Ep. 31 - Beyond the Followers: Own Your Story, Build Wealth & Have Creative Freedom with Dr. Sheena Howard

Beyond The Quo

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 episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces—executive coach, reinvention strategist, and founder of the Living Beyond Movement—sits down with award-winning author, filmmaker, professor, and creative powerhouse Dr. Sheena C. Howard.
Dr. Howard was the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award at San Diego Comic-Con. But 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.
🎧 In This Episode
• 01:53 – Authenticity and Social Media
• 06:32 – Embracing Imperfection in Leadership
• 12:48 – The Emotional Labor of Representation
• 24:58 – Commitment Over Motivation
• 26:26 – Setting Honest Goals (Not Just Impressive Ones)
• 32:03 – Empowering the Next Generation
• 36:07 – Rediscovering Identity Mid-Journey
• 39:33 – Nerdworks and Owning the Creative Lane
💡 Key Takeaways
• Visibility Is Power
Being seen isn’t about vanity—it’s about creating space for others to rise. Representation shifts culture, not just algorithms.
• Start Small, Then Scale
A massive audience is not a requirement. Offer value, listen deeply, and grow from there. Wealth is built in the refinement.
• You Don’t Need Permission
The publishing and media world is evolving. Now more than ever, creators can publish, platform, and profit—on their own terms.
• Nerd Culture Is Not a Niche
From comic books to cosplay, pop culture is a battleground for equity, identity, and imagination. Claiming that space matters.
🔁 You’ve already done the quo. Now it’s time to go beyond.
🔥 Feeling seen? Here’s how you keep the momentum going:
Hit subscribe to Beyond the Quo so you never miss a conversation that challenges the status quo.
Leave a five-star review and share this episode with that friend who’s sitting on their genius.
Join the Rising Beyond Power Collective—a free global community for women redefining success and rising into leadership, powerfully and unapologetically.
👉 Join here
📱 Connect with Dr. Sheena C. Howard
IG/LinkedIn: @drsheenahoward
Website: sheenachoward.com
✨ Your story isn’t just content—it’s currency. Let this episode be your reminder to own it.