The Next Best Thing

Putting your head down, working hard and hoping to be noticed is not a recipie for success. It's a way to be overlooked. So get comfortable with pitching! If the idea still leaves a pit in your stomach, this is the conversation for you! In this REWIND episode “Killer pitchmaster,” author, and entrepreneur Precious Williams breaks down the art of the perfect pitch, from teaching us how to pitch for...

Headlines about layoffs are plaguing the news industry as it fails to come up with a viable business model to address declining viewership, trust and advertising revenue. Simply put it's time for anyone in the industry to plan their NEXT. That's why it was time to REWIND this episode with Renee Washington. With more than two decades in TV news, Renee switched gears big time. Imagine managing 150 p...

What’s your earliest money memory? In this REWIND episode we're peeling back the layers on what’s getting in the way of financial freedom and how the messages received in our childhood plays a major role in how we manage our finances as adults. From outlining the impact of a scarcity versus an abundance mindset to loud budgeting, in this episode financial therapist Aja Evans uncovers strategies to...

Everyone has a stage, but are you owning it? K.J. Rose is the go to performance director for some of your favorite artists including Lil Nas X, Saweetie, The Lumineers and Erica Campbell. In this episode she’s breaking down how to deliver the performance of your life! A performance that’s authentic, full of confidence and as K.J. says, leaves no crumbs. Get ready to be introduced to The Rose Effec...

What’s NEXT for this country? Does it include electing the first woman to become President of The United State? After President Biden suddenly ending his campaign the Democratic apparatus has thrown all of its support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. But with less than 100 days until the election, the work is far from over. In this episode we discuss what’s at stake, and the work you can do TO...

What’s getting in the way of getting closer to your dreams? Are you waiting for more favorable conditions? For someone else to tell you it’s okay? In this episode Aundrea shares how a season of desperation taught her the skills that opened her up to new opportunities and forced her to ditch her timelines. If you’re struggling with how to get started, this episode is for you! Subscribe to the NEXT...

In this solo episode Aundrea discusses what she wishes she knew before launching into her NEXT. It’s insight she hopes can help get you unstuck and keep you from making the same mistakes she did! Subscribe to the NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://thenextbestthingact.com/ Join The NEXT Best Thing community on IG/TikTok @nextbestthingpod  Join The Rewrite Community: Get your FREE Transferable Skills...

On July 8, 2022 Aundrea walked away from her local news career and started an experiment. After living a life by other people’s rules and checking the boxes, she decided to try living life on her own terms for two years. She couldn’t give up no matter how hard it got. Now two years later, in a letter to the 2022 version of herself, Aundrea explains what she’s learned, but more importantly what she...

Do emails from colleagues or your boss put you in a bad mood? Are you having a hard time shutting off work at the end of the day? Are you ever criticized for being too sensitive? In this episode executive coach and author Melody Wilding explains how to turn that negative feedback into your superpower and navigate corporate environments strategically with your spirit intact! Subscribe to the NEXT N...

Are you ready to meet your BIG moment? If the opportunity showed up today could you take all of the attention and pressure that comes with it? Nurse Sandra Lindsay was managing an ICU at a NY hospital when she made history as the first person in the United States to receive the covid vaccine. Thrust in front of the entire world, Sandra’s life changed overnight. But she was ready for the opportunit...

 What are the pillars you live by and how do they align with your actions? Is your ambition running you or are you managing it to live a life of impact?  We’re answering those questions and so much more. Our guest this week is three-time founder, sought-after speaker and C-suite/board advisor Kendra Bracken-Ferguson. Her ecosystem of leadership is rooted in her global conglomerate BrainTrust inclu...

How do you access your joy, even in dark times? That’s the central question in this week’s episode. Our guest this week is storyteller, educator, curator of joy and healing Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts. Tracey shares some of her joy journey through personal tragedy that required her to understand the profound impact of simple pleasures. She also gives us a sneak peak into her new book” The Black...

In today's episode we're diving deep into the world of book publishing and its powerful impact on business and growing your personal brand. Danielle Mendoza shares how to connect book ideas to your business as a way to attract more customers and lucrative opportunities. We're also discussing the different publishing pathways, including traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing. Learn how self-publi...

We’re just about halfway through the year, and it's time for an intentional check-in. In this episode we’re calling out some of the barriers that may have be in the way of you reaching your goals. It starts with your mindset and then your actions. And if no one told you today, no matter your background or current situation, you are absolutely worth it. Grab your notes, because this episode is pack...

Arivee Vargas shares her journey from a successful legal career to discovering her true calling in coaching and leadership development. Arivee explains the importance of creating a vision without self-judgment, setting aligned goals, and trusting oneself through a gradual progress. In this episode, Arivee discusses the challenges of leaving the comfort and security of her corporate life to follow...

Amy Shoenthal is a journalist and author of “The Setback Cycle: How Defining Moments Can Move Us Forward.” The "Setback Cycle," consists of four phases—establish, embrace, explore, and emerge—which provides a roadmap for navigating through times of adversity. In this conversation Aundrea and Amy discuss why setbacks don’t just have to be obstacles, but can also serve as catalysts for growth and cr...

Hi Friends! Each week we bring you a guest who talks about how to navigate your NEXT. This week host Aundrea Cline-Thomas is giving you an update on her journey. She’s talking about the time in between jumping and seeing progress. It’s when your idea is vulnerable and the silence or no’s you receive can cut deep. What’s the conversation Aundrea has with herself to keep going? When does it begin to...

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with  Lydia Hamilton. Lydia has always been a world traveler, but she embarked on a nearly 50 day solo adventure across the world seeking to better understand her NEXT chapter personally, her NEXT chapter professionally and become unshakably clear about who she was independent of anyone else. In this conversation we discuss how Lydia is reframing her idea...

Lydia Hamilton traded her title as a Vice President of Operations to Professional Wanderer. Then she set out on an epic journey that included working on a farm in Tennessee, exploring Antarctica on zodiac boats, and literally riding through the clouds of Vietnam. With each stop, Lydia was searching for answers about who she was and wanted to become. This episode takes you on a journey of what Lydi...

Gemma Toner transitioned from the fast-paced executive life to the introspective satisfaction of retirement. But for Gemma, retirement was not an end, but a new beginning. She created the Tone Networks, an online micro-coaching and mentoring platform designed to connect, grow and retain early to mid-career employees at scale. In this episode we'll get into the nitty-gritty of confronting fears, de...

Kara Stevens, the force behind The Frugal Feminista , began her journey grappling with hefty student loans and credit card debt. It led her to create a blog that turned into  a robust community dedicated to building wealth. In the meantime she leveraged her career as a teacher and administrator to reach financial freedom. Her experience confirms that traditional jobs, when combined with entreprene...

Today’s episode is a pause, a time to reflect on not just the achievements, but the bumps and stumbles along the way. We’ve built something incredible here, a safe space especially for marginalized voices. I want to express my deepest thanks to you—our dedicated listeners, amazingly generous guests, and the village that has helped put this whole thing together. So, in this solo episode, join me as...

Keisha Hickson’s life changed when a diagnosis threatened her life expectancy. Faced with a renewed appreciation for time, Keisha is determined not to waste it and now urges all of us to combat complacency in all areas of our lives. This woman’s story is not just moving – it’s a masterclass in living life to the fullest despite the toughest of blows. Join us as we celebrate Keisha's journey, explo...

Tricia Taitt was navigating the intensity of Wall Street when she was laid off during the Great Recession. She turned to her lifelong passion for dance to guide her through uncertain times and it led her to tour with a Broadway musical. Now Tricia is combining her unique background in finance and dance to help others build a strong financial core. In this episode Tricia discusses how she merged he...

Katrina Gamble, political strategist and founder of Sojourn Strategies, peels back the curtain on the efforts that drive social movements beyond the ballot box. We confront the hard truths about the rightful cynicism within Black and Brown communities that exit polling doesn’t capture, and the collective power communities can harness to get their needs met. If you’re feeling exhausted by the headl...