Ep. 9: Running your own race with Brandy Shavon.
WATCH:
LISTEN:
We often struggle with pursuing a path where we’re met by rejections and difficulties. But most of the time, rejection simply means redirection. Afterall, nothing great comes easy.
In this episode, Brandy Shavon, LCSW, host of Crazy Counselor Podcast, and Founder of Pearls of Esther, Inc. chats with us about finding purpose behind unexpected open doors.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
How Brandy recognized her purpose through her innate desire to help others [1:54]
The evolution of her dreams—from being an attorney, forensic psychologist, to what she does now
How she applied to five psychology programs and got rejected by all of them
How serving in prison ministry touched her life
Realizing that redirection may sometimes disguise as rejection; redirection may actually lead you to your purpose
You don’t have to be a doctor or a lawyer to make a difference
The haze of doing social work [8:53]
Getting rid of the imposter syndrome
Fighting misinformation
Social work’s impact on Brandy’s life [19:20]
Having the knowledge of seeing too much makes you intentional about work
Recognizing that imperfections are okay as long as you take actions to correct them
“I will not allow my past to speak from my present” [22:09]
Becoming self-aware
Verbalizing negative thoughts and processing them
The struggle to constantly believe that “you are enough”
The path towards your purpose [25:39]
Starting with what you’re passionate about
Resisting the societal pressure asking “what should you be doing?”
Everyone has purpose—God gave you one upon birth
Remembering that you can’t do things on your own for your purpose is bigger than you
Advice to younger self and to others pursuing their purpose [35:32]
Do it on your pace to avoid burnout; there’s a timing for everything
If you have 10 goals, do them one at a time
EPISODE QUOTES:
When we're getting into this work, and like you said, Scott, you're pulling people up with you, you're out here, you're blazing your own trail, don't be afraid to do that. Because if you're comparing yourself to other people, you're going to always be running your race in somebody else's lane. Let's tell people, I used to run track and there is no prize for running the race in somebody else's lane. The prize goes for staying in your lane, and running that race in your lane as best as you can, according to what you have been trained to do. So we really do have to run this race and not be afraid to run in our own lane.
- Brandy Shavon
Sometimes we think that a redirection or a scene seems like a rejection, means that we're on the wrong path to purpose. And that's not what that means. We can easily be rerouted. Just like when we're in our cars, and we go down the wrong road that GPS is going to reroute you, fam! And it's going to take you to where you need to go.
- Brandy Shavon
We learn best through seeing people who are doing this work, we can sit back all the time and listen to this narrative that says, ‘Nobody's doing that, black folks aren't doing that,’ but here we are walking, living proof that we're doing this work, and we should all be walking into our purpose.
- Scott Hayes
Faith without works is dead. So if you have this thing, and you're not doing you're not putting any action behind it, you will absolutely not go anywhere.
- Shate Hayes
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love by Alex Elle
Listen to I Was Here by Beyoncé
CONNECT WITH BRANDY:
Follow her: Facebook | Instagram
CHECK IN WITH SCOTT AND SHATÉ:
Spotify Playlist - Music for this moment.
Follow @iamshate on Instagram
Follow @scotthayes_lcsw on Instagram
ABOUT BRANDY SHAVON
Brandy Shavon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Georgia and New York State. With over 12 years of experience, she has provided mental health assessments and counseling in a variety of settings including jails, courts, in-home, schools and inpatient hospitalization. Her areas of specialty are treating Mood Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminology and Psychology from The Florida Statue University, as her Master of Clinical Social Work from The Florida State University. Stinson is also the founder of a women’s empowerment organization called Pearls of Esther, Inc. Her passion is seeing individuals come to the full knowledge of their identity despite a challenging past and walk out the purpose that God has for them.
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