Devi Brown Is Carving Out Space In The Wellness Industry For Women Of Color
Reiki energy healer, primordial sound meditation educator, spiritual psychology practitioner, best-selling author, and wellness entrepreneur. These are just a few titles that the unconquerable Devi Brown holds in the wellness industry. After reaching the peak of her career in the music industry and becoming a top-notch radio personality, she began to believe that something was missing. As she dug deeper into her spiritual and wellness journey, she began to share her healing and spiritual findings through Karma Bliss, which has ultimately put a focus on carving a space in the wellness industry for women of color.
Today, Devi Brown serves as the Chief Impact Officer at Chopra Global, where she will "help drive Chopra Global's creative direction, content strategy, and impact efforts, as well as provide guidance and insight to best serve the company's mission of democratizing well-being and bringing expanded consciousness to a global collective," according to a recent press release on behalf of Chopra Global. Tonia O'Connor, CEO of Chopra Global, says the team is "grateful to have her" and dubs Devi as "one of the most respected voices in well-being."
xoNecole caught up with the wellness expert, author, and Chopra certified educator of Primordial Sound Meditation about her devotion to spiritual connection, her passion for advocacy for women of color in wellness, and how her career as a music executive led her to her new role with Chopra Global, who recently launched a new mobile app.
On her initial interest in the wellness industry and carving spaces for women of color:
"Curiosity about personal transformation and spirituality has always been at the core of who I was since childhood. I believe that so much of who we are, our innate skill sets and even the longings and interests that we have were determined before we got to earth, so in that regard I know that so much of my connection to this work is above me. In real-world not just spiritual world reality though I was drawn to explore healing modalities and wellness as I began to experience 'busy burnout' while working in broadcasting and entertainment. I was hitting milestones and fitting the 'success' model that society had taught me to measure myself against but it always felt like something was missing, like there was a void, or like I wasn't really meeting my full human potential.
"As I began to explore that new understanding and started shifting my lens of perception, this new view also extended to the way I experienced my past, present and future. Once you start really working on yourself and accepting yourself, it's as if the floodgates open and an outpouring of deeper understandings begin to happen in every aspect of your life.
"For women of color, I believe access to tools to enhance overall life well-being is of the utmost importance. Women of color are the most marginalized and unsupported group of people in the world. Specifically, black women in the United States. We have to joyfully care for ourselves first which is so counterintuitive to anything we have ever been led to believe."
On how the music industry prepared her for her new career move at Chopra Global:
"Working in entertainment and broadcasting can truly prepare you for almost anything (laughs). Something that I loved about that time in my life was the way it fed my curiosity about the human condition. The way it allowed me to connect with people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. How to really get clear on my thoughts and how to read a crowd quickly. It also taught me how to not take things personally. When I was a little girl growing up in L.A., we were always stuck in traffic and listening to the radio.
"I remember being in awe of the sacredness I experienced with being connected to someone I didn't know over the airwaves and feeling like they were a companion on that leg of my journey, which at the time was just the freeway drive from home to school. That desire for connection to help people feel seen and heard is what still drives me today, except now I get to connect people to themselves and to tools of transformation as opposed to headlines and music."
On her plans on using her role and Chopra Global as a platform to elevate wellness for women of color:
"When I first deep-dived into my wellness journey, first starting with being a retreat and summit participant with various collectives, then as student of different schools and certification programs, then as an entrepreneur starting my own wellness business; it was never lost on me that 99% of the time I was the only Black millennial person in every single space I occupied. This was especially true when I first started almost a decade ago. Some of these events ranged in size from 40 people all the way up to 500+ people. No matter the size, I never saw anyone that looked like me.
"I've spent a very long time investigating what that understanding meant to me, the barriers to healing that exist for POC and how that impacted my/our journey (and sometimes lack thereof). Much of that and more is what I am incredibly excited about helping to shift not just within the company but within the wellness industry as a whole. I'm looking to get more [people of color] certified as teachers and healing practitioners and help create events that include more diverse speakers and attendees as well as implementing the best ways to apply knowledge of barriers various cultures and communities have to healing and how to most authentically help people expand emotionally and embody well-being practices based on those unique but pervasive barriers to entry."
Courtesy of Devi Brown/22 Spring
On how she has been personally impacted by Deepak Chopra's work:
"Deepak's work very literally changed the trajectory of my life and informed my ability to identify my purpose and mission. I think like most, by nature of him being a spiritual pioneer for the last nearly 30 years, I was aware of his books and some of his philosophies but it wasn't until a chance opportunity to attend one of his signature retreats at the height of my busy burnout/ego investigation while still working in broadcasting that I was able to access deeper parts of my spiritual experience. Deepak has authored over 90 books but my entry point to deeper understandings of higher consciousness came through his 7 Spiritual Laws of Success and Perfect Health. I first learned to meditate and how to come into a space of acceptance, detachment from outcome and peace through his life's work. He taught me how to really be with myself and experience a lightness of being in all I did and do."
On wellness, self-care and self-love practices in her everyday life:
"Personal wellness/well-being is the top priority of every facet of my life. It's my foundation and fuel. The quickest road to purpose and personal evolution is found in your daily spiritual practice or routine. For me that looks like an am and pm practice. In the mornings I meditate, stretch, pray, say affirmations, play my sound bowl and read a couple pages from a soul-nourishing book. In the evening I clear my energy, light some copal, pray, journal, play music to raise my frequency and dance. I've really taken advantage of COVID/social distancing clearing my calendar to supercharge my practice at night. I've been really intentional with how I use all this new 'me' time and I've loved the way it is sharpening me. This moment in time is truly an opportunity to become the 2.0 versions of ourselves if we let it."
On spiritual activism and generational trauma:
"I experience spiritual activism as a way of infusing your core spiritual beliefs into the way you show up for yourself and others. This past winter and spring, I noticed a lot of the traditionally white wellness and spiritual communities weaponizing systems of belief as a way to bypass what has been happening in the world and as a way to insulate themselves against deeper understanding of real world human experiences for people of color. I believe that if you have healed and expanded yourself, it is a spiritual duty to go out of your way to insert yourself and these compassionate understandings into the world in real time in a way that is of service to all oppressed and marginalized people.
"A core piece of dissolving intergenerational trauma is educating ourselves on our own family systems and adding in the lens of the role society, systemic racism and capitalism played in our brokenness. To be healed and have regular access to peace we must accept ourselves. To accept ourselves as Black women, we have to radically stand in our truths and regularly set self-honoring boundaries."
"We have to cast down the mechanism of forced resilience and emotional bypass and allow ourselves to heal. We need to prioritize our happiness and well-being first. As we do that, energetically we create healing and freedom for our entire lineage past, present and future."
For more of Devi, follow her on Instagram.
Featured image by 22 Spring
Reset Your Relationship: How To Start 2025 Strong With Your Partner
As the calendar turns and a new year unfolds, many of us are laser-focused on our career goals, fitness resolutions, and vision boards that outline the journey to our best selves. But amidst all the planning and self-improvement, have you made room for another important part of your life? Your relationship.
It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Step 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Step 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
Step 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
Featured image by zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images
I Stepped Out Of My Comfort Zone & Hosted A Journaling Meet-Up. Here's How It Went
Last year, I began my journey with journaling, and it has quickly become one of my favorite self-care practices. It started with reading Calling In The One, a book about manifesting love in your life.
At the end of each chapter were exercises, and the majority of those exercises required you to journal. I took it seriously because your girl wants a loving, healthy relationship in 2025. But while I finished the book, I still held on to the practice of journaling.
Journaling has not only allowed me to get my feelings out on paper, but it has also made me think deeper about situations and see other perspectives. For example, I may write about how I feel someone hurt me, and as I'm writing, I may realize some of my faults in the situation, thus forgiving that person or giving that person grace.
There have been other times when I'm writing, and suddenly, I get overwhelmed with emotion. I'm talking, tears streaming down my face, and having to pause to get myself together. Those moments are especially important to me because I began asking myself questions like, "Why did I get so emotional?" Which further allows me to keep journaling until I get to the root. But sometimes, it's just a purging of old feelings that I kept inside and was finally letting out.
Why I Decided To Have A Journaling Meet-Up
alvaro gonzalez/ Getty Images
Because journaling has been such a transformative practice for me, I wanted to share it with others and build community on similar ideas. That is one of the reasons why I created my brand, The Self-Care Writer. Not only did I want to provide self-care products like my Journaling & Self-Care Essentials Kit, but I also wanted to have events that were rooted in self-care and wellness.
So this year, I decided to have my first event. The new year often brings optimism as people are looking to make positive changes in their lives, and that's why I decided to have my event the weekend following New Year's Day. Thus, my event Release & Renew Journaling Meet-Up was created.
The Process
It was my first event, and while I wanted it to be nice, I also wanted something low-maintenance and free for the girlies. That's why I decided to make it a meet-up. It takes the pressure off of attendees and myself. I had it at a local Atlanta cafe so we wouldn't be forced to meet a food and beverage minimum.
Also, I was unsure of how many people were actually going to show up. I shared the meet-up with friends, posted on social media, and created an Eventbrite page. While I had a lot of tickets purchased through Evenbrite, you know how it is when something's free.
I capped the tickets at 25, and I had a total of eight girls show up. Most were friends, which I'm so grateful for. I was also proud that I got out of my comfort zone and took a chance at something I've wanted to do for a long time.
I had journal prompts for those who needed a little push and cute rose-gold pens with my website on them. After introductions and instructions, we mingled, ate, drank our coffees and teas, and journaled together.
What I Learned
Because it was my first event, I had low expectations, and I think that's best when planning something like this. The atmosphere seemed very encouraging, and everyone seemed to enjoy the space. However, I think we all could agree it was a little noisy at times, so it was hard to hear each other.
I hope to make this a monthly event, so having it in a quieter space or a restaurant with a private room would be ideal. I also would like to include more activities in the meet-ups to help build more community with each other. (I'm still collecting surveys, so more feedback is pending.)
The older I get, the more I believe in timing. I realized I had to go through certain transformations to become the person I am today to even create a brand like The Self-Care Writer. By showing up for myself through tools like journaling, I, in turn, can better show up for others.
While this is just the beginning, I am excited for what's to come. Who knows? I may even write a follow-up story about what else I've conquered since my first meet-up.
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