The Next Best Thing – Details, episodes & analysis

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-interest
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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-interest
Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod

Stay in touch with Alisia:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisiagill/
Website: https://theeraofenough.com/

Ever wondered how a personal problem could turn into a successful business? In this episode, Britney Crowell, founder and inventor of CurlCap takes us on her journey from deconstructing her dad's old hat to address her own scalp psoriasis to becoming the first Black woman with a patented product to sell officially licensed Disney apparel, yes THAT Disney!

You'll hear firsthand how protecting her intellectual property through patents made all the difference when major opportunities came knocking.This conversation goes beyond business basics as Britney opens up about the difficult decisions entrepreneurs face – from walking away from Amazon's marketplace to navigating partnership transitions with integrity. Her story shows the reality of perseverance, community building, and creating a lasting legacy.

Whether you're struggling to protect your creative work, looking to build a purpose-driven brand, or simply need inspiration to turn your own problems into profitable solutions, Britney's wisdom will leave you ready to take action on your dreams.


Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interest
Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod

Stay in touch with Britney:
Get Your Curl Cap: https://www.curlcaps.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/curlcap/
Britney’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/britney_sade/

After spending her career in medical device sales and therapuetics, Nia Watenza had enough. She quit in November 2019 with plans of exceuting a career transition the following year. But first she wanted to create some breathing room by taking voice over lessons for fun. We know what happened in 2020. With a pandemic, no job prospects and a dwindling bank account Nia turned to the only thing she had left, and it's changed her life in ways she could not have ever imagined.

Join The Next Best Thing Community on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbestthingact/
Check Out Our Website: http://thenextbestthingact.com

About Nia:
Nia Watenza brings her versatile style and professional experience into everything she does. As a former brand manager for Fortune 500 companies, she is no stranger to campaign strategy and helping brands make meaningful connections with customers. This comes through in her voiceover work, as she understands the big picture of what you’re trying to achieve, who you wish to target, and how they want to be spoken to. Her vocal style spans the range of warm, soothing, authoritative, relatable, upbeat, and professional. She has a Bachelor of Science in Allied Medicine and is also proficient in medical and technical terminology.

Website: https://www.niathevoice.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/niathevoice/

I had made my way up the career ladder as a local news reporter only to ask myself, "is this it?" What I did next wasn't a career transition, didn't implement a Plan B or a career pivot. It's what I call The Next Best Thing. You don't need to wait for others to give you permission to get to where your heart desires, even if there are big obstacles in your path. Let's lay the foundation for getting you to your NEXT!

Ever feel like society's constantly giving you the side-eye for being happily single? In this episode of The NEXT Best Thing Podcast we're chatting with Dr. Kris Marsh from the University of Maryland, whose book "The Love Jones Cohort" is shaking up everything we thought we knew about relationships. 

Dr. Marsh introduces us to a growing group of college-educated, financially comfortable single Black Americans who are absolutely thriving without wedding rings. Named after that classic 1997 film (you know the one!), these folks are rewriting the rules of success and happiness.

"But aren't single people just... waiting to find someone?" Not according to Dr. Marsh's research! She breaks down how those strong friendships in your life might actually be delivering more happiness than that relationship you think you're supposed to be chasing. We get real about whether marriage still holds the same value it once did (spoiler alert: it's complicated), and why your net worth might matter more than your paycheck when it comes to being "middle class" today.

The most refreshing part? Dr. Marsh's take on friendship. While everyone else is swiping right and stressing about dating, she's got the data showing how those ride-or-die friends might be the real MVPs in your happiness story. If you've ever felt that pressure to couple up just because everyone keeps asking "so, are you seeing anyone?" at family gatherings, this episode will feel like someone finally gets it. Dr. Marsh doesn't just understand—she's got the research to back up why your life choices are completely valid.

Join the waitlist for The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://rewritecourse.com/community
Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod

Stay in touch with Dr. Kris Marsh:
Get The Love Jones Cohort: https://www.amazon.com/Cohort-Cambridge-Studies-Stratification-Economics/dp/1316612910
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drkrismarsh/
Bio: https://socy.umd.edu/facultyprofile/marsh/kris

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant chaos around you? Like the world is on a never-ending loop of bad news, and you're stuck in fight or flight mode? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this episode, guest Lidia Bonilla talks about how understanding your nervous system can be the key to handling all that stress. We’ll dive into polyvagal theory, a game-changer for recognizing how your body reacts to danger, safety, and everything in between. It’s time to stop letting external chaos dictate how you feel inside. Whether you’re burning out at work, feeling triggered by politics, or just done with all the noise, this conversation will help you reconnect with yourself and find a sense of peace—even when the world feels anything but safe.

Sign Up for The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interest

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod

Stay in touch with Lidia Bonilla
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lidiabonilladotcom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidiabonilla999/
Website: https://www.lidiabonilla.com/

More on the Polyvegal Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxn9SyW0DvM

In this episode, we explore the power of ignoring the doubts and limitations others try to place on us, and how to break free from societal timelines that don’t align with your unique journey. I share personal stories of how embracing uncertainty, building a supportive community, and acknowledging your own superpowers can lead to transformation. It’s not about starting over—it’s about recognizing the skills you already have and finding new ways to apply them.

The NEXT Best Thing Community is your guide to turning big dreams into achievable steps, and I invite you to join us in taking consistent action, celebrating each baby step toward your goals. Doors open for those on the waitlist on February 17th. Join Here: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interest

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Follow The NEXT Best Thing on IG @nextbestthingpod

Feeling like you're stuck in a rut or not reaching your full potential? It’s frustrating when you know you can do more, but something’s holding you back. In this episode, NBA Performance Coach Ben Kenyon gets real about how to break through those mental blocks and tap into your true power. Whether you’re an athlete or just looking to level up in life, Ben shares his top strategies for staying motivated, mastering your mindset, and getting back on track after falling off. If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for!

The NEXT Best Thing community is officially launching! It’s a space for all of us to come together, learn, and grow. Be the first to know when doors open: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interest513766

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG @nextbestthingpod

Stay in Touch with Ben:
Website/ Book: https://www.greatdaytoclimb.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ben_kenyon_/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkenyon-gds/

Ready to Feel Good About Your Money in 2025? 🙌🏾With everything happening in this political climate, we can't afford to have our money stay funny. Financial therapist Aja Evans returns to the show – this time as a published author – to help us get crystal clear about creating prosperity and options for ourselves.

Her new book "Feel Good Finance" is right on time. We all know money talk can get heavy. The stress, the shame, the constant pressure – Aja gets it. But instead of beating yourself up about your finances, she shows you how to actually feel GOOD about your money situation, no matter where you're starting from. From creating a "dopamine menu" that helps you feel abundant without spending, to showing up for your future self while still enjoying your present life, Aja brings practical wisdom and genuine understanding to the conversation.

The best part? She keeps it real about her own journey, from being nervous about podcast appearances to publishing a whole book while working full-time with two kids under 5. Her story shows us what's possible when you believe in yourself and put in the work.This is our year to get intentional about building wealth and creating choices for ourselves. Grab your notebook, because this episode will transform how you think about money – and yourself – in 2025. 

Big news for 2025: The NEXT Best Thing community is officially launching! It’s a space for all of us to come together, learn, and grow. Be the first to know when doors open: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interest513766

Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/
Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG @nextbestthingpod

Keep In Touch with Aja Evans:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ajaetherapy/
Get “Feel Good Finance:” https://ajaevanscounseling.com/