Through her multifaceted roles as a mother, author, coach, facilitator, choreographer, and educator, Christal Brown stands as a beacon of inspiration, breaking barriers and fostering change wherever she goes. Known for her impactful public speaking, her insights have graced platforms like NPR’s The Moth and TEDx Middlebury, and her keynote address at the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility Conference left a lasting impression on me, and I’m sure many others as well.

Christal’s journey is marked by a profound commitment to personal and professional growth, and in this episode, we bring together the tapestry of experiences that she has drawn from. Her life is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and self-awareness—and she shares how we, too, can weather the storms in the “messy middle” of challenging points in our own stories.

Follow Your Passion and You’ll Find Your Purpose

Many of Christal Brown’s insights find their origins in her passion for dance, which began at an early age. Growing up, she was drawn to the expressive power of movement, finding solace and empowerment in the art form. This early passion led her to pursue a formal education in dance, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of both its emotional and technical aspects. Brown’s dedication to the craft was not just about mastery; it was about using it as a vehicle for storytelling and change.

Eventually, her journey led her to the prestigious Middlebury College, where she has not only contributed to the Dance Department, but has also played a pivotal role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the college community. Her tenure there marks a significant milestone, reflecting both her personal achievements and the broader progress toward equity in higher education.

Beyond her academic accomplishments, however, Christal Brown is also the founder of Life Steps and Stages, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and institutions discover, structure, and implement their visions. Through this platform, she blends her creativity, educational background, and insights into human nature to offer tailored coaching and facilitation services. 

Christal Brown Reminds Us: The Middle Is Where the Growth Happens

One of the core themes in Christal Brown’s teachings is the concept of balance. She challenges the conventional notion that balance must always be 50/50, proposing instead that it can be 90/10, or any other ratio that suits an individual’s circumstances—as long as it adds up to 100 and no more, depending on how the scale that is your life is calibrated, you can still find balance. This perspective encourages a more flexible and realistic approach to life, allowing for the fluidity and adaptation that it normally requires.

In concert with that concept, Brown also emphasizes the importance of vulnerability as a strength, rather than a weakness. In her view, being vulnerable allows individuals to connect more deeply with themselves and others, fostering authentic relationships and personal growth. She advocates for making your beginner’s mistakes and embracing those messy middles in our lives, where true transformation often occurs, rather than striving for perfection or binary outcomes.

Brown’s work with Life Steps and Stages underscores her belief in the power of personal growth as a catalyst for professional success. Her approach is holistic, focusing on the interplay between personal well-being and professional achievement. Her unique perspectives on these topics, and many more, serve to remind us all that with vision, courage, and a commitment to growth, we can move with grace through these stages of change and create rich, meaningful lives.

• Christal Brown’s Website
• TEDx Middlebury: Moving Questions | Christal Brown
• Life Steps & Stages Website
• Seth Godin’s CoG Episode #134
• Cat Tweedie’s CoG Episode #133

• 0:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 2:07 – Chistal’s Journey
• 6:03 – Finding a Bigger Version of Yourself
• 12:05 – Finding Your ‘Soul’ution
• 14:20 – Break
• 16:35 – Be Invested in Yourself
• 21:50 – Discovering Belonging
• 24:40 – Book: Steps and Stories: 30 Days of Growth with Grace
• 29:14 – Risk Taking
• 31:59 – Embrace the ’Messy Middle’
• 38:38 – Building a Community in Your Life
• 43:15 – The Beginner’s Mindset
• 45:27 – Soft Skills vs Hard Skills
• 50:51 – Stop ‘Shoulding’ Yourself
• 53:08 – Closing