How do you find your voice when your world falls apart? In this powerful episode of Crossroads + Callings, host Chimere Brown sits down with Brittany Gold—IT project manager, wellness advocate, and author—to discuss the “shell shock” of divorce and the beautiful “glow up” that followed.

Brittany shares how she transitioned from losing her identity in the roles of wife and mother to reclaiming “the girl” she was before—a singer, a dreamer, and a daughter of God. From a symbolic dream about a crumbling house to the “standing date” with herself in her living room, Brittany’s journey is a roadmap for anyone navigating a devastating life pivot.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

* The “Why Me?” Shift: Moving from victimhood to asking, “God, what am I supposed to do with this?”.

* Reclaiming Identity: Relearning who you are (and how you like your eggs!) after years of “we”.

* The Living Room Breakthrough: How fitness, prayer, and “small actions” sparked a physical and spiritual glow.

* Abundance After Rubble: Why God sometimes lets things crumble to make room for a $20 million-sized blessing.

* Good for the Soul: The birth of her community wellness brand and “Glow Water”.

📖 GET THE BOOK: Order The Living Room by Brittany Gold here: https://www.amazon.es/-/en/Brittany-Gold-ebook/dp/B0FZYBZRCS

🔗 CONNECT WITH BRITTANY:

* Instagram: @thebrittanygold

* Good for the Soul Wellness: @goodforthesoul_wellness

* Website: www.itsgoodforthesoul.com

🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW: Crossroads + Callings is the podcast dedicated to navigating life’s pivots and discovering a pathway to purpose. Hosted by Chimere Brown.

📲 FOLLOW US:

* Instagram: @crxrdscallings

* YouTube: Subscribe to @CrxrdsCallings for full video episodes!

* Support the Show: Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!

🕒 CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Turning critical pivots into purpose. 1:31 – Changing the question from “Why me?” to “What’s next?” 4:40 – The back story: Meeting, marriage, and red flags. 9:25 – Getting tired of being a victim. 11:15 – The timeline: Mindset shifts and legal freedom. 13:21 – The Symbolic Dream: When the house crumbles. 16:13 – The road back to self-discovery. 18:30 – Why “The Living Room”? Finding peace at 9 PM. 21:25 – What is Good for the Soul Wellness? 23:12 – Excerpts from The Living Room. 25:50 – Healing from generational cycles and addiction. 38:00 – Final advice for finding your path.

#DivorceRecovery #BrittanyGold #CrossroadsAndCallings #WellnessJourney #SingleMotherhood #FaithAndHealing #PersonalGrowth #TheLivingRoom

In this powerful episode of Crossroads and Callings, host Chimere Brown sits down with Tonyael Miller (Coach T), a certified personal trainer, author, and motivational speaker, to discuss the transformative power of movement. Tonyael shares her deeply personal journey of turning pain into purpose, starting with her 2012 diagnosis of postpartum depression.

Learn how Tonyael bypassed traditional medication in favor of holistic therapy, using running and fitness to regain authority over her mental health. From completing her first 10-mile race to winning second place in a fitness competition while grieving the loss of her grandmother, Tonyael’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the mind-body connection.

In this episode, we explore:

* Overcoming Postpartum Depression: How Tonyael identified key symptoms and why she chose fitness as a form of holistic therapy.

* The Mentally Fit 2.0 Method: An inside look at Tonyael’s “40/40/20” approach—40% mindset, 40% nutrition, and 20% fitness.

* Eliminating “Mom Guilt”: Strategies for mothers and caregivers to prioritize self-care without feeling like they are neglecting their families.

* Finding Peace in the Storm: Tonyael’s incredible story of being stuck in Jamaica for 11 days during Hurricane Melissa and how she maintained her mental clarity.

* Building a Supportive Community: The importance of surrounding yourself with people who pour into your purpose.

Whether you are a mother, a caregiver, or anyone navigating a major life transition, this episode provides the “how-to’s” for elevating yourself to the 2.0 version of your life.

Connect with T Miller:

* Instagram: @tonyaelm

* Get Started: DM the word “RECLAIM” to Tonyael for information on her Mentally Fit community and a free 15-minute consultation.

Follow Crossroads and Callings:

* Subscribe on YouTube and all major podcasting platforms to hear more stories of pivotal moments that reveal true purpose.

* Special Thanks: Recorded at the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago.

#MentalWellness #PostpartumDepression #FitnessJourney #HolisticHealth #MomGuilt #Resilience #MentallyFit #Podcast

How do you transition from a decades-long corporate career to founding a groundbreaking nonprofit and leading as an AI strategist? In this episode of Crossroads and Callings, host Chimere Brown welcomes Mickey Bryant, a powerhouse who has mastered the art of merging passion, profession, and purpose to equate to profit.

Mickey discusses her extensive background in instructional design and how she leveraged those skills to revolutionize diversity in the craft beer industry by founding Black and Brew Chicago. We dive deep into her journey of overcoming industry stereotypes, the importance of upskilling through AI technology, and her holistic approach to success through nervous system regulation and mental wellness.

Whether you are facing a career crossroads, looking to integrate AI into your daily workflow, or seeking inspiration to build a community from scratch, Mickey’s story offers a masterclass in staying grounded while scaling your impact.

Episode Chapters:

* [0:00] The Power of Merging Paths: Mickey discusses the “crossroads” of finally merging instructional design with her passion for craft beer to create a greater professional calling.

* [2:41] Defining Instructional Design: An exploration of Mickey’s foundation in creating corporate learning materials and how these skills fuel her business ventures today.

* [4:22] Future-Proofing with AI: Insights on using AI as a “business assistant” for market analysis and why upskilling is the most critical move for modern professionals.

* [13:05] Reclaiming Brewing History: Mickey reveals the African roots of brewing and how education is key to dismantling the “white male-dominated” stereotype of the industry.

* [35:13] The Science of Success: A deep dive into neuroscience and nervous system regulation as the ultimate tools for navigating career transitions and toxic environments.

* [46:21] The Service Framework: Mickey shares her life philosophy—” Get, Give, Learn, Teach, Push, and Pull”—and how it has scaled Black and Brew to an international level.

Key Words:

* Instructional Design

* AI Strategy

* Craft Beer Industry

* Black and Brew Chicago

* Career Upskilling

* Diversity and Inclusion (DEI)

* Nervous System Regulation

* Nonprofit Leadership

* Professional Development

* Entrepreneurship

Connect with Mickey Bryan

* Website: babchicago.com

* Instagram: @BlackandBrewChicago

In this special “Techsgiving Edition” of Crossroads + Callings, host Chimere Brown sits down with a powerhouse panel of senior leaders to explore The Power of the Pivot. Recorded live at the annual Techsgiving Summit—a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap for underrepresented talent in tech—this episode dives deep into how non-linear career paths, rejection, and strategic leaps can lead directly to the C-suite and massive social impact.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, faced a layoff, or struggled to navigate corporate politics, this conversation is your roadmap. Our guests share raw, authentic stories of transitioning from government roles to global tech giants and transforming setbacks into competitive advantages.

#Techsgiving #CareerPivot #DiversityInTech #CSuite #Podcast #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #CrossroadsAndCallings

Follow these industry leaders on LinkedIn to continue learning from their journeys:

* Jeffery Beckham Jr. – CEO of Chicago Scholars & Acrylic Painter.

* Nyquana Manning – Federal Government Project Manager & Audit Expert.

* Jasmine Waring – Global Tech Account Executive & Pharmaceutical Expert.

* Mia Jordan – Industry Advisor at Salesforce & Former Federal CIO.

Referenced Resources

Expand your leadership toolkit with the books mentioned in this episode:

* “New Leadership Literacies” by Bob Johansen – Explores driving change in a disconnected society.

* “Life Entrepreneurs” by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek – Focuses on the power of service-based networking.

Jesse Jarrett, a true master of the pivot, joins host Chimere Brown for an inspiring conversation on moving from survival mode to purpose mode.

In this powerful episode of Crossroads + Callings, hear the incredible story of Jesse Jarrett, a veteran who successfully transitioned from the US Air Force to an executive role leading high-impact marketing campaigns for billion-dollar brands.

Jesse unpacks his personal mission: “Transforming crossroads to beginnings” and why he believes “Sometimes your breakdown is just a breakthrough in disguise”. He discusses:

* Bold Reinvention: How his life story, defined by pivots and purposeful reinvention, has shaped his career and leadership philosophy.

* The Power of Mentorship: Being a facilitator for change by reaching back and helping diverse talent combat imposter syndrome in corporate environments.

* Immigration, Assimilation, and Identity: His family’s journey to and from Jamaica and how he developed the skill to “observe and adapt” to navigate new ecosystems (from Jamaican school to American high school).

* Comeback Story: Overcoming moments of breakdown, including a physical injury during his Air Force basic training, and how he rebounded to become an endurance athlete.

* The True Treasure of Life: Why he shifted his tunnel vision from purely career success (including working at the historic Burrell Communications agency) to prioritizing relationships, faith, and community.

This episode is essential listening for anyone facing a career or life crossroads, looking for actionable strategies to embrace change, find their purpose, and unlock their personal breakthrough.

Are you letting your job title define your worth? In this pivotal episode of Crossroads + Callings, Host Chimere Brown sits down with thought leader, community builder, and former sales executive Hasani Henderson to discuss what it truly means to be “The CEO of Self.”

Hasani shares the candid story of his journey from being a “one of one” Black tech professional to becoming a community advocate who founded the Chicago Black Tech Leaders (CBTL). This conversation is a roadmap for any professional seeking to define their value beyond the corporate ladder.

In this episode, you will learn:

* The Identity Trap: How to recognize when you are making career decisions based on what your title should be, rather than what truly serves your purpose.

* The Necessity of Self-Care: Hasani’s powerful experience with burnout and the non-negotiable moments where he had to leave a prestigious corporate role for personal alignment and well-being.

* Shifting Your Success Metrics: Moving the goalpost from chasing salary and prestige to prioritizing impact, community, and fulfillment.

The Power of Community: Why Hasani started CBTL to create vital safe spaces for Black professionals and how community engagement is key to career longevity.

Tune in to discover how taking charge of your own narrative allows you to lead with greater authenticity and impact, regardless of your employer.

Welcome back to Crossroads + Callings, the podcast where we prove that your deepest frustrations can lead you directly back to your purpose.

In this episode, “When Art Intimates Life,” host Chimere Brown sits down with artist extraordinaire, Blake D. Lenoir, a multidisciplinary muralist and creative visionary. Most know Blake for his powerful public art, like the two-part Chicago mural series, “A Rose is Still a Rose,” but his story is a testament to trading a standard career path for the full-throttle pursuit of a creative calling.

Blake walks us through his origin story—from a two-year-old trying to draw every feather on a duck to graduating college with an art degree and taking a non-profit Human Resources job just to survive. He reveals the breaking point in the corporate world that led him to start painting as an emotional outlet, and the three years of hard work, resilience, and personal events that preceded his breakthrough at Art Basel. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who feels stuck in a 9-to-5 while sitting on a massive, untapped talent.

Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:

* How a need for control as a child led Blake to use art to create his own narrative.

* The difference between socializing for fun and socializing to get ahead in college.

* The “boiling point” moment where Blake realized he was making more money selling paintings than his corporate salary.

* Why there is no such thing as overnight success and how to stay motivated during the 2–3 year grind.

* The importance of mentorship and intentional decision-making in unlocking your artistic purpose.

#CrossroadsAndCallings #BlakeDLenoir #ArtImitatesLife #StarvingArtist #CreativeCareer #ArtBasel #PurposeToProfit #ChicagoArtist #Entrepreneurship #CareerPivot #ArtisticProcess #Muralist

In this transformational Season 1, Episode III of Crossroads + Callings, host Chimere Brown welcomes the insightful Eunice Vashti (4th Generation Tailor, Corporate Strategist, and Partnerships Leader for a luxury hotel group).

Eunice opens up about her most profound crossroad moment: facing an “ego death” after a life-altering transition. What got her through? The ultimate truth: “Suffering is a choice”.

This episode is packed with actionable “how-to” instructions for anyone navigating change:

* Discover the 3-step formula for a mindset shift: Choice, Joy, then Plan.

* Learn how a background in precision and craftsmanship (as a fourth-generation tailor) directly influences her strategic success in the corporate setting.

* Understand the healing power of “30 days of silence” to cut the noise and align with your true purpose and calling.

Press play to hear Eunice’s inspiring story of resilience and learn how to tailor your life with intention!

Keywords: Crossroads + Callings, Eunice Vashti, Tailor Your Life, Power of Intention, Resilience, Purpose, Calling, Mindset Shift, 4th Generation Tailor, Strategic, Corporate, Healing.

What happens when a 20-year career in corporate sales leaves you empty, and a terrifying health crisis forces you to redefine everything?

Host Chimere Brown welcomes K’ntrice Yvonne, Interior Designer, Confidence Coach, and founder of iDesign Styles. K’ntrice shares the two massive “Crossroads Moments” that led to her profound life transformation:

The ICU Awakening: Lying in the ICU while six months pregnant, K’ntrice faced an unthinkable choice that stripped away her identity and taught her that life itself is her greatest design project.

The Corporate Exit: The courageous decision to walk away from two decades of external success to pursue internal alignment and design a life she no longer needed to vacation from.

We discuss the stark reality of the Black maternal mortality rate, the power of self-compassion, and the crucial advice for mothers seeking to build their “village” so they can live their purpose beyond motherhood.

Tune in to learn how courage breeds creativity and how to move from a life of performance to a life of purpose.

Keywords: Career Change, Corporate Burnout, Purpose, Interior Design, Confidence Coaching, Motherhood, Maternal Health, Resilience, Life Pivot, Entrepreneurship, Healing.

Welcome to Crossroads & Callings, Season 1: The Found Path!

In this premiere episode, host Chimere S. Brown formally introduces the podcast’s mission: helping you convert life’s biggest challenges into your highest purpose.

Chimere opens up about her personal crossroads—navigating six corporate layoffs—and her journey to transform that pain into a platform for good.

Then, we dive into a powerful conversation with entrepreneur and philanthropist Rendel Solomon on converting personal loss into meaningful purpose. Rendel shares why he left his corporate career in November 2020 to address systemic inequality. He details the launch of InHeirit, an online startup designed to make the estate planning process more efficient, accessible, and affordable for millions of Americans.

Rendel closes the conversation with the powerful guidance he shares with his daughter: to be confident, kind, brave, and a good listener.

If you’re seeking clarity after a major life or career pivot, this episode is your roadmap.

🎧 Episode Highlights & Keywords

* Host Chimere S. Brown shares her story of finding purpose after six career layoffs.

* Rendel Solomon on transforming parental loss into the nonprofit, One Stock One Future.

* The pivot from corporate to launching InHeirit, a tech startup addressing systemic inequality.

Keywords: Career Pivot, Corporate Layoffs, Life Purpose, Entrepreneur, Financial Planning, Rendel Solomon, InHeirit.