This episode is one of the most important in the history of the show. We’re talking about grief. It’s one of those unsexy topics that doesn’t get discussed enough, but it’s something none of us can escape. Because of that, I invited grief expert David Kessler to the show. David is a six time author - among his books are On Death and Dying and On Grief and Grieving which are seminal works on death and grieving co-authored with Elizabeth Kubler Ross. You may have heard of the five stages of grief - those were originated by Elizabeth and David so he has an intimate understanding of grief. In addition to his formal training, David has experienced loss of his own which informs the sympathy and compassion he brings to helping people find peace and a path forward when looking ahead feels impossible. This conversation is both a balm and a beacon for anyone who’s experienced loss of any kind. Behind his brilliance: A thousand mistakes people don't see   Say hi to David on Twitter: @IAmDavidKessler

Sam Jennings is an accomplished artist and creative director whose credits include megastars like Prince and Pearl Jam. But he's so much more than his collaborations. His thoughtful approach to his work and his artistic integrity is what's led him on creative adventures that pushed boundaries and made waves. In this conversation, he connects the dots and shares the secrets of working with teams of all kinds, staying true to self as an artist, and making a living as a modern creative professional.  Behind His Brilliance: Being Inspired by Other Artists  Say hi to Sam on Twitter: @samjennings

THE SHOW Paula Pant is the founder of AffordAnything.com, an award-winning personal finance website. In this conversation, we talk about how we went from struggling as a journalist to traveling the world to building a portfolio of 8 properties to reach financial independence.  Behind Her Brilliance: Restlessness TOPICS COVERED Passive income, financial independence, and how Paula discovered them How Paula built a real estate portfolio that created financial freedom for her Paula’s early days and how she developed an appetite for travel Paula’s morning routine What Paula knows about money that most people don’t Paula’s perspective on time management How Paula and her husband make their marriage and working relationship fit together -and more   Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB156

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.  

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.  

Dr. Michael Breus is the leading authority on sleep in the United States. He is a clinical psychologist and one of 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinctions related to sleep disorders. In this fast paced conversation, I bombard him with my burning questions about sleep, coffee, alcohol, travel, beauty and all of the other random things we all need to understand about sleep and how it affects our bodies.  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB143

Roderick Cox is just one of a handful of African-American conductors in the world. He is currently the associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and has gained national attention for his outstanding talent. During this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on his process, his dedication to his craft, the hard lessons he's learned about excellence, and much more. We cover:  -how Roderick got his start in music  -the mental and emotional aspects of performance excellence -Roderick's thoughts on the sacrifices and commitment necessary to thrive at a craft -how Roderick manages his insecurities  -Roderick's lessons learned on discipline  -Roderick's daily routine  -advice to classical music newbies -and much more!  

Kelly Hoey is an author, speaker, and angel investor. Her book, Build Your Dream Network, is a guide for making modern career connections that power a career you love. Whether you're an indie artist or a high powered C level exec, Kelly's advice is useful.  In this conversation, we cover:  -Why Kelly decided to start going after equity instead of paychecks (and you should too)  -How the New York Times engagement announcements became part of Kelly's networking strategy  -Why you should never ask anyone to mentor you  -Kelly's networking advice for introverts  -How Kelly made the leap from corporate attorney to author, speaker and investor -Why curiosity and side projects are essential to a great career -and much more!

A'Lelia Bundles is a four time author, public speaker, journalist, and television producer. Her Madam CJ Walker biography On Her Own Ground is being produced for TV by Octavia Spencer and LeBron James. We talk about A'Lelia's dynamic career, her approach to decision making, and the lessons she learned from the first self-made American woman millionaire - her great-great-grandmother, Madam CJ Walker.  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB140

Angela Nissel is the bestselling author of The Broke Diaries, a television writer, and all around dope and funny woman. We talk about her varied and fascinating career, the best lessons she's learned, and why she'd rather have money than fame.  We cover a lot of topics including:  -Angela's experience co-founding Okay Player with Questlove (and the funny story of how they met) -Angela's book, The Broke Diaries, and how her relationship with money has changed since then -the value of surrender in life and work -the illusions of "success" and why Angela prefers money to fame -the valuable lesson Angela learned after her appearance on Oprah's talk show  -finding your way to "work/life balance" as a creative  -and much more! Say hi to Angela on Twitter + Instagram: @angelanissel

This episode is a short and sweet compilation of questions. They'll challenge you, inspire you, and make you think. Journal about them, discuss them with friends, or just think on them. They're the perfect way to prepare for 2018.  PLUS! I share deets on the first digital download, Higher Concerns. It's available now at HigherConcerns.com or BehindtheBrilliance.com. Use the code "BTB" to get $5 off.  Let me know what you thought about these questions - I'm @LisaNicoleBell on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Rachel Hill is a former corporate superstar turned wanderlust warrior. She left a 6 figure salary at a Fortune 50 company to backpack through Asia. She's been traveling ever since. Now she runs RachelTravels.com, a travel blog and business that delivers useful and inspiring advice on traveling the world...or your own backyard. Topics Covered:  -how Rachel discovered she was depressed and what she did about it -how and why Rachel took off for Southeast Asia with a backpack and a dream -how Rachel turned her passion into a profitable pursuit -Rachel's thoughts on travel bucket lists, her favorite countries, and her advice to newbie travelers -Rachel's secrets to traveling in style without breaking the bank -what Rachel has learned about business and her approach to the gamification of marketing -how Rachel fails forward -and much more! Say hi to Rachel on Twitter or Instagram Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB137

Influencer, actress, and entrepreneur Africa Miranda stops by to chat about her journey from a girl with New York City dreams in Alabama to star of Bravo's "The New Atlanta" to dynamic woman birthing a luxury beauty brand.  During this talk, Africa opens about the best and worst parts of her path and shares the secrets to her resilience. We cover a lot of topics including:  -Africa's approach to making big decisions (you'll love her framework and want to steal it for yourself) -Africa's secrets for creating enviable brand identity (luxury radiates from her new brand) -The beauty secrets that yield glowing skin and slaytastic hair -How Africa actively designs a life she loves (with advice you can actually use) -Africa's reflections on life after reality TV -Africa's leap from Alabama to New York City and why the move was so important -and much more! Say hi to Africa on Instagram and Twitter : @africamiranda  Rate the show on iTunes and share it with somebody who can use a shot of funny inspiration. Get show notes at www.behindthebrilliance.com 

Season 6 was a solid collection of conversations from an eclectic array of folks including writers, entrepreneurs, actors, and artists. I'm grateful to the amazing guests who generously shared their time and opened up about their experiences and lessons learned. I'm also grateful to you, the listener, for joining me in this special little community of people who want to be, do, and have more as we celebrate what we've got. I've recapped 7 episodes from Season 6: 108 - Eric Bahn : entrepreneur + investor at 500 Startups 109 - Jamila Daniel : television writer, Star on FOX 111 - Tamara Floyd : blogger turned entrepreneur 115 - Tina Lifford : star on OWN's hit television show Queen Sugar 117 - Damon Young : writer + founder, Very Smart Brothas 121 - Dr. Andrew Newberg : neuroscientist + author of How God Changes Your Brain 128 - Tiffany Dufu : Author of Drop the Ball + Chief Leadership Officer at Levo Drop a line and let me know what you thought about Season 6! @LisaNicoleBell on Twitter, Facebook + Instagram Season 7 launches on July 27.  

My nickname for this show is the Creativity Meets Commerce. Jessica has designed systems and processes for her work and offers frameworks for other artists. Her work deals with the hard stuff: staying out of your own way, thinking about the bigger picture of your goals, managing limited time, deciding to charge for your creative work. During this conversation, we covered a lot of ground on how to get art done even as the artist struggles through the process. Jessica is practical (which I love), and she offers clear, accessible ways of solving common problems for people who want to make things. Say hi to Jessica and let her know what you thought about our chat: @jccabel We covered a lot including:  -melding creativity and commerce -what idea debt is and how to eliminate it -time management advice that works for creative types -redefining "marketing" for people who hate salesy stuff -art as a service -overcoming dark times in the middle of a project   Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB131

Felecia Hatcher is a White House Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Globally Sought after Speaker and Author who works to rid communities of innovation deserts and creates cool books, products and courses to help Start-Ups, Creatives and Broke Entrepreneurs follow their most epic dreams.  In this conversation, we talk about her journey from C student to award-winning entrepreneur. We talk about the $1 million grant she recently received for her latest venture, Code Fever.  We covered a lot including:  -time management hacks -delegating (Felecia's war stories and advice)  -working with her spouse (and the effect it had on her marriage, spoiler alert: they didn't kill each other)  -the hardest lesson she's learned -why she advises taking it slow with investors  -and much more Say hi to Felecia on Twitter and let her know what you thought: @feleciahatcher Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB130    

In the last solo episode of Season 6, I share some thoughts on weaving minimalism into our lives in practical ways. Of course, shenanigans are sprinkled throughout for our mutual amusement.  This episode covers:  -the Fleeing Suitcase exercise  -delaying purchases (aka the Amazon cart for life) -curating + auditing what we own (and why we should do it regularly) -the importance of gratitude and celebration  -and more  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB129

My nickname for this episode is the Sanity Show. It's full of fresh ideas and perspective on getting things done with grace, staying sane when you're ambitious, and learning how to leverage relationships to fulfill your personal and professional potential. Tiffany Dufu is the author of the new book, Drop the Ball. We covered a lot of topics including time management, renegotiating relationships, comparative advantage (and how to use it to your benefit at work and at home), and much more.  Say hi to Tiffany and let her know what you thought about our chat: @tdufu TOPICS COVERED (partial list) -how to "find your purpose" and connect it to your daily work -lessons on delegating effectively -the importance of renegotiating relationships -how to apply comparative advantage at home  -how to have critical conversations when you need support -redefining what it means to be "good" at any given role in your life  -and much more Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB128

In the last Q+A episode of Season 6, I answer a question about how I discovered and implemented my system of values and a question about choosing between a lifestyle business and a scalable business.  Topics covered in this episode:  -Why I decided to clarify my values  -The process of choosing and implementing a new values system -How to troubleshoot faulty values -How to choose between a lifestyle business and a scalable business -Why no one is really their "own boss" and why it doesn't matter anyway -Much more!  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB127

Kristi and I had such a good conversation that lasted about 2 hours. We talked about her essay "Enjoli - read it at http://bit.ly/KristiEnjoli,why you're never too old to start over, and much more.  Kristi is a writer and soon-to-be author who penned the (popular and somewhat controversial) essay "Enjoli" on Medium last summer. The response opened a floodgate of reactions from people discussing alcohol consumption, being sober, and how the choice plays into other aspects of life.  After reading the essay earlier this year, I was struck by both Kristi's writing style and her observations about alcohol and what it's done to us culturally.  Even if you don't "think" you have an alcohol problem, this episode is a good reflection on anything we consider to be a detriment or vice to well-being. I've thought deeply about it as it applies to a variety of areas of my life. Maybe you will too.  Say hi to Kristi and let her know what you thought about our chat: @kristiccoulter  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB126

On Part 2 of Tipsy Talk, listener Priscilla asks about sustaining herself as an artist. I shared my experiences, and we covered a lot including:  -why financial literacy is a must for creatives -high level marketing considerations for artists -rethinking how much money is "enough"  -why doubling prices is often a great idea  -much more!  Share this episode with friends who are trying to work out the numbers of their ventures and art.  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB125

This episode is probably in my top 10 favorites of all the BTB episodes because of how practical and important the conversation was. It wasn't until the past couple of years that I stopped obsessing over making more money and started thinking more deeply about what money actually represents in my life. Most so-called finance gurus repeat platitudes about skipping lattes and "saving more" without ever addressing the stuff that really gets in the way of people making the kind of money they want to make and knowing what to do with it when they make it. Daniel and I unpacked all of that and more in this conversation. We covered a lot of topics relating to money and lifestyle including:  -the amount of money research says is optimal for "happiness"  -why you shouldn't "stay in your lane" when it comes to education and career -modern considerations for wealth creation -the reason super smart people get money management wrong -the connection between money and lifestyle satisfaction -and much more Let me + Daniel know what you thought of this episode - did you learn anything interesting?: @danielcrosby @lisanicolebell Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB124

In this first part of Tipsy Talk, listener and former guest Tamara turns the mic on me to ask about everything from my cross country move, how I clarified my values, my favorite project from the past and more.  Show Notes: http://bit.ly/TipsyTalk1

This conversation is a must-listen for creatives and people who want to make something out of nothing. Amanda is one of the most inspiring creatives I've had on the show. In spite of not having the arts degree, the wealthy family, and whatever else you assume you need to succeed, she found a way to make what she wanted to see. You should too. This episode is a blueprint for creating personal art and a passionate life. We covered a LOT including:  -how Amanda developed her entrepreneurial muscle as an artist -how Amanda deals with Imposter Syndrome -how Amanda manages her responsibilities on TV, radio, and print -why Amanda believes the right partner is an asset to artists -the way Amanda learned to surrender and appreciate life's flow -how to gracefully end friendships The conversation was honest, inspiring, and funny. Drop me + Amanda a line and let me know what you got from it: @amanda_parris | @lisanicolebell Show Notes: bit.ly/BTB122

This episode is a spiritual nerd’s dream come true. I sat down with Dr. Andrew Newberg (neuroscientist + author of How God Changes Your Brain) to talk about how meditation, prayer, and religion change your brain. As a researcher, he’s a pioneer in the neurotheology. We discuss how he got his start, what he’s discovered in his research, and how all of these findings apply to people like me and you. We covered a lot including:  -what the heck "neurotheology" is -the impact of religion on health and longevity -Andrew's advice to newbie meditators -the power of yawning  -the practical value of optimism -the measurable effects of faith -and much more Let me know what you thought of this episode – did you learn anything interesting? I'm @lisanicolebell on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Show Notes: bit.ly/BTB121

This episode is a Q+A with answers to questions on how and why I weight train, my favorite books of 2016, and how I find time to read. My answers cover a lot of topics: -why I started weight training -the supplements I use to get results -the benefits of weight training -tactics for transitioning into harder workouts -how I find time to read 20-30 books each year -my favorite titles of 2016 -and much more SHOW NOTES: http://bit.ly/BTB120

This episode is one my favorite kind - one that touches on a wide range of topics with candor and curiosity. Andrea Pippins is an illustrator (you've seen some of her recent work in the Lenny Letter), designer, author, and generally amazing person. This conversation was rich with inspiring and funny stories and wisdom. Here's a sample of what we covered: -How Andrea got her start as a designer + illustrator -How Andrea faces her fears -The serendipitous story of Andrea's book deal -Andrea's natural hair journey and what inspired her book, I Love My Hair -the joys and complexities of splitting time between the United States and Sweden -work/life harmony -minimalism -much more Say hi to Andrea and tell her what you thought of this episode: @andreagpippins Show notes: bit.ly/BTB119

This episode is a Q+A with answers to questions about how and why I meditate, how I deal with Imposter Syndrome, and whether working for free is a good idea. My answers cover a lot of topics: -why I started meditating and what I get out of it -the step by step of how I meditate -my favorite meditation apps -what Imposter Syndrome is and what causes it -how I deal with Imposter Syndrome my thoughts on working for free -how leverage unpaid opportunities for career success -why some opportunities are -and much more Let me know what you thought: @LisaNicoleBell on FB, Twitter, Instagram

This episode is the perfect kickoff to Black History Month. Writer and Very Smart Brothas founder Damon Young (a self-described Professional Black Person) joined me for a funny and fascinating conversation about his journey from basketball star to writer. Beyond sharing his witty observations, Damon gets personal and talks about how getting married changed his art for the better, why desperation has been useful for his craft, and so much more. Say hi to Damon and tell him what you thought of this episode: @verysmartbros Topics Covered: -The realization Damon had that led him to give up his basketball career (he's still a Pittsburgh hoop legend) -Why 'Dick and Haiku' is the grandfather of 'Netflix and Chill' -Damon's stint as a teacher and his made up curriculum -How Very Smart Brothas was born and how Damon thinks about its growth -The serendipitous events following the release of Damon's first book -Damon's advice to aspiring full-time creatives -How Damon thinks about parenting, being an outsider, and managing his time -and much more Hit me up and let me know what you thought of this episode: @LisaNicoleBell Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB117

This week's episode is a solo talk on the 11 things we should all stop doing in 2017. A lot of "to do" lists come out near the top of the year, but I decided there were more things we should probably quit than start. 1. Being busy for the sake of being busy (instead of productive) 2. Being lazy / cutting corners 3. Avoiding hard conversations 4. Using outdated definitions of success 5. Catering to the ego 6. Waiting on perfect timing 7. Allowing feelings to be an excuse for bad behavior 8. Flaking on people and things 9. Denying the truth of who we are 10. Hoping goals will just happen 11. Procrastinating unproductively Drop a line and let me know what you thought of this episode and if it was helpful. @LisaNicolebell

This show should be titled Hustle and Heart because those are the two things Tina Lifford has in spades. This conversation tells the story of Tina turning her wishful dream into a thriving career, recovering from major life setbacks, and developing the grit and clarity necessary to courageously live life the way she wants. From getting fired to buying property to choosing projects, this conversation is an inside look at the mindset and attitude of a dynamic artist. We covered a LOT including: -How Tina went from wanting to be an actress to being a sought after, working actress -The story of how Tina took a generous offer from a colleague and turned it into a personal wealth tool -Why getting fired can be a gift if you have the right perspective -How Tina chooses her projects -How Tina coped with losing her brother, dog, and father within 6 months of each other -Tina's advice to creatives who want to be wealthy without being controlled by the pursuit of money -and much, much more! Say hi to Tina and tell her what you thought of this episode: @tinalifford Show Notes: http://bit.ly/btb115

This week's Q+A episode deals with the topic of creating an "ideal life" and escaping a 9-5. I put ideal life in quotations because I don't believe in absolutes when it comes to figuring your life out. It's heavy lifting, it's hard, and it takes time (and I sure as heck am not a guru). Still, I do have a lot (I mean, a LOT, no seriously look at how insanely long this episode is...yeah, a lot) of thoughts, observations, and experiences related to the topic so I answered. Leissan asked: "In your opinion, what is the most graceful way to make that transition? From a 9-5 desk job to doing things that are completely nontraditional. I know everyone has their own path, but hearing your transition and how you took the steps to make your ideal life possible would help me construct mine. I'm at the point would require taking some risks and running into trouble with that as well. How do you gracefully take the risk to make your goals happen?" My answer covers many topics including managing time, managing money, rethinking priorities, mindset matters, assessing risk, and a lot more. Take a listen and tell me what you think -- I'm @LisaNicoleBell on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. All of the books mentioned in this episode are in the show notes. Link (case sensitive) below. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/btb114

What does it look like when your perfect career finds you instead of you stressing out about finding it? My conversation in this episode answers that question. Alyse Killeen is a venture capitalist, founder of City Fellows and Women in Venture, and a smart (and let's be honest, woke) woman who roots for outsiders and underdogs. In this conversation, Alyse opens up about her path from academia to grad school to venture capital. We discuss her philosophies on investing, inclusion, bro culture, and much more. My favorite part is near the end when she shares the best advice she's ever received. Lean in when you hear that come up. Say hi to Alyse and tell her what you thought of this episode: @alysekilleen Show Notes: bit.ly/BTB113

To close out the year, Lisa shares the six things she learned and recaps her year. If you're feeling anxiety about 2017, this episode will be a reminder of the good to come. If you're excited about 2017, this will sprinkle more hype on your optimism. Have a safe and happy New Year!

This week's episode delivers a hearty buffet of topics. From selling to sensory deprivation tanks to setting boundaries, we covered a lot. Tamara Floyd is the founder of Natural Hair Rules, a blog that has become a mainstay among natural hair enthusiasts. In this conversation, we chat about: -Tamara's journey from passion project to passionate 6 figure business -What Tamara learned about the importance of confidence -How Tamra thinks about hiring and leadership -Tamara's approach to lifestyle design -How Tamara discovered she was depressed and what she decided to do about it -Tamara's first experience in a sensory deprivation tank -and much more Say hi Tamara on Instagram and Twitter: @NaturalHairRule Tell me what you thought about this episode: @LisaNicoleBell Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB111

This is a solo Q+A episode featuring 2 questions from listeners. This episode is long but meaty. I lay out my process for getting out of a funk, how I keep my mental state elevated on a daily basis, and more. Question 1: As I was on the train this morning and listening to the Kirk Moore episode, I reflected on a meetup I had last night with an established entrepreneur/digital nomad. I rarely vent, especially about things I'd categorize as negative, but I did mention to her that every now and then I feel discouraged. I try not to, but it's sometimes inevitable to compare yourself to someone else. I don't think it's always a bad thing and I usually label it as something to aspire to be/do rather than be jealous. That word makes me cringe. It was crazy that as soon as I figured I'd inquire about that, Kirk began to speak on this topic. Usually I'll get myself together and remind myself why I'm doing what I'm doing, why my journey is unique, and why I can still succeed. I live by the saying "what's for me is for me." Last night my new friend is the one who got me together and gave me all types of encouragement and inspiration. Do you ever become discouraged? If not anymore, when this did happen to you, how did you usually get back on track? Affirmations? Journaling? Question 2: Do you ever go through funks? If yes, do you have a plan or some type of routine/process you do to help you get out of it? How long did it take you to formulate that process and make it something habitual, rather than just knowing about what you should do, but taking the actual action to do it? Take a listen and let me know what you thought of this episode! Twitter, Facbeook, Instagram: @LisaNicoleBell Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTBep110

Have you ever felt like you were too old (or too something) to go after a dream? This week's guest is the talented, smart, and gorgeous Jamila Daniel. After a career in entertainment journalism and a stint working for the Rachel Maddow show, Jamila decided to start all over as an intern (yes, really) to get the job of her dreams: staff writer on a television show. In this episode, Jamila lets me in on her path to pursuing her passion. We talk about the hard times she had moving to LA (she didn't even know how to drive when she got to the city) and how she had to humble herself to get experience, even when it meant working under people much younger than her. We also cover a lot of other great topics including dealing with setbacks and dark days, dating in LA, Jamila's approach to her craft, and much more. It's never too late to pursue your biggest, most passion-inducing dream. Jamila is living proof. Say hi to Jamila on Twitter and tell her what you thought of this episode: @jamiladaniel Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB109 Lisa Likes: Moonlight LNB on Twitter: @LisaNicoleBell

Season 6 is here! We've got a lot of catching up to do. If you want to skip all the hugs, kisses, and housekeeping, jump ahead to about the 20 minute mark to begin this amazing conversation. What would you do if you came into millions of dollars as a result of something you made or built? My guest in this episode, Eric Bahn, tells me the story of starting and growing his scrappy startup (including amazing advice on getting things popping when you have no money) and went on to sell it. He and his wife decided to travel the world, but things got dicey after that. You might wonder how somebody who's deemed "rich" could have any issues with work, but Eric opens up about how he ended up taking a job that turned him into a grumpy guy. There's a lot of other great advice tucked away in this conversation. We cover: -the important lessons Eric learned during and after the time he sold his company -"finding time" to work on passion projects AND be with family and friends -why Eric quit his job at Facebook to work on a startup -what Eric looks for in founders and startups he invests in (the answer will surprise you) This episode is among my top 10 because my guest was open and offered tons of excellent advice. Say hi to Eric on Twitter and tell him what you thought of this episode: @ericbahn This episode's hashtag is #BTB108 Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB108 LNB on Twitter: @LisaNicoleBell

I'm closing out this amazing season with my recap of the season's highlight, the three things you should check out during the show's hiatus, and what I'm currently working on. Recapped episodes: 83 - Colin Wright 88 - The Strangest Secret 93 - Bea Arthur 94 - Christina Jones 96 - Gunnar Lovelace 102 - Kirk Moore 100 - Joyful Ambition   Q+A episodes: 91, 97, 103 || Birthday Episode: 87 As always, thanks for listening. Season 6 drops December 1! In the meantime, subscribe to the show on iTunes and/or sign up for my monthly mashup of funny and inspiring musings at LisaNicoleBell.com.  

This week's guest is writer/producer Ben Watkins who is the creator of the Amazon show, Hand of God. This is one of my favorite episodes ever. Ben was amazingly transparent about his journey and offered up excellent advice on life, work, and creativity. In this conversation, we cover: -How Ben got his start in Hollywood -Ben's thoughts on leadership, creativity, and dealing with tough days -Ben's leaps from actor to writer to showrunner -How Ben learned to keep his ego in check -and much more This conversation was in depth, meaty, and full of hard won wisdom. Say hi to Ben and tell him what you think of the episode: @_Benipedia_ Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB106

The talented, gorgeous, and inspiring actress Simone Missick joins me to talk about her path from struggle to success as a star on Marvel's Luke Cage series on Netflix. This conversation is full of inspiring stories, wisdom, and much more. We cover: -Simone's leap from waiting tables to pursuing her dream -How Simone kept herself going during the dark times in her career -Simone's approach to daily motivation and focus -How Simone got cast in Luke Cage (this story will restore your faith in possibilities) -Simone's most important life lessons -and much more! Say hi to Simone and tell her what you thought on Instagram or Twitter: @simonemissick Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB105

This week's guest is Monique Woodard, a venture partner at 500 Startups and one of the few black female VCs. During this chat, we talk about her early days, her career in the music business, her path to starting her first company, her dating experiences as a powerful woman, and much more. Monique also serves up excellent advice for current and aspiring founders. Hit Monique up and say hi! @moniquewoodard Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB104

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  

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

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

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

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

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

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 [email protected] Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB097

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

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

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

This week's guest is therapist turned entrepreneur Bea Arthur. The self-proclaimed Beyonce of tech joins me on my virtual couch to talk about a cocktail of topics including: -Bea's journey as the daughter of Ghanian immigrants -How Bea found her way as a startup founder -Being ripped apart on Shark Tank (and how she bounced back) -Bea's advice to folks who want to do the startup thing -Why Bea decided to freeze her eggs (I'm curious, she's open, it works) -Bea's advice to folks dealing with anxiety and depression -How Bea sees failure -Why burritos are better than salads sometimes -And much more! Get into this episode and let us know what you think! Bea's Twitter: @BeaArthurLMHC Lisa's Twitter: @LisaNicoleBell Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB93

This episode is a conversation with the smart, heavily tattooed, and awesome Paul Jarvis. Paul started his career as a freelance web designer and then started writing advice for people who wanted to figure out how to balance the business aspects of their creative work. Now he's created software and is continuing to push the boundaries of his work. In this conversation, we cover: -How Paul got his start -How Paul designed his life to reflect what he enjoys most -Why Paul has pet rats (I know, but stay with us) -How to differentiate yourself from competition in crowded fields -How Paul handles critics -And much more! Hit Paul up on Twitter @pjrvs to let him know what you think! Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTBPaulJarvis

In this solo episode, I answer two listener questions: 1 about my journaling process and another about how to deal with unsupportive family members.   I share a lot of thoughts: -Why I journal and reasons I think journaling is helpful for everyone no matter what you do professionally -How I approach journaling (time, location, frequency, etc) -Benefits of journaling -Why other people not supporting you is not about you -The most important part of feeling "supported" -And more!   Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTB091

This week's guest is attorney-turned-entrepreneur Rachel Rodgers. After realizing she didn't want to take a traditional path after law school, Rachel launched a virtual office and went on to make a business out of sharing what she knows. In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground including: -Why traditional careers don't have to be boring -How Rachel managed being the breadwinner in her home as an entrepreneur -How Rachel deals with critics -Rachel's advice for anyone trying to find their path -How Rachel bounced back from her darkest time -And much more! SHOW NOTES: http://bit.ly/BTB90 Follow Rachel: Twitter/Instagram - @RachRodgersEsq

This week's episode is a conversation with founder and superconnector Darrah Brustein. Darrah is the cofounder and CEO of Equitable Payments, and she is the founder of the fast-growing national networking event series, Network Under 40. In this episode, we talk about Darrah's journey to starting her business, her best advice for networking, and why she doesn't believe in ever being "too busy." Topics covered: Why Darrah studied Religion and Italian in college Why you should travel the world How Darrah found her path as an entrepreneur The hard truth about book publishing Darrah's networking advice (she runs the largest networking event in ATL) Darrah's approach to time management And more! Show Notes: http://bit.ly/DarrahB89

This week's episode features one of my favorite recordings - The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale. The recording lays out some compelling ideas about personal development and success. It's an older recording so some of the references are dated, but the core message is timeless. As something I listen to often, I decided it was time for me to share it with you. This week, Lisa Likes wardrobe capsules. Sometimes my schedule gets stacked and I need to reserve my cognitive space for important decisions. A wardrobe capsule helps me get up and out the door quickly without fussing over what I'll wear. I highly recommend it for busy people looking for extra time. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTBSecret  

This week's episode is the annual birthday episode where I share what I've learned (and remembered) in the past year.   Show Notes: http://bit.ly/BTBbirthday

This week, Lisa Likes Night Shift, the Apple feature that automatically changes the color of your display to the warmer end of the color spectrum after dark with the intention of helping you get a better night's sleep. This week's guest is Elisa Camahort Page, cofounder of BlogHer and current executive of SheKnows Media. Elisa shares her journey as a founder and offers her perspective on taking risks, building teams, and much more. In this conversation, we cover: -How and why Elisa decided to forgo a steady paycheck to start BlogHer (she went 2 years without a salary!) -How Elisa approaches risk (and why she believes you should always take them) -The key lessons Elisa has learned about leadership and creating teams -Elisa's perspective on the current state of tech for women founders -Elisa's habits for success -More Show notes are available at http://bit.ly/elisacpage

This episode starts with a recap of my trip to Egypt. This week, Lisa Likes Global Entry - the trusted traveler program that lets you breeze through customs when you return to the US. This week's guest is Willie Jackson, an entreprenurial technologist who serves as technology lead for Seth Godin (renown author + marketer) while also running Abernathy Magazine, a digital publication for black men. In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground: -transitioning to doing work you love -how to create a new professional network when you want to make a career leap -the importance of self-care no matter how busy you are -developing work habits that support your goals and much, much more! This is the longest episode of BTB ever, but it's a worthwhile conversation. Details on stuff mentioned are in the show notes: http://lisanicolebell.com/behind-brilliance-085-willie-jackson/ Enjoy!

This week's episode is a Q+A session where I answer a question about dealing with overwhelm and how to manage new opportunities. This week, Lisa Likes Spider Oak ONE, a super awesome, privacy-enhanced backup system that stores your files on a hard drive and in the cloud for access anytime across multiple devices. A life saver if anything ever happens to your computer. This episode covers: -Why "no" is a complete sentence and why "hell yeah or no" is a great place to start -Values and how they inform a vision, goals, plans, actions, and measuring the return on choices -Rest + sleep and why they're so necessary (and generally awesome) -Priming the creative pump -Productivity: hacks for batching, email, time management, and efficiency -Assessing costs for an opportunity in terms of time, money, energy, and opportunity cost -Choosing projects that benefit the greater good -Aligning opportunities with goals -FOMO is a mofo (full stop) -Figuring out what really matters to you and having the opportunities you accept reflect that Hit me up and let me know what you think of this episode! Twitter | Facebook

It's the Season 5 kickoff of Behind the Brilliance! On this episode, I intro the season with what you can expect (more great conversations + solo episodes + surprises), how I spent the hiatus (traversing Europe trying not to become the next victim Liam Neeson has to rescue), and more. This week's guest is the international man of mystery, Colin Wright. He's a writer, full time traveler, and entrepreneur. Colin and I cover a lot: travel, meditation, how he makes money with a non-standard career, relationships, and much more. Show notes (and the pic of Colin butt naked with the laptop): http://bit.ly/colinreloaded  

I do recaps at the end of each season to share highlights and interesting tidbits from the most recent batch of shows. This is especially useful to folks who are new to the show and may be overwhelmed with the idea of catching up. This season's recap ep includes 8 episodes: Status Anxiety (ep 61) Roslynn Cobarrubias (ep 64) Meeting 52 New People: A Social Experiment (ep 68) Risk + Reward (ep 76) Erica Nicole (ep 80) The 2016 To Do List (ep 72) Lifestyle Design (ep 63) Uyo Okebie-Eichelberger (ep 75) If you have time, give these episodes a listen or you can just listen to the recap to get a flavor of the episodes highlights. Next season will be bigger, better and even more awesome. I'm bringing you a fun and interesting mix of guests, new solo episode topics, and giveaways of things I love. Mark your calendar for April 28, and in the meantime, get caught up on the archive or replay your favorite episodes at www.behindthebrilliance.com. ***SEASON 5 BEGINS APRIL 28!***

In this Q+A episode, Lisa answers a listener question about "finding more time" for creative endeavors. Lisa shares her past challenges with managing time and also breaks down her tried and true system for getting things done minus the drama and excuses. Ahead of her trip to Europe next week, Lisa likes Google Translate.

Serial entrepreneur Erica Nicole (Founder/CEO of YFS Magazine) joins my virtual couch to dish her secrets on startups, success, and life. During this convo, we cover how Erica grew YFS from a tiny one woman blog to a global leader in inspiring and practical startup information (she literally shared the 5 step process - I can't believe she broke it down for free!), Erica's approach to time management (don't waste her time!), and how to live a life that most resonates with your purpose. Besides being inspiring and sometimes funny, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to make big leaps, stay true to who you are, and become a winner. Also, based on one of Erica's comments, I decided that Juvenile should do a remix of Back That Azz Up called Back That Faith Up. You have to listen to get the joke. More on Erica + show notes at behindthebrilliance.com

You ask, Lisa answers. This Q+A episode features questions on how to transition into a remote work opportunity, what Lisa thinks of the 4 Hour Workweek, and how to find (and keep) great mentors. As usual, there are awesome book recommendations and shenanigans sprinkled throughout the episode.  

It's the second month of the year - the time when we start to lose steam and slack. This episode dives into habits - little choices we can make that move us closer to where we want to be. In this episode, Lisa covers gratitude, meditation, progress praise, thinking for a change, and conscious editing. Catch up on past episodes of the show at www.behindthebrilliance.com

Serial entrepreneur Maren Kate Donovan joins Lisa to chat about Maren's former startup Zirtual (what went wrong and how Maren coped) along with Maren's new venture, The Memento Mori Society.

Lisa breaks down an approach to taking calculated risks and why you should probably be taking way more risks in life.

Lisa interviews entrepreneur Uyo Okebie Eichelberger about her path to success, her approach to lifestyle design, and the reason Burlington Coat Factory is not a dream retail destination.

Lisa shares her thoughts on how to discover and live with a sense of purpose.

Lisa offers her fresh spin on the age old philosophy of Stoicism.

Lisa shares her to do list for 2016 and her new favorite app, Personal Capital.

In this solo episode, Lisa shares her thoughts on why resolutions suck, how she likes to use the Wheel of Life at the top of the year, and her favorite book recommendations for each key area on the Wheel of Life.

Lisa shares holiday reflections and her best book recommendations for this time of year.

Lisa recaps her favorite things from 2015.

Lisa recounts her lessons and observations from her social experiment of meeting 52 new people in a calendar year.

Filmmaker and president of Game Changer Films Mynette Louie joins Lisa to discuss her career path, her thoughts on women in film, and more.

In this solo episode, Lisa share her thoughts on preparing for the year ahead. She also discusses the virtues of TSA Pre and why there should be a Pre for every aspect of life.

In this solo episode, Lisa shares the 8 things she knows "for sure" as inspired by Oprah's book titled What I Know For Sure.

Early Myspace employee turned music startup founder (mydiveo.com) Roslyn Cobarrubias joins Lisa to talk lifestyle design, building a career you love, networking, and much more.

Lisa riffs on lifestyle design - what it means, how she designed hers, and thoughts on why it's so important.

Season 4 kicks off with a discussion about Lisa's favorite book of 2015, Status Anxiety.

Lisa sets down with cofounder and CEO of Blavity, Morgan DeBaun, to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, the impact of black Milennial culture, and her approach to getting things done.

After a fun and inspiring season, Lisa recaps her favorite episodes and the most profound insights from this season's guests.

Serial entrepreneur turned venture capitalist Brad Feld joins Lisa to chat about his path to success, his approach to conquering depression, and why he loves marathons.

In this solo episode, Lisa shares her top 5 favorite apps plus an honorable mention. During #LisaLikes, she breaks down the struggle and virtue of the hipster vegetable, kale.

Bestselling author and Harvard Business Review columnist Elizabeth Saunders joins Lisa to chat about her leap from magazine editor to entrepreneur, her philosophy on minimalism, and why time management should be a priority for everyone. Lisa also goes into a random thing about archery and answers a listener question on wins vs losses.

Lisa shares her thoughts on the importance of getting (and staying) out of the comfort zone and how failures can serve us.

In this solo episode, Lisa discusses her thoughts on the idea of "manifesting" and shares a personal story on the topic.

In this solo episode, Lisa discusses her wanderlusty love for travel and offers five reasons you should book your next adventure asap.

Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List and startup advisor, joins Lisa to discuss his path to professional success, his philosophy on fear, and his advice to novices.

In this annual birthday episode, Lisa reflects on the past year of her life and shares some of her best lessons.

In the final book episode, Lisa shares her favorite business and relationship reads. She also drops some of the most unique names ever.

Lisa continues her discussion of her favorite personal development books.

Lisa shares her favorite personal development books and shares what she's learned from each.  

In this solo episode, Lisa discusses her perspective on why "following passion" is bad advice and what dreamers should do instead.

Lisa breaks down 4 specific traits she's observed in Behind the Brilliance guests and provides thoughts on applying those traits to your life and work.

Movie producer and tech startup founder Shara Senderoff sits down with Lisa to discuss her path to founding Career Sushi (formerly known as Intern Sushi) and how she manages to stay sane amidst chaos. She also discusses her philosophy on startups and why Disney movies are blueprints for life.  

CEO of Lifeway Kefir Julie Smolyansky joins Lisa to discuss her path to becoming CEO of the company, growing the sales to $130 million, and finding balance among the chaos. We also discuss her work with the UN and her work to end violence against women.

Pando Daily editor and soon to be venture capitalist Michael Carney drops by to discuss his career path, his approach to life, and his observations about entrepreneurship.

Emmy award winning director Evita Castine stops by to discuss her work as a filmmaker, identity, race, creativity, and her approach to overcoming fear.

Leading business expert Melinda Emerson kicks her shoes off with Lisa for a candid, funny, and inspiring conversation about her path to becoming the "Small Biz Lady" and successfully building a life and career she loves.

In this solo episode, Lisa shares her perspective on why the stories we tell ourselves are important. She tells a random story about monkeys on a pole, recommend a new book and also shares a framework for rewriting the stories we tell ourselves and others.

No matter how old or young you are, you have to deal with change and transitions at some point. This week, I discuss Transitions (and how to make them easier) at the request of a couple of listeners.  

Actress Mara Marini (Parks & Rec) joins Lisa to chat about her career, why she loves comedy, the annoying parts of dating in LA, and why she credits her family for her brilliance.

In this episode, Lisa serves Tony Robbins/Oprah Winfrey love child awesomeness as she discusses the elusive idea of "success" and how to define it in a way that feels authentic and personal. She also shares books she loves on the topic (surprise, surprise) and offers a framework for redefining success.

In this episode, previous guest Benoni Tagoe graces my digital sofa again to talk about a mashup of topics including passion vs profit, personal branding, dating, and more.

I kick off Season 3 of the show with a recap of the highlights from Season 2 and a special announcement.

In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on Amazon's new show, Transparent, and discuss the importance of getting back to basics in preparation for the new year. I cover reading, writing, sweating, connecting, building, and eliminating. And of course, it just wouldn't be me if there weren't book recommendations. #nerdlife

The funny and smart Issa Rae joins me to chat about her path to creating the hit webseries, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl along with her new project, Color Creative. Shenanigans and laughter abound as we discuss personality types, shifts in the entertainment industry, our deep love of The Wire, overcoming insecurities, and why we won't let people pick our brains.  

Mega talented actress and playwright Jozanne Marie stops by to share her breathtaking story of overcoming poverty and abuse to deliver an award-winning one woman show that's been hailed by the LA Times, the NAACP, and many others.

In this solo episode, I answer listener questions on multitasking, my favorite books and resource, and finding new friends when you've made a positive life change.

In this episode, the amazingly smart Chris Dannen (writer for Fast Co, Maxim, Wired + technologist) graced my virtual couch with his thoughts on overcoming personal resistance to achieve goals, unleashing one's inner badass, detaching your identity from your title at work, and tricking yourself into forming good habits. This is one of my favorite episodes ever. Listen with a pen and pad handy - it's that good.

Like the bottomless mimosas at a well-done brunch, ideas tend to flow and flow and flow...and flow. Sometimes it's hard to decide what to pursue next. In this solo episode, I share my experience of trying to choose among any given group of ideas and the things I consider before I make moves.

In this episode, I share thoughts on habits - the little things that make a big difference in our lives and careers. I also explore ways to form new habits and hack daily routines to make change easier. And of course, I shared a couple of book recs because #nerdlife.

In this episode, social media director and editor-at-large for Revolt, Julian Mitchell, talks with me about his career, music, his legacy, and what motivates him. He also explains the impact Ralph Emerson had on his life and shares his philosophy on social media.

In this solo episode, I talk about my recent 3 day cleanse and digital detox. I also dive into what I call the "joy formula", how to create yours, and how I discovered mine. Lots of happy thoughts and inspiration in this episode...kind of like a trip to Target.

In this solo episode, I share thoughts on the interesting and complicated ways relationships change when one person experiences success. I discuss my experience on getting rid of the green eyed monster (we've all been there) and how to deal with jealousy.

Actress, writer, and producer Brandi Ford stops by to talk about her HBO award-winning film, Muted. We covered the inspiration behind Muted, dealing with a creative identity crisis, work/life balance as a working mom and wife, and what happens when a West Coast girl discovers the virtues of the South.

In this episode, I share the necessity and urgency of seeing The Wire, a few thoughts on friendships and hand written notes, and the simplest, most effective way to be a game changer.

In this episode, Lisa shares her thoughts on the importance of decluttering and streamlining your life. She also shares like a gazillion books, her favorite TED talk and and the 5 areas you should declutter before year end.

In this episode, Lisa follows up episode 21 with Benoni Tagoe with a discussion on setbacks. She shares her thoughts and experiences with setbacks and how she's overcome them. She also offers book recommendations (surprise, surprise) and shares her thoughts on failure and why ambitious people have to make peace with it.  

Creative entrepreneur Benoni Tagoe stops by to pull back the curtain on his success as the creator of The Bizz Plan, the head of business development for Issa Rae Productions and a music industry thought leader. We chat about his work in music, digital entertainment, and business as well as depression, Fifty Shades of Grey, and why there's no future in frontin.  

In this episode, entrepreneur, journalist, and author Shane Snow stops by to discuss his body of work, how his company was born, and what he learned while writing Smartcuts. The book analyzes the lives of people and companies that do incredible things in implausibly short time. Shane and I cover why hard copy books are better than e-readers, what we want to add to our bucket lists, and the virtues of being an independent thinker. It was awesome.

In this episode, Lisa shares her best advice on time management and passes on great insight from high profile achievers on how to get more done in less time. She also recommends strategies for feeling less stressed while setting and pursuing big goals.

In this episode, Lisa shares her advice on dealing with writer's block and creative dilemmas. Based on her experience and that of successful creatives and entrepreneurs she knows, she offers five ways to deal with feelings creatively stuck.

Award winning filmmaker and digital media maven Wadooah Wali stops by to talk about her film, Gaze of the Beholder, and give Lisa the scoop on what it took to get the film made. She also talks about her career in PR with companies like Demand Media and Full Screen and also shares her thoughts on the realities of modern storytelling.

Lisa shares her reflections on the Cindy Gallop episode and the #LisaLikes pick, Psychocybernetics. She also shares why victory boards are just as important as vision boards and shares a random story from high school. She also gets all Iyanla towards the end with an inspiring rant about keeping yourself motivated.

Creative entrepreneur Cindy Gallop stops by to share her thoughts on porn, startups, and the importance of taking consistent positive action. We cover her startups - Make Love Not Porn and If We Ran The World along with her philosophy on being a woman over 50 and her advice to other entrepreneurs.

Lisa shares her unique perspective on risk vs regret and offers a framework for making risky decisions. She touches on the consequence of not making strategic decisions, the reason other people's opinions don't matter, and the most important reason to take risks.

Sex trafficking survivor Rebecca Bender tells the story of how she went from girl next door to sex worker in a matter of months. Between pimps, drugs, and alcohol, Rebecca manages to escape, reinvent herself, and enjoy a new life as a wife and mother. Building on her remarkable resilience, she's now traveling as a speaker and author who is raising awareness about sex trafficking and reshaping what it means to be a modern Christian.

The talented and adventurous Laura Wise is this week's guest who shares her story of spending 18 months in the Phillippines as a missionary. We cover cutlure, the international effects of American media, and the current paradox of black women in entertainment.  

Filmmaker + entrepreneur Pete Chatmon is the director/producer of multiple films starring top talent including Kerry Washington, Zoe Saldana, and Dorian Missick. After succesfully producing and directing his first feature film, he went on to create a multimedia company where he works on a wide range of creative projects. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on his journey into making movies, his thoughts on the new digital landscape, and the most important traits creative people need to be successful.

New York Times bestselling author Heidi Durrow shares her story of growing up Danish and African American and sorting out her identity. We also talk about how she landed on the New York Times list after 48 rejections from publishers. Her inspiring story of persistence and commitment to craft offers insight on the resilience necessary to thrive as a creative.

In this abbreviated episode, I share my reflections on the past year of my life and my hard-earned wisdom on taking risks, achievements, and the awkwardness of making friends as an adult.

Author, humorist, and amazing woman Bunmi Laditan graces Lisa's virtual couch to talk about her journey as a writer and entrepreneur. She shares hard won insight on perserverance, reinventing yourself, and surviving parenthood.

Kiel Berry, EVP of Machine Shop, the creative studio of Linkin Park, stops by to share his story as a dynamic thinker using his business acumen on creative endeavors. We explore his journey to building a career he loves, his book Stunt, and his first exposure to ratchet Southern hip hop.

Bestselling author, speaker, and coach Pam Slim stops by to share her story of going from nonprofit consultant to successful thought leader. We cover a range of topics including parenthood, authenticity, and figuring out your purpose in life.

Writer Michael Starrbury (The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete) stops by to chat about his life as a writer and his philosophy on a range of issues including class, race, and the creative process.   This is one of my top 5 favorite interviews of all time after talking to more than 150 people throughout my career. Michael is candid, funny, and smart, and the conversation is insightful for anyone hoping to do great work - especially writers.  

Stacey Ferreira stopped by to share her story as a game changer and young entrepreneur. She tells the story of how she raised $1 million from Richard Branson and his business partner and then sold the company. She also shares her thoughts on dating as a female entrepreneur.

Life and business coach Rosetta Thurman graced Lisa's virutal couch to talk about her journey through the non-profit world to entrepreneurship. She discusses the birth of her blog, Happy Black Woman, and offers insight on various topics including location independence (she lives in Hawaii!), love (no cookie cutter relationships here), and personal development.  

Marty Neumeier joins Lisa to discuss his career as a designer, thought leader, and entrepreneur. In this episode, you'll hear the story of how Marty met Steve Jobs, how he became an author, and his best advice for creatives.  

Writer, entrepreneur, and international man of mystery Colin Wright sits down with Lisa to discuss lifestyle design, writing, location independence, and why trampolines are better than white picket fences.