Ep. 61: Turning a Diagnosis Into Direction with Brandon Marshall

In this episode of Make Discomfort Your Btch*, I talk with Brandon Marshall about the moment everything shifted - when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult. Brandon shares how that unexpected and life-altering diagnosis became a catalyst for radical self-responsibility, deeper self-awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose in both life and business. We explore how learning to live with a chronic illness forced him to stop outsourcing his well-being and start taking ownership of his mindset, habits, and choices. From this deeply personal journey came the values that now shape his leadership in his work. This is a conversation about resilience, rethinking your limits, and the power of turning a hard moment into your greatest teacher. You don't want to miss it. MORE ABOUT BRANDON: Brandon is a driven entrepreneur and the founder of a specialized staffing agency focused on education and healthcare. With a background in recruiting and business development with nearly a decade of experience in the industry, he has built a reputation for creating people first staffing models that balance purpose and performance. Since launching his agency, Brandon has been recognized for his relationship driven approach—prioritizing trust, transparency, and long-term partnerships with both clients and clinicians. His leadership style reflects a deep commitment to supporting communities through meaningful, high-quality placements. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Brandon remains active in local AZ initiatives and is a familiar presence at education and healthcare conferences across the country. MORE ABOUT ME: I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces. I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding. MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME: * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox  * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at [email protected] * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.