Wangui Wanjiru on Emotional Colonization & the Neuroscience of Racism

Pure Curiosity with Iris McAlpin

In this episode I am joined by clinical psychologist Wangui Wanjiru and we cover a LOT of ground, from "pretty privilege," to the narcissistic abuse inflicted upon Black people in societies all over the world. I originally reached out to her to discuss emotional colonization and her work in mental health in Kenya, but with the protests unfolding in the US, we ended up primarily discussing what's happening here. I hope you'll listen to this longer episode in its entirety, and that you'll appreciate learning from Wangui as much as I did. There is much to learn.

About Our Guest:

I am Wangui Wanjiru. I’m a mental health and behavioral medicine Counselor - I practice in the fields of clinical psychology with interest in complex and shock trauma. I am currently working as a psychosocial counselor with torture survivors, developing a treatment program for survivors of sexual trauma and will soon be leading the complex trauma division at the Traumatic Stress Society of Kenya. I enjoy reading, music - roots reggae, spicy food, deep conversations, a good work out and travel by road.

Currently, I am interested the subject of shame and inspired by love and compassion.

To listen to Wangui on the NARM podcast, Transforming Trauma, click here.

Check out her recommended books:

Shame and Pride

Behave: The Biology of Humans at our Best and Worst

Ten Types of Human

Affluenza

The Wretched of the Earth