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In this powerful episode, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Patricia Barbee (Patty), Executive Director of Project Bridging and educator, for an honest conversation about navigating life's transitions.

From morning routines to major life changes, Patty shares her wisdom on helping youth and adults alike move through difficult transitions with grace and intention. They discuss the importance of mentorship, positive reinforcement, love languages, and why sometimes you just need to "be positive or be quiet."

KEY TOPICS:
• Understanding transition in childhood and adulthood
• The power of mentorship and community
• Love languages beyond romantic relationships
• Positive consequences and reinforcement
• Getting out of your own way
• Why asking questions matters
• Building routines that support growth

ABOUT THE GUEST:
Patricia Adrienne Barbee is an educator and the Executive Director of Project Bridging, a program focused on middle school students during their critical transition years. With over 20 years in early childhood education, Patty is passionate about advocating for children and helping them navigate life's changes.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:
"Be positive or be quiet."
"If you care, you will learn."
"Give yourself time to adjust to things."
"You're worth it. Get you some help and get you some people who love you."

RESOURCES:
Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis
Newsletter: www.healthyprojectmedia.com

Coffee Can't Fix Everything is a mental health podcast that breaks stigma through authentic conversation. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a mental health professional.

CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
00:09 - Meet Patricia Barbee: Educator & Advocate
01:39 - The Shoe Game & Personal Style
02:34 - Corey's Journey: Turning 42 & Transitions
03:30 - What Makes Transition So Hard?
04:40 - Learning from Early Childhood: Daily Transitions
05:55 - The Role of Mentorship in Transition
06:36 - Middle School: The Lost Land
08:00 - Love Languages & How We Receive Care
09:45 - Asking the Right Questions
11:27 - "Be Positive or Be Quiet"
12:41 - Fighting Through the Quicksand
14:53 - From Wasting Time to Investing in Yourself
16:41 - It's Okay to Say "This Isn't For Me"
18:04 - Consequences: Positive & Negative
19:52 - Believing in Yourself More Than Outside Voices
20:52 - Patty's Personal Transitions: Loss & Healing
22:00 - The Power of Positive Reinforcement
23:03 - Every Day is a Fresh Start
25:42 - Morning Routines & Self-Care
27:38 - Building Your Village
29:04 - Learning to Be Yourself
30:47 - Not a Morning Person: Embracing Your Process
32:26 - Final Advice: Give Yourself Time
34:11 - Closing Thoughts: You're Worth It

Mental health resources

• https://www.iowahealthieststate.com/back-the-black
• Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential)
  https://988lifeline.org
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (education and support)
  https://www.nami.org
• Mental Health America screening tools and resources
  https://www.mhanational.org
• Therapy for Black Men directory
  https://therapyforblackmen.org
• Find a therapist near you
  https://www.psychologytoday.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Emili Johnson, creator of the Black Girl Iowa podcast. Emili shares how starting a podcast became a powerful act of self-love and resistance. We talk about finding your voice when you’ve spent years feeling invisible, navigating mental health as a Black woman in Iowa, and the unexpected burnout that comes with podcasting solo.

Emili opens up about her journey with anxiety, depression, and PMDD—and how therapy, journaling, and storytelling helped her reclaim her peace. If you’ve ever questioned your voice, felt unseen, or wondered if your story matters, this episode is for you.

Topics covered:
• Mental health and healing
• Podcasting without a team
• DEI rollbacks in Iowa
• Black women’s voices and validation
• Journaling as self-care
• Building creative confidence

👉 Stay connected and find mental health resources in the show notes.

If You Need Immediate Support
Text or Call: In the U.S., you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Online Support: Many organizations offer chat support, such as the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis

Steven Lewis joins the show to talk pressure, identity, and mental health as a creative. From routines to social media stress, we unpack how to stay grounded while building your brand.

Mental Health Resources:

• Therapy for Black Men: https://therapyforblackmen.org
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://nami.org
• Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
• The Steve Fund (Supporting the mental health of young people of color): https://www.stevefund.org
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or visit https://www.crisistextline.org

Stay connected with host Corey Dion Lewis:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreydlewis/
https://www.instagram.com/coreydionlewis/
https://www.tiktok.com/@coreydionlewis

Connect with the guest
https://www.instagram.com/sight_lives/
https://www.instagram.com/sightseyephotography/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw7f8lKeJMxW9mjvhyczTZA

📬 Join the Mental Health Coffee Club newsletter for real conversations, resources, and weekly check-ins: www.healthyproject.co

What does inclusive public art look like when it comes from lived experience?

In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, I sit down with Marissa Hernandez—a artist from the Des Moines art scene—to talk about mental health, faceless portraits, and how her murals bring representation and healing to public spaces across Iowa.

Topics we cover:

• Art and identity in the Iowa art community
• Mental health and creativity as a BIPOC artist
• Why faceless portraits create deeper emotional connection
• Community-driven art and youth collaboration
• Navigating the art industry and pricing your work fairly
• How murals can empower young artists and change public spaces

If you care about mental health in the arts, representation in public art, or just want a powerful story on how art can be a voice for the voiceless, you need to watch this.

💬 Join the conversation in the comments:
What kind of representation is missing in your city’s public art?

☕ Enjoyed the episode? Support the show:
buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis

Subscribe for more stories blending mental health, culture, and community.

#MentalHealthPodcast #BIPOCArtist #DesMoinesArtScene #FacelessPortraits #PublicMurals #ArtAndRepresentation #CoffeeCantFixEverything

In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, we sit down for a raw and insightful conversation on the realities of leadership, parenting, and personal growth. We dive into the mental health challenges that come with leading in both professional and personal spaces, the impact of burnout, and how to develop emotional resilience in the face of setbacks. Our guest shares their journey through leadership challenges, self-doubt, and the lessons they've learned about balancing work, faith, and family. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, working parent, or someone striving for personal and professional growth, this conversation will leave you with valuable insights on staying grounded, navigating rejection, and leading with authenticity.

Show Notes:
00:00 - Welcome to Coffee Can’t Fix Everything an introduction to today’s guest
02:20 - The realities of leadership: balancing passion with the unexpected challenges
07:03 - Burnout and work stress: why setting boundaries is key to long-term success
10:37 - Dealing with disappointment and navigating rejection as a leader
15:43 - Parenting and leadership: lessons from raising kids while leading a career
20:28 - The power of faith and mental health in staying resilient through tough times
24:33 - The importance of self-reflection and how to develop a growth mindset
28:05 - Emotional intelligence and staying in control of your emotions in high-pressure moments
32:00 - The power of mentorship, community leadership, and giving back
37:09 - The reality of nonprofit management and work-life balance
40:27 - Final thoughts: How to stay anchored in your values and keep moving forward

Tune in for this real, unfiltered conversation about leadership, mental health, and the everyday struggles that come with trying to make an impact. If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it!

Support the Podcast & Stay Connected:

• ☕ Love the show? Buy me a coffee! → https://buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis
• Follow Coffee Can’t Fix Everything for more real conversations on mental health and leadership
• Learn more about our guest and their work
• Connect with us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

In this heartfelt episode of Coffee Can't Fix Everything, we sit down with Max to have an open conversation about mental health, the challenges of asking for help, and the barriers many face in seeking therapy. From breaking the stigma around mental health in the LGBTQ+ and Black communities to discussing communal burnout, Max shares their insights as a mental health advocate, executive director, and gender doula. We explore why seeking help can feel so difficult, the impact of inclusive mental health care, and how community support plays a vital role in healing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating their mental health journey or supporting others through theirs.

Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction to Season 2 and welcoming Max to the show
1:27 - The host’s personal journey to therapy and confronting the fear of asking for help
3:17 - Max’s experience with therapy and its transformative impact
5:18 - LGBTQ+ mental health advocacy and addressing barriers to care
7:40 - Cultural challenges in accessing mental health support in marginalized communities
10:28 - What authentic allyship looks like in action
15:21 - The power of pronouns and small gestures in creating safe spaces
18:23 - The stark difference in mental health resources between urban and rural areas
20:45 - How leaders and advocates can balance busy lives with seeking help
26:33 - Unlearning toxic masculinity and embracing vulnerability as a strength
28:13 - Building community support to normalize mental health care
32:53 - Max’s advice to those hesitant to ask for help

Mental Health Resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): www.nami.org
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support
• Therapy for Black Men: www.therapyforblackmen.org
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): www.thetrevorproject.org
• One Iowa (LGBTQ+ Resources): www.oneiowa.org
• Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder: www.psychologytoday.com

Remember, you are not alone, and help is available. Let’s break the stigma one conversation at a time.

In this Coffee Can't Fix Everything episode, Corey sits down with Jill, who shares her transformative journey of becoming "Jill 2.0." From dealing with the unexpected loss of her father to navigating a rare kidney disease, Jill opens up about the challenges and changes she faced in her life. Together, they discuss the power of resilience, the importance of prioritizing family, and the courage it takes to redefine oneself in the face of adversity. Jill offers insights into how embracing change, even when difficult, can lead to growth and a more fulfilling life.

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
• 01:23 - The Power of Change: Jill's Early Life and Resilience
• 03:29 - Coping with Loss and Health Challenges
• 07:47 - Redefining Identity and Prioritizing Family
• 13:31 - The Importance of Vulnerability and Accountability
• 16:54 - Moving Beyond Comfort: Advice for Those Stuck in Their "Crap"
• 20:28 - Empowering Change and Reclaiming Control
• 24:29 - The Fluidity of Change and Embracing Imperfection
• 28:06 - Advice for the Future Self: Speaking Truth to Power
• 30:51 - Closing Thoughts and Upcoming My City My Health Event

Mental Health Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please consider reaching out to the following resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Mental Health America
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Crisis Text Line - Text "HELLO" to 741741
• Therapy for Black Girls

Remember, coffee can't fix everything, but talking about mental health is a great start. Join us for more conversations like this by subscribing to our channel and sharing this episode with someone who might need it. See you next time!