After a real-life hiatus, I'm back and more focused than ever. In this solo episode, I get honest about why I stepped away (new job demands + demotivation), the shame of restarting, and how a pause gave me massive clarity and confidence.

This isn't just a comeback—it's a blueprint for anyone restarting goals, careers, or side hustles in 2026.

What’s changing:

• Turning the podcast into a real resource for ambitious leaders & entrepreneurs
• Practical tools, guides, networking strategies (especially Houston events)
• From pure execution (2025) → strategic systems + consistency (2026)

Key topics covered:

• Why restarting takes more courage than perfect consistency
• Normalizing falling off track (we ALL do it)
• Building visibility without burnout
• Networking that actually leads to mentors, intros & opportunitie

Why Your Pivot Is Your Superpower: Tatiana Mott on Owning Your Power & Building a Media Brand | Coffee Chat w/ Diondria Brown

What happens when a shy, 5’9” introvert gets told she’ll never make it in entertainment… and then turns every setback into rocket fuel?

Tatiana Mott (founder of Our Power Media) sits down with Diondria Brown and gets REAL about:

Leaving a New York TV producer career two weeks before the 2023 writer’s strike

Moving to Houston with zero family, one fake “friend,” and a hurricane knocking out power the day she decided to start her company

Turning heartbreak, betrayal, and rock-bottom moments into the foundation of a purpose-driven media brand

Why she primarily works with Black-owned and mission-aligned businesses

Teaching introverts and neurodivergent entrepreneurs how to speak confidently on camera and in rooms

The responsibility (and power) of storytelling in an era of AI deepfakes and propaganda

Exclusive: First public announcement of the Our Power Summit coming March 20-21, 2026!

If you’ve ever had to start over, protect your voice, or turn a forced pivot into your greatest glow-up — this episode will light you up.

☕ Timestamps (YouTube Chapters)

00:00 Welcome to Coffee Chat

00:29 Meet Tatiana Mott – Our Power Media

01:53 Writer’s strike forces the ultimate pivot

02:51 Duke math major → theater → TV producer → founder

04:26 How a shy introvert learned to light up rooms

07:29 Helping introverts become “Confidently Captivating”

12:36 The hardest pivot: Houston, betrayal & rock bottom

19:32 Giving yourself grace when everything falls apart

23:49 Marrying purpose with profit

29:34 The #1 mistake people make with storytelling

32:10 Protecting your voice after dimming your light

35:30 Why truth in media matters more than ever

38:28 The current state of Black creators in media

41:10 Exclusive: Our Power Summit 2026 announced!

41:56 Coffee Shot Rapid-Fire Round

🔥 Rapid-Fire Highlights

Introvert anthem: India.Arie – Private Party

Hype song: Dutty Wine

Biggest myth about introverts: “We don’t like to talk”

Current mantra: “Your vision is never too big”

#1 Leadership Mistake Costing You Your Dream Team (Fix It Fast) – Dr. KJ Haywood

What’s the difference between a boss and a leader?

One loses their best people. The other builds legacies.

In this raw, note-worthy episode of Coffee Chat Podcast, host De’Andrea Brown sits down with Dr. KJ Haywood — PhD in Ethics & Business, AI governance pioneer, and leadership disruptor — to unpack the #1 mistake new leaders make that sends teams running.

You’ll discover:

• How Dr. KJ went from “bossy kid” to burning out her team in her 30s
• The grunt work that landed her HR Director in 1 year — no certifications needed
• Why solitude is the secret to unshakable confidence
• The truth about imposter syndrome: it’s just fear wearing a title
• Why success is lonely — and how to thrive when unicorns don’t run in packs
• The daily choice that turns followers into leaders with purpose

If you’re a millennial, Gen Z, or rising leader tired of waiting for permission — this episode is your wake-up call.

Perfect for:

Aspiring managers | Entrepreneurs | Corporate climbers | Anyone ready to stop losing talent and start leading with impact

Listen now. Take notes. Level up. ☕

Host: Diondria Brown

Guest: Dr. KJ Haywood

Show: Coffee Chat Podcast

Tags: Leadership, Personal Growth, Career Advice, Women in Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Self Development

Follow us:

Instagram: @thecoffeechatpod__

LinkedIn: Coffee Chat Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeChatPod

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

01:35 – “I came out the womb bossy”

04:32 – Grunt work = leadership gold

09:46 – Follower mode vs. leader mode

18:42 – Reinventing every 5 years

27:11 – Solitude = power

38:43 – Imposter syndrome is fear

48:40 – Advice to her 30-year-old self

54:34 – Why millennials & Gen Z are disruptors

Challenge:

This week, choose one small leadership action no one asked you to take. Tag us with your win.

New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss a brew. ☕