Advertise on podcast: Dark Matters with Dr. Shemena

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores how the pressure to prove our worth can become a form of protection—shaped by family, culture, work, and relationships. Through self-reflective prompts, you’ll be invited to loosen the grip of performance and return to a deeper sense of simply being.  You can find me at https://shemenajohnson.com. Come back often and make sure you subscribe, rate, and review because I'd love to hear your comments. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail Being seen sounds simple until you realize how many of us have built our entire lives around not being fully known. We talk about the question that sits underneath so much emotional pain: “Do you really get me?” and what it does to a person when the answer has been unclear for years. This conversation is for anyone who looks fine on the outside, functions well, and still feels lonely, unseen, or strangely disconnected in relationships.  If you’ve ever wondered whether love and being seen are the same, or what it would feel like to stop performing and start living more honestly, hit play. Subscribe, share with someone who needs to feel less alone, and leave a review telling us where you feel most seen. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail We look at how us-versus-them thinking becomes a cultural habit that quietly harms our mental health and our relationships. IDr. Shemena discusses how fear and vulnerability often sit under anger and certainty, and how making room for nuance restores compassion, critical thinking, and connection.  Come back often and make sure you subscribe, rate, and review because I’d love to hear your comments. You can find me at https://shemenajohnson.com.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail We explore the “other AI” shaping daily life, where artificial intimacy and instant response can feel like care. We ask what it does to attachment, emotional growth, and real connection when comfort becomes a frictionless product.   You can find me at https://shemenajohnson.com. All the links to where you can find me are in the show summary. Come back often and make sure you subscribe, rate, and review because I'd love to hear your comments.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail In this reflective Mother’s Day episode, Dr. Shemena explores the complicated terrain of mothering, estrangement, grief, and love. Through the lens of the therapy room and her own lived experience, she considers what it means to carry both gratitude and loss, to honor mothers who tried imperfectly, and to make space for those for whom Mother’s Day is tender, quiet, or painful. This episode is for anyone celebrating, grieving, remembering, or holding a love that has nowhere to go. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail What drives us to excel, and when does that drive become destructive? Join us as we dissect the factors influencing competitive behavior, such as self-esteem, social comparison, and the quest for recognition. You'll learn to identify the fine line between healthy striving and toxic competition, gaining insights that are vital for personal and professional growth. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail What if you could turn the chaos of your emotions into a powerful tool for personal growth? Join me, Dr. Shemena, in this episode of Dark Matters as we explore the transformative potential of deeply understanding and making meaning of our feelings and thoughts. Listen as we dissect the effects of disavowing our emotions whether influenced by family dynamics, cultural expectations, and/or societal norms, and why acknowledging our emotions is crucial for personal empowerment. This episode offers insightful perspectives and actionable advice to elevate your journey toward self-awareness and empowerment. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Dark Matters, we'll uncover how childhood experiences, from deep-seated trauma to family dynamics, cast long shadows over our adult lives. Our conversation will examine how unspoken pain can distort our life's compass and how recognizing the "unnamed pain" can illuminate the path to self-awareness and growth.  So, grab yourself a pen and paper, and let's navigate the path to healing and self-discovery together on Dark Matters. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail This is the introduction to a new series, "Breaking Through." In this series, Dr. Shemena will discuss the intricate patterns that shape our emotional landscape and help guide you toward breakthroughs for a more authentic self. Stay tuned ... Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail I'm back, not just to apologize, but to take you along this path of enhanced self-awareness. This new year, I'm thrilled to announce a lineup of discussions designed to liberate us from the unhealthy cycles that hold us back. A special series dedicated to men and masculinity will also be featured, where we'll explore the complexities of male psychology and patterns that define—and sometimes confine—their lives. Join me in this new year as we continue to foster wellness within.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why joy, the most precious emotion, often seems so elusive? Join me as I discuss the emotion of joy, its core essence, and how we can cultivate more of this beautiful emotion in our lives. Drawing from my personal experience and insights from my practice, I'll guide you with practical tips, compassionate understanding, and a healthy dose of empowerment to inspire you to take the first step towards a more joyous life.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail What if your idea of love is actually an addiction? Dr. Shemena helps us understand how individuals with deep-seated insecurities and fears of intimacy can fall into a pattern of seeking perfection and adulation in their partners, becoming addicted to the euphoria of love rather than experiencing its genuine depth.  This episode is for anyone seeking to transform their relationship dynamics and gain deeper insight into their own behavior. Tune in! Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever caught yourself overeating or talking excessively to keep uncomfortable feelings at bay? What if there's a way to confront these defense mechanisms head on and reclaim your psychological freedom? Let's traverse the labyrinth of the mind together in this episode where Dr. Shemena takes you through the fascinating concepts of repression and resistance. We'll decode these defenses, from excessive talking to overeating, and explore how they can act as barriers to our self-awareness, growth, and understanding. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail Imagine you walked into McDonald's and asked for a lobster, only to be disappointed when they served you a hamburger. Sounds absurd, right? But what if I told you that's exactly how some of us approach our relationships? Listen in as Dr. Shemena shares an illuminating perspective on expectations in relationships.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you're drowning in your own emotions? That's where we're heading today on Dark Matters. I'm your host, Dr. Shemena Johnson, ready to guide you showing you that it's okay, even essential, to acknowledge and express what's churning inside. We'll tackle how our mental health is often linked to our ability to process and articulate our emotions. We'll also discuss how expressing our feelings is not a sign of weakness but a trait that makes us truly human.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at [email protected] Thank you for listening!