The Next Best Thing
This is a podcast about making changes in all areas of your life, even when you don’t know where to start. This is the antidote to your Sunday scaries. It bucks cultural standards that can leave you burned out and broken. It’s not about activating a Plan B or a career pivot; both of those terms indicate abandoning how you started. No, this is about continuing on your path and using all of your experiences to make a shift your future self will thank you for. Each episode includes a different example of what navigating your NEXT could look...
Overqualified and Overlooked? You're Playing the Wrong Game
Most people are job searching the same way they did 10 years ago. It's not working. 🎙️
Send the application. Wait. Send another. Wait longer. Refresh the inbox. Repeat. That's not a job search. That's a lottery. And in 2026, the odds are worse than ever, not because the market is impossible, but because everyone is using the exact same playbook.
What Aundrea figured out when everything fell apart in 2008 wasn't a trend or a tactic. It was a different way of moving, one that kept working through every shift in the industry, every new platform, every changing...
Voice Note: We've Played Enough Defense
The economy is shifting, AI is moving fast, and playing it safe isn't a strategy anymore. This week, one line from a Jay-Z interview stopped me cold, and it's been living rent-free in my head ever since. Let's talk about what it means to stop playing defense and finally go on offense in your own life.
Jay Z GQ interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu_MVMOdbvY&t=1413s
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If you're navigating your own career transition, sign up for The NEXT Nuggets newsletter: http://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTER<...
Voice Note: The Season of No
We often think moving forward is about doing more, but sometimes the breakthrough requires a new blueprint and the courage to stop strategies that lead to burnout instead of results. I’m exploring the 'Season of No’, the privilege of subtraction and giving ourselves permission for beautiful endings to make room for what truly aligns. This week, I’m asking you to marinate on one question: What do you need to put down to pick something better up?"
Join the tribe: If you're navigating your own career transition, sign up for The NEXT Nuggets newsletter. http://aundreact.com/NEWS...
Voice Note: Choosing Presence Over Permission
Transitions often feel like a whirlwind where it is easy to get lured into the appeal of something simply because it is new. To remain rooted during these shifts, you must be clear about your non-negotiables.
In this week's NEXT Nuggets Voice Note, Aundrea reflects on her fifteen-year career as an on-air television journalist and the heavy toll that lifestyle took on her personal relationships. From working holidays to being told that an uncle’s funeral wasn’t covered by a bereavement policy, she shares the pivotal moment she decided that showing up was no longer up for deba...
Stop Answering Questions: The Secret to Winning Every Job Interview
In the current job market, getting an interview is a win, but landing the job is an entirely different game, especially with the "AI recruiting doom loop" making it harder than ever to stand out.
In this episode of The NEXT Best Thing, certified interview coach Lili Foggle prepares you for what may be the most important conversation in your career. Lili is the Director of the Interview Institute at the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. She's known for turning rusty interviewee into a top-tier candidates, making her a viral sensation on TikTok.
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Voice Note: Summer Is Coming
This episode isn't just about seasons. It’s about navigating the winters in our own lives, especially when it feels like we're "hustling backwards" or juggling too much to keep up.
From the snow mounds of New York to the Texas sunshine, Aundrea shares a lesson on patience and progress. Discover why a bumpy flight with prolonged turbulence doesn't actually mean you're delayed, and how to stay grounded when you're tempted by the spirit of comparison. This is your weekly pep talk to cut through the noise, get your mind right, and start your week focusing on what act...
Why Your Job is Costing You Your Health: Healing from Burnout and Career Grief
"Maybe it is time to stop pushing through."
In this episode, host Aundrea Cline-Thomas sits down with award-winning psychologist and author Dr. Charmaine Jackman to unpack the heavy reality of career grief and burnout. Whether you’ve recently lost a job or you’re still "armored up" in a toxic environment, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to carry the weight of your workspace alone.
Dr. Jackman shares her personal journey from a driven 9-to-5 career to "choosing herself" through entrepreneurship, and why even a therapist needs therapy when the environment becomes exploitative.
Voice Note: Why You Aren't For Everyone (And That’s Your Superpower)
In this week’s Nuggets Voice Note, Aundrea explores the liberating power of Jill Scott’s new album title, "To Whom This May Concern." Reflecting on her transition from the "appeal to everyone" world of journalism to the "find your tribe" reality of life and business, she shares why your worth isn't defined by your palatability. Whether you're navigating a career shift or dealing with "keyboard courage" critics, this is your reminder to focus on the people who actually need what you have to offer.
Join the tribe: If you're navigating your own career transition, sign up for The...
Stop Making Rich People Richer: How To Work LESS and Live MORE Abroad
Is the "American Dream" actually a math problem that doesn't add up? In this episode, I'm joined by Stephanie Perry and Roshida Dowe, the founders of the Exodus Summit. We’re breaking down the literal cost of freedom, like how one woman they coached traded a $2,700 daycare bill in the US for $550 in Panama.
Stephanie and Roshida aren't just "retired," they are working, living, and bopping around the world on their own terms. We discuss why that jealousy you feel when looking at their lives is actually a map to your own future, and how to stop making ri...
Voice Note: From Employee to Asset
Companies that demand 110% loyalty are the same ones that can pivot their entire strategy in an 18-minute Zoom call. If you’re still following rules for a market that doesn’t exist anymore, you aren't moving the needle, you’re just standing still. It’s time to stop serving a job description and start serving your future self.
Shift your focus from being "The Best Employee" to being "The Best Asset." Your value isn't the name on your badge. It's the skills you take with you and the leverage you create for your NEXT. Stop building someone else’s dream fo...
Voice Note: The Job Market Shift You Cannot Ignore Right Now
"The math isn't mathing anymore."
January's job market just flashed warning signs we haven't seen since 2009. While everyone else is hitting snooze, I'm asking: what's YOUR plan if everything changes tomorrow?
This week, I'm breaking down the 4 things you need to do RIGHT NOW to protect yourself. This is about knowing your options, your resources, and your next move before you are forced to figure it out under pressure.
Disruption does not have to derail your life. Plot twists make for the best chapters.
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Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck: How to Multiply Your Money in 2026
Getting laid off while being six months pregnant wasn't in the plan. But that devastating moment forced her to completely rethink her relationship with money, work, and financial security. What started as survival mode turned into discovering a skill that would eventually make her more in a single week than her entire monthly salary.
This isn't about quitting your job or getting rich quick. It's about what happens when you stop relying on the false security of corporate loyalty and start building real options for yourself.
Stay In Touch with Arielle: https://arielledeane.com/
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Voice Note: The Gap Between the Work and the Win
Feeling the weight of pushing forward when no one's cheering yet? This week's voice note is about what happens when you're still in the arena and the applause hasn't arrived. We're talking about the gap between doing the work and getting the recognition, also known as the exact place where your strength gets built. This is your reminder that your best work often gets recognized in hindsight. Press play, find your footing, and keep swinging.
Why Your Boundaries Aren't Working (And What To Do Instead)
Therapist Minaa B breaks down why most people get boundaries completely wrong, and what actually works. If you've tried setting boundaries but still feel drained, taken advantage of, or guilty, this conversation will change how you approach relationships.
We discuss the difference between boundaries and walls, why emotional caretaking leaves you depleted, and how to stop abandoning yourself while trying to meet everyone else's needs. Minaa shares practical strategies for navigating difficult family dynamics, addressing burnout, and actually scheduling joy into your life the same way you'd schedule a meeting, because if it's not on the calendar, it's...
Voice Note: Meet Them With the Same Energy
If bullies rely on silence to win, what changes when you decide to make noise?
Audacity is a necessary skill, not a character flaw or something reserved for bullies. Audacity can be deployed to push back, take up space, and stop letting other people dominate the room. Using the rise of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a real-world example, Aundrea shows how momentum is built by refusing to shrink, choosing the right allies, and moving before you feel ready.
If you're done waiting to be picked and watching less qualified people get ahead, this is...
New Year, New Leverage: How to Create Career Clarity Without Reinventing Yourself
Feeling pressure to become a completely different version of yourself to move ahead? In this episode of The Next Best Thing Podcast, Aundrea explains why success in 2026 isn’t about doing more. It’s about leveraging what you already have. She shares her EMPOWER framework, lessons from career transitions, and practical strategies to build momentum, set boundaries, and design a career that supports both your goals and your well-being.
Download the EMPOWER Framework worksheet: Ready, Set, NEXT https://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTER
More about the EMPOWER framework: https://youtu.be/6QFFEmwGslc
NEXT Best Thing Membership: http...
Voice Note: Let Go And Reclaim Your Power
This voice note is a grounding reset for anyone carrying quiet grief, uncertainty, or unease about the state of the world. This pep talk is meant to help guide you back to steady ground by reconnecting with what you actually can control. I understand how disorienting this moment can feel and I want you to start your week feeling a little more anchored, clear, and less alone in what you’re navigating.
Music by Elysium Audio Labs
Track: “Let It Flow” www.elysiumaudiolabs.com
License: https://bit.ly/3wR1UKp
YouTube: • Funky Upbeat Hip Hop Background Music...
Introducing NEXT Nuggets Voicenotes
Mondays feel different when you begin them with intention. NEXT Nuggets Voicenotes are your weekly reset. A few focused minutes of grounded, honest reflection every Monday to help you cut through the noise and remember what you’re really doing all this for. Just enough to reset your thinking and reclaim your week before it runs you.
Don't worry, the traditional podcast is coming back. This is just an added bonus!
Ready to start your week with clarity instead of chaos? Press play.
Music by Elysium Audio Labs
Track: “Let It Flow” www.elysiumau...
One Hello That Changed My Career | Lessons from Natasha Cornstein, Blushington’s CEO
What if your next hello could change the trajectory of your career? Natasha Cornstein knows it can. On this episode of The Next Best Thing Podcast, the Blushington CEO shares how a single introduction transformed her path from customer to CEO, and how intentional relationships have fueled every step of her journey.
Natasha opens up about navigating the pandemic and rebuilding the business from scratch, while founding the Beauty and Wellness Forum to bring together peers and competitors in support and collaboration. She also breaks down franchising opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to take control of your NEXT chapter.<...
Why Are You Still Playing By The Rules
We’re living through a time when everything’s changing. From AI to government furloughs and mass layoffs, so why are you still playing by the old rules? In this episode, we’re talking about why it’s time to stop waiting for your job to take care of you and start taking control of your own career. It's time to start creating your NEXT Best Thing TODAY!
We’re getting into the biggest mistakes people are making right now. I’ll show you how to uncover your transferable skills and tell your story in a way that makes opport...
I'm BACK and Nothing Is The Same!
After an unplanned (but very necessary) break, I’m returning to The Next Best Thing Podcast with a real talk update on what’s been going on behind the scenes. Spoiler alert: life got a lot, and I had to take a step back to reassess everything, from my schedule and money to my energy and purpose. In this episode, I’m sharing what led to the pause, the wake-up calls that followed, and how I’ve been rebuilding with more clarity and intention. I talk about working with coaches, getting support, figuring out my “number,” and why just replacing your corpora...
What Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Taught Me About Clarity, Risk, and Reinvention
I went to my first-ever Beyoncé concert, and listen, I expected the fringe, the glam, the vocals. But I did not expect to walk out of that stadium thinking so deeply about purpose, reinvention, and how we show up in the world. This episode isn’t a concert recap, it’s a heart-to-heart about what Beyoncé’s brilliance unlocked for me in real time. If you’re in a season of change, questioning your next move, or trying to figure out how to keep going when the path feels unclear, this one’s for you.
From owning your lane to star...
Is Your Job Safe? How to Survive Layoffs & Uncertainty
Job market got you stuck? Executive Coach, former economist and Chief People Officer, Alisia Gill shares 5 hard truths every job seeker needs to know right now. With job confidence at its lowest since 2020, it's time for real talk about career pivots, LinkedIn strategy, and why "just-for-now" jobs might be your smartest move. Discover actionable steps to take control of your career trajectory, even when the future feels uncertain.
Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://startyourrewrite.com/the-next-best-thing-interest
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Power Play: Mastering Career Relationships That Matter with Melody Wilding
In today's hustle culture, simply grinding harder won't cut it. Your technical skills? Great. Your dedication? Essential. But here's the real career secret: success is about strategic connections. While you're burning the midnight oil, others are building the relationships and visibility that actually get them noticed while opening doors to new opportunities.
Melody Wilding, executive coach and author of Managing Up, shares insider strategies top performers use to turn connections into your career currency. Your performance matters, but in today's workplace, how you play the game determines who really gets ahead. Stop letting your hard work go underappreciated...
From Overwhelm to Liberation: How To Let Go Of What No Longer Serves You with Christine Platt
Feeling buried by stuff and stress? This week, Christine Platt, author of The Afro Minimalist’s Guide to Living With Less, shows us how minimalism, when rooted in culture and intention, can be a path to true liberation.Forget the cold, colorless aesthetic. Christine’s approach embraces warmth, identity, and purpose focusing on why we accumulate and how to release what no longer serves us.
She shares her powerful four-step process to help you move from overwhelm to clarity.We also talk about those messy in-between seasons, and get a sneak peek of her latest book, Less is Libe...
The Truth About Getting a Book Deal: Tips from Legacy Lit Publisher Krishan Trotman
Thinking about writing a book or pitching a big idea? LIsten to this FIRST! Kishan Trotman didn’t set out to launch a publishing imprint—but when the moment called for action, she answered. In this episode, she shares how Legacy Lit was born in the wake of the George Floyd uprisings, and what it took to convince one of the biggest publishing houses in the world to bet on something new.
We talk about how to make a compelling case for your ideas, why most people misunderstand what success in publishing actually looks like, and what it real...
The Hidden Cost of Pushing Through: Signs You're Disconnected from Your Own Emotions with Therapist Kalisha Crone
You keep pushing, showing up, and holding it together, but inside, you’re exhausted, numb, and running on fumes. In this conversation therapist Kalisha Crone unpacks the silent damage of suppressing your emotions just to survive. If you've been snapping at people you love, zoning out at work, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode is your call-in. Kalisha offers clarity, compassion, and practical ways to come back to center without quitting your job or pretending you're okay. It's time to stop normalizing numbness. You deserve more than survival.
Learn more about The NEXT Best Thing Community: https://star...
Building Community and Finding My Voice | Two Years of The NEXT Best Thing Podcast
On this episode of The Next Best Thing, I'm celebrating two years of the podcast. I opened up about the journey behind building this podcast from scratch, facing doubts, fighting comparison, and redefining what success really means. From almost quitting to now reaching nearly 100 episodes, it’s been about honoring promises to myself and helping others navigate life’s transitions. Remember, perfection isn’t the barometer of success. Show up, use what’s in your hand, and let your own path unfold. Thanks for being part of this journey!
You’re Learning. You’re NOT Failing: Tips for a Tough Job Market
Ever felt like your career has more chapters left to write? When the path you've built starts to feel narrow, or you're craving a professional reinvention that honors your hard-earned experience,
Christina Santiago and Elaine Walker have a conversation that will change your perspective. In this episode, they unpack the art of career transitions, from leveraging your existing skills, to expanding your network, and creating opportunities when traditional routes seem closed. From the career opportunities that can come from volunteering to understanding the true timeline of a meaningful job search, they offer a roadmap for redesigning your career t...
Ready, Set, NEXT: 7 Steps to Unlocking New Possibilities
Feeling stuck in your career with no clear NEXT step? I get it, I’ve been there too. That’s exactly why I created The NEXT Best Thing Podcast, to help you move forward with confidence, no matter what curveballs come your way. In this episode, I’m sharing my EMPOWER framework, a simple roadmap built from conversations with 70+ podcast guests who turned setbacks into new opportunities. It's also what I use to stay on track and open doors to new opportunities.
You’ll learn the seven key steps to figuring out what you actually want without waiting for perm...
You’re Fired! Navigating Grief After Career Loss with Laverne McKinnon
One moment, you're secure in your job, and the next, the rug is pulled out from under you. The emotional rollercoaster of job loss can feel overwhelming. But what if the pain you're feeling isn't just frustration or confusion, it could actually be grief? In this episode, career coach and grief specialist Laverne McKinnon helps you reframe what you might be going through.
Laverne McKinnon shares how being fired from CBS left her grieving for a decade before she could name it. Learn to spot the harmful stories you've been telling yourself since your layoff and replace them...
Curl Cap Founder Britney Crowell on Owning and Protecting Your Creativity
Ever wondered how a personal problem could turn into a successful business? In this episode, Britney Crowell, founder and inventor of CurlCap takes us on her journey from deconstructing her dad's old hat to address her own scalp psoriasis to becoming the first Black woman with a patented product to sell officially licensed Disney apparel, yes THAT Disney!
You'll hear firsthand how protecting her intellectual property through patents made all the difference when major opportunities came knocking.This conversation goes beyond business basics as Britney opens up about the difficult decisions entrepreneurs face – from walking away from Amazon's ma...
The Truth About Being Single in 2025: Dr. Kris Marsh Breaks Down 'The Love Jones Cohort'
Ever feel like society's constantly giving you the side-eye for being happily single? In this episode of The NEXT Best Thing Podcast we're chatting with Dr. Kris Marsh from the University of Maryland, whose book "The Love Jones Cohort" is shaking up everything we thought we knew about relationships.
Dr. Marsh introduces us to a growing group of college-educated, financially comfortable single Black Americans who are absolutely thriving without wedding rings. Named after that classic 1997 film (you know the one!), these folks are rewriting the rules of success and happiness.
"But aren't single people just... waiting t...
Fight or Flight: Finding Safety in Today’s Chaotic World with Lidia Bonilla
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant chaos around you? Like the world is on a never-ending loop of bad news, and you're stuck in fight or flight mode? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t have to be this way.
In this episode, guest Lidia Bonilla talks about how understanding your nervous system can be the key to handling all that stress. We’ll dive into polyvagal theory, a game-changer for recognizing how your body reacts to danger, safety, and everything in between. It’s time to stop letting external chaos dictate how you feel inside. Whether you’re burning o...
Stop Doubting Yourself: 4 Steps to Unlocking Your Full Potential
In this episode, we explore the power of ignoring the doubts and limitations others try to place on us, and how to break free from societal timelines that don’t align with your unique journey. I share personal stories of how embracing uncertainty, building a supportive community, and acknowledging your own superpowers can lead to transformation. It’s not about starting over—it’s about recognizing the skills you already have and finding new ways to apply them.
The NEXT Best Thing Community is your guide to turning big dreams into achievable steps, and I invite you to join us...
How To Actually Achieve Your Goals In 2025 with NBA Performance Coach Ben Kenyon
Feeling like you're stuck in a rut or not reaching your full potential? It’s frustrating when you know you can do more, but something’s holding you back. In this episode, NBA Performance Coach Ben Kenyon gets real about how to break through those mental blocks and tap into your true power. Whether you’re an athlete or just looking to level up in life, Ben shares his top strategies for staying motivated, mastering your mindset, and getting back on track after falling off. If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, this is the episode...
Break Free from Money Shame: How to Build Wealth with Aja Evans
Ready to Feel Good About Your Money in 2025? 🙌🏾With everything happening in this political climate, we can't afford to have our money stay funny. Financial therapist Aja Evans returns to the show – this time as a published author – to help us get crystal clear about creating prosperity and options for ourselves.
Her new book "Feel Good Finance" is right on time. We all know money talk can get heavy. The stress, the shame, the constant pressure – Aja gets it. But instead of beating yourself up about your finances, she shows you how to actually feel GOOD about your money situat...
Creating Your Own Safe Spaces and Staying Hopeful Through Difficult Times
Welcome back! I’ve finally returned after taking some time off to regroup, and I’m so grateful for your patience and support! It was so important to recharge and reconnect with why I started this podcast in the first place.
I’m diving into some real talk about how to survive—and even thrive—in today’s politically charged world. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or just plain exhausted by everything happening around us, you’re not alone.
Big news for 2025: The NEXT Best Thing community is officially launching! It’s a space for all of us to co...
2024 Year In Review: Either You Win or You Learn
In this final episode of 2024, I’m reflecting on the whirlwind year that’s been—what worked, what didn’t, and everything I’ve learned along the way. It’s a moment to pause, take stock, and share what’s been on my heart as I set intentions for the year ahead. I’m also encouraging YOU to reflect on your own journey, address your fears, and dream big as we step into 2025. This episode is all about gratitude—thank you for trusting me, for showing up, and for being part of this community. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s wrap up...
Dreaming on Purpose: Ariane Hunter's Blueprint for Personal and Professional Freedom
Feeling stuck in toxic environments—whether at work or in your personal life? It's easy to tolerate what feels "normal," but that doesn't mean it's healthy. Ariane Hunter reveals how to break free from these patterns, with insight from her book, Dreaming on Purpose, to help you overcome cultural limits that hold you back from pursuing your true dreams. Looking to set clear intentions for the year ahead?
The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect, dream big, and align your goals with what truly matters. Plus, learn how entrepreneurship can unlock the freedom you've been craving, whe...
