We always hear about resilience. About being strong. About pushing through.

But what if that strength is silently breaking us down?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with podcast legend and mental health advocate Dominic Lawson to have the kind of raw, honest conversation two Black men rarely get to have in public.

We unpack what it really means to be “the strong one,” why so many of us suffer in silence, and how checking in with ourselves has to become a daily act of survival.

Dominic shares how his work in behavioral health shaped his new podcast Mental Health Rewritten, and we dive into everything from burnout and boundaries to the lies hustle culture tells us about healing.

If you've ever felt like you're carrying too much, showing up for everyone else, and losing yourself in the process—this one's for you.

"Sometimes, you gotta put the keys between your fingers and fight the damn wolf."

Yeah... it gets that real.

🗣️ Key Topics:

• The myth of “being strong” and how it harms us
• The real cost of being everyone’s Calvary
• Understanding recovery as daily work—not a destination
• Black men, emotional suppression, and the 8-crayon box
• Boundaries, burnout, and why the hustle ain’t always healing
• The origin and mission of Mental Health Rewritten
• Choosing yourself without apology

🔥 Guest Info:

Dominic Lawson

Host of Mental Health Rewritten

🎧 Listen May 14th on all podcast platforms

📱 IG: @therealdominiclawson

🔗 Website: Mental Health Rewritten

📲 Connect with Me

🔗 Follow me on all platforms: @DaWholeDamnShow

🎧 Follow It’s About DAMN Time: @ItsAboutDamnTimePod

💥 Cop the DAMN University merch right here → Shop now