Built My Own Table + Brought My Own Director's Chair Dr. Tonya Cannon’s Journey from Rejection to Reel Power

Ep. 25 What if the very setbacks meant to break you became the blueprint for your empire? In this powerful episode of Grace & Grind, Dr. Pamala Brown-Grinion sits down with the dynamic Dr. Tonya Cannon—educator, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and founder of Ascension Online College—for a conversation that will shift your mindset and challenge your definition of success. From navigating professional setbacks to building a thriving consulting firm and award-winning production company, Dr. Cannon shares how choosing resilience over resignation changed the course of her life. She dives deep into how forgiveness, self-belief, and bold innovation helped her rewrite her story—and how you can do the same. ✨ Whether you’re reinventing yourself, launching a business, or healing from your past, this episode is your permission slip to level up with intention. 💎 Key Takeaways: Reinvention Is a Choice: Adversity doesn't define you—your response to it does. Dr. Cannon shares how her lowest moments became fuel for her next chapter. Multipassionate Leadership: Explore how blending education, creativity, and consulting can create a career as unique as you are. Healing Through Forgiveness: Learn why forgiveness isn’t about others—it’s a decision to free yourself. Build Your Own Table: If the system won’t open doors, create your own space for excellence, as Dr. Cannon did with Stagecraft Entertainment. Education Without Barriers: Discover how Ascension Online College is democratizing access to affordable, high-quality learning. 🗣️ Notable Quotes: "You can aspire to greatness, but that is a choice. Success is a choice." "You cannot expect to experience change or to reach a higher level of success with yesterday's strategies." "If Hollywood's not gonna give me what I want, I'll make it myself. I don't need you." "Healing is a choice, forgiveness is a choice. All of these things that we're talking about, these are all choices." "It's about you and your healing. If you want to carry this, again, that's a you decision." Contact Dr. Tonya Cannon, CEO: Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] (PST) Podcast: The HR Files Exceptional Consulting Services – Organizational development and HR consulting by Dr. Cannon Stagecraft Entertainment – Home of Dr. Cannon’s award-winning films Ascension Online College – Affordable, accessible, online education for all Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Dr. Tonya Cannon 5:10 Overcoming Adversity and Redefining Success 14:32 Mindset Shifts for Achieving Personal Growth and Success 19:33 Creating Opportunities in Hollywood Against All Odds 20:35 The Power of Forgiveness and Personal Growth 29:51 Sisterhood, Podcasts, and Creating Unique Days 🧘🏽‍♀️ Tune in for an unforgettable reminder: You don’t have to wait for permission to transform your life—you just have to choose it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices