When Nikki Swarn launched the “Therapy Thursday” radio segment nearly a decade ago, she had no way of knowing the integral role it would play in her personal development, or that it would grow into a full-scale wellness movement. 

What began as an outlet for her inner thoughts and creativity is now a powerful nonprofit and podcast series rooted in vulnerability, accessibility and healing – especially for Black women who, like her, have spent years holding space for others while often being denied space for themselves. 

“Therapy Thursday started as a love letter to myself,” Swarn says. “There’s only about three to five percent of Black women in radio management. I was often the only one in the room, and I needed somewhere to put all those experiences.”

A Fearless Voice

Swarn is one of the few Black women in the country to hold executive positions in media, most recently serving as general manager at Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM). After years of navigating underrepresentation and systemic barriers, she leaned into something more personal. 

She adopted the pen name “Amerykah Jones,” and began blogging about her struggles, triumphs and reflections. The cathartic online journaling eventually gave birth to “Therapy Thursday;” first as a radio feature, and later as a multimedia, community-centered initiative.

When she left RMPM, she took ”Therapy Thursday” with her, transforming it into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and launching its first season as a live-recorded podcast. 

“It keeps evolving, which is brilliant and I love it,” she beams. “And what a gift, right? What a gift from God.” 

The unique format features episodes taped before a live audience, often in welcoming spaces like the Museum for Black Girls, where attendees are treated to snacks, conversations with licensed therapists and open dialogue that centers the lived experiences of BIPOC women.

A Different Approach

Recognizing that a live podcast isn’t a traditional setting for therapy, Swarn shares her rationale behind the innovative format. 

Comfort is key, she admits, acknowledging that for many, “Therapy Thursday” might be the first opportunity to engage in therapeutic conversation.

“So often, we think it’s like laying on a couch and somebody holding a notebook, because that’s what it’s been perceived to be or how it’s shown on television.” 

She and other innovators have intentionally created a supportive community environment, and she says the stigma around mental health is better now than it’s ever been. 

While traditional one-to-one engagement works best for some, she points to the “cool, dynamic facets” involved in approaches that incorporate art, movement, color and journaling.

“There are so many different spaces for people to start to identify with feeling their best selves, manifesting and working to the best of their ability to be holistically healthy.” 

A Community Vibe

“Therapy Thursday” features an impressive rotation of Black and Brown mental health professionals, each offering their expertise on topics ranging from generational trauma and career pivots to political disappointment and family dynamics. With a bombardment of news and information from social and digital media, Swarn is proud to have created a tool that uplifts and promotes wellness, especially for those who share her experiences. 

“I really focus on Black women because we carry so many things, and we forget that we can reflect each other’s experiences – not just locally, but globally.” 

Prioritizing collaboration, she partners with Queenlyfe Inc., Black Pride Colorado, Youth Seen, the Black Mental Health Collaborative and the Therapist of Color Collaborative. She is excited to be working with other nonprofits, like Colorado Black Women for Political Action (CBWPA), as a member of the Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund’s Executive Director’s of Color Institute cohort. 

Guests like CBWPA President, Bianka Emerson, have helped shape the show’s programming based on community needs. After the 2024 election, she and Swarn facilitated a pop-up event where women gathered to vent, process and heal. 

Additionally, service providers like Michelle Simmons, Robert Franklin, Jason Vitello and Sheila Hughes discuss real-life applications of mental wellness technique while teaching audiences how to advocate for themselves in therapeutic settings. 

“Our material isn’t sourced by me or my materials – it’s sourced by the community,” she emphasizes. “People tell us what they’re feeling, and we build the conversation around that.”

A model built around participatory storytelling has transformed “Therapy Thursday” into a cultural touchpoint, with over 40 episodes produced in the first season. Swarn describes the podcast as a “hug,” a response to a society in crisis and an alternative to a mental health care system that too often excludes marginalized voices.

A Pivot to Purpose

Swarn’s own journey with therapy has also been integral to the project. She candidly recalls the experience of having her mental health weaponized by a former employer, reinforcing the need for support.

“I needed somebody who could help me unlock the possibility within me,” she recalls. “It’s a really lonely feeling when you’re being gaslit or feeling like you did something wrong. Leaning into the experience helped me find a great therapist. I wanted people to understand that journey.”

With the first season of “Therapy Thursday” now complete, Swarn is turning her attention to efforts that expand the brand’s reach, with hopes to secure syndicated distribution. 

Additionally, the media maven is thrilled about another developing project: Solar Radio, an all-Black-woman radio station focused on wellness, music and mental health dialogue on a global scale. The project, presented by her Solar Wellness Network brand, is the next iteration of innovation. 

Solar Wellness

In every aspect of her work and future plans, Swarn is pushing back against systems that exclude or misrepresent Black voices in healthcare, journalism and now, artificial intelligence (AI).

In the process of developing the framework for the Solar Wellness Network, her encounters with AI alerted her to the troubling effects of technological inequity. 

A number of lawsuits were recently filed after AI technology prevented people of color from receiving major life saving healthcare procedures due to race-based framework archetypes. Similar lawsuits have been initiated due to discriminatory hiring practices. 

“That’s why this is the next evolution of where I take “Therapy Thursday,” she says. “It’s in policy, being a part of governance and being a part of understanding how these tools work and where this implicit bias exists.” 

She sees the potential of AI as a therapeutic tool for people within the criminal justice system, and is committed to being part of its evolution to ensure that new technologies are being used ethically. 

On-Air

As Swarn works to get Solar Radio on air, the next official season of “Therapy Thursday” is expected to go live in 2026. In the meantime, she and her team are still deeply active in the community, hosting events and preparing for broader distribution. 

Having built a safe, supported and healing community through her podcast, she credits mentors Becky Taylor, Tracy Williams and Andrena McGuire Collier, for helping her chart a path with integrity.

Embodying grace and leaving ego at the door, she continues to hold space for healing through conversation, community and “meeting people where they are.” 

Editor’s note: To learn more about “Therapy Thursday,” follow the organization on social media at @trytherapythursday or visit www.therapythursday.org.