The Black Woman’s Stress Solution Podcast: discover the connection between Black women’s stress in work, love, and health

Epizode

• EP 254: Wife Work on Girlfriend Salary 15.06.2026 39min

  Queen, you've been giving wife-level loyalty on a girlfriend-level container — and it's time to name that pattern without shame. In this episode, I'm getting into something tricky but necessary: the gap between what you're giving in a relationship and what's actually been established. This isn't about weakness, desperation, or low self-esteem. It's a program — and once you can see it clearly, you get to choose something different. What You'll Learn Understand the difference between "wife work" and "girlfriend salary" — and why that gap deserves to be named Recognize the real cost of over-giving: your time, your self-trust, your standards, and the version of you with her own dreams Trace where this programming comes from — childhood, love songs, church messaging, and the women in our families we admired most Unpack the most dangerous belief hiding underneath it all: if he leaves, it's because you didn't give enough Learn why a man who only stays when you're over-giving wasn't staying — he was being comfortable Discover the most important question in the whole episode: are you giving from love, or from fear? Why It Matters We were taught that the ring was the reward — that if we gave enough, waited long enough, loved hard enough, it would all be worth it. But the reward was never the ring. It's respect, reciprocity, and a relationship where both people show up because they want to, not because one person has been auditioning for a position the other person never offered. You were never the problem. You were running a program that was never designed to serve you. Society designed it to serve everyone else — and now you get to choose something different. Take Action Before you give at wife level, define the container. Ask yourself: what's actually been established here? And what's driving this — love, or obligation? Then take the free Kages Self-Assessment and find out which program has been running your relationships: 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com
• EP 253: After The Betrayal - The One Question That Actually Gives You Peace 08.06.2026 23min

  Queen, the question you've been asking after the betrayal isn't the one that will actually give you peace. If you've ever been blindsided by someone you trusted, this episode is for you. Grab your tea, find a quiet space, and let's talk — as friends, as women who've been there. Because there's something we do after we've been hurt that feels like healing but isn't. And today I want to give you the one question that actually gets you to the other side. What You'll Learn Understand why your brain goes into detective mode after betrayal — and why it's not torturing you, it's trying to protect you See why the answer you're looking for was never in the evidence, no matter how long you search for it Discover the real question underneath the question — the one that actually has an answer you can build on Recognize the difference between performing okay and actually being strong — and what it costs you to hold it all together when you're not Learn why self-trust isn't a decision you make once, but a practice you build through real reps over time Why It Matters We spend months — sometimes years — going back through every conversation, every red flag, every moment we should have seen coming. But here's what I've learned at 61: some things just don't make sense, and the person who hurt you may not even understand why they did it. No amount of investigation is going to give you that answer. The security you've been looking for was never in them. It was always in you. The woman who trusts herself to handle whatever comes doesn't need to run an investigation anymore. She's free to love fully — not from fear, but from knowing she's got herself no matter what. Doing it soft is how you do it strong. Take Action Sit with this question: Can I trust myself to take care of me, no matter what someone else does? And find out which Kage has been making it hard to trust yourself — take the free Kages Self-Assessment, five minutes, completely free: 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com
• EP 252: Your NO doesn't need a footnote 01.06.2026 20min

  Queen, your decision is the sentence. Everything else is just a footnote — and it's time to stop leading with the footnote. In this episode, I'm getting into something I caught myself doing in real time: building a full legal brief for a woman I'd met once, just to say no. Big decisions, small transactions — the pattern runs everywhere. And today we're going to name it, trace it to its roots, and start dismantling it. What You'll Learn Recognize the footnote pattern — why we bury our decisions at the end of a long explanation instead of leading with them Understand the real cost of over-explaining: how it gives others ammunition to negotiate with your reasons and erodes your own self-trust over time Trace the roots of this programming — from survival on the plantation, through Jim Crow, the angry Black woman trope, the family table, and the doctor's office — and why the footnote was once a safety net See why knowing the pattern isn't enough — and why this is nervous system and identity level work, not a communication tip Practice three concrete reps you can start today: decide cold, lead with the decision, and let the silence breathe Why It Matters You didn't learn to over-explain because you're insecure. You learned it because in the rooms your mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers walked into, leading with the decision wasn't safe. That programming got passed down — not in a conversation, but in your nervous system. The footnote kept somebody safe. The footnote got somebody home. But the rooms have changed, and you get to put it down now. The silence after your decision is not a problem to fix. The silence is where your authority lives. Take Action Notice every time you don't lead with the decision. Notice the pull to justify, to soften, to make it pretty. That's the cage talking — and what you can't see runs you. Then take the free KAGES Self-Assessment — five minutes, completely free — and find out exactly which survival program has been writing footnotes for decisions that never needed them: 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com
• EP 251: Meet Bob - Why the starting line was never EQUAL 25.05.2026 23min

  Queen, you were never the problem. You were just given a tool that wasn't built for you — and then blamed when it didn't fit. In this episode, I want to introduce you to Bob. Bob is fine. Bob starts every attempt at growth from baseline — neutral, stable, rested, regulated. You? You start already carrying. And that changes everything. This is the conversation bro self-help has never been willing to have. What You'll Learn Meet Bob — and finally understand why the starting line was never equal and what that actually means for your goals Identify the real loads you've been carrying that no productivity system ever accounted for: hyper vigilance, allostatic stress, emotional labor, generational history, and more Understand the Capacity Gap — why pushing harder on an overloaded nervous system doesn't build capacity, it depletes it further See the three gaps keeping high-achieving women spinning: the Capacity Gap, the Authority Gap, and the Belief Gap Learn why the goal was never to become more disciplined — and what to aim for instead Discover the difference between resting and actually recovering — and why it matters for your next attempt Why It Matters Every program you've ever tried was an app running on an outdated operating system. The OS was installed for survival in a world that no longer exists — and the apps keep crashing. It was never your discipline. It was never your mindset. It was never you. You just ran out of capacity that was never replenished, because you started so far behind the start line Bob never even knew existed. This ends now. Take Action Next time you quit something, don't ask what's wrong with me. Ask: what was I carrying that I never accounted for? Then take the free CAGES Self-Assessment — it takes five minutes and will show you exactly which of the 5 survival programs has been quietly running your life: 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Have a topic you want me to cover? Reach out: brig@brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com
• EP 250: I Stopped Dreaming and Called it Being Realistic 18.05.2026 28min

  Queen, you didn't give up — you just stopped seeing yourself as the one who gets to create. In this episode, I'm getting into something that almost slipped past me completely — because it doesn't look like giving up. It looks like being responsible. Mature. Realistic. But here's the truth: at some point, protection becomes a prison. And if you've been living in the middle ground — no big dreams, no big risks, no big disappointments — this episode is for you. What You'll Learn Recognize the four ways women respond to disappointment — and identify the sneakiest one: the woman who looks like she recovered but never really got back in the game Understand why you stopped dreaming — and why the dream was never actually the problem See the critical difference between the outcome and the desire, and why lumping them together is keeping you stuck Discover what a Loyalty Contract is and how to use it to protect yourself when things get hard — without shutting down Learn the four steps to rebuild your relationship with wanting, dreaming, and creating again Why It Matters The quiet cost of not dreaming isn't just personal. Every person who needed you fully — your clients, your kids, your community — got the version of you that was playing it safe. The world was never designed for us to see ourselves as creators and builders. So when disappointment hits, we don't just lose the round — we lose our sense of ourselves as someone who gets to be in the game at all. This episode is about getting that back. You didn't get too old for the dream. You just stopped believing you were the one who could make it real. And that is a completely different problem — with a completely different solution. Take Action Start with one small thing. One thing you stopped doing because it made you want something. Email me or DM me and tell me what it is. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsonbrig Find out which cage has been keeping you in the middle ground — take the free Kage Assessment (just 5 minutes): 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com
• I'm Back. Here's the Truth. 11.05.2026 26min

  Queen, you've been a foreigner in your own life for long enough — and it's time to come home. After a real, unfiltered season away, I'm back. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what actually happened: the financial reality of my coaching business, the decision to return to anesthesia, the inner battle I fought for six months, and the hard-won clarity that came out of it all. This isn't just a comeback — it's a full OS upgrade. What You'll Learn Understand why silencing your inner critic doesn't work — and what to do instead: listen with respect Recognize how fear compounds and shrinks your energy, making it even harder to move forward See the difference between "putting your feelings in a corner" and actually processing them Discover what the Unkaged Method really is — not a program, but an operating system upgrade for your life Identify the 5 survival programs most high-achieving women are running without knowing it: Cultural Program, Armor of Achievement, Giving Until Gone, Energy Depletion, and Silencing the Self Why It Matters The systems were never going to protect us — and the current political climate is making that clearer than ever. But what's also clearer is this: we have tools available now that didn't exist in 1930, or the 50s, or the 60s. We can build our own. We can serve our own. But to do that, we have to be able to lead ourselves — and that means getting out of your own way, upgrading the OS, and becoming truly Unkaged. I spent nine months not just teaching this work, but living it. I'm back clearer, stronger, and with more to say than ever. Take Action Find out which of the 5 survival programs has been running your life — take my free Kage Assessment (just 5 minutes): 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com
• EP 248: Performance Partnership When It Ain't Really Partnership at All 22.09.2025 16min

  Queen, let's talk about the elephant in the room: that exhausting dance you're doing in your relationship where you're solving his problems before he even names them, managing his emotions while yours get pushed aside, and wondering why love feels like a second job. If you're tired of performing for love instead of receiving it, this episode is your wake-up call. It's time to stop auditioning for partnership and start demanding the real thing. Because what society calls "devotion" is actually just patriarchy in a hoodie—and your nervous system is paying the price. What You'll Learn • Discover how "overfunctioning" elevates cortisol and creates adrenal fatigue in your body • Recognize performance partnership vs. true partnership—and why one is just patriarchy in disguise • Transform your understanding of safety: why regulating his emotions will never regulate yours • Notice how overfunctioning prevents your partner from developing emotional accountability • Shift from emotional babysitting to creating space for genuine co-regulation Why It Matters High-achieving Black women are conditioned to carry everyone's emotional weight—and it's literally breaking down our bodies. This pattern of self-abandonment doesn't just show up in romantic relationships; it's how we operate with bosses, children, and friends. Breaking free from performance partnership is about reclaiming your worth, your energy, and your right to be fully supported instead of always being the one doing the supporting. Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz    RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz 
• EP 247: GETTING OVER MR. UNDERCOVER PROJECT MAN-Why That ‘Perfect on Paper’ Man Was the Real Fixer-Upper—The Closure You Didn’t Get, The Healing You Deserve” 16.09.2025 19min

  Queen, let's talk about the mindfuck breakup that's been keeping you stuck—the one with Mr. "Perfect on Paper" who left your soul starved despite checking every box society told you mattered. You know the type: well-dressed, well-traveled, well-paid, and wildly unavailable emotionally. This episode is your permission slip to finally name what you've been feeling and stop gaslighting yourself into believing something was wrong with you. It's time to get the closure you didn't get and claim the healing you absolutely deserve. Because when perfection masks a project, high-achieving Black women like you end up performing emotional triage instead of experiencing real partnership—and that ends today. What You'll Learn • Discover why your nervous system was screaming "something's off" even when everyone else thought you hit the jackpot. • Reclaim your reality by learning to identify "high presentation, low intimacy" men who look like prizes but function like emotional projects • Transform the cognitive dissonance that keeps you ruminating by naming the real problem: you weren't dating a high-value man, you were managing an undercover emotional fixer-upper. • Shift from self-blame to self-empowerment. • Notice how societal programming taught you to override your instincts and perform "low maintenance" just to keep the peace. • Repair what got damaged in the process: your trust in yourself, your joy, your hope, and your ability to love without shrinking.   This isn't just about one relationship—it's about breaking the cycle of self-abandonment that keeps high-achieving Black women trapped in situations that look good on paper but leave us emotionally starved. When you've been conditioned to prove your worthiness of love, your nervous system starts mistaking anxiety for attraction.    Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz    RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz 
• EP 246: He Ain’t Broke But He Still Needs Fixing When Your High-Value Man Is Actually a Project 08.09.2025 28min

  Queen, let's talk about the confusion that nobody prepared you for: when your high-value man checks every box society told you mattered, but your nervous system is screaming that something ain't right. You're not crazy, and you're not asking for too much—you're just dealing with an emotional project disguised in designer suits and six-figure success. In this episode, I'm breaking down why status doesn't equal safety and how to stop carrying the invisible emotional load that's draining your peace. It's time to trust your instincts and reclaim your power. What You'll Learn Discover the five clear signs that your successful man is actually an emotional project in disguise Shift your understanding of what "high value" really means beyond bank accounts and status symbols Notice how cognitive dissonance shows up when someone looks like a catch but feels like chaos Reclaim your self-trust by understanding that asking for your needs wasn't "too much"—it was necessary Transform your approach to relationships by recognizing emotional availability as the true flex Why It Matters This conversation addresses what so many high-achieving black women experience but rarely discuss—the psychological confusion that leaves you questioning everything about yourself. We've been conditioned to endure instead of express, especially when society celebrates our "good man." Through mindset coaching and understanding neurobiology, I'm here to empower you to stop diminishing yourself and break free from self-abandonment patterns. Your peace isn't negotiable. Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz    RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz 
• EP 245: LOVE WITHOUT CHAINS - 5 REASONS TO DE-CENTER MEN WITHOUT DISMISSING THEM 01.09.2025 25min

  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 sovereignty.  What You'll Learn: Historical Conditioning: How laws and culture, like credit restrictions until 1974, mandated centering men. Everyday Conditioning: How childhood, church, media, and dating advice push us to prioritize men. Reasons to De-Center: I share five powerful reasons to de-center men: your worth is inherent, not tied to a man; centering men causes health-damaging stress, especially for Black women; prioritizing men isn’t true connection if it erases you; de-centering lets men be whole, fostering healing; and it means choosing love from truth, not panic. Remember that de-centering isn’t about rejecting love but reclaiming your power to choose it freely. Let’s build a life where love is a choice, not a chain, and step into true sovereignty together. Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz    RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz   
• EP 244: From Stuck to Sovereign How CJ UNKAGED™ Her Next Chapter 25.08.2025 36min

  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 creating space for her passions. What You'll Learn: How feeling "unsafe" in professional spaces is a common experience for Black women that drains our capacity Why the "strong Black woman" trope and self-sacrifice mindset limits our potential The power of validating your own thoughts and feelings with "this makes sense" instead of questioning yourself How to create more capacity by reducing stress and emotional labor The difference between culturally-rooted coaching and traditional coaching approaches Why recovery is essential for high-achieving Black women I’m so grateful to CJ for sharing her story and insights with us. Her journey is a powerful reminder that we don’t have to settle for survival mode—we can choose recovery, reclaim our capacity, and live life on our own terms. Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz    RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz 
• EP 243: 5 Signs You’re Abandoning Yourself Without Realizing It 18.08.2025 14min

  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? Self-abandonment happens when you leave yourself emotionally, mentally, or physically to secure someone else's comfort, approval, or validation. It's when you side with others over yourself. We do this because somewhere along the line, we learned being fully ourselves wasn't safe. For Black women, this is compounded by generations of being told our bodies, voices, and desires needed to be managed to avoid backlash. 5 Signs You're Abandoning Yourself: You override your "no" - Agreeing to things that make you dread your calendar You need a "good reason" to rest - Otherwise, you feel guilty You shrink your joy - Speaking less, dimming your shine, or even stopping yourself from laughing You defer your decisions - Letting others decide for you, even on things that deeply impact you You gaslight yourself - Downplaying your needs or telling yourself you're overreacting The Cost Is Too High Studies show: The APA found that suppressing authentic self-expression is linked to higher cortisol and inflammation levels Harvard Business Review reports Black women face the steepest emotional tax in professional settings, leading to earlier burnout Chronic self-abandonment is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress-related illness For high earners, this shows up as: Emotional: Loss of self-trust, chronic resentment, burnout Physical: Sleep disruption, weight fluctuations, immune issues, hypertension Relationship: Surface-level connections, resentment in partnerships The Path Forward Ask yourself: "What would I choose if I didn't need anyone's approval?"   Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz    RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz   
• EP: 242 Internalized Wrongness – When You Mistake Your Identity for a Flaw 11.08.2025 19min

  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 this, and I know how sneaky it is. From code-switching until you don’t recognize your own voice, to chasing every receipt and title just to feel “enough,” it’s a cycle that drains your energy, creativity, and self-trust. We’ll talk about how this shows up in our daily lives, why overachieving can be a mask for internalized wrongness, and the exact process I use to help Black women reset their nervous systems so authenticity feels safe again. I’ll share a client story, practical steps you can start today, and the one truth that changes everything: you were never the problem — you are the blueprint. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to recognize the signs of internalized wrongness Why over-preparing and over-performing never bring self-trust The “safety scripts” that keep you editing yourself to fit in Small, low-risk experiments to prove to your body it’s safe to be you How to start stacking evidence for your worth and identity If you’ve been shrinking, editing, or collecting receipts just to feel worthy, it’s time to reset. Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz  keywords: internalized wrongness, self-trust for Black women, authenticity and nervous system, identity and self-worth, overcoming self-doubt, black women empowerment, authenticity coaching, nervous system reset, abandoning yourself for approval, self-safety practices, stop code switching, how to be your authentic self, allostatic load and stress, signs of identity suppression, Black women leadership mindset, building self-trust, cultural and historical stress, women’s empowerment podcast, emotional safety and authenticity, breaking free from people-pleasing
• EP 241: Cognitive Violence How Mindset Work Became Another Way to Shame Black Women 04.08.2025 29min

  Why I Had to Name This 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 asking where those thoughts came from or what they were protecting us from. That’s not healing. That’s cognitive violence—and we need to name it to reclaim our power. What This Episode is Really About In this episode, I introduce the term “cognitive violence”—a pattern I’ve witnessed in coaching spaces where mindset work is used to shame rather than support. I break down how thought-shaming can happen subtly, especially in coaching rooted in privileged perspectives that ignore systemic oppression and generational trauma. We explore: Why mindset “reframing” often skips over critical context for Black and Brown women. How survival-based thoughts are not mindset blocks—they’re protection mechanisms. What it means when your biology operates on rules written by oppression (what I call colonized biology). Real-life examples of cognitive violence in action, and how to stop committing it against yourself. The difference between changing your thoughts and feeling safe enough to believe them. The importance of decoding your survival scripts before trying to rewrite them. This conversation is a call to stop labeling our trauma responses as flaws—and start seeing them as wisdom. 🔥 Your Call to Action Pattern break time → Ask yourself or a trusted friend: What’s a thought I’ve been shaming myself for having? When did I first learn it, and who taught me? What was that thought trying to protect me from? Then write it down. Speak it aloud. Witness it. And if you’re ready to go deeper—take the free Stress Survival Style Quiz to start decoding your own survival patterns. Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz RESOURCES Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz  KEYWORDS: mindset coaching, trauma-informed coaching, Black women healing, cognitive violence, mindset work, colonized biology, nervous system regulation, emotional safety, survival thoughts, generational trauma, uncoached coaching, thought shaming, inner command center, stress survival style, self-sabotage, coaching for Black women
• EP 240: The Math Ain’t Mathing - With Guest Anita Miller 28.07.2025 47min

  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, staying late, over-preparing, and still being undervalued. I brought in the powerhouse Anita Miller to help us go deeper—not just into the numbers, but into the language of worth. We’re not just talking about the wage gap. We’re dismantling the silence that keeps us underpaid. In this episode, we unpack: Why Equal Pay Day isn’t a holiday—it’s a reality check The disturbing math behind racial and gender pay gaps How communication—not credentials—is often the barrier The Power Language Method and why it’s a game changer The hidden ways we shrink in negotiation and leadership Why AI could widen the gap even further—and how to prepare How to move from “doing more” to strategic influence Why internal safety is a leadership skill (and yes, it’s contagious) Anita doesn’t hold back—and neither do I. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underpaid, or unsure how to advocate for yourself, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Ready to evolve and command your worth? Press play. Then share it with a friend who needs to hear it too. About Anita: Anita R. Miller, MBA, PMP is a power strategist who discovered why qualified professional Black women stay stuck despite their credentials—and created the only system that fixes it. After 20+ years in corporate leadership spanning risk management, project management, and supply chain, Anita identified The Leadership Language Divide™: the gap in access to language of leadership and the price paid when you don't know it. While other experts focus on confidence and visibility, Anita saw that the real barrier was language—professional women were speaking like employees when they needed to sound like executives. Through Power Speaks Your Name™, Anita teaches The Leadership Language Trifecta™ that closes this divide. Her system shows women how to stop speaking like they work there and start speaking like they run it—especially crucial as AI increasingly analyzes workplace communication patterns. With 750+ professional women transformed through her frameworks, Anita's pattern recognition abilities allow her to see workplace shifts and corporate failures before they become obvious. Her mission is clear: teach professional women the language that positions them as decision-makers, not just high performers—so they control resources, shape strategy, and change systems from positions of power. As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, Anita challenges conventional wisdom about women's advancement. She believes the time for hoping qualifications will speak for themselves is over—now women must learn to speak with the authority their expertise deserves. Connect with Anita: Website: https://powerspeaksyourname.com/  Podcast: https://powerspeaksyourname.com/podcast/   Take Action Take my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz   RESOURCES: Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com  Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Stress Quiz  Keywords: equal pay day, pay gap 2025, racial wage gap, gender pay inequality, women of color pay gap, anita miller power language, brig johnson podcast, black women and equal pay, salary negotiation for women, how to ask for a raise, communication and leadership, strategic communication in the workplace, language and career advancement, dei rollback 2025, power lan
• EP 239 – When Your YAS Is Buried Under Their Opinions 21.07.2025 27min

  This episode helps you reclaim your inner YES and stop outsourcing your clarity through a 5-step soul sorting process.
• EP 238 When All They See Is Who You Used to Be (But You’re Not That Gurl No More) 07.07.2025 20min

  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 week, I want to speak to the sting of being seen as your old self — even after you’ve done the inner work. You’ve changed. But what happens when the people closest to you don’t see it... What you’ll hear in this episode: Why it’s painful when your growth isn’t acknowledged What “shrink scripts” are and how they’ve shaped you The grief of being seen as your past self — and how to name it Reframes and mindset shifts to stay rooted in your progress Tools to protect your expansion Why your nervous system isn’t sabotaging you — it’s trying to protect you How to stop outsourcing your validation and declare your evolution Your next step: Close your eyes, hand on your chest, and repeat:“I’ve changed. I’m still changing. And I don’t need permission to keep evolving.” Then ask yourself:What’s one truth I’m ready to stand in — even if no one claps yet? RESOURCES: Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Take the Stress Quiz   Stay Connected Instagram → @brigjohnsoncoaching Facebook → Brig Johnson Coaching Website → www.brigjohnson.com
• EP 237 Are You Stuck Playing Small to Stay Loved? 30.06.2025 23min

  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 know what it’s like to silence your voice, tone yourself down, and wear outdated roles just to keep the peace. But that strategy? It’s costing you more than you realize. In this episode, I’m not here to shame you—I’m here to bring awareness. To name the cages. To help you identify the "shrink scripts" you’ve inherited from well-meaning people who didn’t know any better. I’ll show you how to unkage your voice, your body, your mind, and your entire life. Because surviving isn’t the same as living—and queen, it’s time to live unkaged. What We’ll Dive Into in This Episode: Why conditional love is often disguised as safety The emotional cost of shrinking yourself in friendships, at work, and at home The invisible work no one sees—but that’s changing you daily “Shrink scripts” from family, culture, and your own past—and how to rewrite them The difference between surviving and thriving A powerful voice note exercise to reconnect with your growth Take Action – Your Uncaging Starts Now Ask yourself: Where are you still playing small to be loved?   RESOURCES: Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com Take the Stress Quiz   Stay Connected Instagram → @brigjohnsoncoaching Facebook → Brig Johnson Coaching Website → www.brigjohnson.com
• EP 236 What HYROX Taught Us About Power, Pain, and Pushing Through 23.06.2025 46min

  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 have an expiration date. I’m joined by my training partner Cynthia and our incredible coach, Coach O, to share the real journey: the highs, the hard days, and everything it took to reclaim strength, confidence, and joy in our bodies after 60. What This Episode Is About In this episode, we dive into: 🏋🏾‍♀️ What HYROX is and why it became more than a fitness goal for us The power of reclaiming your body and identity through strength training What training after 60 looks like—mentally, physically, and emotionally The unexpected healing, sisterhood, and self-trust built along the way The moment we came in last—and why it still felt like a win Why building strength is essential, not optional, at this stage of life You’ll hear real talk about cramps, doubts, breakthroughs, and post-race high fives. It’s honest, inspiring, and proof that “too late” is a myth we’re done believing. If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who needs to be reminded that her strongest years might still be ahead. ✨ And if you haven’t already, take my free quiz    Train with Coach O: https://www.instagram.com/corinthian.fit Follow Cynthia: https://www.instagram.com/campy1130 More Episodes: brigjohnson.com/podcast   RESOURCES: Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here Register for the Next Melanin Hour here Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
• EP 235 RETURN TO SELF: The Race That Reminded Me—This Ain’t the End. It’s the Becoming. 16.06.2025 17min

  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 about reinvention. It’s about returning to the version of you that always knew. You’ll learn: Why turning 60 brought unexpected emotional challenges How I trained for a global fitness competition after setbacks The quiet ways women start to feel invisible — and how to shift it Why purpose doesn’t need perfection — it needs action What it means to return to yourself instead of reinventing How to identify your new non-negotiables A practical question to ask yourself today: What have I shelved that I’m ready to reclaim? Ready to uncover the stress patterns keeping you stuck — and start building a life that fits who you are now? Stress Quiz HERE   RESOURCES: Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash Book a Breakthrough Call here Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com