In this “Hold My Mule Musing” Dr. Ed Garnes recounts defending a Black woman editor who gave him his first major writing opportunity when she was unfairly criticized in a meeting. His story highlights the vital need to stand up for and uplift Black women, underscoring their central role as champions within the community and the everyday importance of expressing love and support for them.

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#SupportBlackWomen #SweetTeaEthics #HoldMyMule

In this episode of Sweet Tea Ethics, Dr. Ed Garnes is joined by Rev. Mashaun D. Simon for an honest, moving conversation about grief, healing, and faith at the intersections of Black identity, mental health, and inclusion. Dr. Garnes honors the legacy of D’Angelo, and with Rev. Simon examines the power of ritual, explores the transformative work of Project Joshua, and offers radical perspectives on journeying through loss, spirituality, and creating truly safe spaces for all. Pour yourself a glass and listen in for wise words, healing laughter, and plenty of heartfelt Sweet Tea Ethics.​

Visit https://sweetteaethics.com to join the mailing list and to get bonus updates from Dr. Ed Garnes.

Topics Covered:

• Honoring D’Angelo and collective rituals of grief in the Black community.
• The purpose and vision of Project Joshua, supporting grief and wellness for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• The challenges of navigating faith, mental health, and identity—especially for those often excluded from church spaces.
• Expanding and redefining traditions, and offering hope and strategies for authentic, affirming spiritual journeys.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:25 Hold My Mule Musing: "This is the D'Angelo joint."

02:36 Introducing Rev. Mashaun D. Simon

03:20 Project Joshua: Grief and Wellness

05:16 Personal Journey and Ministry Challenges

13:45 Expanding the Understanding of Grief

17:58 The Intersection of Faith and Mental Health

19:59 Mashaun's Path to Ministry

30:59 Creating Inclusive Spaces in the Church

31:51 Vision for Project Joshua

35:37 Supporting Grief Ministries for Black Queer Individuals

36:02 Church Hurt and the Grieving Process

36:49 Philosophical Insights and Social Media Engagement

39:22 NABJ and the Controversial Invitation

50:49 Tradition vs. Progress in Black Communities

55:59 Healing Playlists and Personal Reflections

01:00:40 Encouragement for Personal Spirituality

01:03:33 Closing Remarks and Social Media Information

01:04:34 Outro Theme

#GriefHealing, #DAngelo #FaithJourney, #BlackChurch, #SpiritualCare, #ProjectJoshua, #InclusiveFaith, #MentalHealth, #CommunityHealing

In this Hold My Mule Musing, Dr. Ed Garnes serves up a heartfelt helping of Sweet Tea Ethics on the importance of self-love and inner resilience. Drawing from his personal journey with detractors and the wisdom of his grandmother, Dr. Garnes explores the art of freeing yourself from others' expectations and the transformative power of jazz meditations for cleansing limiting beliefs.

Visit https://sweetteaethics.com to join the mailing list and to get bonus updates from Dr. Ed Garnes.

#SweetTeaEthics, #BlackPsychology, #IdentityCongruence, #Mentorship, #Healing, #CulturalReflections, #BlackExcellence, #SelfLove