The Brave Files

By Heather Vickery

THE BRAVE FILES | Real Stories of People Living Courageously | Hosted by Life, Business and Success Coach Heather Vickery

Everything we want in life is just on the other side of uncomfortable, says ... more

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FAQs about The Brave Files:

How many episodes does The Brave Files have?

The podcast currently has 258 episodes available.

The Brave Files episodes:

August 10, 2023Creating a Sustainable Life: A Full-Bodied Experience
Community • Lesson • Creativity

There are some people in the world that have a magical ability to see a gap in the world and fill it with just the right thing. That’s what today’s guest, Joanna Waterfall, did when she founded Yellow Co - an organization birthed from an idea that struck her one day while she was in the shower. Joanna believes that creativity, business, community and social impact should all go hand in hand. So she decided to create a platform and community that brought all of those things together. She’s here to share her personal story of separating her worth and value as a human being from her professional achievements, which she did the hard way!
Joanna and her work have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Huffington Post, Darling Magazine, The Good Trade, LA Lady Magazine, Bossladies Magazine, and more. She’s motivated by the belief that women can change the world through stepping out of fear and into who they were created to be - and, well, that’s exactly what we talk about here so Joanna, at the brave files.
Connect with Joanna on Instagram and find Yellow.com on Instagram and their website.
Episode Takeaways:
- We have who we truly are and then a personality that’s created by the work we do. There’s room to surprise ourselves.
Self-discovery is a constant journey.
In order to grow her company, YellowCo, Joanna launched a Kickstarter and didn’t meet her goal
After her Kickstarter failed, her body completely shut down.
Joanna and her collaborators hosted a fail party when after the Kickstarter failed. What a beautiful way to celebrate life's lessons.
The company continued to host the Yellowco Conference and that eventually lead to a beautiful community. Joanna eventually launched Guidance Groups to continue to support people in between conferences.
Becoming a parent shifted Joanna’s entire way of existing and running a business.
The work of bringing people together is brave. All we can do is our best.
Celebration: Joanna journals a lot and uses that space to acknowledge wins and express gratitude.
Charity: Together Rising
The Manifestation Power Hour - is an unmissable (free) event that offers a transformative experience for individuals seeking to take control of their destiny and manifest their deepest desires. Led by ME, Heather Vickery, A Transformational Success Coach. This free monthly gathering provides a unique opportunity to tap into the immense power of manifestation. Through grounding experiences, guided journaling, and a supportive community, attendees will discover the tools and techniques to unlock their true potential and create a life of abundance and fulfillment. Whether you're seeking personal growth, inspiration, or connection with like-minded individuals, the Manifestation Power Hour is the perfect platform to ignite the fire within and embark on a journey of self-discovery. The first Friday of Every month! Register to attend now: www.vickeryandco.com/ManifestTogether
Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
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Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
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1h 5min
July 27, 2023What if the smart way isn’t the best way?
Awareness • Ownership • Detachment
Do you feel like having all the answers and knowing exactly what’s coming next is the only way to feel safe? Yeah - So did this week’s guest but eventually, after much burnout, Jessica Eley realized that the “smart” way wasn’t always the best way for her! In this conversation, we dive deep into "normal" .. .What the is normal anyway? It’s totally subjective and depends on the context. Jessica discovered that curiosity was her savior.
Get curious, figure out where you need and want to be at any given moment, and then live into it. Let go of right and wrong through patterns and so much more. join us as we explore Jessica's journey, her triumphs, and how she found her own path. It's all about embracing who you are and finding your own version of success. Let's get into it!
Episode Takeaways:
- Often gifted kids have just learned to perform really well.
Jessica felt like she always needed to know what comes next in order to feel safe.
“Normal” is fully subjective and contextual.
Burnout was a result of, finally, facing things I had previously ignored or thought were “normal” but later realized they weren’t.
Stop doing it the “smart way” if that doesn’t freaking work for you.
Curiosity saved Jessica
Although you may not be getting some paramagatic from the “smart” or “right” way - but you’re getting something from it.
Take account of where you are right now, in this moment, and what you want and need to be your best self.
So much of Jessica's success is knowing the difference between the thoughts she receives and the things she’s “supposed” to think.
Celebration: Jessica loves lowkey celebration in the form of integration.
Charity: Charity Water, Trees for the Future
Contact Jessica on her website and Instagram.

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
58min
July 15, 2023Finding the gifts inside the dark
WISDOM • BALANCE • PEACEJana Wilson is an emotional healing educator, meditation teacher, retreat leader, hypnotherapist, HeartMath Facilitator, and founder of the Emotional Healing System. She’s trained with best-selling author and physician, Deepak Chopra MD and NY Times best-selling author, Debbie Ford.
Jana lives off-grid in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo mountain range in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A victim of childhood abuse and trauma, Jana could have wound up another statistic. Yet, at age twelve, she had a mystical experience that catapulted her on a life-long journey of learning to listen and love herself. In her breakout prescriptive memoir, Wise Little One, we follow Jana as she develops a connection to her inner child. Through this connection, Jana cultivates an unshakable faith in Self and Spirit, taking full responsibility for her soul’s journey.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:
- Memory without emotional charge is wisdom.
Jana calls life “Earth School.”
Life is always happening for us, never to us.
At 12 years old Jana was pulled out of her body and told that she would overcome all of the obstacles presented on Earth on this timeline.
Jana believes we all operate at a different “soul age”
Her developmental trauma began in the womb.
Learning impermanence was a true gift.
The gift of the dark is that it pushes us to the light.
Deciding to have a child out of wedlock at 22 and be a single mom was her bravest moment.
Spirit is connecting with nature, connecting with self. It is almost like a seduction.
Breaking the generational patterns of her childhood was challenging as she raised her own child.
Shadow work was a massive game-changer. She credits Debbie Ford's work for this.
The practice of meditation can often feel turbulent and not peaceful. It’s the aftereffects where you really see the benefits.
HeartMath is intelligent energy management techniques.
Our breath is the one thing we can control in our body.
Connect with Jana and learn more about her work: www.emotionalhealingretreats.com

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
1h 5min
June 29, 2023 Kindness Is
Gratitude • Grace • Gumption
Enjoy this special cross-over episode between The Brave Files and the Kindness Is podcast! Our host, Heather Vickery, was a featured guest on the Kindness Is Podcast with Kaitlin Johnstone. It's the perfect way to cap out Pride Month as Heather shares her personal story of claiming herself and showing up authentically.

In this inspiring episode of the 'Kindness Is' podcast, host Kaitlin welcomes special guest Heather Vickery, a global leader and transformational success coach. Join them as they engage in a heartfelt conversation about the power of self-care, personal growth, and the beauty of embracing authenticity.

Heather shares her journey of self-discovery, including her experience of coming out later in life. Kaitlin and Heather delve into the importance of living authentically and the impact it can have on our overall well-being. They discuss the challenges Heather faced in recognizing her true self while juggling various roles spouse, mom, and businesswoman. Heather emphasizes the significance of making time for self-care, self-expression, and pursuing one's passions.

Throughout the episode, Heather highlights her coaching method called the "Brave Method," which empowers individuals to overcome fears, design a life they love, and cultivate resilience. They explore the power of reassessment and reframing, allowing listeners to gain valuable insights into their growth journey.

Both Kaitlin and Heather stress the importance of celebrating progress, no matter how small, and acknowledging the positive impact it has on our lives. They touch upon the transformative nature of self-acceptance, both for ourselves and the ripple effect it can have on those around us.

If you're seeking inspiration, practical advice, and a reminder to embrace your authentic self, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how you can break free from societal expectations, find your voice, and lead a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.

If you’ve been inspired, touched, entertained, or motivated by this or any of Heather Vickery’s content you can “say thanks” by buying her a virtual coffee!

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
43min
June 15, 2023Martha Anne Toll: What if quiet things are the bravest?
Discipline • Grace • Gratitude
Martha Anne Toll grew up a passionate ballet dancer, musician, and advocate for social and racial justice.
Through her creative endeavors Martha learned three important life lessons which she will share in our conversation so be sure to stay tuned) and at the tender age of *almost* 65 she released her debut novel Three Muses, which has already been receiving great praise and awards!
Martha is a true inspiration who has dedicated her life to helping elevate the lives of others and continues to follow her own passions. Talk about brave.
Episode Takeaways:
- Martha grew up surrounded by passionate educators and readers.
She doesn’t have any formal writing education but her parents served as passionate editors from a young age.
Her social justice career lasted 25 years long.
It took her well into adulthood to realize that the risks she was taking were actually brave!
Writing in general is an act of bravery.
THREE LIFE LESSONS:
(1) The music is in the rests;
(2) if you break things into component parts, you’ll figure out how to put together a coherent whole; and
(3) practice, practice, practice. Martha performed as a semi-professional orchestra and chamber music player in college and beyond.
Bravery and courage come from unexpected places!
The path toward publication was full of disappointment and despair.
Getting a byline and being published as a book reviewer helped Martha build a platform.
Rejection is normal in the arts - embrace it if you want to be successful. Martha chose to give back every time she was rejected and this helped keep things.
Writing discipline: Martha likes to write in the morning and she firmly believes that writing begets writing. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing - JUST WRITE.
Visit your local public library!!
All reading counts - including audiobooks.
Martha loves speaking to book groups and engaging with folks who are experiencing her books.
Celebration: Martha had to get off the hamster wheel and criticize herself before she could really celebrate. Her favorite way to celebrate is by paying it forward.
Charity: Equal Justice Initiative
REGISTER FOR THE FREE, FIRST FRIDAY MANIFESTATION POWER HOUR HERE.
JOIN US FOR TAMING THE CHAOS - A 4-PART MASTERCLASS SERIES HERE.
If you’ve been inspired, touched, entertained, or motivated by this or any of Heather Vickery’s content you can “say thanks” by buying her a virtual coffee!

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
47min
June 01, 2023Annie White-Brown: From Roots to Remedies
Unexpected • Unpredictable • Exciting
When Annie White Brown's daughter was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, she turned to her Jamaican roots and natural remedies to help alleviate her daughter's skin issues after surgeries. Her passion for herbal healing grew, leading her to develop a unique brand of essential oils, herbs, and natural butters that provided her daughter with much-needed relief.
Discover how Annie's determination and knowledge transformed her backyard make-and-take parties into a thriving business. From her exploration of aromatherapy to the explosive growth of NaturalAnnie Essentials on social media platforms like TikTok, Annie's commitment to self-care and her customers shines through. Immerse yourself in her journey as she opens an in-person candle bar, where people can blend their own candles, and find out how Annie's unwavering dedication has not only transformed her family's life but also inspired others to embrace the healing power of natural remedies.
Join us for an inspiring episode filled with resilience, love, and the transformative impact of NaturalAnnie Essentials in the world of natural remedies.

Episode Takeaways:
- Annie’s daughter overcame all odds and obstacles to live a thriving life.
Spina Bifida is where the spinal cord doesn’t meet.
Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain
Tiffany had four surgeries within the first month of life and had many skin issues after the procedures.
Annie started using essential oils, and natural shea butter - making her own concoctions.
Aromatherapy certified - This is where she learned to create her own formulas.
This led to make-and-take parties in the backyard.
During a popup show customers were asking for candles and this became the new path for NaturalAnnie Essentials!
Scents put you in different moods.
NaturalAnnie Essentials is the sole income for Annie’s family.
Annie built her business via Facebook, Instagram, and pop-up shops. In 2020 she started TikTok and then things really exploded.
Mid-2020 Annie needed studio space because it could no longer be housed at her home. This eventually led to the in-person candle bar where folks can have candle-making experiences and blend their own candles.
Annie reserves one day a week just for herself. This helps her stay centered and not get too overwhelmed. She also sets mornings aside for herself - sitting, relaxing, and being still.
Celebration is all about quiet time for herself!
Charity: The Ronald McDonald House
Connect with Annie: naturalannieessientials.com and on TikTok

If you’ve been inspired, touched, entertained, or motivated by this or any of Heather Vickery’s content you can “say thanks” by buying her a virtual coffee!

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
50min
May 18, 2023Aaron Leatherbarrow: The Punk Rock Teacher
Rebellion • Empathy • Anarchy
From his punk rock and Christian roots to becoming an award-winning educator and TikTok sensation, Aaron Leatherbarrow's story is a testament to the power of empathy and authenticity.
Discover the challenges faced by teachers on the front lines in the United States. Hear how Aaron's punk rock background shaped his approach to education and led him to empower students through their voices.
Explore Aaron's groundbreaking initiatives, like the Punk Rock Pantry, providing essential supplies to families in need. Learn about the Punk Rock Unity Project, supporting teachers making a massive impact on their students' lives.
In this episode, we celebrate the resilience and determination of the punk rock teacher, leaving you inspired to challenge norms and embrace the transformative power of empathy in education.
This is a fun one yall!
Episode Takeaways:
- Aaron always functions at a high energy level - it’s exhausting but in a good way.
BUY BANNED BOOKS! Support Aaron’s “anarchy bookshelf”
Be a human. Like … a real human
Aaron grew up in a small, conservative Christian, structured world with the threat of looming over his head at all times. Punk Rock changed his world.
If everything is fake, wrong, and horrible Aaron is always going to find a different way.
After high school, Aaron got married and became a children’s minister. But even then he focused on being kind and building safe communities.
All indecision is dead after you make a decision. Own it!
When Aaron decided to blow up his life he blew it all the way up.
When you are accepting belief is such a small world.
While teaching at a Christian school Aaron couldn’t teach blatant lies to students and that’s what the school wanted him to do.
After a random writing prompt, Aaron discovered the power of giving kids a voice. This was the beginning of his TikTok fame.
Punk Rock Pantry
After two days away Aaron returned to find the Punk Rock Pantry completely emptied. It was then he realized that if these kids were hungry, cold, and without hygiene supplies - so where their families
The Punk Rock Unity Project supports teachers who are making a massive impact on their students' lives.
The Punk Rock Teacher memoir - coming soon
Celebration is a challenge. Aaron goes and goes and goes
Charity: The Punk Unity Project and Sisters of Grace in Thailand
Cassette Crisis - Spotify
Spring Writing Workshop - May 21st JOIN NOW!
Connect with Aaron on TikTok or Instagram and get all his details there.

**JOIN US FOR TAMING THE CHAOS A 4-PART MASTERCLASS SERIES. USE CODE BRAVEFILES TO SAVE $100!**
If you’ve been inspired, touched, entertained, or motivated by this or any of Heather Vickery’s content you can “say thanks” by buying her a virtual coffee!

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
1h 22min
May 04, 2023Shiny Unsal: The Gateway to Galactic Success
Love • Light • Positive-Energy
We have a choice who and how we’ll be in the world. Perhaps you think you don’t but I promise you … You do. Today's guest, Shiny Unsal learned this lesson firsthand after losing her father unexpectedly … Or was it?
After a lot of self-discovery, she took on a new name and officially declared her new identity, purpose, and her forever mission on this planet, to go all in to BE, to LIVE, and to BELIEVE exactly the opposite of that life-sucking darkness that took her father. She’s here to talk about the undeniable power of our minds and the cosmic wisdom of our hearts, when they're happily coherent together and IN LOVE with each other, as ONE...
Shiny is the Global Award-Winning Creator of Neuro-Shine Technology™, a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Award Recipient, a Licensed Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and so much more.
Episode Takeaways:
- A lot of growth comes from experiencing pain and taking the time to understand what the pain is and what it’s showing us.
The body reacts to what's happening in our minds.
Shiny felt like life was happening to her, rather than for her … She felt she was being punished whenever anything went wrong.
NLP completely changed and transformed her life.
Our brains have so much power. It can hold us hostage or free us.
Claim yourself, and your identity, and always remember you are powerful. This is how you become the light.
Neuro-Shine Technology is about being aligned with your own truth.
Along the journey of becoming Shiny, she combined ten powerful disciplines together to create something extraordinary.
Consciousness is NOT local!
The observer makes the light become a particle instead of a wave. Something needs to be observed to exist.
We have unlimited layers of becoming. Letting go of perfectionism is Shiny’s current struggle.
Grounding rituals: Walking in nature, hugging trees. Shiny has to work hard to ground herself. A lot of meditation.
Shiny celebrates from the moment she wakes up by saying “I love my life!” She tells herself, in the mirror, “I love you.”
Charity: Supporting, empowering, and educating women and girls.
Connect with Shiny: www.shinyunsal.com, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
If you’ve been inspired, touched, entertained, or motivated by this or any of Heather Vickery’s content you can “say thanks” by buying her a virtual coffee!

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
57min
April 20, 2023Bunmi Aboaba: Unlocking Your Potential Here and Now
Blessed • Vulnerable • Free
In 2008, after twenty years of self-sabotage and playing Russian Roulette with her health, Bunmi Abo-aba finally reached burnout. Since the mask fell, she has worked tirelessly, plotting a path to her recovery and making her fair share of mistakes. But Bunmi is truly a phoenix who has risen from those ashes more than once. Today she’s beaten both food and alcohol addiction and overcome traumas, divorce, and triggers and now leads a beautiful, healthy, and full life.
Connect with Bunmi on her website, Instagram or TikTok.
Episode Takeaways:
- Dr. Bunmi is a dentist who was raised to be a full-on perfectionist.
“I love you” didn’t accompany anything less than perfect.
She discovered alcohol at age 12.
Alcohol made her feel confident and raised her self-esteem. She said it was her new best friend.
Food is a comfort for so many people especially those who lack love.
Russian Roulette was essentially throwing caution to the wind and continuing on a dangerous path of unhealthy life choices.
By 2008 Bunmi was sick and tired of the consequences of her “Russian Roulette.”
Culturally “strong Black women” don’t trust the outside world and don’t ask for help.
Eventually, Bunmi had to embrace vulnerability to fully break down in order to rebuild.
Accepting help and being honest reminds us that we are not alone.
Bunmi says she’s in recovery rather than recovered because it’s always a work in progress.
After she began recovery it was time to, finally, get to know herself.
Next up was her spiritual journey. After the first session with a Shaman Bunmi finally felt supported.
Feeling supported brought massive curiosity and an eventual complete life shift.
Forgiving herself has been a serious part of her healing journey.
As a parent, Bunmi tries to be the guide and love them without extreme discipline.
Recovery gave her freedom and bravery - she was able to see choices and try new things.
She is now a recovery coach that helps others move through their own, painful, journey.
Future Life Progression: Finding your best future self while in recovery.
Gratitude is Bunmi’s favorite way to celebrate but also connecting with friends and family. She also loves to buy herself a new crystal when she’s celebrating - that anchors her to a specific event.
Charity: Water Aid - water is life!
If you’ve been inspired, touched, entertained, or motivated by this or any of Heather Vickery’s content you can “say thanks” by buying her a virtual coffee!

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
57min
April 06, 2023L’Oreal Thompson Payton: Stop waiting for perfect!
Ambitious • Creative • Determined
L’Oreal Thompson Payton was a girl with big dreams. Now she’s a woman who’s achieving those dreams and rewriting what it means to be successful. The “Stop Waiting for Perfect” author joins The Brave Files to share some painful, honest, and ultimately beautiful truths about what it’s like to be a recovering perfectionist facing real-world challenges and choosing progress over perfection and self-love.
Top Takeaways
- Writing a book is an arduous process.
L’Oreal was committed to traditional publishing due to her own perfectionism and stubbornness. It offered a vetted path that she deeply desired. We get it!
“Stop waiting for perfect” is about overcoming imposter syndrome and perfectionism. Writing it has been a personal masterclass and crash course in letting go of perfectionism.
Procrastination is my brand of perfectionism.
Deadlines are the best - external accountability.
Writing the book was, in many ways, harder than caring for a newborn baby.
Being a writer means everything to L’Oreal. It is per purpose and passion.
It’s ok to be whatever type of mom you are - you don’t have to parent the way everyone else does.
L’Oreal grew up living teen magazines but never saw herself represented. She knew she wanted to be part of changing that!
There is a lot of PTSD surrounding infertility.
We are going to celebrate everything with our baby in every way!
She felt a lot of shame for the parenting moments that were hard AF because of the fertility struggles.
What do you now know is true? I AM ENOUGH!
Celebration is hard and L’Oreal would like to get better at it. She’s always hitting the goal and on to the next one. This does her a disservice.
Infusing Black Girl Magic into the health and wellness world is a deep passion and so important.
Charity: Free Root Operation fighting gun violence in Black and Brown communities.
Connect with L’Oreal and read her newsletter, LT in the City.
Pre-order Stop Waiting For Perfect.

Let's connect ...
Follow us on Instagram and connect with our host, Heather Vickery here.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF F*CK FEARLESS - MAKING THE BRAVE LEAP TODAY, Click Here!
Order your Create Brave Manifestation Card Decks here.
Share your feedback by emailing [email protected] or via Instagram DM's.
...more
54min

FAQs about The Brave Files:

How many episodes does The Brave Files have?

The podcast currently has 258 episodes available.