The UNKAGED™ Woman Podcast with Brig Johnson, APN, MSNA. Where high-achieving Black & Brown women reclaim themselves.

Hosted by Brig Johnson

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272

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 17, 202623 min

EP. 263 I Should Have Known Better - Is Not A Lesson, It's a Sentence Keeping You Stuck

In this episode, Brig talks about the “I should have known better” spiral that can happen after heartbreak, disappointment, or being let down. Brig shares how that thought can quickly turn into shame, self-doubt, and the painful belief that you missed something you should have seen. But she makes it clear that the issue is not that you made a bad choice. The deeper issue is often the old beliefs, conditioning, and learned patterns that shaped the choice in the first place. Brig reminds listeners that their worth is not determined by someone else’s actions, decisions, or behavior. Instead of using reflection as a way to punish yourself, she invites you to understand what was happening beneath the surface. What did you believe? What were you hoping for? What old program was running? This episode is for anyone who has looked back at a situation and thought, “I should have known better.” Brig offers a more compassionate way to look at your choices so you can separate your worth from someone else’s behavior and move forward with more clarity. What You Will Learn The difference between reflection and self-punishment. How old beliefs and conditioning can shape your decisions. Why understanding your past choices can help you heal instead of shame yourself. How to separate your story from someone else’s actions. How to approach healing with more compassion and clarity. Why This Matters The stories we tell ourselves after disappointment can shape how we see our worth. This episode reminds listeners that shame does not have to be the teacher. When you understand the beliefs and patterns that influenced your choices, you can stop judging yourself and start making clearer decisions from a place of self-trust. Take Action Think about a recent situation where you felt like you “should have known better.” Ask yourself: What did I believe at the time? What was I hoping would happen? What old pattern may have influenced my choice? What can I understand now without using it against myself? Use your answers as information, not evidence against you. To stay connected and receive more insights, sign up for the Reduce the Noise Memo , Brig’s weekly newsletter that dives deeper into the topics discussed on the podcast. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

August 10, 202625 min

EP. 262 Unbothered Doesn't Mean It Didn't Hurt

In this episode, Brig explores the concept of being "unbothered" and how people misunderstand it today. She addresses the pressure women feel to present a facade of strength and indifference, often masking the emotional turmoil they experience beneath the surface. Brig shares her observations of women who claim to be unbothered while grappling with heartbreak, confusion, and grief. She emphasizes that true healing cannot be rushed or bypassed; it requires acknowledging pain and processing emotions authentically. Brig encourages us to embrace their humanity and give themselves permission to feel deeply, rather than performing for others. What You Will Learn The distinction between genuine unbotheredness and emotional avoidance. Why acknowledging your feelings is vital for true healing. The dangers of skipping the healing process for the sake of appearances. How to handle the emotional aftermath of relationships and life changes. Why your healing path is about you, not about others. Why This Matters Brig's honest conversation serves as a clear reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a crucial part of the healing process. By normalizing the messy, uncomfortable aspects of life, we can create a more real narrative around our experiences. This episode encourages women to prioritize their emotional well-being and to understand that the path to being unbothered is earned through genuine self-care and processing of emotions. Take Action Reflect on your own experiences with heartbreak or disappointment. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that arise without judgment. Consider sharing your authentic path with a trusted friend or community, and remember that it is okay to take the time you need to heal. To stay connected and receive more insights, sign up for the Reduce the Noise Memo , Brig’s weekly newsletter that dives deeper into the topics discussed on the podcast.

August 3, 202623 min

EP. 261 Stop Calling It Delusional. You Might Just Need To Remember Who You Are

In this episode, Brig challenges the idea of being "delusional" when chasing big dreams. She asks us to enter a season of remembering. She looks at her past and the need to see proof of earlier wins. She states that many people do not lack belief; they simply forget who they are. Brig talks about changing the podcast name from The Black Woman Stress Solution to The UNKAGED™ Woman. She wants women to break free from rules and find their true power. She notes that humility often hides boldness. This makes women hide their wins and forget their strength. What You Will Learn How to build a file of past wins and hard work. The gap between feeling sure and knowing your worth from experience. Why you must stop saying sorry for your success and own your truth. How to make a short phrase to help you when you feel doubt. Why small wins matter on the road to greatness. Why This Matters Brig reminds us that trust in ourselves is not a fake dream. It is proof of what we can do. By looking at past wins, we fight self-doubt and face new tests. This show reminds us we have a real record of beating hard times. Take Action Start your own proof file. Write down every win and hard time you beat, no matter how small. Use this list to show yourself your strength when doubt creeps in. Find a short phrase that fits who you are and say it before hard tasks to stay firm in your truth. To stay connected and receive more insights, sign up for the Reduce the Noise Memo , Brig’s weekly newsletter that dives deeper into the topics discussed on the podcast. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

July 27, 202626 min

EP. 260 Why You Keep Feeling Behind — And The Truth About The Timeline That Was Never Built For You

In this episode, Brig Johnson talks about the pressure to follow the “right” timeline and what happens when your life does not match the road you were told you should take. She speaks to the quiet grief that can come with missed milestones, delayed dreams, career pivots, motherhood, rebuilding, or starting later than expected. Brig also challenges the shame that says a different path means you are behind. Through her own story and practical reflection questions, Brig invites us to look at the road we are actually on and consider what may still be available to us. This episode is for anyone who has been measuring their life against someone else’s timeline and wondering if they somehow missed their chance. What You Will Learn How to name and let go of the milestones you feel you’ve missed. Why different roads can still get you to the same destination. How to see the options that may still be available to you. How to look differently at timing, closed doors, and opportunity. Why the road you had access to is not behind, but simply different. Why This Matters This episode is a clear reminder that the timelines we were taught to follow can make us feel behind, inadequate, or like we missed our chance. Brig encourages us to stop shaming the road we had to take and start noticing what that road has taught us. By seeing value in a different road, we can begin to notice other doors, release the grief around missed milestones, and let success look different than expected. Take Action Think about the milestones you feel you’ve missed and ask yourself: Is the destination still available, even if that particular road is closed? Then consider what other roads you may have overlooked and what action you would take today if you fully believed there was another way to reach your goals. To stay connected and receive more insights, sign up for the Reduce the Noise Memo , Brig’s weekly newsletter that dives deeper into the topics discussed on the podcast. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

July 20, 202632 min

EP. 259 How To Stop Letting Other People's Words Live In Your Head and And Take Your Confidence Back

In this episode, Brig breaks down why protecting your confidence is not optional. It is the foundation for chasing your impossible. Using Michelle Kwan’s response after winning Olympic silver as the central story, Brig shows how quickly someone else can try to define your win as a loss. Kwan’s response, “I didn’t lose the gold. I won the silver,” becomes the anchor for this episode and a reminder that you get to decide what story you let live in your mind. Brig explains that confidence is not just mindset, discipline, or consistency. It is something you have to protect on purpose. She names the everyday threats that can quietly chip away at confidence, including self-criticism, comparison, reframing your wins as not enough, and allowing small negative thoughts to build over time. What You Will Learn How to recognize when someone is trying to reframe your win as something less Why you need to name the win before you name the gap How comparison drains your confidence when you turn it into evidence against yourself Why self-compassion is a strategy, not an excuse How to create a Daily Win file and build evidence of your own capability Why This Matters Brig reminds listeners that confidence is an instrument. It needs maintenance, protection, and care. For Black women, confidence can carry even more weight because shrinking was often taught as a form of safety. This episode challenges that pattern and offers a new way to relate to your wins, your growth, and your impossible goals. Take Action Start a Daily Win file and write down at least one win every day. Practice the Kwan rewrite when something does not go the way you hoped. Instead of using the result against yourself, tell the truth about what happened and what you learned. When self-criticism shows up, pause and remind yourself: This is hard. Other women feel this too. I can be kind to myself while I figure this out. Take the free Kages Self-Assessment to identify the underlying patterns and fears influencing your life choices. Use these insights to break through obstacles and center yourself in future decision-making. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

July 13, 202619 min

EP. 258 The Lie We Tell Women About Age

In this episode, Brig explores the societal pressures dictating a woman's worth based on age, challenging the ingrained belief that women have an expiration date. At 61, Brig reflects on her own journey from feeling like used goods at 35 to embracing a fulfilling life today. She uncovers the traditional rules that keep women trapped in fear and scarcity, urging women to break free from these limits. What You Will Learn How societal expectations shape our perceptions of self-worth and age. The importance of choosing yourself first without apology. Why the fear of being alone or used goods is an outdated lie. Ways to recognize and dismantle limiting beliefs about aging. How to embrace your power and thrive at any stage of life. Why This Matters Brig reminds us that age is not a barrier to pursuing dreams and living fully. By challenging the ideas that tell us we are past our prime, we can reclaim our power and redefine what it means to grow. This episode is a rallying cry for women to embrace their worth and realize that the best is yet to come, regardless of age. Take Action Reflect on the beliefs you hold about aging. Ask yourself: What fears have I internalized about my worth as I get older? Challenge those thoughts and consider how you can center yourself in your life decisions moving forward. Take the free Kages Self-Assessment to identify the underlying patterns and fears influencing your life choices. Use these insights to break through obstacles and center yourself in future decision-making. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

July 6, 202620 min

EP. 257 Inner Critic Or Inner Cutie?

What if the voice you have been calling your inner critic is actually trying to protect you? In this episode, Brig introduces the idea of your “inner cutie,” the part of you that gets loud when you are about to do something new, uncomfortable, or important. That voice may sound like fear, hesitation, or self-doubt, but Brig encourages you to stop treating it like the enemy. Instead of trying to silence that voice, she shows you how to get curious about it. What is it afraid of? What is it trying to protect you from? What information is it giving you? Brig also shares from her own experience and explains how listening to this part of yourself can help you build trust with yourself, make clearer decisions, and move forward without waiting for fear to disappear. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to recognize the difference between your inner critic and your inner cutie Why self-doubt may be information, not proof that you should stop How to question negative self-talk instead of automatically believing it Why listening to your inner voice can strengthen self-trust How to work with fear instead of fighting against it WHY THIS MATTERS Many of us have learned to push down fear, ignore doubt, and force ourselves forward. But Brig offers another way. The feelings you are trying to get rid of may be trying to tell you something. When you slow down, listen, and respond with curiosity instead of judgment, you can make decisions from a place of awareness instead of fear. TAKE ACTION The next time self-doubt shows up, pause before trying to silence it. Ask yourself: What is this part of me trying to tell me? What is she afraid will happen? What does she need to feel safe enough for me to move forward? You do not have to let fear make the decision, but you also do not have to fight yourself to grow. For a clearer look at the patterns shaping your choices, take the free Kages Self-Assessment and discover what may be keeping you stuck. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

June 29, 202628 min

EP. 256 Why You Can't Receive What You've ALREADY Earned

In this episode, Brig speaks to the high-achieving Black woman who has worked hard, planted faithfully, and built so much, but still feels guilty slowing down long enough to receive the harvest. If rest feels like falling behind, or receiving feels harder than doing, this conversation will hit home. Brig breaks down the old thoughts that keep you proving, producing, and pushing, even when you have already done the work. She challenges you to notice when you are still operating in planting mode, even though life may be inviting you into a season of harvest. What You'll Learn Recognize when you are always planting but never allowing yourself to harvest Understand why receiving may feel uncomfortable, even when you have earned what is coming to you Identify the thoughts that keep you overworking, overgiving, and under-receiving Learn how to stop treating every season like it requires more striving Practice celebrating your wins without guilt, apology, or the need to immediately move on to the next thing Why This Hits So Hard So many women have been taught to measure their value by how much they can carry. That conditioning can make rest feel unsafe, success feel temporary, and receiving feel undeserved. This episode challenges that pattern. Brig reminds you that you are not failing because you need rest. You are not lazy because you want to enjoy what you have built. And you do not have to keep planting just because planting is what you know. Take Action Ask yourself: Am I in a planting season, or am I in a harvest season? Then pause long enough to name what your work has already produced. Receive the compliment. Take the break. Let the win count. Let yourself experience the peace and joy you keep working toward. To take a closer look at what may be driving your pattern of overworking and under-receiving, take the free Kages Self-Assessment and discover which old beliefs may be keeping you from fully receiving your success. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

June 22, 202621 min

EP. 255 If I Could Teach You One Thing This Would Be It

It's time to unpack the pictures in your head that shape your reality, because they often aren't the truth. In this episode, Brig breaks down the mental images we create about how life is "supposed" to be, and how these pictures can lead to unnecessary frustration and pain. Join in as she shares a personal story about a flat tire that showed her a massive lesson about expectations and reality. You'll learn how these constructs can hold you back, and how recognizing them can set you free. What You'll Learn Identify the difference between reality and the pictures in your head that rule your life Understand how these mental images are formed and the impact they have on your emotions Explore the roots of your expectations and question their validity Discover practical steps to dissolve the emotional charge around unmet expectations Learn how to shift your perspective from frustration to acceptance, freeing up energy for what truly matters Why It Matters We often find ourselves moving through life with rigid expectations that lead to disappointment. By recognizing that these pictures are constructs rather than truths, we can stop arguing with reality and start embracing it. This shift allows for greater peace and the ability to actually enjoy our days, instead of just getting by. Take Action When you feel disappointment or frustration, pause and ask yourself: What did I think was supposed to happen here? Then, challenge that picture: Is this based on something real, or is it a story I've absorbed over time? This simple practice can help you get your focus back on what actually matters. RESOURCE — Then take the free Kages Self-Assessment and find out which kage has been keeping you stuck. STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

June 15, 202639 min

EP 254: Wife Work on Girlfriend Salary

Queen, you've been giving wife-level loyalty on a girlfriend-level container — and it's time to name that pattern without shame. In this episode, I'm getting into something tricky but necessary: the gap between what you're giving in a relationship and what's actually been established. This isn't about weakness, desperation, or low self-esteem. It's a program — and once you can see it clearly, you get to choose something different. What You'll Learn Understand the difference between "wife work" and "girlfriend salary" — and why that gap deserves to be named Recognize the real cost of over-giving: your time, your self-trust, your standards, and the version of you with her own dreams Trace where this programming comes from — childhood, love songs, church messaging, and the women in our families we admired most Unpack the most dangerous belief hiding underneath it all: if he leaves, it's because you didn't give enough Learn why a man who only stays when you're over-giving wasn't staying — he was being comfortable Discover the most important question in the whole episode: are you giving from love, or from fear? Why It Matters We were taught that the ring was the reward — that if we gave enough, waited long enough, loved hard enough, it would all be worth it. But the reward was never the ring. It's respect, reciprocity, and a relationship where both people show up because they want to, not because one person has been auditioning for a position the other person never offered. You were never the problem. You were running a program that was never designed to serve you. Society designed it to serve everyone else — and now you get to choose something different. Take Action Before you give at wife level, define the container. Ask yourself: what's actually been established here? And what's driving this — love, or obligation? Then take the free Kages Self-Assessment and find out which program has been running your relationships: 👉🏾 assessment.brigjohnson.com Visit my website: brigjohnson.com