Entertainment Veteran, Mental Health Advocate Shanti Das Launches Podcast “The Mibo Show”
Icons Erick Sermon, Run-D.M.C., Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo Join Das to Break the Silence on the Entertainment Industry’s Impact on Hip-Hop Artists’ Health
In time for the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, prominent music-industry veteran and mental health advocate Shanti Das launches a new podcast: “the mibo show.” The platform aims to break the silence on the mental and physical health challenges impacting artists in the Hip-Hop industry and leverage the power of Hip-Hop culture to improve health outcomes for people of color.
Shanti Das on Mental Health
“I hope to inspire our culture and community to take charge of their lives and make the mind and body their first priority,” says Das. “the mibo show” derives its name from the combination of “mi” representing mind and “bo” representing body. By acknowledging the integral connection between mental and physical wellness, the podcast seeks to empower individuals to take a holistic approach to their health. “the mibo show” explores a range of health issues mostly affecting Black people. In each episode, experts from Johnson & Johnson provide insight, statistics and resources for listeners. Show topics include mental health, heart disease, diabetes and amputation, stroke prevention, hip replacement and more.
Das’ mission to help audiences prioritize mental and physical health began with depression and suicidal ideation. After her best friend died by suicide, Das realized she needed to prioritize herself and her mental health.
“Following my friend’s death and my own suicidal ideation, I soon realized that I needed a change. This change started from much-needed conversations,” says Das. “The entertainment industry is known to ‘go, go, go’ without much time to stop, process and simply talk in between — about health, or anything for that matter. Artists have rigorous schedules all of the time, and we hear buzzwords like ‘stressed out,’ ‘overwhelmed’ or ‘tired.’ Conversations weren’t really a thing back then, but they must be a thing now.”
In 2016, Das created Silence the Shame, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued this work hosting health and wellness check-ins on her Instagram live, which later turned into original YouTube content.
“the mibo show” is Das’ latest effort along her health and wellness journey to help improve the health of others. Episodes 1-4 of the podcast launched this summer. The first in-person podcast, featuring Erick Sermon, discussed the impact of heart disease in the Black community. Additional podcast guests include legends Darryl McDaniels of Run-D.M.C., Doug E. Fresh and others. Upcoming episodes feature MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, David Banner and more.
See additional show details here:
Episode 1 – Mental Health in the Black Community
Guests: Darryl McDaniels (DMC) from Run-D.M.C. and Vanessa Broadhurst, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs of Johnson & Johnson
Episode 2 – Health & Hip-Hop
Guests: Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Olajide Williams from Hip-Hop Public Health, and Vanessa Broadhurst, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs of Johnson & Johnson
Episode 3– Hip Replacement & Hip-Hop
Guests: Big Tigger and Keith Palmer, Worldwide Vice President of Hip Reconstruction for DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson
Episode 4 (August 11) – Heart Health and Hip-Hop
Guests: Erick Sermon and Dr. JaBaris Swain, Cardiovascular Medical Executive of Johnson & Johnson
Recorded before a live audience in the heart of Times Square
Airing August 11th!
Follow the show on Instagram (@themiboshow) and YouTube (@themiboshow) and share your thoughts with #themiboshow.
About Shanti Das
Shanti Das is an accomplished entertainment-industry veteran, speaker, author, and philanthropist. As the founder of mibo, LLC (mind & body wellness) and Silence the Shame, Inc., Shanti Das has pivoted and made it her life mission to promote mental health awareness and advocate for overall health and well-being. Das is a former LaFace music executive and prominent music-industry veteran who has paved the way for many artists during the past three decades. She worked closely with the Hip-Hop group OutKast, the Dungeon Family, Usher, Goodie Mob and other music icons.
About “the mibo show”
Episodes of “the mibo show” are released twice a month, and feature influential Hip-Hop artists. Listeners can access the podcast on popular platforms such as YouTube (video), Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Audible, iHeart and more.