It's The Human Experience: Overcoming Self-Doubt, Embracing Emotional Intelligence, Self-Worth, Self Awareness, Confidence & Self Love | Living on Purpose

87. It's Never Too Late to Start Over: Finding Purpose, Healing, and Your True Calling

• Hazel Atkinson-Brown

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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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Speaker 1:

I was talking to a friend on the phone she said we're in the third quarter of life. But then when I hung up with her 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's time to go.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to. It's the Human Experience Podcast Hosted by Hazel Brown, a health care leader, wife, mom and 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 become fearless in pursuit of the life you desire and deserve. Go ahead and subscribe. You don't want to miss out on these transparent stories and discussions that reveal highs, lows, aha moments and nuggets that'll help you to grow and glow.

Speaker 3:

Hey, hey, hey. You are now tuned in to the it's the Human Experience podcast. I'm your host, hazel Brown. Today we have Millie here. Millie, we're going to dive into all the things when it comes to our personal development journey growth, just awareness, and who you are and whose you are, and all the things. Before we jump into the episode, I do want to make sure that you subscribe. If you're not currently following 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 do for yourself is to personally develop and not take anyone with you, because then you'll be there alone. So, millie, I want to dive right in. Thanks for being on the episode. Thanks for joining us and sharing your gems.

Speaker 1:

Thank you, I'm excited to be here. Let's go, let's get this started.

Speaker 3:

Let's go.

Speaker 1:

Who is Millie? All right, so Hazel is introducing me as Millie, which is fine, but a lot of the audience and people know me as Millicent, millicent Reed. So I am a nonprofit. I am the founder and CEO of a nonprofit Impact, greater Good, as well as my Little Millie Brand with the Little Millie children's book. I'm also a Fortune 25 leader over HR talent attraction, so I do all of the hiring. So I always like to tell folks you like to get paid right, so that's what I do in the corporate setting.

Speaker 3:

So you said you're an author, you have six books. Is that correct? Six?

Speaker 1:

self-published children's books as of right now. So it's installation one. It's composed of six books and one coloring book. So it's the Little Millie series. So you'll see Little Millie as a child and these books really are talking about confidence, self-love. How do you really affirm yourself, character, and just teaching kids all the things that I have learned in life and just trying to really put into them, because children are the foundation, right? And that song you all know that song which is one of my favorites. I believe that children are our future. Teach them what I can't sing it.

Speaker 3:

Let them lead the way.

Speaker 1:

Yes, yes. So that's the thing I want to make certain that I put as much as I can into them, because they will be the future leaders. Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 3:

I love it. I love singing, regardless if I can or can't.

Speaker 1:

Oh, me too. I'm a shower singer. Every job I've ever worked at they like can you please stop? But I really really love singing. It's so funny because we sung that song at Walt Disney World in Orlando as I was in the chorus and this is a true story. I could not sing as a child and I faked until I made it in the chorus and the chorus teacher used to always be like somebody is off and she'll come over there to me and I'll start lip syncing. It was so funny.

Speaker 3:

Oh my goodness, yes, you still got to show up, right? Yes?

Speaker 1:

listen. I knew enough to know to fake it till you make it, Listen we gonna make it work.

Speaker 3:

How did you get into a space of feeling like writing children's book, aligned with who you are as a person?

Speaker 1:

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 this was like my series as a child. I love that collection and then I would see so many other collections. But it was something about that collection. So, as I just continued to do the work, do the work, do the work, do the work, little Millie was a thought in my mind over the years. I will say that, spiritually, when something is put on your heart, it never goes away, no matter how much you run away from it, no matter how much you don't execute and take it into action. So finally, with the transition of my mom, that's when I really said you know what? I was talking to a friend and this is what hit home. This is the human experience. Talk about life. I was talking to a friend and this is what hit home. This is the human experience. Talk about life.

Speaker 1:

I was talking to a friend on the phone and she literally said this and it resonated so strong with me. She said we're in a third quarter of life and at first my normal silly stuff. I was like, don't be calling me old because that's you. But then when I like hung up with her 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's time to go and put what you want to put in the universe and what do you want to be known for. So that's when I said you know what, it's time to do it.

Speaker 1:

And it just continued to pick up and then I would go to sleep and then God would literally download another book, and so I have a long way to go. I'm going to end up doing 20 books, but I started with installation one, because now I'm in the part of the journey where I'm actually promoting and actually getting in front of schools and doing the Milo Millie shows, which are beautiful. I cannot wait for you all to see some of those. I know you have seen some, just you know, but I cannot wait to release it to the world because they are gorgeous shows.

Speaker 3:

Definitely gorgeous shows. I know just like watching some of the videos, I'm like oh, like my cheeks just smiling just for the impact that you're out there making in the world Like it's so beautiful.

Speaker 3:

I think something that I want to dive into is like hearing your friends say that you're in quarter three and then starting pushing in your gifts, like using some of those gifts that you know you've had through the years and has come up and come up, and then recognizing that you're actually in quarter one. Because I realize that in those journeys you hear people who are not on a spiritual journey think that because of age you're somewhere in life but not recognizing that every time you go after a new goal, you're at ground zero at that quarter one.

Speaker 3:

How do you feel in that, knowing that the difference between societal goals, in terms of being in quarter three based on your age and what you've accomplished, but working on the gifts that he gives you and using them and allowing that to put you in a place where you go back to quarter one, hopefully frequently, right, because every book you write it's a new journey, it's a new experience.

Speaker 1:

So I'm happy you said that because and I refer to this a lot because I like, when I'm on different platforms and to start understanding how people come up with the you know creativity and what's behind that the human experience. So when you said that in Lincoln, like you know, I never really thought about it like that, like okay, quarter three, but you're actually in quarter one and phase one and, to be honest, hazel, I have had that pressure on myself Like, oh, man, if I would have started earlier. I'm so far behind. And man, if I would have really tapped into my gifts. Oh, I was so distracted, oh, I let 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 back and take that deep breath and say it is really okay, it is really okay, you're doing it when you're supposed to. And now, when I'm meeting the people along in my journey who are supposed to be my destiny helpers, and I see it, I'm like it couldn't happen any faster.

Speaker 1:

It couldn't happen any faster, because one of the things that I'm realizing like if it happens faster, you're not aligned with the man above, and if you're not aligned with the man above, everything in my life, speaking for myself, has just been a disaster. So now I feel relaxation in the process and knowing that, ok, you're starting from where you're supposed to start and just relaxing in there and taking a deep breath. I'll tell you about something that just recently happened, when I was just like God is just amazing and like it's emotional because he's just like in your steps he's going to put the right people. So I was visiting the city and I had no idea that, you know, there was a big conference and a concert in the city, and so all the hotels were booked. I had this big keynote speech and I just had to get in a room right to do what I needed to do. And so, hotel after hotel, we're booked, we're booked, we're booked.

Speaker 1:

So I walk into this one hotel and I'm just like, okay, literally a guest in a lobby, the receptionist, nice hotel. And I'm just like, hey, this is what's going on, this is what I need to do. This brother. He said listen, and Mo, if you watching, he know exactly who I'm, he could verify this. He was like, look, what you have to do is so much more important than me. Give her my room and the reception. I was like, can he do that? And she said, absolutely, we're going to make sure you? But I'm like in that moment I realized that, like your destiny helpers are out there and all you do is have to relax and be obedient.

Speaker 3:

We talked a little bit in a previous episode about how important it is to recognize discernment and knowing that in discernment, when it's hard in your flesh versus it's hard in your spirit, like you can be going through the things but know that God is leaving you. So it's hard in flesh because you've come out here, you're going to different hotels, you're getting those, but it's easy in spirit. She can have my room.

Speaker 1:

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 your raising, you have those little nuggets that your mom dropped. So my mom, for her and her journey, she always felt like it was difficult, like, oh man, I felt like I was picked out, to be picked on right. But she was like one of the easier things that has ever happened into her life was when we moved from Orlando, florida, to Atlanta and her job, just everything had felt in alignment. And then she used to always tell me, from that moment, when things are meant to happen, it's so easy and God just flows through it and you won't have any heartache and any pain. And so that's one of the things that I've taken forward with me. And when things happen so easy like that, that's how I know it's God with me.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, you're working in your purpose. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love it. What have been some aha moments for you along the journey, as you've betted on yourself?

Speaker 1:

All right. So some of the aha moments for me since I've started this journey of going and just kind of reaching, reaching for the stars, one of the confidence, self-love. So it's so funny because I was going to brand myself a different way. I'm telling you a lot in a creative process, so it's so funny because I was going to brand myself a different way. I'm telling you a lot in the creative process, so we'll talk about this. We got a long way to go on the Millicent journey, but I was going to brand myself a friend and I were talking that's ugly pretty, ugly, pretty and what was so interesting about that? So, with my team, we all talking 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 not calling myself ugly, I know who I am, but the journey has just been so ugly pretty, all of these different things. But then one of the things just like okay, if you're going to do this and you're going to be before children, they don't understand that message. And so one of the aha moments for me was that's how I came up with confidence, self-love, enthusiasm, what is your gift, and it's just like I never had really put into words, like what is it that God made Millicent just divinely and uniquely special?

Speaker 1:

And I used to hear people always say that all the time you got confidence and you show up and you just like your smile so big. But that was like an aha moment for me, like, oh, I get it, god, and like so many different things. Like I get it, god, and like so many different things, like I get it, that's what you want me to do in this world. Like you want me to exude confidence. You want me to teach that, because if you really think about all of the different industries, all the different, who's out there really teaching confidence? How do you really teach that right? And so I was just like, now that I'm walking in this journey, I'm like I get it. I totally get it because it's so natural. You know, when I'm on these different shows or in the media and they like introducing a confident, self-love, enthusiast, and I light up because I'm like it's so me.

Speaker 3:

In walking in your purpose, like it becomes so aligned and you're like this just makes sense. It's been like this my whole life. Why didn't?

Speaker 1:

I know this earlier. Do you have moments you feel like that as well?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely, absolutely. So many moments where I look back and I'm like, oh, this is way bigger than I thought it was. Or, oh my goodness, like these are things that I did as a kid. Like I would put on talent shows for my mom when she was in her moments of like, going through hardship, because I wanted to make sure she was happy. I would have deep conversations with her. I'm in high school and I want to get to know you. Who are you? I don't want to know who you are as my mom, I want to know you as a person.

Speaker 3:

And so when I see myself doing all these things, there's nothing new about it. I've always wanted to know the heart of people and I've always wanted to put a smile on people's faces. So that is just who I am, and it just kind of exudes over and it's like, oh, I could get Good events even with the home. I don't feel like I'm working.

Speaker 1:

I just was like I know that I'm working, don't get me wrong but I feel like I'm showing up and I'm just like I'm so happy to meet people, I'm so happy like the kids and I'm just like I get it. So those are those aha moments when you're like you leave and you're digesting what just happened and you're like why wasn't I here just the whole time?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, absolutely. And to your point, like it's so beautiful to where you'll find yourself just working, working, working, and you have to pull yourself out of the work because it doesn't feel like work and you're like sweetheart, you working. You need to stop.

Speaker 1:

Everybody's telling me that vacation. I'm like I just can't stop. I'm like I just can't stop.

Speaker 3:

You get addicted to it and you do have to take time for yourself, yeah because personal development, growth, success can be a complete addiction, especially when you're working your purpose. I feel like people don't talk a lot about that, like you run and yearn for the fact that you're living in your purpose, but when you do, because it does not feel like work and because it lights you up and you're thankful that he chose you you're being obedient and it's working out. You work so much in it that you lose sight of all of the seeds and the steward of things that you should be stewarding over. And it's so important that we really take time to just focus on the fact that, like we're here and what we have in front of us, I'm happy now to have a solid foundation around me who is saying, millie, millicent, stop, stop and take time for yourself.

Speaker 1:

I know you and I were having a conversation as well. You're just like it's time to stop and maybe, you know, just take a deep breath, because I feel like I am going going, going, going. Okay, when you get one win, and oh, I'm chasing the next win, but you have to take a moment to take care of yourself for one on this personal development journey. Also, while you're being obedient, you got to make certain that you're here longevity and so what does that look like? Mind, body and spirit, and making certain you're whole, because on this journey, you're allowing yourself to be used as a vessel, which is a beautiful thing, but who's taking the time to put into you? And that's your responsibility. And one of the things that I've learned is self-care. So I'm like I can't be out here teaching self-care and then I'm showing up depleted. So I'm appreciative of the support system when you all get on me to take a break, and it's something that I just definitely have to get better at.

Speaker 2:

I think, that really leads into community.

Speaker 3:

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 of being a self-care enthusiast and really focused on confidence and essentially being a rooter, like within that you're so worried about, one, using your gifts and two, making sure you're supporting others, that, if you don't intentionally have people in your circle that care about you as a person, like you don't have those people to tell 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:

Listen, I'm trying to go for the championship, like let's go. But you know what, when it comes to the foundation and the circle that I've built, I knew that part of my process and just my personality. I have a very strong personality, my leadership style, and, while I know that I'm blessed and I'm gifted in those areas, I knew that I had to build my team and support system with people who would say no, no, no, no, no, no. Or hey, look at it through a different lens. Because I have so much respect for my team because of that, like you said, that community and knowing that they have my best interests and they love and they support me and they want to see me win and I always tell them cause they'd be like Millie. I'm so proud of you, millicent, I'm so proud and I'm like us.

Speaker 1:

Us is it? I can't do this alone. It's us, everybody who has contributed to this journey. It's us, right? And the people who will continue to contribute in the future. I'm like it's an us thing. So I'm thankful for community and 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:

Yeah, how do you feel when you get people in your life that, like pour the way you pour, I know, for me, like those kind of people, it's like, oh, child, I love it.

Speaker 1:

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 to call myself the Build-A-Bear president the Build-A-Bear president, especially in relationships. I'm single, but I used to call myself the Build-A-Bear President because I never had anyone to just pour into me. And I know my capabilities, I know what I bring, I know my healing, I know all of the beautiful things that come with me. And not to say that I'm perfect, because we know I'm not perfect, you start to receive what you're giving and you see that it's genuine and it's from a godly place. Oh, my, my, my life has changed.

Speaker 1:

And what was so interesting to me?

Speaker 1:

One day I was just lying in the bed this is a real story, hazel and one day it was just so much love coming my little Millie shows it every time I feel down and I'm like I just want to quit.

Speaker 1:

You get all of these messages. And one day I just sat there and I just scrolled through all of the people that's in my life right now, all of the love, and I, literally, I was just like wow, when I was doing it the Millicent way, it was toxic and full of craziness. But now that I've just really submitted and just all of the new people that are coming to my life and just really pouring into me, I'm just so grateful and I'm like that's why I was telling you, when you feel like you quarter one quarter, it's like why didn't I just submit earlier and just like allow him? Because I left that day and I resolved 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'd be like move all the junk out the way so that I could put the people who are really going to help propel you and get you where you need to be.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, absolutely. And I can't get away from you mentioning your passing of your mom. Like how has the grief journey been as you've been working through your goals? Like how has that experience caused you to look at life differently?

Speaker 1:

So so when my mom transitioned, it's the worst club to ever be a part of.

Speaker 1:

I'll just say that it's the worst club to ever be a part of. So some other people that I know that have lost their mom and they say either you deal with it on the front end or you're going to deal with it on the back end, but either way you're going to deal with it. So enough people had said that to me, that I'm a believer, I don't have to go touch the frying pan and know it's hot. So I said, okay, I want to deal with it on the front end, Cause they said you're going to keep going and then you're going to hit a roadblock. So eight, nine months of straight depression. I'm going to be honest, it was just like dark and just dealing with all of the things Right. And yeah, For me it was such a beautiful experience, transition in life, because I had an opportunity to have a closing conversation with my mom and our relationship wasn't always positive, and so that conversation was two, three hour cram course. So if you imagine a 70 year old giving a cram course to her daughter and I get it, I'm at the 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 she like it is what it is now and she just give me everything. Right. She apologizes just so much that I had to sift through and digest, but her last words to me. I'm saying all that to say we're keep going, go as far as you can, daughter, you have everything it takes, and the grief journey has taken me such a way. Hazel, this is so serious. I will be out just minding my business in a grocery store and somebody will just be like this you have a beautiful smile, what do you do? And we'll just start talking. Keep going. Yeah, At that same hotel I was talking to you about I had a long day.

Speaker 1:

I literally got to you about I had a long day. I literally got to the elevator. And have you ever just been so exhausted? Like I didn't even know anybody was around me. I got to the elevator and I pressed it and I just said it was a young lady at the hotel. She said keep going.

Speaker 1:

I get text messages, people who don't even know this story. Keep going. I have never heard those two words together so much in my life and every time I hear it I know that it's my mom guiding me and just like keep going. And I know I'm on the right track and I feel like I've told a lot of people this. I'm closer to my mom in the afterlife than we were here. I hear her, I feel her presence all around me and I always say my mom boxing out in heaven, because my mom knew how to get to it. All right, A woman with a sixth grade education, janitorial business. She had worked her way all the way up cleaning some real like you know some real deal, you know contracts. And so I'm like my mom in heaven, like I'm not playing about my daughter, and so move out our way, and so she boxing out. And that one time I was driving and the car swerved. That car got back and I said, okay, she ain't playing.

Speaker 1:

So the grief journey has been one in which it started out with, you know, just reflection and just grief. But then now I'm so full when I think about what she, what she sees for me, what she wants for me, Cause she's the one told me like why are you not out there in the public? I'm like I don't want to deal with it, I'm dealing with my past. And she was like you have everything. It takes Like it's time to get to it.

Speaker 1:

And so that's where Impact Greater Good came from, Cause she was like baby go, impact the world. So I'm proud, I'm happy. You know, when I have tough times I'm like mom, I'm just hope I'm making you happy. And when my 82 year old aunt, I posted that on social media. I did a Fox interview last week and my 82 year old aunt called me and just was like you're carrying the family legacy with so much pride. And she was so proud because first generation on my mom's side, first generation on my dad's side, so I'm trailblazing and showing that it could be done. And so the grief journey has been in such a way that it has 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 and beautiful photo, and I'm like dang, I'm my mom, right, and I'm like everything she wanted to be.

Speaker 1:

And yeah, my ancestors, greatest, yeah, my mom wanted education so bad, and to know that I'm like living a life because that was one of the things she left me with. She was like I want it to be you, 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, you have the legacy. Like when you die, we'll be on the front row grieving. I was like I have my dog Benzo, right. But I'm like to know that I'm doing everything that she wanted to do and just hoping I'm doing it with just such class and elegance and making her you know, because her life wasn't easy, but doing it authentic and telling a true story about her right, telling a true story about who she was and the hurt and pain. It's like I get it. I get it.

Speaker 3:

I love it. I love the fact that when you think about, like your mom's story in terms of having four children and putting so much into them from the perspective of your books and your stories and the way you show up does You're creating legacy almost greater than someone who has four children. Absolutely, absolutely. I want to say that. I think it also showcases that legacy does not look linear. It can happen in multiple ways and society programs us to think that we need to have a college education, we need to have kids, we need to be married, we need to have a a college education, we need to have kids, we need to be married, we need to have a picket fence. We need to do this, but it's whatever it is that lights up inside of you as it relates to your purpose and your gifts, and you run that ball like a Super Bowl with the gifts he gave you and you're going to make legacy. You're going to create it because you're already a part of it.

Speaker 1:

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 was chasing, chasing, chasing, chasing, chasing relationships and family, and I just had to just take a deep breath, take a deep breath and know that it's okay. It's okay. I don't spiritual wise. You know, Paul or somebody was telling me, and my brother was just like Millie, everybody's not put here to be with somebody. And you know the realization of that, you know, and I was just like okay, how do you ultimately find your purpose, walk in your purpose, and what does that look like? And being okay and so like from that conversation, it's so funny that you connected the dots with my mom. I'm like, oh, another aha moment, I get it, the transition of losing your mom.

Speaker 1:

People don't talk about it enough. But I was like, oh, she ran her race, she, she completed her assignment. What is your assignment ultimately? And what does that look like for 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'm out there and the teachers are telling me, the principals are like thank you for this program, because some of our students are not getting that. Some of our students are not getting that and I feel so like okay.

Speaker 3:

I'm sitting in that Because it's really about how much impact you can make in this world, like there's so many people who have 12 kids, but their children them, no judgment, no one's making an impact on anyone, and so that really is where that purpose comes from. So I love that awareness into the fact that you can be still enough to recognize like, wow, I'm doing the work and I was chosen, and the reason you set it up like this is so that I can be able to focus, and when it's no longer time for me to be a part of the Super Bowl, you'll introduce what's next, if that is what you want for me.

Speaker 3:

So I love that.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, I love that, I love, I love this space that I'm in. It's beautiful and I'm excited.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, I want to go into some questions. Can you share a time when you felt completely stuck? What changed for you to move forward, and how did that moment shape how you approach challenges?

Speaker 1:

All right. So my story is so complex, it's so 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 how am I ever going to get myself out of this situation? Right, 289 pounds, heavy, heavy physically, mentally, emotionally. Just so much junk. And I remember that moment when I just looked in the mirror and I was like no more, yeah, no more, day by day, step by step, and what all that took. It's so hard. So I want to make sure everybody know that I'm saying that everything about my process. It's difficult, it is not easy.

Speaker 1:

I write self-help e-books as well Self-love, best love.

Speaker 1:

If you have not purchased that e-book and I'm not shameless plug, but I pour my heart and soul into that because it just takes you through my process of, like you said, feeling stuff and what things you have to tap into.

Speaker 1:

And sometimes that means laying in the bed and just if you could think of one good thing about yourself, dwelling on that right, until you come up with something else right, and just taking that like, moment by moment, step by step until ultimately, you're feeling good again. And then you're just taking a day by storm, because I'm always like I wake up with so much energy. I'm a morning person, but when you're going through those deep dark phases and your depression and 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 I feel so stuck and I'm like what is going on here? Because my calibration is off, like my vibration calibration, frequency, everything is off. And then I have to just recalibrate and say you know what, let me just back up a little bit. Let me back up a little bit. And those are the moments when I just take it step by step and I just start identifying the things that I really do like about myself and I try to move from those.

Speaker 3:

It takes me back to when you mentioned kind of scrolling through your phone and looking for all the love that you've been getting. And I hear people talk about creating like love jars whether it be at work or whether it be in their personal life or both.

Speaker 3:

That's good, and I feel like that's what you did, I think, as the reminder that you have with yourself in terms of who you are, but also when you go back to look like all of the things that I'm telling myself is actually not true, because I got proof like people love me, I do an amazing job, like I show up authentically and I'm good to people every day, and so I'm just going through a phase and I can absolutely get out of that you know, I never felt more love than when my mom died.

Speaker 1:

I didn't even know I was telling my um, my leader, my boss at work. I didn't even know so many people love me. I promise you I didn't. I never had taken a moment. I had been doing the work, like active in the communities, 15 years. You know, just out, working, working, working, being good to people. You know, leading in the spaces of corporate America, but I never knew so many people rocked with me when my mom died.

Speaker 1:

I had so much love. I had gifts for weeks that I wasn't even able to open, right, and I just was like so overwhelmed because I'm like I didn't even know this person, but everybody was like Millie, everybody love you and so like when I was even like the text messages that I was receiving and just the overflow of love, and then people were just like it's a moment in time, you got this and it really just gave me so much strength. But from there I will say once I recognize that impact and I'm like all right, it's people out here really rooting on you to like do this and now that I've started this public journey, they be serious about that. Like keep going, like they're not letting up on me and I'm just like. That makes me just like.

Speaker 1:

You know all of the people who believed in me, the teachers. So it's so cool when you have like your second grade teacher not my second grade, but like your third grade teacher or your you know fifth grade teacher reaching out to you, your eighth grade teacher reaching out to you. You like, and they like I got you, you good, and I'm like really. And then you like and they like I got you, you're good, and I'm like really. And then your 82 year old aunt calling you and then your 72 year old cousin like that's the type of stuff that filled my heart. I just got a call from one of my cousins that I grew up with like a it was nine of us and she like I saw your interview on CBS and she was like on Fox and she was just so excited. That's what fills Millicent harder, because I'm like no, I have people who really love me, supported me, who behind me, who want to see me successful. That's given me all of. And then meeting people like you, hazel.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, like all the oomph you need to keep going yeah, Hazel, I always tell you you're like a quiet storm, but like a power house.

Speaker 3:

You get it. I appreciate it. I'm a big rooter. I get that from my mom. My mom's the kind of person that she wants to see everyone win Really, and I am so thankful that I got that quality for her. She's not jealous. She has no jealous bone in her body Like she gets excited when she sees people doing well.

Speaker 1:

I don't find a lot of us like that. That J word and that E word is so strong. So it's like when you find people that you connect with out here, that's not like that, because I'm like that too. Like I'm like, hey, girl, you doing 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 things I really loved about you, I'm like you're a powerhouse and you're like what can I do to help? Like what can, what connection can I make? But I'm, when you find people like that, it I'm having now to realize that it's okay and to not have trauma, because so much of your experience is you don't find that.

Speaker 3:

And so, now that you're finding that, to just be grateful and thankful, to know that it exists and just the human experience of it all and to really embrace it and love on those people and I think that that is hard for people, like being able to like what does she want, like what's going to happen, like cause you get burnt so much along the way that it's like what is what should I take away from this? And then recognizing that you're deserving of it because you give out that energy in the world, so why shouldn't it come back to you? And I think it's a beautiful thing when you start to see the energy you put out come back to you and realizing, like he has you and the people around you like want the best for you as well.

Speaker 1:

People have always told me that, like, well, I had someone tell me they was just like you show up with a whole gallon of love to give and not everybody have it. I don't expect people to be me, but I do show up with light love, like energy, Right, and I'm like, okay, well, if I can't get light, love and energy, can I just get non-toxic?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, right.

Speaker 1:

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 starting to see so many people and meet so many people, that does not come with that. And I'm like can I hold on to you forever Because it's so loving and it's so like I love it in this space. I love, love, love. This space I'm in in my life.

Speaker 3:

I love that. How do you create boundaries in your life now to make sure that you're not bringing in those toxic vibes or energy that's not supportive or brings you further along your journey? Because when we don't create those boundaries, many times it creates distraction. Because if somebody's coming in your life with whether it's jealousy, envy or just not having good energy because of the fact that they're still on their healing journey but they haven't reached a moment to where they recognize like they don't need to compete with you because they're on their own journey, Like, how do you create that safe space for yourself?

Speaker 1:

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, so give grace One of the one of the things that I love about my process and where I'm at maturity wise, I can have tough conversations.

Speaker 1:

I can have tough conversations that I wasn't able to have before. So when I identify something in someone that's making me feel a certain way, I can step up to the plate and have the conversation. Now what I'm realizing is a lot of 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 and you could be truthful with what's happening here and the human experience and to be able to identify why you're feeling some way or why I'm feeling some way, and bring that to the table because it's normal. It's normal feelings, right, and I'm totally comfortable and okay with that. I'm not comfortable with the delusions of it all and the dysfunctionality of it all and us acting like this isn't happening. I'm not comfortable there. So those are the boundaries that I've drawn for myself. I'm comfortable having any conversation. I'm comfortable with you, even experiencing some feelings of jealousy. I have someone real close to me was just like I'm struggling because and we were having a conversation just like I want where you, where you are so bad. But you know, I can't feel jealous because I know that I'm not at that step and I'm like that's a normal feeling to feel the way you feel, because I know you want this for yourself so bad. But keep working.

Speaker 1:

But I appreciated that conversation so much because it's not like they're not trying to, it's not happening, it's not happening and then they're showing up, acting in some different way towards me. Because I know one time you and I were talking and you were like it's a process to this. It's a process to get where you are. You can't expect to be the main player when you haven't went through the process.

Speaker 1:

And so I'm just like respecting my own journey to say OK, you went through the proper steps to be here. You deserve to be here and creating that space where I want to help others get here as well. But you can't come to me with toxicity. If you come with me and you just 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 stuff you, but I can't, you can't come with all that other stuff. I can't allow that to infiltrate me because at the rate that I'm going and the things moving so fast, I don't have time to sit in that space with you. Yeah, right, like I have to keep moving.

Speaker 3:

I love that you address like, even in the conversation with the person, like it is normal to have that feeling yeah, yeah because there's a difference between you're a hater and you have a feeling of oh man, that's where I want to be, and it makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 3:

And it's like you definitely have to pray your way through that, like ask God to help you through that feeling. I think sometimes that comes from 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 being at the top, and so now you're in a space where there's a lot of firsts and onlys that are at the top. So how do you handle now realizing that you are not the running back or the star, but you are in your element?

Speaker 3:

All of you are, and so it's really being able to get to that space to recognize. If you're not there yet, you will get there, because no matter who the person is that you're looking at, they're not there yet either. You just think they're there.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and being transparent in those conversations I know the person I was talking to, being transparent, like I'm not there. Thank you for acknowledging that I've had some wins and I'm grateful for the wins, but I'm still climbing and I'm still working hard and I'm still trying 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 to help you and you will get there. Just stay positive, stay encouraged, do the small things day by day, and I'm telling you those small things before you look up.

Speaker 3:

You'd be like whoa, I'm getting somewhere. Yeah, I love that so much. I talked in a previous episode just about the waves and patterns and things and we don't recognize that within everything we're going to go down and we're going to elevate higher than we were the first time and we're going to go back up again. And I think so many times people kind of look at people's iterations of their self and assume that once they go through it one time they never have to come back down. But we all do like cause there's more muscle to build and other things to be able to develop and learn. The ebbs and flow of life is real.

Speaker 1:

It's a real thing out there, cause I know a lot of people look at me oh, you're so beautiful, oh you, you've had it all, oh, you've had the connections, oh, you've done. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Those ebbs and flows and I'm prefacing because I'm like those valleys get dark, those valleys get deep, and you know you have to work your way. And just sometimes, even when you think, oh, life is good something else happens and it could be unexpected.

Speaker 1:

And how do you process that? For me, I've always, just like you said, like I take one step at a time, small bites, until I'm back up on that. You know, on that on the upward part, but I'm like those ebbs and flows are real and I and I look at other people life, as good as they may be performing and doing. I'm like I know that there are some challenges, it's just normal?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it is. It's a part of the journey and I think it's so important, and so I'm really glad that you touched on that, because not enough people really are open about 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 so transparent with that because I'm like I've been a person who lived out loud and who's transparent, but I'm like I'm not going to sit up here and say everything is perfect because it's not.

Speaker 1:

And if anybody is telling you that like, they're not telling the truth.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, because that's just not how there's duality, yeah, and life just doesn't function like that.

Speaker 1:

What's one moment that you realize that the only person holding you back was you. All right? So there's this one situation that took me eight years to overcome. It was a loss of love and I couldn't get to the next step. I could not. I just could not, like I don't know what in my heart just wouldn't allow me to Um, but that was one of the toughest things in my life. It was all me, it was all me and it's like me. Just in my head, this person is coming back. No, they're not. Life is gone, it's done.

Speaker 1:

But I do remember a moment where it's so funny. I was, um, driving a bridge in Atlanta and I called my sister and it was early in the morning and I was like, hey, it's eight years later and I just realized that this is never happening again. And she's like, yeah, we all been trying to tell you know, it was that moment for me and I'm like life is fast, life is fast. And I was like it's me, it's me. And I remember having this job and something had happened with a background because I was in staffing HR, something had happened with a background and I didn't run a proper background check and I can't believe this candidate had duped me because I believed in him and so all day I'm just sitting up here like I got duped.

Speaker 1:

And so the regional vice president saw that I was struggling with it and he looks over and he said, hey, millie, and I'm like, yeah, I got duped. And he's like your ability to recover in life is going to make all the difference. He said your ability to recover fast. He said, no matter what happens, can you get up and go to the restroom, get some water, come back and keep going with your day.

Speaker 1:

Something bad happened, so he just went into these details and that stuck with me, because then I was able to relay it to that moment in my life as well and I'm like it took me too long to recover and I just said, wow, that was on me. And so now, regardless of what happened it's so funny because people close to me they call me Rubber Band because they're like you bounce back. But I'm like never, ever, will I put myself in a position to be stuck for eight years, because when you're stuck, there's no momentum and it's okay to be hurt. Deal with whatever you're going through, but deal with it and keep the flow, keep moving.

Speaker 3:

So that was a moment for me when I realized it was me, I think what you bring to the table with that example is that you can be stuck for eight years and you can still get unstuck if you decide to. If you decide to you get. You have to. You have to look years and you can still get unstuck if you decide to.

Speaker 1:

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 to deal with some harsh realities, and then you have to take accountability 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 because he wasn't stuck, it was on me?

Speaker 3:

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 and we need the people to know. Right, come on, hazel, come on what 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:

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 a relationship, not over anything. I'm just not going to allow myself to be stuck. I'm going to adjust, adapt and I'm going to pivot.

Speaker 3:

I love it. What would you say is your superpower?

Speaker 1:

My superpower is. I have an amazing superpower. I have this gift where okay, so she'll know exactly who she is. So she was like do you know what your superpower is? One day we was talking. She was like you could sit at any room in the cafeteria and any table in the cafeteria and that's instantly the cool table. And in my life I started to really digest that because that is my superpower, that is my gift.

Speaker 1:

I have people that I love and that are in the lower class, poor support, and I have elite riches of rich all races in between Czechoslovakian, russian, cuban, ecuadorian that I love. You know Black, white, hispanic, muslim faith Like I just love. I just love people. I love the human experience and I always tell people that so funny you named your podcast that I have enjoyed the human experience. I love life and I love talking to people, and I've been like that since I was a kid. My mom used to always be like why do you talk so much? But when I'm talking to you I'm like so you're first generation American, how long have you been over here? Where are your parents from? And I just enjoy getting to know people. So I feel like my superpower is being able to just life and love and just show up big and with, with all unique people in walks of life.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, I love that and it makes so sense. It makes so much sense that you're writing these books and really being able to provide that love out into the world. Where can the listeners find you online.

Speaker 1:

All right. So listeners, listeners, you can find me. I'm all over Millicent with one L, 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 me at confidence underscore self-love enthusiast. If you go to that page, you can also link from the top. My nonprofit is Impact Greater Good and the kids books is at underscore. My Little Millie, but websites as well wwwimpactgreatergood as well as wwwmylittlemilliecom.

Speaker 3:

Awesome Listen. So go, make sure you follow Millie, reach out to her, listen. We're out here making impact and we want you to bet on yourself and make some impact too, and know that every day, as you make decisions through life, you're always making an impact. So you might as well just be intentional and making sure that you take up space, show up and shine your light right.

Speaker 1:

Be confident.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, be confident, listen and make-.

Speaker 1:

What'd you say?

Speaker 3:

the sauce, listen, listen show that sauce right, because you have it know that you were chosen.

Speaker 1:

Thanks so much, millie, for being on the podcast. Thank you, I'm excited to be here. I am so proud of you. I say this all the time whenever I meet with different powerhouses, but I'm really proud of you and I'm really proud of everything you're accomplishing. If you all don't know Hazel, you better follow her and get to know her, because she is making moves out here, okay.

Speaker 3:

Listen. Thank you, millie. Sorry I'm like shameless plug. You got to tell them about workplace therapy and how that experience is.

Speaker 1:

Oh my, that is not a shameless plug. Listen, the call for more conference no shameless plug here. That was the most beautiful experience that I have had in 2025. Beautiful experience that I have had in 2025 and I have had some wins in 2025, but the people that you connect with are others who are called for more and people just get it when you walk in the room. I'm getting chills right now. I am still connected. When was that conference? One month, march, and I am connected to so many of those people that were in that room.

Speaker 1:

So, listen, if you have not been to one of Hazel's events, you need to go, because if you are called for more period, if you are called for more and you feel it, you want to be around other people who are called for more and who feel it because when you're in those spaces, let me tell you what was happening and I and I know we got to go with it. It's just like how can I help you? Right, what, what, what? What ways can I help you? Let's connect. Oh, I know this person, who may know this person, who may know this person. Okay, make sure that we get together because I have some information for you.

Speaker 3:

That's the vibe yeah, all heart center people yes get it, who are rooters, who are betting on themselves and betting on you to win too.

Speaker 1:

Yes, for real. I'm big on that one. Yes, like for real, for real, though.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, so definitely come on out. We have the event Call for More in Las Vegas on October 11th and we're doing a little dinner on the 10th. So make sure that if you are called for more and you want to come out to Las Vegas, you know that this is a space to be. We have some impactful speakers all about transformation. You're going to end quarter four right, yes yes, and that is the goal.

Speaker 3:

But thanks, listeners, for tuning in and just know that you got to keep betting on yourself. You got to keep going, keep going right, keep going, keep going Mama, we got this right, keep going, keep going.

Speaker 2:

Mama, we got this. We hope you caught all those gems. So here for all of it. Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss a gem. Write a review so that we know to keep bringing.