We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erick Brazile Sr. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Erick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

All of my ideas and projects have been centered around me dealing with my mental health. I felt with me being a man and how I was raised talking about your mental health is kind of taboo. I wanted to do something to encourage others to break the cycle and let them know it’s ok to get help and deal with your mental health. To let them know it’s ok to talk to someone about your struggles and feelings all while learning how to heal. I wanted to be an inspiration to someone who may be hesitant and let them know that it’s ok to ask for help when you need it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Everything first started with me going to therapy for my mental health. All of my projects that I currently work on also center around dealing with mental health and encouraging others. The idea of me writing my first poetry book came from my therapist. He knew writing was one of my hobbies and suggested that I should do something that involved me writing. Poetry has always been a passion of mines so I decided to write a book. So after a few months of writing and gathering material I finally released my first poetry book titled ANGELS DEMONS AIMLESSLY DREAMING on Amazon.

My second venture was my clothing line HEALING HYENAS ( also the title of my upcoming poetry book). I had time off of my job due to the Pandemic and wanted to do something constructive. It started as my second poetry book and then morphed in clothing with me using my Graphic Design skills that I took classes for. I came up with the name one day while watching National Geographic where they were doing a piece on Hyenas. The segment was talking about how Hyenas get a bad wrap by being portrayed as villains, and savages all while laughing mischievous. In all actually Hyenas are misunderstood and do a lot of good for the eco-system. At times we ourselves can be painted in such a negative light or be misunderstood simply by being misjudged. So the name is used to change that stigma all while being a unique and catchy talking point to explain to others. I do all of the designing, website work and promotion myself! I sell a wide range of clothing from t-shirts, hoodies, socks and hats. You can check out the merchandise at www.thehealinghyenas.com

My third installment of me being a “creative” was me becoming a podcaster. I am also the host of FINISH YOUR PUZZLE PODCAST in which I talk about my mental health struggles. My purpose is to shine light on the importance of getting help and encouraging others to do the same. My episodes are bi-weekly where I talk about a wide range of topics and my journey through life dealing with my mental health. You can hear the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeart Radio and Spreaker. I recently brought my son on as my first guest and will be bringing more guest on and interviewing them in the future.

With all of my ventures I just want to be an example to my son. Show him that there are different ways to take care of yourself and not be pigeoned holed by societies standards.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

What drives me everyday is my son. My father laid the ground work by teaching me about hard work and dedication. Although I didn’t agree with some of the tactics he used in order to raise me, it showed that parenting can be modified and tweaked. So I’m building off of how I was raised while creating my own structure to raise my son. My goal is for my son to build off of what I instill in him and improve for each generation to come to build a family legacy. I make it a goal to build up and encourage my son all while incorporating him in everything I do.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I get pleasure knowing that sharing my journey or what I create will help others. There is nothing more satisfying then for someone to tell you that talking about your trauma and struggles has helped them deal with what they are going through. That something you wrote has touched them in a meaningful way. It’s wonderful to see something that you created from your own thoughts become physical art. Then have others absorb what you created mentally and get joy from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thehealinghyenas.com
• Instagram: finish_your_puzzle
• Facebook: Healing Hyenas