Ep. 82 - Beyond the Followers: Own Your Story, Build Wealth & Have Creative Freedom with Dr. Sheena Howard

If you missed it the first time — consider this your sign. And if you've already heard it? Good. You're ready to hear it differently.What if everything you've been told about visibility and success is wrong?You don't need millions of followers. You don't need to wait for a publisher, platform, or gatekeeper. And you certainly don't need to water down your brilliance to fit someone else's mold.In this encore episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces sits down with the award-winning author, filmmaker, professor, and creative powerhouse Dr. Sheena C. Howard — the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award at San Diego Comic-Con.Her success didn't come from playing the game. It came from rewriting the rules. Through her platforms Nerdworks and Power Your Research, she teaches creatives, scholars, and entrepreneurs how to own their voice, monetize their genius, and build six-figure brands — without waiting for permission.Together, they unpack the emotional labor of representation, the myth of perfection, and what it really takes to thrive as a culturally-rooted entrepreneur in spaces that weren't built for you.Whether you're an academic, a creator, or a leader building something bold — this episode will remind you: your story is your power.