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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279

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Sep 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

September 28, 202627 min

EP. 269 Stop Treating Your Brain Like It Knows Better Than You Do - It Doesn't

In this episode, Brig talks about what happens when you stop treating every thought like it knows better than you do. She explains that your brain is not giving final answers. It is scanning for danger, pulling from old data, and trying to keep you safe. Some thoughts offer useful information, but others simply need to be questioned, answered, and moved past. Using the Batman and Robin example, Brig reminds listeners that the brain can send signals, but it does not get the final say. You do. If you’ve been stopped by thoughts like “you’re not ready,” “who do you think you are,” or “this probably won’t work” I encourage you to tune in as Brig shows how to answer those thoughts and take the next small step forward. What You Will Learn Why every thought does not deserve your obedience. How to tell the difference between fear and useful information. How to answer a thought without arguing with it. Why authority over your mind is built one response at a time. Why This Matters Brig reminds us that our brain is not the final authority. When you stop obeying every thought, you can move with more clarity, confidence, and ownership. Take Action This week, notice one thought that has been stopping you. Ask whether it gives real information or vague fear. Then answer it directly and take one small step forward. 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

September 21, 202620 min

EP. 268 It Was Never About Not Being Enough — We Just Needed To Learn To STAY

In this episode, Brig introduces S.T.A.Y, a framework for women chasing impossible goals who are tired of starting over, running out of energy, or blaming themselves when they quit. Brig names a truth many women need to hear: the issue is not that you are not enough. The issue may be that you have been trying to do hard things without the support, capacity, and structure those hard things require. Using the example of an ultra runner, Brig shows why no one finishes a demanding race alone. A runner needs pacers, a pit crew, training, fuel, and recovery. In the same way, women need infrastructure for their impossible. Brig introduces the four pillars of the S.T.A.Y framework: Speak, Tend, Armor, and Yara. These pillars help women look at their thoughts, relationships, bodies, and self-knowledge so they can build what they need to stay in the fight. What You Will Learn Why the issue may not be discipline, motivation, or ability. Why women need infrastructure when pursuing hard goals. What the four pillars of S.T.A.Y are. Why staying requires support, capacity, recovery, and self-knowledge. Why This Matters Brig reminds listeners that staying is the work. The goal is not to push through on an empty tank. The goal is to build the support needed to last the distance. Take Action This week, Brig invites you to: Notice where you have been blaming yourself for not staying. Identify one place where you need more support or structure. Ask what would help you stay in the fight when the dark miles come. 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

September 14, 202619 min

EP. 267 What's Draining You Series Recap

In this episode, Brig recaps the three drains that can leave women exhausted before they ever get to their impossible thing: the Vigilance Drain, the Relationship Drain, and the Decision Drain. She explains that exhaustion is not always coming from the work itself. Sometimes it comes from watching yourself, giving to everyone else, and deciding everything from scratch every single day. By the time you get to the business, the body, the book, or the life you want to build, you are already running low. Brig revisits each drain and gives one simple step for each. Track the moments when you edit yourself or monitor the room. Do an honest relationship audit and ask whether each relationship deposits or withdraws. Then make one North Star decision that helps smaller decisions become easier. This episode is for the woman who feels tired, scattered, and frustrated because she is working hard but moving slowly. Brig reminds us that we are not lazy. We are drained, and once we know where the energy is going, we can begin to close the drains. What You Will Learn What the Vigilance Drain is and how it keeps you watching yourself all day. How the Relationship Drain shows up when everyone leans on you, but you have no one to lean on. Why the Decision Drain happens when you have not made clear North Star decisions. How North Star decisions make smaller choices easier. How to start locating the drains so you can protect your energy. Why This Matters Brig reminds us that working harder is not always the answer. When your energy is leaking through vigilance, relationships, and constant decision-making, effort alone will not fix it. You have to see where the drain is happening before you can redirect your energy back to your impossible thing. Take Action This week, Brig invites you to: Track where you edit, monitor, or second-guess yourself for one day. Do a relationship audit and ask: does this deposit or withdraw? Make one North Star decision that gives your next decisions a clear filter. MENTIONED — 264 Why You're Exhausted By 12pm and You Ain't Done But One Thang 265 The Hidden Problem With Being Everybody's Person — But Nobody Is Yours 266 When Nothing You Try Seems to Work- Try This STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

September 7, 202627 min

EP. 266 When Nothing You Try Seems to Work - Try This

In this episode, Brig closes the Drain series by naming the authority drain: the energy lost when you do not know what you are for, what you are building, or what problem you are actually solving. Brig shares how, early in her coaching business, she spent thousands of dollars on programs, courses, workshops, and certifications because she had not made a clear North Star decision. She was buying solutions to problems she had not confirmed she actually had. The issue was not her skill. The issue was clarity. She explains that North Star decisions are high-level choices that make smaller decisions easier. When you know who you are, what you are building, and what matters most, you stop starting from zero every day. You have a filter for what to say yes to, what to pass on, and where your energy needs to go. This episode is for the woman who has done the work, bought the programs, hired the coaches, and still feels stuck. Brig reminds us that the next step may not be another solution. It may be getting clear on the actual problem, making one North Star decision, and building a simple protocol that removes the daily negotiation. What You Will Learn What the authority drain is and why it keeps you stuck. Why more skill is not always the answer. How North Star decisions make smaller decisions easier. Why you need to identify the actual problem before buying another solution. How protocols help remove daily negotiation and protect your energy. Why This Matters Brig reminds us that clarity protects energy. When you do not know what you are for, every decision costs full price. But when you make a North Star decision, your choices become clearer, your energy stops leaking, and execution becomes easier. Take Action This week, Brig invites you to: Identify the actual problem before investing in another solution. Make one North Star decision about who you are or what you are building. Create one simple protocol that makes a smaller decision automatic. 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. MENTIONED — 264 Why You're Exhausted By 12pm and You Ain't Done But One Thang 265 The Hidden Problem With Being Everybody's Person — But Nobody Is Yours STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

August 31, 202623 min

EP. 265 The Hidden Problem With Being Everybody's Person — But Nobody Is Yours

In this episode, Brig talks about the hidden cost of always being the one who shows up. She names the relationship drain: the energy spent being the person everyone calls, the person who gives advice, holds the family together, handles the crisis, and shows up every time and shares how this drain showed up in her own life through a romantic relationship that took more than it gave. If you are a woman who keeps showing up for everyone else while your own impossible waits, this episode is your reminder that you are allowed to protect the fuel your dream requires. What You Will Learn How to tell the difference between relationships that deposit into you and relationships that only withdraw. Why your energy may already exist, but may be going somewhere else first. How romantic relationships, family, and friends can drain the same energy your impossible needs. Why receiving support is a skill, not a weakness. How to do a relationship audit without immediately forcing yourself to make a decision. Why This Matters Brig reminds us that exhaustion is not always about having too much to do. Sometimes it comes from relationships that only withdraw, leaving your energy, attention, and capacity constantly going out with very little coming back in. The energy you need to build your impossible may already exist. It may just be tied up in people, patterns, and obligations that are not giving anything back. Take Action This week, Brig invites you to do three things: Do an honest relationship audit. Ask: does this relationship deposit or withdraw? Choose one relationship that nourishes you and let yourself receive support. Name one place where you have been saying yes out of guilt instead of genuine desire. 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. MENTIONED — EP. 263 I Should Have Known Better- Is Not A Lesson, It's a Sentence Keeping You Stuck STAY CONNECTED — Website | Instagram | Facebook

August 24, 202624 min

EP. 264 Why You're Exhausted By 12pm and You Ain't Done But One Thang

In this episode, Brig names the hidden reason many women feel exhausted before the day even starts. She calls it the vigilance drain. Brig explains how much energy gets spent reading rooms, monitoring your tone, rereading emails, softening your words, choosing how to show up, and watching for threats that may no longer be present. Through her experience as a Black Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist walking into new work environments, she shows how vigilance can keep you safe, but it can also quietly drain the energy you need for your real work, relationships, and dreams. What You Will Learn What the vigilance drain is and why it leaves you exhausted by noon. How self-monitoring, decision fatigue, and reading the room use up energy. Why familiar fear can feel like present danger. How to tell the difference between a room that is actually unsafe and a room that only feels familiar. How to put your guard down in spaces where you have already earned your place. Why This Matters Brig reminds listeners that exhaustion is not always about doing too much. Sometimes it comes from spending premium energy on surveillance, self-editing, and old safety patterns. This episode helps women recognize where their energy is going so they can stop giving every room the same level of attention. That energy belongs to the life, work, and impossible thing they are trying to build. Take Action Track your vigilance for one day. Notice every time you edit yourself, soften your tone, reread a message, monitor someone’s reaction, or question whether the room is actually safe. Then ask yourself: Is this situation truly dangerous, or does it just feel familiar to something I already survived? Practice putting your guard down on purpose in one room where you have already earned your place. 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 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