Behavioral Health in the New Normal

Behavioral In The New Normal, a podcast developed by Prestige Community Resources, addresses the crisis our community has experienced during COVID-19. Paul Wells Sr. has over 30 years of extensive clinical social work experience. Each week he conducts insightful interviews with expert guests to discuss the concerns of the Washington D.C. community. The podcast will cover topics ranging from , financial hardship, and local government to small businesses and organizations, and education and homeschooling.

Behavioral Health in the New Normal

33 Episodes Available
Episode 32

Empowering Your Mind Body & Soul During the COVID-19 Pandemic with Nikisha Moore

48.64 min Sep 2, 2025

Nikisha Moore: Empowering Your Mind Body & Soul During the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 032 with Nikisha Moore
In 2018, Nikisha Moore became a Certified Life Coach – specializing in Spiritual and Business Life Coaching. At this point in her journey, Niki...

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Nikisha Moore: Empowering Your Mind Body & Soul During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 032 with Nikisha Moore

In 2018, Nikisha Moore became a Certified Life Coach – specializing in Spiritual and Business Life Coaching. At this point in her journey, Nikisha hopes to use my life and my testimony to inspire and motivate others. In 2021, Nikisha has started the Empowered Network – a faith-based community organization founded to encourage its members to use their FAITH to EMPOWER their mind, body, spirit and finances. 

 

In the discussion they explored empowering your mind body and soul during the pandemic.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    Why it’s important to share vital information with your community and circle.

●    How turning off the news for a short while can be good for your mental health.

●    How there wasn’t a frame of reference to show what to do during the pandemic.

●    How many people are still grieving people they lost to COVID-19.

●    How people can cope with depression, anxiety, and loneliness right now.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

 

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Episode 31

Bilal Ali Prather: A Path to Peach and Faith Based Wellness

47.42 min Sep 2, 2025

Bilal Ali Prather: A Path to Peach and Faith Based Wellness
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 031 with Bilal Ali Prather
Bilal Ali Prather is a Chaplain and Islamic consultant to the Washington, D.C. Parole Dept., D.C. Dept. of Corrections, and D.C. Dept. of Youth Rehab. He has more...

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Bilal Ali Prather: A Path to Peach and Faith Based Wellness

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 031 with Bilal Ali Prather

Bilal Ali Prather is a Chaplain and Islamic consultant to the Washington, D.C. Parole Dept., D.C. Dept. of Corrections, and D.C. Dept. of Youth Rehab. He has more than twenty years specializing in recovery from the “fallen human condition” of drug/alcohol use disorder and community reintegration of returning citizens from incarceration. He Currently is a recovery group facilitator at D.C.’s model clinical Reentry Service Center, and most Blessed of all to be one of the founding members of Millati Islami (The Path of Peace) Islamic methodology for recovery.

In the discussion they explored faith-based wellness.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How Malcolm X turned his life around by integrating Islam into his recovery.

●    How COVID affected all forms of treatment and recovery.

●    How the Quran outlaws the use of any mind-altering substance.

●    Why spiritual development is critical in people’s journeys to become sober.

●    How there are different barriers that need to be crossed to reach re-entry.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

 

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Episode 30

Combatting Substance Abuse and COVID-19 Together: Masica Jordan

32.88 min Sep 2, 2025

Masica Jordan: Combatting Substance Abuse and COVID-19 Together
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 030 with Dr. Masica Jordan
Dr. Masica Jordan is a subject matter expert on culturally responsiveness. In addition to teaching multicultural counseling for over 10 years in collegiate setti...

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Masica Jordan: Combatting Substance Abuse and COVID-19 Together

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 030 with Dr. Masica Jordan

Dr. Masica Jordan is a subject matter expert on culturally responsiveness. In addition to teaching multicultural counseling for over 10 years in collegiate settings, she has presented on international platforms on race relations and has been on the front line advocating for culturally diversity and training amongst the peer recovery and behavioral health work forces.

In the discussion they explored combatting substance abuse during COVID-19.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How peer support during recovery can be beneficial for those struggling with substance abuse.

●    Why people in recovery need a solid support system to help them stay clean.

●    How peer support specialists need to have experience being around substance abuse.

●    How people can become certified as a peer support specialist.

●    Why setting boundaries is important for peer support specialists to do with the people they help.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

 

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Episode 29

How COVID-19 Impacted the Veteran Population with Sharon Green

60 min Jun 10, 2021

Sharon Green: How COVID-19 Impacted the Veteran Population
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 029 with Sharon Green
Sharon Green is a native New Yorker and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, entrepreneur, and author with more than 30 years of leadership and financial management ex...

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Sharon Green: How COVID-19 Impacted the Veteran Population

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 029 with Sharon Green

Sharon Green is a native New Yorker and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, entrepreneur, and author with more than 30 years of leadership and financial management experience. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Alethes Consulting Group, LLC, providing leadership coaching, speaking, and training for corporate executives, non-profit organizations, veterans, and individuals globally.

In the discussion they explored how COVID-19 impacted the veteran population.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How there are programs available to help veterans with housing and what they are.

●    Why the intensity at which veterans are taken care of has increased.

●    How COVID forced people to look into the future for hope.

●    Why it’s important for people to get out of the house and get some fresh air.

●    How COVID is forcing us to see people and to care.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

Links Mentioned:

alethesconsultinggroup.com

 

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Episode 28

Obtaining Education Training During the Pandemic - CAC 1: Nancy Butler

36.62 min Jun 3, 2021

Obtaining Education Training During the Pandemic – CAC 1
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 028 with Dr. Nancy Butler
Dr. Nancy Butler is currently working part time as the Director of the Catholic Charities Institute, Professional Counseling Education Program (PCEP). Dr. Butler h...

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Obtaining Education Training During the Pandemic – CAC 1

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 028 with Dr. Nancy Butler

Dr. Nancy Butler is currently working part time as the Director of the Catholic Charities Institute, Professional Counseling Education Program (PCEP). Dr. Butler has been with Catholic Charities since 2000 where she was responsible for the Family Centers in the District of Columbia. Previously, from 1986 to 1997, she was Program Director for the Department of Psychiatry at the Washington Hospital Center. She also founded the Therapeutic Recreation Department at the WHC Department of Psychiatry in 1980.

Dr. Butler has held part time and full-time teaching posts at The George Washington University, The University of Maryland, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Prince Georges Community College. She has also consulted with several mental health and substance abuse treatment organizations. Throughout her career, Dr. Butler wrote and administered grants for adult education, substance abuse, parenting and therapeutic recreation.

In their discussion they explored obtaining education during the pandemic.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●     How recreational therapy is very important for people in recovery.

●     Why you therapists and doctors have to start where their patient is.

●     How being engaged in treatment longer leads to longer lasting sobriety.

●     Why becoming an addiction counselor requires more education than it used to.

●     How long it takes to complete the addiction counseling courses.

 

Connect with Dr. Nancy Butler:

Links Mentioned:

catholiccharities.org

Guest Contact Info:

Twitter

@CCADW

Instagram

@ccadw

Facebook

facebook.com/ccadw

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/catholic-charities-of-the-archdiocese-of-washington

 

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Episode 27

Our New Normal: Virtual Learning with Dr. Loyce Pailen

59.88 min Sep 2, 2025

Our New Normal: Virtual Learning
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 027 with Dr. Loyce Pailen
Dr. Loyce B. Pailen has more than 35 years of experience in information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, software development, project management, telecommunications, risk manage...

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Our New Normal: Virtual Learning

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 027 with Dr. Loyce Pailen

Dr. Loyce B. Pailen has more than 35 years of experience in information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, software development, project management, telecommunications, risk management, and network and systems security and administration. She is the Sr. Director for the Center for Security Studies at the University of Maryland Global Campus. In the K-20 education arena, she has experience in teaching, curriculum development, instructional design, and cyber lab development.

In the discussion they explored the pros and cons of virtual learning.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How the pandemic forced and increase in virtual learning for all students.

●    How there are pros and cons of in-person and virtual learning.

●    How virtual campuses already made sure they were giving the students the support they needed to learn virtually.

●    Why being forced to move to virtual learning may actually be a good thing.

●    How kids are more resilient than most people give them credit for.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

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Episode 26

Our New Normal: Starting Over with Walter Ficklin

60 min Sep 2, 2025

Walter Ficklin: Our New Normal: Starting Over
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 026 with Walter Ficklin
The COVID-19 Pandemic has left Walter Ficklin unemployed, with all of his experience and expertise, he has decided to rebrand himself and share his story to help others that may b...

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Walter Ficklin: Our New Normal: Starting Over

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 026 with Walter Ficklin

The COVID-19 Pandemic has left Walter Ficklin unemployed, with all of his experience and expertise, he has decided to rebrand himself and share his story to help others that may be faced with the challenge of unemployment. 

In the discussion they explored starting over in our new normal.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    What it was like to be laid off and unemployed due to the pandemic.

●    Why many people have had to adapt to the pandemic, pivot, and rebrand themselves.

●    How being unemployed can make people feel depressed and uncertain about the future.

●    How people let their pride get in the way of seeking out help.

●    Why the unemployment stimulus is incredibly important for people during this time.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

 

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Episode 25

Combatting Food Insecurities Amid COVID with Tanya Ward

50.77 min Sep 2, 2025

Tanya Ward: Combatting Food Insecurities Amid COVID
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 025 with Tanya Ward
Tanya Ward was a faithful board member of the Western Mass Food Bank. In 2007, the Victory Community Development Corporation was founded. Many are the recipients of Pastor Wards...

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Tanya Ward: Combatting Food Insecurities Amid COVID

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 025 with Tanya Ward

Tanya Ward was a faithful board member of the Western Mass Food Bank. In 2007, the Victory Community Development Corporation was founded. Many are the recipients of Pastor Wards unique ability to network in the community securing resources for

those in need.

 

In the discussion they explored combatting food insecurities during COVID-19.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How food is a critical stability factor people need to survive.

●    Why food insecurity has heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

●    How food has a huge impact on people’s mental health.

●    How COVID created an overflow of people in need of food.

●    What resources are available in the DC area for those experiencing food insecurity.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

 

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Episode 12

Our New Normal: Securing a Home During COVID-19 with Tony Swaggerty

60 min May 6, 2021

Tony Swaggerty: Our New Normal: Securing a Home During COVID-19
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 024 with Tony Swaggerty
Tony Swaggerty of Swaggerty Realty Group has over 30 years of experience working in Residential Real Estate. That includes 10 plus years as a mortgage banker an...

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Tony Swaggerty: Our New Normal: Securing a Home During COVID-19

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 024 with Tony Swaggerty

Tony Swaggerty of Swaggerty Realty Group has over 30 years of experience working in Residential Real Estate. That includes 10 plus years as a mortgage banker and broker, 7 plus years in new home sales, 3 plus years in REO’s as well as working general real estate.

In the discussion they explored securing a home during COVID-19.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How technology has really infiltrated the real estate business because of COVID.

●    Why real estate lost a lot of business at the start of the pandemic.

●    Why the request for real estate tripled when we further into the pandemic.

●    How younger people need to earn the value of homeownership early in life.

●    Why it’s been more difficult for people to find a home because of multiple-offer markets.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

Links Mentioned:

tonyswaggerty.com

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Episode 23

Crying Out for Help: Virtual Mental Health Services with LaShell Rivers

40.94 min Sep 2, 2025

LaShell Rivers: Crying Out for Help: Virtual Mental Health Services
 
– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 023 with LaShell Rivers
LaShell Rivers was born in Washington, DC. Growing in Nation’s Capital during the 1980’s and moving to a racist location during the drug crisis she f...

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LaShell Rivers: Crying Out for Help: Virtual Mental Health Services

 

– Behavioral Health in the New Normal Episode 023 with LaShell Rivers

LaShell Rivers was born in Washington, DC. Growing in Nation’s Capital during the 1980’s and moving to a racist location during the drug crisis she faced being that regular female with a family containing killers, drug dealers, and dysfunction. Having the mental abuse at home, and insecurities within, LaShell developed a mental illness in her early 20s, went to prison and she experienced a devastating car accident. All of these factors ultimately changed her life forever. Today, she is an author, an artist, and a social media influencer. 

In the discussion they explored virtual mental health services.

Here are some of the other beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:

●    How COVID-19 has changed how people are getting mental health services.

●    How people who are incarcerated don’t adequate help for their mental health.

●    What the differences between in person and virtual therapy are.

●    How there are still mental health services still available for those who feel isolated because of COVID-19.

 

Connect with Prestige Community Resources:

prestigecommunityresources.org

Twitter

@PrestigeCommun5

Facebook

facebook.com/Prestige-Community-Resources-104744151484463

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/company/prestige-community-resources

Links Mentioned:

gofundme.com/artschool1

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