"And Then We Rise”: 3 highlights from Common & Dr. Walker’s “Calm Conversation”

Common discusses his path to self-love with Dr. Rheeda Walker, as detailed in his new book, "And Then We Rise." The pair share practical strategies for holistic wellbeing, with a particular focus on the Black community.

“This book is my love letter to our community... What I want people to get from this book is that loving yourself will be the most fulfilling thing you've done in your life." — Common

In the insightful and inspiring conversation between Dr. Rheeda Walker and Common, the Grammy-winning artist and activist, opens up about his journey towards self-love and personal fulfillment, as detailed in his new book "And Then We Rise." Common shares personal experiences, reflections, and practical strategies that can help individuals, especially in the Black community, embark on a path of holistic wellbeing.

This conversation transforms into a universal guide, providing practical insights for everyone to foster a well-rounded and fulfilling life.

Here are three highlights from their conversation, which is available on YouTube or the Calm App as an audio version.

1. You can’t separate the mind from the body

“Your mental health affects your physical health, and your physical health affects your mental wellbeing… Your mental state impacts your thoughts, mood, and behavior, creating this intricate connection between your mind and body." — Common

Common and Dr. Walker discuss the profound link between the mind and body, emphasizing their interconnectedness, as well as the intricate impact of mental wellbeing on our physical health. They highlight the importance of self-care, disciplined thinking, and fortifying inner strength to confront life's hurdles effectively.

Advocating for proactive steps, Common urges regular health checkups and therapy, bringing attention to the prevalent tendency, especially among Black men, to neglect their overall wellbeing.

2. Spirituality combined with mental health tools can be transformative

"Harmonizing faith with evidence-based practices, like CBT, showcases the dynamic interplay between spirituality and mental wellbeing... We need both spiritual practices and evidence-based methods for holistic wellbeing." — Dr. Rheeda Walker

Common reflects on his spiritual journey, deeply rooted in the teachings of a non-denominational church that shaped his early years. He illustrates how he incorporates scripture and faith into his daily life, emphasizing how God can work through therapists and mindfulness tools to answer prayers.

Dr. Walker further elaborates on his thinking, sharing how scriptures, such as Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” resonate within the realm of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She underscores the significance of evidence-based practices and highlights the transformative potential of harmonizing spiritual teachings with mental health.

3. True freedom is attainable if we can commit to intentional practices

"Finding your own peace and freedom and joy within yourself will help you in dealing with the fools, with the negativity, with the energy that exists in some places." — Common

Common and Dr. Walker explore the concept of "true freedom" as a crucial principle for marginalized communities, emphasizing the proactive development of tools to safeguard wellbeing amid life's constant injustices and uncontrollable factors.

Drawing on their experiences abroad, they share stories of liberation from societal threats, as well as practical steps for applying these principles in daily life, with a focus on self-love through disciplined thinking, self-care, and psychological fortitude. Common advocates for proactive measures, including mindful eating and health checkups.

True freedom, illuminated by intentional practices, becomes a tangible and achievable goal.

For more inspiring insights, tune into Common and Dr. Walker’s conversation.

Dr. Rheeda Walker on Calm

Dr. Walker has released two transformative mental health programs with Calm, to support and empower individuals in the Black community. Dr. Walker is a clinical psychologist, professor, and author of “The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health” and Workbook.

💙 Black Self-Worth at Work addresses navigating workplace challenges, including microaggressions, racism, exclusion, and imposter syndrome.

💙 Minding Your Black Mind addresses mental health stigmas, emotional pain, spirituality, and legacy empowerment.

Download The Resource Guide: The ABCs to Minding Your Mind

Download Dr. Walker’s free resource guide: The ABCs to Minding Your Mind here — a guide to achieving small but powerfully incremental shifts in your mind and lifestyle.

Calm your mind. Change your life.

Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.