Ep 113: Therapy for Black Girls' Dr. Joy Harden Bradford on How Founders Can Take Care of Their...

Entrepreneurship and Mental Wellness

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a psychologist and host of Therapy for Black Girls, talks with Side Hustle Pro host Nakayla Matthews about the mental and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship. They discuss anxiety, self-sabotage, therapy, and ways founders can protect their well-being while growing a business.

Key wellness and productivity strategies

• Seek support before you reach a crisis. You don’t need to wait until distress feels severe to talk to a therapist. Getting help earlier may prevent problems from worsening.
• Treat self-care as a foundation, not a substitute for therapy. Restorative self-care includes sleep, nourishing food, exercise, and paying attention to how much time you spend on social media. A spa day or bubble bath won’t replace professional support when it’s needed.
• Notice possible signs of distress. Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood—including increased irritability—are worth paying attention to, even when a busy work life makes them easy to dismiss.
• Set boundaries with social media. Reduce time on platforms where possible, delegate social media tasks if you can, and unfollow accounts that leave you feeling inadequate or pressured to work harder.
• Watch for self-sabotage. Procrastination, missed deadlines, or habits that conflict with your goals may be ways of avoiding fears of failure or success. Take stock of what you’re doing when you notice a recurring pattern.
• Find a sounding board. A peer group or mastermind can help you get out of your head, test ideas, stay accountable, and spot contradictions in your thinking.
• Set realistic expectations. Make goals based on a solid plan rather than comparisons with what others highlight on social media. A mentor, business coach, or consultant may help you set achievable targets.
• Choose professional support that fits your needs. Look for a therapist licensed in your state. Virtual therapy can be a flexible and effective option for many people, though it isn’t the right fit for everyone.
• Use practical tools to organize ideas. Dr. Joy cites Trello as helpful for coordinating ideas and work with her team.

Crisis support and podcast disclaimer

Dr. Joy shares a free crisis support option mentioned in the episode: text TRIBE to 741741 to reach a Crisis Text Line counselor.

The hosts note that the podcast is educational and not a substitute for seeing a licensed therapist.

Presenters and resources

• Nakayla Matthews — host of Side Hustle Pro
• Dr. Joy Harden Bradford — psychologist and host of Therapy for Black Girls
• Resources mentioned: Therapy for Black Girls therapist directory, Crisis Text Line, Trello, and the Dreams and Drive podcast.