Behind the Brilliance

Latest Episodes:

103 Q+A - Friends Who Match Your Hustle + Feeling Stuck Sep 15, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode is a Q+A answering questions about how to find new friends once you've overhauled your life and what to do when you feel stuck.

In the first answer, I share my approach to building new personal friendships (and how badly I used to suck at it), how I approach "networking", why values are a pre-req for having great relationships and more.

In the second answer, I share ways I've gotten myself unstuck, the best questions to ask yourself to get to the next level, and why patience is supremely important.

Share your feedback and thoughts with me @LisaNicoleBell

102 Kirk Moore Sep 08, 2016

Show notes

Super talented writer Kirk Moore stops by to chat with me about his journey from broke to breakthrough as an artist. We talk about his beginnings in Houston, how he honed his craft, and his path to professional writing.

This episode is a must-listen if you've ever questioned whether you were pursuing the right thing, if you find yourself feeling stuck or disappointed by how your path is unfolding or if you plain ol feel like a failure who will never get it together.

Kirk was very transparent and shared the story of how he persevered through setback after setback while sleeping on a friend's couch and eventually found himself working with Academy Award winner John Ridley on ABC's hit show, American Crime.

This is probably one of my top 5 favorite episodes out of the 100+ I've done. Again, if you're building anything of your own (a career, an artistic path, a business, whatever), you'll find lots of gems and wisdom in this conversation.

This episode is really long but really good. Like episode 85 with Willie Jackson, this was just too juicy, inspiring, and funny for me to leave anything out.

Hit Kirk up and say hi and tell him what you thought of this episode: @KirkWrites79

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB102

101 Marlon Nichols Sep 01, 2016

Show notes

Cross Culture Ventures founder Marlon Nichols joins me to chat about his path from corporate consultant to passionate venture capitalist. We also talk about the traits great founders share, how Marlon thinks about new opportunities, and his advice on pitching.

Say hi to Marlon on Twitter: @marloncnichols

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB101

100: Joyful Ambition Aug 25, 2016

Show notes

This solo episode deals with how to pursue big ambitions with sanity and joy. I cover a lot of stuff: borrowing from the future, defining success, goals vs milestones, popularity vs purpose, and much more.

It's a dose of real talk, inspiration, and my usual shenanigans sprinkled throughout.

Let me know what you think on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram: @LisaNicoleBell

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB100

099 Doreen Bloch Aug 18, 2016

Show notes

This week's guest is Doreen Bloch, founder and CEO of Poshly, a data company focused on beauty. Besides being one of my favorite people, Doreen is whip smart, super talented, and very passionate.

During this chat, we covered a lot:

-Doreen's experience growing up in Silicon Valley

-Doreen's thoughts on the American education system

-Tips and wisdom for pitching to investors

-Where the idea for Poshly came from

-How she handles tough times

-and much more!

Say hi to Doreen on Twitter and tell her what you thought of the show: @DoreenBloch

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB099

098 Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i Aug 11, 2016

Show notes

This week's guest is Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i, EVP of Diversity, Inclusion & Communications at CBS Television. After making a role for herself at Nike, she went on to do PR for comedian Sinbad before landing at CBS and rising through the ranks.

Tiffany is brilliant at advocating for herself and translating her passion into tangible vehicles to get what she wants. We talk about that and much more in this conversation.

TOPICS COVERED (partial list)

-Tiffany's journey from sports journalism intern to EVP at one of the world's largest entertainment companies

-How Tiffany created a role for herself at Nike

-Tiffany's approach to going after she wants and negotiating to get it

-Tiffany's advice to her younger self

-and much more!

Say hi to Tiffany on Twitter: @TSmithAnoai

SHOW NOTES: http://bit.ly/BTB98

097 Q+A: Values Based Filters + Time vs Money Aug 04, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode is a Q+A answering questions on how I created my values-based filters that I use to make key decisions and why time is more important than money.

There's one more Q+A episode coming up this season so if you have a question, email me at btb@lisanicolebell.com

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB097

096 Gunnar Lovelace Jul 28, 2016

Show notes

This week's guest is the smart and heart-centered Gunnar Lovelace. He's the co-founder and co-CEO of Thrive Market, an online market offering top-selling healthy brands delivered to your doorstep for wholesale prices. I'm a huge fan of the company and this conversation made me a fan of Gunnar.

If you've ever considered starting a company based on a passion or if you're a current or aspiring leader of any kind, this episode is a must listen. I pull back the curtain on Gunnar's journey as an entrepreneur and big thinker.

We covered a LOT including:

-Gunnar's journey from growing up on a communal farm to running a $100M+ company

-how Gunnar thinks about failure

-how Gunnar chose his cofounders (great advice here if you ever want to start something with another person)

-work/life harmony

-why Gunnar kept pushing after being rejected by 50 venture capital firms (their most recent round was $100M so...yeah)

-and much more!

Let me know what you think of this episode: @LisaNicoleBell

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB96

095 Rosetta Thurman Reloaded Jul 21, 2016

Show notes

The brilliant life strategist Rosetta Thurman joins me again to catch up on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. As the founder of Happy Black Woman, Rosetta leads a thriving community of women aspiring to be, do, and have the best.

In this chat, we cover a lot...

-how Rosetta thinks about lifestyle design (and why she decided to move to Hawaii)

-Rosetta's approach to romantic relationships as a successful woman

-why Rosetta loves therapy and what she gains from it

-Rosetta's advice to anyone feeling stuck or struggling to make a big transition in life

-the time management habits that keep Rosetta relaxed and productive

-why assistants, housekeepers, and other "fancy" services aren't unrealistic

-the importance of being committed yet flexible with your goals

-And much more!

Let me + Rosetta know what you thought of this episode on Twitter: I'm @LisaNicoleBell and she's @HappyBlackWoman

Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB095

094 Christina Jones Jul 15, 2016

Show notes

This week's guest is the talented Christina Jones. She made the leap from graphic designer to full time writer without a publisher, agent, or a ton of time (she's a mom and wife).

In this convo, we cover a lot of ground:

-how Christina got her start as a writer

-making the leap from amateur to pro at a creative craft

-earning a living as a full time writer

-managing time and energy as a creative

-the calculated risk involved in putting your work out to the public

-being present and authentic as an artist

-marketing considerations for writers and creatives

-and much, much more!

Say hi to Christina on Twitter: @beingmrsjones

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