What happens when you go from the bright lights of Broadway to a journey of deep self-care and personal transformation? In this episode of Joyfully Black, host Joy Dixon Paul sits down with Dan’yelle Williamson Brown, a Tony Award-winning actress turned wellness advocate, to discuss her journey from center stage to centering herself.

Dan’yelle shares how her career in musical theater, from playing Nala in The Lion King to starring in Memphis, shaped her passion for storytelling—but also the importance of prioritizing mental wellness and self-care. She opens up about her pivotal experience in Australia during the pandemic, how yoga became her healing practice, and why she’s dedicated to helping others find balance through her business, ZenFlow Fitness.

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, finding time for self-care, or making a major career pivot, this conversation is for you. Plus, Joy shares an exciting update about Flourish & Feel Good: A Self-Care Gathering for Women Who Do the Most, happening on Saturday, March 8th!

✔️ How Dan’yelle transitioned from a demanding Broadway career to the wellness space

✔️ The impact of the pandemic and isolation on mental health & self-care practices

✔️ Why saying "no" is a form of self-care and empowerment

✔️ How yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can support high-stress professionals

✔️ The importance of having a self-care toolkit for major life transitions

• Flourish & Feel Good: A Self-Care Gathering for Women Who Do the Most – RSVP here: bit.ly/FlourishFeelGood
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
• Unfuk Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life* by Gary John Bishop
• ZenFlow Fitness – Learn more at www.zenflowfitness.com

• Instagram: @dubsLove (Artist Page) | @flowswithdubs (Yoga Page) | @zenflowfitnessllc (Business)
• Website: ZenFlowFitness.com

• Follow us on Instagram: @joyfullyblk
• Subscribe & Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share to help others discover the Joyfully Black community!

In this episode of Joyfully Black, host Joy Dixon Paul sits down with Patricia Patton, the visionary behind Cannaboomer and a passionate advocate for wellness, cannabis education, and intergenerational dialogue. Patricia shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, how she navigates societal shifts, and the lessons she’s learned about trusting herself, embracing reinvention, and challenging stigma—especially when it comes to cannabis.

Together, they explore:

✅ The evolving landscape of cannabis education and why it matters for older adults

✅ How Patricia built a business that aligns with her values and interests

✅ Intergenerational wisdom & why our parents NEED to hear this

✅ Why reinvention is a form of self-care

✅The importance of self-trust & creating the life you actually want

✅ The critical role of representation, advocacy, and policy in the cannabis industry

This conversation is packed with wisdom, empowerment, and practical insights on self-care, wellness, and the power of owning your journey. Whether you're multi-passionate, exploring new career paths, or simply curious about cannabis and wellness, this episode is for you!

Guest Spotlight:

Patricia Patton is a wellness advocate, entrepreneur, and the founder of Cannaboomer, a platform dedicated to helping older adults navigate the cannabis industry. She is also the founder of the Cannabis Business Alliance (CBA), which supports historically under-resourced entrepreneurs in non-plant-touching cannabis ventures. Patricia sits on multiple advisory boards, including the U.S. Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation and MJH Life Sciences, and is currently training to become a certified Pilates instructor while also working toward becoming a master gardener.

In addition, she is the host of the podcast "Me & Mary Jane," where she speaks with industry leaders about cannabis, culture, and policy.

Connect with Patricia:

🌍 Website: www.patriciaapatton.com

📸 Instagram: @Cannaboomer | @DreamYourselfAwake

🌱 Cannabis Business Alliance: www.cannabisbusinessalliance.com

🎙 Podcast: Me & Mary Jane

Episode Resources & Mentions:

• Morehouse University Thatcher Health Leadership Institute
• U.S. Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation
• The Parabola Center for Law and Policy
• Recommended Reading: On Being by Krista Tippett, works by Howard Thurman

Join the Joyfully Black Community:

If you loved this conversation, let's keep it going!

✨ Follow us on Instagram: @JoyfullyBlk

✨ Visit our website: www.joyfullyblk.com

✨ Leave a 5-star review: If this episode resonated with you, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps us reach more listeners!

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In this episode, we get a life update from Joy since her hiatus. Plus, we have a conversation with Dr. Kourtney Bell on the myth of earning self-care, non-traditional forms of self-care, and balancing professional image with personal pursuits as a Psychotherapist and lifestyle blogger. Today she also shares what to do when the inner dialogue gets negative, choosing to be authentic, and her foray into sports statistics as a way to recharge.