Have you ever found yourself checking someone's Instagram before you even get out of bed…someone who has no idea you exist? In this episode of Therapy for Black Girls, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford sits down with psychologist, professor, and Forbes Contributor Dr. Maia Niguel Hoskin to unpack the psychology of parasocial relationships — the one-sided bonds we build with influencers, celebrities, and increasingly, AI. Dr. Hoskin breaks down what these relationships actually reveal about us, when they are and aren't inherently harmful, and ways they can impact our mental health. **FIND A THERAPIST** https://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com/ **JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON PATREON** https://www.patreon.com/therapyforblackgirls The conversation takes a deeper look at how Black women are uniquely impacted by parasocial dynamics, both as fans and as content creators. Dr. Hoskin connects the strong Black woman trope to the pressure Black women feel to ride for their favorites no matter what, and uses the Hanifa brand controversy as a real-world case study in what happens when parasocial investment turns into public dragging. For Black women with platforms of their own, she also explores the unequal pressure to speak out, show up, and perform accountability in ways that are rarely expected of others. Dr. Hoskin and Dr. Joy also dig into the growing social media addiction crisis, what echo chambers are doing to our ability to communicate in real life, and why the pandemic accelerated our retreat from genuine human connection. Dr. Hoskin shares candidly that she had to take a four to five month break from news and social media just to regulate her nervous system and why that kind of boundary isn't optional, it's necessary. The episode closes with a fascinating conversation about AI and parasocial relationships, including documented cases of people developing emotional bonds with AI tools and what that signals about the state of human connection. If you've ever argued in the comments for someone who doesn't know your name, felt betrayed by an influencer, or reached for your phone before your feet hit the floor in the morning, this episode is for you. Find more resources and show notes at therapyforblackgirls.com/session470 0:00 Introduction: The People You Check On Before Getting Out of Bed 1:31 Dr. Hoskin's Background: Mental Health, Social Media & Identity 3:24 What Are Parasocial Relationships? A Clear Definition 4:38 The Benefits & Risks of One-Sided Digital Connections 7:09 The Strong Black Woman Trope & Parasocial Loyalty 8:48 From TV Characters to Influencers: How Parasocial Relationships Evolved 11:12 Vulnerability, Emotional Attachment & Why Connections Feel So Real 12:52 The Pressure on Black Women With Large Platforms 15:26 Audience Investment, Accountability & Inequitable Expectations 16:44 Case Study: The Hanifa Brand Controversy & the Loss of Grace 19:31 How Parasocial Relationships Become Internalized — for Creators 21:42 How Parasocial Relationships Become Internalized — for Supporters 24:04 Setting Personal Boundaries With Creators & On Social Media 27:22 Recognizing When Screen Time Is Hurting You 30:07 Digital Echo Chambers, Socialization & What We're Losing 33:02 What Research on Black Women & Identity Online Might Reveal 35:52 Media Literacy & Protecting Your Nervous System 38:41 The Science of Social Media Addiction & Keeping It in Its Place 42:09 AI in Counselor Training: A New Frontier in Addiction 44:47 Why People Develop Emotional Relationships With AI 47:15 When AI Becomes the Relationship, Not Just the Tool 48:49 What Parasocial Relationships Reveal About Our Real-Life Connections 51:22 Where to Find Dr. Hoskin's Work on Forbes *Connect with Dr. Maia Niguel Hoskin* Dr. Maia Niguel Hoskin is a licensed psychologist, assistant professor in the counseling program at Loyola Marymount University, and a Forbes Women contributor whose work sits at the intersection of mental health, social media, popular culture, and Black women's identity. Her research currently examines how memes, GIFs, and social media portrayals shape how Black women see themselves in today's sociopolitical climate. Forbes: forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.maia_ *About the Podcast* The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. *Stay Connected* Join us in over on Patreon at https://patreon.com/therapyforblackgirls where we’re building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​ Make sure to follow us on social media: https://instagram.com/therapyforblackgirls