and how faith and community played both complicating and redemptive roles in his healing journey.

We discuss what it means to hold space for others while battling your own pain, the misconceptions around mental illness in Black and Christian communities, and the power of brotherhood, vulnerability, and grace.

This episode is a raw exploration of what it means to unlearn survival and embrace rest, honesty, and spiritual wholeness as a Black man in South Africa.

In this episode we cover:

● Encouragement for Black men who feel isolated in their struggles

● Mzwa Manciya’s experience in living with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar type 1

● Mental health stigma in Black South African communities

● The importance of safe spaces and spiritual brotherhood

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● Connect with Mzwa Manciya on INSTAGRAM!

● Find out more about Mzwa’s bipolar Black Bear community HERE!

● If you missed last week’s episode, listen to it HERE!

Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

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● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Martine Laventure, an experienced social worker, mother, and passionate autism advocate to discuss parenting, mental health and the power of community. Dr. Laventure opens up about her personal and professional journey, sharing how raising her autistic son has shaped her advocacy and purpose.

Together we unpack what it really means to parent beyond labels, to sit with the discomfort of unknowns and to show up for your child when the world doesn’t always understand them. Dr. Laventure shares her family’s autism journey, starting from her son’s diagnosis to the powerful ways she’s learned to advocate, love, and let go of societal expectations.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone trying to understand autism better, this episode will move you. It’s about shifting perspectives, building support systems, and trusting your instincts as a mother especially when the world tries to tell you otherwise. Don't miss this uplifting episode that promises to uplift and inspire.

In this episode, we cover:

● The emotional reality of receiving an autism diagnosis as a parent

● The experience of being dismissed or misunderstood by systems due to race and cultural norms

● How to advocate in schools and healthcare settings even when it feels intimidating

● What led Dr. Laventure to create “Parenting Beyond Labels,” a space for moms to find comfort and community

● Faith, surrender, and trusting God’s purpose even in the messiness of parenting

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● To connect with Dr.Martine and find out more about her Parenting Beyond Labels community, find her on Instagram!

● Find Dr. Martine’s Laventure Consulting Services website HERE

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here by if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com

Hello and welcome to today’s episode, join host Sarah as she welcomes Ethan A. Poetic, a motivational speaker and mental health advocate who shares his incredible journey from surviving a near-fatal car accident to becoming a beacon of hope for many.

Ethan shared that after his accident he struggled emotionally, especially on anniversaries of the event and only began understanding these feelings after reading about survivor's remorse in an article about himself. Recovery involved rehab, speech therapy, being on a feeding tube and facing family challenges like homelessness due to lack of support from parents dealing with their own trauma.

We discussed men’s mental health, the stigma surrounding vulnerability and how cultural expectations often teach boys not to express emotions or seek help. Healing begins by recognizing pain rather than hiding it.

Listen to this episode and dive deep into our discussions on overcoming adversity, managing survivor's remorse and breaking generational cycles.

In this episode we cover:

● Ethan’s near-fatal car accident and the emotional aftermath.

● The importance of recognizing and breaking familial cycles.

● Cultural perspectives on manhood and emotional openness.

● The impact of Ethan’s book in schools and the community.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

● To connect with Ethan and find out more about his resources you can find him on INSTAGRAM.

● Listen to last week's episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more

● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!

● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at rough.edges.podcast@gmail.com