Rethinking Social Wellbeing in Black Communities

PODCAST

Rethinking Social Wellbeing in Black Communities

Episode Description

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling — it’s a public health crisis. In this episode of Reimagining Black Health, Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover digs into the dimension of social wellbeing, exploring why real connection is as vital to our health as sleep, nutrition, and movement.

Guests Michele Paul, creator of Let’s Get Social Raleigh and founder of the Adult Recess movement, and Chelsey Reese, therapist and somatic practitioner, break down how community, joy, play, and vulnerability shape our emotional and physical health.

Together, they examine:

This episode is an invitation to step outside, reconnect, and remember that we’re designed for community — and that connection is a core part of thriving.

Resources

Chelsey Reese – Power Through Process in LA
Let’s Get Social Raleigh
Episode Transcript

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Joy as a Birthright
00:26 — What Is Social Wellbeing?
01:20 — Loneliness as a Public Health Crisis
03:00 — Systemic Barriers to Connection
03:35 — Social Media’s Role
04:45 — Is Loneliness Really That Serious?
05:30 — Ubuntu and Community
07:00 — Adult Recess & the Power of Play
09:00 — Rethinking Optimal Health
10:00 — Inside Chelsey’s Therapy Practice
11:00 — How Disconnection Shows Up in the Body
14:30 — The Hardest Step: Getting Out of the House
18:00 — Creating Safe, Welcoming Spaces
23:00 — What It Means to Be Seen
27:00 — Why Adults Lose Touch With Joy
31:00 — Teens, Tech, and Isolation
36:00 — One Simple Step to Improve Social Wellbeing
38:00 — Closing

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