Last Thursday, the second episode of the new season of NATIVE Sound Radio aired on No Signal Radio. This time around, to spotlight Mental Health Awareness month, and the struggles we face as women in the music industry, our host Wonu Osikoya got candid with some of the women on the NATIVE team, Damilola Animashaun, Head of Content Strategy as well as Moore Wright, production assistant. 

ICYMI: Run back the special #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth episode of NATIVE Sound Radio S2 here ⬇️https://t.co/ek4My9HAbU

— NATIVE Sound Radio (@NSRadioLive) May 13, 2022

The role women play in the music industry has become an increasingly present topic, given that women from all walks of life and from different creative and business sectors have created spaces for themselves in this male-saturated business. While the needle has shifted a bit, there’s still a long way to go with regards to how all of these women, no matter what their station is, are treated.

In this episode, Wonu got the girls talking about how they cope with the effects of their mental health while working in a fast-paced industry. Also, it was Mental Health Awareness Week, and as such, the girls also spoke at length about loneliness and how they are able to find ways to alleviate the feeling in their personal lives. They also exchanged their first-hand experiences with navigating friendship groups as adults, being vulnerable with your loved ones and getting over heartbreak.

Here are 4 takeaways from the latest episode below. 

Netflix’s ‘Blood Sisters’ is A Must Watch 

On May 5th, the first Nigerian original series arrived on Netflix in partnership with EbonyLife studios. The crime-thriller series told the story of two best friends, Sarah and Kemi. On the day of the traditional wedding ceremony, tragedy struck as an unintentional situation led to both women on the run, fighting for their life and crossing many hurdles. The 4-part film features actors Nancy Isime, Ini Dima-Okojie as the main characters and supporting acts from Kate Henshaw, Ramsey Nouah, Uche Jombo, Segun Arinze, amongst others. 

How To Deal With Mental Health In The Workplace 

The music industry moves at an ultra-quick pace. As women in the creative space, we’re having to navigate situations which could lead to mental breakdowns, issues such as hormonal imbalance from menstrual cycle. The girls share that working out and indulging in morning exercises help to relax the mind before a work day. 

So apparently, working out and doing exercises in the morning helps relax the mind 📝 https://t.co/mr3zyQqe69

— NATIVE Sound Radio (@NSRadioLive) May 12, 2022

How To Make Your Loved Ones Feel Less Lonely

Loneliness is one of those unavoidable feelings we as people seem to experience. For the women at NATIVE, we handle such situations by being there for people in a way that suits them rather than what works for us. Damilola spoke about being there for people to the best of your ability and rendering them support, whether emotional or physical. While Moore shared that sometimes all people is to know that people are there for them and they actually care.

Music as aural healing 

Music is a powerful healing tool and for most, a coping mechanism. For the women at the NATIVE team, music is the key to aural healing. Damilola speaks at length about how Hip-Hop/Rap records usually help with gloomy days because one can hear details of their pain which helps them process their feelings. While Moore and Wonu share how R&B and soul music also help in lonely and gloomy times.

Run back the pilot episode of NATIVE Sound Radio below.

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE