The Next Best Thing

Mar 30 · 6m

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=1413sJoin the tribe: If you're navigating your own career transition, sign up for The NEXT Nuggets newsletter: http://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTERMusic by Elysium Audio LabsTrack: “Let It Flow” www.elysiumaudiolabs.comLicense: https://bit.ly/3wR1UKpYouTube: Funky Upbeat Hip Hop Background Music For ...  Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3as7DLr

Mar 23 · 4m

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/NEWSLETTERMusic by Elysium Audio Labs  Track: “Let It Flow” www.elysiumaudiolabs.comLicense: https://bit.ly/3wR1UKpYouTube:  • Funky Upbeat Hip Hop Background Music For ...  Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3as7DLr

Mar 9 · 5m

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 debate. This episode explores the shift from living on autopilot to living with intention. Get more tools & resources sent directly to your inbox: https://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTER

Mar 4 · 51m

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.We’re breaking down why you need to stop just answering questions and start landing strategic messages. From navigating AI to the subtle language shifts that help women and first-gen professionals own their achievements, this conversation is a masterclass in modern career storytelling.Connect with Lili Foggle: Website: impressiveinterviewing.com TikTok: @ImpressiveInterviewingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilifoggle/Join The NEXT Nuggets Newsletter: https://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTERIf this episode helped you feel more confident for your next interview, please subscribe, leave a five-star rating, and share it with a friend who is currently on the job hunt.

Mar 2 · 4m

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 actually matters. Join the tribe: If you're waiting in anticipation for summer, sign up for The NEXT Nuggets newsletter. It’s where I share tools and resources to help you on your journey:  http://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTER Music by Elysium Audio Labs  Track: “Let It Flow” www.elysiumaudiolabs.comLicense: https://bit.ly/3wR1UKpYouTube:  • Funky Upbeat Hip Hop Background Music For Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3as7DLr

Feb 25 · 56m

"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. We dive deep into:The 5 Stages of Career Grief: Why losing a job (or a dream) feels like losing a loved one.The Body Keeps the Score: How to recognize the physical triggers of being "out of alignment" before the breakdown comes.Survival Mode vs. Safety: Why we keep working like we're being chased, even after we've escaped.The ACT Framework: A step-by-step process to Assess, Choose, and Tackle your well-being.📩 Stay Connected with the Next Best Thing: Don’t navigate your transitions alone. Subscribe to Next Nuggets, my weekly newsletter helping you navigate career and life transitions with purpose and clarity. https://link.therewritecourse.com/widget/form/yFBDlj7mHmblPa028xydAs Dr. Jackman says, our environments are often designed to exploit us, but we can choose a different path. It's time to stop giving work your "best" while your family and health get the "scraps."Connect with Dr. Charmaine Jackman:Book: The Black Therapist's Guide to Private Practice and EntrepreneurshipWebsite: InnoPsych.comInstagram: @AskDrCharmain

Feb 23 · 10m

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 NEXT Nuggets newsletter. It’s where I share the raw, unpolished tools and resources (grammar mistakes and all) to help you find your lane and own your story:  http://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTERMusic by Elysium Audio Labs Track: “Let It Flow” www.elysiumaudiolabs.comLicense: https://bit.ly/3wR1UKpYouTube:  • Funky Upbeat Hip Hop Background Music For ...  Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3as7DLr

Feb 18 · 1h 0m

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 rich people richer with your labor.Stay in touch:Exodus Summit: https://www.instagram.com/exodussummit/Stephanie Perry: https://stephanie-perry.mykajabi.com/site/aboutRoshida Dowe: https://www.roshidadowe.com/Get these gems directly in your inbox: http://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTERFollow The NEXT Best Thing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextbestthingpod/

Feb 16 · 4m

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 for 40 hours a week without spending at least 4 hours building your own.Need help on your journey? Sign up to get tools and resources sent straight to your inbox: http://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTER