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Welcome to ”The Black Woman’s Stress Solution,” the podcast for ambitious black women who are navigating the complexities of success while striving for balance and well-being in their lives. Brig Johnson, your host and go-to coach for stress management, brings you insights, strategies, tools and a little bit of neurobiology to master mindfulness, self-improvement, confidence, and personal growth. With Brig’s guidance, you’ll learn how to become unstuck and manage stress effectively while pursuing your goals and dreams to create your EPIC shit. Each week Brig dives deep into the world of self-care, mindset shifts, and empowerment strategies tailored specifically for Black women in business and leadership roles. With a focus on self-awareness, confidence-building, and goal-setting, this podcast provides the tools and guidance needed to navigate the challenges of work, health, relationships, and modern life with grace and resilience. Whether you’re an experienced women boss or just starting your journey of self-discovery, this podcast is your go-to resource for becoming the empowered, confident woman you were meant to be. Brig addresses common questions and challenges faced by high-achieving black women, offering practical advice and actionable steps to help you unlearn and unleash to live a more balanced and fulfilling life. Examples of these questions are: *How can Black women effectively manage stress while juggling multiple responsibilities? *What are some mindfulness techniques specifically tailored for Black women? *How can Black women develop a positive mindset in the face of challenges and setbacks? *What strategies can Black women employ to boost self-confidence and self-esteem? *How can Black women set achievable goals for personal and professional growth? *What are some practical self-care practices that Black women can incorporate into their daily routines? *How can Black women navigate imposter syndrome and overcome feelings of inadequacy? *What role does self-love play in stress management and personal empowerment for Black women? *How can Black women overcome barriers to seeking help and support for their mental health? *What are some effective techniques for boundary-setting and prioritizing self-care in a demanding work environment? *How can Black women cultivate resilience and bounce back from triggers stronger than before? *What resources are available for Black women seeking mentorship, coaching, or community support? *How can Black women leverage their unique experiences societal bullshit and perspectives to excel in their careers and personal lives? *What are some common misconceptions about stress management and self-improvement for Black women, and how can they be addressed? *How can Black women balance ambition and self-care to achieve sustainable success and fulfillment? * How can Black women become unstoppable and unf*ckwithable being their absolute best self…no matter what the situation—not allowing outside things to impact how they think and feel about themselves, what they do, or how they show up in the world? *Health and relationships and societal bullshit that create stress for black women *Why stress is the biggest block to your confidence, keeping you stuck. *Why is creating safety one of the first things we must address as black women? *Why is stress hindering the growth of our relationships? Subscribe to ”The Black Woman’s Stress Solution” today and embark on a journey of empowerment, resilience, and growth. Visit https://brigjohnson.com/ to learn more about Brig Johnson and her coaching services.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
I recorded this episode on the 4th of July, a day that symbolizes freedom — but for many of us, true freedom starts when we stop shrinking to make others comfortable.
Last week, we talked about the invisible ways we try to stay lovable by making ourselves small. This week, I want to speak to the sting of being seen as your old self — even after you’ve done the inner work.
You’ve changed. But what happens when the people closest to you don’t see it...
What you’ll hear in this episode:
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Why it’s painful when your growth isn’t acknowledged
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What “shrink scripts” are and how they’ve shaped you
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The grief of being seen as your past self — and how to name it
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Reframes and mindset shifts to stay rooted in your progress
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Tools to protect your expansion
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Why your nervous system isn’t sabotaging you — it’s trying to protect you
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How to stop outsourcing your validation and declare your evolution
Your next step:
Close your eyes, hand on your chest, and repeat:
“I’ve changed. I’m still changing. And I don’t need permission to keep evolving.”
Then ask yourself:
What’s one truth I’m ready to stand in — even if no one claps yet?
RESOURCES:
- Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash
- Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here
- Register for the Next Melanin Hour here
- Book a Breakthrough Call here
- Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
- Take the Stress Quiz
Stay Connected
- Instagram → @brigjohnsoncoaching
- Facebook → Brig Johnson Coaching
- Website → www.brigjohnson.com
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Hey y’all—Brig here. Today I’m bringing you a topic that might hit close to home: playing small just to stay loved. Whether it’s at work, in relationships, or even around family, too many of us shrink ourselves to make others feel more comfortable. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to silence your voice, tone yourself down, and wear outdated roles just to keep the peace.
But that strategy? It’s costing you more than you realize.
In this episode, I’m not here to shame you—I’m here to bring awareness. To name the cages. To help you identify the "shrink scripts" you’ve inherited from well-meaning people who didn’t know any better. I’ll show you how to unkage your voice, your body, your mind, and your entire life. Because surviving isn’t the same as living—and queen, it’s time to live unkaged.
What We’ll Dive Into in This Episode:
- Why conditional love is often disguised as safety
- The emotional cost of shrinking yourself in friendships, at work, and at home
- The invisible work no one sees—but that’s changing you daily
- “Shrink scripts” from family, culture, and your own past—and how to rewrite them
- The difference between surviving and thriving
- A powerful voice note exercise to reconnect with your growth
Take Action – Your Uncaging Starts Now
Ask yourself: Where are you still playing small to be loved?
RESOURCES:
- Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash
- Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here
- Register for the Next Melanin Hour here
- Book a Breakthrough Call here
- Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
- Take the Stress Quiz
Stay Connected
- Instagram → @brigjohnsoncoaching
- Facebook → Brig Johnson Coaching
- Website → www.brigjohnson.com
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
This episode isn’t just about fitness—it’s about redefining what’s possible. HYROX challenged me in ways I never expected. It wasn’t just about the workouts or the competition—it was about pushing through pain, breaking mental barriers, and proving that power doesn’t have an expiration date. I’m joined by my training partner Cynthia and our incredible coach, Coach O, to share the real journey: the highs, the hard days, and everything it took to reclaim strength, confidence, and joy in our bodies after 60.
What This Episode Is About
In this episode, we dive into:
- 🏋🏾♀️ What HYROX is and why it became more than a fitness goal for us
- The power of reclaiming your body and identity through strength training
- What training after 60 looks like—mentally, physically, and emotionally
- The unexpected healing, sisterhood, and self-trust built along the way
- The moment we came in last—and why it still felt like a win
- Why building strength is essential, not optional, at this stage of life
You’ll hear real talk about cramps, doubts, breakthroughs, and post-race high fives. It’s honest, inspiring, and proof that “too late” is a myth we’re done believing.
If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who needs to be reminded that her strongest years might still be ahead.
✨ And if you haven’t already, take my free quiz
Train with Coach O: https://www.instagram.com/corinthian.fit
Follow Cynthia: https://www.instagram.com/campy1130
More Episodes: brigjohnson.com/podcast
RESOURCES:
- Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash
- Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here
- Register for the Next Melanin Hour here
- Book a Breakthrough Call here
- Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
What if the moment you thought signaled the end… was really the beginning?
In this episode, I share what the "Old Lady Division" taught me about purpose, identity, and the quiet power of coming back to yourself—stronger, clearer, and more grounded than ever.
This isn’t about reinvention. It’s about returning to the version of you that always knew.
You’ll learn:
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Why turning 60 brought unexpected emotional challenges
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How I trained for a global fitness competition after setbacks
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The quiet ways women start to feel invisible — and how to shift it
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Why purpose doesn’t need perfection — it needs action
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What it means to return to yourself instead of reinventing
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How to identify your new non-negotiables
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A practical question to ask yourself today: What have I shelved that I’m ready to reclaim?
Ready to uncover the stress patterns keeping you stuck — and start building a life that fits who you are now? Stress Quiz HERE
RESOURCES:
- Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash
- Book a Breakthrough Call here
- Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on why I spell Unkaged with a “K.”
Spoiler alert: it’s not just branding—it’s a sacred declaration.
We’re diving into what it means to know yourself so fully that no one can gaslight, shrink, or silence you again.
This episode is for every Black woman who’s ever felt like she had to perform, conform, or stay quiet to stay safe. That stops here.
You’ll learn:
→ Why deep knowing is the foundation of recovery
→ How community creates safety and amplifies growth
→ What Kinesthetic Wisdom means—and how your body always knows before your brain does
→ How to start trusting yourself again, without waiting for permission
💫 Then take a moment to breathe before you perform.
That’s where the revolution begins.
RESOURCES:
- Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash
- Book a Breakthrough Call here
- Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
- Stress Quiz
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
High-achieving Black women aren’t stuck because we’re doing it wrong—we’re stuck because we’ve been conditioned to survive, not to thrive.
In this episode, I get real about why I burned down all my coaching offers. I share the moment that changed everything, what I discovered underneath all the mindset work, and why I’m no longer coaching around the edges of the wound.
What we often call procrastination, self-sabotage, or burnout?
It’s not a personal flaw.
It’s your nervous system doing what it was built to do: protect you.
When I finally gave myself permission to stop performing and start feeling safe, I unlocked a deeper capacity—to rest without guilt, to dream without fear, and to stop abandoning myself just to be accepted.
This is what the UNKAGED Revolution is all about:
Helping high-performing women like us recalibrate our nervous systems, reclaim our voice, and rise from survival into sovereignty.
If you’re tired of shrinking, proving, or managing stress with hacks that don’t heal—this episode is for you.
You don’t need more discipline.
You don’t need to fix yourself.
You need safety.
You need softness.
You need a nervous system that finally feels free.
The revolution begins with you.
RESOURCES
✉️ Want to share your thoughts or breakthroughs? Write me at brig@brigjohnson.com
STAY CONNECTED —
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
We’ve been taught to push through. To hold it all. To never drop the ball.
But what if the reason we feel like we’re breaking… is because no one ever taught us to recover?
In this episode, I’m finally unpacking the radical concept that changed my life:
💥 Recovery is not rest. It’s reclamation.
Reclaiming your time.
Your energy.
Your breath.
Your baseline.
We dive deep into why recovery is the missing skill set for high-achieving Black and Brown women—and how without it, we’re stuck in cycles of burnout, overperformance, and silence.
You’re not broken.
You’re under-recovered.
Let’s change that.
🎧 Tap the link in bio to listen.
💫 Then take a moment to breathe before you perform.
That’s where the revolution begins.
STAY CONNECTED
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
A lot of many high-achieving women are stuck in cycles that feel personal—but are actually patterns of survival. Overgiving, overworking, staying quiet, or doing it all alone… these aren’t just habits. They’re adaptations.
In this episode, I finally introduce something I’ve been working on for a while: the Uncaged Stress Impact Assessment—a powerful quiz to help you uncover which stress archetype has been running your life.
I walk you through the 4 KAGE types:
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The Fixer
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The Overachiever
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The Self-Silencer
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The Soloist
These aren’t personality traits. They’re survival patterns rooted in stress. And when we name them, we begin to reclaim ourselves.
I created this because I needed it myself—and I know you do too. Because you’re not broken. You’ve just been adapting. And now it’s time to break the cage.
🔍 What This Episode Covers:
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What the 4 KAGE stress archetypes are and how they form
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Why naming your pattern is the first step toward healing
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How stress hijacks your nervous system and rewires your behavior
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Why rest isn’t a reward—it’s your right
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How to take the quiz and start your recovery journey
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A journaling prompt to notice your cage in motion this week
💥 Ready to Break the Cage?
Take the Uncaged Stress Impact Assessment to discover your dominant stress archetype and listen to the exclusive private podcast episode that goes with your result.
Tag me on IG after you take the quiz—I want to hear what showed up for you.
And don’t forget: the work doesn’t stop with awareness. If you're ready to recover, not just cope, my 1:1 coaching is where the deep transformation happens.
RESOURCES
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💭 Want to share your thoughts or breakthroughs? Email me at brig@brigjohnson.com
STAY CONNECTED
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
Too many times, I see high-achieving women of color stuck in cycles of overgiving, over-performing, and people-pleasing—not because we’re broken, but because we’re in survival mode. In this episode, I get personal. I share what cracked open for me, why I broke down on mic, and how that moment brought radical clarity: what we call self-sabotage is often just our nervous system doing its job.
When I learned to feel safe in my body, I unlocked a deeper freedom—to dream boldly, to rest without guilt, to stop proving, and to finally trust myself again.
This is the core of what I teach inside the UNKAGED Revolution: helping women like us reset our nervous systems, reclaim our identities, and step fully into our power.
If you’re ready to stop performing peace and start living it, this episode is your invitation.
You don’t have to sacrifice your peace, your rest, or your joy to earn love or success.
You don’t need another planner or productivity hack.
What you might need is recovery, safety, and nervous system support. That’s what I offer inside my 1:1 coaching. It’s time to stop blaming yourself—and start reclaiming your capacity.
RESOURCES
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✉️ Want to share your thoughts or breakthroughs? Write me at brig@brigjohnson.com
STAY CONNECTED —
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Too many high-achieving women of color are stuck in cycles of over giving, over performing, and people-pleasing—not because they're broken, but because they're surviving. In this compelling episode, Brig uncovers how these patterns are rooted in history and trauma, not personal failure, and makes the case for a radical shift: nervous system recalibration.
When you learn to feel safe in your body and life, you unlock the freedom to dream boldly, love deeply, and prioritize your well-being—without guilt.
This is the heart of the UNKAGED™ Revolution: a movement to help women of color reclaim their identity, reset their nervous systems, and step fully into their power.
If you’re ready to protect your peace, live unapologetically, and start your healing journey—this episode is your invitation.
📣 You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams or your happiness for your relationships. Let’s work together to create fulfilling connections that uplift and empower you. Our Impact One-On-One Coaching offers personalized guidance to help you fully embrace the Freedom Formula. It's time to opt out of their formulas and into your power.
RESOURCES —
- Join my Newsletter, Unlearn and Unleash
- Join the Next Breakthrough Master Class here
- Register for the Next Melanin Hour here
- Book a Breakthrough Call here
- Share Your Takeaways With Me at brig@brigjohnson.com
STAY CONNECTED —