The Brittany Mitchell Podcast

Bree McKeen is blowing up the bra ... questioning everything from how it's made to how it feels and how both impact the women who wear it every day. But that's not the whole story. Bree is also a great example of how experience drives entrepreneurism. And the success of her company Evelyn & Bobbie is proof more products for women need to be made by women. An industry unwired, in this edition of the podcast.

Across America, more than 400,000 children are in foster care. These days, it's largely due to the nation's opioid epidemic. The number of children and youth entering care due to abuse and neglect related to their parents' substance use disorders has skyrocketed. Meanwhile, the number of foster families can't keep up with demand. But an organization called America's Kids Belong is hoping to change that... working in states nationwide to empower communities to dramatically improve the experience and outcomes for children in foster care. Lauren Tremper is among those leading the charge to combat what experts call a solvable crisis.

Betsy Rhodes wants us to talk about suicide. If that makes you uncomfortable, then you'll definitely want to listen to this episode of the podcast. She's on a mission to assure we take our mental health as seriously as our physical health. And as we exit a pandemic during which the number of Americans suffering from mental health challenges has doubled, there may be no more important time for that conversation. While Betsy's story starts with tragedy, she'll tell you it ends with hope.

Sandra Coates is determined to create a world in which women stop chasing outer beauty and start walking in their God-given beauty, identity and purpose. A tall order in a world where social media has become a constant source of comparison. But through her organization United + Tru, this wife, mom and author is working to take the battle for body positivity to a place you might not expect. The fashion show runway.

The biblical definition of the word "miracle" is an extraordinary event taken as a sign of the power of God. Angie Jorgensen of Omaha, Nebraska says her life is nothing less. Ten years ago, she died... twice. Doctors told her family to say their goodbyes. And yet, incredibly this wife, mom, entrepreneur and fitness trainer is alive, well and sharing her story in this episode as a reminder each of us is a walking miracle in our own way.

For those living below the poverty line in the United States... an estimated 37 million people... hygiene is a luxury. But Ava Holland is determined to change that. After stumbling across a random YouTube video, she was inspired to take on this global crisis by starting It Matters... an organization centered around collecting and donating personal care items to ministries, homeless shelters and domestic violence recovery centers. In this episode, how she's garnering grassroots support, the impact her organization has made in just a few years, and her dream to eradicate hygiene poverty.

It all started with a horse. Quickly, a business born in a barn became a multi-state success story. In the season 2 debut of The Brittany Mitchell Podcast, we're talking with Merrill and Owen Schmidt. Brothers, entrepreneurs and founders of Happy Pops... and both younger than the horse that inspired them. Learn how they overcame age bias to succeed in business as teenagers, the impact their efforts are having on animal rescues from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, and what it means to "share your happy."

If you're a travel bug, this episode is for you. We're talking with author Toni Guagenti about her book 100 Things To Do In Virginia Beach Before You Die. Whether you're a local, new resident, or someone itching to find your next vacation destination... you're sure to love her list of not-to-be-missed attractions. From dining spots locals love to horseback riding on the beach (yes, you can do that!) to live music and lighthouses, Toni gives you the inside scoop.

In this week's episode, a powerful conversation recorded during a talk I was invited to give to members of the Women's Interactive Network. It centers around what networking is and is NOT,  what true mentoring looks like, and adopting a legacy mindset when developing leaders. A must-listen for anyone frustrated because they're not advancing in their field or seeking to develop a growth-minded culture in their workplace.

Ever been told you were good at what you do? Ever wondered why it wasn't enough to feel fulfilled? You might be stuck in the gap between gifting and calling. In this week's episode we talk about the difference between the two and how to bridge the gap. Warning: it's going to require you to dream again.

If the title of this episode sounds familiar, it's because our guest host was our guest for an episode of the same name. This time, Doug Aronson is turning the tables and interviewing Brittany Mitchell about the decision to leave the success you've found in one career to start all over in a new field. They'll dive deep into how faith shapes the leader you become, the success you enjoy, and what role (if any) regret plays in the journey.

Summertime means vacation time for many people. But in the hustle to get out the door, we often forget the things that make vacation much more enjoyable. In this episode, my best travel tips to make memories (not stress!) as you get away from it all. 

Justine Wenzel is an entrepreneur, glam girl, and karaoke enthusiast. But one of her unique talents is being a savvy thrifter. From her wardrobe to her home decor, most all of it is upcycled. She shares her finds with thousands of Instagram followers, who eagerly watch to see what treasures she'll unveil in her latest haul. In this episode, she's sharing her secrets with us. Be forewarned: you might find yourself running to your nearest Goodwill or pulling over to check out something a neighbor left on the curb, after hearing her top tips.

Some people consider themselves fortunate to find success in one career. But Doug Aronson knew if he could do it once, he could do it again. And he did... trading 20 years as a television news reporter for a job in commercial real estate. And oh yeah, a side hustle as (wait for it) a drummer in a Tom Petty tribute band. What did he learn that could help others looking to make a major vocational life change? We're diving into that in this week's episode.

June 1st marks 18 years in a leadership role at the helm of my own business. It's one I never expected to start, having gone to school to become a broadcast journalist. But sometimes the call on one's life to lead takes us places we'd never have imagined. And in the process, we discover what I call "the leader only you can become." In this week's episode, leadership lessons from nearly two decades of intentional work fostering confidence and self-esteem in women.

It started with a sea turtle rescue and evolved into The Sea Glass Project. This is the story of Michelle Beebee, a licensed clinical social worker in The Hamptons, whose desire to give back during the global pandemic turned into a quest to encourage people to share their gifts with the world. Her hope is this episode encourages you on your journey to self-discovery, and that you'll share something to encourage others on Instagram @theseaglassproject_21

When Aaron McLellan started sewing waxed canvas and leather totes and selling them around the North End of Virginia Beach almost a decade ago, he had no idea success was "in the bag." He peddled as he pedaled, showing off his handiwork from a makeshift shop on the back of a vintage trike. From humble beginnings, he's grown the business to ten employees and 20,000 followers on Instagram alone. In this episode, his first employee Taylor Casey shares an inside look at how one entrepreneur stitched together his dream company.

Successful entrepreneurs are often asked, "what's your secret sauce?" But in Megan Riggs' case you'd be better off to ask her "juicy secret." Like many entrepreneurs, her product started as a solution to a problem: feeling something was missing amidst professional success, as she faced daily anxiety and bouts of depression. After trying and failing with the Western approach to medicine, she decided to head to Southeast Asia with only a backpack and a one-way ticket. She found healing, and her desire to share it with others is how her sparkling water business was born. 

Jeff Fugate didn't plan to be the queso king of northern Virginia. But his love of Hatch green chiles and his daughter's high school band turned his queso-making hobby into a career. Now, Empty Bowl Queso is in 50 retailers in 3 states and the District of Columbia. And the business is growing as fast as customers' appetite for its product.

His friends call him "Rev Kev." His colleagues call Reverend Kevin Magee a warrior in the fight against world hunger. This is his story of moving past the pulpit to tackle one of the biggest problems facing our planet today: global food insecurity. Thanks to Covid, the battle just got tougher... migrating beyond impoverished countries to our own backyard.

How did a teen mom turned Naval officer end up launching a multi-million dollar bra business? Confidence. Now, Frances Crespo's goal is to make sure no woman goes without it. This is her story of turning an entrepreneurial idea into a life-changing movement. Turns out the right fit is just the beginning.

A former TV news anchor turned entrepreneur shares her real-life story of changing careers at the top of her game... leaving behind the crazy hours of the newsroom to be her own boss. 

National College Decision Day is May 1st. It's a date many high school seniors have been preparing for since their junior year. But as was the case for the class of 2020, the application and acceptance process has looked very different for the class of 2021 and colleges and universities nationwide. In this episode, we talk to students and higher education experts about what's changed in the short-term, the long-term impact on college enrollment, and flaws in the system exposed by the global pandemic.

23 years ago, a boy from New Jersey fell in love with a girl from Virginia. They married, planned a future, and started a family. But shortly after their 10th wedding anniversary, their lives were changed in an instant. Through extraordinary heartbreak and with extraordinary faith, Brian and Jessica Denny turned tragedy into triumph. This is their story.

In football, sometimes it's the quarterbacks who get all the glory. But ask anyone who's played the game, and they'll tell you it's the guys who are big enough and strong enough to keep the opponent off the quarterback who deserve a lot of the credit for victory. Case in point: new NFL Hall of Famer Alan Faneca. The Pittsburgh Steelers chose the LSU standout in the first round of the 1998 draft, and he went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL... missing only 2 starts in over 200 games. Nine straight Pro Bowl nominations, Steelers All-Time Team, NFL All-Decade Team, Super Bowl champ, and now the cherry on top: the NFL Hall of Fame.

Rich Diviney is a retired Navy SEAL Commander. In his 20+ year career, he completed more than a dozen deployments, including to Iraq and Afghanistan. As the officer in charge of training a specialized command, he spearheaded the creation of what he calls a "mind gym." A work out facility to help special operators train their brains to perform faster and better in high stress environments. Now retired, Rich has written a book about his optimal performance strategy. In this episode, he shares how "the attributes" that help SEALS succeed can work for you... and why they've been critical in the era of COVID.