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Podcasts + Media

Raising your voice to reshape the mental health narrative.

Interviews, panels, and conversations on ambition, emotional wellness, and the people who carry both.

Book Dr. Akua In the press Listen
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Dr. Akua in conversation.

The Portia Show · Fox 5

Relationship tips

Television segment.

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Black Enterprise Health + Wellness Summit

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

Panel on mental health with Jay Barnett and Tonya Ladipo.

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DRK Beauty Healing

Slumber Party virtual fundraiser

With Cynthia Erivo, La La Anthony, and Michelle Williams, covered by Variety.

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Appearances

In the room.

American Psychological Association

Think Tank on Educational Equity and Workforce Development

Keynote at the convening in Washington, DC.

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Salon Culture Conversations · Cannes Lions 2025

Creative Resilience: Caring for Ourselves While Creating for the World

Moderated a dialogue on creative resilience, with mindfulness and reflection exercises, alongside Adrienne Lucas, Dana Bontemps, Claire Mulhern, and Dr. Alvin N. Glay. Thursday, June 19, 2025.

Salon Culture Conversations · Cannes Lions 2025

Women Leading the AI Evolution Summit

Led “Ambition Compass,” a guided meditation experience to welcome Deepak Chopra and Poonacha’s conversation on “The Soul of AI: Humanizing Technology to Heal, Connect, and Inspire.” Luncheon, June 17.

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Academy Gold

Mind Matters: Accessing Resources for Mental Wellbeing

Livestream panel with Sanaa Lathan and leaders in mental health and entertainment. Thursday, August 1.

Essence Film Festival

Beyond the Screen: Embracing Mental Health in Media

Panel at the Essence Festival of Culture, New Orleans. Friday, July 5.

Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit

Mindfulness While Making Millions

Keynote. Philadelphia, May 18–20, 2022.

American Institute of Architects

Women’s Leadership Summit

Keynote and mindfulness workshop.

Afro Animation 4.0

Unveiling the Untold Narratives of Women in Entertainment

Panel with Camille Eden, Tendayi Nyeke, and Jeanell English. Burbank, April 11, 2024.

Hallmark Mahogany Moment

Mahogany Moment panel

Speaker, Cobb Galleria. September 29.

DRK Beauty Healing

Slumber Party virtual fundraiser

With Cynthia Erivo, La La Anthony, and Michelle Williams, covered by Variety.

HuffPost × Twitter Spaces

Toxic Friendships

In conversation with senior HuffPost reporter Brittany Wong and Danielle Bayard Jackson. September 21.

The Portia Show · Fox 5

Relationship tips

Television segment.

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BLK@ Cannes

Thought Leadership Brunch

Conversation on emotional health in community engagement with the NAACP President, presented by YouTube.

Lifetime · The Table Is Ours

Mental Health in the Workplace

Instagram Live conversation presented by Lifetime Television. May 23.

The Ladipo Group · Twitter Spaces

This Isn’t Just About Cosby, Part III

A conversation about silence, shame, and trauma with Tonya Ladipo, LCSW. Monday, February 14.

Slate Live

Conversations on Moving Forward

In conversation with Julia Craven on navigating secondhand trauma. June 22, 2020.

Black Women in Sport Foundation

Next Steps Virtual Forum

Self-care, resilience, and mental wellness during crisis, with Dr. Stephany Coakley, Dr. Maragret Ottley, and Dr. Vernice Richards. Moderated by Dr. Sonja Robinson. April 1.

Black Enterprise Health + Wellness Summit

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

Panel on mental health with Jay Barnett of the K.I.N.G. Program at Texas Southern University and Tonya Ladipo of the Ladipo Group.

Pinterest · Pinside Out Conversations

Intersectional Feminism

Conversation on women’s wellbeing and race, in collaboration with Blackboard and Women@, with Dr. Christine Coleman, Dr. Michelle Kwok, and Janel Harris. Friday, April 9.

ThinkLA Diversity Summit

All Inclusive: Advocacy, Authenticity, and Action

Keynote, presented by MY|CODE.

Lifetime · The Table Is Ours

Resetting + Refocusing

Instagram Live conversation with Michelle Williams. February 22.

In the press

Thought leadership, in print.

The Washington Post · CNN · HuffPost · NBC News · ESSENCE · Verywell Mind · Refinery29 · ELLE · Harper’s Bazaar · Mic · The Cut · Newsweek · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Bustle · Shondaland · Philadelphia Magazine · Variety · Healthline · SHAPE · The Wall Street Journal · Mashable · InStyle · Byrdie · Ebony · Slate · The Lily · AfroPhilly

Burnout, stress & self-care

How high performers and everyday people carry pressure, and how to recover.

Spectrum News NY1What burnout looks like for people of color
The Philadelphia Inquirer‘A feeling of dread’: How burnout from COVID-19 and the election is affecting Philadelphians
CNN HealthPandemic demand for mental health care is overwhelming providers
HealthlineFeeling Stressed During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Getting a Dog Might Help
HuffPostHow To Deal With Mounting Anxiety Over COVID-19 Getting Bad Again
The Washington PostHow to know when you need a mental health break and ways to make the most of it
HuffPostHow New Year dread reflects your inner narrative
The Wall Street JournalWeighted Items for Stress
Apartment TherapyDopamine detoxing: “Instead of reaching for overstimulation, detoxing allows you moments of quiet, boredom, and digital free exercise.”
WondermindDr. Akua’s picks for podcasts that feel like self-care
Girls UnitedThe Reality of Hustle Culture
NBC NewsOpinion | If I’d acted like Simone Biles, I would be happier and healthier
Katie Couric MediaThe Simple Step That Can Make Your New Year’s Resolutions More Successful
The Washington PostHow to start recovering from election anxiety, according to mental health experts
MediumAfter the Pandemic I Will…Process My Trauma
Harper’s BazaarOn anxiety and the internet’s role in vicarious anxiety

Racial trauma & Black mental health

Identity, culture, and the emotional cost of carrying excellence.

HuffPost12 Ways Black Therapists Personally Deal With Racial Trauma
Refinery29How The Racial Trauma Of 2020 F*cked With Our Bodies & What To Do About It in 2021
ByrdieFriendships Are Ending Over Racist Uncovering—And That’s Okay
Ebony“When showing up as excellent isn’t a choice, you need intentional time… for care.” On how professional Black women are reclaiming balance
EssenceHair and depression: “How we present ourselves is one communication tool, as well as our communication vehicle with each other.”

Relationships, dating & friendship

Attachment, communication, and love under pressure.

The CutCould My Exceedingly Charming Spouse Be A Secret Psychopath?
ELLEThe Pandemic Has Brought Us Endless Swiping, But Has Made it Even Harder to Find Love
HuffPostPeople Marrying Their ‘Second Choice’ Is More Common Than You Think
HuffPostAll That Time You’re Spending Deciphering Men’s Texts Finally Has A Name
HuffPostWhat Experts Say About Age Gap Love
HuffPostThe Art of the Public Apology
HuffPostToxic friendships
MashableThe impact of Instagram’s “Close Friends” circle
InStyleIs cheating ever good for a relationship?
Refinery29What Your Pre-Wedding Jitters Are Trying To Tell You

Family, grief & identity

Parenting, loss, and the emotional history we inherit.

EssenceFashion archiving as grief recovery
EssenceMillennial parents and changing emotional dynamics in how they raise children
EssenceUnmet dreams, failed expectations, and parent–child conflict
Apartment TherapyHow to Reclaim a Sense of Community When True Crime Lands on Your Doorstep
NBC NewsIs Christmas canceled? Worried Americans reassess plans as omicron spreads
MicWe learned collective grief from 9/11. We could really use those coping skills right now

Mental health care & the public conversation

Access, stigma, and how to support the people around us.

The Washington PostHow to support someone going through a mentally tough time
USC Center for Health JournalismHow to fix America’s broken mental health care system
VarietyCynthia Erivo and La La Anthony Open Up About Going to Therapy
HuffPostHow To Deal With Guilt And Anxiety When Your Homeland Is Under Attack
American Institute of ArchitectsExperts weigh in on tackling mental health in architecture
The Washington PostVaccine conversations can be messy. Here’s how to talk about the shots.
The LilyMany women of color say it’s hard to find a therapist who gets them
The Spiritual Go-GetterWhy therapy should be a tool in every Christian woman’s arsenal
AfroPhillyCalifornia Native Opens Psychotherapy Practice In South Philly
Portrait of Dr. Akua K. Boateng, seated in a navy pinstripe suit
Media inquiries

Book Dr. Akua as a guest or expert source.

Dr. Akua is committed to being a mental health advocate in the media. She brings scholarly insight and 18 years of clinical experience to every conversation, speaks on national events, and has long devoted part of her practice to destigmatizing mental health.

Emotional health in high achieversBlack mental healthWomen's mental healthRelationshipsIntuitive guidanceBoundariesMindfulnessSelf-awareness
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Podcasts

Conversations worth pressing play on.

Naked Sports with Cari ChampionWhat Does Grief Look Like On and Off the Court?Listen → The Quiet TruthConversation with Dr. Akua BoatengWatch → Checking In with Michelle WilliamsGrief + Coping w/ the HolidaysListen → Forever35Fellowship in FailureListen → Kate AnthonyHow to cultivate healthy relationshipsListen → DRK Beauty: The Healing Home with Wilma Mae BastaEpisode 6: Healing From Trauma and DepressionListen → Black Women Talk WorkSocial Anxiety, Racial Trauma + Embracing Healing as Black CultureListen → Things We Learn in TherapyRadical Self Compassion + Self InquiryListen → Managing Well with Tonya LadipoCreating an inclusive workplace for Black womenListen → Analog GirlAsk a therapistListen → Christie RochaHow to Heal Trauma and Integrate Emotionally Aware PracticesListen → The Soft Life with Saddie BaddiesEpisode 12: Starting Your Healing JourneyListen → Together Digital Power LoungeEmotional Wellness in the Midst of Ambition Let’s (Not) Talk About ItSeason 2, Episode 6: Survivor guilt Behind Her Brand Leadership TalkSuccess doesn’t heal what you won’t name Break ConcreteEpisode 5: What Therapy Can Do for Black Women The Hill podcastAthlete Mindset in the Healing Journey
Let's talk

Hosts, editors, and event producers.

Podcast hosts, media outlets, and writers are welcome to reach out.

Book Dr. Akua