Strength and Determination Keeps Mitzi Miller Going: My Friends Are Better Than Yours
Join BIG CED for an intimate conversation with media trailblazer Mitzi Miller
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Join BIG CED for an intimate conversation with media trailblazer Mitzi Miller on “My Friends Are Better Than Yours.” Mitzi shares her incredible journey from intern at Honey Magazine to becoming the first woman Editor-in-Chief of both Jet and Ebony magazines, her transition to TV/Film at Warner Brothers, and her transformation into a Joy Ambassador after surviving cancer. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Mitzi discusses:
✨ Breaking barriers in media as a Black woman
✨ Surviving two life-threatening illnesses (liver transplant at 22, lymphoma in 2023)
✨ Working with icons like Oprah and producing The Quad on BET
✨ The reality of making $23K in NYC media (and surviving on perks!)
✨ Mental health, stress management, and authentic living
✨ Building community and redefining success to include joy
Follow Mitzi Miller:
Instagram & TikTok: @JoyPlease
Topics: Media Industry, Black Excellence, Cancer Survivor, Mental Health, Entrepreneurship, Publishing, TV Production, Personal Development
#podcast #MitziMiller #MediaIndustry #JetMagazine #EbonyMagazine #JoyAmbassador #CancerSurvivor #BlackExcellence #podcast #BIGCED #theindustrycosign #filmindustry
0:00 – Introduction & Welcome
0:35 – Meeting at Vanguard Media & Honey Magazine
2:10 – Mitsy’s Journey: From Honey Intern to Ebony/Jet Editor-in-Chief
4:12 – Growing Up in Stamford, Connecticut
5:41 – Liver Transplant at 22 & Pivoting Career Dreams
7:16 – The Love of Magazines & Cultural Storytelling
9:22 – Chasing Amy DuBois Barnett Down Cobblestone Streets
11:23 – Making $23,000 in NYC & Living on Perks
13:24 – The Golden Era of Media Perks & Fact-Checking
16:29 – Which Title Brings the Most Joy?
17:38 – Public Speaking & Finding Your Voice
19:32 – “Fake It Till You Make It” – Best Advice Ever
22:02 – Dream Interview: President Obama (After Already Meeting Oprah!)
23:29 – The Nia Long & Lorenz Tate Moment
27:27 – Becoming the Joy Ambassador
28:48 – Lymphoma Diagnosis & Life’s Hard Reset
30:42 – Redefining Success to Include Joy
32:24 – First Woman Editor-in-Chief of Both Jet & Ebony
34:04 – Opening Doors & Creating Opportunities for Others
36:09 – 70 Million Podcast: Criminal Justice Reform
38:16 – Working at Warner Brothers & Telling Our Stories
39:31 – Current Political Climate & The Need to Do Something
44:04 – Childhood Dreams: Large Animal Vet to Media Maven
49:50 – Navigating the Industry as a Black Woman Entrepreneur
53:29 – Is Stress Self-Induced?
56:41 – Dealing with Challenges at Different Life Stages
1:00:05 – Mental Health in the Black Community
1:03:25 – Procrastination is Arrogant Assumption
1:05:30 – What Keeps You Going? The Sun & Second Chances
1:08:15 – Connect with Mitsy: @JoyPlease
1:10:13 – What’s Next: Podcast, Keynote Speaking & Voiceover Work
1:12:04 – Advice for Pursuing Your Passion
1:14:27 – Final Thoughts & Closing
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Strength and Determination Keeps Mitzi Miller Going: My Friends Are Better Than Yours