Have you ever poured yourself into a role — parenting, leading, building your business, or climbing your career ladder — only to wake up one day and realize the role has shifted and the room now feels quiet?

That’s when the real questions rise up:

💭 Am I still valuable? What’s next for me? Who am I without the title? What’s my pivot?

If you’ve wrestled with these questions, this episode of Beyond the Title is for you. I share three powerful lessons from Benjamin Hardy’s book Be Your Future Self Now. These ideas have shaped my life transitions as both a full-time entrepreneur and a new empty-nester — and they’ll give you practical steps to build a future that’s not only successful, but also joyful.

Key lesson: Identity is shaped by action. As Hardy says, “Your future self is not something you discover; it’s something you decide and build, starting now.”

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🤝 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 “𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲” 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮, 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮

Connect with women leaders, exchange ideas, and grow your influence. Surround yourself with women who understand the pivots and are committed to growth, success, and authentic leadership.

👉🏾 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://phildra.combinedexpertise.com/btt-networking-luncheon

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🚀 The CEO of My Life” 12-Week Program

Redefine success and design a life that aligns with your vision. In this 12-week online program, you’ll learn how to lead with clarity, pivot with confidence, and build a future you’re excited about — both personally and professionally.

👉🏾 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://phildra.combinedexpertise.com/ceo-12-wk

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🎓 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 our FREE to join, 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗴𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆

Access free resources, online courses, and networking opportunities in an exclusive community built for leaders and business owners. Swagg University is your go-to hub for growth, connection, and leadership insights alongside like-minded professionals.

👉🏾 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://phildra.combinedexpertise.com/community

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🌴 Experience the “Year of My Transformation” Leadership Retreat

Imagine taking time away to reset, refocus, and transform your leadership journey. The Year of My Transformation Leadership Retreat offers deep insights, connection, and strategies to elevate your life and leadership.

👉🏾 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 : https://combinedexpertise.com/leadership-retreats

👉🏾 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗢𝗠𝗧 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 : https://phildra.combinedexpertise.com/yomt-2026

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There are some conversations that stay with you forever—not because of what was said, but because of who said it.

This is one of them.

Before her unexpected passing, I had the distinct honor of sitting down with Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson—educator, public servant, bookstore owner, mentor, and authentic force of nature. It would be our last recorded conversation together. At the time, I had no idea just how much of a gift that moment would become.

This very special episode is being released posthumously in honor of Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson. In this powerful and soul-nourishing conversation, Councilwoman Henderson shares her journey of courage, caregiving, public service, and personal evolution. Serving as a city councilwoman at age 60 to launching a Black-owned bookstore, Gwen opens up about rediscovering herself, retiring the "strong Black woman" trope, and learning to rest, ask for help, and lead from a place of peace.

Councilwoman Henderson was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which made me her Soror—a sacred sisterhood bond I’ll cherish forever. A daughter of Carver City and graduate and faculty member of Jefferson High School, Gwen never forgot where she came from. She poured into her community with fierce love and fearless leadership. As a Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) alumna, she didn’t just wear the colors—she opened doors. Gwen introduced countless young people to the beauty and power of HBCU life, including my own children. She didn’t just talk about education—she made it real and reachable.

This episode captures her legacy in her own words: her journey, her faith, her fire, and her unshakable belief in young people, community, and the power of second acts. It is also a masterclass in what it means to grow, give, and get free—no matter your age or stage. Whether you're a seasoned leader or a young dreamer, Gwen's story will stir your spirit and remind you that now is the time to show up for yourself and your purpose.

We honor her life, her voice, and the many lives she touched. May this conversation continue to inspire you as it has inspired me.

🔗 Visit and support her legacy: https://hbculegacyproject.com/ 📍 Location: 401 E Oak Ave, Tampa, FL 👑 Follow and share in her memory 🎧 Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations about leadership, legacy, and living out loud.

Leadership begins with the quiet decision to honor the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Too often, we chase inspiration when what we really need is intention. Dr. Phildra Swagger unpacks the powerful question, “What does showing up for your future self look like?”and how answering it can transform your leadership, productivity, and peace of mind. She shares tangible ways to align your schedule with your values, honor your vision, and build a rhythm that supports your goals without burnout.

From practical time-blocking strategies to deeply human reminders about grace, rest, and legacy, this conversation invites you to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion, for yourself first. Because when your future self wins, everyone around you rises with her.

https://combinedexpertise.com/