We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with  Lydia Hamilton. Lydia has always been a world traveler, but she embarked on a nearly 50 day solo adventure across the world seeking to better understand her NEXT chapter personally, her NEXT chapter professionally and become unshakably clear about who she was independent of anyone else. In this conversation we discuss how Lydia is reframing her idea of success, how pausing is allowing her to make better decisions and what you can do to implement these practices in your own life. 

Stephanie Perry on Career Breaks, Sabbaticals, Moving Abroad and Living with Ease: https://youtu.be/EJPHUblf-7U

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Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Lydia:
Website: https://www.lydonthago.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lhamilt77/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiahamilton/

Lydia Hamilton traded her title as a Vice President of Operations to Professional Wanderer. Then she set out on an epic journey that included working on a farm in Tennessee, exploring Antarctica on zodiac boats, and literally riding through the clouds of Vietnam. With each stop, Lydia was searching for answers about who she was and wanted to become. This episode takes you on a journey of what Lydia calls Transformational Travel in hopes that you reexamine what you think is possibile and discover who you really are. 

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Lydia:
Website: https://www.lydonthago.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lhamilt77/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiahamilton/
Tamron Hall Show Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty7DBPF3kGc&t=96s

Gemma Toner transitioned from the fast-paced executive life to the introspective satisfaction of retirement. But for Gemma, retirement was not an end, but a new beginning. She created the Tone Networks, an online micro-coaching and mentoring platform designed to connect, grow and retain early to mid-career employees at scale.In this episode we'll get into the nitty-gritty of confronting fears, developing resilience, and the importance of seeking support from a strong community—especially when venturing into uncharted territories.

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Gemma and the Tone Networks:
Tone Networks: https://www.tonenetworks.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tone-networks/
Gemma’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-toner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonenetworks/

Kara Stevens, the force behind The Frugal Feminista , began her journey grappling with hefty student loans and credit card debt. It led her to create a blog that turned into  a robust community dedicated to building wealth. In the meantime she leveraged her career as a teacher and administrator to reach financial freedom. Her experience confirms that traditional jobs, when combined with entrepreneurial savvy, can indeed pave the way to prosperity.

Our conversation dives deep into Kara's recent life-changing move from New York to Ghana, motivated by the pursuit of quality of life, generational wealth, and providing a nurturing environment for her daughter. This move signifies not only a geographical shift but also a profound evolution in Kara's work-life balance and her connection to Africa.


Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Kara:
Frugal Feminista: https://www.thefrugalfeminista.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/frugalfeminista/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-stevens-37882b12/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrugalfeminista/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Today’s episode is a pause, a time to reflect on not just the achievements, but the bumps and stumbles along the way. We’ve built something incredible here, a safe space especially for marginalized voices. I want to express my deepest thanks to you—our dedicated listeners, amazingly generous guests, and the village that has helped put this whole thing together. So, in this solo episode, join me as we walk down memory lane, celebrate the growth, and reaffirm our commitment to heal, to learn, and to soar even higher.

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod

Keisha Hickson’s life changed when a diagnosis threatened her life expectancy. Faced with a renewed appreciation for time, Keisha is determined not to waste it and now urges all of us to combat complacency in all areas of our lives. This woman’s story is not just moving – it’s a masterclass in living life to the fullest despite the toughest of blows. Join us as we celebrate Keisha's journey, explore the lessons she's gathered along the way, and perhaps, find the encouragement we need to chase our own "Next Best Thing." 

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter for a transcript and the lessons from this  interview: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Keisha:
Website: https://keishahickson.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-hickson/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_keishahickson/

Tricia Taitt was navigating the intensity of Wall Street when she was laid off during the Great Recession. She turned to her lifelong passion for dance to guide her through uncertain times and it led her to tour with a Broadway musical. Now Tricia is combining her unique background in finance and dance to help others build a strong financial core.

In this episode Tricia discusses how she merged her passions into profit, tactics and principles for managing money, and the entrepreneurial skills that drive success. Tricia's story is not just about resilience, but rediscovery.

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter for a transcript and the lessons from this  interview: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Tricia:
FinCore Strong: https://fincorestrong.com/
Dancing With Numbers Book: https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Numbers-Financially-Business-Choreograph-ebook/dp/B0BGGRMZS9
IG: https://www.instagram.com/fincorestrong/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciataitt/

Katrina Gamble, political strategist and founder of Sojourn Strategies, peels back the curtain on the efforts that drive social movements beyond the ballot box. We confront the hard truths about the rightful cynicism within Black and Brown communities that exit polling doesn’t capture, and the collective power communities can harness to get their needs met. If you’re feeling exhausted by the headlines or hopeless because of the realities of the world, this episode will not only inspire you but explain what YOU can do today to impact positive change.

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter for a transcript and the lessons from this  interview: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod 

Stay in touch with Katrina:
Sojourn Strategies: https://sojournstrategies.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/femmepolitico/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-gamble/

With more than two decades in TV news, Renee Washington switched gears big time. Imagine managing 150 people, handling the crazy news cycle, then throwing in a pandemic, budget cuts, and a mountain of stress. Renee was in the thick of it when she decided to rethink success on her own terms. In this episode we're going on the wild ride that led her from being the boss of a bustling newsroom to her launching her own business, Resilience Wins Coaching. Curious about what coaching can do for you? Stuck in a rut at work? This episode will get you unstuck and increase your confidence as you navigate those career and life challenges.

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter for a transcript and the lessons from this interview: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod

Journalists: Free Guide To Redefine and Leverage Your Transferable Skills: https://link.therewritecourse.com/widget/form/9bmFYXNewaeZ3l6NNH5F
The Rewrite: Strategies To Reinvent Your News Career: https://therewritecourse.com/

Stay In Touch with Renee:
Resilience Wins Coaching: https://resiliencewinscoaching.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneewashington-resiliencewins/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamcoachrenee/

There’s no shortage of bad news right now from the wars abroad to the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion right here at home. In this episode we explore how we can take a more active role in what’s NEXT for our community, our country and our world. Our guest Michellene Davis isn't holding back.

With her diverse career in law, government, and healthcare, she's seen it all—from the toll of the personal sacrifices in her work to the harsh truth about why we need to check up on our strong friends. From the boardroom to personal battles, Michellene shares pearls of wisdom on how she keeps her cup filled and sets those ever-important boundaries to safeguard her mental health while still being an agent for change.

If you are in a mental health crisis call the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter for a transcript and the lessons from this interview: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod

Stay in Touch With Michellene
Twitter (@MichelleneDavis)
Instagram (@michelleneesq)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenedavis/
National Medical Fellowships: https://nmfonline.org/