In part one of this mini-series, Dr. Jess Hayden sits down with Shawn Brown, a longtime friend and public servant, to talk about growing up as a Black kid from the city navigating predominantly white suburban schools through Rochester’s Urban–Suburban program.

Shawn reflects on high school experiences shaped by race, class, sports, and conditional belonging — what it meant to fit in, stand out, and move between worlds where the rules weren’t the same for everyone. The conversation follows those early lessons into adulthood, where Shawn now works inside the very systems that once shaped his access to opportunity.

This episode centers on belonging, identity, and how early experiences in school echo into work, leadership, and how we understand ourselves years later.

Find Dr. Jess Hayden at Simply Centered Psychological Services

Instagram: @Dr.JessHayden

In this conversation, Jessica Lynne and Randie London explore the profound journey of reclaiming the self amidst the complexities of relationships, emotional regulation, and personal growth. They discuss the importance of building a home within oneself, the challenges of self-abandonment, and the necessity of setting boundaries. Randie shares her personal experiences of healing and the transformative power of community, while emphasizing the significance of self-acceptance and authenticity in navigating life's challenges.

Find Dr. Randie London @lotusholistichealing

Register for her series: The Holistic Center For Soulful Living Smithtown, NY

Find Dr. Jess Hayden, Raleigh NC

@dr.jesshayden

Simply Centered Psychological Services

In Part 2 of Welcome Home: The Path to Self-Reclamation, Dr. Jess Hayden and Dr. Randie London continue a grounded, real conversation about what it actually looks like to come home to yourself—especially after heartbreak, loss, or years of over-functioning. Together, they explore how self-abandonment shows up in everyday moments (the subtle “self-editing” we normalize), why control can masquerade as care, and how reclaiming your inner “yes” and “no” becomes the beginning of self-trust.

This episode holds space for the messy middle: grief you don’t bypass, discomfort you don’t escape, and the practice—over time—of choosing yourself with compassion.

Work with Dr. Randie London

Dr. Randie London offers in-person workshops through The Holistic Center for Soulful Living in Smithtown, NY.

Find Randie on Instagram: @lotusholistichealing

Connect with Dr. Jess Hayden

Instagram + TikTok: @dr.jesshayden
Website: Simply Centered Psychological Services

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or medical care. If you’re experiencing significant distress or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.