Ep. 117 | Hip-Hop Heals: A Conversation on Music, Mental Health, and Community with Christopher LeMark
Founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health, Christopher LeMark, joins Dr. Avanti to explore the intersection of music, mental health, and community empowerment. Drawing from his own life's adversities, including childhood trauma and mental health struggles, Christopher shares how a pivotal moment in a coffee shop led him to therapy and eventually to founding his organization. He discusses the power of hip-hop in opening the conversation on mental health in the black community and how representation is crucial, especially for black men, to feel safe and understood. They address how community support, like volunteering and financial contributions, is vital for the sustainability of the organization’s mission and how Christopher’s organization addresses not just therapy but also basic needs like food and employment.
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Today on The Healing Catalyst:
Christopher's journey from trauma to founding Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health
Hip-hop's role in fostering mental health conversations
The significance of representation in mental health advocacy for black men
Addressing basic needs alongside therapy for holistic mental well-being
The role of education and human intelligence in tackling mental health challenges
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Connect with Christopher:
Instagram: @coffeehiphopandmentalhealth
Website: normalizetherapy.com, chhamh.org/cafe
Connect with Dr. Avanti:
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Website: avantikumarsingh.com
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Instagram: @avantikumarsingh
Podcast: The Healing Catalyst
Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh, is an Ayurveda Wellness Expert on a mission to show how Ayurveda is a health catalyst to achieve optimal wellness in modern life.
Over the two decades of her training, study, and research, Dr. Kumar-Singh has shared her expertise with Fortune 500 companies, at elite undergraduate and graduate institutions, and at prestigious industry and medical conferences. She has been featured in the Huffington Post, goop, Thrive Global and mindbodygreen, and served as the co-lead facilitator of the Faculty Scholars Program in Integrative Healthcare at the OSHER Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern Medicine. Dr. Kumar-Singh is also the author of The Health Catalyst.
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