August 21, 2025 • 50 mins
What if the timelines you’ve been following your whole life… were never meant for you?
In this powerful episode of It’s the Human Experience Podcast, Millicent Reed shares her transformative journey from a Fortune 25 HR leader to a children’s book author and nonprofit founder, revealing how the passing of her mother became the catalyst for finally pursuing her long-held dreams and embracing her true purpose.
Through raw honesty and deep wisdom, Millicent opens up about grief, alignment, and starting over — proving that no matter your age, past, or setbacks, you can always choose your quarter one.
💡 In This Episode with Millicent Reed, You’ll Discover:
- How grief became the push that unlocked her true calling
- The power of embracing your “quarter one” at any stage of life
- Why societal timelines are a lie — and how to rewrite your own
- Her journey to becoming the author of six self-published children’s books
- How she built Impact Greater Good, a nonprofit focused on amplifying impact
- The importance of surrounding yourself with authentic supporters
- The hard but freeing lesson: “Your ability to recover in life makes all the difference.”
✨ Whether you’ve felt stuck, behind, or unsure where to begin, this conversation reminds you of one truth: it’s never too late to bet on yourself.
🔗 Connect with Millicent Reed:
🌐 www.impactgreatergood.com
🌐 www.mylittlemillie.com
📸 Instagram: @confidence_selflove_enthusiast
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@redefiningthefutureyou
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-the-human-experience
📸 Instagram: @workplacetherapyexperience
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I was talking to a friend on the phone she said
(00:02):
we're in the third quarter oflife.
But then when I hung up withher and I said I'm a ball player
, so I was like first quarter,second quarter, what are you
trying to really do here?
If you're going to do it, it'stime to go.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome to.
It's the Human ExperiencePodcast Hosted by Hazel Brown, a
health care leader, wife, momand career coach.
If you're big on authenticity,personal development,
perseverance and transparency,you're in the right place.
Get ready to be uplifted,inspired and empowered as you
(00:42):
become fearless in pursuit ofthe life you desire and deserve.
Go ahead and subscribe.
You don't want to miss out onthese transparent stories and
discussions that reveal highs,lows, aha moments and nuggets
that'll help you to grow andglow.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Hey, hey, hey.
You are now tuned in to theit's the Human Experience
podcast.
I'm your host, hazel Brown.
Today we have Millie here.
Millie, we're going to diveinto all the things when it
comes to our personaldevelopment journey growth, just
awareness, and who you are andwhose you are, and all the
things.
Before we jump into the episode, I do want to make sure that
(01:17):
you subscribe.
If you're not currentlyfollowing the podcast, make sure
you share it with the besties,someone you know that's on the
personal growth journey with you.
The worst thing you could dofor yourself is to personally
develop and not take anyone withyou, because then you'll be
there alone.
So, millie, I want to diveright in.
Thanks for being on the episode.
Thanks for joining us andsharing your gems.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Thank you, I'm excited to be here.
Let's go, let's get thisstarted.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Who is Millie?
All right, so Hazel isintroducing me as Millie, which
is fine, but a lot of theaudience and people know me as
Millicent, millicent Reed.
So I am a nonprofit.
I am the founder and CEO of anonprofit Impact, greater Good,
as well as my Little MillieBrand with the Little Millie
(02:03):
children's book.
I'm also a Fortune 25 leaderover HR talent attraction, so I
do all of the hiring.
So I always like to tell folksyou like to get paid right, so
that's what I do in thecorporate setting.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
So you said you're an author, you have six books.
Is that correct?
Six?
Speaker 1 (02:18):
self-published children's books as of right now
.
So it's installation one.
It's composed of six books andone coloring book.
So it's the Little Millieseries.
So you'll see Little Millie asa child and these books really
are talking about confidence,self-love.
How do you really affirmyourself, character, and just
teaching kids all the thingsthat I have learned in life and
(02:40):
just trying to really put intothem, because children are the
foundation, right?
And that song you all know thatsong which is one of my
favorites.
I believe that children are ourfuture.
Teach them what I can't sing it.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Let them lead the way .
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yes, yes.
So that's the thing I want tomake certain that I put as much
as I can into them, because theywill be the future leaders.
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
I love it.
I love singing, regardless if Ican or can't.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Oh, me too.
I'm a shower singer.
Every job I've ever worked atthey like can you please stop?
But I really really lovesinging.
It's so funny because we sungthat song at Walt Disney World
in Orlando as I was in thechorus and this is a true story.
I could not sing as a child andI faked until I made it in the
chorus and the chorus teacherused to always be like somebody
is off and she'll come overthere to me and I'll start lip
(03:23):
syncing.
It was so funny.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Oh my goodness, yes, you still got to show up, right?
Yes?
Speaker 1 (03:28):
listen.
I knew enough to know to fakeit till you make it, Listen we
gonna make it work.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
How did you get into a space of feeling like writing
children's book, aligned withwho you are as a person?
Speaker 1 (03:39):
So for me, I always had this notion that I wanted to
write children's books and so,like Bear, steamed Bears
everyone has heard me say thiswas like my series as a child.
I love that collection and thenI would see so many other
collections.
But it was something about thatcollection.
So, as I just continued to dothe work, do the work, do the
(04:00):
work, do the work, little Milliewas a thought in my mind over
the years.
I will say that, spiritually,when something is put on your
heart, it never goes away, nomatter how much you run away
from it, no matter how much youdon't execute and take it into
action.
So finally, with the transitionof my mom, that's when I really
said you know what?
I was talking to a friend andthis is what hit home.
(04:21):
This is the human experience.
Talk about life.
I was talking to a friend andthis is what hit home.
This is the human experience.
Talk about life.
I was talking to a friend on thephone and she literally said
this and it resonated so strongwith me.
She said we're in a thirdquarter of life and at first my
normal silly stuff.
I was like, don't be calling meold because that's you.
But then when I like hung upwith her and I said I'm a ball
player, so I was like, firstquarter, second quarter, what
(04:46):
are you trying to really do here?
If you're going to do it, it'stime to go and put what you want
to put in the universe and whatdo you want to be known for.
So that's when I said you knowwhat, it's time to do it.
And it just continued to pick upand then I would go to sleep
and then God would literallydownload another book, and so I
have a long way to go.
I'm going to end up doing 20books, but I started with
installation one, because nowI'm in the part of the journey
(05:08):
where I'm actually promoting andactually getting in front of
schools and doing the MiloMillie shows, which are
beautiful.
I cannot wait for you all tosee some of those.
I know you have seen some, justyou know, but I cannot wait to
release it to the world becausethey are gorgeous shows.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Definitely gorgeous shows.
I know just like watching someof the videos, I'm like oh, like
my cheeks just smiling just forthe impact that you're out
there making in the world Likeit's so beautiful.
I think something that I want todive into is like hearing your
friends say that you're inquarter three and then starting
pushing in your gifts, likeusing some of those gifts that
you know you've had through theyears and has come up and come
(05:43):
up, and then recognizing thatyou're actually in quarter one.
Because I realize that in thosejourneys you hear people who
are not on a spiritual journeythink that because of age you're
somewhere in life but notrecognizing that every time you
go after a new goal, you're atground zero at that quarter one.
How do you feel in that, knowingthat the difference between
(06:05):
societal goals, in terms ofbeing in quarter three based on
your age and what you'veaccomplished, but working on the
gifts that he gives you andusing them and allowing that to
put you in a place where you goback to quarter one, hopefully
frequently, right, because everybook you write it's a new
journey, it's a new experience.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
So I'm happy you said that because and I refer to
this a lot because I like, whenI'm on different platforms and
to start understanding howpeople come up with the you know
creativity and what's behindthat the human experience.
So when you said that inLincoln, like you know, I never
really thought about it likethat, like okay, quarter three,
but you're actually in quarterone and phase one and, to be
(06:43):
honest, hazel, I have had thatpressure on myself Like, oh, man
, if I would have startedearlier.
I'm so far behind.
And man, if I would have reallytapped into my gifts.
Oh, I was so distracted, oh, Ilet this get in my way.
Oh, I was chasing relationships, or I was chasing this and I
wasn't aligned right.
And so I've had to step backand take that deep breath and
(07:06):
say it is really okay, it isreally okay, you're doing it
when you're supposed to.
And now, when I'm meeting thepeople along in my journey who
are supposed to be my destinyhelpers, and I see it, I'm like
it couldn't happen any faster.
It couldn't happen any faster,because one of the things that
I'm realizing like if it happensfaster, you're not aligned with
(07:28):
the man above, and if you'renot aligned with the man above,
everything in my life, speakingfor myself, has just been a
disaster.
So now I feel relaxation in theprocess and knowing that, ok,
you're starting from whereyou're supposed to start and
just relaxing in there andtaking a deep breath.
I'll tell you about somethingthat just recently happened,
when I was just like God is justamazing and like it's emotional
(07:53):
because he's just like in yoursteps he's going to put the
right people.
So I was visiting the city andI had no idea that, you know,
there was a big conference and aconcert in the city, and so all
the hotels were booked.
I had this big keynote speechand I just had to get in a room
(08:16):
right to do what I needed to do.
And so, hotel after hotel,we're booked, we're booked,
we're booked.
So I walk into this one hoteland I'm just like, okay,
literally a guest in a lobby,the receptionist, nice hotel.
And I'm just like, hey, this iswhat's going on, this is what I
need to do.
This brother.
He said listen, and Mo, if youwatching, he know exactly who
I'm, he could verify this.
He was like, look, what youhave to do is so much more
important than me.
Give her my room and thereception.
(08:37):
I was like, can he do that?
And she said, absolutely, we'regoing to make sure you?
But I'm like in that moment Irealized that, like your destiny
helpers are out there and allyou do is have to relax and be
obedient.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
We talked a little bit in a previous episode about
how important it is to recognizediscernment and knowing that in
discernment, when it's hard inyour flesh versus it's hard in
your spirit, like you can begoing through the things but
know that God is leaving you.
So it's hard in flesh becauseyou've come out here, you're
going to different hotels,you're getting those, but it's
(09:10):
easy in spirit.
She can have my room.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
So one of the things that my mom always said and this
is something that stuck with me, so I know, like a lot of us,
like when you're doing yourraising, you have those little
nuggets that your mom dropped.
So my mom, for her and herjourney, she always felt like it
was difficult, like, oh man, Ifelt like I was picked out, to
be picked on right.
(09:35):
But she was like one of theeasier things that has ever
happened into her life was whenwe moved from Orlando, florida,
to Atlanta and her job, justeverything had felt in alignment
.
And then she used to alwaystell me, from that moment, when
things are meant to happen, it'sso easy and God just flows
through it and you won't haveany heartache and any pain.
And so that's one of the thingsthat I've taken forward with me
.
And when things happen so easylike that, that's how I know
(09:58):
it's God with me.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Yeah, you're working in your purpose.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love it.
What have been some aha momentsfor you along the journey, as
you've betted on yourself?
Speaker 1 (10:09):
All right.
So some of the aha moments forme since I've started this
journey of going and just kindof reaching, reaching for the
stars, one of the confidence,self-love.
So it's so funny because I wasgoing to brand myself a
different way.
I'm telling you a lot in acreative process, so it's so
funny because I was going tobrand myself a different way.
I'm telling you a lot in thecreative process, so we'll talk
about this.
We got a long way to go on theMillicent journey, but I was
(10:31):
going to brand myself a friendand I were talking that's ugly
pretty, ugly, pretty and whatwas so interesting about that?
So, with my team, we alltalking about it, we all talking
about it, the why behind it,and you get it as an adult ugly
pretty.
And so it was just like I'm notcalling myself ugly, I know who
I am, but the journey has justbeen so ugly pretty, all of
these different things.
But then one of the things justlike okay, if you're going to
(10:54):
do this and you're going to bebefore children, they don't
understand that message.
And so one of the aha momentsfor me was that's how I came up
with confidence, self-love,enthusiasm, what is your gift,
and it's just like I never hadreally put into words, like what
is it that God made Millicentjust divinely and uniquely
special?
And I used to hear people alwayssay that all the time you got
(11:14):
confidence and you show up andyou just like your smile so big.
But that was like an aha momentfor me, like, oh, I get it, god
, and like so many differentthings.
Like I get it, god, and like somany different things, like I
get it, that's what you want meto do in this world.
Like you want me to exudeconfidence.
You want me to teach that,because if you really think
about all of the differentindustries, all the different,
who's out there really teachingconfidence?
(11:36):
How do you really teach thatright?
And so I was just like, nowthat I'm walking in this journey
, I'm like I get it.
I totally get it because it'sso natural.
You know, when I'm on thesedifferent shows or in the media
and they like introducing aconfident, self-love, enthusiast
, and I light up because I'mlike it's so me.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
In walking in your purpose, like it becomes so
aligned and you're like thisjust makes sense.
It's been like this my wholelife.
Why didn't?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
I know this earlier.
Do you have moments you feellike that as well?
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Absolutely, absolutely.
So many moments where I lookback and I'm like, oh, this is
way bigger than I thought it was.
Or, oh my goodness, like theseare things that I did as a kid.
Like I would put on talentshows for my mom when she was in
her moments of like, goingthrough hardship, because I
wanted to make sure she washappy.
I would have deep conversationswith her.
I'm in high school and I wantto get to know you.
(12:26):
Who are you?
I don't want to know who youare as my mom, I want to know
you as a person.
And so when I see myself doingall these things, there's
nothing new about it.
I've always wanted to know theheart of people and I've always
wanted to put a smile onpeople's faces.
So that is just who I am, andit just kind of exudes over and
it's like, oh, I could get Goodevents even with the home.
(12:46):
I don't feel like I'm working.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
I just was like I know that I'm working, don't get
me wrong but I feel like I'mshowing up and I'm just like I'm
so happy to meet people, I'm sohappy like the kids and I'm
just like I get it.
So those are those aha momentswhen you're like you leave and
you're digesting what justhappened and you're like why
wasn't I here just the wholetime?
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Yeah, absolutely.
And to your point, like it's sobeautiful to where you'll find
yourself just working, working,working, and you have to pull
yourself out of the work becauseit doesn't feel like work and
you're like sweetheart, youworking.
You need to stop.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Everybody's telling me that vacation.
I'm like I just can't stop.
I'm like I just can't stop.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
You get addicted to it and you do have to take time
for yourself, yeah becausepersonal development, growth,
success can be a completeaddiction, especially when
you're working your purpose.
I feel like people don't talk alot about that, like you run
and yearn for the fact thatyou're living in your purpose,
but when you do, because it doesnot feel like work and because
(14:02):
it lights you up and you'rethankful that he chose you
you're being obedient and it'sworking out.
You work so much in it that youlose sight of all of the seeds
and the steward of things thatyou should be stewarding over.
And it's so important that wereally take time to just focus
on the fact that, like we'rehere and what we have in front
of us, I'm happy now to have asolid foundation around me who
(14:26):
is saying, millie, millicent,stop, stop and take time for
yourself.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
I know you and I were having a conversation as well.
You're just like it's time tostop and maybe, you know, just
take a deep breath, because Ifeel like I am going going,
going, going.
Okay, when you get one win, andoh, I'm chasing the next win,
but you have to take a moment totake care of yourself for one
on this personal developmentjourney.
Also, while you're beingobedient, you got to make
(14:52):
certain that you're herelongevity and so what does that
look like?
Mind, body and spirit, andmaking certain you're whole,
because on this journey, you'reallowing yourself to be used as
a vessel, which is a beautifulthing, but who's taking the time
to put into you?
And that's your responsibility.
And one of the things that I'velearned is self-care.
So I'm like I can't be out hereteaching self-care and then I'm
(15:14):
showing up depleted.
So I'm appreciative of thesupport system when you all get
on me to take a break, and it'ssomething that I just definitely
have to get better at.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
I think, that really leads into community.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
I think so many times we don't recognize that it's
important to not have like, yes,people within our space and
people who actually mean us.
Well, because, to your point ofbeing a self-care enthusiast
and really focused on confidenceand essentially being a rooter,
like within that you're soworried about, one, using your
gifts and two, making sureyou're supporting others, that,
if you don't intentionally havepeople in your circle that care
about you as a person, like youdon't have those people to tell
(15:49):
you stop, like you're in run,run, run Super Bowl phase.
Right, we're making it happen,we're trying to get it.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Listen, I'm trying to go for the championship, like
let's go.
But you know what, when itcomes to the foundation and the
circle that I've built, I knewthat part of my process and just
my personality.
I have a very strongpersonality, my leadership style
, and, while I know that I'mblessed and I'm gifted in those
areas, I knew that I had tobuild my team and support system
(16:18):
with people who would say no,no, no, no, no, no.
Or hey, look at it through adifferent lens.
Because I have so much respectfor my team because of that,
like you said, that communityand knowing that they have my
best interests and they love andthey support me and they want
to see me win and I always tellthem cause they'd be like Millie
.
I'm so proud of you, millicent,I'm so proud and I'm like us.
(16:40):
Us is it?
I can't do this alone.
It's us, everybody who hascontributed to this journey.
It's us, right?
And the people who willcontinue to contribute in the
future.
I'm like it's an us thing.
So I'm thankful for communityand I love so much and I love so
big.
But I was like.
Now I see that too.
You cannot do this alone.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
Yeah, how do you feel when you get people in your
life that, like pour the way youpour, I know, for me, like
those kind of people, it's like,oh, child, I love it.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
You got to take a second.
You got to take a second.
I'll be like is this real?
Is this real Because I used tocall myself the Build-A-Bear
president the Build-A-Bearpresident, especially in
relationships.
I'm single, but I used to callmyself the Build-A-Bear
President because I never hadanyone to just pour into me.
And I know my capabilities, Iknow what I bring, I know my
(17:32):
healing, I know all of thebeautiful things that come with
me.
And not to say that I'm perfect, because we know I'm not
perfect, you start to receivewhat you're giving and you see
that it's genuine and it's froma godly place.
Oh, my, my, my life has changed.
And what was so interesting tome?
One day I was just lying in thebed this is a real story, hazel
(17:55):
and one day it was just so muchlove coming my little Millie
shows it every time I feel downand I'm like I just want to quit
.
You get all of these messages.
And one day I just sat thereand I just scrolled through all
of the people that's in my liferight now, all of the love, and
I, literally, I was just likewow, when I was doing it the
(18:16):
Millicent way, it was toxic andfull of craziness.
But now that I've just reallysubmitted and just all of the
new people that are coming to mylife and just really pouring
into me, I'm just so gratefuland I'm like that's why I was
telling you, when you feel likeyou quarter one quarter, it's
like why didn't I just submitearlier and just like allow him?
(18:38):
Because I left that day and Iresolved it in my heart, I was
like you was just waiting on me,you was just waiting on me, you
was just waiting on me so you'dbe like move all the junk out
the way so that I could put thepeople who are really going to
help propel you and get youwhere you need to be.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yeah, absolutely.
And I can't get away from youmentioning your passing of your
mom.
Like how has the grief journeybeen as you've been working
through your goals?
Like how has that experiencecaused you to look at life
differently?
Speaker 1 (19:07):
So so when my mom transitioned, it's the worst
club to ever be a part of.
I'll just say that it's theworst club to ever be a part of.
So some other people that Iknow that have lost their mom
and they say either you dealwith it on the front end or
you're going to deal with it onthe back end, but either way
you're going to deal with it.
(19:27):
So enough people had said thatto me, that I'm a believer, I
don't have to go touch thefrying pan and know it's hot.
So I said, okay, I want to dealwith it on the front end, Cause
they said you're going to keepgoing and then you're going to
hit a roadblock.
So eight, nine months ofstraight depression.
I'm going to be honest, it wasjust like dark and just dealing
with all of the things Right.
(19:47):
And yeah, For me it was such abeautiful experience, transition
in life, because I had anopportunity to have a closing
conversation with my mom and ourrelationship wasn't always
positive, and so thatconversation was two, three hour
cram course.
So if you imagine a 70 year oldgiving a cram course to her
(20:10):
daughter and I get it, I'm atthe place where I'm getting, I'm
crying and she's just like you,all right, and I'm like when
you get to this point and shelike it is what it is now and
she just give me everything.
Right.
She apologizes just so muchthat I had to sift through and
digest, but her last words to me.
I'm saying all that to saywe're keep going, go as far as
(20:32):
you can, daughter, you haveeverything it takes, and the
grief journey has taken me sucha way.
Hazel, this is so serious.
I will be out just minding mybusiness in a grocery store and
somebody will just be like thisyou have a beautiful smile, what
do you do?
And we'll just start talking.
Keep going.
Yeah, At that same hotel I wastalking to you about I had a
(20:54):
long day.
I literally got to you about Ihad a long day.
I literally got to the elevator.
And have you ever just been soexhausted?
Like I didn't even know anybodywas around me.
I got to the elevator and Ipressed it and I just said it
was a young lady at the hotel.
She said keep going.
I get text messages, people whodon't even know this story.
Keep going.
I have never heard those twowords together so much in my
(21:19):
life and every time I hear it Iknow that it's my mom guiding me
and just like keep going.
And I know I'm on the righttrack and I feel like I've told
a lot of people this.
I'm closer to my mom in theafterlife than we were here.
I hear her, I feel her presenceall around me and I always say
(21:40):
my mom boxing out in heaven,because my mom knew how to get
to it.
All right, A woman with a sixthgrade education, janitorial
business.
She had worked her way all theway up cleaning some real like
you know some real deal, youknow contracts.
And so I'm like my mom inheaven, like I'm not playing
about my daughter, and so moveout our way, and so she boxing
out.
And that one time I was drivingand the car swerved.
(22:02):
That car got back and I said,okay, she ain't playing.
So the grief journey has beenone in which it started out with
, you know, just reflection andjust grief.
But then now I'm so full when Ithink about what she, what she
sees for me, what she wants forme, Cause she's the one told me
(22:23):
like why are you not out therein the public?
I'm like I don't want to dealwith it, I'm dealing with my
past.
And she was like you haveeverything.
It takes Like it's time to getto it.
And so that's where ImpactGreater Good came from, Cause
she was like baby go, impact theworld.
So I'm proud, I'm happy.
You know, when I have toughtimes I'm like mom, I'm just
(22:43):
hope I'm making you happy.
And when my 82 year old aunt, Iposted that on social media.
I did a Fox interview last weekand my 82 year old aunt called
me and just was like you'recarrying the family legacy with
so much pride.
And she was so proud becausefirst generation on my mom's
side, first generation on mydad's side, so I'm trailblazing
and showing that it could bedone.
And so the grief journey hasbeen in such a way that it has
(23:06):
made me feel powerful.
It has made me feel strong,it's made me feel committed,
it's made me feel, um, beautiful, Um, it's made me feel like,
like, like I.
I look at my pictures and andbeautiful photo, and I'm like
dang, I'm my mom, right, and I'mlike everything she wanted to
be.
And yeah, my ancestors, greatest, yeah, my mom wanted education
(23:30):
so bad, and to know that I'mlike living a life because that
was one of the things she leftme with.
She was like I want it to beyou, right, and I'm like, really
I want it to be you and she was.
I was like you know.
She was like I was like mom,you had the four kids right.
You have the four kids, youhave the legacy.
Like when you die, we'll be onthe front row grieving.
I was like I have my dog Benzo,right.
(23:51):
But I'm like to know that I'mdoing everything that she wanted
to do and just hoping I'm doingit with just such class and
elegance and making her you know, because her life wasn't easy,
but doing it authentic andtelling a true story about her
right, telling a true storyabout who she was and the hurt
and pain.
It's like I get it.
I get it.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
I love it.
I love the fact that when youthink about, like your mom's
story in terms of having fourchildren and putting so much
into them from the perspectiveof your books and your stories
and the way you show up doesYou're creating legacy almost
(24:39):
greater than someone who hasfour children.
Absolutely, absolutely.
I want to say that.
I think it also showcases thatlegacy does not look linear.
It can happen in multiple waysand society programs us to think
that we need to have a collegeeducation, we need to have kids,
we need to be married, we needto have a a college education,
we need to have kids, we need tobe married, we need to have a
picket fence.
We need to do this, but it'swhatever it is that lights up
(25:02):
inside of you as it relates toyour purpose and your gifts, and
you run that ball like a SuperBowl with the gifts he gave you
and you're going to make legacy.
You're going to create itbecause you're already a part of
it.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
It's so hard, though, Hazel, because you really have
to remove societal pressures,and I was guilty of that too.
You look around, I feel like,for me, until I became
spiritually in line, I waschasing, chasing, chasing,
chasing, chasing relationshipsand family, and I just had to
just take a deep breath, take adeep breath and know that it's
(25:37):
okay.
It's okay.
I don't spiritual wise.
You know, Paul or somebody wastelling me, and my brother was
just like Millie, everybody'snot put here to be with somebody
.
And you know the realization ofthat, you know, and I was just
like okay, how do you ultimatelyfind your purpose, walk in your
purpose, and what does thatlook like?
(25:57):
And being okay and so like fromthat conversation, it's so
funny that you connected thedots with my mom.
I'm like, oh, another ahamoment, I get it, the transition
of losing your mom.
People don't talk about itenough.
But I was like, oh, she ran herrace, she, she completed her
assignment.
What is your assignmentultimately?
(26:18):
And what does that look likefor you?
Is that kids?
Is that, like you said,impacting even a greater, you
know the greater world?
And I was just like, when I'mout there and the teachers are
telling me, the principals arelike thank you for this program,
because some of our studentsare not getting that.
Some of our students are notgetting that and I feel so like
okay.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
I'm sitting in that Because it's really about how
much impact you can make in thisworld, like there's so many
people who have 12 kids, buttheir children them, no judgment
, no one's making an impact onanyone, and so that really is
where that purpose comes from.
So I love that awareness intothe fact that you can be still
enough to recognize like, wow,I'm doing the work and I was
(26:57):
chosen, and the reason you setit up like this is so that I can
be able to focus, and when it'sno longer time for me to be a
part of the Super Bowl, you'llintroduce what's next, if that
is what you want for me.
So I love that.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Yeah, yeah, I love that, I love, I love this space
that I'm in.
It's beautiful and I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
Yeah, I want to go into some questions.
Can you share a time when youfelt completely stuck?
What changed for you to moveforward, and how did that moment
shape how you approachchallenges?
Speaker 1 (27:28):
All right.
So my story is so complex, it'sso many things, it's so many
things, it's so many things,it's so many things, it's so
many things, so many things.
Okay, so I was 289 pounds.
289 pounds just living, living,life, defeat, you know.
And I remember feeling like howam I ever going to get myself
(27:52):
out of this situation?
Right, 289 pounds, heavy, heavyphysically, mentally,
emotionally.
Just so much junk.
And I remember that moment whenI just looked in the mirror and
I was like no more, yeah, nomore, day by day, step by step,
and what all that took.
(28:13):
It's so hard.
So I want to make sureeverybody know that I'm saying
that everything about my process.
It's difficult, it is not easy.
I write self-help e-books aswell Self-love, best love.
If you have not purchased thate-book and I'm not shameless
plug, but I pour my heart andsoul into that because it just
(28:33):
takes you through my process of,like you said, feeling stuff
and what things you have to tapinto.
And sometimes that means layingin the bed and just if you could
think of one good thing aboutyourself, dwelling on that right
, until you come up withsomething else right, and just
taking that like, moment bymoment, step by step until
ultimately, you're feeling goodagain.
(28:54):
And then you're just taking aday by storm, because I'm always
like I wake up with so muchenergy.
I'm a morning person, but whenyou're going through those deep
dark phases and your depressionand things like that, my joy was
gone.
My joy was gone.
I wasn't waking up as Millicent, no more.
And those are moments when Ifeel so stuck and I'm like what
(29:14):
is going on here?
Because my calibration is off,like my vibration calibration,
frequency, everything is off.
And then I have to justrecalibrate and say you know
what, let me just back up alittle bit.
Let me back up a little bit.
And those are the moments whenI just take it step by step and
I just start identifying thethings that I really do like
about myself and I try to movefrom those.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
It takes me back to when you mentioned kind of
scrolling through your phone andlooking for all the love that
you've been getting.
And I hear people talk aboutcreating like love jars whether
it be at work or whether it bein their personal life or both.
That's good, and I feel likethat's what you did, I think, as
the reminder that you have withyourself in terms of who you
are, but also when you go backto look like all of the things
(29:54):
that I'm telling myself isactually not true, because I got
proof like people love me, I doan amazing job, like I show up
authentically and I'm good topeople every day, and so I'm
just going through a phase and Ican absolutely get out of that
you know, I never felt more lovethan when my mom died.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
I didn't even know I was telling my um, my leader, my
boss at work.
I didn't even know so manypeople love me.
I promise you I didn't.
I never had taken a moment.
I had been doing the work, likeactive in the communities, 15
years.
You know, just out, working,working, working, being good to
people.
You know, leading in the spacesof corporate America, but I
never knew so many people rockedwith me when my mom died.
(30:33):
I had so much love.
I had gifts for weeks that Iwasn't even able to open, right,
and I just was like sooverwhelmed because I'm like I
didn't even know this person,but everybody was like Millie,
everybody love you and so likewhen I was even like the text
messages that I was receivingand just the overflow of love,
(30:54):
and then people were just likeit's a moment in time, you got
this and it really just gave meso much strength.
But from there I will say onceI recognize that impact and I'm
like all right, it's people outhere really rooting on you to
like do this and now that I'vestarted this public journey,
they be serious about that.
Like keep going, like they'renot letting up on me and I'm
(31:16):
just like.
That makes me just like.
You know all of the people whobelieved in me, the teachers.
So it's so cool when you havelike your second grade teacher
not my second grade, but likeyour third grade teacher or your
you know fifth grade teacherreaching out to you, your eighth
grade teacher reaching out toyou.
You like, and they like I gotyou, you good, and I'm like
really.
And then you like and they likeI got you, you're good, and I'm
(31:38):
like really.
And then your 82 year old auntcalling you and then your 72
year old cousin like that's thetype of stuff that filled my
heart.
I just got a call from one ofmy cousins that I grew up with
like a it was nine of us and shelike I saw your interview on
CBS and she was like on Fox andshe was just so excited.
That's what fills Millicentharder, because I'm like no, I
have people who really love me,supported me, who behind me, who
(31:59):
want to see me successful.
That's given me all of.
And then meeting people likeyou, hazel.
Yeah, like all the oomph youneed to keep going yeah, Hazel,
I always tell you you're like aquiet storm, but like a power
house.
Speaker 3 (32:12):
You get it.
I appreciate it.
I'm a big rooter.
I get that from my mom.
My mom's the kind of personthat she wants to see everyone
win Really, and I am so thankfulthat I got that quality for her
.
She's not jealous.
She has no jealous bone in herbody Like she gets excited when
she sees people doing well.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
I don't find a lot of us like that.
That J word and that E word isso strong.
So it's like when you findpeople that you connect with out
here, that's not like that,because I'm like that too.
Like I'm like, hey, girl, youdoing good, or okay, I got you
brother, I got you, I love it.
What, how can I help you?
And so, like one of the thingsI really loved about you, I'm
(32:49):
like you're a powerhouse andyou're like what can I do to
help?
Like what can, what connectioncan I make?
But I'm, when you find peoplelike that, it I'm having now to
realize that it's okay and tonot have trauma, because so much
of your experience is you don'tfind that.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
And so, now that you're finding that, to just be
grateful and thankful, to knowthat it exists and just the
human experience of it all andto really embrace it and love on
those people and I think thatthat is hard for people, like
being able to like what does shewant, like what's going to
happen, like cause you get burntso much along the way that it's
like what is what should I takeaway from this?
And then recognizing thatyou're deserving of it because
(33:29):
you give out that energy in theworld, so why shouldn't it come
back to you?
And I think it's a beautifulthing when you start to see the
energy you put out come back toyou and realizing, like he has
you and the people around youlike want the best for you as
well.
Speaker 1 (33:42):
People have always told me that, like, well, I had
someone tell me they was justlike you show up with a whole
gallon of love to give and noteverybody have it.
I don't expect people to be me,but I do show up with light
love, like energy, Right, andI'm like, okay, well, if I can't
get light, love and energy, canI just get non-toxic?
Speaker 2 (34:03):
Yeah, right.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Like I'll take, I'll settle for that, but that hasn't
been the case along my journey.
And now I'm just like startingto see so many people and meet
so many people, that does notcome with that.
And I'm like can I hold on toyou forever Because it's so
loving and it's so like I loveit in this space.
I love, love, love.
This space I'm in in my life.
Speaker 3 (34:24):
I love that.
How do you create boundaries inyour life now to make sure that
you're not bringing in thosetoxic vibes or energy that's not
supportive or brings youfurther along your journey?
Because when we don't createthose boundaries, many times it
creates distraction.
Because if somebody's coming inyour life with whether it's
jealousy, envy or just nothaving good energy because of
(34:46):
the fact that they're still ontheir healing journey but they
haven't reached a moment towhere they recognize like they
don't need to compete with youbecause they're on their own
journey, Like, how do you createthat safe space for yourself?
Speaker 1 (34:58):
I have learned.
I have learned to give grace.
Okay, give grace.
Grace can't turn into mercy,but give grace right.
People are imperfect beings, sogive grace One of the one of
the things that I love about myprocess and where I'm at
maturity wise, I can have toughconversations.
(35:18):
I can have tough conversationsthat I wasn't able to have
before.
So when I identify something insomeone that's making me feel a
certain way, I can step up tothe plate and have the
conversation.
Now what I'm realizing is a lotof people aren't there and they
can't have the conversations,and that's when the boundary is
drawn for me.
If you can show up honest andyou could be truthful with
(35:42):
what's happening here and thehuman experience and to be able
to identify why you're feelingsome way or why I'm feeling some
way, and bring that to thetable because it's normal.
It's normal feelings, right,and I'm totally comfortable and
okay with that.
I'm not comfortable with thedelusions of it all and the
dysfunctionality of it all andus acting like this isn't
happening.
I'm not comfortable there.
So those are the boundariesthat I've drawn for myself.
(36:02):
I'm comfortable having anyconversation.
I'm comfortable with you, evenexperiencing some feelings of
jealousy.
I have someone real close to mewas just like I'm struggling
because and we were having aconversation just like I want
where you, where you are so bad.
But you know, I can't feeljealous because I know that I'm
not at that step and I'm likethat's a normal feeling to feel
the way you feel, because I knowyou want this for yourself so
(36:24):
bad.
But keep working.
But I appreciated thatconversation so much because
it's not like they're not tryingto, it's not happening, it's
not happening and then they'reshowing up, acting in some
different way towards me.
Because I know one time you andI were talking and you were
like it's a process to this.
It's a process to get where youare.
You can't expect to be the mainplayer when you haven't went
through the process.
(36:45):
And so I'm just like respectingmy own journey to say OK, you
went through the proper steps tobe here.
You deserve to be here andcreating that space where I want
to help others get here as well.
But you can't come to me withtoxicity.
If you come with me and youjust really genuinely want the
help and the love and support,I'm here for you.
But I can't.
You can't.
Come with all that other stuffyou, but I can't, you can't come
(37:07):
with all that other stuff.
I can't allow that toinfiltrate me because at the
rate that I'm going and thethings moving so fast, I don't
have time to sit in that spacewith you.
Yeah, right, like I have tokeep moving.
Speaker 3 (37:16):
I love that you address like, even in the
conversation with the person,like it is normal to have that
feeling yeah, yeah becausethere's a difference between
you're a hater and you have afeeling of oh man, that's where
I want to be, and it makes mefeel a little uncomfortable.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:31):
And it's like you definitely have to pray your way
through that, like ask God tohelp you through that feeling.
I think sometimes that comesfrom many of us, like a lot of
people, like within my community, are the first and they're the
only, so they're used to beingat the top, and so now you're in
a space where there's a lot offirsts and onlys that are at the
top.
So how do you handle nowrealizing that you are not the
(37:54):
running back or the star, butyou are in your element?
All of you are, and so it'sreally being able to get to that
space to recognize.
If you're not there yet, youwill get there, because no
matter who the person is thatyou're looking at, they're not
there yet either.
You just think they're there.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Yeah, and being transparent in those
conversations I know the personI was talking to, being
transparent, like I'm not there.
Thank you for acknowledgingthat I've had some wins and I'm
grateful for the wins, but I'mstill climbing and I'm still
working hard and I'm stilltrying to, you know, get there
as well, and I feel like in life, you're going to always be
trying to get there, right?
So I was just like I'm here tohelp you and you will get there.
(38:35):
Just stay positive, stayencouraged, do the small things
day by day, and I'm telling youthose small things before you
look up.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
You'd be like whoa, I'm getting somewhere.
Yeah, I love that so much.
I talked in a previous episodejust about the waves and
patterns and things and we don'trecognize that within
everything we're going to godown and we're going to elevate
higher than we were the firsttime and we're going to go back
up again.
And I think so many timespeople kind of look at people's
iterations of their self andassume that once they go through
(39:01):
it one time they never have tocome back down.
But we all do like causethere's more muscle to build and
other things to be able todevelop and learn.
The ebbs and flow of life isreal.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
It's a real thing out there, cause I know a lot of
people look at me oh, you're sobeautiful, oh you, you've had it
all, oh, you've had theconnections, oh, you've done.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,no, no, no.
Those ebbs and flows and I'mprefacing because I'm like those
valleys get dark, those valleysget deep, and you know you have
to work your way.
(39:31):
And just sometimes, even whenyou think, oh, life is good
something else happens and itcould be unexpected.
And how do you process that?
For me, I've always, just likeyou said, like I take one step
at a time, small bites, untilI'm back up on that.
You know, on that on the upwardpart, but I'm like those ebbs
and flows are real and I and Ilook at other people life, as
(39:53):
good as they may be performingand doing.
I'm like I know that there aresome challenges, it's just
normal?
Speaker 3 (39:58):
Yeah, it is.
It's a part of the journey andI think it's so important, and
so I'm really glad that youtouched on that, because not
enough people really are openabout the fact that that is life
, like it's never just straight,it's always ups and downs and
we just have to I'm sotransparent with that because
I'm like I've been a person wholived out loud and who's
transparent, but I'm like I'mnot going to sit up here and say
(40:18):
everything is perfect becauseit's not.
Speaker 1 (40:20):
And if anybody is telling you that like, they're
not telling the truth.
Speaker 3 (40:30):
Yeah, because that's just not how there's duality,
yeah, and life just doesn'tfunction like that.
Speaker 1 (40:33):
What's one moment that you realize that the only
person holding you back was you.
All right?
So there's this one situationthat took me eight years to
overcome.
It was a loss of love and Icouldn't get to the next step.
I could not.
I just could not, like I don'tknow what in my heart just
wouldn't allow me to Um, butthat was one of the toughest
things in my life.
It was all me, it was all meand it's like me.
(40:59):
Just in my head, this person iscoming back.
No, they're not.
Life is gone, it's done.
But I do remember a moment whereit's so funny.
I was, um, driving a bridge inAtlanta and I called my sister
and it was early in the morningand I was like, hey, it's eight
(41:19):
years later and I just realizedthat this is never happening
again.
And she's like, yeah, we allbeen trying to tell you know, it
was that moment for me and I'mlike life is fast, life is fast.
And I was like it's me, it's me.
And I remember having this joband something had happened with
(41:43):
a background because I was instaffing HR, something had
happened with a background and Ididn't run a proper background
check and I can't believe thiscandidate had duped me because I
believed in him and so all dayI'm just sitting up here like I
got duped.
And so the regional vicepresident saw that I was
struggling with it and he looksover and he said, hey, millie,
and I'm like, yeah, I got duped.
(42:03):
And he's like your ability torecover in life is going to make
all the difference.
He said your ability to recoverfast.
He said, no matter what happens, can you get up and go to the
restroom, get some water, comeback and keep going with your
day.
Something bad happened, so hejust went into these details and
that stuck with me, becausethen I was able to relay it to
(42:25):
that moment in my life as welland I'm like it took me too long
to recover and I just said, wow, that was on me.
And so now, regardless of whathappened it's so funny because
people close to me they call meRubber Band because they're like
you bounce back.
But I'm like never, ever, willI put myself in a position to be
stuck for eight years, becausewhen you're stuck, there's no
(42:48):
momentum and it's okay to behurt.
Deal with whatever you're goingthrough, but deal with it and
keep the flow, keep moving.
Speaker 3 (42:54):
So that was a moment for me when I realized it was me
, I think what you bring to thetable with that example is that
you can be stuck for eight yearsand you can still get unstuck
if you decide to.
If you decide to you get.
You have to.
You have to look years and youcan still get unstuck if you
decide to.
Speaker 1 (43:08):
If you decide to, you have to, you have to look
within and you have to decide to, because it's tough though.
It's tough because you have todeal with some harsh realities,
and then you have to takeaccountability and just all of
those things that go with that,and I'm just like no, that was
on me.
And I'm like I'm stuck becausehe wasn't stuck, it was on me?
Speaker 3 (43:23):
Yeah, exactly, and so many times we give people too
much power, like over our lives,or recognizing, like when it's
done and you recognize it's done, like uh-uh, like I'm the sauce
.
I'm big on, I'm the sauce andwe need the people to know.
Right, come on, hazel, come onwhat you saying I'm the sauce.
It's time to go Like.
If you don't know who I am,that's your loss.
Speaker 1 (43:45):
But it's like I had to like, like I've always had
that, but then, like after that,I'm like, oh, I ain't stuck no
more we not doing this?
No more.
And not over a job, not over arelationship, not over anything.
I'm just not going to allowmyself to be stuck.
(44:06):
I'm going to adjust, adapt andI'm going to pivot.
Speaker 3 (44:09):
I love it.
What would you say is yoursuperpower?
Speaker 1 (44:12):
My superpower is.
I have an amazing superpower.
I have this gift where okay, soshe'll know exactly who she is.
So she was like do you knowwhat your superpower is?
One day we was talking.
She was like you could sit atany room in the cafeteria and
(44:33):
any table in the cafeteria andthat's instantly the cool table.
And in my life I started toreally digest that because that
is my superpower, that is mygift.
I have people that I love andthat are in the lower class,
poor support, and I have eliteriches of rich all races in
between Czechoslovakian, russian, cuban, ecuadorian that I love.
You know Black, white, hispanic, muslim faith Like I just love.
(44:58):
I just love people.
I love the human experience andI always tell people that so
funny you named your podcastthat I have enjoyed the human
experience.
I love life and I love talkingto people, and I've been like
that since I was a kid.
My mom used to always be likewhy do you talk so much?
But when I'm talking to you I'mlike so you're first generation
American, how long have youbeen over here?
Where are your parents from?
And I just enjoy getting toknow people.
(45:19):
So I feel like my superpower isbeing able to just life and
love and just show up big andwith, with all unique people in
walks of life.
Speaker 3 (45:29):
Yeah, I love that and it makes so sense.
It makes so much sense thatyou're writing these books and
really being able to providethat love out into the world.
Where can the listeners findyou online.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
All right.
So listeners, listeners, youcan find me.
I'm all over Millicent with oneL, so M I L, IL-I-C-E-N-T.
Last name is Reed R-E-E-D.
You can find me on Facebook,all social media.
On Instagram, you can find meat confidence underscore
self-love enthusiast.
If you go to that page, you canalso link from the top.
(46:01):
My nonprofit is Impact GreaterGood and the kids books is at
underscore.
My Little Millie, but websitesas well wwwimpactgreatergood as
well as wwwmylittlemilliecom.
Speaker 3 (46:16):
Awesome Listen.
So go, make sure you followMillie, reach out to her, listen
.
We're out here making impactand we want you to bet on
yourself and make some impacttoo, and know that every day, as
you make decisions through life, you're always making an impact
.
So you might as well just beintentional and making sure that
you take up space, show up andshine your light right.
Speaker 1 (46:36):
Be confident.
Speaker 3 (46:37):
Yeah, be confident, listen and make-.
Speaker 1 (46:39):
What'd you say?
Speaker 3 (46:39):
the sauce, listen, listen show that sauce right,
because you have it know thatyou were chosen.
Speaker 1 (46:51):
Thanks so much, millie, for being on the podcast
.
Thank you, I'm excited to behere.
I am so proud of you.
I say this all the timewhenever I meet with different
powerhouses, but I'm reallyproud of you and I'm really
proud of everything you'reaccomplishing.
If you all don't know Hazel,you better follow her and get to
know her, because she is makingmoves out here, okay.
Speaker 3 (47:06):
Listen.
Thank you, millie.
Sorry I'm like shameless plug.
You got to tell them aboutworkplace therapy and how that
experience is.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
Oh my, that is not a shameless plug.
Listen, the call for moreconference no shameless plug
here.
That was the most beautifulexperience that I have had in
2025.
Beautiful experience that Ihave had in 2025 and I have had
some wins in 2025, but thepeople that you connect with are
others who are called for moreand people just get it when you
(47:34):
walk in the room.
I'm getting chills right now.
I am still connected.
When was that conference?
One month, march, and I amconnected to so many of those
people that were in that room.
So, listen, if you have not beento one of Hazel's events, you
need to go, because if you arecalled for more period, if you
(47:56):
are called for more and you feelit, you want to be around other
people who are called for moreand who feel it because when
you're in those spaces, let metell you what was happening and
I and I know we got to go withit.
It's just like how can I helpyou?
Right, what, what, what?
What ways can I help you?
Let's connect.
Oh, I know this person, who mayknow this person, who may know
(48:17):
this person.
Okay, make sure that we gettogether because I have some
information for you.
Speaker 3 (48:21):
That's the vibe yeah, all heart center people yes get
it, who are rooters, who arebetting on themselves and
betting on you to win too.
Speaker 1 (48:29):
Yes, for real.
I'm big on that one.
Yes, like for real, for real,though.
Speaker 3 (48:32):
Yeah, so definitely come on out.
We have the event Call for Morein Las Vegas on October 11th
and we're doing a little dinneron the 10th.
So make sure that if you arecalled for more and you want to
come out to Las Vegas, you knowthat this is a space to be.
We have some impactful speakersall about transformation.
You're going to end quarterfour right, yes yes, and that is
(48:55):
the goal.
But thanks, listeners, fortuning in and just know that you
got to keep betting on yourself.
You got to keep going, keepgoing right, keep going, keep
going Mama, we got this right,keep going, keep going.
Speaker 2 (49:12):
Mama, we got this.
We hope you caught all thosegems.
So here for all of it.
Be sure to subscribe so thatyou don't miss a gem.
Write a review so that we knowto keep bringing.
I was talking to a friend on the phone she said
(00:02):
we're in the third quarter oflife.
But then when I hung up withher and I said I'm a ball player
, so I was like first quarter,second quarter, what are you
trying to really do here?
If you're going to do it, it'stime to go.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome to.
It's the Human ExperiencePodcast Hosted by Hazel Brown, a
health care leader, wife, momand career coach.
If you're big on authenticity,personal development,
perseverance and transparency,you're in the right place.
Get ready to be uplifted,inspired and empowered as you
(00:42):
become fearless in pursuit ofthe life you desire and deserve.
Go ahead and subscribe.
You don't want to miss out onthese transparent stories and
discussions that reveal highs,lows, aha moments and nuggets
that'll help you to grow andglow.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Hey, hey, hey.
You are now tuned in to theit's the Human Experience
podcast.
I'm your host, hazel Brown.
Today we have Millie here.
Millie, we're going to diveinto all the things when it
comes to our personaldevelopment journey growth, just
awareness, and who you are andwhose you are, and all the
things.
Before we jump into the episode, I do want to make sure that
(01:17):
you subscribe.
If you're not currentlyfollowing the podcast, make sure
you share it with the besties,someone you know that's on the
personal growth journey with you.
The worst thing you could dofor yourself is to personally
develop and not take anyone withyou, because then you'll be
there alone.
So, millie, I want to diveright in.
Thanks for being on the episode.
Thanks for joining us andsharing your gems.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Thank you, I'm excited to be here.
Let's go, let's get thisstarted.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Who is Millie?
All right, so Hazel isintroducing me as Millie, which
is fine, but a lot of theaudience and people know me as
Millicent, millicent Reed.
So I am a nonprofit.
I am the founder and CEO of anonprofit Impact, greater Good,
as well as my Little MillieBrand with the Little Millie
(02:03):
children's book.
I'm also a Fortune 25 leaderover HR talent attraction, so I
do all of the hiring.
So I always like to tell folksyou like to get paid right, so
that's what I do in thecorporate setting.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
So you said you're an author, you have six books.
Is that correct?
Six?
Speaker 1 (02:18):
self-published children's books as of right now
.
So it's installation one.
It's composed of six books andone coloring book.
So it's the Little Millieseries.
So you'll see Little Millie asa child and these books really
are talking about confidence,self-love.
How do you really affirmyourself, character, and just
teaching kids all the thingsthat I have learned in life and
(02:40):
just trying to really put intothem, because children are the
foundation, right?
And that song you all know thatsong which is one of my
favorites.
I believe that children are ourfuture.
Teach them what I can't sing it.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Let them lead the way .
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yes, yes.
So that's the thing I want tomake certain that I put as much
as I can into them, because theywill be the future leaders.
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
I love it.
I love singing, regardless if Ican or can't.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Oh, me too.
I'm a shower singer.
Every job I've ever worked atthey like can you please stop?
But I really really lovesinging.
It's so funny because we sungthat song at Walt Disney World
in Orlando as I was in thechorus and this is a true story.
I could not sing as a child andI faked until I made it in the
chorus and the chorus teacherused to always be like somebody
is off and she'll come overthere to me and I'll start lip
(03:23):
syncing.
It was so funny.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Oh my goodness, yes, you still got to show up, right?
Yes?
Speaker 1 (03:28):
listen.
I knew enough to know to fakeit till you make it, Listen we
gonna make it work.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
How did you get into a space of feeling like writing
children's book, aligned withwho you are as a person?
Speaker 1 (03:39):
So for me, I always had this notion that I wanted to
write children's books and so,like Bear, steamed Bears
everyone has heard me say thiswas like my series as a child.
I love that collection and thenI would see so many other
collections.
But it was something about thatcollection.
So, as I just continued to dothe work, do the work, do the
(04:00):
work, do the work, little Milliewas a thought in my mind over
the years.
I will say that, spiritually,when something is put on your
heart, it never goes away, nomatter how much you run away
from it, no matter how much youdon't execute and take it into
action.
So finally, with the transitionof my mom, that's when I really
said you know what?
I was talking to a friend andthis is what hit home.
(04:21):
This is the human experience.
Talk about life.
I was talking to a friend andthis is what hit home.
This is the human experience.
Talk about life.
I was talking to a friend on thephone and she literally said
this and it resonated so strongwith me.
She said we're in a thirdquarter of life and at first my
normal silly stuff.
I was like, don't be calling meold because that's you.
But then when I like hung upwith her and I said I'm a ball
player, so I was like, firstquarter, second quarter, what
(04:46):
are you trying to really do here?
If you're going to do it, it'stime to go and put what you want
to put in the universe and whatdo you want to be known for.
So that's when I said you knowwhat, it's time to do it.
And it just continued to pick upand then I would go to sleep
and then God would literallydownload another book, and so I
have a long way to go.
I'm going to end up doing 20books, but I started with
installation one, because nowI'm in the part of the journey
(05:08):
where I'm actually promoting andactually getting in front of
schools and doing the MiloMillie shows, which are
beautiful.
I cannot wait for you all tosee some of those.
I know you have seen some, justyou know, but I cannot wait to
release it to the world becausethey are gorgeous shows.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Definitely gorgeous shows.
I know just like watching someof the videos, I'm like oh, like
my cheeks just smiling just forthe impact that you're out
there making in the world Likeit's so beautiful.
I think something that I want todive into is like hearing your
friends say that you're inquarter three and then starting
pushing in your gifts, likeusing some of those gifts that
you know you've had through theyears and has come up and come
(05:43):
up, and then recognizing thatyou're actually in quarter one.
Because I realize that in thosejourneys you hear people who
are not on a spiritual journeythink that because of age you're
somewhere in life but notrecognizing that every time you
go after a new goal, you're atground zero at that quarter one.
How do you feel in that, knowingthat the difference between
(06:05):
societal goals, in terms ofbeing in quarter three based on
your age and what you'veaccomplished, but working on the
gifts that he gives you andusing them and allowing that to
put you in a place where you goback to quarter one, hopefully
frequently, right, because everybook you write it's a new
journey, it's a new experience.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
So I'm happy you said that because and I refer to
this a lot because I like, whenI'm on different platforms and
to start understanding howpeople come up with the you know
creativity and what's behindthat the human experience.
So when you said that inLincoln, like you know, I never
really thought about it likethat, like okay, quarter three,
but you're actually in quarterone and phase one and, to be
(06:43):
honest, hazel, I have had thatpressure on myself Like, oh, man
, if I would have startedearlier.
I'm so far behind.
And man, if I would have reallytapped into my gifts.
Oh, I was so distracted, oh, Ilet this get in my way.
Oh, I was chasing relationships, or I was chasing this and I
wasn't aligned right.
And so I've had to step backand take that deep breath and
(07:06):
say it is really okay, it isreally okay, you're doing it
when you're supposed to.
And now, when I'm meeting thepeople along in my journey who
are supposed to be my destinyhelpers, and I see it, I'm like
it couldn't happen any faster.
It couldn't happen any faster,because one of the things that
I'm realizing like if it happensfaster, you're not aligned with
(07:28):
the man above, and if you'renot aligned with the man above,
everything in my life, speakingfor myself, has just been a
disaster.
So now I feel relaxation in theprocess and knowing that, ok,
you're starting from whereyou're supposed to start and
just relaxing in there andtaking a deep breath.
I'll tell you about somethingthat just recently happened,
when I was just like God is justamazing and like it's emotional
(07:53):
because he's just like in yoursteps he's going to put the
right people.
So I was visiting the city andI had no idea that, you know,
there was a big conference and aconcert in the city, and so all
the hotels were booked.
I had this big keynote speechand I just had to get in a room
(08:16):
right to do what I needed to do.
And so, hotel after hotel,we're booked, we're booked,
we're booked.
So I walk into this one hoteland I'm just like, okay,
literally a guest in a lobby,the receptionist, nice hotel.
And I'm just like, hey, this iswhat's going on, this is what I
need to do.
This brother.
He said listen, and Mo, if youwatching, he know exactly who
I'm, he could verify this.
He was like, look, what youhave to do is so much more
important than me.
Give her my room and thereception.
(08:37):
I was like, can he do that?
And she said, absolutely, we'regoing to make sure you?
But I'm like in that moment Irealized that, like your destiny
helpers are out there and allyou do is have to relax and be
obedient.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
We talked a little bit in a previous episode about
how important it is to recognizediscernment and knowing that in
discernment, when it's hard inyour flesh versus it's hard in
your spirit, like you can begoing through the things but
know that God is leaving you.
So it's hard in flesh becauseyou've come out here, you're
going to different hotels,you're getting those, but it's
(09:10):
easy in spirit.
She can have my room.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
So one of the things that my mom always said and this
is something that stuck with me, so I know, like a lot of us,
like when you're doing yourraising, you have those little
nuggets that your mom dropped.
So my mom, for her and herjourney, she always felt like it
was difficult, like, oh man, Ifelt like I was picked out, to
be picked on right.
(09:35):
But she was like one of theeasier things that has ever
happened into her life was whenwe moved from Orlando, florida,
to Atlanta and her job, justeverything had felt in alignment
.
And then she used to alwaystell me, from that moment, when
things are meant to happen, it'sso easy and God just flows
through it and you won't haveany heartache and any pain.
And so that's one of the thingsthat I've taken forward with me
.
And when things happen so easylike that, that's how I know
(09:58):
it's God with me.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Yeah, you're working in your purpose.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love it.
What have been some aha momentsfor you along the journey, as
you've betted on yourself?
Speaker 1 (10:09):
All right.
So some of the aha moments forme since I've started this
journey of going and just kindof reaching, reaching for the
stars, one of the confidence,self-love.
So it's so funny because I wasgoing to brand myself a
different way.
I'm telling you a lot in acreative process, so it's so
funny because I was going tobrand myself a different way.
I'm telling you a lot in thecreative process, so we'll talk
about this.
We got a long way to go on theMillicent journey, but I was
(10:31):
going to brand myself a friendand I were talking that's ugly
pretty, ugly, pretty and whatwas so interesting about that?
So, with my team, we alltalking about it, we all talking
about it, the why behind it,and you get it as an adult ugly
pretty.
And so it was just like I'm notcalling myself ugly, I know who
I am, but the journey has justbeen so ugly pretty, all of
these different things.
But then one of the things justlike okay, if you're going to
(10:54):
do this and you're going to bebefore children, they don't
understand that message.
And so one of the aha momentsfor me was that's how I came up
with confidence, self-love,enthusiasm, what is your gift,
and it's just like I never hadreally put into words, like what
is it that God made Millicentjust divinely and uniquely
special?
And I used to hear people alwayssay that all the time you got
(11:14):
confidence and you show up andyou just like your smile so big.
But that was like an aha momentfor me, like, oh, I get it, god
, and like so many differentthings.
Like I get it, god, and like somany different things, like I
get it, that's what you want meto do in this world.
Like you want me to exudeconfidence.
You want me to teach that,because if you really think
about all of the differentindustries, all the different,
who's out there really teachingconfidence?
(11:36):
How do you really teach thatright?
And so I was just like, nowthat I'm walking in this journey
, I'm like I get it.
I totally get it because it'sso natural.
You know, when I'm on thesedifferent shows or in the media
and they like introducing aconfident, self-love, enthusiast
, and I light up because I'mlike it's so me.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
In walking in your purpose, like it becomes so
aligned and you're like thisjust makes sense.
It's been like this my wholelife.
Why didn't?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
I know this earlier.
Do you have moments you feellike that as well?
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Absolutely, absolutely.
So many moments where I lookback and I'm like, oh, this is
way bigger than I thought it was.
Or, oh my goodness, like theseare things that I did as a kid.
Like I would put on talentshows for my mom when she was in
her moments of like, goingthrough hardship, because I
wanted to make sure she washappy.
I would have deep conversationswith her.
I'm in high school and I wantto get to know you.
(12:26):
Who are you?
I don't want to know who youare as my mom, I want to know
you as a person.
And so when I see myself doingall these things, there's
nothing new about it.
I've always wanted to know theheart of people and I've always
wanted to put a smile onpeople's faces.
So that is just who I am, andit just kind of exudes over and
it's like, oh, I could get Goodevents even with the home.
(12:46):
I don't feel like I'm working.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
I just was like I know that I'm working, don't get
me wrong but I feel like I'mshowing up and I'm just like I'm
so happy to meet people, I'm sohappy like the kids and I'm
just like I get it.
So those are those aha momentswhen you're like you leave and
you're digesting what justhappened and you're like why
wasn't I here just the wholetime?
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Yeah, absolutely.
And to your point, like it's sobeautiful to where you'll find
yourself just working, working,working, and you have to pull
yourself out of the work becauseit doesn't feel like work and
you're like sweetheart, youworking.
You need to stop.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Everybody's telling me that vacation.
I'm like I just can't stop.
I'm like I just can't stop.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
You get addicted to it and you do have to take time
for yourself, yeah becausepersonal development, growth,
success can be a completeaddiction, especially when
you're working your purpose.
I feel like people don't talk alot about that, like you run
and yearn for the fact thatyou're living in your purpose,
but when you do, because it doesnot feel like work and because
(14:02):
it lights you up and you'rethankful that he chose you
you're being obedient and it'sworking out.
You work so much in it that youlose sight of all of the seeds
and the steward of things thatyou should be stewarding over.
And it's so important that wereally take time to just focus
on the fact that, like we'rehere and what we have in front
of us, I'm happy now to have asolid foundation around me who
(14:26):
is saying, millie, millicent,stop, stop and take time for
yourself.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
I know you and I were having a conversation as well.
You're just like it's time tostop and maybe, you know, just
take a deep breath, because Ifeel like I am going going,
going, going.
Okay, when you get one win, andoh, I'm chasing the next win,
but you have to take a moment totake care of yourself for one
on this personal developmentjourney.
Also, while you're beingobedient, you got to make
(14:52):
certain that you're herelongevity and so what does that
look like?
Mind, body and spirit, andmaking certain you're whole,
because on this journey, you'reallowing yourself to be used as
a vessel, which is a beautifulthing, but who's taking the time
to put into you?
And that's your responsibility.
And one of the things that I'velearned is self-care.
So I'm like I can't be out hereteaching self-care and then I'm
(15:14):
showing up depleted.
So I'm appreciative of thesupport system when you all get
on me to take a break, and it'ssomething that I just definitely
have to get better at.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
I think, that really leads into community.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
I think so many times we don't recognize that it's
important to not have like, yes,people within our space and
people who actually mean us.
Well, because, to your point ofbeing a self-care enthusiast
and really focused on confidenceand essentially being a rooter,
like within that you're soworried about, one, using your
gifts and two, making sureyou're supporting others, that,
if you don't intentionally havepeople in your circle that care
about you as a person, like youdon't have those people to tell
(15:49):
you stop, like you're in run,run, run Super Bowl phase.
Right, we're making it happen,we're trying to get it.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Listen, I'm trying to go for the championship, like
let's go.
But you know what, when itcomes to the foundation and the
circle that I've built, I knewthat part of my process and just
my personality.
I have a very strongpersonality, my leadership style
, and, while I know that I'mblessed and I'm gifted in those
areas, I knew that I had tobuild my team and support system
(16:18):
with people who would say no,no, no, no, no, no.
Or hey, look at it through adifferent lens.
Because I have so much respectfor my team because of that,
like you said, that communityand knowing that they have my
best interests and they love andthey support me and they want
to see me win and I always tellthem cause they'd be like Millie
.
I'm so proud of you, millicent,I'm so proud and I'm like us.
(16:40):
Us is it?
I can't do this alone.
It's us, everybody who hascontributed to this journey.
It's us, right?
And the people who willcontinue to contribute in the
future.
I'm like it's an us thing.
So I'm thankful for communityand I love so much and I love so
big.
But I was like.
Now I see that too.
You cannot do this alone.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
Yeah, how do you feel when you get people in your
life that, like pour the way youpour, I know, for me, like
those kind of people, it's like,oh, child, I love it.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
You got to take a second.
You got to take a second.
I'll be like is this real?
Is this real Because I used tocall myself the Build-A-Bear
president the Build-A-Bearpresident, especially in
relationships.
I'm single, but I used to callmyself the Build-A-Bear
President because I never hadanyone to just pour into me.
And I know my capabilities, Iknow what I bring, I know my
(17:32):
healing, I know all of thebeautiful things that come with
me.
And not to say that I'm perfect, because we know I'm not
perfect, you start to receivewhat you're giving and you see
that it's genuine and it's froma godly place.
Oh, my, my, my life has changed.
And what was so interesting tome?
One day I was just lying in thebed this is a real story, hazel
(17:55):
and one day it was just so muchlove coming my little Millie
shows it every time I feel downand I'm like I just want to quit
.
You get all of these messages.
And one day I just sat thereand I just scrolled through all
of the people that's in my liferight now, all of the love, and
I, literally, I was just likewow, when I was doing it the
(18:16):
Millicent way, it was toxic andfull of craziness.
But now that I've just reallysubmitted and just all of the
new people that are coming to mylife and just really pouring
into me, I'm just so gratefuland I'm like that's why I was
telling you, when you feel likeyou quarter one quarter, it's
like why didn't I just submitearlier and just like allow him?
(18:38):
Because I left that day and Iresolved it in my heart, I was
like you was just waiting on me,you was just waiting on me, you
was just waiting on me so you'dbe like move all the junk out
the way so that I could put thepeople who are really going to
help propel you and get youwhere you need to be.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yeah, absolutely.
And I can't get away from youmentioning your passing of your
mom.
Like how has the grief journeybeen as you've been working
through your goals?
Like how has that experiencecaused you to look at life
differently?
Speaker 1 (19:07):
So so when my mom transitioned, it's the worst
club to ever be a part of.
I'll just say that it's theworst club to ever be a part of.
So some other people that Iknow that have lost their mom
and they say either you dealwith it on the front end or
you're going to deal with it onthe back end, but either way
you're going to deal with it.
(19:27):
So enough people had said thatto me, that I'm a believer, I
don't have to go touch thefrying pan and know it's hot.
So I said, okay, I want to dealwith it on the front end, Cause
they said you're going to keepgoing and then you're going to
hit a roadblock.
So eight, nine months ofstraight depression.
I'm going to be honest, it wasjust like dark and just dealing
with all of the things Right.
(19:47):
And yeah, For me it was such abeautiful experience, transition
in life, because I had anopportunity to have a closing
conversation with my mom and ourrelationship wasn't always
positive, and so thatconversation was two, three hour
cram course.
So if you imagine a 70 year oldgiving a cram course to her
(20:10):
daughter and I get it, I'm atthe place where I'm getting, I'm
crying and she's just like you,all right, and I'm like when
you get to this point and shelike it is what it is now and
she just give me everything.
Right.
She apologizes just so muchthat I had to sift through and
digest, but her last words to me.
I'm saying all that to saywe're keep going, go as far as
(20:32):
you can, daughter, you haveeverything it takes, and the
grief journey has taken me sucha way.
Hazel, this is so serious.
I will be out just minding mybusiness in a grocery store and
somebody will just be like thisyou have a beautiful smile, what
do you do?
And we'll just start talking.
Keep going.
Yeah, At that same hotel I wastalking to you about I had a
(20:54):
long day.
I literally got to you about Ihad a long day.
I literally got to the elevator.
And have you ever just been soexhausted?
Like I didn't even know anybodywas around me.
I got to the elevator and Ipressed it and I just said it
was a young lady at the hotel.
She said keep going.
I get text messages, people whodon't even know this story.
Keep going.
I have never heard those twowords together so much in my
(21:19):
life and every time I hear it Iknow that it's my mom guiding me
and just like keep going.
And I know I'm on the righttrack and I feel like I've told
a lot of people this.
I'm closer to my mom in theafterlife than we were here.
I hear her, I feel her presenceall around me and I always say
(21:40):
my mom boxing out in heaven,because my mom knew how to get
to it.
All right, A woman with a sixthgrade education, janitorial
business.
She had worked her way all theway up cleaning some real like
you know some real deal, youknow contracts.
And so I'm like my mom inheaven, like I'm not playing
about my daughter, and so moveout our way, and so she boxing
out.
And that one time I was drivingand the car swerved.
(22:02):
That car got back and I said,okay, she ain't playing.
So the grief journey has beenone in which it started out with
, you know, just reflection andjust grief.
But then now I'm so full when Ithink about what she, what she
sees for me, what she wants forme, Cause she's the one told me
(22:23):
like why are you not out therein the public?
I'm like I don't want to dealwith it, I'm dealing with my
past.
And she was like you haveeverything.
It takes Like it's time to getto it.
And so that's where ImpactGreater Good came from, Cause
she was like baby go, impact theworld.
So I'm proud, I'm happy.
You know, when I have toughtimes I'm like mom, I'm just
(22:43):
hope I'm making you happy.
And when my 82 year old aunt, Iposted that on social media.
I did a Fox interview last weekand my 82 year old aunt called
me and just was like you'recarrying the family legacy with
so much pride.
And she was so proud becausefirst generation on my mom's
side, first generation on mydad's side, so I'm trailblazing
and showing that it could bedone.
And so the grief journey hasbeen in such a way that it has
(23:06):
made me feel powerful.
It has made me feel strong,it's made me feel committed,
it's made me feel, um, beautiful, Um, it's made me feel like,
like, like I.
I look at my pictures and andbeautiful photo, and I'm like
dang, I'm my mom, right, and I'mlike everything she wanted to
be.
And yeah, my ancestors, greatest, yeah, my mom wanted education
(23:30):
so bad, and to know that I'mlike living a life because that
was one of the things she leftme with.
She was like I want it to beyou, right, and I'm like, really
I want it to be you and she was.
I was like you know.
She was like I was like mom,you had the four kids right.
You have the four kids, youhave the legacy.
Like when you die, we'll be onthe front row grieving.
I was like I have my dog Benzo,right.
(23:51):
But I'm like to know that I'mdoing everything that she wanted
to do and just hoping I'm doingit with just such class and
elegance and making her you know, because her life wasn't easy,
but doing it authentic andtelling a true story about her
right, telling a true storyabout who she was and the hurt
and pain.
It's like I get it.
I get it.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
I love it.
I love the fact that when youthink about, like your mom's
story in terms of having fourchildren and putting so much
into them from the perspectiveof your books and your stories
and the way you show up doesYou're creating legacy almost
(24:39):
greater than someone who hasfour children.
Absolutely, absolutely.
I want to say that.
I think it also showcases thatlegacy does not look linear.
It can happen in multiple waysand society programs us to think
that we need to have a collegeeducation, we need to have kids,
we need to be married, we needto have a a college education,
we need to have kids, we need tobe married, we need to have a
picket fence.
We need to do this, but it'swhatever it is that lights up
(25:02):
inside of you as it relates toyour purpose and your gifts, and
you run that ball like a SuperBowl with the gifts he gave you
and you're going to make legacy.
You're going to create itbecause you're already a part of
it.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
It's so hard, though, Hazel, because you really have
to remove societal pressures,and I was guilty of that too.
You look around, I feel like,for me, until I became
spiritually in line, I waschasing, chasing, chasing,
chasing, chasing relationshipsand family, and I just had to
just take a deep breath, take adeep breath and know that it's
(25:37):
okay.
It's okay.
I don't spiritual wise.
You know, Paul or somebody wastelling me, and my brother was
just like Millie, everybody'snot put here to be with somebody
.
And you know the realization ofthat, you know, and I was just
like okay, how do you ultimatelyfind your purpose, walk in your
purpose, and what does thatlook like?
(25:57):
And being okay and so like fromthat conversation, it's so
funny that you connected thedots with my mom.
I'm like, oh, another ahamoment, I get it, the transition
of losing your mom.
People don't talk about itenough.
But I was like, oh, she ran herrace, she, she completed her
assignment.
What is your assignmentultimately?
(26:18):
And what does that look likefor you?
Is that kids?
Is that, like you said,impacting even a greater, you
know the greater world?
And I was just like, when I'mout there and the teachers are
telling me, the principals arelike thank you for this program,
because some of our studentsare not getting that.
Some of our students are notgetting that and I feel so like
okay.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
I'm sitting in that Because it's really about how
much impact you can make in thisworld, like there's so many
people who have 12 kids, buttheir children them, no judgment
, no one's making an impact onanyone, and so that really is
where that purpose comes from.
So I love that awareness intothe fact that you can be still
enough to recognize like, wow,I'm doing the work and I was
(26:57):
chosen, and the reason you setit up like this is so that I can
be able to focus, and when it'sno longer time for me to be a
part of the Super Bowl, you'llintroduce what's next, if that
is what you want for me.
So I love that.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Yeah, yeah, I love that, I love, I love this space
that I'm in.
It's beautiful and I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
Yeah, I want to go into some questions.
Can you share a time when youfelt completely stuck?
What changed for you to moveforward, and how did that moment
shape how you approachchallenges?
Speaker 1 (27:28):
All right.
So my story is so complex, it'sso many things, it's so many
things, it's so many things,it's so many things, it's so
many things, so many things.
Okay, so I was 289 pounds.
289 pounds just living, living,life, defeat, you know.
And I remember feeling like howam I ever going to get myself
(27:52):
out of this situation?
Right, 289 pounds, heavy, heavyphysically, mentally,
emotionally.
Just so much junk.
And I remember that moment whenI just looked in the mirror and
I was like no more, yeah, nomore, day by day, step by step,
and what all that took.
(28:13):
It's so hard.
So I want to make sureeverybody know that I'm saying
that everything about my process.
It's difficult, it is not easy.
I write self-help e-books aswell Self-love, best love.
If you have not purchased thate-book and I'm not shameless
plug, but I pour my heart andsoul into that because it just
(28:33):
takes you through my process of,like you said, feeling stuff
and what things you have to tapinto.
And sometimes that means layingin the bed and just if you could
think of one good thing aboutyourself, dwelling on that right
, until you come up withsomething else right, and just
taking that like, moment bymoment, step by step until
ultimately, you're feeling goodagain.
(28:54):
And then you're just taking aday by storm, because I'm always
like I wake up with so muchenergy.
I'm a morning person, but whenyou're going through those deep
dark phases and your depressionand things like that, my joy was
gone.
My joy was gone.
I wasn't waking up as Millicent, no more.
And those are moments when Ifeel so stuck and I'm like what
(29:14):
is going on here?
Because my calibration is off,like my vibration calibration,
frequency, everything is off.
And then I have to justrecalibrate and say you know
what, let me just back up alittle bit.
Let me back up a little bit.
And those are the moments whenI just take it step by step and
I just start identifying thethings that I really do like
about myself and I try to movefrom those.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
It takes me back to when you mentioned kind of
scrolling through your phone andlooking for all the love that
you've been getting.
And I hear people talk aboutcreating like love jars whether
it be at work or whether it bein their personal life or both.
That's good, and I feel likethat's what you did, I think, as
the reminder that you have withyourself in terms of who you
are, but also when you go backto look like all of the things
(29:54):
that I'm telling myself isactually not true, because I got
proof like people love me, I doan amazing job, like I show up
authentically and I'm good topeople every day, and so I'm
just going through a phase and Ican absolutely get out of that
you know, I never felt more lovethan when my mom died.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
I didn't even know I was telling my um, my leader, my
boss at work.
I didn't even know so manypeople love me.
I promise you I didn't.
I never had taken a moment.
I had been doing the work, likeactive in the communities, 15
years.
You know, just out, working,working, working, being good to
people.
You know, leading in the spacesof corporate America, but I
never knew so many people rockedwith me when my mom died.
(30:33):
I had so much love.
I had gifts for weeks that Iwasn't even able to open, right,
and I just was like sooverwhelmed because I'm like I
didn't even know this person,but everybody was like Millie,
everybody love you and so likewhen I was even like the text
messages that I was receivingand just the overflow of love,
(30:54):
and then people were just likeit's a moment in time, you got
this and it really just gave meso much strength.
But from there I will say onceI recognize that impact and I'm
like all right, it's people outhere really rooting on you to
like do this and now that I'vestarted this public journey,
they be serious about that.
Like keep going, like they'renot letting up on me and I'm
(31:16):
just like.
That makes me just like.
You know all of the people whobelieved in me, the teachers.
So it's so cool when you havelike your second grade teacher
not my second grade, but likeyour third grade teacher or your
you know fifth grade teacherreaching out to you, your eighth
grade teacher reaching out toyou.
You like, and they like I gotyou, you good, and I'm like
really.
And then you like and they likeI got you, you're good, and I'm
(31:38):
like really.
And then your 82 year old auntcalling you and then your 72
year old cousin like that's thetype of stuff that filled my
heart.
I just got a call from one ofmy cousins that I grew up with
like a it was nine of us and shelike I saw your interview on
CBS and she was like on Fox andshe was just so excited.
That's what fills Millicentharder, because I'm like no, I
have people who really love me,supported me, who behind me, who
(31:59):
want to see me successful.
That's given me all of.
And then meeting people likeyou, hazel.
Yeah, like all the oomph youneed to keep going yeah, Hazel,
I always tell you you're like aquiet storm, but like a power
house.
Speaker 3 (32:12):
You get it.
I appreciate it.
I'm a big rooter.
I get that from my mom.
My mom's the kind of personthat she wants to see everyone
win Really, and I am so thankfulthat I got that quality for her
.
She's not jealous.
She has no jealous bone in herbody Like she gets excited when
she sees people doing well.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
I don't find a lot of us like that.
That J word and that E word isso strong.
So it's like when you findpeople that you connect with out
here, that's not like that,because I'm like that too.
Like I'm like, hey, girl, youdoing good, or okay, I got you
brother, I got you, I love it.
What, how can I help you?
And so, like one of the thingsI really loved about you, I'm
(32:49):
like you're a powerhouse andyou're like what can I do to
help?
Like what can, what connectioncan I make?
But I'm, when you find peoplelike that, it I'm having now to
realize that it's okay and tonot have trauma, because so much
of your experience is you don'tfind that.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
And so, now that you're finding that, to just be
grateful and thankful, to knowthat it exists and just the
human experience of it all andto really embrace it and love on
those people and I think thatthat is hard for people, like
being able to like what does shewant, like what's going to
happen, like cause you get burntso much along the way that it's
like what is what should I takeaway from this?
And then recognizing thatyou're deserving of it because
(33:29):
you give out that energy in theworld, so why shouldn't it come
back to you?
And I think it's a beautifulthing when you start to see the
energy you put out come back toyou and realizing, like he has
you and the people around youlike want the best for you as
well.
Speaker 1 (33:42):
People have always told me that, like, well, I had
someone tell me they was justlike you show up with a whole
gallon of love to give and noteverybody have it.
I don't expect people to be me,but I do show up with light
love, like energy, Right, andI'm like, okay, well, if I can't
get light, love and energy, canI just get non-toxic?
Speaker 2 (34:03):
Yeah, right.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Like I'll take, I'll settle for that, but that hasn't
been the case along my journey.
And now I'm just like startingto see so many people and meet
so many people, that does notcome with that.
And I'm like can I hold on toyou forever Because it's so
loving and it's so like I loveit in this space.
I love, love, love.
This space I'm in in my life.
Speaker 3 (34:24):
I love that.
How do you create boundaries inyour life now to make sure that
you're not bringing in thosetoxic vibes or energy that's not
supportive or brings youfurther along your journey?
Because when we don't createthose boundaries, many times it
creates distraction.
Because if somebody's coming inyour life with whether it's
jealousy, envy or just nothaving good energy because of
(34:46):
the fact that they're still ontheir healing journey but they
haven't reached a moment towhere they recognize like they
don't need to compete with youbecause they're on their own
journey, Like, how do you createthat safe space for yourself?
Speaker 1 (34:58):
I have learned.
I have learned to give grace.
Okay, give grace.
Grace can't turn into mercy,but give grace right.
People are imperfect beings, sogive grace One of the one of
the things that I love about myprocess and where I'm at
maturity wise, I can have toughconversations.
(35:18):
I can have tough conversationsthat I wasn't able to have
before.
So when I identify something insomeone that's making me feel a
certain way, I can step up tothe plate and have the
conversation.
Now what I'm realizing is a lotof people aren't there and they
can't have the conversations,and that's when the boundary is
drawn for me.
If you can show up honest andyou could be truthful with
(35:42):
what's happening here and thehuman experience and to be able
to identify why you're feelingsome way or why I'm feeling some
way, and bring that to thetable because it's normal.
It's normal feelings, right,and I'm totally comfortable and
okay with that.
I'm not comfortable with thedelusions of it all and the
dysfunctionality of it all andus acting like this isn't
happening.
I'm not comfortable there.
So those are the boundariesthat I've drawn for myself.
(36:02):
I'm comfortable having anyconversation.
I'm comfortable with you, evenexperiencing some feelings of
jealousy.
I have someone real close to mewas just like I'm struggling
because and we were having aconversation just like I want
where you, where you are so bad.
But you know, I can't feeljealous because I know that I'm
not at that step and I'm likethat's a normal feeling to feel
the way you feel, because I knowyou want this for yourself so
(36:24):
bad.
But keep working.
But I appreciated thatconversation so much because
it's not like they're not tryingto, it's not happening, it's
not happening and then they'reshowing up, acting in some
different way towards me.
Because I know one time you andI were talking and you were
like it's a process to this.
It's a process to get where youare.
You can't expect to be the mainplayer when you haven't went
through the process.
(36:45):
And so I'm just like respectingmy own journey to say OK, you
went through the proper steps tobe here.
You deserve to be here andcreating that space where I want
to help others get here as well.
But you can't come to me withtoxicity.
If you come with me and youjust really genuinely want the
help and the love and support,I'm here for you.
But I can't.
You can't.
Come with all that other stuffyou, but I can't, you can't come
(37:07):
with all that other stuff.
I can't allow that toinfiltrate me because at the
rate that I'm going and thethings moving so fast, I don't
have time to sit in that spacewith you.
Yeah, right, like I have tokeep moving.
Speaker 3 (37:16):
I love that you address like, even in the
conversation with the person,like it is normal to have that
feeling yeah, yeah becausethere's a difference between
you're a hater and you have afeeling of oh man, that's where
I want to be, and it makes mefeel a little uncomfortable.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:31):
And it's like you definitely have to pray your way
through that, like ask God tohelp you through that feeling.
I think sometimes that comesfrom many of us, like a lot of
people, like within my community, are the first and they're the
only, so they're used to beingat the top, and so now you're in
a space where there's a lot offirsts and onlys that are at the
top.
So how do you handle nowrealizing that you are not the
(37:54):
running back or the star, butyou are in your element?
All of you are, and so it'sreally being able to get to that
space to recognize.
If you're not there yet, youwill get there, because no
matter who the person is thatyou're looking at, they're not
there yet either.
You just think they're there.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Yeah, and being transparent in those
conversations I know the personI was talking to, being
transparent, like I'm not there.
Thank you for acknowledgingthat I've had some wins and I'm
grateful for the wins, but I'mstill climbing and I'm still
working hard and I'm stilltrying to, you know, get there
as well, and I feel like in life, you're going to always be
trying to get there, right?
So I was just like I'm here tohelp you and you will get there.
(38:35):
Just stay positive, stayencouraged, do the small things
day by day, and I'm telling youthose small things before you
look up.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
You'd be like whoa, I'm getting somewhere.
Yeah, I love that so much.
I talked in a previous episodejust about the waves and
patterns and things and we don'trecognize that within
everything we're going to godown and we're going to elevate
higher than we were the firsttime and we're going to go back
up again.
And I think so many timespeople kind of look at people's
iterations of their self andassume that once they go through
(39:01):
it one time they never have tocome back down.
But we all do like causethere's more muscle to build and
other things to be able todevelop and learn.
The ebbs and flow of life isreal.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
It's a real thing out there, cause I know a lot of
people look at me oh, you're sobeautiful, oh you, you've had it
all, oh, you've had theconnections, oh, you've done.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,no, no, no.
Those ebbs and flows and I'mprefacing because I'm like those
valleys get dark, those valleysget deep, and you know you have
to work your way.
(39:31):
And just sometimes, even whenyou think, oh, life is good
something else happens and itcould be unexpected.
And how do you process that?
For me, I've always, just likeyou said, like I take one step
at a time, small bites, untilI'm back up on that.
You know, on that on the upwardpart, but I'm like those ebbs
and flows are real and I and Ilook at other people life, as
(39:53):
good as they may be performingand doing.
I'm like I know that there aresome challenges, it's just
normal?
Speaker 3 (39:58):
Yeah, it is.
It's a part of the journey andI think it's so important, and
so I'm really glad that youtouched on that, because not
enough people really are openabout the fact that that is life
, like it's never just straight,it's always ups and downs and
we just have to I'm sotransparent with that because
I'm like I've been a person wholived out loud and who's
transparent, but I'm like I'mnot going to sit up here and say
(40:18):
everything is perfect becauseit's not.
Speaker 1 (40:20):
And if anybody is telling you that like, they're
not telling the truth.
Speaker 3 (40:30):
Yeah, because that's just not how there's duality,
yeah, and life just doesn'tfunction like that.
Speaker 1 (40:33):
What's one moment that you realize that the only
person holding you back was you.
All right?
So there's this one situationthat took me eight years to
overcome.
It was a loss of love and Icouldn't get to the next step.
I could not.
I just could not, like I don'tknow what in my heart just
wouldn't allow me to Um, butthat was one of the toughest
things in my life.
It was all me, it was all meand it's like me.
(40:59):
Just in my head, this person iscoming back.
No, they're not.
Life is gone, it's done.
But I do remember a moment whereit's so funny.
I was, um, driving a bridge inAtlanta and I called my sister
and it was early in the morningand I was like, hey, it's eight
(41:19):
years later and I just realizedthat this is never happening
again.
And she's like, yeah, we allbeen trying to tell you know, it
was that moment for me and I'mlike life is fast, life is fast.
And I was like it's me, it's me.
And I remember having this joband something had happened with
(41:43):
a background because I was instaffing HR, something had
happened with a background and Ididn't run a proper background
check and I can't believe thiscandidate had duped me because I
believed in him and so all dayI'm just sitting up here like I
got duped.
And so the regional vicepresident saw that I was
struggling with it and he looksover and he said, hey, millie,
and I'm like, yeah, I got duped.
(42:03):
And he's like your ability torecover in life is going to make
all the difference.
He said your ability to recoverfast.
He said, no matter what happens, can you get up and go to the
restroom, get some water, comeback and keep going with your
day.
Something bad happened, so hejust went into these details and
that stuck with me, becausethen I was able to relay it to
(42:25):
that moment in my life as welland I'm like it took me too long
to recover and I just said, wow, that was on me.
And so now, regardless of whathappened it's so funny because
people close to me they call meRubber Band because they're like
you bounce back.
But I'm like never, ever, willI put myself in a position to be
stuck for eight years, becausewhen you're stuck, there's no
(42:48):
momentum and it's okay to behurt.
Deal with whatever you're goingthrough, but deal with it and
keep the flow, keep moving.
Speaker 3 (42:54):
So that was a moment for me when I realized it was me
, I think what you bring to thetable with that example is that
you can be stuck for eight yearsand you can still get unstuck
if you decide to.
If you decide to you get.
You have to.
You have to look years and youcan still get unstuck if you
decide to.
Speaker 1 (43:08):
If you decide to, you have to, you have to look
within and you have to decide to, because it's tough though.
It's tough because you have todeal with some harsh realities,
and then you have to takeaccountability and just all of
those things that go with that,and I'm just like no, that was
on me.
And I'm like I'm stuck becausehe wasn't stuck, it was on me?
Speaker 3 (43:23):
Yeah, exactly, and so many times we give people too
much power, like over our lives,or recognizing, like when it's
done and you recognize it's done, like uh-uh, like I'm the sauce
.
I'm big on, I'm the sauce andwe need the people to know.
Right, come on, hazel, come onwhat you saying I'm the sauce.
It's time to go Like.
If you don't know who I am,that's your loss.
Speaker 1 (43:45):
But it's like I had to like, like I've always had
that, but then, like after that,I'm like, oh, I ain't stuck no
more we not doing this?
No more.
And not over a job, not over arelationship, not over anything.
I'm just not going to allowmyself to be stuck.
(44:06):
I'm going to adjust, adapt andI'm going to pivot.
Speaker 3 (44:09):
I love it.
What would you say is yoursuperpower?
Speaker 1 (44:12):
My superpower is.
I have an amazing superpower.
I have this gift where okay, soshe'll know exactly who she is.
So she was like do you knowwhat your superpower is?
One day we was talking.
She was like you could sit atany room in the cafeteria and
(44:33):
any table in the cafeteria andthat's instantly the cool table.
And in my life I started toreally digest that because that
is my superpower, that is mygift.
I have people that I love andthat are in the lower class,
poor support, and I have eliteriches of rich all races in
between Czechoslovakian, russian, cuban, ecuadorian that I love.
You know Black, white, hispanic, muslim faith Like I just love.
(44:58):
I just love people.
I love the human experience andI always tell people that so
funny you named your podcastthat I have enjoyed the human
experience.
I love life and I love talkingto people, and I've been like
that since I was a kid.
My mom used to always be likewhy do you talk so much?
But when I'm talking to you I'mlike so you're first generation
American, how long have youbeen over here?
Where are your parents from?
And I just enjoy getting toknow people.
(45:19):
So I feel like my superpower isbeing able to just life and
love and just show up big andwith, with all unique people in
walks of life.
Speaker 3 (45:29):
Yeah, I love that and it makes so sense.
It makes so much sense thatyou're writing these books and
really being able to providethat love out into the world.
Where can the listeners findyou online.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
All right.
So listeners, listeners, youcan find me.
I'm all over Millicent with oneL, so M I L, IL-I-C-E-N-T.
Last name is Reed R-E-E-D.
You can find me on Facebook,all social media.
On Instagram, you can find meat confidence underscore
self-love enthusiast.
If you go to that page, you canalso link from the top.
(46:01):
My nonprofit is Impact GreaterGood and the kids books is at
underscore.
My Little Millie, but websitesas well wwwimpactgreatergood as
well as wwwmylittlemilliecom.
Speaker 3 (46:16):
Awesome Listen.
So go, make sure you followMillie, reach out to her, listen
.
We're out here making impactand we want you to bet on
yourself and make some impacttoo, and know that every day, as
you make decisions through life, you're always making an impact
.
So you might as well just beintentional and making sure that
you take up space, show up andshine your light right.
Speaker 1 (46:36):
Be confident.
Speaker 3 (46:37):
Yeah, be confident, listen and make-.
Speaker 1 (46:39):
What'd you say?
Speaker 3 (46:39):
the sauce, listen, listen show that sauce right,
because you have it know thatyou were chosen.
Speaker 1 (46:51):
Thanks so much, millie, for being on the podcast
.
Thank you, I'm excited to behere.
I am so proud of you.
I say this all the timewhenever I meet with different
powerhouses, but I'm reallyproud of you and I'm really
proud of everything you'reaccomplishing.
If you all don't know Hazel,you better follow her and get to
know her, because she is makingmoves out here, okay.
Speaker 3 (47:06):
Listen.
Thank you, millie.
Sorry I'm like shameless plug.
You got to tell them aboutworkplace therapy and how that
experience is.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
Oh my, that is not a shameless plug.
Listen, the call for moreconference no shameless plug
here.
That was the most beautifulexperience that I have had in
2025.
Beautiful experience that Ihave had in 2025 and I have had
some wins in 2025, but thepeople that you connect with are
others who are called for moreand people just get it when you
(47:34):
walk in the room.
I'm getting chills right now.
I am still connected.
When was that conference?
One month, march, and I amconnected to so many of those
people that were in that room.
So, listen, if you have not beento one of Hazel's events, you
need to go, because if you arecalled for more period, if you
(47:56):
are called for more and you feelit, you want to be around other
people who are called for moreand who feel it because when
you're in those spaces, let metell you what was happening and
I and I know we got to go withit.
It's just like how can I helpyou?
Right, what, what, what?
What ways can I help you?
Let's connect.
Oh, I know this person, who mayknow this person, who may know
(48:17):
this person.
Okay, make sure that we gettogether because I have some
information for you.
Speaker 3 (48:21):
That's the vibe yeah, all heart center people yes get
it, who are rooters, who arebetting on themselves and
betting on you to win too.
Speaker 1 (48:29):
Yes, for real.
I'm big on that one.
Yes, like for real, for real,though.
Speaker 3 (48:32):
Yeah, so definitely come on out.
We have the event Call for Morein Las Vegas on October 11th
and we're doing a little dinneron the 10th.
So make sure that if you arecalled for more and you want to
come out to Las Vegas, you knowthat this is a space to be.
We have some impactful speakersall about transformation.
You're going to end quarterfour right, yes yes, and that is
(48:55):
the goal.
But thanks, listeners, fortuning in and just know that you
got to keep betting on yourself.
You got to keep going, keepgoing right, keep going, keep
going Mama, we got this right,keep going, keep going.
Speaker 2 (49:12):
Mama, we got this.
We hope you caught all thosegems.
So here for all of it.
Be sure to subscribe so thatyou don't miss a gem.
Write a review so that we knowto keep bringing.
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