Welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone! Good evening, and thank you for joining me LIVE on The Lotus Flower Podcast, where healing begins and purpose blooms.

I am your host, Dr. Pamela Robinson, and I am delighted to welcome you to this special broadcast as we close out our October Breast Cancer Awareness series.

Tonight, we are going beyond the pink to shine a light on an important topic that is often overlooked: male breast cancer, particularly among African American men.

I am honored to welcome our special guest, Mr. Travis Douglas, a Stage 1, Grade A, ER2-positive male breast cancer survivor, advocate, and man of faith. He joins us to share his personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and his mission to educate and encourage others.

Mr. Douglas's willingness to share his testimony reminds us that breast cancer can affect men, too, and that no one should have to face this journey in silence.

Did you know? The numbers matter.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 2,800 men in the United States were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, and approximately 510 men were expected to die from the disease. These are estimates, not final confirmed counts.

Although male breast cancer is relatively uncommon, every number represents a person, a family, and a community. These statistics remind us why education, awareness, and timely medical attention matter.

Learn more: https://www.cancer.org/.../types/breast-cancer-in-men.html

Breast cancer is not exclusively a woman's disease. Men have breast tissue, and changes in that tissue should never be ignored.

A special message to African American men

To our fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, uncles, grandfathers, pastors, coaches, and friends: your health matters, your life matters, and your voice matters.

Sometimes, men may delay seeking care because they believe breast cancer cannot affect them, feel embarrassed discussing breast changes, or fear what a diagnosis might mean.

But there is no shame in asking questions, scheduling an appointment, seeking a second opinion, or accepting support.

Taking care of yourself is an act of strength. It is an investment in your future and in the people who love you.

Let us encourage our brothers to speak up, seek answers, and take their health seriously.

Breast cancer resources and support

Resources 0000000000000000000000000000

1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Breast cancer in men

Website: https://www.dana-farber.org/

Main appointments line: 877-442-3324

2. Susan G. Komen — Breast cancer information and support

Breast Care Helpline: 1-877-465-6636

Website: https://www.komen.org/.../by-diagnosis/male-breast-cancer/

3. Male Breast Cancer Coalition

A resource dedicated to male breast cancer awareness, education, advocacy, and survivor stories.

Website: https://malebreastcancercoalition.org/

4. Malecare — Men's cancer support

Malecare provides cancer education, advocacy, and support, including initiatives focused on underserved communities and African American men's health.

Website: https://malecare.org/

9. African American Breast Cancer Alliance

Website: https://aabcainc.org/

BEYOND THE PINK WITH DORLA BONNER-COLEMAN

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for our community, the conversation goes far deeper than a pink ribbon. 🎗️While overall diagnosis rates are similar, systemic barriers mean Black women face a mortality rate nearly 40% higher than their white peers, often fighting aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer at younger ages.

But statistics do not tell the whole story. Resilience does. 💪🏾All month long on The Lotus Flower Podcast, we are breaking the silence, challenging health disparities, and spotlighting the power of early detection and community healing through powerful conversations with breast cancer survivors.

Meet Our Special Guest: Dorla E. Coleman-Bonner

Dorla Bonner-Coleman is an ordained minister, community leader, and dedicated public servant with over 35 years of experience in DEI, grant development, and community leadership. Retiring as the City of Kalamazoo’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dorla has devoted her life and career to uplifting marginalized communities, empowering youth, and advocating for equity.

A two-time breast cancer survivor who began her fight at age 18, Dorla shares her personal journey and ongoing healing to educate, inspire, and teach communities how to truly support those facing a cancer diagnosis.

Key Discussion Highlights:

Unwavering Faith & Service: Navigating Leadership, Ministry, and Advocacy Through Life's Trials

A Lifelong Journey of Resilience: Standing Strong Through Two Diagnoses and Long-Term Treatment Effects

Healing Through Community: Practical and Compassionate Ways to Support Loved Ones Facing Breast Cancer

BROADCAST DETAILS:

Date & Time: Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST

WATCH LIVE ON:• YouTube: The Lotus Flower • Facebook: Dr. Pamela Robinson

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🌐 CONNECT: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms.

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Breast Cancer Resources for Black women

TOUCH: The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

Website: touchbbca.org

Focuses on improving outcomes for Black people affected by breast cancer through education, advocacy, community support, research, and clinical-trial awareness. Its resources include information for newly diagnosed patients, survivors, and people considering clinical trials.

American Cancer Society

Website: cancer.org

Provides breast cancer screening information, treatment education, support resources, and guidance for patients and families. Its Cancer Helpline is available at 1-800-227-2345.

Sisters Network Inc.

Website: sistersnetworkinc.org

A national African American breast cancer survivorship organization offering community-based support, education, and assistance programs.

National Cancer Institute

Website: cancer.gov

Provides evidence-based cancer information and a clinical-trial search tool for people interested in research studies.

Susan G. Komen

Website: komen.org

Offers breast cancer education, patient navigation, support resources, and information about financial assistance.

TONIGHT ON THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST: A SPECIAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH CONVERSATION!

Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms.

Breast cancer is more than a diagnosis. It is a journey that affects individuals, families, and entire communities. For the African American community, raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and creating space for survivors to share their stories are especially important.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 9 Black women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Breast cancer also affects Black men, who experience the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality rates among men across racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

These realities remind us that breast cancer awareness must extend beyond pink ribbons. It is about knowing your body, recognizing potential warning signs, seeking medical attention, and encouraging the people we love to prioritize their health. Breast cancer can affect men, too, and their experiences and stories deserve to be heard.

🌸 A SPECIAL MONTH-LONG SERIES ON THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST

Throughout October, I am dedicating The Lotus Flower Podcast to a special series featuring breast cancer survivors and individuals at different stages of their breast cancer journeys. Through these powerful conversations, we are highlighting the realities of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, faith, emotional wellness, resilience, and the journey toward healing.

Each guest brings a unique story of courage, challenge, perseverance, and hope. My goal is to create meaningful conversations that help break the silence, raise awareness, encourage early detection, and remind survivors and their families that they are not alone.

Because behind every diagnosis is a human story. Behind every survivor is a journey. And within every story is the potential to encourage someone else.

🌸 TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUEST: DEDRA HARRELL

Join me as I welcome Dedra Harrell, a powerhouse leader with more than 40 years of experience in leadership, service, and administration. A proud U.S. Army and Army National Guard veteran who served for 21 years, and an ordained Elder, Dedra is passionate about empowering others to recognize their potential and move forward with purpose.

In October 2024, Dedra was diagnosed with triple-negative, Stage 3, metastatic breast cancer. Today, she is celebrating more than a year cancer-free and courageously sharing her journey of faith, strength, and triumph to bring hope, comfort, and encouragement to others.

Her story is a powerful reminder that a breast cancer diagnosis does not define an entire life. Through her experiences, Dedra offers a meaningful perspective on navigating life's unexpected challenges, drawing strength from faith and family, and continuing to embrace life with gratitude and purpose.

🌸 A CONVERSATION OF FAITH, RESILIENCE, AND HOPE

Tonight, we will have the opportunity to hear Dedra's story in her own words, learn from her experiences, and reflect on the realities of her breast cancer journey. Her testimony offers an opportunity to consider the importance of support, perseverance, faith, and finding renewed purpose through life's most challenging seasons.

Whether you are a survivor, currently navigating a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to become more informed, this conversation is for you.

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 407! This is the second feature in our Breast Cancer Awareness Month series on The Lotus Flower Podcast. In this moving episode titled Healing in Real Time, I am joined by my cousin, apparel creator and entrepreneur Sheryl Lynn Haymon.

Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Sheryl is navigating her healing journey with incredible strength, resilience, and a heart ready to share her story. Born in Long Beach and raised in Fresno, California, with deep roots in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Sheryl operates her home and business studio out of Inglewood, Southern California.

During our conversation, Sheryl shares her powerful journey to early detection, her creative legacy honoring our ancestors through Sheryl Lynn Apparel, and her vital community initiatives, including the Sheryl Lynn Apparel Mentor Program, the "Shadow Me Then Shine, Haymon Scholarship Fund," and the "Black Design Collective."

All month long on The Lotus Flower Podcast, we are BREAKING THE SILENCE. We are talking about the real numbers, confronting health disparities, emphasizing the power of early detection, and creating space for honest conversations about breast cancer, healing, resilience, and hope.

📊 THE NUMBERS MATTER

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 321,910 women in the US will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, alongside 60,730 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

While incidence rates are similar between Black and White women, Black women experience a mortality rate approximately 40% higher and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

Access to timely screening, follow-up care, and research remains critical, especially for Black and Brown communities.

💕 AWARENESS MUST LEAD TO ACTION

Don't just wear pink. Take action:

Get screened and know your personal and family health history.

Talk with your healthcare provider about the right screening schedule for you.

Support one another, share reliable information, and contribute to reputable cancer organizations if you are able.

🌸 WHERE CAN YOU GET SCREENED?

Nationwide Resources: Check the FDA-certified mammography directory, the National Cancer Institute, or the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program for uninsured and low-income individuals.

North Carolina & Triangle Area: Eligible women ages 40–64 can explore the NC Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (NC BCCCP). Local imaging services are also available through Wake Radiology UNC Health Rex, Duke Health, and WakeMed. Always ask about financial assistance if cost is a concern!

📺 CONNECT & LISTEN

Watch: YouTube (The Lotus Flower) | Facebook (The Dr. Pamela Robinson)

Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

Website: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

💕 Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your health matters. Don't just wear pink—TAKE ACTION.

The Lotus Flower Podcast

🌸 Where Healing Begins & Purpose Blooms.

Disclaimer: The content shared on The Lotus Flower Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

#TheLotusFlowerPodcast #HealingInRealTime #BreastCancerAwareness #BlackHealthMatters #Resilience #EarlyDetection #MentalWellness

I am honored to welcome special guest Dr. Charles Wyatt Johnson (D.Th., Pastor, Advisor, Strategist & Thought Leader) for a powerful conversation exploring how the Church can embrace creativity, technology, and digital platforms to reach people with the timeless truth of the Gospel.

🐟 WHERE ARE THE FISH?

Using the fish as a metaphor for ministry, we will challenge traditional approaches to evangelism and ask: Are we willing to go where the people are, or are we expecting them to come to us? Together, we will explore what it means to fulfill the Great Commission in today's digital world.

📖 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15

💡 WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE:

Discover how faith leaders, churches, and Christian creators can use digital tools to communicate biblical truth, build meaningful communities, and reach people who may never enter a traditional church.

We will discuss the difference between creating Christian content and making disciples, the importance of authentic connection, and how innovation can expand ministry without compromising the Gospel.

This conversation invites us to consider whether we are measuring ministry by numbers or transformed lives—and whether God is calling us to launch into unfamiliar waters.

📖 “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” — Luke 5:4

🔥 A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR MINISTRY

What if ministry is not simply about building bigger spaces, but building broader bridges? What if the mission field has changed, but the assignment has not?

Join us as we explore how creativity, faith, and digital innovation can help us reach people where they are.

📺 WATCH LIVE NOW:

YouTube: The Lotus Flower

Facebook: The Dr. Pamela Robinson

Join the conversation, ask questions, and share what resonates with you throughout the episode!

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

🌐 FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com for additional resources, to connect with me, leave a comment, and subscribe for updates!

🌸 The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Hope Blooms & Healing Begins.

#TheLotusFlowerPodcast #DrPamelaRobinson #DrCharlesWyattJohnson #DigitalMinistry #CreativeMinistry #FaithAndInnovation #ChristianPodcast #ChurchInnovation #GreatCommission #ChristianCreators #WhereHopeBlooms #WhereHealingBegins

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for our community, the conversation goes far deeper than a pink ribbon. 🎗️

While overall diagnosis rates are similar, systemic barriers mean Black women face a mortality rate nearly 40% higher than their white peers, often fighting aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer at younger ages.

But statistics do not tell the whole story. Resilience does. 💪🏾

All month long, we are breaking the silence. We are tackling the real numbers, challenging health disparities, and spotlighting the power of early detection and community healing through powerful conversations with breast cancer survivors—including a special, eye-opening interview with a male survivor. By featuring both women and men who have walked this path, we are shattering the dangerous myth that breast cancer is exclusively a women's health issue. Tissue is tissue, awareness has no gender, and survival takes all of us.

Tune in this Thursday to share in stories of triumph, reclaim our health, and shift from disparity to unstoppable power.

BROADCAST DETAILS:

📅 Date: Thursday at 7:00 PM EST

📺 WATCH LIVE ON: * YouTube: The Lotus Flower

Facebook: The Dr. Pamela Robinson

🎧 LISTEN ANYTIME: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🌐 CONNECT: DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com

The Lotus Flower Podcast — Where Healing Begins and Purpose Blooms. 🌸

#BreastCancerAwareness #HealthEquity #TheLotusFlowerPodcast #BlackHealthMatters #MaleBreastCancerSurvivor #Resilience #EarlyDetection #MentalWellness

Welcome, everyone, and thank you so much for joining us tonight for this powerful and important conversation!

I am Dr. Pamela Robinson, and I am honored to welcome my special guests, Dr. Michael Bart Mathews and Mr. Ray Scott, as we discuss: “Who Holds the Strong Black Man? Black Men, Grief & the Permission to Heal” Tonight, we are having an honest and meaningful conversation about Black men, grief, mental health, emotional resilience, and the permission to feel, process, and heal. To everyone joining us from Chicago and the Central Time Zone, thank you for being here with us at 6:00 PM Central Time. We are grateful that you have chosen to spend this time with us.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH This is more than a conversation about grief. It is an opportunity to better understand the emotional experiences of Black men and the expectations, pressures, losses, and responsibilities they often carry. As a Trauma-Informed Mental Health Therapist, Dr. Pamela Robinson specializes in blending evidence-informed secular and faith-based principles to support healing, hope, emotional wellness, and personal growth. Tonight's conversation creates space for both practical mental health insight and the role that faith, spirituality, community, and healthy relationships can play in the healing journey.

WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS? Join us and walk away with greater insight into: Why many Black men have been conditioned to be strong while struggling to give themselves permission to grieve and heal How grief can impact emotional health, relationships, identity, faith, and daily life The importance of creating emotionally safe spaces where Black men can be honest about what they are carrying How women can better listen to, understand, encourage, and support the Black men in their lives Practical and faith-centered perspectives on healing, resilience, hope, and emotional wellness Why strength and vulnerability do not have to be opposites Ladies, I especially encourage you to join this conversation and engage with us. As women, we often love, support, work alongside, raise, and care deeply about Black men. This conversation gives us an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand how we can support the emotional health and healing of the men in our lives. Whether you are a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, colleague, or someone who simply cares about the well-being of Black men, your voice and perspective are welcome here.

📺 WATCH LIVE NOW The Lotus Flower YouTube Channel The Dr. Pamela Regina Robinson Facebook Page 🎧 LISTEN TO THE LOTUS FLOWER PODCAST

You can also listen to The Lotus Flower Podcast on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music And other major podcast platforms Let’s have an honest, culturally relevant, and meaningful conversation about grief, healing, emotional wellness, faith, and the question: Who Holds the Strong Black Man?

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT Engage: LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE! Share your thoughts, questions, and insights in the live chat during the broadcast. Share: Invite a friend and pass this conversation along to someone who needs to hear it. Connect: For therapy resources, educational materials, and additional information, visit DrPamelaRobinsonSpeaks.com.

About The Lotus Flower Podcast Hosted, created, and produced by Dr. Pamela Robinson, The Lotus Flower Podcast is dedicated to elevating diverse voices and meaningful conversations surrounding mental health, faith, culture, leadership, personal growth, healing, and holistic wellness.

Women, come join us. Men, come join us. Let’s have an honest and meaningful conversation about grief, healing, and who holds the Strong Black Man. Thank you again for joining us! We are so glad you are here.

Join me, Dr. Pamela Robinson, for Season 4 EP135 of The Lotus Flower Podcast featuring special guest Amber Roberts, MSW, LCSW — my cousin and an incredible woman of purpose making a powerful impact in the mental health field.

This special episode marks Amber’s second appearance on the podcast as we close out Mental Health Awareness Month with an authentic and empowering conversation centered around women’s mental health, healing, motherhood, resilience, boundaries, self-care, and emotional wellness.

Amber Roberts is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years in the social work field and the founder of Empowering Girls to Overcome LLC, a virtual therapy practice serving teen girls, young women, and mothers across Florida. Amber is also a wife and mother of three whose personal and professional experiences continue to inspire and empower others through healing-centered work.

“Still Healing, Still Growing: Navigating Womanhood, Mental Wellness & Purpose”

Together, we’ll discuss the realities many women quietly carry while balancing relationships, motherhood, careers, caregiving, emotional labor, and personal healing. This conversation will offer encouragement, practical insight, and a reminder that healing is not weakness—it is strength.

🌸 Why You Should Watch 🌸

This episode is for:

• Women learning to prioritize their mental health

• Mothers balancing family and self-care

• Helpers and caregivers experiencing emotional burnout

• Teen girls and young women navigating identity and pressure

• Individuals seeking healing, growth, and emotional wellness

• Anyone who needs encouragement, hope, and honest conversation

🌸 Podcast Overview

The Lotus Flower Podcast is a culturally affirming platform created to uplift, educate, and empower—particularly within the African American community—through authentic conversations surrounding mental health, healing, relationships, faith, personal growth, and wellness.

Our mission is to create a safe and supportive space where conversations inspire hope, encourage emotional wellness, and promote healing and growth within our communities.

📲 We Are Streaming LIVE NOW:

• Facebook: Pamela Regina Robinson

• YouTube: The Lotus Flower Podcast

Announcement

✨ I will be taking a summer sabbatical from June through August and returning in September. During this season, I look forward to resting, spending quality time with loved ones, vacationing, enjoying outdoor festivals, participating in community pop-up events for my entrepreneurship businesses, building meaningful partnerships, and upgrading The Lotus Flower Podcast studio for an even greater experience when we return this fall. While I am away, be sure to watch the previously recorded episodes in the replay on the Lotus Flower YouTube channel.

This time away is intentional and necessary—allowing space for restoration, creativity, balance, and continued growth both personally and professionally.

✨ Don’t forget to:

👍 Like

💬 Comment

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