EP3: Building a Business from Scratch | Real Talk on Branding, Doubt & Purpose w/ founder Brandy Johnson

Ep 4: Grief, Growth & Giving Back | Dr. Jenea' Griffin on Building Jamal Smiles From the Ground Up

Some stories don't just inspire you — they stay with you. This is one of them.In this heartfelt episode of the Big Dream Energy Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jenea Griffin, founder of Jamal Smiles, a nonprofit dedicated to youth mentorship, leadership, and life skill development in Louisiana and beyond. Jenea shares the deeply personal journey behind her organization — how she channeled grief into action, showed up for her community even when it was hard, and built something truly meaningful from the ground up.From navigating the early challenges of starting a nonprofit with no roadmap, to mentoring teen parents, supporting youth re-entry from juvenile detention, and even writing a children's book for her daughters — Dr. Griffin's story is a masterclass in resilience, love, and servant leadership.This one will move you. 💙In this episode we cover… * The story behind Jamal Smiles and what inspired Jenea to start it * The early challenges of building a nonprofit from scratch * How she developed four distinct programs to serve her community * Supporting teen parents and breaking generational cycles * Youth re-entry and juvenile justice reform work * How her legal background helps her advocate for underserved families * The importance of protecting your energy when you pour into others * Her children's book A Day with Our Uncle and the love behind it * Her long-term vision for Jamal Smiles * Advice for purpose-driven entrepreneurs and creatives who want to keep going Whether you're a nonprofit founder, entrepreneur, creative, or someone looking for a reminder that one person truly can make a difference — this episode is for you.If this episode touched your heart, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE and leave a 💙 in the comments. Sharing this episode is one of the best ways to help amplify the incredible work Dr. Jenea Griffin and Jamal Smiles are doing every day. Chapters:00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs] – Intro & Welcome01:47 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=107s] – Who Is Dr. Jenea Griffin?04:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=265s] – The Story Behind Jamal Smiles08:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=495s] – Building a Nonprofit From Scratch12:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=759s] – How Her Work Serves the Community17:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=1024s] – The Four Programs of Jamal Smiles19:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=1157s] – Why She Keeps Showing Up23:21 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=1401s] – Self-Care, Rest & Protecting Your Energy26:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=1573s] – What Keeps Her Going on Hard Days29:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=1755s] – The Children's Book: A Day with Our Uncle32:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=1957s] – The Legacy She Wants to Leave34:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=2095s] – Advice for Entrepreneurs & Staying Grounded42:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivROwcNKuBs&t=2571s] – What's Ahead in 2026 & How to Support Jamal Smiles Stay Connected:Jamal Smiles: www.jamalsmiles.comGuest:   / jamalsmiles   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0JZQTJBUksxdlg5eFhZZDVCMFdOOFJYOVRPUXxBQ3Jtc0trbXpNMndCb1BKc3RacFVpODktOGp5bC1ycE85SE5SVl9hUTgtUEJEblRrUndCMFRuNkhOSTcwOWVGQ3c5d1QzQTZNQmVqMjlHNTNBbnFzOXBCNnZYTE16NFVDa2FqcHVRRUVtOU9QRUxhMmRTMWszVQ&q=http%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fjamalsmiles&v=ivROwcNKuBs]Big Dream Energy:   / posidolia   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVZZUmhFYlZDc05pUk5KM3RqdmRpZG9TX055QXxBQ3Jtc0ttX0RnV3p6S0NaUkdabFhaV1RmR3BSSUVEbnZzV3hyT29pcE5hWkl2RE1MLUtOQlZ2WUpXN1FFV0drMDZsOGhMb0dNNldHUzlEX0FQOGRLQ3lDNHkzc2pLUkdQNHAtb1RMRUJtbjNyZzdKcHFidDJSOA&q=http%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fposidolia&v=ivROwcNKuBs]  / bigdreamenergypodcast   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmtoVjhlU2hISFFrcTkwaFhKQW16YUpBWm11QXxBQ3Jtc0tuUHhQRWlOaTZVV29WWDJGcG94X1pBcVpsVzgzREY1clFFN21Nb2dnZnFaUkh2eXBhSnhYUmR3RmxTeXc2Q2VGU2N0N2xaOTg2aHhoYm04N0FVa3p2d2NqVGZwWU1OcTJPWGViN2xTOUNtQldfbzMtbw&q=http%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fbigdreamenergypodcast&v=ivROwcNKuBs] Special Thanks to Dr. Jenea Griffin for sharing her heart so openly and authentically. Please show her and Jamal Smiles some love and support! 💙🌟 Fueled by Posidolia® — Spreading positivity, always, in all ways.👉 If this episode inspired you, like, comment, and share it with someone who needs a reminder to keep going.#BigDreamEnergy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bigdreamenergy] #JamalSmiles [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/jamalsmiles] #DrJeneaGriffin [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/drjeneagriffin] #YouthMentorship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/youthmentorship] #NonprofitLeader [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nonprofitleader] #GriefAndGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/griefandgrowth] #GivingBack [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/givingback] #WomenWhoLead [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womenwholead] #ServantLeadership [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/servantleadership] #PurposeDrivenLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/purposedrivenlife] #BlackWomenLeading [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/blackwomenleading] #LouisianaNonprofit [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/louisiananonprofit] #EntrepreneurMindset [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurmindset] #CommunityImpact [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/communityimpact] #LegacyBuilding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/legacybuilding]

EP3: Building a Business from Scratch | Real Talk on Branding, Doubt & Purpose w/ founder Brandy Johnson

What does it really take to turn passion into a thriving brand? In this uplifting and transparent interview, Brandy Johnson, founder of ATL Fitness Dolls, shares how she built a purpose-driven fitness business from the ground up — without a huge following, outside funding, or shortcuts.From humble beginnings to creating a loyal fitness community that stood strong through challenges like the pandemic, Brandy opens up about the power of consistency, self-belief, and showing up — even when it’s hard.She offers relatable insights on marketing as an introvert, building trust over time, and the quiet wins that fuel long-term success.We also talked about…* How to build a fitness brand from scratch without a large following or big funding* Why purpose-driven businesses lead to long-term impact and loyal communities* Overcoming self-doubt and fear while growing a creative or service-based business* The power of marketing yourself authentically, even if you're shy or introverted* Tips for staying consistent when no one shows up and how to keep going* What it’s like to juggle motherhood, a career, and entrepreneurship* Why your success stories and client wins are your best motivationWhether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, fitness coach, or dreamer ready to start your own brand — this episode will give you the motivation and tools to KEEP GOING.Don’t miss the gems dropped in every section. Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on NOTIFICATIONS so you never miss a story that fuels your purpose. Stay Connected:http://instagram.com/posidoliahttp://instagram.com/bigdreamenergypodcast Guest:http://instagram.com/atlfitnessdolls 🙏 Special Thanks:This was Brandy’s first-ever podcast interview for her brand, and we’re honored she shared her story with us. Be sure to show her some love and support ATL Fitness Dolls!🌟 Fueled by Posidolia®Spreading positivity — always, in all always.👉 If this episode inspired you, like, comment, and subscribe to keep the Big Dream Energy going strong!#BigDreamEnergy #ATLFitnessDolls #WomenInBusiness #FitnessMotivation #EntrepreneurJourney #SelfCareForWomen

EP1: My Story

Welcome to the Big Dream Energy™, the podcast that takes you on a journey through the inspiring stories of creatives and entrepreneurs who are turning their dreams into reality, and in the process, making a profound impact on their communities and the world. Who this podcast is for: Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Creators and Dreamers seeking clarity, inspiration and real word strategies and insights to help you realize your vision. Weather you're a business mogul or a brand new artist who just picked up their first paintbrush, you can find a positive community here, of like minded dreamers dedicated to the pursuit of manifesting BIG dreams for their life. In this debut episode, host and creator, April Lewis shares her story and explains why she started the Big Dream Energy™ podcast.

EP2: Tashiya Umoja M'Kanga: Leading With Purpose

Tashiya Umoja M'Kanga, director of Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute shares her secret to maintaining Big Dream Energy™ while navigating a leadership role in a purpose driven business. We discuss how she stays positive and what gives her the motivation to keep dreaming BIG. What we're talking about: * Tashiya's background and history in African American studies * How to navigate a new leadership role * Pivoting the original vision for her life and finding a her true passion * Building a purpose driven organization * Navigating challenges * What is a "Culturally relevant classroom". * How to know when you're living in your purpose * How to stay positive through adversity * A vision for the future Thanks for listing!! Video links coming soon! LINKS: https://www.posidolia.com/ [https://www.posidolia.com/] Tag us on Instagram - @bigdreamenergypodcast + @posidolia Guest: @kilomboschool https://kilomboschool.com/ [https://kilomboschool.com/]

Trailer

April Lewis, host of Big Dream Energy™ and founder of Posidolia®, a lifestyle brand dedicated to positivity and pursuing your dreams, welcomes you to a world where believing in your dreams is not just a goal but a way of life. Join us as we dive into the stories of real people who have turned their dreams into reality, and discover how you can too. Get ready for an inspiring journey of personal growth and empowerment. Remember, you have the power to manifest your goals, just keep that Big Dream Energy!