What does it take to reinvent your career and life in midlife with confidence? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Neca Smith—Midlife Career Strategist, coach, and founder of The Great Big Life—to talk about career reinvention after 40, overcoming self-doubt, and finding fulfillment in your next chapter.

Neca shares her journey of redefining success, the mindset shifts that helped her release “shoulds,” and the tools she uses to guide women in transition toward clarity and courage. If you’ve ever wondered how to create a fulfilling career and life that truly aligns with who you are now, this episode will inspire you to take that brave next step.

This conversation is also the perfect kickoff to two big things happening in our Brown Heart Wellness community:
✨ The One Brave Thing Group Coaching Program, launching September 9th → Join here
✨ The Positioned to Pause Retreat, a 3-hour mini-retreat in Atlanta on October 11th → Learn more

Connect with Neca Smith:
🌐 Website: necasmith.com
📸 Instagram: @thegreatbiglife

Let’s Stay Connected:
🤎 Follow me on Instagram: @brownheartwellness
🎧 Subscribe to the Brown Heart Podcast so you never miss an episode
📩 Share this episode with a friend who’s ready to take her one brave thing

✨ Whether you’re craving a career reinvention in midlife, looking for ways to overcome self-doubt, or simply ready to create space for your next brave step, this episode with Neca Smith offers both wisdom and encouragement.

In this mini episode of the Brown Heart Wellness Podcast, I share what I learned from two back-to-back experiences: Woman Evolve, a transformative faith and personal growth conference, and the Podcast Summit, a gathering of creators learning how to amplify their voices and grow with courage.

Both events reminded me of one truth: bravery shows up in different ways depending on the season. Sometimes bravery is speaking up. Sometimes it’s being poured into. And sometimes, it’s simply staying in the room long enough to see what unfolds.

I also stepped out of my own comfort zone—gathering my mic and phone to ask women at these events:

“What does bravery mean to you? And what’s your one brave thing for the week?”

In this episode, I’ll share their answers, the lessons that shook me in the best way, and how this experience inspired me to launch something new: the Brave on Purpose Tiktok Live Mini Teaching Series, a 4-day deep dive into the ROOT Framework that leads right into the One Brave Thing Group Coaching Program.

• Insights from Woman Evolve on slowing down, faith, and listening bravely.
  

• Lessons from the Podcast Summit on using your voice and building resilience as a creator.
  

• Real women sharing their “one brave thing” stories.
  

• Why bravery isn’t always loud or public—it’s often quiet, personal, and deeply intentional.
  

• How to join me for the IG Live series and the OBT Coaching Program.
  

📅 August 18–21 — 4 days, 4 steps of the ROOT Framework: Reflect, Open, Overcome, Thrive. 📍 Watch live on Tiktok: tiktok.com/samanthaedu

Step into your brave with the One Brave Thing Group Coaching Program. As a podcast listener, you get early access at a special rate: Join Here

• Join the OBT Coaching Program: Click here
  

• Follow for Tiktok Live Series: tiktok.com/samanthaedu
  

• Download the ROOT Reflection Guide — Click Here
  

If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who’s ready to embrace their brave. And don’t forget to follow the Brown Heart Wellness Podcast so you never miss a moment of courage and community.

Hey y’all, welcome back to the Brown Heart Wellness Podcast. This week’s episode is tender, grounding, and exactly what we need to remind ourselves that healing doesn't always have to be loud or performative—it can be quiet, consistent, and found in the everyday.

I’m sitting down with Ebony Fleming, mama of three, intuitive teacher, and creator of the Cook Like a Mother program. Her story is one of resilience, grace, and breaking free from survival mode—one nourishing choice at a time. From navigating childhood trauma to guiding other mothers toward healthier relationships with food and themselves, Ebony is proof that healing can be practical and powerful.

We talk about:

• The soul-led creation of Cook Like a Mother

• Thriving instead of surviving in motherhood

• How food, community, and connection are at the heart of healing

• Everyday tools that help us break generational cycles

✨ Ready to step into your own journey of healing and reflection? Download the ROOT Framework Reflection Guide — it’s your gentle, soulful companion for making one brave choice at a time.

🧡 Connect with Ebony Fleming

• Website + Programs: https://stan.store/thriveempowered

• Instagram: @thrive.empowered

• LinkedIn: Ebony Fleming

• Email: thrivelikeamother.podcast@gmail.com

Her Cook Like a Mother program returns in August/September—join the waitlist now at the link above.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Brown Heart Moment
This week’s mindful moment invites you to reflect on how you nourish yourself, not just through food, but with breath, boundaries, and being present.

If today’s episode touched your heart, share it with someone who needs to know that healing can happen in the carpool line, at the kitchen table, or in a single deep breath.

📩 And don’t forget to subscribe and join the One Brave Thing community.

🎧 In this episode:

What happens when you’re not at the beginning, but definitely not at the end?
This week, I’m joined by Jae Washington—creative strategist, digital curator, and truth-teller—as we talk about what it means to live in the messy middle. The in-between. The stretch. The space where clarity is forming, but confidence hasn’t fully caught up.

This episode is a soft place to land if you’ve been wrestling with identity, creativity, or what it means to keep showing up while things are still unfolding.

🧠 This episode is for you if:

• What the messy middle looks and feels like in real life

• How to hold space for your process without rushing the outcome

• The gentle power of redefining success in seasons of transition

• Learning to trust your voice, even when it shakes a little

• You’re in-between chapters and feeling unsure what’s next

• You’ve been questioning how to show up online or in community

• You need a reminder that growth is still growth—even when it’s quiet

  Learn more about Jae Washington and her services at ⁠her website⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. She is the community queen! Thank you again for sharing your heart with the Brown Heart community!

  🤎 My Favorite Things This Week:

• Marsail Armless Office Chair — perfect for long recording days and deep convos

• LROSEY 2-Piece Blazer Set — because even the messy middle deserves a power look

This season is about courage, even in the in-between.

💌 Join the One Brave Thing Challenge and Community:🧡 Sign up for the July challenge

Sometimes stuck isn’t stuck. It’s just uncomfortable.
In this episode, we explore what it really means to practice self-discipline and stretch our emotional tolerance when life feels heavy, chaotic, or just plain messy. If you've been waiting to feel ready, this one's for you.

We’re also kicking off the One Brave Thing Challenge for July, and this episode sets the tone for choosing discomfort on purpose, with intention, care, and community.

And yes... I forgot to say the affirmation at the beginning of the episode. But I want to leave it with you here because it still matters:

“Discipline is not punishment. It’s devotion to what I say I want.”
Say it to yourself today, especially if things feel hard or slow.

• You’ve been calling avoidance “rest”

• You’re trying to figure out what’s next but feel frozen

• You want to join the One Brave Thing Challenge and need a loving push to start

• Why emotional tolerance is the secret to real self-discipline

• A muddy yard, a stuck car, and what it taught me about moving forward

• The difference between being brave and burning out

• Marsail Armless Office Chair — my current recording seat of choice

• LROSEY 2-Piece Blazer Set — because brave doesn’t mean bland 😌

These are affiliate links. I only share what I truly use and love.

You are invited to start today.
🧡 Join the One Brave Thing July Challenge

Are you really resting… or just stuck? In this season opener, I’m reflecting on the difference between intentional stillness and fear-based stuckness. We’re kicking off Season 2 with clarity, courage, and a little softness too.

This episode is for you if you’ve been:

• Second-guessing your next step
  

• Calling it “stillness” but feeling anxious underneath
  

• Ready to move with intention, not pressure
  

We’ll walk through the signs, share some brave reframes, and end with a Brown Heart moment to help you pause without punishment.

My favorite things this week:

Here’s what I’m loving, sipping, or scrolling:

• Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Soothing Heat

• The Root Reflection Guide – grab your free copy

• Zenni Optical – my go-to for bold frames and bold decisions
  

Some links may be affiliate links. I only share what I genuinely use and love!

Stay Connected

• Join the mailing list → [Insert link]

• Follow on IG @brownheartwellness

• Join the Substack Community
  

If today’s episode landed with you, send it to a friend. Or better yet, record your own brave thing this week and tag me. We’re not waiting for clarity. We’re creating it.

Hey y’all, welcome to the Season 1 finale of the Brown Heart Podcast! I’m Samantha Edu, and today we’re celebrating 20 episodes of bravery, creativity, consistency, and community.

This season has been a journey of planting seeds, showing up imperfectly but intentionally, and creating a space where we can be brave together.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on how far we’ve come—and where we’re headed. Season 2 is already in the works, and I’m excited for what’s next: more conversations, deeper reflections, and a community that continues to grow in purpose and courage.

• Celebrating the wins, lessons, and growth from Season 1.

• The power of consistency over perfection.

• How the Brown Heart community became a brave space.

• What’s coming in Season 2:

  • The One Brave Thing a Week Challenge returns in May.

  • Season 2 launches in June with new guests, fresh topics, and more ways to help your vessel overflow.

Have a guest in mind for Season 2? Someone whose story, expertise, or energy would inspire brave conversations?
Send your suggestions my way! Let’s build this next season together.

• Sign up on Substack for weekly reflections and resources.

• Support the Podcast: Buy Me a Coffee if this season poured into you.

• Tea of the Week: Stash Tea—because ritual is part of my rest.

• Brave Moment of the Week: Hitting record on Episode 20 and honoring the journey.

Thank you for being part of this season. We’re just getting started. I’ll see you in June for bold conversations, brave actions, and a community that’s overflowing with purpose.

In this soulful episode, I sit down with a special guest, Dr. Jeanette Mayse, to share the story behind Brown Heart Wellness and talk about the limiting narratives that often keep us stuck—perfectionism, scarcity, the Strong Black Woman trope, and imposter syndrome. Together, we reflect on how these stories show up in our lives and how we can begin to release them.

As we prepare for Q2, this episode is a reminder to pause, reflect, and get clear on what beliefs you need to leave behind to move forward.

Takeaways:

• The true story behind the Brown Heart Wellness movement

• How internalized narratives can quietly control our lives

• How to name, challenge, and rewrite the stories holding you back

• Why community is essential to doing brave work

Brown Heart Affirmation:
"I release the stories that no longer belong to me. I am the author of my own narrative."

🤎 Best way to reach Dr. Jeanette Mayse
🤎Subscribe to Substack for deeper reflections & resources
🤎 Book Brave Goal Coaching or Therapy Sessions
🤎 Support the podcast on Buy Me A Coffee → buymeacoffee.com/brownheartwellness

One Brave Thing Challenge returns in May! In the meantime download the ROOT framework workbook to get started.
Stay tuned for more ways to keep your vessel full and your soul brave.