We were lucky to catch up with Tiona recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiona, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. ther times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

My greatest failure was one I never saw coming: I lost a baby I desperately wanted.

At the same time, my favorite uncle passed away. Grief was already heavy. Every day, I cried out with my husband, hoping, praying—but the pregnancy would not be viable.

To survive, I had to undergo chemotherapy. The treatment ended the pregnancy. I was heartbroken, angry, and numb. I felt like I had failed my baby, my body, my husband, and myself.

Depression followed. I fell deep. But one day, I picked up a paintbrush. I painted through the pain, through the grief. And slowly, I found light again—first in color, then in stories I began to tell through film.

That loss nearly destroyed me. But it also awakened something in me. Tragedy broke me open—and in that breaking, I found my voice.

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?

I’m a proud mother, wife, and North Philly native—born and raised in a big family of ten, where we didn’t have much but held on to hope through faith, love, and laughter. Growing up in poverty wasn’t easy, but storytelling became my way of surviving. I wrote to stay alive—literally. Writing helped me process pain, navigate grief, and find meaning in moments that tried to break me.

Today, I’m a storyteller. I write, direct, perform comedy, and create films and stage plays that speak to real life—its joy, its struggle, and everything in between. I’ve published five books, brought a sold-out stage play to a musical venue that had never hosted theater before (making history in the process), and produced my first film, WHO?, which went on to win an award at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival.

My work is rooted in truth and connection. I share stories that come from my lived experience—including deep personal loss but I always find a way to add light, humor, and hope. That’s what sets me apart: I don’t run from pain, I create from it. I use comedy to heal. I use film and the written word to remind people they’re not alone. Whether it’s a book, a movie, a play, or a joke—I want folks to feel seen.

At the end of the day, I’m here to tell stories that matter. Stories that reflect real people, real emotions, and real transformation. My brand is about resilience, creativity, and authenticity. And I’m most proud that I’ve stayed true to who I am while building something that helps others laugh, cry, heal, and keep going.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that I needed to be hard and tough to deal with people. That wasn’t true to who I am, and trying to be someone I wasn’t made me feel disconnected from myself. After talking with my dad—who’s a softy like me—I realized that being sensitive is a strength, not a weakness. He taught me it’s not about hardening your heart, but about protecting it and being wise with your energy. Now, I’m proud of my sensitivity and trust myself to keep people around me who respect and protect that.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely—money! Funding makes a huge difference, and I wish I had known more about grants, sponsorships, and financial resources available to independent creatives early on. I also wish I had connected sooner with artists who’ve been on the other side of fame—people who’ve navigated the highs and lows and could offer real, grounded advice. Access and connection are everything in this industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tiona.net
• Instagram: authortiona
• Facebook: tiona brown

Image Credits

None needed I own the images