The Life We're Given: Stories of Resilience Through Life's Challenges

In this inspiring episode, Brandi Lewis sits down with Sara Burris to discuss the realities of pursuing an acting career while balancing motherhood. Sara opens up about navigating auditions, dealing with rejection, and the importance of community support in the entertainment industry.

The conversation highlights how passion fuels persistence, the creative process behind filmmaking, writing, and directing, and the courage it takes to share your work with the world. Together, Brandi and Sara emphasize the value of following your dreams without fear of regret and the resilience required to thrive in both motherhood and the acting industry.

Links
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8158576/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26920383/

In this empowering solo episode, Brandi Lewis explores the inevitability of change and the emotional challenges it brings. Drawing from her own health journey, she shares personal experiences that highlight the power of resilience, healing, and personal growth during life transitions.

Brandi offers practical tools for navigating change, including the use of writing, self-compassion, and focusing on what you can control. She encourages listeners to celebrate small victories and reframe challenges as opportunities for self-discovery and growth.

This episode is a guide for anyone coping with change, uncertainty, or major life transitions, reminding us that while change can be difficult, it can also lead to powerful breakthroughs and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

In this powerful conversation, host Brandi Lewis sits down with pre-licensed therapist Letisha Harris Miller to explore the realities of mental health in the Black community. Together, they address the stigma surrounding therapy, the impact of trauma and emotional triggers, and why seeking professional help is an essential step in the healing journey.

Letisha shares insights on the role of therapists, the importance of recognizing mental health struggles early, and how resilience and self-discovery are possible at any age. This episode encourages listeners to break the silence, embrace empathy, and take the first step toward mental wellness, healing, and authentic living—because it’s never too late to find support.

Letisha Harris Miller's Bio
https://elliementalhealth.com/team-members/letisha-harris-miller/

In this insightful episode, David DeWitt shares his journey with depression, from the early signs he experienced as a teenager to the challenges of high-functioning depression and the impact on his career. He opens up about a personal crisis that led to hospitalization and his subsequent recovery, highlighting the importance of self-care, therapy, and mental health awareness.

David also discusses his transition into life coaching, where he helps others navigate life goals and challenges. This conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about depression, coping strategies, and resilience, offering guidance and inspiration for anyone managing mental health struggles.

Links

Suicide Prevention

If you need to talk, dial 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, counselors are there for you. You are not alone!

https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox

Suicide Prevention Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html

https://dmh.lacounty.gov/mental-health-resources/suicide-prevention/

David DeWitt Essay “Depression is an illness – and it’s time we got real about that”

https://www.salon.com/2023/05/27/depression-is-an-illness-and-its-time-we-got-real-about-that/

Go Your Own Way Coaching

https://www.goyourownwaycoaching.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:50 Early Signs of Depression
04:38 High-Functioning Depression
07:29 Struggles in the Workplace
10:24 The Impact of Family History
13:41 Crisis and Hospitalization
20:27 The Journey to Recovery
25:45 Navigating the Aftermath of a Crisis
28:00 The Challenges of Acute Psychiatric Care
28:58 The Stigma of Mental Health in the Workplace
30:57 The Journey to Openness and Acceptance
32:38 Understanding High Functioning Depression
35:53 Daily Practices for Mental Wellness
37:03 Taking Feelings Seriously
38:20 The Misconceptions of Depression
41:25 The Role of Coaching in Personal Growth

In this deeply moving episode, Mary Michael Kelley shares her journey through the grief of losing a child and navigating her son Micah’s health challenges. She discusses the profound impact of child loss, coping strategies, and the importance of therapy, self-advocacy, and open communication in the healing process.

Mary Michael also reflects on finding a “new normal” after loss, offering guidance and insights that resonate with anyone facing bereavement, grief, or family health challenges. This conversation emphasizes resilience, hope, and healing in the midst of life’s most difficult moments.

Links

Coping with Bereavement and Grief - https://www.samhsa.gov/communities/coping-bereavement-grief

Tool from APA on Dealing with Grief

https://www.apa.org/topics/grief/tools

In this engaging conversation, Rachel & Brandi explore their journeys as ambitious Black women navigating careers in philanthropy and politics. They discuss the challenges and rewards of pursuing professional success while maintaining strong friendship, identity, and community support.

The conversation also touches on the complexities of dating, personal growth, and managing expectations, offering valuable advice and inspiration for young women and Black women professionals striving to balance ambition, relationships, and community.

Links
https://bhamnow.com/2022/04/12/unas-edba-program-rachel-gandy/
https://blackbeltfound.org/

In this inspiring episode, Selena Burland shares her journey with aplastic anemia and PNH (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), navigating complex treatment options and ultimately undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Host Brandi Lewis explores the physical and emotional challenges Selena faced during her diagnosis and treatment, the crucial role of family support, and her journey to motherhood after overcoming chronic illness.

This episode emphasizes resilience, mental health, and the joy of embracing life after serious health obstacles, offering hope and encouragement for others living with rare blood disorders.

In this inspiring conversation, Javacia Harris Bowser shares her journey as a writer and breast cancer survivor, discussing how her diagnosis shaped her life and creative work. Joined by host Brandi Lewis, they explore the healing power of writing, mental health strategies, and the importance of community support during challenging times.

Javacia also highlights insights from her book, Find Your Way Back, emphasizing how storytelling and writing can help navigate life’s challenges, foster self-discovery, and build resilience in the face of adversity.

Find Your Way Back: How to Write Your Way Through Anything by Javacia Harris Bowser
See Jane Write - https://seejanewritebham.com/

In this inspiring conversation, Drew Ann Long, founder of Caroline’s Cart, shares her journey creating a special needs shopping cart designed for older children and adults with disabilities. She opens up about raising her daughter, Caroline, who has Rett syndrome, and the challenges and rewards of special needs parenting.

Drew highlights the importance of community support, faith, and family resilience in navigating life’s challenges, and shares lessons learned from parenting a child with a disability. She also discusses Caroline’s Cause, a scholarship program for siblings of special needs children, and offers guidance and encouragement for new parents facing similar situations.

Links 

Caroline's Cause -
https://www.carolinescause.com/ 

Caroline's Cart -
https://www.wanzl.com/en_US/products/carts/shopping-carts/various-shopping-carts/caroline-s-cart~p7260 

Drew Ann Long -
https://www.drewannspeaks.com/

In this powerful conversation, Briana Donis opens up about her journey with aplastic anemia, her experience undergoing a bone marrow transplant, and what life looks like in recovery. She shares the challenges of healing—both physically and emotionally—and how positivity, resilience, and self-discovery have shaped her path forward.

Briana also reflects on the impact of living with a rare blood disorder on her family, the role of support systems, and the spiritual growth she experienced through her chronic illness journey. Her story is a testament to the ongoing nature of healing and the importance of embracing life to the fullest after serious illness.