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Episode Summary On his adventure to explore Africa, Kevin Y Brown gives his experience traveling in Africa and how he discovered the young market of podcasting on the continent. He highlights the lessons he learned from visiting six countries on the continent and how it has impacted his life. In this episode, Kevin discusses landing a job at Afridpods as the Chief Content Officer and Head Of Strategy and what to expect from CYLS.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Insights from this episode: Kevin’s experience in Africa Kevin’s curiosity about podcasting in Africa How his trip to Africa impacted him Kevin’s transition from an entrepreneurship to office culture Kevin’s move to Kenya and getting recruited to work at Afripods   Quotes from the show: “I knew there was an opportunity on the continent, and I understood the importance of podcasting and what it could do in order to preserve the language, the traditions, and customs for people on the continent” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “I had the opportunity to see the lineage of black excellence, and culture in all these different countries: unity, family ties, and so much more” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “I had to learn that people don’t work around the clock 24/7 like I had been doing” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “I knew that I saw an opportunity and I needed to get back to Africa, but I just didn’t know how” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “Living in Africa definitely has its pros and cons, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and I am very thankful” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “Staying focused, staying true to myself always really helped me and has been a true North even when it seems like things are blurry” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin is a guest on Afros & Audios IGTV, where he talks with Talib Jasir about why he made the leap into podcasting and how his experience in other industries laid a foundation for his podcast success.  This uplifting interview on personal evolution and being committed to excellence will inspire you to keep making the hard choices that will bring the success and happiness we are all seeking.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Talib Jasir Talib Jasir is a storyteller, author, podcast producer, and advocate for the people and their collective power. Born a twin in Baltimore, MD, he spent his earliest years traversing the backwoods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore under the guardianship of his Great Grandmother.  Reared by a village of irrepressible folk, he learned the paramountcy of kinship, love, and the dynamism of language. Talib is a creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and advertising.  Founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival and the Vanguard Podcast Network, he is also a dual-certified Life Coach with a focus on supporting creatives, podcast creators, and entrepreneurs.  Talib received his BA in Public Policy/Urban Studies, Africana Studies and Social Justice (Summa Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.   Insights from this episode: Details on why Kevin started on a radio platform, how he built his catalog of shows to launch on SiriusXM, and how that led to starting Podcast Laundry. Differences between being a creative person versus a business person and how to bring those two aspects together to succeed. How to set goals and be intentional in achieving what you desire and the life that you want through personal work and personal evolution. Difficulties Kevin experienced that helped him find a better way forward. Benefits of using a podcast production company beyond just the technical aspects. How to build and surround yourself with a community that provides support and opportunity for everyone.   Quotes from the show: “You’ve got to think outside the box.  If you have places that already have a large distribution network, this is just a way to increase your reach.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “I approached [podcasting] like a business from day one.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “Audio is a cornerstone.  It is an opportunity to expand so far into different creative aspects.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187 “These legal and small things like that make people come in and respect you and your show on another level and I think that helps to raise your bar.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “In order for you to get where you’re needing to go, you’re going to have to do your due diligence.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187 “Sometimes the absence of expectation allows you to breed creativity.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “Personal work is what helps you maximize your potential in this lifetime.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “If you have thoughts that don’t serve or support you, then they don’t challenge you to do anything different.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187 “Protect what you bring into your life … protect your peace.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “The only resource you can’t get back is your time.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “Community leads to opportunity.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “Business is cool but you’ve got to be human.  You’ve got to want to see other people evolve.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “As you manifest your vision, your vision starts to manifest you.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Talib Jasir Website: talibjasir.com Website: afrosandaudio.com Instagram: @afrosandaudio Instagram: @iamfwdmvmt Facebook: Afros & Audio   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary What is the most important thing for a podcast to have?  An audience.  Rita Bautista not only found an audience for her own podcast, she also found an audience for a network of podcasts.  In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, the creator of the Latina Podcasters Network tells Kevin that no matter what your approach is to podcasting, the most important thing is to get out of your own way and get started.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Rita Bautista As founder and CEO of the Latina Podcasters Network, Bautista connects aspiring and established Mujeres Latinas and the Latinx community. She has been called a bold innovative thinker and cultural connector by her peers. She’s responsible for hosting the first Latina Podcasters meetup at any podcast convention. Her passion and love for the podcasting industry came in 2019 when she launched her first podcast, Empowerment & All That. This podcast was dedicated solely to empowering women by delivering motivational interviews and episodes. Her desire to keep growing in the podcast community and finding cultural relevance was the driving force to develop Latina Podcasters Network. Latina Podcasters is the first and only global podcast network committed solely to amplifying the voices of Latinas and Latinx mujeres. Bautista is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and has over a decade of experience serving on civic and non-profit boards representing Latinx voices in education, government, business, and sports.   Insights from this episode: Differences between Latino and LatinX, the necessity for the term, and how it gives space for everyone to be themselves. Details on why Rita created the Latina Podcaster Network, the community it created, and the positive promotion of culture that has grown from the network. Rita’s top tips for creating a great audio experience for listeners and how to build an audience. Benefits that podcasting can provide such as a creative outlet, personal growth motivator, and bonus therapy. How to navigate negative feedback, stay motivated, and overcome challenges.   Quotes from the show: “I’m lucky.  I think I’ve had the opportunity to live in some really dynamic and traditionally rich cities and then others, like Houston, that’s a commercial, thriving, business-development type city.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “I started my podcast because I wanted to begin to empower women and basically give back the message that I had been given.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 On Rita’s experience starting a podcast: “It was like an additional layer to therapy.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “What’s beautiful about leaving something uncut is you can always go back to it and see your growth.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “We, fundamentally, are all pretty much the same on the inside.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “It’s really okay to start where you are.  I think a lot of people are really afraid of getting started because they don’t have or they lack and having that lack mentality makes more lack.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “When you start the podcast, it’s for you, when you start the second episode, it’s no longer for you anymore.”  – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 On building community: “it’s always just being authentic because the more authentic and more real you are as a person, the more chances are your community is going to build faster.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “As much as people want to believe that our happiness belongs in somebody else, it really doesn’t.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186 “We all have success amnesia, we forget how dope we are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #186   Resources: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz   Favorite book: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius   Favorite quote: “Push yourself because nobody is gonna do it for you”   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Make your goal being happy Love is a foundational emotion that we shouldn’t run from Collaboration over competition   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Rita Bautista Website: latinapodcasters.com Podcast: Empowerment and All That Instagram: @ritabautista   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary Kevin continues his talks with Eric Fondren on how pivoting has benefited their businesses in 2020 and what other strategies they will use to bring success to 2021 including focusing on yourself to help manifest your goals.  Eric talks about how his businesses have been performing and what he’s working on now and Kevin discusses the importance of projection when it comes to creating a stable and growing business.  Discover how to create repeatable strategies for success, in this episode of the Create Your Life Series.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Eric Fondren Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling. After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company. Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large-scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform.    Insights from this episode: Updates on Eric’s businesses and business development pipeline, as well as how COVID allowed his business to grow. Details on how Eric is establishing himself as a brand of information using social media and with his new show, Pivot or Die. Updates on Kevin’s businesses, how COVID tested and proved his business model, and his plans to generate more income streams within the same industry. Benefits of using projection to predict business growth and trends and scale your business accordingly to meet those projections. Benefits of using an accountability partner/coach, goal-setting, and other tools to help you stay on track and meet your goals.   Quotes from the show: On Eric’s show:  “[Pivot or Die] is all about the mistakes you can make as an entrepreneur and what you need to do to make the decisions that will lead to success.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185 On being successful through the pandemic: “If you were selling a product that was ‘nice to have’ maybe you need to pivot into a ‘need to have’ scenario.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185 On generating success: “I feel that is our best [asset], that we are really good at customer service.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185 On the intangible aspects of running a business:  “At the end of the day, money’s cool, it’s one thing, but people want to show up to a place where they actually feel welcome and taken care of.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185 “You know the model; hire slow, fire fast.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185 “I think I’m pretty adept at building an operation, creating a process, just starting the engine, and I’ve always known that I need to hire the right individuals to help me keep it running at full-steam.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185 “Success is an ongoing thing.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185 On the importance of having a business focus: “There’s only so many new things I can do at once before my creativity is dried up.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185 On knowing when to make changes in your business: “It’s okay to not have the perfect answer, just know that you will make the decision when the time is right.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185 “You need to take a chance and you need to really gamble on yourself and on the things that you always wanted to do.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Eric Fondren Website: www.itellio.com Email: info@itell.io LinkedIn: Eric Fondren Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with fellow podcaster Talib Jasir about the power and influence of community when it comes to creating not just a successful podcast but a podcast festival.  Talib shares important lessons for potential podcasters or anyone who wants to start a creative endeavor.  Listen in for details on the Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival happening November 14th and 15th and to hear a preview of some of the events.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Talib Jasir Talib Jasir is a storyteller, author, podcast producer, and advocate for the people and their collective power. Born a twin in Baltimore, MD, he spent his earliest years traversing the backwoods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore under the guardianship of his Great Grandmother.  Reared by a village of irrepressible folk, he learned the paramountcy of kinship, love, and the dynamism of language. Talib is a creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and advertising.  Founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival and the Vanguard Podcast Network, he is also a dual-certified Life Coach with a focus on supporting creatives, podcast creators, and entrepreneurs.  Talib received his BA in Public Policy/Urban Studies, Africana Studies and Social Justice (Summa Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.   Insights from this episode: Details on why Talib felt the need to create Afros & Audio podcast and how that has grown into a community and a festival. Talib’s tips for building community around your podcast and how to avoid “pod fade.” Benefits of mentorship and having a circle of support to help you achieve the goals you have set. How to move beyond negative feedback using self-work and what you can gain from those conversations. Difficulties creative people face and the importance of overcoming obstacles and yourself on your way to success.    Quotes from the show: “It’s amazing to be a twin as an adult.  It took us some time for us to understand the importance of one another.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 On growing up in rural Maryland: “More than anything it shaped me into understanding what community looks like and feels like and so I keep that integrity with me everywhere that I go.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 “A lot of us who create community are really seeking folks to connect with, hold us accountable, be able to support and gain support.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 “We all want to monetize and create this legacy and have something amazing but there’s information disparity when it comes to certain industries and I believe that is deliberate.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 “We have the resources, we have the finances, we have the genius, we have the innovation and it’s really about [us not] looking outside of ourselves.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 “Clear requests will get you clear results every time.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 “I think podcasting has a great deal of entrepreneurial spirit behind it but entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t translate to acumen.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184 “We need to be innovative.  Somebody else doesn’t always have the answers, you have the answers within you and you have to think outside of the box.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #184   Resources: Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival, November 14th & 15th Afros & Audio is a community for and by Black Podcast Creatives and Audio Professionals.  Our primary mission is to shift the conversation beyond the issues of diversity, inclusion, limited resources, and industry barriers. As a collective of creatives and professionals, we are change agents for real strategies that will transform the current landscape of the Podcast Industry. Together we will design and maintain infrastructures of sustainable resources and consistent support.  Our inaugural festival brought together the most progressive, accomplished, and innovative minds of our podcast and tech communities to ask and answer questions that sparked ideas and created tangible change.   Favorite book: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison   Favorite quote: “Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it” - James Baldwin   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Be intentional Be clear Ask for support   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Talib Jasir Website: talibjasir.com Website: afrosandaudio.com Instagram: @afrosandaudio Instagram: @iamfwdmvmt Facebook: Afros & Audio   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary Get information from under the hood on how car repair shops truly operate and what Michael Holland, Jr. has envisioned to change that model.  By creating AMPcar, Michael has brought his guiding principle of “be the change you wish to see in the world,” to life and seeks to take the mystery out of your car repair bill.  Also on the menu, mentorship, motivation, and the importance of friends and family to your ultimate success, in this episode of the Create Your Life Series.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Michael Holland, Jr. Michael Holland, Jr. is an auto industry veteran who started his career at the age of 19 as a junior service advisor for Ford and Lincoln. Michael has since held every conceivable client-facing position that a dealership has to offer.  After moving to New York City in 2005, he attended New York University and worked full-time on New York’s 11th Avenue of auto dealers until he, and co-founder Eric, started an automotive-maintenance management company.  AMPcar saves clients time and money while providing honesty and transparency when it comes to servicing their automobiles.    Insights from this episode: Details on why Michael created AMPcar, the cost-saving services they provide, and the next steps they are taking to provide more efficient and affordable solutions for customers. Benefits and difficulties of having a successful career at an early age, such as income versus freedom. Five steps to having a successful career in the automotive industry. How mentorship can provide invaluable resources to help you advance your career, the value in criticism, and accepting help. Three steps to providing great customer service. Strategies for balancing life and career obligations including leaning on your friends and family for help.    Quotes from the show:  “I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the coin, I’ve been the dealership person calling and asking for the money and I’ve also been the customer on the other end not sure what I should do.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 On the benefits of AMPcar: “People have more confidence when they have someone that knows what they’re talking about in their corner.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 On starting a career early: “It was probably the one of the greatest decisions I made, and also one of the worst decisions I made in a way.  … It afforded me to earn a six-figure income really early in life but it’s kind of like golden handcuffs.”  – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 “Everyone can give you their own advice and everyone can give you what they feel is working, it’s my responsibility to take that advice and adapt it to me and my company in a way that makes sense.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 “When you receive excellent customer service, you remember it, and you want more of it.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 On how Michael balances work and home life: “Without [friends and family] it would not work.  I’m not anything special, I just have special people around me.”  “I love that you’re being solution-based versus emotional in order to make sure that you can push your company forward.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #183 On staying motivated: “I haven’t even scratched the surface of where I want to be.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 On the secret to success: “Not being afraid to just go after what you want and that’s what I’m doing right now.  I’m not afraid anymore.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 “Show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.  You are the company you keep.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 “I judge myself against my performances each month and I try to get better each month.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183 “Educate yourself.  There is no reason to be ignorant on any topic that you’re passionate about or curious about.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183   Resources The Richest Man in Babylon by Geroge S. Clayson   Favorite book: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason   Favorite quote: “Most become the change you wish to see in the world”   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Break free of whatever is holding you back Educate yourself Don’t be rigid, be loose   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Michael Holland, Jr. Website: www.ampmycar.com Instagram: @ampcarinc Twitter: @ampcarinc Instagram: @mikehollnyc Twitter: @MikeHollandjr   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin is a guest on long-time friend Awesome Nobody’s podcast where they are discussing how musical styles are affected by location.  West-coast Kevin talks about how the music from his hometown in California shaped how he navigated life growing up while East-coast Awesome talks about how his musical background helped him stay out of trouble.  Although the differences are many, music unites both coasts and provides a common experience.     Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Awesome Nobody Awesome Nobody is one of the hottest up-and-coming MCs you've never heard of but definitely should.  Awesome is a lyrically skilled artist with a unique style who has been building a solid fan base by consistently putting out projects on SoundCloud and visuals on YouTube.  Awesome Nobody, originally from the New Jersey/New York City area, is taking the music scene to another level.  Musically inspired by songs from the 1990s to 2000s, Awesome focuses on capturing the essence of those decades and recreating it in modern times, a true definition of "Restoring the Feeling." While awaiting an official release, Awesome Nobody stays busy doing numerous shows in the tri-state area and recording.  Awesome is the Motto, Music is the Life!    Insights from this episode: Details on the music scene in the Bay Area of California and Kevin’s experience growing up with the music of that area. How the content of music has changed and the influence it has on its audiences. Differences between the two coasts that extend beyond music, specifically in basketball.   Quotes from the show: “Music, for me, is something that really helped me to understand how to navigate life.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182 “Even though an artist might be aware of it or not, they think, “is this song the best representation of me at this moment?’” – Awesome Nobody, Episode #182 “Be O.K. with just being the cool person, just being authentic to yourself, and I think that gets lost in music.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182 On West-coast music: “I can’t sit up here and act like the East [Coast] didn’t influence us.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182 “You can see the differences between the East and the West in so many different ways.  It’s in our language, it’s in our dress, it’s in our style of basketball.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182   Favorite book: Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe   Favorite quote: “Do what scares you”   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Do the hard stuff Believe in yourself Get down to the core of who you are   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Awesome Nobody YouTube: Awesome Nobody Twitter: @AwesomeNobdy Instagram: @awesome_nobody   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin directs the focus onto Bridget Boakye’s personal experiences and how things might have gone differently if not for one moment of divine intervention.  Bridget provides advice on entrepreneurship, becoming an ex-pat in Ghana, goal setting, and much more.  You’ll also learn more about Kevin as Bridget turns the microphone and asks him questions about his experiences.  Packed with motivation and inspiration, you will want to listen to this episode again and again.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Bridget Boakye Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora. Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward. On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts.  She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana. Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.   Insights from this episode: Benefits of reading on personal growth and perspective. Bridget’s secret to staying motivated and how she continues to find inspiration and renewal. Strategies for becoming an expat in Ghana now and how that may change in the future. Details on how Bridget is creating her best life. Reasons why Kevin moved on from the Debt-Free College Academy and what he learned from the experience. Kevin’s secret to maximizing potential by constantly learning and evolving.   Quotes from the show: “Reading allows me to gain greater perspective about who I am as a person in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181 “The people who support you most are not the people you grew up with or are not related to you.  Friends are the family you get to choose.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181 “For me, the biggest challenge has been myself.  What I tell myself I can do in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181 “Realizing what is momentary and fleeting versus what your actual purpose requires of you or is going to demand of you is really key.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181 “You honestly don’t fail until you quit.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181 Bridget’s motto: “Do what scares you.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181 On legacy: “I understood my responsibility as a black man, but I didn’t understand how deep the roots are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181 “It’s fascinating to learn of other people’s cultures, the way that they do things, why they do things, and to really go deep because there is so much to learn.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181 On maximizing potential: “It’s not just learning who you are; it’s also evolving, being in an eternal state of evolution.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181   Resources The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss The Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe Debt Free College Academy   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Bridget Boakye Website: www.boakyeb.com Twitter: @Boakye_B Instagram: @boakyeb LinkedIn: Bridget Boakye   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Bridget Boakye talks about moving from Ghana to New York at the age of ten and how those dual life experiences provided her with the discipline and motivation to become a writer and advocate for Africa.  Bridget and Kevin discuss the artificial construct that has been created to portray Africa to the world and the ways they are creating a new narrative to effect powerful change.  Listen in to learn about China in Africa, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and more.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Bridget Boakye Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora. Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward. On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts.  She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana. Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.   Insights from this episode: Benefits Bridget received from transitioning from Ghana to the United States and back to Ghana and how those experiences helped shape her future. How Bridget maintained her identity while navigating cultural expectations in Ghana and America. The secret for developing the discipline to accomplish your goals. How to change the narrative of Africa that was created by American Imperialism by using social media.  Details on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how it is impacting African resources and innovation.   Quotes from the show: “I must say that some of my formative experience, in terms of defining who I am as a person now, definitely came from my educational experiences in the [United States].”  – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180 On being an African immigrant in America: “I’ve always had this sense that I’m navigating a dual identity.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180 What compelled Bridget to write: “Creating another million-dollar business isn’t going to change another person on the continent’s perception about what it is, what’s going to change it is the narrative we tell ourselves about who we are.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180 “In order to develop discipline you have to care about the thing you’re doing.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180 On China positioning themselves in Africa: “If Africans don’t believe they’re not inferior to Chinese, who cares what a Chinese person has to say?” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180 On the narrative of African inferiority: “Part of that is who has the ability to amplify the voice of whether someone is inferior or superior.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180 “I’m Black-American. We have the most dominant culture in the world, but we don’t own it.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180 On social media versus mainstream media: “There is nothing CNN can show that is going to move the needle in the way that our own people are going to move the needle when they have the access (to social media).” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180 “Africa doesn’t need to be saved.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180 “There’s this idea that there’s a lot of talent on the (African) Continent but there’s not enough opportunity or enough access.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Bridget Boakye Website: www.boakyeb.com Twitter: @Boakye_B Instagram: @boakyeb LinkedIn: Bridget Boakye   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin reflects on how the passing of one of his mentors has caused him to reevaluate the things that really matter. And Kevin shares some of his favorite quotes, thoughts, and actions that have helped him through stressful times.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Insights from this episode: Benefits of cultivating a life outside of business and entrepreneurship.  How to gain perspective and understanding in your life. Strategies for evaluating what is important to you and moving forward on that information.   Quotes from the show: “Experiences can shape a person.  As a matter of fact, experiences do shape people.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179 “Enjoy the journey while you’re on it.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179 On what Kevin would change about his past experiences: “I honestly would take more chances.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179 “The answers to my questions and my desires are within me and have always been.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179 “Are you actively walking in creating a legacy that you will be proud of and that your family will be proud of.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179   Resources: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this special episode of Create Your Life Series,  Kevin shares the top tips and tricks he uses to achieve his goals and discusses additional steps he has taken to find balance during the quarantine of COVID-19.  Having used these lessons to achieve the success and happiness he desires, Kevin creates a clear path for you to reach your goals while protecting your mental space.     Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Insights from this episode: How to protect your mental space to make sure you can stay strong for yourself and for others during COVID-19: No distractions in the morning Having a morning routine Meditate Focus on focus Evaluate your relationships Spend time with yourself Plan Get an accountability partner Have a nightly routine  Turn your phone off Bonus: Prioritize what matters  Bonus: Consistency Bonus: Stay in your lane How to promote self-care with Kevin’s AMBITIONS acronym: A - daily affirmations M - listen to something motivational B - the body, stretch I - intelligence, read T - thankfulness I - income, manage finances O - look at opportunities N - nutritional intake S - schedule Benefits of asking questions to encourage personal and relationship growth: Why do I do certain things? What makes me feel good? What makes me feel not so good? How do I feel when [this person] comes around?  How do I feel when I’m around a particular group of people? What actually matters to me? What would I do for fun if no one else was around?  What music would I listen to if no one else was around? What would I do if money didn’t matter?   Quotes from the show:  “The day started on my time, on my schedule versus starting it in reaction.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 “Owning your morning is what really sets the precedent for the rest of the day.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 “It is so important to spend some time in complete silence and think through your day.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 “Stop participating in relationships that cause you stress or make you second-guess yourself.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 “I am lucky to live my life on my terms and for that, I am extremely thankful.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 On having an accountability partner: “You need someone to hold you accountable to your plans and your true north and this is going to make a huge difference and keep you pushing forward.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 “Your nightly routine and what you do before bed are related to your morning routine.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178 “Working on the right things is more important than working hard.  Make sure you are working on the things that will bring you the results that you want.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178   Resources Mentioned: Smart Countdown Timer CYLS 173: One Year Back in America Plan for Success with Dr. Myles Munroe   Stay Connected: Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary Learn about the host of your favorite podcast as Candice Davis of Little Miss Entertainment turns the microphone on Kevin, in this crossover episode of the Create Your Life Series.  Kevin shares how his experiences in the California foster system gave him the determination to succeed and, ultimately, the ability to create his life.  Kevin and Candice reminisce about his experiences at Clark Atlanta University and how the friends you make can influence your life in the best of ways.  Listen in to find out what’s next for Kevin and what he’s looking forward to in the future.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Candice Davis Candice graduated from Wilkes University with honors in the prestigious Lambda Pi Eta communications studies National Honor Society.  She is in the Who's Who of College & University Students and has achieved numerous other awards.  Now, Candice is Director of Marketing at Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, but after college Candice took what she calls a “survival job” before finding what would be the best opportunity of her life at a casino as an entertainment coordinator.  What began as a fun title on a name tag turned into the Little Miss Entertainment brand.   Little Miss Entertainment is any person that loves to go to concerts, loves throwing dinner parties, loves finding a bargain on great designer clothes, loves traveling the world.  Candice took that brand and turned it into an interview-style podcast, The Little Miss Entertainment Show, where she interviews amazing people with amazing stories. They talk about funny things, serious things, and love things and they are the types of stories that everyone can relate to.   Insights from this episode: Details on how Kevin’s childhood cultivated and shaped his path for the future. The benefits of going to Clark Atlanta University, how it provided a history and a basis for Kevin to learn and build from, and how he emerged as a completely different person. Secrets to graduating from college debt-free taken from Kevin’s book 10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free: A Guide to Post-College Freedom. Strategies Kevin used to survive foster care and how that experience made him who he is today. Difficulties faced by men of color to express themselves in a meaningful way. How to find and face your flaws. Details on the launch of Podcast Laundry, how it has grown, and what’s next for Kevin.   Quotes from the show: On being in foster care: “It’s one of those situations where you either decide that you’re going to take control of your life or that the circumstances that you were born into, that you have no control over, will then define who you are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “Going to Clark Atlanta was a great experience.  I feel like, for me, it definitely taught me about the responsibilities that I had to the community as a black male.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “College is about having fun and it’s about finding yourself and your independence, but it’s more so what you need to leave with; college is a network of people that will support you.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177 “Foster care just always has that connotation that that person didn’t want the child or the child is in the system, but it’s so much more than that.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177 On surviving foster care: “You have people that have different levels of resiliency.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “My thing with Create Your Life is that we want to make sure that people walk away with tangible takeaways and that our guests are very, very open, and that we ask the questions, the life hacks, that people can really walk away with.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “You can’t duplicate the ‘what’ somebody does or the ‘why’ they do it but you can duplicate the ‘how’ and that’s what’s really important.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “You invest in other people to see them win.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “We all have areas to improve … change is constant but growth is optional.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177 “Sometimes we are our biggest critics and we have to know we aren’t perfect and … that there is room to improve and grow and if we all accept that we will become better human beings and better communicators and better partners.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177 “[Kevin] is one of those people that you will not just want to work with because of the quality of work, you’ll enjoy working with him because he is professional and personable.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177   Resources Mentioned: 10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free: A Guide to Post-College Freedom by Kevin Y. Brown Pod Decks   Stay Connected: Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Candice Davis Website: www.candicedavisonline.com Podcast: Little Miss Entertainment Show Instagram: @lilmissent Twitter: @lilmissent Email: thelilmissentshow@gmail.com   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary If you want to increase effective communication and leadership in your business, don’t miss this episode of the Create Your Life Series.  Eric and Kevin discuss their commitment to creating a company culture that reflects the values of their organization and how they incorporate the Hire Slow, Fire Fast method to achieve that goal.  They break down their core concepts of hiring employees, conflict resolution, and how to release the anchor of commitment when you need to take the final step and fire an employee.       Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Eric Fondren Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling.   After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company.   Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform.    Insights from this episode: How to hire employees to create a respectful culture within your organization that fosters success. Strategies for defining who will be a good fit to join your organization. Benefits of having a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), paying attention to the details of your business, and knowing your personnel. How to deal with clients that have a company culture that clashes with your company’s culture. Benefits of taking responsibility as a leader and the impact it makes on your culture. Strategies for effective communication especially through digital methods such as email and text. The secret for dealing with conflict communication; the positivity sandwich.   Quotes from the show: “Creating a culture is probably the most important thing you can do to set up success for your business long-term.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176 “Being organized starts from the top.  You have to understand your personnel.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #176 “You don’t want to have to spend time teaching somebody the skills necessary to do the job.  That’s an important piece.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176 “You’re hiring somebody to do the job; you’re not hiring someone to learn the job.  That’s an internship.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176 “People value different things.  People have different priorities, different motivations.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176 On communicating with employees: “I had to be mindful of the way that I was communicating as the leader in this situation as well.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #176 “Conflict resolution is a huge part of culture. If people are scared to resolve conflict both internally and externally, it’s going to stop your business almost immediately.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176 “You have to know what the goal is beyond this conversation or the goal of the conversation.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #176   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Eric Fondren Website: www.itellio.com Email: info@itell.io LinkedIn: Eric Fondren   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with Eric Fondren of Itellio about the effects of quarantine on life and business and the lessons they are learning during this time.  Eric discusses his new venture, Bankable Business Blueprint, and other projects he’s working on right now and Kevin shares what the future holds for his business, Podcast Laundry.  Whether you’re starting a business or trying to break a plateau, you don’t want to miss this episode on how to make your venture more effective.     Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Eric Fondren Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling. After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company. Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform.    Insights from this episode: Strategies for attracting and retaining the right customers for your services.  Benefits of evolving and redefining your clientele to ensure business success and growth.  How to set your business up for success and maintain consistent growth. Details on the “six-figure follows” system that Eric created and uses to help his customers reach more customers. Differences between word-of-mouth marketing and content marketing and when to employ each. Benefits of researching your competition to find what made them successful and what didn’t to improve your own business.   Quotes from the show: “I feel like quarantine and pivot has been the story of my life.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175 “Quarantine has really helped me to become laser-focused.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175 “The product should be catered to the client and if you don’t know who exactly the client should be you can’t build a good company around it.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175 On client relationships: “Our success is tied to your success.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175 “I don’t want to help people build a product … I want to help people go from just product development to sales to a consistent managed sales process.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175  On the “six-figure follows” system: “Why post all day when you can make money all day.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175 “Real competition means someone doing the exact same thing as you at potentially higher quality and lower prices.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175 “Don’t recreate the wheel but you can have a different type of wheel and it can be made of something different.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175 “People nowadays buy because of authenticity and relatability.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Eric Fondren Website: www.itellio.com Email: info@itell.io LinkedIn: Eric Fondren   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with Alechia Reese about how to go beyond empowerment to achieve your goals.  Alechia shares how she successfully juggles the management of three business teams and two brands while being a single mother.  She also discusses her surprising take on higher education, the biggest challenge she had to overcome, and what’s next on her journey.  Whether you're starting a business or want to have better relationships, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways you can immediately employ to transform your own life.     Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Alechia Reese Alechia Reese is the chief brand strategist of 360 Gateway Brands, author of the award-winning book, Eating Elephants, former director of PR & creative marketing of Soledad O'Brien's PowHERful Foundation, and the former strategic marketing director of Disney star, Zendaya Coleman’s fashion line, Daya by Zendaya. She specializes in the development of brand identity, strategy and execution. Her clients have been featured in Glamour, on the covers of Cosmo and are regular speakers for Ivy League institutions and the White House, under the Obama administration. Alechia is also a media personality, certified international professional speaker and humanitarian who has hosted and curated award-winning entertainment and corporate activations. As an event curator and coordinator her company has designed events for Art Basel, Miami Fashion Week and a host of other tours and client campaigns. With a master’s degree and ScrumMaster certification Alechia’s skilled, fun and energetic speaking style has afforded her the opportunity to partner with and speak for a myriad of corporations & organizations from the entertainment stage to the corporate boardroom including Bank of America, UPS, the Miami Marlins, Progressive, Grey Goose, Verizon and others.   Honored as a Woman of Power Awardee presented by Bank of America & NABA NYC, her specialty is purpose leadership, millennial leadership development, effective networking and relationship building, and brand and business development. A firm believer in all things positive empowerment and strategic differentiation, you can catch her on a plane near you interviewing some of the most influential & successful world leaders, or hosting some of the most progressive and exclusive events around the globe. Alechia is a domestic violence thriver and she believes beyond empowerment it is necessary to properly equip all people to succeed. Her life's mantra is, "Your life is the sum total of your beliefs - believe greatly!"   Insights from this episode: Strategies Alechia teaches her daughter to ensure that she can also become the person she wants to be. Benefits of using solid systems and creating an amazing team to help you achieve your goals. Details on Alechia’s program to assist businesses in creating programs for remote workers. Secrets to creating strong relationships with companies and maintaining that relationship. Benefits of personal development and continual learning on emotional and physical wellness. How to develop your brand, process and incorporate feedback, and overcome personal challenges.    Quotes from the show:  “Just because I was born into a certain situation does not mean that I have to accept that and make that what it is for the rest of my life.  Just because it looks like that now, does not mean it has to look that way for life.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 “You are the author of your story.  No one else can create it.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 “I am just really good at building and developing and then maintaining relationships. I understand it’s not about me, I’m in a position to serve.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 “A lot of people get real confused about how to find out what people need and I’m a firm believer in just open your mouth and ask.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 “All that degree meant was that I could stick through something and finish it.  It doesn’t mean I’m skilled, it doesn’t mean I’m talented, it doesn’t mean I know how to build something, it just means I know how to finish a class.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 “I thought the degree would legitimize me and honestly it didn’t.  The relationships that I built and the results that I was able to achieve, that legitimized me.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 On overcoming obstacles: “That’s when I became a survivor and later I became a thriver.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174 On sharing the struggles of beginning a business: “That window of time is so important for somebody who might be going through a similar experience.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #174 “Make a decision, this is what I want, this is what I’ll have, and then put in the work to get there.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174   Resources Mentioned: Women's Business Enterprise National Council LinkedIn Learning The Return to Love by Marianne Williamson The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen International Players Anthem by Underground Kings   Favorite books: A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen   Favorite quote: “Life is a relationship game, learn how to play it well”   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Make a decision...have few made the decision Deny everything that doesn’t look like where you are looking to be, or who you are looking to be Be intentional   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Alechia Reese Website: www.alechiareese.com Instagram: alechiareese Twitter: alechiareese Facebook: alechiareese YouTube: alechiareese LinkedIn: alechiareese   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin reflects on the last twelve months and shares his thoughts on the current events that are changing the world.  This episode is real talk on the real impacts of what is happening around us. Kevin talks about his feelings on loss and legacy, how he has been coping, and the books that are helping to shape his approach to life.    Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Insights from this episode: The stark differences between travelling across Africa and living in the United States as a black man. How COVID-19 has personally impacted Kevin and his wish for his audience and the world. The secrets that he has learned from his experiences especially during the last year. Strategies for coping and finding balance in troubled times. How to continue to strive to be better.   Quotes from the show: On traveling across Africa: “I just never had that heightened level of stress that I have to deal with on a day-to-day basis here in the U.S. [United States]” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “To be honest this is a really stressful reality and one that is even hard to convey to you and it’s something that’s been going on since the beginning of the United States.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “It seems like the world, and the United States, people both white black and people of color are coming together as one in order to talk about the injustice and make a movement.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “For the first time in my life I feel like there might actually be change coming.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “What kind of legacy will you leave behind?” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “Nothing is promised.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was humility, humility, humility.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173 “I had to understand that I am not the man that I planned to be.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173  “These twelve books are about wealth creation, mindset, and history and I believe you need all three to be successful in this world.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173   Recommended Books: Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington The Power of the subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki The Wealth Choice by Dennis Kimbro Powernomics by Claude Anderson The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran As a Man Thinketh by James Allen The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz F.U. Money by Dan Locke Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series: https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/  https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/   Kevin Y. Brown: www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown www.twitter.com/kevinybrown www.facebook.com/kevbrown001   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary This episode of Create Your Life Series will motivate you to make and keep your resolutions this year.  Kevin talks with Benoy Thanjan, owner of Reneu Energy, about his path to entrepreneurship in the solar energy industry and his passion project, the Solar Maverick podcast.  Benoy and Kevin look back on their journeys over the past year and discuss what it takes to be successful in entrepreneurship, podcasting, and life.     Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Benoy Thanjan  Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, as well as an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer, and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar, as well as utility-scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges both energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodity transactions.  Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity, which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity, to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.   Insights from this episode: Details on Reneu Energy, how the company became involved with Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), and how states are employing them to incentivize solar development. How to create a more eco-friendly lifestyle on a daily basis and incorporate renewable energy into any household. Strategies on goal-setting, forming a work plan, and taking action steps to attain those goals. How to create a successful podcast in a niche market, facing challenges, and making your own opportunities. Details on how Benoy and Kevin became podcasters and what that process has taught them.    Quotes from the show: “My first background in energy was at Deloitte & Touch and then I knew that renewable energy sustainability was my passion.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172 “There’s a lot of exciting things that are happening with the (renewable energy) industry, specifically related to solar.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172 On having a renewable lifestyle: “There’s the Three R’s that we could all incorporate into our whole lifestyle, which is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172 On what it takes to become an entrepreneur: “A lot of time, in pursuit of running your own company, it takes a while.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172 On entrepreneurship: “It’s not easy to just go (out) and then suddenly start a company and take that leap, it definitely takes time.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172 On attaining goals: “Every day I come up with a task list… of what are the biggest things that are going to move the needle to get me closer to my goals.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172 On making Solar Maverick: “It’s important to take the feedback that you get from the podcast but it’s also important to be what you wanted the show to be about.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172 On listening to Solar Maverick: “Solar is here to stay and it is something that is becoming bigger and bigger and more a part of our daily lives and with that, we need to be informed and that’s why I tune in to the Solar Maverick podcast” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172 On Kevin creating the Create Your Life Series: “It was being a professional speaker and I wanted a way to engage with my listeners and audience members on a continuous basis.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172 On what Kevin has learned through his guests on the Create Your Life Series: “You have to be bold and authentic and actually be doing what it is that aligns with you.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172   Resources mentioned Solar Maverick with Benoy Thanjan Create Your Life Series: Episode 134 with Kevin Y. Brown  How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie   Favorite book: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie   Favorite quote: “God, grant me to serenity to accept the things that I can’t change, and the wisdom to know the difference” - Reinhold Niebuhr   3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Be in the present moment, don’t think about the past and future Take a lot of action to get your goals done Be positive throughout the process   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series: https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/  https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/   Kevin Y. Brown: www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown www.twitter.com/kevinybrown www.facebook.com/kevbrown001   Benoy Thanjan: www.reneuenergy.com www.instagram.com/benoit0212 www.linkedin.com/in/bthanjan/   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode summary: Yvonne talks about her entrepreneurial journey, sharing how she used her experiences and her education to become a go-to special event producer in the music industry. She shares inspiration and strategies for navigating negative feedback and holding her own in an industry where women of color are minorities. She also talks about the importance of the behind-the-scenes movers and shakers in all industries: how to value them and how fulfilling a job in that role can be.   About our Guest: Yvonne McNair is CEO of Captivate Marketing Group. She is a certified and Emmy-nominated special events producer and entertainment marketing professional. She was mentored by Esther Gordy Edwards, Berry’s Gordon’s sister and the creator of Motown Museum. At 22, she was featured on the cover of Crain magazine as someone to watch in the industry. Today, she has 20 years and over 10,000 events under her belt. She has worked with artists big and small, including working with Prince as well as top media companies including the Sundance Film Festival and MTV, among others.   Insights from this episode: Strategies for continuing to innovate and evolve with your craft Strategies for cultivating and sustaining relationships How to play the long game when securing clients Secrets to mastering your craft How to show your gratitude for the people in your corner Strategies for pushing past introversion to network successfully Strategies for retaining clients year over year   Quotes from the show: “I wanted to have all those same credentials so there was nothing holding me back.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 On developing strong relationships with clients: “When I’m working with artists, I’m not just gonna hit you up when you’re high.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “I’m the go-to person when people want something a little different. I compete against myself. I want to do better than the last event.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “There are so many things I learned from grad school that I use every day.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 On navigating negative feedback: “I just shake it off. I feel that I’m really strong and I feel that there’s nothing I can’t handle or do, so you know just having strength and believing in yourself.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “I try to go with how a person makes me feel – instinct. If I’m gonna partner with you we gotta both be bringing something to the table.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “Be the best that you can be in your own lane” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170 On rebuilding her business after moving to New York: “I had to really have the confidence in myself. I had to have a long talk with myself.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “I think it’s so important, especially with things that go on in the world, I’ve lost a couple very close friends – they’ve passed away – so I want my friends to know I love them and I appreciate them because you just never know.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “A plan is not a plan until you write it down.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170 “You only have one time, in fact you might have half a time to show me who you are before I believe it. That doesn’t mean that I’m through with you, but I might reposition you.” -  Yvonne McNair, Episode #170   Resources mentioned: Keynote   Favorite book: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield   Favorite quote: “When people show you who they are, believe them.” - Maya Angelou   3 keys to Create Your Best Life:     Persistence     Step out of your comfort zone     Be a risk taker   Stay Connected:   Show Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/ https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/   Kevin Y Brown: www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown www.twitter.com/kevinybrown www.facebook.com/kevbrown001   Yvonne NcNair: www.instagram.com/ymcnairasiseeit https://twitter.com/ymcnair www.captivatemarketinggroup.com Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Episode summary: Cherise talks about her educational experience and her pivot from the biomedical field to media and technology through working for Spotify. She describes how her passions and experiences came to coalesce around her current job, and why she finds it fulfilling to work at Spotify and with students and universities.   About our Guest: Cherise Bernard is a senior talent acquisition partner at Spotify, overseeing the outreach strategy and management for all undergraduate business, MBA, and PhD research internships in the United States, Canada and South America, especially those with a focus on diversity initiatives. She also leads the creation of Spotify’s new academic relations division with the goal of initiating and managing partnerships between spotify and us universities to amplify research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing for new product development. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, an MBA from Rutgers University and a PhD from Rutgers in cellular and molecular pharmacology.   Insights from this episode: How having a spiritual anchor can offer support in your life Strategies for showing up every day in the midst of grief and hard times How to use self reflection in your work life How to use your strengths and experiences to make you flexible along your career path Strategies for securing internships as a student Secrets to becoming your best self Strategies to taking initiative of programs at work to new levels   Quotes from the show: Something Cherise took away from her experience at an HBCU: “We [African Americans] can do more than what was originally slated for us.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 “Learn how to be flexible in terms of how you communicate with people.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 “Be careful how you present yourself to the outside world because it matters.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 On what she took from her PhD experience: “Really how to own something and lead it out on your own is really what I took from that whole experience which is I think the most valuable thing ever.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 “If we were aware of the whole staircase, we wouldn’t want to take any steps, because it would be scary. I’m a person who focuses on one step at a time.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 “Follow your internal compass and be ready for that next step even when you don’t know what it is.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170 “I really love engaging with students because of their hope.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 “You don’t have to be in control to make greatness happen. When you are great it just happens for you and with you when it’s supposed to.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170 “Traveling, seeing the world, learning other cultures is creating your best life.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170 “What motivates me is the fact that it’s bigger than me.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170   Resources mentioned: Budget app through Bank of America   Favorite book: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer   Favorite quote: Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou   3 keys to Create Your Best Life:    Focus on self love; make loving yourself a priority     Get used to change     Become okay with forgiving yourself often   Stay Connected: Show Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/ https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/   Kevin Y Brown: www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown www.twitter.com/kevinybrown www.facebook.com/kevbrown001   Cherise Bernard: www.cherisebernardphd.com https://twitter.com/drCBernard1 www.instagram.com/docshortcut Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.