Today we’d like to introduce you to Nia King.
Hi Nia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Norwalk, California my whole life. I had experienced some childhood trauma at a young age and it affected my behavior. I was unaware of how to cope with my emotions. My experience as a child influenced me to help other children who were in similar situations. So my goal going to college was to find a field of work that allowed me to help children. During my senior year at Hampton University I decided to go into therapy. So I went on to obtain my MSW (Master of Social Work) in 2019 and started to enjoy giving therapy to children. It was great to see the results of how therapy could change the way that they regulated their emotions.
In the summer of last year, I came up with the idea to create a podcast that helps normalize therapy within the black community. I also made it a point to add on a male cohost in order to encourage black men to seek therapy when needed. I wanted to appeal to Millennials and Generation Z because I noticed that we have been struggling more than the older generations during the pandemic because of our need for social interaction. My goal with the podcast was to teach people about mental health and normalize seeking help when you’re going through something but in a way that was nonjudgmental. Even down to the title of my podcast, “What’s Good With You?” that’s a common phrase that younger people use in order to check on their friends or when they notice their friend’s behavior has changed. When I put out the description of the podcast when it began, not only did I want to normalize therapy but I also wanted to help people understand that black women and black men experience emotions and trauma differently than one another and by listening, we can learn how to coexist and have better relationships and friendships. The response that I received from the podcast has been amazing. The best part about doing this podcast is that I am helping people recognize that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and also that they are not the only ones going through these mental health issues. The most rewarding part of this podcast is being able to help my listeners cope through their emotional issues.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t say that it has been smooth. I feel that the hardest part for me is since I still work full-time as a school therapist and also producing a podcast that it’s hard to find time for myself. I personally go to therapy as well and still have a lot of things that I am dealing with in treatment so sometimes I may feel discouraged. But I would say that the difficulties or obstacles that I’ve ran into trying to create this podcast has been more so of a learning experience. Even though people on the outside looking in may see these as setbacks, I saw these as ways to adapt to a new circumstance or environment. Starting a new podcast in the middle of a pandemic can be difficult because there are so many podcasts out there. But what would help me was focusing more on the purpose of the podcast. When people would call me after listening to an episode telling me “Wow Nia this is something that I struggle with too”, it made everything worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My current job is a School Therapist. What I love most about my career is that I’m able to make an impact on a child’s life that possibly can help them as they grow. I have only been working in the field for about two years now. But the best feeling is when a client will share with me at the end of treatment that they are thankful for me and that their life has changed. My heart hurts from some of these children’s stories that I listen to, but if I’m even able to help them with just a portion of that I am grateful. What sets me apart from other people in my field is my charisma and my ability to meet my clients where they’re at. So when working with children if that means I have to dress up in a costume or wear cartoons on my shirt I’m going to do that. I am going to put myself on that child’s level meaning I will play dolls with them, I will sing, or dance in order to help them regulate and educate them about their emotions. I take the time to even watch some of the shows that they watch or listen to the music that they listen to in order to help connect with them and to earn their trust. What I’m most proud of is my natural affinity towards children. More recently, I have immersed myself in the world of podcasting. It’s funny because growing up, I would always get in trouble in class for talking all the time or talking back. Now I have a platform where I’m able to talk freely and in the beginning, I was nervous. But now it comes so naturally that even my listeners are starting to notice that I just have this confidence when I’m doing the podcast. With the help of some mentors, I have been able to improve in my on-air personality.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Transparency is the most important characteristic that is important to my success. I can’t expect my listeners or my clients to be vulnerable if I cannot demonstrate that. I am not afraid to stand in my truth and talk about my past trauma and depression. At the end of it all I know that sharing my story will help make it easier for other people to share theirs. Patience is also needed in the world of podcasting and mental health. In podcasting, there is a lot of work behind the scenes that you might see the results as soon as you would like. In therapy, it takes patience because you have to earn the trust of your client, that can take weeks or months.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://linktr.ee/whatsgoodwithyou
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__whatsgoodwithyou/; https://www.instagram.com/niaqueen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTNcaivs26qigEgWIWe26ug
Image Credits:
Bjoyous Graphics Hillford Ave.
