Listen To The Truth - Denise Brown - Founder of 4Young Minds & Public Speaker - Season 5 - #216

Listen To The Truth: An In-depth Conversation

This podcast episode from the Us People Podcast, hosted by Savia rocks, features an in-depth conversation with Denise Brown, Founder of 4YoungMinds & Public Speaker, focused on empowering mental health and embracing creativity through diversity. 

Denise Brown shares her journey with anxiety, her inspiration for starting For Young Minds to support young individuals dealing with mental health issues, and the impact of her work. They discuss the stigmatization of mental health in different communities, the challenges young people face after turning 18, and the significance of real, supportive relationships in overcoming mental health struggles. Denise emphasizes the importance of living authentically, striving for financial freedom to alleviate mental health stresses, and leaving a legacy that empowers the next generation to manage their mental health better.

00:00 Welcome to Season Five: Embracing Creativity and Diversity

01:00 Celebrating Five Years of the Us People Podcast

01:18 Spotlight on Denise Brown: Founder of 4YoungMinds & Public Speaker

02:25 Denise's Journey: From Anxiety to Empowerment

05:20 The Birth of For Young Minds: A Mission to Support Youth Mental Health

09:26 Denise's Personal Growth and the Impact of Therapy

11:40 A Day in the Life: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges with For Young Minds

13:58 Community and Mental Health: How We Can Support Each Other

25:04 Denise's Approach to Racism, Mental Health, and Education

28:53 The Importance of Support Systems and Authentic Relationships

30:01 Denise's Most Valuable Life Lesson: You Can't Please Everyone

31:39 Inspirational Figures and Personal Growth

31:58 The Power of External Belief and Support

33:58 Embracing Individuality and Rejecting Social Pressures

36:06 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception

37:58 Empowering Advice for Aspiring Helpers

38:15 The Importance of Lived Experience in Helping Others

44:01 Vision for a More Supportive Mental Health System

48:15 Redefining Success and Happiness

50:11 Creating Lasting Memories and Building a Legacy

56:11 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Helping Others


Honesty is the gateway to freedom; to not let anyone hold anything against you, but also where transparency and integrity pave the way to genuine liberation - Savia Rocks

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/denise-brown-3b7637b0

Transcript

Savia Rocks: 0:00

Hey guys, we made it to season five of the Us People podcast. I'm your host Savia rocks. And in this season, we aim to empower and embrace creativity through diversity as we dive into the fascinating stories and experiences of a diverse range of individuals. Highlighting their unique perspectives and creative endeavors from artists and entrepreneurs to innovators and activists, we celebrate the power of diversity in driving creativity and fostering positive change. Join us as we engage in thought provoking conversations like I made myself intentionally homeless. In pursuit of my purpose,

J Harris: 0:40

we're aware that a lot of People want to present and they, and they were in my position and, and what's worse, they weren't a white male, which is a joke that that's even still a thing.

Mel: 0:48

Think my family never, ever say you can't do something. So full of support, full of support for whatever dream. If I said tomorrow, when I fly to the moon, they'll probably say, I wish you all the best mouth.

Savia Rocks: 0:59

So guys. I just want to say thank you for supporting the us Us People podcast for the past five years. And we look forward to sharing another new theme song with you. Let's go.

Denise Brown: 1:18

Hi everyone. My name is Denise Brown and I'm the founder of for young minds and you are listening to the us Us People podcast with Savia rocks.

Savia Rocks: 1:35

Hey guys, welcome to another episode of the Us People podcast. I'm your host Savvy Rocks and today I'm humbled to have Denise Brown here with me, who is the founder of Four Young Minds and also she is a public speaker. Denise, thank you so much for coming on the Ask Us People podcast. How are you?

Denise Brown: 1:51

I'm good. Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Savia Rocks: 1:53

You're more than welcome. I know this has been long coming for us, but I'm so happy to be able to have you on the show today. You seem like such a humble person and you seem like a person who is kind enough to want to help Us People who are dealing with mental health, considering everything that's going on in the world today. And before we even started recording, we were having a conversation about it. But my first question for you, Denise is, could you tell us a little bit about your background, Of where you grew up and how that influenced you to be the person who you are today.

Denise Brown: 2:23

Yeah, of course. I'd love to. Thank you. Um, so I think the best place to always start my story of how I got to where I am now is I developed anxiety when I was 14 years old and I mean, I was in school in 2005 So, it was a time where mental health wasn't being spoken about. It felt very much like I was on my own with it. I didn't even know who I could turn to. I didn't understand what was happening for me. Um, and just really how I got to understand it on my own, as I grew up and learned how to manage it, made me really want to start for young minds, for other young Us People who may be experiencing that same thing where they don't know what's going on for themselves. I mean, mental health is still, I mean, I know adults who still don't understand mental health properly. So to help young Us People who are at that age and potentially life's already really confusing at that age. So it was just, yeah, the point for me was to be able to empower young Us People to know that it's all right to not be okay all the time. You've got so much going on for you. It's a normal time to start, you know, struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, but It's not the end of the world, and you can look after yourself, it doesn't have to hold you back, you know? And I think, trying to lead by example, because you know, I still struggle with anxiety, it doesn't just go away. Um, but trying to lead by example to show that yes, you can have anything, and you can still be whatever you want to be, as long as you work hard and understand yourself, nothing has to hold you back, so. That was, I mean, I've kind of summarized a bit there. I hope that answers some of your questions.

Savia Rocks: 3:43

No, it definitely does. I know how hard it is for anybody growing up, especially being a teenager, and having to understand what mental health is and what, who have been some of the influences in your life? that has made you say this is something that I want to do to help Us People?

Denise Brown: 4:00

Um, it's, I mean, I know this sounds so cliche, but my older brother, my older brother has always been, um, a big guiding factor for me. He's, I mean, he's six years older than me. So, you know, we had that whole thing when we were younger, we didn't get on at all.

Savia Rocks: 4:14

But

Denise Brown: 4:16

as I've gotten older and he's older, um, He's just become such a good role model for me and he always tells me, you know, whatever you're doing in this life, it has to be bigger than you, you know, like. We're not just here to just work and, and just leave, you know, there's, we're all here for a purpose and I felt like I was struggling to find my purpose for so long. I mean, I, I worked in HR, I knew I wanted to work with People. So I left uni, I did a psychology degree at uni, I left uni, went into HR because that's what my mum did, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I bounced around different organisations doing HR, HR, HR. And then at one point I was like, you know what Denise? Maybe it's not HR. That's the problem. Maybe you just don't want to do this. You know, maybe it's a company, maybe this is just not what you're meant to be doing. So I volunteered on a youth program at my last HR job and they had young Us People coming in for like CV skills and all sorts of other things. And it was my favorite day. of the month. Every month I made sure I was on time for that day. Like it was just my favorite way. And then I was like, you know what, why are you not doing this full time? How can I work with young Us People full time? And which led me to the Prince's trust. And then yeah, the rest is history from there.

Savia Rocks: 5:26

See, see what I mean? So you see, this is what I say to everyone. Everyone thinks that, you know, you go into a job, you do a nine to five and then that's it. It can be so disjointed. I don't know if you agree with me, if you're going to do the same thing every day and you're not fully enjoying it to the full of your capacity and you're evolving from it. I always say that. So it's good that you, even though you bounced around, you knew in your mind that there was something inside you that was screaming out to say, I want to help Us People. I love that. so much. So how did your journey begin in the actual deciding this is going to be a business for me. This is something I'm going to wake up and do every single day.

Denise Brown: 6:05

So, um, as I said, I went to the Prince's Trust after my HR job. It was my first job as a youth worker. I remember I did the interview on holiday, um, cause I got, literally got the email on the Monday and then did the interview on the Friday and got the job by the Monday and I just, it just felt like it fell into place at a time where I didn't even really I wasn't even expecting it. I had applied and, you know, hadn't heard from them. So I was on holiday and then got an interview, had to sit there in my vest top and my shorts, trying to find the smartest thing I had to do this interview. And I remember coming off the call, just being like, I don't know. I don't know if I did well for that. And I just remember this feeling in my gut. Like I want this more than anything. I feel like this is going to be the first step towards something good, you know. I got the call on the Monday and they said, yeah, you start next week. And I was like, amazing. So turned up there just, you know, this, I can't remember how old I was when I started there, but this like energetic, I think I was like 23, 22, 23, like ready to go. I'm just excited and um Yeah, so I was working there and I just felt like it it was exactly what I needed to be doing I felt like I connected with my first group of young Us People and I remember i'm asking my manager I was like, you know what but like so many of the young Us People i'm working with are older than me Like how am I gonna? How am I gonna find my authority with this and actually find my feet and went on that first trip with the young Us People? And it just fell into place and I just knew that that's what I was meant to be doing. So I'm just excited I had such a supportive manager, I have to say that that was definitely such a driving force for me. I had such a supportive manager who, um, sent me to do youth mental health first aid, um, challenging behavior, uh, level three award in education and training, all these different things that were piecing the puzzle together, and I didn't even realize, but It got to a point where, um, my manager then asked me, because she knew that I was interested in mental health, she knew that I was interested in Us People, and she was like, you know, can you, you can design a workshop or something for our, for our current cohort of young Us People around mental health? So I designed it, it was a five hour, like, full day thing, and after, one of the young Us People came and said, you know, I'm so happy you did that, because I've been struggling, and I didn't know what was going on. And I think that first person that said, you know, what you've just said, Delivered has helped me to understand myself more and I was like the fact that helped one young person I want to do this for so many more. Do you know what I mean? So Yeah, so it just literally went like that. I did a bit more training. Um, My manager again allowed me to go and deliver while I was working there She literally gave me the time off to go and deliver my first one externally at a school in Um, and the same thing happens again. It was a group of young year 11, no, sorry, year 10 boys. And, um, the teacher said, you know, after I left, he came and spoke to him about his mental health. And he doesn't think he would have done that if that workshop hadn't happened. And that's when that just, that light bulb just went off. I was like, one workshop every three months is just not enough. I need to do this with nine. Yeah. And that's it. I left, I left the Prince's Trust. I did one more job, um, delivering mental health workshops in schools for a company called Couth. I'm sure it's, yeah, they're, they're all over the country. They have, um, free online counselling for young Us People. Um, yeah, so I was delivering that, and again, that just built the confidence that, okay, so I can stand in front of, you know, Us People. 200 young Us People even with my anxiety and it's fine, you know, so got the confidence from there and off I went literally worked there for a year and then started for Young Minds in 2018. I haven't looked back since.

Savia Rocks: 9:26

How has your anxiety been since you've been on stage and you're constantly always helping Us People with mental health? Has that helped you as an individual?

Denise Brown: 9:33

Absolutely, a hundred massively because a big part of what my anxiety does to me is um, self doubt, overthinking, um, and every time I do a workshop, get that, you know, that good feedback or just see the body language from the crowd responding to what I'm saying gives me that confidence boost. And I think at the beginning I needed that more, but as I've gone through it, it's, it's, I, you know, sometimes I do have to still tell myself, no, you are good at this. You, you can do this. You have been doing this. So I'd say my anxiety is definitely better. There are still days, don't get me wrong, that, that I, you know, exactly. Um, but it also pushed me cause I mean, I have to lead by example. I'm telling young Us People that the same way we go to the doctor for our physical health. If you need help with your mental health. get help for it. So, um, at the, was it the end of last year? Towards the end of last year, my anxiety got really, really bad. And that was before I had started working full time again with young minds. So I started therapy. I actually did talking therapy, again, leading by example. If I say that it's okay to get help, then I needed to do the same thing. But therapy for my anxiety, start to understand it again, cause it's not like I'm just, a fix. It's like, right guys, I'm fixed and I'm never going to need help again. I think we all need to understand that the same way, just because we have a cold and the cold has healed, we can still get sick again next week, you know, the same thing with our mental health. It's a constant, yeah, it's a constant journey about, you know, responding to your needs. We're all like our lives change and that can impact your mental health. So it's about checking in with yourself and realizing when, okay, things aren't okay right now. I need a bit of extra help. And I think that for me, Really helped me to get my anxiety on track Understand it again because I hadn't done any kind of professional support Before it was a lot of like self help breathing that kind of stuff, but actually I thought to myself No, obviously it's not enough anymore so what's the next thing I can do to get some get a grip on this or My anxiety would have just continued to rule. So same way I tell young Us People that you have to grab that control back when you feel it getting out of control.

Savia Rocks: 11:29

Yeah.

Denise Brown: 11:29

I had the same.

Savia Rocks: 11:31

No, that sounds really good because it lead by example. Like you just said, that's really, really good. So I want to know more about the company because I'm really inspired by this. Okay. So for young minds, could you break down a day? with you doing the program because I really want the listeners to understand exactly what you do and how you do it.

Denise Brown: 11:52

Of course. Thank you. So, um, I think the best way to explain what I do is with the tagline. So I told you before we started filming. Um, so our current tagline is breaking barriers, building bridges and changing lives. And the reason that we changed it to that is because first and foremost, the breaking the barriers is really about showing young Us People that it is okay to need support and to just break down all that stigma, all those lies, those myths. those misconceptions around mental health that stop Us People from seeking support. And we all know what they are, you know, we all know why Us People don't get support for mental health. There's a ton of reasons. I won't go into every single one, but just breaking down some of those barriers and helping Us People to understand that it's completely normal to have mental health. Um, so once we've done that, the building bridges really comes from, I believe in, what we call social subscribing, almost like, you know, a young person may be struggling with their wellbeing because they don't feel like they've got any friends. They don't feel like they belong somewhere. They, you know, they're struggling with confidence or self belief or whatever it may be. So the building bridges bit is really, if I can support you through one to one mentoring. Or, you know, helping you to communicate with your family. I will do that. But sometimes I also recognize there are so many amazing organizations out there supporting young Us People. And I'm not, you know, I'm not an isolated ship in this. Like this is, it takes a village. So if I, if I know that this young person interested in music and they can potentially go make some friends there, you know, build some skills, gain some confidence, I know Us People who've got music programs with young Us People. So I'll refer them straight over. It's not about keeping them to myself, you know, So refer them to a music program and often you find that that young person you check in a couple months later and they are not even the same person that you saw because you recognize what they needed and you responded to it so yeah so that's where we build the bridges and then the changing lives just really like I said you check on them months later after you've done this connection with whatever other organization and they are a different person you know they know how to be confident they they don't bottle up their feelings anymore so really just helping young Us People to take back that control and change their own lives. It sounds really good to me.

Savia Rocks: 13:54

I really like it. I'm really inspired by it. Actually. Yeah, this is cool. Okay, good. So how do you think we as Us People, even if you don't know a person can help each other in the community with mental health, because this is something that is going to go on for a very long time, you know, especially in the situation, the current situation that we're in, how do you think? from your opinion that we can help each other to be able to handle and you shouldn't be able to handle it. But I mean, you know, just understand what mental health is and give compassion and kindness to each other so that our wellbeing through mental health will become better.

Denise Brown: 14:33

Yeah. I mean, I think we're slowly seeing a shift it like you said, it's not going to be. Overnight, excuse me, it's not gonna be an overnight process, but we are seeing a shift in that communities are coming together again. I mean, I know when I was growing up, when I was much younger, it was much more common for you to know your neighbors and, you know, to hang out with the kid from across the street. I mean, you still do see it, but I feel like there's a lot less community now than there used to be. But we are still slightly seeing a shift where Us People are coming together. I mean, look at this half term meals thing, the way that communities came together to feed children over half term. The government didn't do that. I think we are naturally becoming more compassionate towards one another. Of course, there is still that horrible dark side of you've got internet trolls and all that kind of thing. And I think that just still comes from hurt Us People hurting Us People. So, you know, I think as time goes on and Us People start to understand mental health and start looking after themselves, because once you look after yourself, the rest falls into place, you know? So once everyone starts to take control for themselves, I believe that this world will hopefully become a better place, but it has to start with number one. Everyone has to understand mental health and themselves so that they don't go and deflect their, you know, their pain onto others, which I think a lot of the time is what's happening, you know? So I think once, I think, like I said, communities are already coming together in the most amazing ways. We've seen it throughout the pandemic, you know, Us People taking food to one another, um, community Zoom groups, all these things to sort of help Us People with their mental health and support their well being during this challenging time. But, yeah, I think it's just understanding that it is a shift, it is gradual. And I always try and check myself, like I said, it starts with number one, but

Savia Rocks: 16:12

check

Denise Brown: 16:12

myself or if I ever see myself potentially wanting to make not make a comment but you know sometimes you see something on Instagram and you'll feel a way and you want to say something not say something to the person but you know what I mean just check yourself and that you don't know that person's story just yeah just really realizing that you as an individual have got no right to judge anyone on their journey on their life so I think the more I do that and recognize that hopefully like it's just something that everyone will start to do gradually. I really don't know. I don't have the answer for this one. I'm afraid. No,

Savia Rocks: 16:45

it's good. It's good. It's good to have even an opinion on it because it's such a hard one. Some, some of the questions I asked, I know can be very hard and I know that Us People are like, Whoa, but in the, in the aspect of things, it's always nice to get some kind of an answer because somebody else might be saying, I was thinking that too. I didn't know whether I should speak about it or say something about it. So there's no wrong or right answer for any question. Really. I just love the way you answered it. Thank you. Thank you. How do you feel that you break down barriers for yourself and in what you do every day?

Denise Brown: 17:17

Um, so again, it comes down to first and foremost, leading by example. So for me to say. Like, so if I'm given an example about, you know, how anxiety can look one way one day and then be fine another day, I will happily tell a young person about the anxiety attack I had last week. Because you're seeing me standing here right now in front of you absolutely fine. So it proves to them, not just, you know, a video of some actors potentially showing that, you know, mental health is okay. I'm living example that you can look after yourself, even with a mental health condition. You can still look after yourself and still thrive. It doesn't have to be this thing that you get a diagnosis and suddenly your life is over. So it's just that leaping by example. And I'm, I mean, I'm a, I'm a huge science geek. I can't lie. I like to back up everything with stats and videos and diagrams. And so I think helping young Us People to understand what's going on for them as well. So understanding the effects that hormones are going to have on you, the fact that you're going through puberty, the fact that your brain is still hasn't even fully developed. You know the parts of your brain that you have got at the moment You don't have the parts of your brain for um, rationalizing things You don't have the part of your brain your brain that stops you from making risky decisions I help them to understand that so they understand their behavior a little bit more and it doesn't feel like what's wrong with me You then realize straight away. Actually, this is a normal teenage thing that can happen to anyone And that's just because it goes back to like I said that feeling I had at 14. That was what was what's wrong with me Why am I the only one going through this? When actually there's probably loads of us in my year that was struggling with anxiety and other things, but we weren't talking about it. So yeah, breaking down the barriers, really just, again, opening up that conversation, allowing them to ask questions in a safe space. Um, and yeah, providing them with places to go. So details like websites, um, self help guides, things that they can actually really take away and action for themselves to make themselves better.

Savia Rocks: 19:11

How do you motivate yourself every day to do this?

Denise Brown: 19:15

Um, good question. Um, I think again, it comes down to every single time I do a workshop and I feel that connection from the audience with the young Us People that that really helped me, you know, and you can see it, especially the ones that potentially are acting like, yeah, not me. It's not me. Those are always the ones that I listen to. You know, those are always the ones that are listening to me the most, and I think in my head I always know that if I go into this classroom and I even help one young person in there today to, to go away and look into anxiety, to understand depression, to understand anything that they think they may be going through, that motivates me. And yeah, so I mean, I know I'm just thinking back, I didn't even answer what a day for young minds looks like. Look at me waffling on, so just quick, I'll give you a bit of an overview. Yeah, I'll give you an overview now. So it can, it can, it really depends. So I'll either do workshops with young Us People, and that can be like small group workshops, um, with up to 15, which are usually the more intense, like I get to know each and every single one of you individually, and we work together for a period of time. Sometimes schools want me to do sort of like, more like a info session for a whole class. Obviously in that situation, I'm not able to one to one, um, Get to every single one of them, but I do enough in the workshop and I make it interactive so that you can still get to ask your questions and I always, always leave details so that if you don't want to ask a question here in front of your class, get in touch with me, tell your teacher, get in touch with me. You know, you don't have to do this on your own. Um, and then on the other side of that, I think it's so important as well. You know, um, young Us People are not, you know, isolated. They have a whole community around them. They spend five days a week at school. And a lot of the time teachers also don't really understand mental health. It's not something that's, that was involved in teacher training traditionally. It's now starting to be more of a thing that they're introducing mental health training for teachers. But, um, I also do that. So I go in and teach teachers how to be like youth workers, you know, so to step away from the teacher role for a sec, and to be like a youth worker to understand that young person and really help them with their mental health. And the same for parents, you know, A lot of the time, I mean, I remember I didn't tell my mum about my anxiety for two years. Yeah, I did it on my own again because I didn't understand it. So, um, working with parents as well to sort of recognise those signs and what they can do to open up that conversation with their own children, because it's hard. It's hard to feel when a parent cares about their child and just wants the best and the child is pulling away because they don't feel they can talk about it. So, just really helping to rebuild that. connection between parent and child and helping everyone in that situation work through whatever they're going through.

Savia Rocks: 21:44

How do you accomplish your goals? What is your mindset when wanting to achieve what you want to achieve?

Denise Brown: 21:51

Um, I'm a big planner. I'm a big planner. I'm like a brain dumper.

Savia Rocks: 21:58

I love these, I love these sayings you're coming out with. I know. You can tell I

Denise Brown: 22:03

work by myself, right? Because no one else understands some of the words I use. It's good though. It's good. So, um, I brain dumped the night before. I have a whiteboard by my bed, believe it or not. But it has been the best thing for me because I found that with my anxiety, if I go to bed and I'm thinking, oh wait, have I done that? Did I send that email? I don't know. Uh, you know, have I got in touch with that person? Oh, did I follow up there? I don't sleep. And then the next day is an absolute mess for me. So I had to take control back again. So same way I tell young Us People, you find something going wrong. Don't just keep letting it go wrong. Take control. Yeah. So yeah, the whiteboard by my bed was a great way for me to, before I go to bed, what am I thinking about? What have I forgotten? Write it down. Because once it's there, it's not a feeling in the morning. I was like, oh my God, what was that thought that came to mind in bed? I can't remember. It's right there for me. So. It helps me to plan, and yeah, I set myself sort of three, three goals at the beginning of every day, or the night before, and I just work to accomplish those, so I have a goal, goals in mind, and then that feeling of when you've got those things done. automatically makes you feel motivated anyway. So it's like, yeah, sort of tricking myself into being motivated by completing my own tasks. Yeah,

Savia Rocks: 23:15

no, I have a task list too. No, it makes it definitely makes sense to have a task. What are you most proud of that you stand for? Oh

Denise Brown: 23:24

gosh, I've had questions like this before and I still never know how to answer that question. Um, um, I'd say what I'm most proud of personally is that, you know, with my business, there was no one telling me, you know, how to do it or anything. When I first started, I sort of just did it. And I think the more you you prove to yourself, oh hang on, actually, that, guys, that worked, you know, you know, I, I came out here to do, to do this job, and I actually, oh my gosh, I've got my first booking, oh my gosh, my second booking, wow, this is, this is actually something I can do, and I think when you constantly prove to yourself, not to anyone else, it's not about being in competition with anyone else, but proving to yourself what you're capable of, and I think, Um, what I'm so proud of is that, you know, someone who had so much self doubt and, and anxiety and just really sort of just played it safe for so long, but was so unhappy with that. Like I couldn't, I can't even tell you the job I used to work in. It was miserable. I was literally going to work. have my headphones in for the day it was that kind of office no one spoke to each other headphones in for the day and i'd leave if my manager would let me and hasn't dumped work on my desk five minutes before the end of the day kind of thing so it was it was a miserable miserable year and it was like to to look back at that person who just played it safe and literally was miserable for a whole year to now the person i am who's just you know, shattering my own ceilings all the time.

Savia Rocks: 24:55

Yeah.

Denise Brown: 24:55

Yeah. That's what I'm definitely proud of personally. I mean, I don't know if there was any other part of,

Savia Rocks: 25:00

no, no, no, it's purely you. That's cool. How do you feel that society, the society that we live in and fighting against racism, mental health and education, especially has done anything to you as an individual? How do you think that we can fight against it to help it become better? Um,

Denise Brown: 25:25

again, I think it comes back to the question I was saying, the answer I gave before, where it comes down to so much self awareness. If we all start to realise the roles that we as individuals play in these things, and, you know, you know, start trying to figure out ways to work together, uh, to make a difference, not just for ourselves, but for this next generation as well, to make sure they're not having the same conversations we had to have. I think that that's really all it is, that self awareness to know what your role is and what you can personally do. It's not always easy. It's not always obvious what you're, what you can do. So If we look at racism, for example, I mean, I've spoken quite a bit about mental health, but now that we're on the topic of racism as well, I looked at myself when this, um, obviously, you know, during lockdown, the Black Lives Matter movement came to the forefront again, full, like full speed, not to say it's a new movement, but it really came back to the forefront for everyone. And I think, you know, with so many young Us People spending more time at home on social media, seeing that, but not really understanding what it means, maybe not the understanding you're sort of seeing the event but not be the understanding of what that means for you and just it's a lot it you you realize that it does something you feel it but you don't really know why you don't know why you it makes you feel that way

Savia Rocks: 26:35

yeah

Denise Brown: 26:37

so i had to look at myself again and i said to myself well you know you made for young minds to be you know literally for the next generation and i can't ignore that Racism is going to have a huge impact on your well being at the end of the day, like, it's going to have a huge impact on your well being. I mean, I myself felt it as an adult, when all of this was happening, I felt it. Of course you could, because it could be my brother, it could be my uncle, it could be, you know, it could be any one of the Us People I love. So if I knew that I was feeling that, I knew that the young Us People I'd be working with would be feeling that too. So it then took me to say, okay, Yes, you do well being workshops, but what can I do now to spread awareness through the same medium? Because I know that I have the ability to stand in front of Us People and present, you know? So I said, how can I use that in a way that can still tackle that issue too? So I actually developed a program called Raising Racial Awareness in Education because I think that's one of the first places where we see racism taking place. You know from such a young age the fact that kids are getting kicked out of as early as primary school Um for racial issues. I just thought yeah, you can't we can't ignore, you know, you can't do mental health without the other so Raising racial awareness and education did a free webinar for parents and teachers So really just start having that conversation to say what it looks like So because you know racism in education isn't always obvious It's not always, you know, racial slurs. It's the policies, it's the procedures, it's harsh apartments, etc, etc. So actually spreading awareness once again about the issue to a wider audience. And yes, it might not be, I'm not changing the world by, you know, talking to this one audience, but it's something that I knew that I could do. You know, so yeah, I think hopefully if that answers your question, it's just about us all realizing what we as individuals can do, because it sometimes feels so hopeless. Like, you know, this world is so big, as one person do anything, but if I could potentially change the minds of and hearts of 20 Us People and then they go away and change the minds and hearts of another 20 Us People. It's, it's, it's more Us People than it was before, you know, so that's, that's how I try to approach it. It seems so daunting. It really does feel like I can't do anything about this. But if we all sit and think like that, then nothing will ever change.

Savia Rocks: 28:51

That's true. I agree with you there. What is the most important thing in the world to you right now?

Denise Brown: 28:58

Great question. Um, I think what this year has done is made me realize the importance of, you know, a real support system, a real team, you know, a real family of friends, but the Us People that genuinely are there for you, not the ones that we would like to be there for us. So we put on this mask for them to make them like us or life's too short. This year really made me realize life is too short and too precious to do anything that you don't want to do. You know. Or to nurture relationships that don't build you and make you feel good as a person. So, I'd say the most important thing to me is those real meaningful relationships. I have really learned to value my family and my friends this year. Like I, I mean, I loved them before anyway, but this year, like you guys, you know, when

Savia Rocks: 29:52

their head is still going to crack up,

Denise Brown: 29:56

but yeah, I'd say that's it. That's all it is. Um, yeah,

Savia Rocks: 30:00

here's one for you. What is the best advice? you have ever received from somebody and how has that advice impacted your life?

Denise Brown: 30:10

Very good question. Um, gosh, there's so much I don't even. Um, I'd have to say again, it's got to be something I can't specifically say the words. I don't really know what the words were that was said to me, but again, it's just that whole thing of you can't please everyone. Yes. Like, you know, you can't. And I think that was something that really held me back. Um, I always have been. I think that's, again, something that stems from my anxiety as well. And not like in confrontation and that kind of thing. So I'll be a Us People pleaser, but to my own detriment, to the point where I come home, I'm walking around, I'm shouting at it, it's like, but then, you know, I'm getting annoyed because it's like, I've gone on Us People pleaser and it's like, I didn't even want to do that. Like, and then it's like, so I've come home, I'm the one now, they've, they've gone away with whatever it is they asked from me and they're feeling great. And I'm now home, you know, tense, stress, annoyed. So Yeah, just realizing you're not going to please everyone, but, you know, if you live your truth and do everything authentically, the right Us People stick around you, you don't, the Us People that leave, they weren't your Us People in the first place, so, you know, so if you just stay true to yourself, and, You know, you're not always going to say the right thing. You're not always going to do the right thing. We're human. We make mistakes, but real ones aren't gonna, you know, penalize you for a mistake or anything if you, you know, you're genuine about it. So I think that's what it was. The, the idea that you can't please everyone. Just be real to yourself and the right Us People will still gravitate towards you.

Savia Rocks: 31:38

That's true. I totally agree with you there. I know you spoke a little bit about your brother being one of your, your personal heroes in a sense. But is there anybody else that you feel you could tell us who's been a personal hero in your life that has helped you resonate and become who you are today throughout your journey?

Denise Brown: 31:58

Um, if I had to think about like my journey specifically, then If I really think about who the catalyst for this was, it has to be my manager from the Prince's Trust. And I really hope she hears this. Um, but yeah, she's, um, it was just that, that external belief, obviously as someone who at the time still didn't have that, you know, I had a lot of self doubt. I didn't even know how I was going to be a good leader to the young Us People I was working with, let alone anyone else. Um, but yeah, just having that external voice when you sometimes have that doubt in yourself, um, that, yeah, that I think she's got to be it. someone that I have to recognize along this journey because the support she gave me, the self belief in really making me think, you know, what I'm doing is good for young Us People. It works. And you can see that. I think she saw the light in me before I did, which is great because I maybe wouldn't have done any of that stuff. Um, any of the workshops, any of the design, um, If it wasn't for her saying, I think you can do this, you know, so yeah, I mean, I know I'm not, I'm not, I don't know if you like celebrity. No,

Savia Rocks: 33:00

no, no. It's just somebody who has resonated in your life who has helped you to evolve to be the best person that you can be.

Denise Brown: 33:08

Definitely then yeah, I'd have to give it to her because without her I don't think I would have Realized my my passion for working with young Us People because it took her taking a leap of faith on me, too You know, we did that interview. Like I said me on holiday I I was just Out there and she believed in me. I'd never had any youth work experience before Um, and I made that very clear But I you know I had the energy and The passion for it and I think she could feel that because I really did I did feel that I knew that that's what I wanted To do and she took a leap of faith in me. She said it she said it was my first week She's like, you know, I just really have a good feeling. I don't it's not about the experience. It's about the person And yes, I took that leap of faith And like I said, I haven't looked back since if it wasn't for her taking that leap of faith on me I maybe wouldn't have realized it My passion for working with young Us People.

Savia Rocks: 33:54

Oh, wow. That's really cool.

Denise Brown: 33:55

See,

Savia Rocks: 33:56

it all starts with a chance. That's what I say. Honestly, here's a really random question for you. If I gave you a 12 foot by 12 foot banner, and it was high over a stage, and I gave you a pen, black marker pen, or even a colorful marker pen, what would you write on this banner? Oh my gosh. Hmm.

Denise Brown: 34:20

I hope you can edit out the pauses. Oh, don't worry. Um, um. What would I write on that banner? Gosh, it's so dark. I think again, it would have, it would definitely say something again about just, Be yourself, like, just do what you want to do in this life. Like, I know I've said that already, but honestly, I genuinely think a lot of where sadness and not feeling fulfilled and, you know, all of these negative feelings that we get is from us not living the lives that we want to live, you know? We think we're supposed to live a certain type of way or do a certain type of thing by a certain age and all that internal pressure that we all end up putting on ourselves. No, so this, you know, random questions gonna have a random answer. So I always say I'm a huge animal geek as well. So all the David Attenborough documentaries, all that, that's all me. That's me every day. That's me too, yeah. So, you know the way animals just literally exist. They just do what they need to do. And they don't care. They don't care. It's survival of the fittest. I get my food. I have my kids. I walk and I find more food. I'll find more food again tomorrow. Like they are the only, we are the only animals on this earth who put all these different constructs into place to make us all feel like we're not good enough. But I'm telling you, if all of us had the opportunity, I mean, I know that the world is not like that, that we have jobs and we have houses and we have bills. We have things that we need to do. So we can't live like animals. But the point I'm making is that being able to really just exist in the way that you want to.

Savia Rocks: 36:01

Yeah.

Denise Brown: 36:01

I think we'll, we'll make so many more Us People happier, you know? So, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to give examples. So, so what? You're almost 30. Don't worry about the fact the world says you've got to be married, you've got to have kids, you've got to be this successful, you've got to have this car. Because I think that's also what's messing up. No, I don't want to say messing up, but what is throwing young Us People off. their truth in that social media showing 20 year olds who are millionaires with houses and cars and all these things that make Us People feel inadequate. And this is just one example, but you know, you can't see behind closed doors. Is that person living the life that they want?

Savia Rocks: 36:36

Exactly.

Denise Brown: 36:37

You know, so, yeah, I mean, that's a really long banner.

Savia Rocks: 36:41

No, no, no, no. It makes sense to me because I do when I'm because I have to research about so many Us People do so much. There are sometimes when you're just scrolling on Instagram and remember, it's only like 10 seconds. So you take a picture of you with a Ferrari in the background, you take a picture of you with a millionaire house, but then that could just be a hotel that you rented for the day. But then you're, you're pretending to Us People and I call it the pretending that you're living this lifestyle to get these a hundred likes or a thousand likes or whatever it might be. But then you're going home and you're not happy.

Denise Brown: 37:14

Exactly.

Savia Rocks: 37:18

There you go.

Denise Brown: 37:19

I've got, I tell young Us People, I've got a picture on my Instagram standing next to a Bentley. That's not my Bentley. I tell them that I just, it says to them how easy it is. How easy it is to fake a life that, you know, had young Us People from Scotland, Wales, you know, and I was like, when would I have ever been able to reach this many young Us People? And that, that just, yeah. So I think if I wasn't being judged, I would be going bigger, bigger, bigger, bigger, bigger, bigger, bigger. You can still

Savia Rocks: 37:48

do it though, Denise, you can definitely still do it.

Denise Brown: 37:50

Unfortunately, but you know, it's not the ideal world where I don't feel like I'm being judged.

Savia Rocks: 37:55

I understand it. I do. I do understand it. What is the biggest advice that you would give to anybody who is looking to do something similar to you possibly in the future about helping Us People? With mental health or even helping Us People with a disability or whatever it might be, what would your advice be to them?

Denise Brown: 38:15

I think, um, I would give them advice that I'm still trying to give to myself in that if you've lived through something, if you've got experience in something, you are an expert. Do you see what I mean? You're an expert. I think there's so many Us People out there with stories and lived experience that they could actually take out to the world and support other Us People who are going through something similar. You know that fear of oh, but you know, I don't have the right degree or I haven't got experience doing that or you know I've never done that before puts Us People off and we sit on our our experience thinking Oh, but you know who's gonna find that it happened to me less not who's gonna find that interesting when in fact if that Again, that story could potentially help one person who's going through something similar to realize that it doesn't have to be like this, you know, and that's just one person. Yes. But if we all had the mentality that it could help one person, it might not help everyone, but there is someone out there that your story could potentially help. And you won't know until you put it out there and try and start supporting Us People with it. So I guess my advice would be like, don't, you know, don't be phased by the fact that there are going to be Us People out there who've got more experience or who've got loads of degrees and fancy titles that make them seem more, more, um, what's the word, more qualified than you to go out and share your journey. But Yeah, so everyone can be an expert. If you've got lived experience that could potentially help someone else, you know, don't be worried that you're not good enough to share that, or you haven't done it before. If you feel like you've got something you want to use to help Us People, it's good intentions, you know, you've got great intentions, you're going out there with the right intentions, so just do it, you know, don't be scared, and then find out what happens after. I had no idea. What all workshops were going to do for Us People, um, had absolutely no idea and it just continued to grow from there. I responded to what Us People were asking, um, in terms of the questions they were asking and I designed stuff that again, helps the Us People with what they're asking about. So yeah, just start and learn as you go along. See,

Savia Rocks: 40:15

I like that. That's cool. What is the question that Us People should ask you, but never really do? Um,

Denise Brown: 40:28

another good question. Um, I don't, I don't know actually. That's a good one, but I can't really think of anything that hasn't been asked. That's the good thing about it. The good thing about, I'd have to say, is one of the good things about being in this position in that Us People, I hopefully make Us People feel comfortable enough to be able to ask me anything. So it's not, yeah, it's not a thing where Us People are hopefully not sitting on their questions and are actually asking me. But I mean, I guess the only thing that comes to mind would be. young Us People, the question where they say, you know, what I'm like, what am I meant to do? Because I think a lot of the time, this is not a question that hasn't been asked, but I'll, I'll use it anyway. But that question was, it's almost as if to say, you know, have you got all the answers for me? And I think if that question was asked in a class, cause obviously Us People probably think, Oh, she's at the front. She has all the answers. She knows everything about mental health. And actually no, I'm still learning too. But I think. If a young person was to ask me that in question in a classroom, you know, what is it like? Tell me what I need to do. Like give me the steps. Every single one of us is different. None of our journeys are going to look the same. And I think the more we all try and like any young person tries to compare their journey to anyone else, that's where that feeling of what's wrong with me or I'm not good enough comes from. So yeah, if young Us People were to ask, you know, like, what should I do? Like what job I meant to do? Or, you know, how am I meant to do this? It's not about how or what, it's about you finding. that inner push for yourself. No one can ever tell you externally. You know, a mentor will never make you rich. A nutritionist is not going to make you healthy. It's about when you implement the stuff for yourself. That's the only time you're going to see change when you as an individual take that control back. So, yeah.

Savia Rocks: 42:09

I like that. That definitely makes sense to me. If you were stuck on a desert island and I said to you, you are allowed to take one person with you to have a conversation with. I remember the conversation will help you to evolve and become the person that you want to be. So when you come back to where you came from, you can help Us People. What one person would you bring on the island? It could be anybody. Hmm.

Denise Brown: 42:43

Oh my gosh, this is like that. Who would you have dinner with? You know, if you had, if you could just have dinner with you, like you like these kinds of questions, don't you? Oh gosh, I don't know. That's such a hard one. I don't know. So many Us People swirling through my head right now. There's this family members, you know, that I have so many Us People. I don't know. I really I genuinely don't know. Um,

Savia Rocks: 43:12

all right, I'll tell you what we do, because I do this for Us People usually do get stuck on this question. Yeah. Right. So what I'll do is I'll do the write up when I'm doing my write up, I'll send you a message and I'll say, Denise, your podcast is about to come out. Have you thought of someone? I did this with everyone. And then you can tell me, yes, I've thought of someone and in the description, I'll put who you thought of. Okay. I

Denise Brown: 43:35

appreciate that. Thank you. That

Savia Rocks: 43:37

sounds good to me. That's definitely sounds good to me. So here's one for you. If you had an unlimited, if you woke up in the morning and I wish this upon you. Yeah. If you woke up in the morning and you checked your bank account and you had infinity money, I mean like, Oh my gosh, like how the hell did that happen? Kind of money. Yeah. Wouldn't that be nice? Yeah. What would you change in the mental health industry, but also in the educational history? And then I got to say now in the educational industry,

Denise Brown: 44:14

Um, oh gosh, there's so many things. So the first thing that comes to mind, I would buy out all of the, um, all of the places where, um, what do you, I don't even know. So I would, I would buy out any kind of, I don't like, I don't like the term mental hospitals or institutions, but anywhere where Us People are detained under the Mental Health Act, Us People are sectioned, I would buy every single one of them and reform them. So I did this amazing training with Hearts and Minds, shout out to Hearts and Minds, and They, it's like, so many of them, again, lived experience of the mental health system and the mental health system is not currently set up to support Us People with mental health. It is almost like you get a mental health condition and you're now being punished, you're now being sectioned, you're not being rehabilitated, you're being kept for your own safety or whatever it is. And then it's like, so how do you expect that person now to then go back into the world and thrive again, when you literally kept them in a room and You know, anytime they display feelings that you don't like, or, you know, you then subdue them again. I just think, if you turned all of these places into real rehabilitation, where Us People can build connections with Us People, they can be understood. Again, going back to that social subscribing, you know, they can do things that help them to recover properly, not just put away. And, again, for their own safety, and I know this is not going to be video, so you guys can't see me doing air quotes, but this whole You're doing air quotes, guys. Yeah, this whole for your own safety thing, it's like, you're putting them in a situation that's causing them more distress. It's more, more discomfort and feeling more alone, more isolated. So when they've, they've reached out for help, they were already struggling. And instead of, you know, delving into that person and finding out what it is they need to get back to themselves for their own safety, you put them in one room with four walls and a bed like prison. How is that going to make anyone feel safe? recover. So yeah, I know it's a long winded answer, but I'd buy them all out and turn them into like these amazing resorts, you know, more resorts where you can actually get support. Why does it have to be these fancy, um, celebrity ones that, you know, that the Us People go and spend thousands, that that's the only place you can go and recover. Why isn't it just standard that if this is a place for recovery, this is what it's like. Right. Yeah. I've been making. Yeah. You are

Savia Rocks: 46:47

making sense. Nine times out of 10. What it is. I just, it's just my opinion for Us People. It's a business and it's just about money, whereas for us, it's more about helping Us People to become better. Yeah. So they can go out and strive. And

Denise Brown: 47:00

that would be everyone's goal. I don't understand. So even for the fact that for, um, you know, if, if someone is considered a danger to themselves, um, due to something happening with their mental health, police are called. Tell me how that makes sense. Why are we treating mental health, um, as if it's a criminal act because this is what's stopping Us People from speaking out as well because it's like the fear of i'm going to be detained or i'm going to be sectioned where actually it should be i need help right now and i'm not a criminal and i just need help so yeah why why are police responding to that why are police being called to that situation there should be an entire different unit of Us People Us People persons like you know i mean like The Us People who actually go out there with the view of this person needs help, not, oh quick they're a danger, quick handcuff them, hold them down, like, you know. Makes it worse. It makes it worse. Thank you. I just, oh, I don't know. I'm sorry if I'm getting all heated, but.

Savia Rocks: 47:57

No, I love it because you're passionate about what you do.

Denise Brown: 48:00

Yeah, I did say this about coffee, guys. So me and Savi were talking at the beginning and coffee makes me very energetic.

Savia Rocks: 48:05

And I didn't have any because it would be a whole nother podcast.

Denise Brown: 48:11

Yeah, one of us is enough. That's fine.

Savia Rocks: 48:15

Define what success means to you, Denise, because we all have a different definition of what success means. And we've covered so many things today, which has had elements of what success is. But in your opinion, what does success mean to you?

Denise Brown: 48:29

I think success really is when you're living a life that you don't wake up dreading every day. As soon as you can say, you know, of course, like success in this world where we're not animals that just, you know, walk around looking for food, but where you've got that roof over your head and you're comfortable, you know, there's not anything that is stressing you outside of yourself. Do you see what I mean? So I think when you can get yourself to a place So for me, obviously, financial freedom is a big part of success for me. Again, my brother's been leading by example for that. And that's not because I just want to have nice things and whatever. It's because I don't want, you know, the fear of not being able to pay rent or losing my car to be something that impacts my mental health at the end of the day. Those things do really stress Us People out and can cause real problems for Us People. So I say success is when you're just living a life, you're truly happy, you're truly happy. happiness. I'd say that's got to be the measure of success. And of course, we can't ignore the fact that we live in a world where your finances will have a big impact in that. So financial freedom to be able to live your life on your terms. That's what success looks like for me, living life on my terms, not being told, Oh no, you can't. You can't go on holiday, you can't take two weeks off to go and look after yourself because you've got this and that and this and that. No, that's not life. Like, come on guys, like, we're only here, we're here for a little while, you know? And I just think, yeah, get into a place where all of those things are not things that impact you on a day to day, and you're able to genuinely live want Doing the things that you love, not worrying about your house, your car, your whatever else. But yeah, living life the way you really want to. And that's in everything. Some of the stuff I've covered already, you know, just really being true to yourself and living your life the way you want to. I think that's success.

Savia Rocks: 50:11

What's one of your happiest memories that you would like to share with us?

Denise Brown: 50:17

Um, oh, um, Oh gosh, so many. That's good actually. It's good to think that there's quite a few. Um, again, I think it goes back to family for me. Um, I'm really grateful to have a very close knit family. My mum is one of six sisters and there are between them 11 grandchildren and yeah now there's there's great grandchildren obviously like yeah my family's big. I think for me so many of my happiest memories are when we would do those sort of like big family trips that we used to do things that go down to I don't know, Cornwall, all them kind of places, rent out somewhere, and just all of us would be together. And I think those are my happiest memories, especially because we've all grown up now, as you can imagine, we don't do it as much anymore, but I think really realizing that I am not alone in this world. And especially at a time when I used to really think that I was at 14. But yeah, I say that constant, like those memories always remind me that the family are there and they've got my back. Do you know what I mean? So I think those are some of my happiest memories. The fact that I've got, I'm lucky enough to have that big family who are really, really great Us People. All of them.

Savia Rocks: 51:32

That's the stuff I like to hear. Here's one for you. What would you like your legacy to be when the angels decide I'm coming for you and they're going to bring you back home?

Denise Brown: 51:43

That's such a good question. It's funny because I had this conversation with my brother not long ago, so I actually have an answer for this one. Um, I would say, I want to know that I've left behind enough knowledge for not just young Us People, but obviously I'm hoping to have my own children one day, but I've equipped them with the tools to not feel lost, you know, especially because I felt that feeling myself, not knowing what to do, not knowing how to feel, just not, yeah. So I think if I can leave this world, Letting my own children and other young Us People around them know, like just, yeah, to not, to not worry, you know, just to be able to understand that look, well being's gonna change, gonna move up and down, but you've got this, you know what I mean? No matter what the case is, you've got this. You never have to feel Like you're not doing good enough because who who's the standard who's the person saying you're not doing good enough As long as you live in the way you need to live and the way that works for you in your life Who is anyone else to judge that so if I can leave that idea with the next generation? and potentially have a happier generation where You know, we're not seeing these horrible statistics of young Us People struggling with mental health and ultimately taking their own lives. I mean, I know I don't want us to leave on a negative note, but I think it's important to mention that, you know, unfortunately young Us People taking their own lives is still a huge factor. It's still and in fact, it's even worse at the moment and I think it comes down again to that whole thing of I'm not good enough or I don't, I don't know how to manage this. Yeah. So, you know, giving Us People the tools to know that it will always be okay. Nothing is permanent. And yeah, I know I'm probably waffling again, but if I can, if I can leave a whole generation of young Us People who then teach their kids that and so on, so on, that that'll be more than enough for me.

Savia Rocks: 53:38

See, it's funny you said that to me about Us People taking their lives, and I think it's good to actually talk about this. I was doing another podcast with somebody else and they said to me, it's 19 year olds that take their life the most when they get to that specific age.

Denise Brown: 53:54

And you know how heartbreaking that is because so many of the services that we have Go up to 18. This is exactly why my book clubs go up to 25 years old and that's the exact reason because I feel like how do you stop at 18 when you haven't taught these kids anything in school that's going to prepare them for the real world and then you also stop the other services from preparing them for the real world then they get into the real world and realize that the real world is hard. Exactly, it is hard. It's so hard. And I think if more Us People actually learned the things they needed to in school, then yeah, then fine. Then you can stop services at 18 and it can just be other, you know, community service and things that support. But until you're teaching kids the tools, they need to thrive and survive in this tough world. You cannot stop youth services at 18. That is the most difficult time. You're now, It's literally just like, right into the deep end you go and then shutting the doors behind, behind them. Like,

Savia Rocks: 54:48

that's what, especially, and there's other things as well that we need to factor in is like culture is one of them. If we're Muslim, if we're black, if we're Chinese, if we're Indian, these, especially these type of cultures have a lot of pressure on us. African, we have a lot of pressure on us just being who we are as a person.

Denise Brown: 55:06

Exactly. It's already, I mean, it's stigmatized in general, but if we talk about, you know, Black and other ethnic minority communities, um, it's stigmatized highly in those, in those communities. It's stigmatized already, but it's particularly stigmatized. I mean, I come from African communities, so, um, African background, sorry. So, I mean, that was definitely part of the reason why I didn't talk about it when I was 14, especially because, you know, I was supposed to be the one who's loud and bubbly. What do you mean you've got anxiety? What are you talking about? Do you know what I mean? So. It just wasn't something that I could even consider talking about, but exactly all these pressures and then suddenly you're out there in the real world feeling anxious and not even understanding what that means, having low mood and not even understanding what that means. And then this stuff is still coming at you and you can't even catch your breath. It's, I mean, it's heartbreaking that it's happening to 19 year olds more than anyone, but I think like you said, that just says. Um, and I think that's exactly what the problem is. You are leaving these young Us People unequipped and without the tools to look after themselves after 18.

Savia Rocks: 56:06

Yeah.

Denise Brown: 56:07

So

Savia Rocks: 56:07

I like that. That hit hard. That hit home. Right? So I have one more question for you. Sure. And that is where can we find you and all your social medias? If anybody would like to contact you about your program, about your company, about your work, where can they find you, Denise?

Denise Brown: 56:24

Thank you. So, best place to go to my website, which is www. 4youngminds. com, and that's with the number four. Um, so yeah, if you go to my website, you can contact me on there. You can see all of my services, uh, both with young Us People, teachers, parents, everyone. Um, but also, I mean, like I said, I'm an open, my door's open. I like to be able to support Us People, so if it's easier for you to just send me an email to get in touch. Then please do that. And yeah, my email address is also on my website. So best place to go. Then my social media, again, is just four young minds game of the four.

Savia Rocks: 56:57

Yeah. Cool. Okay. Perfect. Denise, I want to thank you. So I was, I was like, okay, then what? I was liking it. I was liking it. I don't know what else to say. Perfect. It's cool with me. Denise, I want to thank you so much. And I have to tell everyone, me and Denise went through a thing where something was happening all the time or, and things got rearranged, but I loved it because. Denise has so much patience. So I want to thank you for coming on the podcast and being such a humble and patient guest.

Denise Brown: 57:26

Oh, thank you so much for having me. I mean, you, you're also just as patient. I mean, I changed our appointment again today, didn't I? We made it work. And that was a great conversation. So thank you for having me.

Savia Rocks: 57:37

No, you're most welcome guys. Thank you so much for listening to the Us People podcast. And please remember you can subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Google play, and any other platform that you prefer listening to please also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And you can also donate to the Us People podcast by simply going

57:55

to the Savia Rocks website

Savia Rocks: 57:57

or just typing in paypal. me forward slash us Us People podcast. Thank you for listening. Stay happy. Stay positive. And as always, please continue to be kind to one another. Good time. Love that. Feels so good. For the darkness of the night. We all go through relationships with Us People where things have happened and they like to belittle you. And I'm sure we've all been in that at some point, but then you need to find something that resonates with you and helps you to evolve and say, you know what? That person is wrong.

Denise Brown: 58:48

That's it. Oh, that is. I wish we said this during the podcast. Exactly though. It's that whole thing. Like I said, of proving to yourself, there's never, People are going to say things to put you down, especially when they see your light. You know, if they haven't found their light yet and they see it in you, they'll do everything to dampen it

Savia Rocks: 59:03

of you. Try redirect. You'll see yes, if you try. Spread your wings and let the wind glide you high. We're just soaring through this journey, leaving fear far behind. Oh, so full of courage, you can win if you try. Read our MPS to you, you'll see the