Hey, it’s Brig! In this episode, I’m diving into de-centering men without dismissing them. This isn’t about being anti-men but becoming "pro-you." I unpack the stress women carry when our worth is tied to relationships with men, and how we can reclaim...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with a special guest, CJ, who recently completed the UNKAGED™ six-month coaching program. CJ shares her transformative journey from feeling unsafe and overwhelmed in her high-powered career to reclaiming her sovereignty and...

Today, I'm talking about a pattern that's silently robbing high-achieving Black women of money, joy, and energy: self-abandonment.  What is Self-Abandonment?5 Signs You're Abandoning Yourself:The Cost Is Too HighThe Path ForwardTake Action What is Self-Abandonment?...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Something about me is just… wrong”? In this episode, I’m getting real about internalized wrongness — that quiet, exhausting belief that your identity is a defect to fix instead of something to celebrate. I’ve lived...

I created this episode because I’ve seen too many high-achieving Black and Brown women—myself included—blame ourselves for the very thoughts that helped us survive. We’ve been told to “think better,” “stay positive,” or “change our mindset,” without anyone...

Hey y’all, it’s Brig. This one is personal. Equal Pay Day just passed—and it’s not a celebration, it’s a correction. A reminder that Black and Brown women are still months behind in earnings, every single year. This episode is for every woman who’s been grinding,...

I recorded this episode on the 4th of July, a day that symbolizes freedom — but for many of us, true freedom starts when wI missed y’all! Life hit me with a virus, and instead of pushing through, I practiced what I preach—I rested. And in that stillness, something...

I recorded this episode on the 4th of July, a day that symbolizes freedom — but for many of us, true freedom starts when we stop shrinking to make others comfortable. Last week, we talked about the invisible ways we try to stay lovable by making ourselves small. This...

Hey y’all—Brig here. Today I’m bringing you a topic that might hit close to home: playing small just to stay loved. Whether it’s at work, in relationships, or even around family, too many of us shrink ourselves to make others feel more comfortable. I’ve been there. I...

When All They See Is Who You Used to Be (But You’re Not That Gurl No More) I recorded this episode on the 4th of July, a day that symbolizes freedom — but for many of us, true freedom starts when we stop shrinking to make others comfortable. When All They See Is Who...

This episode isn’t just about fitness—it’s about redefining what’s possible. HYROX challenged me in ways I never expected. It wasn’t just about the workouts or the competition—it was about pushing through pain, breaking mental barriers, and proving that power doesn’t...

What if the moment you thought signaled the end… was really the beginning?In this episode, I share what the "Old Lady Division" taught me about purpose, identity, and the quiet power of coming back to yourself—stronger, clearer, and more grounded than ever. This isn’t...

This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on why I spell Unkaged with a “K.”Spoiler alert: it’s not just branding—it’s a sacred declaration.We’re diving into what it means to know yourself so fully that no one can gaslight, shrink, or silence you again.This...

High-achieving Black women aren’t stuck because we’re doing it wrong—we’re stuck because we’ve been conditioned to survive, not to thrive. In this episode, I get real about why I burned down all my coaching offers. I share the moment that changed everything, what I...

We’ve been taught to push through. To hold it all. To never drop the ball.But what if the reason we feel like we’re breaking… is because no one ever taught us to recover? In this episode, I’m finally unpacking the radical concept that changed my life: Redefining...

A lot of many high-achieving women are stuck in cycles that feel personal—but are actually patterns of survival. Overgiving, overworking, staying quiet, or doing it all alone… these aren’t just habits. They’re adaptations.. In this episode, I finally introduce...

Too many times, I see high-achieving women of color stuck in cycles of overgiving, over-performing, and people-pleasing—not because we’re broken, but because we’re in survival mode. In this episode, I get personal. I share what cracked open for me, why I broke down on...

Too many high-achieving women of color are stuck in cycles of over giving, over performing, and people-pleasing—not because they're broken, but because they're surviving. In this compelling episode, Brig uncovers how these patterns are rooted in history and trauma,...

EP. 228 [Throwback] You Were Pruned This Way: How Your Patterns Formed & What to Do Now Are you ready to break free from the patterns that keep you playing small? In this powerful throwback episode, Brig revisits a pivotal moment in her own journey to reveal how...

Are you feeling overwhelmed or uncertain in your personal or professional life? This episode is for you! Join Brig as she explores the emotional journey of being in the middle of the mess, where self-doubt and vulnerability often reside.  This episode is a...

Are you a high-achieving Black woman feeling overwhelmed by stress?  Listen Queen, your stress isn't random; it's a pattern! Join Brig in this week's episode as she dives into the clues your body is giving you and how to break free from these patterns. Brig also...

It’s time to get ruthless.  As the collective energy among Black women shifts, Brig emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care, setting unapologetic boundaries, and reclaiming your personal power. This episode is your invitation to step into your...

Join Brig and Tessa in a heartfelt conversation about the evolution of motherhood and the importance of self-advocacy. Throughout the episode, Brig and Tessa discuss the significance of self-compassion and the impact it has on relationships, both with oneself and...

The loss of trust in relationships is a painful experience that can leave you feeling vulnerable and unsure of yourself. But what if I told you that the key to rebuilding trust lies not just in your partner's actions, but primarily in your own self-trust? In our...

Missing someone after a breakup? You might be missing who you were with them! Join Brig as she unpacks the struggle of missing an ex and the profound realization that often, it's not them we miss, but rather the vibrant version of ourselves that existed in the...

When Love Feels Like Labor: The Trap Of Loving His/Her Potential (Part 2 Of The Real Talk Relationships Series) In this second episode of our relationship series, Brig dives deep into the complexities of loving someone for their potential and the emotional labor that...

We're ROOMMATES Not LOVERS - Part 1 Of The Real Relationships Series Ever feel like you're just co-managing a household instead of being in a loving relationship? In our latest episode, Brig dives into the concept of "roommate syndrome" and how chronic stress impacts...

EP. 219 Fixing Him or Freeing You? The Hidden Cost of Love Stress (and Six Figures Lost!) As we recently celebrated Valentine's Day, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the hidden costs of love. This episode sets the stage for a four-part series focused on...

In a world where the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship often leads to stress and anxiety, finding the right path to personal growth and self-awareness can seem daunting.

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, Brig challenges us to leave behind one destructive habit: being our own worst critic. 

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, Brig challenges us to leave behind one destructive habit: being our own worst critic. 

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, Brig challenges us to leave behind one destructive habit: being our own worst critic. 

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, Brig challenges us to leave behind one destructive habit: being our own worst critic. 

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, Brig challenges us to leave behind one destructive habit: being our own worst critic. 

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, Brig challenges us to leave behind one destructive habit: being our own worst critic. 

Welcome to the final installment of Brig’s 60th birthday series, “Lessons from 60 Years.” Today’s episode is a heartfelt exploration of what it truly means to live liberated. 

Join Brig in her series on the transformative power of dreaming as she reflects on her journey to dream big in honor of her 60th birthday. Brig shares how she overcame societal expectations and personal fears, reclaiming her power and purpose. She encourages us all to...

In this special 60th birthday episode, Brig Johnson takes us on a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and empowerment. This episode is the first in a three-part series where Brig shares the invaluable lessons she's gathered over six decades. Brig opens up about...

In this third and final installment of the series "The Betrayal of the Black Woman", Brig introduces us to the "Freedom Formula," a powerful tool for breaking free from the chains of external validation and societal expectations. Brig also introduces the concept of...

Welcome to part 2 of the powerful series, "Emotional Whiplash: The Betrayal of the Black Woman." In this episode, Brig’s diving into the emotional rollercoaster that many of us face when expectations clash with reality. So often we keep getting surprised when people...

In this powerful episode, Brig dives into the emotional turmoil many Black women are experiencing post-election, aptly naming it "emotional whiplash." This episode marks the beginning of a three-part series where Brig unpacks the deep-seated feelings of betrayal and...

Life has a way of surprising us, sometimes with a hefty price tag.  In the latest episode of our podcast, Brig shares a personal story that many of us can relate to—handling an unexpected expense. Brig candidly reveals her experience of receiving a surprise...

Feeling stuck in the endless loop of exhaustion and stress? You're not alone. Many of us find ourselves giving everything we have, only to feel like we're getting nowhere. In this episode, Brig takes us on a transformative journey, sharing insights on how to move from...

We are thrilled to bring you an inspiring new episode featuring Diniece, a phenomenal woman who has undergone a transformative journey through our coaching program. Diniece came to me in a space of vulnerability and uncertainty. She was grappling with feelings of...

This episode is dedicated to all the Black women who bear the weight of their families, jobs, partners, and friends, while often neglecting themselves. Join Brig as she highlights the historical and cultural expectations placed on Black women to be caretakers, and the...

Last episode, we touched on how stress keeps you stuck, silent, sick, and full of self-doubt. Today, we're going deeper. We're going to explore the interconnectedness of work stress, relationship stress, metabolic health, and identity stress, and how these areas...

Hey, guys! Episode 200. Welcome to the first episode of The Black Woman’s Stress Solutions Podcast. I’ve been working tirelessly on this, and I hope you love it.

Exciting news! This podcast is rebranding to The Black Woman Stress Solution, and we can’t wait for you to experience it.

As we hit Episode 198 of “Breakthrough with Brig,” we find ourselves at a crossroads of emotions and excitement. This episode marks the end of an era, as Brig announces the retirement of this beloved podcast.

Our special guest, a familiar voice, a client, friend, and trailblazer Dielle Charon, Million Dollar Expert Sales Strategist for women of color and author of “Don’t Call It a Side Hustle,” shares her journey from a social worker earning $2,500 a month to a side hustler who built a $300K coaching business

In this episode, Brig welcomes Nana Crawford, a marketing maven, mother, wife, and self-love advocate, to share her journey of self-discovery, from questioning her identity beyond societal labels to finding solace in dance and solitude.

In the hustle of everyday life, we often find ourselves saying “yes” more than we’d like, leading to overwhelm, stress, and dissatisfaction. But what if the power to change that lies in two simple letters: N-O? 

In this special edition of the Women Winning Series, Brig sits down with Valera Wilson, the author of “You Are Absolutely Worth It” and a seasoned marketing strategist. Her journey from grappling with self-doubt to becoming a beacon of empowerment for others is not just inspirational—it’s a roadmap for anyone ready to own their value in every space they occupy.

Join Brig as she engages in an authentic conversation with life coach and business strategist Cledra Gross, who shares her personal trials from the loss of a marriage to the rebirth of her purpose.

On this episode, Brig is joined by Maggie Reyes, Master Certified Life Coach and Modern Marriage Mentor who specializes in helping driven, ambitious women create their best marriages, without waiting for their partners to change or adding more work to their lives.

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with advice and opinions, it’s easy to lose sight of our own inner wisdom. Today Brig dives deep into a subject that touches every aspect of our lives—decisions.

In this eye-opening episode, Brig sits down with Twany, a client and fellow coach, to discuss the intricacies of coaching across different marginalized identities. Twany shares her transformative journey, revealing how coaching helped her navigate complex family dynamics and uncover hidden strengths.

What’s holding you back from achieving your epic-ness? In this episode, Brig dives into the critical elements of decision making, self-trust, and overcoming distractions for high achieving black women.

Ever wondered what it’s like to have a friend who’s also your coach? In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Brig welcomes her bestie and fellow coach, TaVona, to dive deep into the unique dynamics of their “froach” relationship.

In this empowering episode of Women Winning Series, we explore the resilience of the human spirit with the remarkable Felicia Cox, also known as the Iron Diva

Are you constantly putting others’ needs above your own? It’s time to reclaim your worth and set boundaries.

In this thought-provoking episode, Brig explores a concept inspired by Nicholas Taleb’s book, “The Bed of Procrustes”

In this special episode, Brig welcomes back a truly inspiring guest for her third appearance.

Are you tired of feeling stressed when others don’t agree with your choices?

If you’re stuck in a state of perplexity that has left you paralyzed, then this episode is a must-listen.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the problems life keeps throwing at you? In our latest episode, Brig dives deep into the nature of problems and why they’re not as daunting as they seem.

Are you familiar with the concept of ‘bright lines’? These are the clear, non-negotiable boundaries that can be the game-changer you need for personal development and achieving your goals.

Are you caught in the endless cycle of overcommitting at work? Get ready to dive deep into the pitfalls of being a “yes machine” at work and how it can sabotage not only your success but also your well-being.

Have you ever thought about your health as a bank account? In this episode, you’ll learn why your health is a form of wealth that requires careful investment and saving.

As high achieving black women, we’re no strangers to stress, and it’s vital we’re prepared for those inevitable moments when we’re at our wit’s end.

In this episode Brig is diving deep into the ways stress acts as an invisible barrier for high-achieving black women, blocking our path to success and leaving us exerting effort without the payoff.

As we kick off our Women Winning series, I am joined by Kirsten Roldan, the million-dollar email and systems coach for coaches.

As black women, we’re often our own harshest critics, and it’s time to break that cycle. 

Are you stuck in the “maybe” mindset, teetering on the edge of your dreams but never fully committing? In this eye-opening episode, we’re tackling this subtle but deadly trap of “maybe” – the one word that slowly drains life out of our dreams and goals.

Have you ever found yourself questioning why you choose partners who don’t choose you? If you’re nodding along, this episode might just have the answers you’ve been seeking.

Prepare to unlock the mysteries of your nervous system and journey from feeling stuck to absolutely stellar!

We’re nearing a podcast milestone, and I’ve got a special request for you, my loyal listeners. As we approach the 200th episode, I’m thinking of featuring a panel of you – yes, YOU – to share your favorite moments and what keeps you tuning in.

Buckle up for a raw and honest discussion in this episode, where we address the challenges of co-parenting. With 70% of us black women being single and many also navigating single parenthood, this conversation is not only necessary but long overdue.

In this episode, we unpack the natural tendency to react, explore the historical beliefs and societal pressures that shape our behavior, and introduce the revolutionary Core Solutions Framework

Join me in this episode as I explore the internal dialogue during goal pursuit, emphasizing the importance of process-oriented thinking and celebrating every step of the journey.

Today’s podcast episode is a game-changer. I stumbled upon a powerful message from Coach Schuman, the strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Tech, and had to share it with you.

In this episode, I am being interviewed by Ashley Jangro, life and marketing coach. Tune in as we explore building a thriving coaching business through connection, safety, and belonging.

Join me on a captivating journey as I recount a pivotal moment from the year 2000. At the age of 36, I found myself facing a chaotic situation that posed a threat to my career in anesthesia.

Join me on a captivating journey as I recount a pivotal moment from the year 2000. At the age of 36, I found myself facing a chaotic situation that posed a threat to my career in anesthesia.

Today’s episode delves into the nuances between these states, unraveling the reasons for getting stuck in the half-in zone.

It is a new month and a new year and we’ve got big goals yet there may have been some goals that you didn’t write down because you’re afraid that you’re not going to be all in.

In this episode of the Breakthrough with Brig Podcast, I’m chatting with Shiro Bergbauer, one of my coaching clients in both private and group sessions. Shiro wears many hats – she’s a wife, mom, certified registered nurse anesthetist, and a Life Coach.

Guess what? It’s my birthday episode! Join me as I celebrate another trip around the sun, reflecting on the top five lessons from each decade of my life.

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the end-of-year reflection game. As we approach the close of another year, it’s easy to get caught up in measuring our progress with the usual suspects – money, title, position, and numbers. But what if there’s more to growth than that?

In this episode, Dr. Kimmy, one of my remarkable clients, shares her life before and after coaching. We explore her coaching journey, the role of safety for black women in success, bouncing back from failures, and a profound insight from Dr. Kimmy: our brains prioritize safety over success.

Join me in this eye-opening episode featuring Life and Mindset Coach, Marlene McNally, as we dive deep into breaking societal norms for Black women. Marlene shares her journey of self-discovery, challenging the expectations of perfection and embracing vulnerability.

In this episode, we explore ruts as essential components of our lives, representing those phases when life seems uninspired and monotonous. Ruts are a part of life, and finding ourselves in them is normal.

In this episode, we explore ruts as essential components of our lives, representing those phases when life seems uninspired and monotonous. Ruts are a part of life, and finding ourselves in them is normal.

Past traumas or events – such as a devastating breakup, have created memories – conscious and subconscious, which have imprinted themselves in our brain, body, and nervous system.

In this episode, I dive deep into the factors that often hold us back from making decisions and taking action, especially as women of color. We explore the three critical elements: belief, authority, and impact, that can paralyze us with indecision.

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Angela West to explore the intricacies of human relationships and the art of supporting our loved ones on their individual life journeys.

In this episode, we explore the profound concept of self-compassion. We’ll discuss the art of being kind to ourselves, acknowledging our flaws, and embracing our imperfections. Throughout the episode, I share personal anecdotes and offer practical tips on how to nurture self-compassion in our everyday lives.

You know, sometimes our need is simply to grieve, and that’s perfectly okay. We’ll explore the different facets of grief, from understanding involuntary grief, like unexpected losses, to embracing voluntary grief, where we choose to make changes but still feel the loss.

In this episode, I delve into the often stigmatized concept of neediness, particularly as it pertains to black women. Listen in as I challenge the negative perceptions around neediness, emphasizing that acknowledging and honoring our emotional needs is a strength, not a weakness.

What to do when your brain is messing with you, causing endless rumination and stress. I call it BOO Brain, that state when your mind is stuck in a loop of “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. But fear not, I’ve got a game-changing protocol for you: B.A.E.

In this eye-opening podcast episode, I dive deep into self-discovery with my client. We explore the powerful realization that safety is something you can provide for yourself, rather than placing the burden on others.

In this powerful podcast episode, we dive deep into personal transformation and self-awareness. Join me as I take you through my journey of self-discovery and growth with my client Samantha Davis.

Ever had a friendship that took an unexpected turn? Join me in this episode as we explore the art of repairing relationships. I share my personal experience of navigating such a situation and the lessons I learned.

In this personal and candid episode, I’m taking you through my quest to gain muscle and shed weight, sharing the highs and lows of my journey. If you’ve ever felt shame for not being where you used to be, this is for you. From a daring birthday photoshoot to pandemic challenges, I’ll show you how I learned that it’s not about recreating the past, but reinventing your future.

Join me in this candid episode as I share my journey of breaking off an engagement with a narcissist. With raw honesty, I delve into the emotional toll of such relationships on high-achieving Black women, emphasizing the erosion of self-trust and integrity.

Join me in welcoming our guest, Kirsten Roldan. She’s a client of mine and a business coach with two incredible programs: “Million Dollar Email” and “Million Dollar CEO.” These programs are designed to help coaches and service providers master email marketing, team systems, and mindset strategies for scaling their businesses to a million dollars.

Are you tired of spinning your wheels, trying different approaches without seeing the results you desire? Well, buckle up, because I’ve got the key to unlocking your full potential without the unnecessary drama!

Get ready Queens. Today’s episode is a little spicy! We are talking about pathologizing people-pleasing and the first thing I want you to know is that people-pleasing is perfectly normal and NOT an identity.

Being too big for your britches is defined as being conceited or self-important. What this statement is saying to me is there is a “right” way and a” wrong” way to be confident. There is nothing more fearful for a high-achieving black woman than the possibility of stepping outside of what is the norm.

Being too big for your britches is defined as being conceited or self-important. What this statement is saying to me is there is a “right” way and a” wrong” way to be confident. There is nothing more fearful for a high-achieving black woman than the possibility of stepping outside of what is the norm.

We are not our thoughts. Thoughts are merely thoughts, they do not paint the picture of who we are.  It’s not our thoughts themselves that bring things to fruition, it’s our actions.

This is a special bonus episode because I wanted to give you a peek inside the DEEPLY ROOTED program and share some of the results and transformations that my clients have experienced.In this episode, I am chatting with Pamela Deneuve, Life Coach for Lawyers. Listen in as we discuss her rebirth story– how she was able to let go of shame to feel more at peace and have more confidence in herself, her actions, and her life choices.

This conversation with four amazing cohorts from January’s Deeply Rooted Group Coaching Program (Pamela, Franchelle, Ruth, and Janae.) is a sneak peek into the transformations you can experience from coaching and how it keeps paying off even after you’ve left the coaching container.

Today we are talking about the invisible enemy that often stops us from completing our assignments, reaching our goals, enjoying our relationships and truly realizing our potential in our journey toward high achievement. It’s called panic.

Loneliness is a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It happens when we have a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships we have and those we want.

Feeling trapped for us as black women is very common. Feeling trapped can lead to an increase of stress hormones, and if it continues for a long, it can also lead to completely disengaging with our lives where we will go from fighting it or fleeing it to saying f*@k it.

Sometimes we become so lost in what’s going on around us that we lose touch with the most important person in our lives, ourselves. Checking in with yourself means making intentional steps to pay attention to how you feel on an emotional, mental, and physical level. So, when was the last time you checked in on yourself?

This episode is a call to embrace discomfort.Most of us embrace comfort and resist anything that may lead to discomfort. This is because we can only embrace what we are not afraid of. Evolutionary wise, we were designed to seek comfort– to seek pleasure and to stay the same.

Today, I want to talk about something that I think is important for us to understand and that is the difference between our objective, our tactics, and understanding the strategy behind them. As high-achieving women, we are very clear about our objectives. We know exactly what it is that we want to achieve.

In this episode, we’re catching up with two of my former clients from a year and a half – two years ago, Ruth and Marcia. I’ve brought you several conversations on this podcast with high-achieving women while they’re in the coaching container

Apologizing to you for being you is like you have this, “ I’m sorry, I am the way I am” kind of vibe going on. This may not be something that you do subconsciously or even to other people…

Have you ever wanted to quit something? I’m sure you have…most everyone at some point in life feels like throwing in the towel when something gets hard or frustrating.  

Continuing our conversation from EP. 121 Bad Things Happen To Good Girls, EP. 122 Redefining GOODT ENUFF, and EP. 123 Suffering and the GOODT Black Women MENTALITY, today we are talking about what to do when you don’t get the results you want.

Continuing our conversation from episodes, EP. 121 Bad Things Happen To Good Girls and EP. 122 Redefining GOODT ENUFF, today we are talking about  suffering. As we discussed previously, we have certain thought errors that are holding us back from growing and thriving in our epic-ness. When we think that we’re not being the “good girl” , problems happen, then we make it a problem that we have a problem.

In this week’s conversation, I’m expanding on the discussion started in last week’s episode, EP. 121 Bad Things Happen To Good Girls, around the good girl syndrome. Last week I shared that we think if we are living by the standard of the good girl, then the good girl doesn’t have problems, and so we believe having a problem is a problem, but it’s not.

From childhood, many women are socialized to please others, at the cost of their own well-being or needs. The world is screaming: If you’re good, nothing bad will happen to you. And so we adopt the idea that good girls don’t upset people, good girls don’t put herself first, good girls don’t disappoint others.

We are celebrating women’s month and what better way to celebrate than to highlight some of the amazing high-achieving women I have had the pleasure to work with.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Zakiya Luna. Dr. Luna is an Associate Professor of Sociology, a Dean’s Distinguished Professorial Scholar, a great friend of mine, an author, and a participant in Deeply Rooted.

Stress has become an unavoidable side effect of life as a high-achieving woman.My goal is not to help you become stress-free but to help you have freedom from stress.

Stress is everywhere; it impacts everyone and pervades all aspects of our lives. And over time it can negatively impact your health and well-being. How you manage stress is related to your thoughts about yourself, your relationship with yourself, your relationship with others, your relationship with your work, and your relationship with your epic sh*t.

I know it is the eve of Valentine’s Day, but guess what? I won’t be talking about love in this episode. Instead, I want to continue the conversation around failure because I want us as black women to drop the mask, do our epic sh*t, and embrace failure along the journey.

Happy Black History Month!

To add to the celebration, I’d like to continue our conversation around failure. In EP. 104 I feel the NEED for SPEED! I shared that as black women, we struggle with failure since historically it’s a safety issue for us to take imperfect action

On this episode, I’m joined by another one of my amazing clients, Janae Young. Janae is a college coach who helps students reach their goal scores and get into their dream schools. She’s been an entrepreneur for six years now, having started her business right after her 15th birthday.

Today we are talking about the dreaded F word, failure. As high-achieving women of color, when we’re getting ready to do our epic shit, it’s not a matter of if we’re going to fail, it’s when. 

On this Breakthrough with Brig Podcast episode, I’m joined by Shiro Bergbauer, a private and group coaching client. Shiro is a wife, mom, Life Coach, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. As a Life Coach, she helps women overcome overwhelm and mom guilt, have better boundaries, and thriving relationships.

It’s that time of year again – when everyone is talking about New Year’s Resolutions, things to improve upon, change or become better in the new year. I’m not a huge fan of resolutions, however, I am a big fan of goals – of dedicated hard work day after day to work towards your epic sh*t.

We often dismiss our thoughts because they seem rational or accurate, but it is not always true. When our minds start saying dreadful things to ourselves, don’t let our minds get away with it.

Today we are doing a throwback of one of my favorite podcast episodes, EP. 38 Let’s Talk Intimacy. This episode is not only one of my favorites but also covers one of the main concepts of my group coaching program, Deeply Rooted.

It’s the holiday season, and with that comes social gatherings. For us, high-achieving women, this also means we will have to face that dreaded question from those who do not support our epic shit – how is that LITTLE THANG you’ve been working on?

We all want our lives to be up-leveled and more fulfilling. So what is in the way of us creating our epic-ness? Let’s explore this.
When it comes to creating our epic shit, there are some things I notice that we don’t do as black women, and it’s costing us.

“Just be grateful for what you have.” Are you familiar with this statement? Today we are challenging this old rule of being grateful for what you have because this is a standard of being that many of us have accepted without question.

I am so excited to bring you another client spotlight episode. You all know how much I love these conversations!
Today we are chatting with Franchelle Caesar. Franchelle is the Financial Coach for spenders.

I believe in the power of being in rooms with people who think at a higher level than you do, because it causes you to rethink your current thoughts and your current reality, then you can have the possibility to change some of those thoughts and start growing.his allows you to get curious, creative and ask questions so that you can obtain the knowledge you currently lack.

Saying “I don’t know” and adopting a growth mindset are powerful means for becoming smarter and more skilled individuals. This allows you to get curious, creative and ask questions so that you can obtain the knowledge you currently lack.

According to dictionary.com, “It is what it is”, is an expression used to characterize a frustrating or challenging situation that a person believes cannot be changed and must just be accepted.

This conversation is a special one because I am joined today by my private client, Dielle Charon, and by the time this episode is released she will be celebrating reaching the $1M mark in her business. I am so excited for her. Congratulations Queen!

Welcome to episode 100! This is an episode of celebrations. Not only are we celebrating our 100th podcast episode, but we are also celebrating over 33K downloads, receiving 36 reviews with 5-star ratings on Apple Podcast, and helping so many amazing high-achieving women of color create their epic shit!

With every life experience,  your relationships, your achievements, and your failures are all open to interpretation. The most important decision you’ll make about every life experience is the meaning you assign to it. And that meaning will either hold you back or push you forward.

Visibility capacity is our ability to allow our full selves to be seen in our life and work.

When it’s out of alignment, it shows up as feeling stuck, uncomfortable, and lacking discipline and willpower. But when our visibility capacity is in full bloom, we stop sabotaging opportunities that shine a light on our brilliance and intentionally seek out and attract visibility opportunities that celebrate our true selves.

When it comes to your epic shit, have you decided that it’s going to be hard? I think we can all agree that accomplishing your epic shit is hard. It requires a great deal of self-responsibility and accountability. Not only that, but you have to be consistent in your new attitudes and behavior required to achieve your goals.

In a world that keeps preaching on and on about self-love, it’s hard to believe that self-love is not easy. In fact, self-love, much like other forms of love, takes work, time, and patience to cultivate.

In a world that keeps preaching on and on about self-love, it’s hard to believe that self-love is not easy. In fact, self-love, much like other forms of love, takes work, time, and patience to cultivate.

As high-achieving women of color, we know what it feels like to walk into a room and be the only one who looked like you. To be asked your opinion on a project that lacks diversity and inclusion. To frequently be asked to participate in conversations where the expectation is that your opinion speaks for all voices from your community. And not be able to talk about specific topics that are important to your culture because no one around you can relate from personal experience.

Listen, ready is not a thang! “Being ready” is a measure of whether we think we will fail or succeed at something, that is all. We can be the most prepped and primed version of ourselves and still not feel “ready” to take that next step. This is because readiness happens in our minds. 

To explain this point I will use the example of a purchase. When it comes to making a purchase, we often get really excited when we are able to get the hook up on that purchase or obtain it from a sale. Notice that in this scenario you experience a dopamine hit. This is because getting the hookup creates a feeling of pleasure and reward, which motivates you to repeat a specific behavior.

Have you ever felt that when bad things happen, that must mean that you are not a good person, like, karma has come to get you? And so you go on a search to find what is wrong in hopes of fixing it so that everything will be good again.

Most of us know that dopamine is called the seeking hormone, the feel-good hormone but did you know that dopamine can also be called the predictive hormone?

How often do we push something to the side when we can’t decide on what to do or what we want, simply because we don’t want to own our decisions?

Today we are discussing one of the most common topics that my clients present to me during our coaching session. It comes in different variations but what it boils down to is that as high-achieving women we want to do more to reach a level of peace but that level is not attainable because as soon as we think we’ve reached the level, there is yet another mountain that we need to climb.

Are you playing squirrel with your decisions? This happens when we make a decision and instead of honoring the decision, we keep remaking the same decision over and over again. We do this because deep down we think that the answer to accomplishing that decision is outside of us.

In episode 85, we talk about failure and understanding and embracing that failure is the way to winning. We do this by looking at failure as data that we can use as a strategy to create epic shit without the drama. 

You know that saying, “If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail”. Well, what if you decided that “I plan to fail therefore I plan to win”?

Since we are the external force that creates the results, I really want us to understand how to move forward in cultivating the life we desire. Listen in to learn more.

Newton’s first law of motion says, a body at rest will remain at rest and a body in motion will remain in motion unless it is acted upon by an external force.

For those of you who are thinking about joining this room full of women and would appreciate some insight on what you can expect, I have a treat for you. After the most recent weekly call with the current cohort, I just asked a couple of the participants to stay on and talk about what their experience has been like and the impact that Deeply Rooted has provided for them thus far. 

As high-achieving women, we are always leveling up and achieving new heights of success. One thing that is certain when you succeed is the various expectations that you place on yourself and that others place on you.

Today we will continue our conversation about the ABCs that you need to accomplish epic shit.
Last week I shared that the C of the ABC is circulation. We must make a decision and commitment to circulate our epic shit into the world so that others can benefit.

What I’ve noticed a lot is that people ask for coaching in one area but haven’t addressed another and so the results that they expect aren’t there. To put it another way, I’ll equate it to CPR. To effectively complete CPR you must work on the ABCs (airway, breathing, chest compressions) in that order. If you don’t clear the airway first and jump right into chest compressions then you are essentially just circulating unoxygenated blood throughout the body.  

Last week we played the what-if game. What if all these obnoxious thoughts we had on consistent bases had nothing to do with our worthiness yet they continue to hinder us from creating epic shit? Right.

Today we are going to play the what-if game.As high achieving women being marginalized and growing up in the way that we have, we’ve been conditioned with all these negative thoughts in our brains that we have to fight against on a daily basis.

Contrary to what you may have heard, in most cases, you get more benefit from sharing your desire than if you don’t, and the most important person you need to share it with consistently is YOU!

Have you ever thought to yourself, “they don’t get me”? Listen, if you’re a high-achieving black woman, you’re probably talking about some things that some people don’t get.

Do you know how these series get us hooked and cause us to binge-watch? It’s because they end each episode with a cliffhanger that leaves your brain wanting to know and figure out what will happen next. And so you keep watching one episode after another until you’ve binge-watched the series.

If you are old enough to have played Candyman as a child you can remember entering a dimly lit room (usually the bathroom), standing in front of a mirror, and saying the name “Candyman” five times in a row. The expectation is that the monster will show up behind you. This experience caused you to intentionally put yourself in a scary situation.

I always say that safe people create epic shit and do it in a sustainable way but how do you develop an internal feeling of safety? You may wonder if or even believe that a haven of serenity exists inside of you, but it does. Queens, it does. 

Attached to form means that you are attached to the way you think something is supposed to look. You have a singular idea of how you are supposed to achieve something. 

You guys know how I am always talking about self-coaching, right? That’s because I truly believe that it is a powerful tool to aid in your growth on your journey to accomplish epic shit.

Do you know what a Cyborg is? According to dictionary.com, a Cyborg is a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.

As a coach of high-achieving women, I find that so many of us have stopped dreaming. Our ancestors sacrificed for us so that we have what they dreamed of and now that we are successful and comfortable we have stopped dreaming. There are many reasons for this that include us not waiting to fail or appear to be greedy. 

Today’s episode is not only inspiring, it’s downright amazing. You’ll be hearing from my private client, Lenora, as she shares her story of transformation. Even though she was hesitant about coaching she ultimately made the decision to commit to herself and make the investment.

During stressful times, we can find ourselves falling into traps, such as negative self-talk, those damaging things we say to ourselves that get in the way of us doing epic shit.

What it means to be rootbound is having roots formed into a dense, tangled mass that allows for little or no space for further growth. It’s staying in the container although it stumps your growth.

As high-achieving black women, many of us deal with what is now called Racial Imposter Syndrome. Racial Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that we don’t belong because those around us in our homogenous communities make it known that we are not being black enough for one reason or another.

Today we are talking about all things group coaching and I am so excited to share this with you. It’s all about being rooted. For me being rooted means accepting the various aspects of yourself, from past to present. Feeling aligned with your own values that have developed over time. It means that you are fixed, unmovable, and entrenched in your worthiness.

I have a fun episode for you today!  I want to talk about being a grown a** woman. If you’re a mother, you may have cultivated “the look” that you give to your kids that lets them know that the thing they are asking is not up for negotiation or whatever they are doing stops now.

Are you waiting for people to cosign your belief, goals, and dreams? I have news for you Queen, you don’t need a co-signer to fulfill your dreams! I repeat it’s your dream, you don’t need others’ approval! When you outsource or wait for others to cosign whether or not you can do the thing you are essentially saying that you don’t believe you have a good enough track record to show up for yourself to do the hard things.

Society tells us that when things don’t work out we are supposed to beat ourselves up.  And that is exactly what we do. When we are experiencing frustration with our choices or decisions, we may punish ourselves. This comes in many forms, like restricting ourselves from enjoying good things or engaging in negative self-talk.

Happy New Year! It’s the season of resolutions, goals, and choosing a word for the year. As we start thinking about our goals and strategies for what we want to accomplish this year, I want to remind you that we are not human doings, nor are we human havings, we are human beings.

Today we are chatting with my client and general life coach, Saprina Allen. Come be a fly on the wall and listen in as we discuss her experience with being a coach and also coaching with me.

Our guest today is Mars Lord. Mars is a coach, a birth activist, a doula educator, and the leading voice about black maternal mortality and health in the UK and beyond. She has also spoken to Parliament and can be found on the record in the history books for her work with black maternal health.

Thought work is a tool for revealing your brain to yourself. It helps you bring awareness to the sentences that are floating in your head, the feelings you have because of those thoughts, and the action you take as a result of those feelings. And like any tool, it can be used for us or against us.

In general, we tend to make an effort to be kind to others by reminding ourselves to pause and intentionally reflect on our words and actions, asking ourselves whether they’re of benefit to others.

I love to observe my clients and share with them the patterns that I notice. Their habits, their groove because once we know our patterns, we can prepare for it.

I love to observe my clients and share with them the patterns that I notice. Their habits, their groove because once we know our patterns, we can prepare for it.

Self-discovery is a process where a person is guided, through self-questioning and examination of one’s own thoughts, words, and actions, in order to reach their own conclusions regarding who they truly are. This is at the core of the work that our guest, Ashley Rhodes, focuses on in her practice as a life coach.

Do you find yourself quitting things a lot? Whatever it is we want to achieve in life, no matter how much we want it, there will always be times when we hit a challenging period, our motivation hits a wall and we feel like giving up.

Have you ever noticed that when you are in a difficult situation the motivation that you need to get out of it seems to come easy compared to when you are in a good situation but you desire more?

For the most part, we recognize that if our past was not so good, our brain tends to use it against us by constantly providing evidence of past mistakes to justify the current goal won’t be realized.

Black women are forced to conquer dual challenges in the workplace as members of two minority groups. We have to deal with the disadvantages of not just being a woman, but also being black.

We’ve been taught that our future success is based on how successful we have been in the past. The thing is, if most of us looked to our past to determine our future success, we would not have any hope of creating the desires of our hearts because our brain is going to tell us every little detail about our failures.