{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"M.E.S.H.","title":"Dr. Jeff Gardere on Racism, Resilience, and Raising Black Sons","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1207,"description":"Some conversations couldn't be more timely, or more necessary. On this important episode of M.E.S.H., Dr. Pamela Brewer welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Gardere, a board-certified clinical psychologist, professor of behavioral medicine, and one of the most respected voices in the field. šŸ’› Together they explore the mental health of African American teens, who carry not only the universal challenges of adolescence but also the added weight of racism, violence, social media pressure, and uncertainty about the future. Dr. Gardere speaks candidly about the very real fears facing parents of Black children, the generational advice passed from his own parents to his sons, and the way depression in young Black males is so often masked as anger, isolation, or self-destructive behavior. Most importantly, he offers parents and caregivers a compassionate path forward: create physical and psychological safety, truly listen, and model what healthy emotional expression looks like. This is a candid, deeply human conversation about pain, resilience, and the enduring power of love and being heard.\nšŸŒŸ Topics Covered:\nThe unique mental health pressures facing African American teens\nThe real fears of parents raising Black children\nHow systemic racism affects young people's self-image\nRecognizing masked depression in young Black males\nWhy anger and isolation can be signs of pain, not danger\nThe shortage of clinicians and the need for cultural competence\nPractical first steps for parents and caregivers\nKey Takeaways:\nAfrican American teens face the universal challenges of adolescence plus added burdens.\nDepression in young Black males is often masked as anger, silence, or self-destructive behavior.\nLiving with racism can affect a young person's self-image and mental health.\nParents can help by creating safety, listening closely, and modeling emotional expression.\nCultural competence in clinicians matters for everyone who provides care.\nLearn more about our guest:\nWebsite: drjeffgardere.com (links to...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/e7pnn_S1e5w4QA_uOr9X-tzVE63EXYX4_dYhFyWj_a8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZWQz/MjA4ODk1YWEwMjRk/YmI4YzhmNjBiYWZh/MTJkNy5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}