Erica Loewe was Recognized as one of The Root 100’s Most Influential Black Americans, Essence Magazine’s Power 40, ColorComm’s 28 Black Women in Communications Making History Now, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.’s 50 Under 40 and the Washington Association of Black Journalists Excellence in Communications recipients, Erica Loewe has over a decade of experience at the intersection of media, politics and entertainment. Erica recently served as Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff in the White House Office of Public Engagement, where she was responsible for making the White House accessible to as many Americans as possible. She was previously President Biden’s Director of African American Media.

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, she was Deputy Communications Director to House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and a key advisor to Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), serving as Press Secretary on the House Financial Services Committee. Before working in Congress, Erica served as Director at one of Washington’s top government and public relations firms where she worked closely with clients to develop and execute strategic messaging that advanced their priorities. In 2024, she was featured in “The Sixth”, a documentary produced by A24 and Change Content that chronicled her experience in the United States Capitol during the January 6th attack. Erica joins us on The Vault to discuss how to cope with stressful times in a world where things feel out of control. We talk about how to reclaim joy through advocacy.

 What is advocacy?
 How can you reclaim joy through advocacy and action?
 What are ways to stay connected through advocacy work?
 What are the tools to cope with stressful situations?
 What are the signs of High Functioning Depression?
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression.

Follow Erica Loewe:

 Erica Loewe Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ericaploewe/
 Erica Loewe LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaloewe/
 Erica Loewe Website https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/ope/meet-the-team/erica-loewe/


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Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.

Cody Rigsby is a renowned fitness coach and Director of Cycling Content at Peloton. He is a New York Times Bestselling Author of “XOXO, Cody” and second runner-up on the thirtieth season of Dancing WithThe Stars. He has co-hosted the GLAAD Media Awards. Cody has been the face of major brands and has carved a niche in the romance and relationship space as a self-love enthusiast and motivational speaker. His podcast with Andrew Chappelle, Tactfully Petty, offers relatable relationship advice.

I met Cody at a Meta event celebrating David Beckham’s new brand and we hit it off right away. Cody joins me on The Vault to discuss relationship advice and we filmed hilarious content as well as discussed my new book, “High Functioning”. Cody talked about how he too struggles at times, yet no one knows because like many of us, he wears a mask of productivity. We talked about how people can better understand their hidden struggles so that they can reclaim joy and have healthier relationships.

 What is Healthy Love?
 How can you love yourself and boost self-worth using fitness?
 What are ways to cope with heartbreak?
 What are the tools to cope with toxic relationships?
 What are the signs of High Functioning Depression?
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression.

Follow Cody Rigsby:

 Cody Rigsby Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/codyrigsby/?hl=en
 Cody Rigsby Book https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726560/xoxo-cody-by-cody-rigsby/
 Cody Rigsby Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tactful-pettiness-with-cody-rigsby-and-andrew-chappelle/id1752396448
 Cody Rigsby Website
https://www.onepeloton.com/instructors/bike/codyrigsby

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Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.

Dr. Sue Varma is a powerhouse. She Is a board-certified psychiatrist and professor at NYU who is known internationally as an on-air mental health expert for news and media. She guided the country through 2020’s trying times and is the author of Practical Optimism which is her book that is based on 8 pillars of practical optimism. We discussed how everyone can work on their mindset for daily growth and positive well-being. We also discussed ways to cope with the nonstop cycle of bad news and how to use breathwork to cope.

Practical Optimists are resourceful, realistic, and thoughtful problem solvers who possess something of rare value: the inner resources to cope during a crisis. We need this messaging now more than ever and I hope that you benefit from this resourceful episode of The Vault.

 What is practical optimism?
 How can you support loved ones with High Functioning Depression?
 What are the Risk Factors for someone who is struggling with crisis?
 What are the tools to cope with crisis?
 What are the signs of High Functioning Depression in healthcare workers?
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression.


Follow Dr. Sue Varma:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/doctorsuevarma/
Book https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/book/
Website https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/

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Website: https://www.drjudithjoseph.com/

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Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.

Brittany Rae is a multi-faceted millennial who is an entrepreneur and leader in entertainment. She comes from a legacy of influential people in the music industry but did not let that make her complacent in her journey to becoming a stand-alone force. After graduating from university she started a production company while working for top radio stations. She was a part of the team at Hot 97 that brought the Summer Jam Concert Series, the most popular and successful hip hop concert series of its time. Currently she works with iHeart Radio and puts together impactful events ranging from hip hop music showcases to mental health events for the community. Her production company has presented original plays and sold out events at legendary venues such as the Ailey Theatre. She joins us on the vault to discuss how young black entrepreneurs can protect their mental
health and well-being while creating a name for themselves. She discusses how to resist hustle culture so that burnout doesn’t happen and she discusses her own struggles and how to heal.


 What causes High Functioning Depression in young Black entrepreneurs?
 How can you support loved ones with High Functioning Depression?
 What are the Risk Factors for High Functioning Depression in millennials?
 What are the tools to cope with High Functioning Depression as a millennial?
 What are the signs of High Functioning Depression in the Black community?
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression.

Follow Donna Francis

 Brittany Rae Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aprils_hr/?hl=en
 Brittany Rae Productions



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Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.

April Simpkins is a mental health advocate, founder of the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, Podcaster, C-suite executive, and a highly sought after keynote speaker on the topics of DEI, mental health in the workplace, leadership, and culture. She is the New York Times Best Selling Co-Author of “By The Time You Read This” a book that she co-wrote with her late daughter Cheslie Kryst, a Former Miss USA 2019 winner who died by suicide in 2022. The book is written in two parts, the first half written by Cheslie and the second half by April. '

Since Cheslie’s death, April has become a powerful and visible advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She joins me on The Vault to discuss my book “High Functioning”. April is often asked by her audience for resources on how to best support loved ones with high functioning depression. She read my book, High Functioning and wrote the endorsement below: “In High-Functioning, Dr. Judith Joseph provides profound answers to the questions so many of us have about high-functioning depression and how we can better support ourselves and one another. As the mother of Cheslie Kryst, who courageously battled high-functioning depression,

I deeply appreciate the way this book weaves real stories with compassionate, practical guidance. It offers invaluable insights on finding peace and fostering understanding along the journey to mental wellness.
As a mental health advocate and someone who personally navigates life with high-functioning depression, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It’s more than a guide—it’s a life-changing
resource.”

 What causes High Functioning Depression?
 How can you support loved ones with High Functioning Depression?
 What are the Risk Factors for High Functioning Depression?
 What are the tools to cope with High Functioning Depression?
 What are the signs of High Functioning Depression?
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression.

Follow Donna Francis

 April Simpkins Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aprils_hr/?hl=en
 April Simpkins Website https://www.aprilsimpkins.com/
 NAMI https://www.nami.org/
 Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/

Follow Dr. Judith:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjudithjoseph
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Website: https://www.drjudithjoseph.com/

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Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.

Donna Francis is an Award-Winning Journalist,Podcast Host and Real Beauty Pioneer who is known as the Beauty Editor, who pioneered the ‘real beauty’ movement 25 years ago. At a time when brands were still using overly filtered, unattainable marketing tactics, Donna was breaking the mold by directing beauty shoots that ditched the airbrush pen and was casting diverse models with relatable quirks for global brands like Cosmopolitan. Donna’s relatable content has been published in The TImes, Vogue, Instyle and Cosmopolitan and she was praised by the former Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. Donna hosts the HELLO! Menopause podcast for the global lifestyle news site, Hellomagazine.com that has an average 46 million global audience. Donna’s wish is to empower women to ‘be more you’ and celebrate aging to help them discover their own unique beauty at midlife and beyond.

On this episode of The Vault we discussed how you can use skin and hair products to uplift your mental health and well-being and ways to love and accept yourself unapologetically.

 Skincare routine that supports mental health.
 Haircare routines that supports mental health.
 Fragrances and perfumes that support mental health
 How to embrace your age.
 How to love yourself and your self-image.
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression

Follow Donna Francis

 Donna Francis Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeautyed/
 Donna Francis Website https://www.thebeautyed.com/
 Hello! Magazine Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hellomag/
 Hello! Magazine

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Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.

Cheri Garcia is the founder of Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency for second chances. And she has placed more than 2500 people with criminal records in jobs. She is passionate about helping people in recovery to find transformation through employment or entrepreneurship. As someone who is 5 years sober and had a second chance herself, she has championed her efforts to help those in
recovery, which has landed her in the news and media with over 150,000 followers on business platforms. She recently also founded Junk Hustlers to help entrepreneurs by investing in a junk- hauling business to address climate change and to help those in recovery to become business owners.

How to cope with sobriety during the holidays.
 How to cope with anhedonia when you have substance dependence.
 How to cope with sobriety at holiday parties.
 How to support those in recovery from substance dependence.
 Anhedonia in substance dependence.
 How to Cope with High Functioning Depression
Follow Cheri Garicia

 Cheri Garcia Instagram
 Cheri Garcia LinkedIN
 Cornbread Hustle Website
 Junk Hustlers Website

Follow Dr. Judith Joseph:
 Instagram
 High Functioning Book
 TikTok
 Facebook
 Website
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Disclaimer: Consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical
professional. This content is not medical advice.

Mariah Grumet is a certified etiquette trainer, and she puts a modern twist on old school etiquette. On this episode of The Vault we talked about how many people use social media and text messaging to communicate but a lot can get lost in translation which leads to miscommunications and disagreements. We also discussed proper text etiquette, offered tips to help people to cope with feeling anxious when they are in stressful social situations and how to feel more comfortable in your own skin when you are in a room full of people that you don’t know. We talked about how some people with social anxiety and neurodivergent individuals may have a hard time in social settings and offered practical tips on how to cope with these situations by using etiquette as a support.

Mariah is honored to work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds located across the globe. Old Soul Etiquette's services include private consulting, group sessions, webinars, speaking engagements, and special events on the following topics: youth, social, dining and business etiquette, personal branding, wedding preparation, style consulting, and more. Mariah is also the author of modern wedding etiquette book "What Do I Do?" and has been seen on The Today Show NBC News, and Fox News, as well as in Forbes, Southern Living, The New York Post, Travel & Leisure, Brides, Martha Stewart, and more.

· How to Use Etiquette Skills To Cope With Social Anxiety

· How to Use Etiquette Skills To Show Empathy.

· Text Messaging Etiquette

· Why Different Generations Text Differently

· Challenges of Neurodivergent Individuals in Social Settings

· How to Cope with High Functioning Depression

Follow Mariah Grumet

· Mariah Grumet Instagram

· Mariah Grumet Website

· Mariah Grumet Book

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· Instagram

· High Functioning Book

· TikTok

· Facebook

· Website

· Newsletter Sign-Up

Disclaimer: Consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This content is not medical advice.