Dominic Lawson

Dominic Lawson is an award-winning audio producer who has made his mark in the mental health space. He has won so many awards (24!) I am not even sure which to highlight. His podcast Black is America won one gold, two silvers, and one bronze at the 2023 Signal Awards. Dominic has also been nominated for The Ambies and Black Podcasting Awards. On May 14, he launched the new podcast Mental Health Rewritten.

Describe Mental Health Rewritten in ten words or less.
Reframing stigmatizing topics through storytelling and expert insight.

Which episode do you think rewrites the mental health narrative best?
The very first episode, which explores sex addiction. Sex is already a taboo topic, despite being a natural part of the human experience. But when paired with addiction, the shame and stigma often intensify. With this episode, we aim to humanize the disorder and emphasize that it is not a moral failing, but a mental health condition deserving of understanding and compassion.

If you could have one person in the world listen to an entire episode of your podcast, who would it be? And which episode?
I’m not sure it’s one specific person—it’s more of an archetype. I’d want the 18–22-year-old college student to hear it, especially those on the verge of turning professional—whether in sports or a traditional career. Later this season, we address the alarming rise in suicide among this group. In a culture that glorifies hustle and grind, the pressure to succeed—or simply to provide—can become overwhelming. Too often, suicide is seen as the only escape. This episode confronts that reality head-on, offering space for honest conversations and reminding listeners there’s another way.

What podcast would you love to guest on to keep this conversation going?
I would love to be on Mel Robbins or Jay Shetty’s podcast to keep this conversation going.

What’s one thing (or who is one person) who’s had an incomparable impact on your mental health? For good.
My wife Kenda Lawson has been my person. She is often there when I need to figure things out or when I feel a bit off. She is often there to bring me back to center.

What’s a mental health-related trend  you’ve come across on social media that has taken you aback?
One trend that’s taken me aback is the casual and often incorrect use of certain clinical terms—particularly trauma, narcissism, and gaslighting. To be clear, raising awareness and calling things what they are is vital; it’s a crucial step toward healing and accessing help. But when these terms are overused or misused, they can do more harm than good. Misapplication not only dilutes their meaning but also risks undermining the legitimacy of mental and behavioral health as a whole. As we work to reduce stigma and promote real understanding, misuse of this language gives critics ammunition to dismiss the progress we’ve made.

Your work spans across many mental health topics. Which was particularly difficult for you to cover?
Many topics are difficult to cover, but the ones that challenge me most as a creator are those dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault—especially when it involves children. We address this in the current season, and it has tested me emotionally, ethically, and creatively.

The emotional toll is heavy. When survivors share their stories with me, I often feel a mix of shock, deep sadness, and at times, anger. I find myself asking, “How could someone do this to you?” Some details are shared only for context—not for air—and while I honor that trust, I can’t unhear what I’ve been told. Holding those unspoken truths is its own burden.

Then comes the responsibility of shaping the episode. What do I leave in? What must I leave out? How do I use sound design to convey the weight of what happened without recreating it in a way that disrespects the survivor or triggers the listener? Do I need additional disclaimers?

These are the questions I sit with—and they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

But at the end of the day the work is too important to not have out there. It’s the burden and sacrifice of the creative. 

Thanks, Dominic!