Create Your Life Series

 Episode Summary

What is the most important thing for a podcast to have?  An audience.  Rita Bautista not only found an audience for her own podcast, she also found an audience for a network of podcasts.  In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, the creator of the Latina Podcasters Network tells Kevin that no matter what your approach is to podcasting, the most important thing is to get out of your own way and get started.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Rita Bautista

As founder and CEO of the Latina Podcasters Network, Bautista connects aspiring and established Mujeres Latinas and the Latinx community. She has been called a bold innovative thinker and cultural connector by her peers. She’s responsible for hosting the first Latina Podcasters meetup at any podcast convention.

Her passion and love for the podcasting industry came in 2019 when she launched her first podcast, Empowerment & All That. This podcast was dedicated solely to empowering women by delivering motivational interviews and episodes. Her desire to keep growing in the podcast community and finding cultural relevance was the driving force to develop Latina Podcasters Network.

Latina Podcasters is the first and only global podcast network committed solely to amplifying the voices of Latinas and Latinx mujeres.

Bautista is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and has over a decade of experience serving on civic and non-profit boards representing Latinx voices in education, government, business, and sports.

Insights from this episode:

• Differences between Latino and LatinX, the necessity for the term, and how it gives space for everyone to be themselves.
• Details on why Rita created the Latina Podcaster Network, the community it created, and the positive promotion of culture that has grown from the network.
• Rita’s top tips for creating a great audio experience for listeners and how to build an audience.
• Benefits that podcasting can provide such as a creative outlet, personal growth motivator, and bonus therapy.
• How to navigate negative feedback, stay motivated, and overcome challenges.

Quotes from the show:

• “I’m lucky.  I think I’ve had the opportunity to live in some really dynamic and traditionally rich cities and then others, like Houston, that’s a commercial, thriving, business-development type city.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “I started my podcast because I wanted to begin to empower women and basically give back the message that I had been given.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• On Rita’s experience starting a podcast: “It was like an additional layer to therapy.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “What’s beautiful about leaving something uncut is you can always go back to it and see your growth.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “We, fundamentally, are all pretty much the same on the inside.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “It’s really okay to start where you are.  I think a lot of people are really afraid of getting started because they don’t have or they lack and having that lack mentality makes more lack.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “When you start the podcast, it’s for you, when you start the second episode, it’s no longer for you anymore.”  – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• On building community: “it’s always just being authentic because the more authentic and more real you are as a person, the more chances are your community is going to build faster.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “As much as people want to believe that our happiness belongs in somebody else, it really doesn’t.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
• “We all have success amnesia, we forget how dope we are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #186

Resources:

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

Favorite book:

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Favorite quote:

“Push yourself because nobody is gonna do it for you”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

1. Make your goal being happy
2. Love is a foundational emotion that we shouldn’t run from
3. Collaboration over competition

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Rita Bautista

Website: latinapodcasters.com

Podcast: Empowerment and All That

Instagram: @ritabautista

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary

Kevin continues his talks with Eric Fondren on how pivoting has benefited their businesses in 2020 and what other strategies they will use to bring success to 2021 including focusing on yourself to help manifest your goals.  Eric talks about how his businesses have been performing and what he’s working on now and Kevin discusses the importance of projection when it comes to creating a stable and growing business.  Discover how to create repeatable strategies for success, in this episode of the Create Your Life Series.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Eric Fondren

Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling.

After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company.

Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large-scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform. 

Insights from this episode:

• Updates on Eric’s businesses and business development pipeline, as well as how COVID allowed his business to grow.
• Details on how Eric is establishing himself as a brand of information using social media and with his new show, Pivot or Die.
• Updates on Kevin’s businesses, how COVID tested and proved his business model, and his plans to generate more income streams within the same industry.
• Benefits of using projection to predict business growth and trends and scale your business accordingly to meet those projections.
• Benefits of using an accountability partner/coach, goal-setting, and other tools to help you stay on track and meet your goals.

Quotes from the show:

• On Eric’s show:  “[Pivot or Die] is all about the mistakes you can make as an entrepreneur and what you need to do to make the decisions that will lead to success.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
• On being successful through the pandemic: “If you were selling a product that was ‘nice to have’ maybe you need to pivot into a ‘need to have’ scenario.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
• On generating success: “I feel that is our best [asset], that we are really good at customer service.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185
• On the intangible aspects of running a business:  “At the end of the day, money’s cool, it’s one thing, but people want to show up to a place where they actually feel welcome and taken care of.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185
• “You know the model; hire slow, fire fast.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185
• “I think I’m pretty adept at building an operation, creating a process, just starting the engine, and I’ve always known that I need to hire the right individuals to help me keep it running at full-steam.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
• “Success is an ongoing thing.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
• On the importance of having a business focus: “There’s only so many new things I can do at once before my creativity is dried up.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
• On knowing when to make changes in your business: “It’s okay to not have the perfect answer, just know that you will make the decision when the time is right.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
• “You need to take a chance and you need to really gamble on yourself and on the things that you always wanted to do.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Eric Fondren

Website: www.itellio.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Eric Fondren

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with fellow podcaster Talib Jasir about the power and influence of community when it comes to creating not just a successful podcast but a podcast festival.  Talib shares important lessons for potential podcasters or anyone who wants to start a creative endeavor.  Listen in for details on the Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival happening November 14th and 15th and to hear a preview of some of the events.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Talib Jasir

Talib Jasir is a storyteller, author, podcast producer, and advocate for the people and their collective power.

Born a twin in Baltimore, MD, he spent his earliest years traversing the backwoods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore under the guardianship of his Great Grandmother.  Reared by a village of irrepressible folk, he learned the paramountcy of kinship, love, and the dynamism of language.

Talib is a creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and advertising.  Founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival and the Vanguard Podcast Network, he is also a dual-certified Life Coach with a focus on supporting creatives, podcast creators, and entrepreneurs.  Talib received his BA in Public Policy/Urban Studies, Africana Studies and Social Justice (Summa Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.

Insights from this episode:

• Details on why Talib felt the need to create Afros & Audio podcast and how that has grown into a community and a festival.
• Talib’s tips for building community around your podcast and how to avoid “pod fade.”
• Benefits of mentorship and having a circle of support to help you achieve the goals you have set.
• How to move beyond negative feedback using self-work and what you can gain from those conversations.
• Difficulties creative people face and the importance of overcoming obstacles and yourself on your way to success. 

Quotes from the show:

• “It’s amazing to be a twin as an adult.  It took us some time for us to understand the importance of one another.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• On growing up in rural Maryland: “More than anything it shaped me into understanding what community looks like and feels like and so I keep that integrity with me everywhere that I go.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• “A lot of us who create community are really seeking folks to connect with, hold us accountable, be able to support and gain support.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• “We all want to monetize and create this legacy and have something amazing but there’s information disparity when it comes to certain industries and I believe that is deliberate.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• “We have the resources, we have the finances, we have the genius, we have the innovation and it’s really about [us not] looking outside of ourselves.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• “Clear requests will get you clear results every time.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• “I think podcasting has a great deal of entrepreneurial spirit behind it but entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t translate to acumen.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
• “We need to be innovative.  Somebody else doesn’t always have the answers, you have the answers within you and you have to think outside of the box.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #184

Resources:

Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival, November 14th & 15th

Afros & Audio is a community for and by Black Podcast Creatives and Audio Professionals.  Our primary mission is to shift the conversation beyond the issues of diversity, inclusion, limited resources, and industry barriers. As a collective of creatives and professionals, we are change agents for real strategies that will transform the current landscape of the Podcast Industry. Together we will design and maintain infrastructures of sustainable resources and consistent support. 

Our inaugural festival brought together the most progressive, accomplished, and innovative minds of our podcast and tech communities to ask and answer questions that sparked ideas and created tangible change.

Favorite book:

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Favorite quote:

“Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it” - James Baldwin

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

1. Be intentional
2. Be clear
3. Ask for support

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Talib Jasir

Website: talibjasir.com

Website: afrosandaudio.com

Instagram: @afrosandaudio

Instagram: @iamfwdmvmt

Facebook: Afros & Audio

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary

Get information from under the hood on how car repair shops truly operate and what Michael Holland, Jr. has envisioned to change that model.  By creating AMPcar, Michael has brought his guiding principle of “be the change you wish to see in the world,” to life and seeks to take the mystery out of your car repair bill.  Also on the menu, mentorship, motivation, and the importance of friends and family to your ultimate success, in this episode of the Create Your Life Series.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Michael Holland, Jr.

Michael Holland, Jr. is an auto industry veteran who started his career at the age of 19 as a junior service advisor for Ford and Lincoln. Michael has since held every conceivable client-facing position that a dealership has to offer.  After moving to New York City in 2005, he attended New York University and worked full-time on New York’s 11th Avenue of auto dealers until he, and co-founder Eric, started an automotive-maintenance management company.  AMPcar saves clients time and money while providing honesty and transparency when it comes to servicing their automobiles. 

Insights from this episode:

• Details on why Michael created AMPcar, the cost-saving services they provide, and the next steps they are taking to provide more efficient and affordable solutions for customers.
• Benefits and difficulties of having a successful career at an early age, such as income versus freedom.
• Five steps to having a successful career in the automotive industry.
• How mentorship can provide invaluable resources to help you advance your career, the value in criticism, and accepting help.
• Three steps to providing great customer service.
• Strategies for balancing life and career obligations including leaning on your friends and family for help. 

Quotes from the show: 

• “I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the coin, I’ve been the dealership person calling and asking for the money and I’ve also been the customer on the other end not sure what I should do.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• On the benefits of AMPcar: “People have more confidence when they have someone that knows what they’re talking about in their corner.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• On starting a career early: “It was probably the one of the greatest decisions I made, and also one of the worst decisions I made in a way.  … It afforded me to earn a six-figure income really early in life but it’s kind of like golden handcuffs.”  – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• “Everyone can give you their own advice and everyone can give you what they feel is working, it’s my responsibility to take that advice and adapt it to me and my company in a way that makes sense.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• “When you receive excellent customer service, you remember it, and you want more of it.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• On how Michael balances work and home life: “Without [friends and family] it would not work.  I’m not anything special, I just have special people around me.” 
• “I love that you’re being solution-based versus emotional in order to make sure that you can push your company forward.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #183
• On staying motivated: “I haven’t even scratched the surface of where I want to be.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• On the secret to success: “Not being afraid to just go after what you want and that’s what I’m doing right now.  I’m not afraid anymore.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• “Show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.  You are the company you keep.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• “I judge myself against my performances each month and I try to get better each month.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
• “Educate yourself.  There is no reason to be ignorant on any topic that you’re passionate about or curious about.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183

Resources

The Richest Man in Babylon by Geroge S. Clayson

Favorite book:

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

Favorite quote:

“Most become the change you wish to see in the world”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

1. Break free of whatever is holding you back
2. Educate yourself
3. Don’t be rigid, be loose

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Michael Holland, Jr.

Website: www.ampmycar.com

Instagram: @ampcarinc

Twitter: @ampcarinc

Instagram: @mikehollnyc

Twitter: @MikeHollandjr

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin is a guest on long-time friend Awesome Nobody’s podcast where they are discussing how musical styles are affected by location.  West-coast Kevin talks about how the music from his hometown in California shaped how he navigated life growing up while East-coast Awesome talks about how his musical background helped him stay out of trouble.  Although the differences are many, music unites both coasts and provides a common experience.  

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Awesome Nobody

Awesome Nobody is one of the hottest up-and-coming MCs you've never heard of but definitely should.  Awesome is a lyrically skilled artist with a unique style who has been building a solid fan base by consistently putting out projects on SoundCloud and visuals on YouTube. 

Awesome Nobody, originally from the New Jersey/New York City area, is taking the music scene to another level.  Musically inspired by songs from the 1990s to 2000s, Awesome focuses on capturing the essence of those decades and recreating it in modern times, a true definition of "Restoring the Feeling." While awaiting an official release, Awesome Nobody stays busy doing numerous shows in the tri-state area and recording.  Awesome is the Motto, Music is the Life! 

Insights from this episode:

• Details on the music scene in the Bay Area of California and Kevin’s experience growing up with the music of that area.
• How the content of music has changed and the influence it has on its audiences.
• Differences between the two coasts that extend beyond music, specifically in basketball.

Quotes from the show:

• “Music, for me, is something that really helped me to understand how to navigate life.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182
• “Even though an artist might be aware of it or not, they think, “is this song the best representation of me at this moment?’” – Awesome Nobody, Episode #182
• “Be O.K. with just being the cool person, just being authentic to yourself, and I think that gets lost in music.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182
• On West-coast music: “I can’t sit up here and act like the East [Coast] didn’t influence us.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182
• “You can see the differences between the East and the West in so many different ways.  It’s in our language, it’s in our dress, it’s in our style of basketball.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182

Favorite book:

Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe

Favorite quote:

“Do what scares you”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

1. Do the hard stuff
2. Believe in yourself
3. Get down to the core of who you are

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Awesome Nobody

YouTube: Awesome Nobody

Twitter: @AwesomeNobdy

Instagram: @awesome_nobody

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin directs the focus onto Bridget Boakye’s personal experiences and how things might have gone differently if not for one moment of divine intervention.  Bridget provides advice on entrepreneurship, becoming an ex-pat in Ghana, goal setting, and much more.  You’ll also learn more about Kevin as Bridget turns the microphone and asks him questions about his experiences.  Packed with motivation and inspiration, you will want to listen to this episode again and again.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Bridget Boakye

Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora.

Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward.

On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts. 

She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana.

Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.

Insights from this episode:

• Benefits of reading on personal growth and perspective.
• Bridget’s secret to staying motivated and how she continues to find inspiration and renewal.
• Strategies for becoming an expat in Ghana now and how that may change in the future.
• Details on how Bridget is creating her best life.
• Reasons why Kevin moved on from the Debt-Free College Academy and what he learned from the experience.
• Kevin’s secret to maximizing potential by constantly learning and evolving.

Quotes from the show:

• “Reading allows me to gain greater perspective about who I am as a person in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
• “The people who support you most are not the people you grew up with or are not related to you.  Friends are the family you get to choose.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181
• “For me, the biggest challenge has been myself.  What I tell myself I can do in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
• “Realizing what is momentary and fleeting versus what your actual purpose requires of you or is going to demand of you is really key.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
• “You honestly don’t fail until you quit.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
• Bridget’s motto: “Do what scares you.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
• On legacy: “I understood my responsibility as a black man, but I didn’t understand how deep the roots are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181
• “It’s fascinating to learn of other people’s cultures, the way that they do things, why they do things, and to really go deep because there is so much to learn.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181
• On maximizing potential: “It’s not just learning who you are; it’s also evolving, being in an eternal state of evolution.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181

Resources

The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

The Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe

Debt Free College Academy

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Bridget Boakye

Website: www.boakyeb.com

Twitter: @Boakye_B

Instagram: @boakyeb

LinkedIn: Bridget Boakye

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Bridget Boakye talks about moving from Ghana to New York at the age of ten and how those dual life experiences provided her with the discipline and motivation to become a writer and advocate for Africa.  Bridget and Kevin discuss the artificial construct that has been created to portray Africa to the world and the ways they are creating a new narrative to effect powerful change.  Listen in to learn about China in Africa, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and more.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Bridget Boakye

Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora.

Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward.

On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts. 

She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana.

Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.

Insights from this episode:

• Benefits Bridget received from transitioning from Ghana to the United States and back to Ghana and how those experiences helped shape her future.
• How Bridget maintained her identity while navigating cultural expectations in Ghana and America.
• The secret for developing the discipline to accomplish your goals.
• How to change the narrative of Africa that was created by American Imperialism by using social media. 
• Details on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how it is impacting African resources and innovation.

Quotes from the show:

• “I must say that some of my formative experience, in terms of defining who I am as a person now, definitely came from my educational experiences in the [United States].”  – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
• On being an African immigrant in America: “I’ve always had this sense that I’m navigating a dual identity.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
• What compelled Bridget to write: “Creating another million-dollar business isn’t going to change another person on the continent’s perception about what it is, what’s going to change it is the narrative we tell ourselves about who we are.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
• “In order to develop discipline you have to care about the thing you’re doing.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
• On China positioning themselves in Africa: “If Africans don’t believe they’re not inferior to Chinese, who cares what a Chinese person has to say?” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
• On the narrative of African inferiority: “Part of that is who has the ability to amplify the voice of whether someone is inferior or superior.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180
• “I’m Black-American. We have the most dominant culture in the world, but we don’t own it.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180
• On social media versus mainstream media: “There is nothing CNN can show that is going to move the needle in the way that our own people are going to move the needle when they have the access (to social media).” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
• “Africa doesn’t need to be saved.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180
• “There’s this idea that there’s a lot of talent on the (African) Continent but there’s not enough opportunity or enough access.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Bridget Boakye

Website: www.boakyeb.com

Twitter: @Boakye_B

Instagram: @boakyeb

LinkedIn: Bridget Boakye

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

 Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin reflects on how the passing of one of his mentors has caused him to reevaluate the things that really matter. And Kevin shares some of his favorite quotes, thoughts, and actions that have helped him through stressful times.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Insights from this episode:

• Benefits of cultivating a life outside of business and entrepreneurship. 
• How to gain perspective and understanding in your life.
• Strategies for evaluating what is important to you and moving forward on that information.

Quotes from the show:

• “Experiences can shape a person.  As a matter of fact, experiences do shape people.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
• “Enjoy the journey while you’re on it.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
• On what Kevin would change about his past experiences: “I honestly would take more chances.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
• “The answers to my questions and my desires are within me and have always been.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
• “Are you actively walking in creating a legacy that you will be proud of and that your family will be proud of.”  – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179

Resources:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary

In this special episode of Create Your Life Series,  Kevin shares the top tips and tricks he uses to achieve his goals and discusses additional steps he has taken to find balance during the quarantine of COVID-19.  Having used these lessons to achieve the success and happiness he desires, Kevin creates a clear path for you to reach your goals while protecting your mental space.  

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Insights from this episode:

• How to protect your mental space to make sure you can stay strong for yourself and for others during COVID-19:

1. 1. No distractions in the morning
   2. Having a morning routine
   3. Meditate
   4. Focus on focus
   5. Evaluate your relationships
   6. Spend time with yourself
   7. Plan
   8. Get an accountability partner
   9. Have a nightly routine
   10.  Turn your phone off
   11. Bonus: Prioritize what matters 
   12. Bonus: Consistency
   13. Bonus: Stay in your lane

• How to promote self-care with Kevin’s AMBITIONS acronym:
  • A - daily affirmations
  • M - listen to something motivational
  • B - the body, stretch
  • I - intelligence, read
  • T - thankfulness
  • I - income, manage finances
  • O - look at opportunities
  • N - nutritional intake
  • S - schedule
• Benefits of asking questions to encourage personal and relationship growth:
  • Why do I do certain things?
  • What makes me feel good?
  • What makes me feel not so good?
  • How do I feel when [this person] comes around? 
  • How do I feel when I’m around a particular group of people?
  • What actually matters to me?
  • What would I do for fun if no one else was around? 
  • What music would I listen to if no one else was around?
  • What would I do if money didn’t matter?

Quotes from the show: 

• “The day started on my time, on my schedule versus starting it in reaction.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• “Owning your morning is what really sets the precedent for the rest of the day.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• “It is so important to spend some time in complete silence and think through your day.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• “Stop participating in relationships that cause you stress or make you second-guess yourself.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• “I am lucky to live my life on my terms and for that, I am extremely thankful.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• On having an accountability partner: “You need someone to hold you accountable to your plans and your true north and this is going to make a huge difference and keep you pushing forward.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• “Your nightly routine and what you do before bed are related to your morning routine.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
• “Working on the right things is more important than working hard.  Make sure you are working on the things that will bring you the results that you want.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178

Resources Mentioned:

Smart Countdown Timer

CYLS 173: One Year Back in America

Plan for Success with Dr. Myles Munroe

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary

Learn about the host of your favorite podcast as Candice Davis of Little Miss Entertainment turns the microphone on Kevin, in this crossover episode of the Create Your Life Series.  Kevin shares how his experiences in the California foster system gave him the determination to succeed and, ultimately, the ability to create his life.  Kevin and Candice reminisce about his experiences at Clark Atlanta University and how the friends you make can influence your life in the best of ways.  Listen in to find out what’s next for Kevin and what he’s looking forward to in the future.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Candice Davis

Candice graduated from Wilkes University with honors in the prestigious Lambda Pi Eta communications studies National Honor Society.  She is in the Who's Who of College & University Students and has achieved numerous other awards. 

Now, Candice is Director of Marketing at Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, but after college Candice took what she calls a “survival job” before finding what would be the best opportunity of her life at a casino as an entertainment coordinator.  What began as a fun title on a name tag turned into the Little Miss Entertainment brand.  

Little Miss Entertainment is any person that loves to go to concerts, loves throwing dinner parties, loves finding a bargain on great designer clothes, loves traveling the world.  Candice took that brand and turned it into an interview-style podcast, The Little Miss Entertainment Show, where she interviews amazing people with amazing stories. They talk about funny things, serious things, and love things and they are the types of stories that everyone can relate to.

Insights from this episode:

• Details on how Kevin’s childhood cultivated and shaped his path for the future.
• The benefits of going to Clark Atlanta University, how it provided a history and a basis for Kevin to learn and build from, and how he emerged as a completely different person.
• Secrets to graduating from college debt-free taken from Kevin’s book 10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free: A Guide to Post-College Freedom.
• Strategies Kevin used to survive foster care and how that experience made him who he is today.
• Difficulties faced by men of color to express themselves in a meaningful way.
• How to find and face your flaws.
• Details on the launch of Podcast Laundry, how it has grown, and what’s next for Kevin.

Quotes from the show:

• On being in foster care: “It’s one of those situations where you either decide that you’re going to take control of your life or that the circumstances that you were born into, that you have no control over, will then define who you are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “Going to Clark Atlanta was a great experience.  I feel like, for me, it definitely taught me about the responsibilities that I had to the community as a black male.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “College is about having fun and it’s about finding yourself and your independence, but it’s more so what you need to leave with; college is a network of people that will support you.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177
• “Foster care just always has that connotation that that person didn’t want the child or the child is in the system, but it’s so much more than that.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177
• On surviving foster care: “You have people that have different levels of resiliency.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “My thing with Create Your Life is that we want to make sure that people walk away with tangible takeaways and that our guests are very, very open, and that we ask the questions, the life hacks, that people can really walk away with.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “You can’t duplicate the ‘what’ somebody does or the ‘why’ they do it but you can duplicate the ‘how’ and that’s what’s really important.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “You invest in other people to see them win.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “We all have areas to improve … change is constant but growth is optional.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
• “Sometimes we are our biggest critics and we have to know we aren’t perfect and … that there is room to improve and grow and if we all accept that we will become better human beings and better communicators and better partners.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177
• “[Kevin] is one of those people that you will not just want to work with because of the quality of work, you’ll enjoy working with him because he is professional and personable.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177

Resources Mentioned:

10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free: A Guide to Post-College Freedom by Kevin Y. Brown

Pod Decks

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Candice Davis

Website: www.candicedavisonline.com

Podcast: Little Miss Entertainment Show

Instagram: @lilmissent

Twitter: @lilmissent

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)