Slander as Love? Corporate PTSD, Post-College Burnout, and the Pressure Cooker of Black Greek Life with Josh Yarbrough

What happens when academic titles, professional accolades, and high achievement are used as armor to conceal internal depression and anxiety? How do young Black men transition from the intense camaraderie of college life into soul-crushing corporate environments without losing their identity?

In Part 1 of this expansive two-part conversation on the Black and Diagnosed Podcast , host Gerron Scott connects with long-time friend Josh Yarbrough —an English professor at Atlanta Technical College and Georgia State University, currently completing his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Together, they unmask the emotional realities of post-college burnout, creative expression, sports obsession, and Black Greek culture.

Josh breaks down his MFA thesis novel: a whodunit murder mystery centered on an HBCU college football program where a legendary head coach is killed two weeks before a landmark season. He explores why sports hold a "death grip" on the cultural zeitgeist, examining how fans tie their mental states and local pride to athletic competition.

Shifting into the darkness of early adulthood, Josh reflects on his late-20s depression while working in mortgage default operations—a "boogeyman" job taking families' homes that left him with corporate PTSD and stripped away his internal confidence. Gerron and Josh also dissect the mask of high achievement.

Gerron shares how he used suit-and-tie professionalism, degrees, and organizational success to mask his internal depression, OCD, and bipolar disorder. They contrast Josh’s upbringing surrounded by Black excellence in Atlanta with Gerron’s experience growing up in an impoverished Rhode Island neighborhood where Black success felt entirely out of reach.

Closing out Part 1, the pair revisits their shared history crossing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the University of West Georgia, analyzing the fine line between "iron sharpening iron," "slander as love," and toxic hyper-masculinity. 🔍 Key Topics Unmasked * 📚 Crafting an HBCU Sports Mystery: Josh shares the framework of his MFA thesis novel, contrasting commercial thriller pacing with literary fiction and Southern Gothic tropes. * 🏈 The Psychology of Sports Obsession: Why sports fandom, NIL deals, and sports betting hold an intense emotional grip on personal identity and masculinity. * 🏢 Corporate PTSD & Repossession Work: Josh recalls working in mortgage default operations, collecting $100,000 debts, and losing his confidence "fastball" during late-20s depression. * 🪞 Achievement as an Emotional Shield: Gerron unmasks how Black men frequently leverage professional milestones, suits, and titles to hide severe mental health struggles. * 🏙️ Environmental Perceptions of Black Excellence: Comparing Josh's life in Atlanta's Black middle-class neighborhoods to Gerron’s upbringing in Rhode Island, where Black success was rarely visible. * 🤙🏾 The Pressure Cooker of Black Greek Life: Unpacking the early charter days of the Tau Chi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha—navigating "slander is love," heavy drinking culture, and hyper-masculine standards. Join the Conversation 🌿 The garden is always growing, and your voice belongs here.

We are actively seeking stories from individuals with lived neurodivergent experiences and mental health practitioners to help us continuously take off the mask. * Follow the Journey: Connect with us on Instagram @blackanddiagnosed and @gdotscott for daily rhythmic reflections. * Get in Touch: For guest inquiries, professional collaborations, or clinician recruitment, email us directly at info@ . Hit that subscribe button on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your pods.