Brieanna Lightfoot Smith is an author of three books, founder, and host of the Black Girls with Purpose Podcast. The podcast’s mission is to inspire black women to live intentionally and cultivate a healthy community. Her faith-based approach is based on her own experience with suicidal thoughts as a teen (if you’re struggling suicidal thoughts, contact the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255). Now, after years of cultivating her Christian faith and finding true purpose in life, she is inspiring other black women to do the same through her books, podcast, and businesses.
Read more from Brieanna Lightfoot Smith below and listen to Black Girls with Purpose here (leave a review, too!). Although the Black Girls with Purpose podcast wrapped last month, there is a catalog of over 150+ episodes featuring inspiring black women in business to hear from.
Name:
Brieanna Lightfoot Smith
Podcast Name:
Black Girls with Purpose Podcast
Tell us what your podcast is about in 3 sentences or less!
Hosted by Black Girls with Purpose founder, Brieanna Lightfoot Smith, the Black Girls with Purpose podcast shares the startup stories of women of faith in business. Featuring interviews with phenomenal women such as America’s Money Maven Patrice Washington, Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur Shae Bynes, Bold Startups Founder Nichelle McCall Browne and more!
Current hometown:
Arlington, TX
Originally From:
Arlington, TX
What’s a quote or piece of advice that you try to live by?
Do fewer things better.
Your Superpower:
Strategic planning.
One thing on your bucket list:
Take a month long vacation with my family
Personal Anthem:
Oceans by Hillsong United
What was your first job?
I worked at Six Flags Over Texas in the Games Department.
What inspired you to start your podcast?
I wanted to share the stories of women who I’d already been featuring on my blog. Our conversations were so rich and I felt like a podcast was a better way to showcase the emotion and connection I shared with them.
Tell us more about your work/life outside of your podcast.
I’m a mom of 3 and serial entrepreneur. I have a for-profit and a nonprofit and I tell people my personal mission is to connect women to Christ, calling, and community. I’ve authored three books and love hearing and showcasing people’s stories.
What is your show’s USP?
I would say my show’s USP is my authenticity. I’m extremely transparent with my listeners when it comes to the highs and lows of my life and I think that helps them to better connect with me.
What is one of the greatest challenges you have personally faced with your podcast?
I took a month long break from my podcast without warning my podcast listeners and my listenership plummeted. From that moment on I knew I would not take breaks without either telling my listeners or repurposing episodes from previous seasons.
What is one thing you have accomplished with your podcast thus far that you are most proud of?
I’ve been able to highlight over two dozen black women owned businesses.
What is one major milestone that you would like to accomplish through your podcast in the next year?
I want to reach a wider audience and actually monetize the podcast.
What are some of your favorite women-hosted podcasts (besides your own)?
Patrice Washington. Shae Bynes. Dr. Shante.
Is there a charity or cause you care about that you would like to share?
I am passionate about teen girls understanding their worth and identity. Not knowing my own as a teenager led me to combat suicidal thoughts and I don’t wish that on anybody.
NOTE: If you are struggling suicidal thoughts, contact the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 800-273-8255
How do you feel you’re making a positive impact and generating change through your podcast?
I am giving women a platform to tell their own stories.
Stay connected with Brieanna Lightfoot Smith and Black Girls With Purpose:
Listen // Website // Instagram