Decolonial Healing & Liberation: Dr. Thema Bryant

In this episode, SAND co-founders and hosts Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo welcome Dr. Thema Bryant, a tenured professor of psychology and former President of the American Psychological Association, to discuss holistic healing, ancestral wisdom, and collective liberation. Dr. Bryant emphasizes the importance of recognizing both individual and collective trauma, the power of storytelling, and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to wellness. The conversation explores the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing, the role of joy and grief, and the importance of community in fostering resilience and thriving. Dr. Bryant also provides practical advice on deepening relationships, finding like-minded communities, and maintaining emotional balance in the face of ongoing trauma.

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:53 Introducing Dr. Thema Bryant

01:20 Dr. Bryant's Background and Philosophy

03:11 Grounding Practice and Body Sovereignty

08:32 The Importance of Compassion and Presence

11:52 Intergenerational Trauma and Healing

17:15 Decolonizing and Indigenizing Healing Practices

27:00 Balancing Activism and Self-Care

34:15 Grief and Collective Healing

36:44 Cultural Differences in Grieving

37:59 The Interplay of Grief and Joy

38:28 Toxic Positivity and Spiritual Bypassing

41:07 Constructive vs. Destructive Anger

44:53 The Importance of Emotional Expression

47:03 Creating and Deepening Community Connections

51:00 Collective Healing and Liberation

01:03:13 Balancing Self-Care and Collective Care

01:11:14 Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources

Dr. Thema Bryant
Dr. Thema Bryant is the author of the recently released book Matters of the Heart and the host of The Homecoming Podcast.
Jaiya John

Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member