We were lucky to catch up with Brianna Brown Keen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brianna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

The most unexpected problem I faced in my creative journey? Realizing that for my career to change, I had to change. It was a tough pill to swallow, but wow—what a game-changer! Looking back, I’m actually thankful that as a kid, I was usually pretty good at things but not exceptional. Why? Because it meant I had to hustle. I had to go from the C team to the A team in soccer through practice, determination, and grit.

In middle school, I didn’t land a single role in the school plays because I was too shy during auditions. When I finally made it into high school productions, I was cast in the chorus. Meanwhile, I was battling severe anxiety and stage fright. But here’s the twist: out of all my high school peers—some who went to fancy conservatories, others who graced Broadway stages—I’ve ended up being the most successful. How wild is that?

Here’s the thing: I didn’t have parents pulling strings to get me the lead role or protesting when I didn’t get it. Growing up in the Midwest suburbs, I had zero connections to Los Angeles, no family ties to the industry, and no blueprint for making a living as an artist. Everything I achieved, I figured out step by step, on my own.

And honestly? That struggle was a blessing. It gave me a beginner’s mindset and taught me to get back up every time I fell. I learned grit, how to ask “stupid” questions without shame, and the power of working harder and smarter. Those lessons helped me leapfrog over peers who’d been handed every advantage. And I was told to sink or swim by my parents at age 19 when I moved to Los Angeles by myself.

Eventually, I realized my success wasn’t just luck or talent; it was a formula. I turned that formula into a guidebook: Manifesting Your Mission. Today, that guidebook has blossomed into a process that supports four amazing communities.

First, there’s my invite-only MYM Mastermind Goal Group for business owners and women operating at peak performance. Then, there’s Thriving Community, which I co-lead with the incredible Elizabeth Boykewich to mentor younger actresses. There is Manifesting Your Mission Podcast. And finally, there’s the TNH Accountability Program, part of my nonprofit, The New Hollywood (TNH), which I founded in 2006. Co-created with Cristen Coppen, this program empowers formerly homeless single moms with grants, mentorship, and prizes. We’re also thrilled to serve as the official alumni program of Harvest Home.

Making it in this industry is no small feat. Only 2% of actors make a living, let alone sustain it decade after decade, and I’m proud to be in that very small group. With over 350 appearances on the small and silver screens, I’ve learned that true success isn’t just about talent or even luck. It’s about heart, hustle, and helping others rise alongside you. And honestly? That’s where the real magic happens.

Brianna , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share some insights that I hope will inspire and empower you. Before we get started, let me set the stage with something my dear friend, the incredible Daya Vaidya, wrote in the foreword of my book Manifesting Your Mission. Daya and I go way back—over 15 years—and she captured something about my journey that resonates deeply with what your questions is talking about. Here’s what she said:

“It’s a pretty incredible thing to witness when someone continually sets a goal or intention and achieves it. No matter how unlikely, difficult, or against the odds the goal is, it ultimately gets achieved and the dream is manifested. ‘How does Brianna do that?!’ I would think to myself. I told her, whatever it is she’s doing, she needs to bottle it! I too wanted the insight into how she manifests her dreams so succinctly, so fully. I don’t think it’s always easy or simple: it’s not like she doesn’t struggle or work hard. On the contrary, she’s one of the hardest-working people I know. But there is something in her belief system, in the way she focuses and creates an intention. That’s the secret sauce; that’s where she’s exceptional.”

Daya’s words beautifully capture what I call my “secret sauce” for manifesting dreams, overcoming obstacles, and creating a life aligned with purpose and passion. My process centers around goal setting, accountability, consistency, listening within, and getting out of your own way. This last part often feels like dancing with resistance, fear, and setbacks. Growth is like a cha-cha: two steps forward and one step back. The problem is that most of us are way too hard on ourselves. We set unrealistic goals, let setbacks define us, or, worse, don’t even try. Then we tell ourselves stories about how life will never change, convincing ourselves we’re destined to stay stuck—whether it’s in toxic relationships, financial struggles, or negative habits we hide behind curated social media reels.

I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. I am living proof. I’ve faced challenges that seemed insurmountable, where life handed me an “F” and I thought I was doomed to fail. But I climbed out from under those circumstances, and if I can do it, so can you.

To give you context, here are some of the obstacles I’ve faced—the moments that could have broken me but ultimately shaped me. I experienced severe stage fright as a kid and couldn’t even get through auditions, let alone snag the lead roles in high school. I battled acne well into my 30s, with trolls on social media commenting on it during HD TV appearances. At 19, I moved to L.A. with no friends, slept on a dingy mattress on the floor, and worked at Starbucks while trying to navigate the cutthroat entertainment industry. A work accident at 19 left me with a back injury, and doctors told me I’d never run again. In my late 20s, I faced financial devastation from a real estate scam that left me half a million dollars in debt. I’ve also struggled with toxic relationship patterns that felt like they’d never end and faced rejection in my career, constantly being told I wasn’t thin enough, pretty enough, or talented enough to succeed as an actress. I’ve dealt with #MeToo moments, sexual harassment, and toxic dynamics in Hollywood.

Here’s the twist: every obstacle became a stepping stone. I now have an unofficial PhD in turning pain into purpose, passion, and profit. I healed my back through Eastern medicine and ran a marathon. I turned my financial situation around in under four years, building six figures in investments. I found my voice, literally, singing alongside Broadway legends at charitable events. I built my own tribe—a community of like-minded, authentic individuals who support each other. I’ve made a career in Hollywood that spans over two decades, with over 350 appearances on screen. People often recognize me from Eastsiders, Devious Maids, Dynasty, NCIS, and Outer Banks. I’m also the founder and CEO of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit The New Hollywood, which empowers socially conscious storytellers and changemakers. I’m the proud author of Manifesting Your Mission Guidebook and the wife of an incredible man, raising a son who inspires everything I do.

I also host the Manifesting Your Mission podcast, where I share what has worked for me and highlight incredible guests who offer their own wisdom and insights. Additionally, I’m a certified Reiki healer, which enables me to tune into the private clients, during our one one on sessions, during my retreats and workshops as well as the different communities I lead, including the MYM Mastermind Goal Group, Thriving Community, and The New Hollywood Accountability Program.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that if something isn’t working in your life, it means there’s something I don’t know… yet. Inner work creates outer results. Period. Obstacles are almost always opportunities in disguise. Growth often comes from small, consistent changes and my guidebook has helped hold me accountable doing just that for 19 years.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is fueled by a deep desire to work on projects I love with people I admire, all while contributing to a greater purpose—uplifting consciousness and fostering healing. To me, healing takes many forms. It can come through the spark of awareness that shifts perspectives, the shared laughter that mends the heart, the self-discovery that reveals hidden strength, or the empathy that bridges divides. I believe that when we recognize our shared humanity, we can realize that we’re more alike than different. Every one of us has unseen battles, unique blessings, and our own crosses to bear in the ever-evolving classroom of life, life-school.

This philosophy weaves through everything I create, whether it’s on stage, on set, within my podcast, through the projects I feel called to produce, or in the guidebook that has been my trusted companion for over a decade. It’s also at the heart of the speeches I deliver—reminding others that it’s okay to break free from the fear and limitations imposed by others or even ourselves. By letting go of victimhood and embracing the question, “What can I do about this now?” we can step into our power and live more fully aligned with our purpose.

I wholeheartedly believe that when each of us embraces our unique purpose, the world becomes a kinder, happier, and more harmonious place. This belief is a cornerstone of all my endeavors—a guiding principle for the businesses I run, the stories I tell, and the platforms I use to connect. My mission is simple yet profound: to inspire everyone I meet to rise higher, shine brighter, and give back.

This journey is more than a career; it’s a calling. It’s about creating ripples of positivity, sparking change, and helping others discover the beauty of living with intention and joy. Whether it’s through a heartfelt performance, a meaningful conversation, or a shared laugh, my purpose is to uplift and remind others of their own power to make a difference. Together, we can embrace the incredible possibilities that unfold when we choose to live authentically and courageously.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve had to unlearn is that my mother’s journey is not mine to fix, heal, or repair. For so long, I carried the weight of her pain, thinking I could somehow save her from the struggles that were hers to navigate. My mom, a brilliant woman in so many ways, never fully saw or embraced her own light. She let fear, unresolved trauma, and what I believe was trans generational pain from my grandmother keep her dimmed, hidden from the world and even from herself. And while my mother is still with us, her brilliance was never truly allowed to shine the way it was meant to.

But here’s the thing—I don’t have to carry that burden. Unlike my mom, I refused to hide in denial or avoidance. I faced my fears over and over again until I grew bigger than my problems. I made discomfort my companion. I learned how to embrace failure as part of the process, knowing that each setback was not a reflection of my worth, but a step forward toward something greater.

This mindset is what’s allowed me to achieve success in so many areas of my life. It wasn’t always easy, but it’s the reason why I’m able to stand strong today. However, it took me a long time to realize that my mom’s journey was never my responsibility. I can love her, I can support her, but I don’t need to carry the weight of her wounds. Her story is hers, and I have my own. My job is to watch, love, and offer support when asked—not to try to heal what was never mine to fix.

It was a huge realization: I don’t need to relive her cycles of belief or step into the patterns she carried. The limiting beliefs she held about herself—about not being enough—were her battles, not mine. And once I recognized that, it was like a weight lifted. I no longer had to swim in her pool of self-doubt and fear. But here’s the truth: breaking these patterns isn’t easy. It’s literally rewiring your brain, challenging deeply ingrained neural pathways that have been reinforced over a lifetime. It takes time. It takes dedication. It takes relentless practice.

And guess what? There’s no trophy at the end. There’s no raise, no applause. This work is done in the quiet moments, in the subtle choices, and often without any outward recognition. But it’s the most important work we can do. Because when we choose to break free from those old stories—those generational patterns—we step into our power. We free ourselves to fully see what we are capable of manifesting, becoming, and giving to the world.

When I work with clients in goal setting, accountability coaching, or healing through Reiki, I see it time and time again. There’s always a story running in the background of their lives, a story they’ve unconsciously inherited from one of their parents. But when we can see it, name it, and embrace that wounded part of ourselves—often a younger version of us or of them—we can begin to make new choices. We don’t have to repeat the same old patterns. We don’t have to swim in the pool of “not enough” anymore. That story was never ours to begin with.

This is where the real transformation happens. It’s in the decision to rise above the stories we’ve inherited, to create a new narrative, to break free from the invisible chains that have held us back for too long. It’s the work that no one will celebrate on the outside, but it’s the work that will shape the rest of your life in the most profound, empowering ways. And if we choose to do it—if we commit to the process of healing, of growth, of letting go of the old stories—we unlock the most powerful version of ourselves. We begin to truly live our purpose, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than that.

So let’s rise higher, shine brighter, and give back, knowing that the work we do within ourselves will not only free us but create a ripple effect for everyone we touch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://briannabrownkeen.com
• Instagram: @briannabrownkeen
• Facebook: Brianna Brown Keen
• Linkedin: Brianna Brown Keen
• Twitter: @BrownBrianna
• Youtube: @briannabrownkeen
• Other: www.TheNewHollywood.org
  www.ManifestingYourMission.org
  Manifesting You Mission Podcast with Brianna Brown Keen

Image Credits

Ragan Wallake
Deborah Anderson