We recently connected with Brice Johnston and have shared our conversation below.

Brice , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an artist, creative, and entrepreneur came from an experience that, at the time, felt like a major setback. My background is in education and social work, and I spent nearly eight and a half years in the field. While I was passionate about my work, I was also feeling burnt out. Growing up from a single-mother household, having a steady paycheck was something I valued deeply, so even though I had thoughts about leaving, I never seriously considered it.

Then, budget cuts happened, and I was let go. At first, I was devastated—I had built my life around the stability that job provided. But very quickly, I realized that losing my job was actually the push I needed to step into something new. That moment of uncertainty forced me to take a leap of faith and pursue other passions, like podcasting.

I started podcasting on the RHAP network, and five years later, it has become an incredibly fulfilling and successful journey. Looking back, I don’t think I would have ever taken that chance on myself if I hadn’t been let go. The lesson? Sometimes, what feels like the worst thing in the moment is actually life redirecting you toward your true calling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not know me, my name is Brice Izyah, and my journey in the entertainment and media space started in 2014 when I was a contestant on Survivor: Cagayan. As a longtime fan of the show, I was beyond excited for my chance to compete for the million-dollar prize. However, my time in the game was cut short—I was the third person voted out. While that was a tough pill to swallow, I knew I had two choices: dwell on the outcome or make the most of the experience. I chose the latter.

Even after my season, I remained a passionate supporter of the Survivor community, showing love to new contestants and staying engaged with the franchise. In 2020, during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and a broader national conversation about racial equity, I helped spearhead a coalition of Black Survivor alums who advocated for greater diversity and inclusion in reality TV. As a result of our efforts, CBS committed to ensuring that 50% of the cast for all its unscripted reality shows would be BIPOC moving forward. Seeing that change come to life has been one of my proudest accomplishments.

Beyond my advocacy, I’ve built a career in podcasting and live events. I host The Purple Pants Podcast on the RHAP network, where I cover everything from reality TV and pop culture to mental health—all through the lens of a gay Black man. The podcast has resonated with so many people and continues to grow. I also co-founded Brice and Wendell Present! with my best friend, Survivor: Ghost Island winner Wendell Holland. Together, we travel the country hosting Survivor watch parties and live events, bringing fans together and creating unforgettable experiences.

What sets me apart is my authenticity—I show up as my full self in everything I do, whether it’s podcasting, event planning, or community building. My goal is always to uplift, entertain, and create spaces where people feel seen and celebrated. Whether you’re a listener, a supporter, or just discovering my work, I want you to know that I’m all about joy, connection, and making magic happen.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being in this field is the impact I’ve been able to have just by showing up as my authentic self. Growing up as a young gay Black man in Philadelphia, I didn’t have many examples of successful, openly queer Black men to look up to. That absence of representation is something I still feel to this day—I wish I had role models who could have shown me that being fully myself was not only okay but something to be celebrated.

But through my journey—whether it was being unapologetically me on Survivor, sharing my voice on The Purple Pants Podcast, or creating safe, welcoming spaces with Brice and Wendell Present!—I’ve been able to foster a community where people feel seen, valued, and free to be themselves. I’ve received countless messages from other queer people of color who tell me that my story helped them come out to their families or that seeing me on TV was the first time their father had a positive interaction with a gay Black man.

To know that my presence and my truth can help shift perspectives, provide representation, and empower others to live authentically—that’s something I truly cherish and honor. While I didn’t have the role model I needed growing up, I’ve realized that I’ve become that person for so many others. That’s what keeps me going. I want to continue paving the way for more queer people of color to walk into any room with confidence, own their space, and know—without a doubt—that they are more than enough.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When people think of Survivor, they often remember the winner or the players who made it far in the game. But despite being the third person voted out on my season, more than 10 years later, I’m still recognized and respected as a leader in the Survivor community. To me, that speaks volumes about resilience.

I could have let my early exit define my story. I could have faded into the background and walked away from the Survivor world entirely. But instead, I chose to embrace my journey and make the most of it. Rather than dwelling on what could have been, I became one of the biggest cheerleaders for future contestants. I share knowledge, offer support, and uplift new players—especially those who go out early—because I know firsthand how tough that experience can be.

In fact, whenever someone is voted out third on a new season, I use my platform to celebrate them and remind them that their journey doesn’t end just because their game did. And looking at what I’ve been able to accomplish since my time on Survivor—from staying relevant in the community, to using my platform to help push for diversity changes in reality TV, to landing podcast deals, building businesses, traveling the world, and forming lifelong friendships—I know that my time on Survivor wasn’t an ending. It was just the beginning.

To me, resilience isn’t about how many times you fall—it’s about how you rise, redefine your narrative, and turn every setback into an opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/BriceIzyah
• Instagram: @BriceIzyah
• Twitter: @BriceIzyah
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@briceizyah215?si=gJ2oA1mIgx6FevPY
• Other: Other instagram: @briceandWenpresent @purplepantspodcast

  www.purplepantspodcast.com

Image Credits

Damien Boyd
Instagram @digital_dame_photography