Million Dollar Mission

Season 2, Episode 2 | The Weight of Being Strong: Leading Through Grief

Who's holding everything together when the person everyone depends on is falling apart?

For Black women in leadership, strength often feels less like a choice and more like an expectation. We're accustomed to showing up, making decisions, meeting deadlines, and taking care of everyone else—even when we're navigating grief of our own.

In this episode of the Million Dollar Mission Podcast, Dr. Shantell Chambliss and Bianca Myrick explore what it really means to lead through loss, navigate difficult seasons, and give yourself permission to be human while carrying the responsibilities of leadership.

From the pressure of being the "strong Black woman" to the realities of managing teams, businesses, and organizations while grieving, we're having an honest conversation about what happens when your personal capacity no longer matches your professional responsibilities.

We're talking boundaries, transparency, asking for help, delegation, and the difficult but necessary decisions about what to keep, delay, or let go.

Because leadership isn't about pretending you're okay. And strength isn't measured by how much pain you can carry without anyone noticing.

Two mics. Two perspectives. One million-dollar mission.

This one's for every woman who's ever had to lead while learning how to heal.

The mission never stopped—we just turned the mics off for a little while.

In this special episode, Dr. Shantell officially brings the Million Dollar Mission Podcast back for Season 2 and introduces a new voice to the conversation: her friend, fellow entrepreneur and community leader, Bianca, who is joining the show as co-host.

Dr. Shantell and Bianca pull back the curtain on how this unexpected partnership came together, why now felt like the right time to bring Million Dollar Mission back, and what listeners can expect from this next chapter.

And this time, the mission is bigger.

Season 2 expands the conversation beyond nonprofit strategy to explore the real intersections of entrepreneurship, leadership, money, purpose, impact, and what it actually takes to build something sustainable. Expect honest perspectives, lessons learned in real time, a few differences of opinion, plenty of laughter—and conversations that go beyond the highlight reel.

Whether you're building a nonprofit, growing a business, leading an organization, or figuring out what your own million-dollar mission looks like, there's a seat at the table for you.

Two mics. Two perspectives. One million-dollar mission.

Welcome to Season 2. The Mission Drop starts now.

Let's take a look back at how far we've come. 

Who's on your team? How solid is your squad? Everyone in your life has a place. Are you potentially trying to place the wrong people in spaces they don't fit? Let's talk about the importance of your nonprofit board and why everyone can't go with you.

So where does the money reside? Deja Coley drops by to share with Dr. Shantell how she got her nonprofit off the ground and has sustained it during tough times, including Covid. 

There's SOOO much misinformation surrounding nonprofits. Dr. Shantell sits down to pop some bubbles and gain you some clarity.

TW: Mentions of DV, murder and suicide. 

This week, Dr. Shantell speaks with NaQuetta Mitchell, founder of Women of Endurance and Higher Than This. NaQuetta shares her amazing story of overcoming tragedy to carve out spaces for single mothers escaping abuse. Follow NaQuetta at her socials here: 

Email: [email protected]

"Wash your wig and rest"

The tweet that shook both Dr. Shantell and her producer, Joi Donaldson. Listen in as they discuss the many conversations around Black luxury and specifically how it relates to nonprofit work. Original tweet: https://twitter.com/ScottieBeam/status/1379895236693012480

We've seen the mugs, conferences and t-shirts. But when do "boss moves" and "girlbossing" become being pushed away and blocked from sharing your abilities? In this episode, Dr. Shantell shares on how gatekeeping slows down innovation and community engagement. The old guard does well by stepping aside when new steps and ideas are surfacing. What do you think?

Welcome to the first episode of the Million Dollar Mission podcast! In this episode, we ask whether you have clarity on your nonprofit and if you don't, how to get it. We also listen in as Dr. Shantell shares her story of leaving corporate America and starting her nonprofit in her garage. If you like what you're hearing, give us five stars on Apple Podcasts and review us wherever you're listening.