After an unplanned (but very necessary) break, I’m returning to The Next Best Thing Podcast with a real talk update on what’s been going on behind the scenes. Spoiler alert: life got a lot, and I had to take a step back to reassess everything, from my schedule and money to my energy and purpose. In this episode, I’m sharing what led to the pause, the wake-up calls that followed, and how I’ve been rebuilding with more clarity and intention. I talk about working with coaches, getting support, figuring out my “number,” and why just replacing your corporate income isn’t the goal. If you’re out here trying to create a life and career on your terms, this one’s for you!This isn’t just a comeback...it’s a reset. And from here on out, The Next Best Thing isn’t just a podcast…it’s a whole ecosystem designed to help you choose your next adventure with confidence.

I went to my first-ever Beyoncé concert, and listen, I expected the fringe, the glam, the vocals. But I did not expect to walk out of that stadium thinking so deeply about purpose, reinvention, and how we show up in the world. This episode isn’t a concert recap, it’s a heart-to-heart about what Beyoncé’s brilliance unlocked for me in real time. If you’re in a season of change, questioning your next move, or trying to figure out how to keep going when the path feels unclear, this one’s for you.From owning your lane to starting before you feel ready, Beyoncé reminded me of some core truths about building a life, and career, that’s rooted in clarity, courage, and intention. Come for the (borrowed) Beyhive energy, stay for the gentle push you didn’t know you needed!Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSubscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod

Job market got you stuck? Executive Coach, former economist and Chief People Officer, Alisia Gill shares 5 hard truths every job seeker needs to know right now. With job confidence at its lowest since 2020, it's time for real talk about career pivots, LinkedIn strategy, and why "just-for-now" jobs might be your smartest move. Discover actionable steps to take control of your career trajectory, even when the future feels uncertain.Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSubscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpodStay in touch with Alisia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisiagill/Website: https://theeraofenough.com/

In today's hustle culture, simply grinding harder won't cut it. Your technical skills? Great. Your dedication? Essential. But here's the real career secret: success is about strategic connections. While you're burning the midnight oil, others are building the relationships and visibility that actually get them noticed while opening doors to new opportunities.Melody Wilding, executive coach and author of Managing Up, shares insider strategies top performers use to turn connections into your career currency. Your performance matters, but in today's workplace, how you play the game determines who really gets ahead. Stop letting your hard work go underappreciated. This is your chance to turn things around and start creating the career opportunities you deserve.Sign Up for The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSubscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpodMelody’s Previous Episode:Episode 65 - The Power of Highly Sensitive People and Embracing Your Emotions At Work with Melody WildingYouTube: https://youtu.be/0Nvi-cDPP38Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-best-thing/id1680095327?i=1000660683719Stay in touch with Melody:Website: https://melodywilding.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/Instagram: @melodywilding 

Feeling buried by stuff and stress? This week, Christine Platt, author of The Afro Minimalist’s Guide to Living With Less, shows us how minimalism, when rooted in culture and intention, can be a path to true liberation.Forget the cold, colorless aesthetic. Christine’s approach embraces warmth, identity, and purpose focusing on why we accumulate and how to release what no longer serves us.She shares her powerful four-step process to help you move from overwhelm to clarity.We also talk about those messy in-between seasons, and get a sneak peek of her latest book, Less is Liberation, with five wellness foundations to help you check in and reclaim your peace.This episode is your invitation to start small and trust your path. You’ve got this! Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSubscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpodStay In Touch With Christine:Website: https://www.iamchristineplatt.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamchristineplatt/LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-platt-afrominimalist/

Thinking about writing a book or pitching a big idea? LIsten to this FIRST! Kishan Trotman didn’t set out to launch a publishing imprint—but when the moment called for action, she answered. In this episode, she shares how Legacy Lit was born in the wake of the George Floyd uprisings, and what it took to convince one of the biggest publishing houses in the world to bet on something new.We talk about how to make a compelling case for your ideas, why most people misunderstand what success in publishing actually looks like, and what it really takes to turn a book—or any creative project, into something that lasts. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story matters, how publishing works behind the scenes, or what it takes to get your idea out into the world and keep it alive, this episode is for you.Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSubscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpodStay In Touch With KrishanSubstack: https://ktrotman.substack.com/?r=2v4k4o&utm_campaign=subscribe-page-share-screen&utm_medium=webWebsite: https://www.krishantrotman.com/Legacy Lit: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/legacy-lit/IG: https://www.instagram.com/krishantrotman/

You keep pushing, showing up, and holding it together, but inside, you’re exhausted, numb, and running on fumes. In this conversation therapist Kalisha Crone unpacks the silent damage of suppressing your emotions just to survive. If you've been snapping at people you love, zoning out at work, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode is your call-in. Kalisha offers clarity, compassion, and practical ways to come back to center without quitting your job or pretending you're okay. It's time to stop normalizing numbness. You deserve more than survival. Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community:  https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSubscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod Grounding Exercises:Address Anxiety: Setting Intentions and Deep Breathing Exercise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPicJ9WRIgs&t=3s Quick Meditation and Grounding Exercise with Therapist Kalisha Crone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaQQ7LfSZKs Keep In Touch with KalishaIG: https://www.instagram.com/gracefulchangecounseling/Graceful Change Counseling: https://shorturl.at/gSSgk Soulful Serenity Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Soulful-Serenity-Prompts-Inner-Self-Discovery/dp/B0D6SV1SZG

On this episode of The Next Best Thing, I'm celebrating two years of the podcast. I opened up about the journey behind building this podcast from scratch, facing doubts, fighting comparison, and redefining what success really means. From almost quitting to now reaching nearly 100 episodes, it’s been about honoring promises to myself and helping others navigate life’s transitions. Remember, perfection isn’t the barometer of success. Show up, use what’s in your hand, and let your own path unfold. Thanks for being part of this journey!

Ever felt like your career has more chapters left to write? When the path you've built starts to feel narrow, or you're craving a professional reinvention that honors your hard-earned experience,Christina Santiago and Elaine Walker have a conversation that will change your perspective. In this episode, they unpack the art of career transitions, from leveraging your existing skills, to  expanding your network, and creating opportunities when traditional routes seem closed. From the career opportunities that can come from volunteering to understanding the true timeline of a meaningful job search, they offer a roadmap for redesigning your career trajectory with confidence and intention.Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestLearn more about The Rewrite: https://startyourrewrite.com/Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpodReach out to…Christina Santiago: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinasantiagotv/Elaine Walker:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainewalk/

Feeling stuck in your career with no clear NEXT step? I get it, I’ve been there too. That’s exactly why I created The NEXT Best Thing Podcast, to help you move forward with confidence, no matter what curveballs come your way. In this episode, I’m sharing my EMPOWER framework, a simple roadmap built from conversations with 70+ podcast guests who turned setbacks into new opportunities. It's also what I use to stay on track and open doors to new opportunities.You’ll learn the seven key steps to figuring out what you actually want without waiting for permission. No need to take notes... I’ve got you covered. Get Ready, Set, NEXT: Your 7-Step Guide to Unlocking New Opportunities by joining the NEXT Best Community waitlist here: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interestSo get comfy, and let’s dive in—because your NEXT chapter might just be your best one yet!Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod