Behind the Brilliance

Latest Episodes:

152 Deesha Dyer on Her Journey from Hip Hop Journalism in Philly to the Obama White House May 31, 2018

Show notes

The Show This is a breathtaking underdog and reinvention story. Perhaps the most remarkable I've heard on Behind the Brilliance. Deesha shares her journey from boarding school to dropping out of college because she ran out of money to becoming a White House intern at 30 years old to becoming the Social Secretary under the Obama Administration. She opens up about the imposter syndrome, setbacks, and insecurities she faced, and how she conquered them all.

The Guest Deesha Dyer is a speaker, writer, Creative Event and Strategy consultant, and most notably known as the former Obama Administration Social Secretary. The Philadelphia native became a White House intern at the age of 30 and completed a seven-year tenure there that honed her expertise in event coordination, logistics, protocol, and statecraft. Her storied career is unconventional at best, with themes of reinvention, drive, and a commitment to community service integrated throughout.

In this episode, we cover:

-how Deesha bounced back from setbacks to finish college in her early 30s

-how Deesha went from community activist in Philly to White House Social Secretary (it's an epic tale)

-Deesha's favorite travel memory from traveling the world with the President

-Deesha's secrets for throwing a great party

-how Deesha conquered Imposter Syndrome

-the nonprofit Deesha started, Be Girl World

-and much more!

Say hi to Deesha on Twitter: @deeshadyer

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB152

151 Amy Morin on Things Mentally Tough People Don't Do May 24, 2018

Show notes

Amy Morin was a vibrant twenty-something with a bright future ahead of her when tragedy struck not once, but twice: she lost her mother and her husband in a span of three short years. Refusing to feel sorry for herself, Amy used what she'd learned as a psychotherapist to develop the mental toughness necessary to find peace and push forward to brighter days. She penned the viral article, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, which became the bestselling book of the same title. Now she's sharing her journey and observations with the masses.

We covered:

-Amy's journey into psychotherapy

-Amy's advice on becoming mentally tough without having a bunch of drama

-how Amy handled losing her mother and husband unexpectedly just 3 years apart

-what Amy's learned about mental toughness and resilience

-Amy's approach to managing anxiety and overwhelm

-and much more!

Say hi to Amy on Twitter: @AmyMorinLCSW

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB151

150 Season 7 Recap Nov 16, 2017

Show notes

This episode is a recap of Season 7 highlights. The episode features snippets of 7 episodes, some reflections on making your own luck, a little housekeeping, and a freestyle. You're welcome.

Episodes Covered:

135 - AFRICA MIRANDA @africamiranda

136 - DUANE SPIRES @duanespires

141 - KELLY HOEY @jkhoey

142 - RODERICK COX @rcoxmaestro

146 - LUCHINA FISHER @luchina

148 - TONYA RAPLEY @myfabfinance

149 - LISA CONGDON @lisacongdon

149 Lisa Congdon on Reinventing Yourself and Melding Commerce and Creativity Nov 09, 2017

Show notes

Lisa Congdon's brilliance in her courage, dedication, and willingness to take calculated risks. After leaving her elementary school and nonprofit careers at 40, she become a self-taught artist. Now she manages an empire of passive and active income that spans e-commerce, books, teaching, and more. In this conversation, she pulls back the curtain on her path to profitability, her thoughts on thriving as an artist, and why she feels grit matters more than talent.

We covered:

-how Lisa went from teacher and nonprofit pro to self-taught thriving artist

-Lisa's approach to building a devoted following that threw money at her before she was ready

-how Lisa managed the transition from steady paycheck to income uncertainty

-Lisa's thoughts on imposter syndrome, confidence, and managing insecurities

-Lisa's approach to risk-taking, negotiation, and time management

-and much more!

Say hi to Lisa on Twitter + Instagram: @lisacongdon

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB149

148 Tonya Rapley on Managing Money, Starting Over, and Winning Your Way Nov 02, 2017

Show notes

Tonya Rapley is a leading financial educator and the founder of My Fab Finance. She's a dynamic woman who brings a smart and balanced perspective to money matters. Our chat spans way beyond money to include spirituality, starting over, hustle, ego, and much more.

We covered:

-how Tonya found her way from music to money as a career

-money stories: what they are and how to change them

-Tonya's path to overcoming physical and emotional abuse

-advice on setting boundaries with friends and family around money

-Tonya's spiritual journey

-how Tonya made more money working fewer hours

-pride vs ego

-Tonya's advice for starting over and getting started

-and much more!

Say hi to Tonya @myfabfinance on Twitter and Instagram

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB148

147 8 for 2018 Oct 26, 2017

Show notes

This is a solo episode with 8 musings for 2018. They cover things like celebrating wins, clearing clutter, and other important stuff. As always, my shenanigans are sprinkled throughout. Let me know what you thought of this episode! @LisaNicoleBell

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB147

146 Luchina Fisher on Not Staying In Your Lane, Saying Yes, and Reproductive Rights Oct 19, 2017

Show notes

Luchina Fisher is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. Her latest film, Birthright, challenges the war on reproductive rights in America. As an accomplished artist and dynamic woman, Luchina shares hard-won wisdom and reflections on a wide range of topics including:

-her early days as a writer

-how she ended up living with Gladys Knight

-why she doesn't believe in staying in her lane

-her experience working with music legend BB King

-how her latest film, Birthright, came to be

-the attack on women's reproductive rights in the US

-and much more

Say hi to Luchina on Twitter: @Luchina

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB146

145 Q+A: Political Activism + Social Justice Oct 19, 2017

Show notes

A listener from Twitter asked whether I felt a responsibility to use my platform good. I answered. In detail.

Black women are centered and I share my thoughts on protests, converting points of view, economic empowerment, and much more.

145 Q+A: Political Activism + Social Justice Oct 19, 2017

Show notes

A listener from Twitter asked whether I felt a responsibility to use my platform good. I answered. In detail.

Black women are centered and I share my thoughts on protests, converting points of view, economic empowerment, and much more.

144 Idil Ahmed on Science of the Mind, Spirituality, and Getting Out of Your Own Way Oct 12, 2017

Show notes

Idil Ahmed has amassed a following of more than 1 million people on Twitter (@idillionaire), Instagram, and Facebook by delivering inspiring and illuminating content. An author, entrepreneur, speaker, and science enthusiast, Idil has made it her life's work to help as many people as possible operate from a place of power and clarity. In this conversation, we talk about her journey, the practical aspects of spirituality, how she turned a growing Twitter account into a 7 figure following, and much more.

We cover:

-how Idil turned her passion into a profitable pursuit

-Idil's early days and how she started her first business

-Idil's thoughts on reconciling science and spirituality

-how the Idillionaire brand came to be and how she grew it

-the inspiration for Idil's book, Get Out of Your Own Way

-Idil's wisdom on forgiving yourself, navigating change, and finding your way forward

-the importance of avoiding comparison

-and much more!

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB144