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Welcome to The UNKAGED™ Woman, the podcast where high-achieving Black and Brown women stop shrinking and start showing up fully as themselves.
Hosted by Brig Johnson, APN, MSNA, Master Coach Instructor, Nurse Anesthesiologist, and the Black Woman Thrive Architect, this is not another wellness podcast telling you to breathe and journal your way through burnout. Brig brings neurobiology, clinical insight, real lived experience, and the kind of truth most coaching spaces are too polished to say out loud.
Here is what nobody is telling you: you are not the problem. You are running patterns that were wired into you long before you had a choice, and those patterns are draining your health, your joy, your relationships, and your sense of self.
If you have ever:
- Hit every goal and still felt like something was missing
- Said yes when your whole body was screaming no
- Been the strong one so long you stopped knowing what you actually need
- Kept pushing because rest felt like a luxury you hadn't earned
- Made yourself smaller to avoid conflict at work, at home, in love
- Felt guilty for wanting more when everyone says you should be grateful
- Wondered why doing everything right still doesn't feel like enough
This podcast was made for you.
Each week, Brig gets into the survival patterns that keep accomplished women stuck, exhausted, and disconnected from themselves. And explores how to stop over-functioning, build boundaries that actually stick, and live in a way that matches the woman you have worked so hard to become.
This show is for the woman holding everything together while running on empty. The one who is done performing fine and ready to feel it for real.
You were never broken. You were just never given a framework built for you.
Welcome to UNKAGED™.
New episodes drop weekly. Visit https://brigjohnson.com/ to learn more about Brig Johnson and her coaching services.
Episodes
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
20 min
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
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025
29 min
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 —
May 26, 2025
May 26, 2025
27 min
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
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
13 min
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
May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
35 min
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 —
Apr 28, 2025
Apr 28, 2025
20 min
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 —
Apr 21, 2025
Apr 21, 2025
28 min
Are you ready to break free from the patterns that keep you playing small?
In this powerful throwback episode, Brig revisits a pivotal moment in her own journey to reveal how past experiences can silently shape our present-day reactions. She unpacks the concept of being "Kaged"—a survival state where your nervous system shrinks, suppresses, and adapts just to make it through. Then, she guides you through the liberating process of becoming "UNKAGED™"—rewriting default thought patterns and intentionally choosing beliefs that empower, expand, and elevate.
If you're ready to reclaim your power and step fully into who you were always meant to be, this episode is your first step. Tune in and discover the freedom of a managed mind.
📣 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 —
Apr 14, 2025
Apr 14, 2025
23 min
Are you feeling overwhelmed or uncertain in your personal or professional life? This episode is for you! Join Brig as she explores the emotional journey of being in the middle, where self-doubt and vulnerability often reside.
This episode is a reminder that it's perfectly okay to be in the messy middle and she encourages you to honor your feelings, allowing yourself to be vulnerable while also recognizing the strength that comes from being in this transitional space.
Whether you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply in need of a reminder that you're not alone, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how to navigate the messy middle with grace and authenticity!
📣 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 —
Apr 7, 2025
Apr 7, 2025
19 min
Are you a high-achieving Black woman feeling overwhelmed by stress?
Listen Queen, your stress isn't random; it's a pattern! Join Brig in this week's episode as she dives into the clues your body is giving you and how to break free from these patterns. Brig also introduces a new segment, "Pattern Break," where she guides us through a simple yet transformative exercise to help us pause, breathe, and reflect on the underlying tensions in our bodies.
Tune in to gain valuable insights on recovery and self-discovery that can help you reclaim your power.
📣 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 —
Mar 31, 2025
Mar 31, 2025
22 min
It’s time to get ruthless.
As the collective energy among Black women shifts, Brig emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care, setting unapologetic boundaries, and reclaiming your personal power. This episode is your invitation to step into your "Ruthless Era." Being ruthless doesn’t mean being harsh. It means being clear.
Throughout this episode, you'll learn about the "Ruthless Framework," which includes tenacious goals, uncompromising boundaries, and empowered actions that lead to soulful living. Brig also addresses the fears and pushback you may face as you embrace this transformative phase, reminding you that it’s okay to be misunderstood in your journey toward freedom and self-acceptance.
Tune in to discover the significance of being strategic with your energy and how to gracefully say no to overworking and over-explaining. It's time to choose you unapologetically!
📣 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 —