The Power of Cultivating Safe Spaces for Men Part 1 (feat. Justin Raghoo)
04/22/25 • 39 min
Happy Tuesday! In this episode of the Rough Edges podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Justin Raghoo a dedicated professional in the sales and finance sector and an active servant in ministry. We went deep into the important topic of men's mental health, exploring the stigma surrounding men expressing their emotions and seeking help.
Justin shared his powerful faith journey, highlighting how his upbringing in a challenging environment shaped his relationship with God. He emphasized the importance of worship and community in his life, as well as his passion for reaching those who may feel disconnected from traditional church settings.
We discussed the barriers men face when it comes to mental health, including the lack of male therapists and the cultural competence needed in mental health care. Justin pointed out that many men feel uncomfortable seeking help due to societal expectations and the fear of being judged.
He also shared his personal experiences with therapy illustrating the importance of finding the right fit and being honest about one's struggles. This episode serves as a reminder that mental health and faith can coexist, and that seeking professional help is part of healing. I hope our discussion inspires listeners to break the stigma and foster open conversations about mental health in their own communities.
In this episode we cover:
● How Justin’s challenging upbringing influenced his relationship with God and shaped his faith
● Creating safe spaces for men discussing their struggles and seeking support
● The role of worship and community in emphasizing the importance of spiritual practices and connection in maintaining mental wellness
● We also discussed issues like the lack of male therapists and cultural competence in mental health support
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
● Connect with Justin on Instagram and find out more of his work HERE!
● Listen to last week's episode HERE!
● Check out our faith based women of color shop here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more
● Leave a review here if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!
● Connect with us on Instagram! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Connect with us on YouTube! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Connect with us on Facebook! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Follow us on TikTok! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]
Happy Tuesday! In this episode of the Rough Edges podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Justin Raghoo a dedicated professional in the sales and finance sector and an active servant in ministry. We went deep into the important topic of men's mental health, exploring the stigma surrounding men expressing their emotions and seeking help.
Justin shared his powerful faith journey, highlighting how his upbringing in a challenging environment shaped his relationship with God. He emphasized the importance of worship and community in his life, as well as his passion for reaching those who may feel disconnected from traditional church settings.
We discussed the barriers men face when it comes to mental health, including the lack of male therapists and the cultural competence needed in mental health care. Justin pointed out that many men feel uncomfortable seeking help due to societal expectations and the fear of being judged.
He also shared his personal experiences with therapy illustrating the importance of finding the right fit and being honest about one's struggles. This episode serves as a reminder that mental health and faith can coexist, and that seeking professional help is part of healing. I hope our discussion inspires listeners to break the stigma and foster open conversations about mental health in their own communities.
In this episode we cover:
● How Justin’s challenging upbringing influenced his relationship with God and shaped his faith
● Creating safe spaces for men discussing their struggles and seeking support
● The role of worship and community in emphasizing the importance of spiritual practices and connection in maintaining mental wellness
● We also discussed issues like the lack of male therapists and cultural competence in mental health support
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
● Connect with Justin on Instagram and find out more of his work HERE!
● Listen to last week's episode HERE!
● Check out our faith based women of color shop here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more
● Leave a review here if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!
● Connect with us on Instagram! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Connect with us on YouTube! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Connect with us on Facebook! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Follow us on TikTok! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]
Previous Episode
Uplifting Men’s Voices In Mental Health Advocacy (feat. Brandon Russ)
Growing up, Brandon Russ often felt emotions deeply yet found himself navigating a world that questioned his vulnerability. His journey took a significant turn after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2017, a revelation that led him to embrace his emotional depth and channel it into advocacy.
Through our conversation Brandon shares moments from his life illustrating how faith, creativity, and serving others have become his anchors in managing mental health challenges.
Our discussion also takes a critical look at the societal norms surrounding masculinity, especially the stigmas that discourage men from expressing emotions or seeking mental health support.
Brandon bravely shares his experiences of criticism and conformity to hyper-masculine ideals and how he's found liberation in spaces that welcome emotional openness. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of authenticity.
In this episode, Brandon and I aspire to inspire others to pursue their own paths for healing and growth.
In this episode we cover:
● Brandon’s journey with bipolar disorder and emotional vulnerability
● Challenges of masculinity norms and emotional suppression in men
● The role of faith, creativity, and service in managing mental health
● Unique cultural pressures faced by Black men regarding mental health
● The importance of advocacy, open conversations, and redefining strength
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
● Connect with Brandon on Instagram and find out more of his work HERE!
● Listen to last week's episode HERE!
● Check out our faith based women of color shop here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more
● Leave a review here if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!
● Connect with us on Instagram! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Connect with us on YouTube! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Connect with us on Facebook! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Follow us on TikTok! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]
Next Episode
The Power of Cultivating Safe Spaces for Men Part 2 (feat. Justin Raghoo)
Welcome back to the second part of this empowering episode with special guest, Justin Raghoo. In this episode, we dive into a compelling conversation with guest Justin about men's mental health within church environments. We explore societal expectations placed on men in spiritual spaces and discuss how to create more inclusive and supportive communities.
Justin offers heartfelt advice encouraging listeners not to give up on themselves despite struggles. He emphasizes that there is hope at the end of every tunnel and urges an honest relationship with God amidst trials.
Join Justin and I as we discuss how redefining manhood through a spiritual lens can foster healthier relationships.
In this episode we cover:
● The need for intentional spaces where men feel safe sharing their vulnerabilities
● Highlighting Jesus' example as a model for healthy relationships
● Societal expectations placed on men in spiritual spaces
● Men's mental health within church environments
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
● Connect with Justin on Instagram and find out more of his work HERE!
● Listen to last week's episode HERE!
● Check out our faith based women of color shop here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more
● Leave a review here if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!
● Connect with us on Instagram! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Connect with us on YouTube! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Connect with us on Facebook! (@rough.edges.podcast)
● Follow us on TikTok! (@roughedgeswithsarah)
● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]
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