Tune in this week for a rare opportunity to step into the world of a mental health institution leader. You’ll hear powerful reflections from Dr. Charles Dike, previous medical director of a maximum-security psychiatric hospital and current CEO of a state mental health center. He’ll bring you into his day-to-day experience as a forensic psychiatrist, and the realities of leading in a challenging, rewarding and at times intense environment. Dr. Dike readily acknowledges the importance of collaboration when working through turbulence and when trying to make a positive impact in people’s lives. With clarity and conviction, he describes the necessity of holding on to every single person’s humanity, even while acknowledging harms done by and experienced by some of those he serves. We’ll also hear about Dr. Dike’s principles for motivating others and promoting team growth, and his priority of building a culture of care amongst patients, families, staff, and community. You’ll hear about his out-of-the-box approaches, and the ways he leads as a coach. Join in to hear from this truly transformative leader, who leads with passion, humility, and strength alongside a remarkable openness to guidance and correction.

The Addy Hour is recorded at the Yale Teaching Studios, with engineering support from Ryan McEvoy, edited by Orlando Suazo, and hosted by Dr. Nii Addy. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and follow our podcast page, to help us grow this podcast and our community.

Join in for this deeply honest, revealing and empowering conversation as I welcome two pioneering women who graciously share their stories and bring you into their world. In this episode, we highlight the topic of severe mental illness to raise awareness and bring greater understanding. My guests also share critical resources and information for everyone, especially those with loved ones, friends or others you know living with severe mental illness. We lean into the tensions that arise between supporting others and sustaining your own health, mental health and wellness. We also consider some alarming statistics, especially when it comes to medication, caregiving, and illness. Even so, it’s no surprise that the power of community shows up throughout our discussion. Get ready to be inspired and equipped, as our guests share words of wisdom from their experience, knowledge, and emerging friendship.

Get caregiver resources at www.coreyempowers.com
Learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org

The Addy Hour is recorded at the Yale Teaching Studios, with engineering support from Ryan McEvoy, edited by Orlando Suazo, and hosted by Dr. Nii Addy. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and follow our podcast page, to help us grow this podcast and our community.

This first Addy Hour episode of 2026 is a must-watch/must-listen. We delve into the truths about cannabis and opioid use in teens and adults, and we honestly consider the many reasons people use. We address stigma head-on and the ways it shows up for those navigating substance misuse, other mental health challenges, chronic illness or other health concerns. Our guests also highlight the necessity of meeting people where they are. We talk about the importance of embracing and welcoming folks back into the community, especially after times of treatment or rehab. We also push the boundaries to highlight the essential ways institutions and universities can learn from our communities, for the good of all. In this episode, you’ll also hear powerful stories about our guests’ journeys and their transformative work. You’ll hear about programs providing addiction services within the church. And you’ll hear about strategically establishing clinics in neutral zones between gang territories to facilitate accessibility across gang affiliations. This free-flowing and in-depth conversation will leave you inspired, encouraged, and empowered.

The Addy Hour is recorded at the Yale Teaching Studios, with engineering support from Ryan McEvoy, edited by Orlando Suazo, and hosted by Dr. Nii Addy. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and follow our podcast page, to help us grow this podcast and our community.

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This week, I’m joined by activist, educator, and author, Kim Samuel. As a leading voice in the global movement for belonging, Kim takes us on a journey on this timely topic. We start with Kim’s captivating story, as she describes her inspiration, moments of epiphany, and the vocational calling that has shaped her life. As someone whose work has spanned across trade negotiations, poverty, human rights, climate change, and education, Kim shares keen insights from each aspect of her journey. We discuss the ways people are treated, and often othered, based on health, ability, resources or the perceived lack thereof. We also hear about the conversation Kim had with Nelson Mandela – a conversation that affirmed her life mission to ensure that no one feels alone. Gracefully, she describes candid and challenging family experiences that have also shaped her perspective. This is a truly rich episode touching on topics like calling and faith, loss and loneliness, advocacy, wholeness and healing.