Urban Family Focus Podcast

What is the connection between mental health and domestic violence? How can we better understand the emotional impact of abuse and support those working toward healing?
On this episode of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith welcomes Dr. Twanna House for an important conversation about mental wellness, domestic violence, and the role families, faith leaders, and communities can play in offering meaningful support.
Dr. House serves as the Director of Programs for NAMI Emerald Coast, covering the Northwest Florida Panhandle. She is a Board-Certified Professional Mental Health Coach and Founder/CEO of Beacon of Hope Champions Ministries, LLC.
She holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy University and a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Dr. House also shares a personal understanding of the mental health journey as a survivor of severe depression after a 30-year battle.
Through her ministry, she works to raise awareness about the relationship between emotional and mental wellness and spiritual growth, while educating and equipping pastors, leaders, and caring citizens to better support people experiencing mental health conditions.
This discussion is an opportunity to listen, learn, and consider how we can create more supportive communities. Mental health challenges do not excuse abusive behavior, and survivors deserve safety, dignity, and care.
If this conversation speaks to you, share it with someone who may benefit from hearing it.
To learn more about Dr. Twanna, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

What does it mean to be fruitful in the community—and how can we use our gifts, experiences, and resources to help others thrive?
In this episode of Urban Family Focus, we welcome Queen Mother Nina Womack for a meaningful conversation about community service, wellness, food access, cultural empowerment, and the importance of building a legacy that benefits future generations.
Queen Mother Nina Womack is an award-winning actress, filmmaker, and event producer, as well as an entrepreneur and community advocate. She founded Transmedia 360 LLC, an international multimedia and branding agency specializing in Pan-African entertainment, and was enstooled as Queen Mother of Development in a village in Ghana's Central Region.
Her community work includes wellness initiatives, a mobile food pantry, alternative health and environmental education workshops, agricultural training, and efforts to improve access to healthy food. Her mission includes reducing health disparities, addressing poverty, and promoting food sovereignty.
Being fruitful in the community isn't limited to one profession, one organization, or one way of serving. It can mean sharing knowledge, mentoring someone, supporting a local initiative, helping a family access resources, or creating opportunities where they are needed most.
This conversation invites us to look beyond individual success and consider the impact we can have when we invest in the well-being and potential of others.
Because a community flourishes when its people have the opportunity and support to grow.
Join Urban Family Focus and Queen Mother Nina Womack for a conversation about purpose, service, community wellness, and creating a legacy that continues to bear fruit.
To learn more about Queen Nina, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

What does it take to build wealth that lasts—and position it to benefit generations to come?
In this BWAARP LIVE edition of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith sits down with Stasia Washington, Managing Director & Senior Wealth Manager with Lido Advisors, for an important conversation about wealth preservation, legacy, philanthropy and intergenerational planning.
With more than three decades of experience in wealth management and community leadership, Stasia advises high-net-worth families, athletes, entertainment professionals, business owners and nonprofit organizations on investment management, financial planning, wealth preservation, philanthropic advisory and family office support.
Wealth isn't simply about what we accumulate.
It's also about what we protect, what we teach, what we transfer and the impact we create.
 
To learn more about Stasia, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

What role do our roots play in our health, identity, relationships, and overall well-being?
In this episode of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith welcomes Denise Colomé, MCM, and Geraldin Ferrer for a meaningful conversation about culture, identity, community, mental health, and healing.
As part of Providence Presents: The Cultural Connection for Better Health, this episode explores self-acceptance, cultural identity, healthcare experiences, community connection, and how understanding our roots can help us move forward.
Our roots can shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us. They can influence our family relationships, cultural identity, connection to community, and even the way we experience healthcare.
To learn more about Denise Colomé, MCM, click here ===> CLICK HERE
To learn more about Geraldin Ferrer, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

What role do culture, language, family, and lived experience play in the way we receive healthcare?
In this episode of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith welcomes Dr. Rafael Montalvo, family medicine physician, for an important conversation titled: “Afro-Latino Health Care Connection”
This episode is part of our September series: Providence Presents: The Cultural Connection for Better Health
Healthcare is not one-size-fits-all. The relationship between patients and providers can be influenced by cultural understanding, communication, trust, family traditions, and access to appropriate resources.
Dr. Montalvo brings more than 15 years of experience in family medicine and provides comprehensive primary care services to patients of all ages. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he works to connect with diverse communities through communication and quality care.
This conversation highlights the importance of treating the whole person and creating healthcare experiences where patients feel seen, heard, respected, and supported.
Because better health begins with connection.
To learn more about Ellen Branch, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

Maternal health is about more than the physical experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
It also includes emotional support, access to resources, trusted relationships, cultural understanding, advocacy, and the ability to make informed decisions about one's care.
This rebroadcast of Urban Family Focus focuses on Black Maternal Health, featuring Dr. Tamitra Clark and Ellen Branch.
As part of Providence Presents: The Cultural Connection for Better Health, the conversation explores maternal mental health, pregnancy and postpartum support, culturally responsive care, advocacy, empowerment, and community wellness.
Black mothers and birthing families deserve to feel heard, respected, supported, and empowered throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.
This conversation explores the importance of culturally responsive support, maternal wellness, advocacy, emotional health, and community-based resources.
This conversation is a reminder that when we support mothers, we support families—and when we support families, we help strengthen our communities.
To learn more about Dr. Tamitra Clark, click here ===> CLICK HERE
To learn more about Ellen Branch, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

Sierra Smith, Executive Director of Open Paths Counseling Center, joins Urban Family Focus for “Culturally Affirming Therapy,” part of our September series, Providence Presents: The Cultural Connection for Better Health.
What happens when someone seeks therapy but feels like their therapist doesn't understand their culture, identity, family dynamics, history, or lived experience?
For many people from historically marginalized communities, access to mental health care is only one part of the equation. The quality and cultural responsiveness of that care can also play an important role in whether someone feels safe, understood, and supported.
Sierra brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership across Los Angeles and Chicago. Since becoming Executive Director of Open Paths Counseling Center in 2016, she has helped expand services and programs while advancing the organization's commitment to historically marginalized communities.
Her passion for this work is also personal.
Having experienced therapy with clinicians who could not contextualize her cultural reality, Sierra understands the impact of being misunderstood within a therapeutic setting. That experience now informs her commitment to helping shift the lens through which mental health services are delivered to BIPOC and QTPOC communities.
We explore why culture, identity, history, and lived experience matter in mental health care—and why culturally responsive therapy can help people feel seen, understood, and supported.
This conversation reminds us that health is deeply connected to more than the physical body.
To learn more about Sierra, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

Architecture is about more than designing buildings. It can influence how communities live, connect, grow, and envision their future.
In this episode of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith welcomes Drake Dillard, an accomplished registered architect, community leader, mentor, and advocate for diversity in the architectural profession, for an important conversation titled: "The Citizen Architect"
With more than four decades of experience, Drake has led and contributed to complex medical, educational, and commercial projects while maintaining a deep commitment to community engagement and public service.
He believes in the idea of the Citizen Architect—a professional who not only designs spaces but also listens to communities, engages with stakeholders, mentors future generations, and uses their skills to help create stronger neighborhoods.
Drake's work includes the design of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in South Los Angeles, and throughout his career, he has been a vocal advocate for increasing diversity and representation within architecture.
Drake Dillard brings together professional expertise and a commitment to public service, demonstrating how architecture can become a powerful tool for community engagement, representation, and positive change.
Whether you're interested in design, public service, neighborhood development, or creating stronger communities, this conversation offers an opportunity to think differently about the spaces around us—and the people who help shape them.
 
To learn more about Rev. Dake, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

Religion and spirituality have shaped civilizations, inspired movements, created communities, and provided meaning and hope to people around the world.
But throughout history, religious beliefs and institutions have also been connected to systems of power, social control, political influence, division, and conflict.
In this episode of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith welcomes Dr. Larry “Cocoa” Welton, Los Angeles-based public speaker, global lecturer, teacher, workshop facilitator, and founder of the Moriah Institute, for a thought-provoking conversation titled: “Weaponizing Religion”
Dr. Welton brings decades of study and discussion focused on socio-politics, human behavioral motivations, and the intersection of science, philosophy, and religion. Influenced by a wide range of intellectual and spiritual traditions, his work encourages deeper examination of the ideas and belief systems that shape human behavior and society.
Together, we explore questions surrounding the relationship between faith, power, influence, culture, and control.
This conversation is not about telling listeners what they should or should not believe.
Instead, it creates space for reflection, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue about one of the most influential forces in human history.
Whether you are religious, spiritual, questioning, or simply interested in the role belief plays in society, this episode invites you to think deeper.
Listen, reflect, and join the conversation.
To learn more about Rev. Dr. Welton, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus

Can storytelling be a pathway to healing?
In this episode of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold Smith welcomes Rev. Albert Starr, Jr., DD for a powerful conversation about the transformative role of poetry, storytelling, song, and art.
Rev. Starr is a minister, pastor/teacher, storyteller, workshop leader, conference presenter, and Artist in Residence at Synod Assembly. A native of Durham, North Carolina, he has made Los Angeles his home with his wife, Judith, and has spent decades serving communities through ministry, education, leadership, and the arts.
His career has included serving as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, Director for African Descent Ministries, and Director for Ethnic Specific Ministries within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Throughout his work, Rev. Starr has explored the intersection of race, culture, economics, faith, diversity, and community.
Our stories can carry pain—but they can also carry wisdom, resilience, hope, and healing.
Join us for a conversation about the power of finding your voice and giving meaning to the experiences that have shaped you.
To learn more about Rev. Dr. Albert, click here ===> CLICK HERE
------Whether you're tuning in for insights, solutions, or a dose of motivation, The Urban Family Focus Podcast is your destination for meaningful talk that matters.Subscribe today and be part of the movement to uplift, educate, and transform our future—one conversation at a time.Rev. Jerrold Smith is a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and seasoned media professional dedicated to uplifting urban families through faith, wellness, and empowerment. As host of Urban Family Focus, Rev. Jerrold brings decades of experience in community leadership, marketing, and ministry to the mic—offering real conversations, expert insight, and inspiring stories that spark meaningful change. His mission is simple: to amplify voices that matter and build stronger, healthier communities—one episode at a time.🎙️www.UrbanFamilyFocus.com🎙️https://www.instagram.com/urbanfamfocus/🎙️https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFamilyFocus🎙️https://x.com/UrbanFam_Focus