The Black Woman’s Stress Solution Podcast: discover the connection between Black women’s stress in work, love, and health—offering real solutions to help you stress less and thrive more!

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 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 Unlearn and Unleashbrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz

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: 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 Unlearn and Unleashbrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz

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: 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 Unlearn and Unleashbrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz

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: The Cost Is Too High Studies show: For high earners, this shows up as: 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 Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz

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 Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress 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

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: 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: 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 Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress 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

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 Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress 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 language method, negotiation tips for women, ai and workplace inequality, internal safety and leadership, salary gap for black women, latina pay equity, how to advocate for your worth,...

I 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 clicked: too many of us are walking around disconnected from our inner YAS—our sacred, soul-level yes—because it’s been buried under other people’s voices. This episode is for the queens who feel stuck, confused, or overwhelmed because they’ve been outsourcing their clarity to everyone else: family, friends, systems, partners... It's time to come back home to your truth. What this episode is really about: Take Action If you’ve been feeling stuck or anxious about making a big decision, don’t rush it—soul sort it. Start by taking my free quiz to discover how your nervous system and survival patterns may be blocking your clarity: 👉🏾 brigjohnson.com/stress-quiz And if this episode spoke to you, send it to a friend who’s struggling with their own YES. Let’s help each other get free 💛 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 Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz KEYWORDS: soul sorting, inner YES, nervous system clarity, decision-making power, authority gap, stress quiz for women, trust your intuition, stop people pleasing, how to make aligned decisions, emotional clarity, personal growth, emotional healing, mindset podcast, self discovery, women’s empowerment

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: Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz Stay Connected @brigjohnsoncoachingBrig Johnson Coachingwww.brigjohnson.com

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: Take Action – Your Uncaging Starts Now Ask yourself: Where are you still playing small to be loved? RESOURCES: Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz Stay Connected @brigjohnsoncoachingBrig Johnson Coachingwww.brigjohnson.com

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: 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: Unlearn and Unleashherehereherebrig@brigjohnson.com

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: Unlearn and Unleash herebrig@brigjohnson.com

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 episode is for every Black woman who’s ever felt like she had to perform, conform, or stay quiet to stay safe. That stops here. You’ll learn: → Why deep knowing is the foundation of recovery → How community creates safety and amplifies growth → What Kinesthetic Wisdom means—and how your body always knows before your brain does → How to start trusting yourself again, without waiting for permission 💫 Then take a moment to breathe before you perform. That’s where the revolution begins. RESOURCES: Unlearn and Unleash herebrig@brigjohnson.comStress Quiz

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 discovered underneath all the mindset work, and why I’m no longer coaching around the edges of the wound. What we often call procrastination, self-sabotage, or burnout? It’s not a personal flaw. It’s your nervous system doing what it was built to do: protect you. When I finally gave myself permission to stop performing and start feeling safe, I unlocked a deeper capacity—to rest without guilt, to dream without fear, and to stop abandoning myself just to be accepted. This is what the UNKAGED Revolution is all about: Helping high-performing women like us recalibrate our nervous systems, reclaim our voice, and rise from survival into sovereignty. If you’re tired of shrinking, proving, or managing stress with hacks that don’t heal—this episode is for you. You don’t need more discipline. You don’t need to fix yourself. You need safety. You need softness. You need a nervous system that finally feels free. The revolution begins with you. RESOURCES Join my Newsletter: Unlearn and Unleash Save your spot in the Next Breakthrough Master Class Register for the Next Melanin Hour Book a 1:1 Breakthrough Call Stress Quiz ✉️ Want to share your thoughts or breakthroughs? Write me at Website | Instagram | Facebook

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: 💥 Recovery is not rest. It’s reclamation. Reclaiming your time. Your energy. Your breath. Your baseline. We dive deep into why recovery is the missing skill set for high-achieving Black and Brown women—and how without it, we’re stuck in cycles of burnout, overperformance, and silence. You’re not broken. You’re under-recovered. Let’s change that. 🎧 Tap the link in bio to listen. 💫 Then take a moment to breathe before you perform. That’s where the revolution begins. STAY CONNECTED 🌐 Website 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook

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 something I’ve been working on for a while: the Uncaged Stress Impact Assessment—a powerful quiz to help you uncover which stress archetype has been running your life. I walk you through the 4 KAGE types: The Fixer The Overachiever The Self-Silencer The Soloist These aren’t personality traits. They’re survival patterns rooted in stress. And when we name them, we begin to reclaim ourselves. I created this because I needed it myself—and I know you do too. Because you’re not broken. You’ve just been adapting. And now it’s time to break the cage. 🔍 What This Episode Covers: What the 4 KAGE stress archetypes are and how they form Why naming your pattern is the first step toward healing How stress hijacks your nervous system and rewires your behavior Why rest isn’t a reward—it’s your right How to take the quiz and start your recovery journey A journaling prompt to notice your cage in motion this week 💥 Ready to Break the Cage? Take the Take the Uncaged Stress Impact Assessment 💌 Join my Newsletter: Unlearn and Unleash 🎙 Register for the Next Melanin Hour 📅 Book a 1:1 Breakthrough Call 💭 Want to share your thoughts or breakthroughs? Email me at Website 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook

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 mic, and how that moment brought radical clarity: what we call self-sabotage is often just our nervous system doing its job. When I learned to feel safe in my body, I unlocked a deeper freedom—to dream boldly, to rest without guilt, to stop proving, and to finally trust myself again. This is the core of what I teach inside the UNKAGED Revolution: helping women like us reset our nervous systems, reclaim our identities, and step fully into our power. If you’re ready to stop performing peace and start living it, this episode is your invitation. You don’t have to sacrifice your peace, your rest, or your joy to earn love or success. You don’t need another planner or productivity hack. What you might need is recovery, safety, and nervous system support. That’s what I offer inside my 1:1 coaching. It’s time to stop blaming yourself—and start reclaiming your capacity. RESOURCES Join my Newsletter: Unlearn and Unleash Save your spot in the Next Breakthrough Master Class Register for the Next Melanin Hour Book a 1:1 Breakthrough Call ✉️ Want to share your thoughts or breakthroughs? Write me at Website | Instagram | Facebook

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, not personal failure, and makes the case for a radical shift: nervous system recalibration. When you learn to feel safe in your body and life, you unlock the freedom to dream boldly, love deeply, and prioritize your well-being—without guilt. This is the heart of the UNKAGED™ Revolution: a movement to help women of color reclaim their identity, reset their nervous systems, and step fully into their power. If you’re ready to protect your peace, live unapologetically, and start your healing journey—this episode is your invitation. 📣 You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams or your happiness for your relationships. Let’s work together to create fulfilling connections that uplift and empower you. Our Impact One-On-One Coaching offers personalized guidance to help you fully embrace the Freedom Formula. It's time to opt out of their formulas and into your power. RESOURCES — Unlearn and Unleashhere here herebrig@brigjohnson.com STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

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 past experiences can silently shape our present-day reactions. She unpacks the concept of being "Kaged"—a survival state where your nervous system shrinks, suppresses, and adapts just to make it through. Then, she guides you through the liberating process of becoming "UNKAGED™"—rewriting default thought patterns and intentionally choosing beliefs that empower, expand, and elevate. If you're ready to reclaim your power and step fully into who you were always meant to be, this episode is your first step. Tune in and discover the freedom of a managed mind. 📣 You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams or your happiness for your relationships. Let’s work together to create fulfilling connections that uplift and empower you. Our Impact One-On-One Coaching offers personalized guidance to help you fully embrace the Freedom Formula. It's time to opt out of their formulas and into your power. RESOURCES — Unlearn and Unleashhere here herebrig@brigjohnson.com STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

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, where self-doubt and vulnerability often reside. This episode is a reminder that it's perfectly okay to be in the messy middle and she encourages you to honor your feelings, allowing yourself to be vulnerable while also recognizing the strength that comes from being in this transitional space. Whether you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply in need of a reminder that you're not alone, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how to navigate the messy middle with grace and authenticity! 📣 You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams or your happiness for your relationships. Let’s work together to create fulfilling connections that uplift and empower you. Our Impact One-On-One Coaching offers personalized guidance to help you fully embrace the Freedom Formula. It's time to opt out of their formulas and into your power. RESOURCES — Unlearn and Unleashhere here herebrig@brigjohnson.com STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook