<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></title><description><![CDATA[My professional Substack. ]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2tlk!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F327232fd-68f0-4699-ba47-c7f98e7fd87b_1280x1280.png</url><title>Brandon D. Campbell</title><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:36:05 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[brandondcampbell@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[brandondcampbell@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[brandondcampbell@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[brandondcampbell@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[This conversation explains more than you realize]]></title><description><![CDATA[In my conversation with licensed therapist Beatrice Klokpah, we uncover the hidden patterns shaping your reactions, and how to finally break them]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/this-conversation-explains-more-than</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/this-conversation-explains-more-than</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:00:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/195266347/dee01ea0af6ad44655b8c9e88cc70ce0.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This week&#8217;s podcast conversation was one that reminded me why I do this work. &#128591;&#127998;</p><p>I had the honor of sitting down with mental health expert <strong><a href="https://www.eunoiatherapyar.com/">Beatrice Klokpah</a>,</strong> the clinical director at Eunoia Therapy &amp; Self Development in Texas, and what we unpacked wasn&#8217;t just theory&#8212;it was truth, lived experience, and a roadmap for healing.</p><p>And at the center of it all was one powerful idea:</p><p><strong>We don&#8217;t just grow up&#8230;we carry things with us.</strong></p><p>Beatrice broke down how childhood experiences, especially around <strong>attachment, neglect, and abandonment</strong>, don&#8217;t just disappear as we age. They show up.</p><p>They show up in our relationships.<br>They show up in our work environments.<br>They show up in how we see ourselves.</p><p>Sometimes as people-pleasing.<br>Sometimes as overperforming.<br>Sometimes as a deep sensitivity to rejection. &#128148;</p><p>And if we&#8217;re not aware of it, we repeat those patterns, trying to heal wounds we don&#8217;t even fully understand.</p><p>That&#8217;s why awareness is everything.</p><p>But awareness alone isn&#8217;t enough.</p><p><strong>Healing requires action.</strong></p><p>One of the most powerful things Beatrice shared was the concept of <strong>reparenting yourself</strong>, learning how to give yourself what you may not have received growing up.</p><p>That could look like:</p><ul><li><p>Taking a pause before reacting</p></li><li><p>Creating space to reset your emotions</p></li><li><p>Meeting your own needs before pouring into others</p></li></ul><p>Simple&#8230;but transformational.</p><p>As a father, that hit home for me.</p><p>Because so much of what I&#8217;m intentional about today, my routines, my walks, my meditation, even how I communicate with my daughters, is rooted in modeling what emotional and mental health looks like in real time. &#128153;</p><p>Not just telling them&#8230;</p><p>But showing them.</p><p>Because our children don&#8217;t just listen to us.</p><p><strong>They become what they see.</strong></p><p>This is also why I wrote <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em>. &#128218;</p><p>When I first shared the manuscript with Beatrice, she immediately recognized its relevance&#8212;not just for children, but for parents navigating their own healing.</p><p>Because the truth is&#8230;</p><p>Many adults are still unpacking childhood experiences while trying to raise healthy, emotionally secure children.</p><p>And that&#8217;s not easy.</p><p>But it is possible.</p><p>One thing Beatrice said that stayed with me:</p><p><strong>&#8220;We are not responsible for what happened to us&#8212;but we are responsible for what we do with it.&#8221;</strong></p><p>That&#8217;s accountability.<br>That&#8217;s growth.<br>That&#8217;s legacy. &#127793;</p><p>So, whether you&#8217;re a parent, a professional, or simply someone doing the work to become better&#8230;</p><p>Start with awareness.<br>Commit to the work.<br>And give yourself the same grace you give others.</p><p>Because healing doesn&#8217;t just change you&#8230;</p><p><strong>It changes generations.</strong> &#128175;</p><p>&#127911; Watch the full podcast episode to hear this powerful conversation.<br>&#128218; Grab your copy of <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> at <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/">BrandonDCampbell.com</a></p><p>Because real impact starts within, and then spreads outward. &#129309;</p><div><hr></div><h2><strong>Rock Cities Book Crawl at Pyramid Art, Books and Custom Framing</strong></h2><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4a898777-df05-42b8-b572-0b267ed61f70_1086x1419.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ea1b7177-ec49-4891-976b-5ad6a9236560_719x899.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/45a8eaeb-09e4-4705-b46f-ab27b44b82d0_1456x720.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><div><hr></div><h3>Experience this&#8230;</h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:648384,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.brandondcampbell.com/i/193761616?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>On Mother&#8217;s Day weekend, join me at Pearl&#8217;s Book for an interactive story time for families. </p><p>Using my new children&#8217;s book OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER as the bridge, I&#8217;ll guide a one-of-a-kind experience designed to support <strong>children&#8217;s social and emotional development, spark meaningful conversations between parent and child and deepen family bonds. </strong>Guests can also enjoy an author Q&amp;A, meet the author, and buy a personalized signed copy of the book. </p><p>Join us on Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the bookstore for this special event.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;RSVP Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/"><span>RSVP Now</span></a></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclv6NSQN29kj0UuZ7CpDUq5XoeDaS2Lyms5DjAXFU8NbS7HQ/alreadyresponded">Book</a> me for your next literacy experience.   </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png" width="16" height="16" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:16,&quot;width&quot;:16,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&#10084;&#65039;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="&#10084;&#65039;" title="&#10084;&#65039;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Was Wrong About What People Think of Me.💡💭]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this latest episode, I introduce the SPOTLIGHT EFFECT to explain why most people aren&#8217;t thinking about you, and how that sets you free.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-was-wrong-about-what-people-think</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-was-wrong-about-what-people-think</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:45:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/194533178/063f4a3f2e8449f3704ad10d9d604cb7.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Let me ask you something&#8230;</p><p><strong>What are you really afraid of?</strong></p><p>Is it failure?<br>Or is it the judgment that might come with it?</p><p>That question hit me differently during one of the lowest points in my life. I had lost my job, was providing for my family, and was carrying a weight of disappointment, doubt, and uncertainty. At the same time, I was shopping my manuscript for <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em>&#8212;and hearing &#8220;no&#8221; over and over again. &#128218;</p><p>It felt like everything around me was rejecting what I believed in.</p><p>But then I came across something that shifted my entire perspective:</p><p><strong>The Spotlight Effect.</strong> &#128161;</p><p>The spotlight effect is the idea that we overestimate how much people are actually paying attention to us&#8212;our failures, our appearance, our decisions. In reality, people are far more focused on themselves than we think.</p><p>That realization was freeing.</p><p>Because if people aren&#8217;t watching as closely as we think&#8230;<br>Then what&#8217;s really holding us back?</p><p>For me, it was fear of judgment from another potential failure.</p><p>I had to ask myself:</p><p><strong>Who am I becoming?</strong></p><p>And more importantly&#8230;</p><p><strong>What would I do if I stopped caring what people thought?</strong></p><p>The answer was simple:</p><p>I would bet on myself.<br>I would start my business. <br>I would release the book&#8212;no matter how many &#8220;no&#8217;s&#8221; I heard.</p><p>And that&#8217;s exactly what I did.</p><p>The moment I made that decision, something shifted. The pressure lifted. The noise quieted, and I got to work. &#128736;&#65039;</p><p>Not for validation or approval from others. </p><p>Now, I carry that same lesson into how I show up as a father. When my daughters feel self-conscious or worried about what others think, I remind them:</p><p><strong>People aren&#8217;t thinking about you as much as you think they are.</strong></p><p>They&#8217;re thinking about themselves.</p><p>That&#8217;s not a bad thing&#8212;it&#8217;s human nature. </p><p>That truth is also part of why I wrote <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>. &#10084;&#65039;</p><p>I wanted to create a story for young boys, especially those growing up in single-parent or blended households, who are trying to figure out who they are. Boys dealing with insecurity, identity, and emotional challenges&#8230;. just like I did.</p><p>Because if we can teach them early to understand themselves&#8212;not the opinions of others&#8212;we set them up for something powerful:</p><p><strong>Confidence. Clarity. Leadership. </strong></p><p>Here&#8217;s my encouragement to you:</p><p>Stop letting the fear of judgment hold you back.<br>Stop overestimating who&#8217;s watching.</p><p>And start becoming who you&#8217;re meant to be.</p><p>Because at the end of the day&#8230;</p><p><strong>Most people are too busy thinking about themselves, anyway. </strong></p><p>So, you might as well live your life for you. &#128175;</p><p>&#127911; Watch the full podcast episode to dive deeper into this message.<br>&#128218; Grab your copy of <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> at <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/">BrandonDCampbell.com</a></p><p>Because your story deserves to be told&#8212;whether people are watching or not. &#128153;</p><div><hr></div><h2><strong>On Saturday, join me at the 2nd Annual Arkansas Children&#8217;s Book Festival!</strong></h2><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;2464438c-38b8-4165-ae80-39b1a9953ed8&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg 848w, 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://camps.uca.edu/view.php?id=58549&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;RSVP Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://camps.uca.edu/view.php?id=58549"><span>RSVP Now</span></a></p><div><hr></div><h3>Experience this&#8230;</h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>On Mother&#8217;s Day weekend, join me at Pearl&#8217;s Book for an interactive storytime for families. </p><p>Using my new children&#8217;s book OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER as the bridge, I&#8217;ll guide a one-of-a-kind experience designed to support <strong>children&#8217;s social and emotional development, spark meaningful conversations between parent and child and deepen family bonds. </strong>Guests can also enjoy an author Q&amp;A, meet the author, and buy a personalized signed copy of the book. </p><p>Join us on Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the bookstore for this special event.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;RSVP Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/"><span>RSVP Now</span></a></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclv6NSQN29kj0UuZ7CpDUq5XoeDaS2Lyms5DjAXFU8NbS7HQ/alreadyresponded">Book</a> me for your next literacy experience.   </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png" width="16" height="16" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:16,&quot;width&quot;:16,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&#10084;&#65039;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="&#10084;&#65039;" title="&#10084;&#65039;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Boundaries Hurt…Here's Why 💭💔]]></title><description><![CDATA[The truth about growth, grief, and becoming who you&#8217;re meant to be]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/boundaries-hurtheres-why</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/boundaries-hurtheres-why</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:02:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/193761616/94d01180f690d0f8b87e930e862a138a.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This week has been special.</p><p>From being featured in <em><a href="https://aymag.com/arkansas-author-brandon-d-campbell/">AY Magazine</a></em><a href="https://aymag.com/arkansas-author-brandon-d-campbell/"> </a>to preparing for upcoming events with families and children, I&#8217;ve been reflecting deeply on my journey where I started and who I&#8217;m becoming. &#128591;&#127998;</p><p>In the middle of all the wins, there&#8217;s something real I had to confront:</p><p><strong>Setting boundaries doesn&#8217;t always feel good.</strong></p><p>In fact, sometimes it hurts.</p><p>If you&#8217;ve ever started saying &#8220;no&#8221; after years of saying &#8220;yes,&#8221; you know exactly what I mean.</p><p>You feel the tension.<br>You feel the guilt.<br>You might even feel grief.</p><p>And that&#8217;s because you&#8217;re not just changing your behavior&#8230;</p><p><strong>You&#8217;re letting go of an old version of yourself.</strong></p><p>For a long time, I was that person.</p><p>The one who showed up for everyone.<br>The one who avoided conflict.<br>The one who said yes even when it cost me my peace.</p><p>If I&#8217;m being honest, a lot of that came from deeper places.</p><p>From childhood experiences.<br>From environments where boundaries weren&#8217;t taught or weren&#8217;t respected.<br>From learning to cope by pleasing others just to feel safe or accepted.</p><p>So, when you finally decide to set boundaries, it can feel unnatural.</p><p>Even painful.</p><p>Because now, you&#8217;re rewriting the rules. &#9997;&#127998;</p><p>Here&#8217;s what I&#8217;ve learned:</p><p><strong>The sadness you feel isn&#8217;t failure. It&#8217;s growth.</strong></p><p>It&#8217;s the discomfort of no longer being who you used to be.<br>It&#8217;s the tension of choosing your future over your familiarity.</p><p>And yes&#8230;not everyone will understand that.</p><p>Some people were comfortable with the old version of you.<br>The version that overextended.<br>The version that didn&#8217;t push back.</p><p>But growth requires change, and change requires boundaries. &#128721;</p><p>As a creative entrepreneur, this has changed how I approach everything, especially opportunities and relationships.</p><p>Not every opportunity is aligned.<br>Not every connection is meant to go deeper.</p><p>That&#8217;s okay.</p><p>Because now I move with intention.</p><p>That is exactly why I wrote <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>. &#128218;</p><p>So many of us are walking around as adults trying to learn things we were never taught as children:</p><p>How to express emotions.<br>How to communicate.<br>How to create healthy boundaries.</p><p>This book is about helping families start those conversations early, so the next generation doesn&#8217;t have to unlearn what we&#8217;ve had to fight through.</p><p>If you&#8217;re in a season where you&#8217;re setting boundaries and it feels uncomfortable&#8230;</p><p>Lean into it.</p><p>Be proud of it.</p><p>You&#8217;re not losing yourself&#8230;</p><p><strong>You&#8217;re finally choosing yourself.</strong> &#128153;</p><div><hr></div><p>&#127911; Watch the full podcast episode to hear more of this conversation.<br>&#128218; And grab your copy of <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> at <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">BrandonDCampbell.com</a></p><p>Because growth isn&#8217;t just about becoming more&#8230;</p><p>It&#8217;s about becoming <strong>whole.</strong></p><div><hr></div><h2><strong>I&#8217;m being featured at the 2nd Annual Arkansas Children&#8217;s Book Festival on April 18th at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR.</strong></h2><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;2464438c-38b8-4165-ae80-39b1a9953ed8&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg" width="446" height="640" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:false,&quot;imageSize&quot;:&quot;normal&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:640,&quot;width&quot;:446,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:446,&quot;bytes&quot;:116656,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.brandondcampbell.com/i/193104516?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3da7c85a-628e-4d83-83bf-d503d1d8276f_446x640.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:&quot;center&quot;,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T2tj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5f914e78-32f0-4e49-b534-da11c34464e8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>On Mother&#8217;s Day weekend, join me at Pearl&#8217;s Book for an interactive storytime for families. </p><p>Using my new children&#8217;s book OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER as the bridge, I&#8217;ll guide a one-of-a-kind experience designed to support <strong>children&#8217;s social and emotional development, spark meaningful conversations between parent and child and deepen family bonds. </strong>Guests can also enjoy an author Q&amp;A, meet the author, and buy a personalized signed copy of the book. </p><p>Join us on Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the bookstore for this special event.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;RSVP Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cz5b3i6Wk/"><span>RSVP Now</span></a></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclv6NSQN29kj0UuZ7CpDUq5XoeDaS2Lyms5DjAXFU8NbS7HQ/alreadyresponded">Book</a> me for your next literacy experience.   </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png" width="16" height="16" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:16,&quot;width&quot;:16,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&#10084;&#65039;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="&#10084;&#65039;" title="&#10084;&#65039;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CNYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb82470c5-b276-4ec2-8041-1bdc6a60e4e6_16x16.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Started Saying No—Everything Changed]]></title><description><![CDATA[How choosing alignment over opportunity reshaped my life, my family, and my future.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-started-saying-noeverything-changed</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-started-saying-noeverything-changed</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:12:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/193104516/bd76be31e79186d4d4692cf4adb995b0.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m in a season of life where I can honestly say I&#8217;m becoming the man I once dreamed of. &#128591;&#127998;</p><p>A father.<br>A husband.<br>An entrepreneur.<br>A published author.<br>A creator who impacts lives.</p><p>And while I&#8217;m grateful for the opportunities coming my way, I&#8217;ve also had to make some difficult decisions lately&#8230;</p><p><strong>I&#8217;ve had to say no.</strong></p><p>Not because the opportunities weren&#8217;t good.<br>But because they weren&#8217;t <strong>aligned</strong>.</p><p>As a creative entrepreneur, it&#8217;s easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to everything, every stage, every collaboration, every check, every room. I&#8217;ve been there before. Early in my journey, I showed up everywhere, chasing visibility, validation, and connection.</p><p>But what I&#8217;ve learned is this:</p><p><strong>Not all connection is alignment.</strong> &#129309;</p><p>And not all opportunities are meant for the version of you that you&#8217;re becoming.</p><p>Over the past few years, especially while writing <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>, I had to do some real internal work. I asked myself a question that changed everything:</p><p><strong>Who am I becoming?</strong></p><p>From there, I defined my core values. Here are some of them:</p><ul><li><p>Family &#128104;&#8205;&#128103;&#8205;&#128103;</p></li><li><p>Fatherhood &#10084;&#65039;</p></li><li><p>Emotional and mental well-being &#129504;</p></li><li><p>Growth &#127793;</p></li><li><p>Respect &#129309;</p></li></ul><p>These values now guide how I move, how I build, and who I partner with.</p><p>Because partnerships matter.</p><p>The right partnership should <strong>honor your values</strong>, not challenge your identity.<br>It should create <strong>mutual respect</strong>, not silent resentment.<br>It should feel like alignment, not obligation.</p><p>One of my greatest values is family.</p><p>Before I commit to anything, I ask:<br><strong>Does this take me away from being the father I want to be?</strong></p><p>Because at the end of the day, I want my daughters to remember me remember me as someone who <strong>showed up</strong>. &#128153;</p><p>Present.<br>Attentive.<br>Loving.</p><p>That&#8217;s success to me.</p><p>What I&#8217;ve come to understand is that boundaries aren&#8217;t limitations. They&#8217;re protection. &#128737;&#65039;</p><p>They protect your peace.<br>They protect your purpose.<br>They protect the future you&#8217;re building.</p><p>And most importantly, they protect the person you&#8217;re becoming.</p><p>So now, every opportunity runs through a filter:</p><p><strong>Does this align with my values?<br>Does this support who I&#8217;m becoming?<br>Does this reflect the life I&#8217;m building?</strong></p><p>If the answer is no, it&#8217;s okay to walk away.</p><p>Because the right opportunities&#8230;<br>the right connections&#8230;<br>the right partnerships&#8230;</p><p><strong>Won&#8217;t require you to compromise who you are.</strong></p><p>&#127911; Watch the full podcast episode to hear more about this journey.</p><p>&#128218; And if you&#8217;re on your own journey of growth, healing, and family connection, grab a copy of <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">here</a>.</p><p>Because building a better life isn&#8217;t just about what you say yes to&#8230;</p><p>It&#8217;s also about what you&#8217;re willing to say no to. &#128175;</p><div><hr></div><h4><strong>I&#8217;m being featured at the 2nd Annual Arkansas Children&#8217;s Book Festival on April 18th at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR.</strong></h4><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;2464438c-38b8-4165-ae80-39b1a9953ed8&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RNdK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd44cf5d3-8c8c-4a0b-b2cd-6d1fc719d07c_446x640.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://camps.uca.edu/view.php?id=58549&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;RSVP Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://camps.uca.edu/view.php?id=58549"><span>RSVP Now</span></a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[You Are Not the Problem.]]></title><description><![CDATA[A powerful reminder about love, purpose, and showing up for others.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/you-are-not-the-problem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/you-are-not-the-problem</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:55:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/192338662/abb8d34828d08b8866939392cc9ff517.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>This week has been a blessing. &#128591;</p><p>Not just because of accomplishments or progress, but simply because I&#8217;m still here. I don&#8217;t take that for granted. There are so many people right now who are struggling&#8212;emotionally, financially, spiritually&#8212;and I want to start by saying something that someone out there needs to hear:</p><p><strong>You are loved.</strong></p><p>Even when life feels uncertain.<br>Even when you don&#8217;t recognize the person in the mirror.<br>Even when it feels like no one sees you.</p><p><strong>You are loved.</strong></p><p>Not just in a general sense. Your life has meaning. Your presence matters to someone, whether you realize it or not. In a world where so many people are navigating silent battles, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is remind each other of that truth.</p><p>This week also allowed me to live that message out. </p><p>During Spring Break, my family and I spent time volunteering with <strong>Feed Arkansas Kids</strong> at the Church at Rock Creek. Together, we helped serve over <strong>1,600 families</strong> in a short period of time. &#127869;&#65039;</p><p>While the impact on those families was important, what meant the most to me was what my daughters experienced. Seeing the smiles on their faces and the energy they put into each food bag they made for a family brought a feeling of joy that I thought only came from their academic achievements.  </p><p>I wanted them to see what it looks like to give <strong>not out of convenience, but out of compassion.</strong> I wanted them to understand that there are children their age who are facing real challenges, including food insecurity. For some kids, the meals they receive at school may be the only meals they get in a day.</p><p>That&#8217;s a reality many of us didn&#8217;t grow up fully understanding.</p><p>However, it&#8217;s one they need to be aware of.</p><p>Because gratitude isn&#8217;t something you just teach with words&#8212;it&#8217;s something you build through experience.</p><p>Moments like this remind me that part of our responsibility as parents isn&#8217;t just to provide, but it&#8217;s to <strong>prepare our children to serve</strong>.</p><p>To recognize when they are blessed.<br>To understand when others are in need.<br>And to step in when they can make a difference.</p><p>That&#8217;s how we build not just successful kids, but compassionate, aware, and emotionally grounded human beings.</p><p>As I reflect on this week, I&#8217;m reminded that no matter what we&#8217;re going through individually, we all have the ability to be a light for someone else.</p><p>Sometimes it&#8217;s through a conversation.<br>Sometimes it&#8217;s through service.<br>Sometimes it&#8217;s simply reminding someone that they matter.</p><p>If you want to learn how to build compassion in your child through emotional connection, buy my debut children&#8217;s book <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em> anywhere books are sold. </p><p>Write a review on Amazon. </p><p><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Book</a> me for your next engagement. </p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Selected for the Arkansas Authors' Children&#8217;s Book Festival in April </strong></h3><h4>I will be showcasing Oh Brother, My Brother at the 2nd annual children&#8217;s book festival on April 18th at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR.  </h4><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;066c3084-5a98-43dd-be4e-9310cea06c9d&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 424w, 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Today, I converse with the publisher of Hohm Press. Watch the video below about the Book Festival I was selected for as a featured author.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/interview-with-my-books-publisher</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/interview-with-my-books-publisher</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 20:54:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/191599915/8d532920740de77667e093f6ff3d116b.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hx52!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F927a711f-3143-4e68-9acb-d6dba5812309_897x1266.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hx52!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F927a711f-3143-4e68-9acb-d6dba5812309_897x1266.jpeg 424w, 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hx52!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F927a711f-3143-4e68-9acb-d6dba5812309_897x1266.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hx52!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F927a711f-3143-4e68-9acb-d6dba5812309_897x1266.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hx52!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F927a711f-3143-4e68-9acb-d6dba5812309_897x1266.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hx52!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F927a711f-3143-4e68-9acb-d6dba5812309_897x1266.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>One of the highlights of my week was being featured as the <strong>High-Profile cover story in the <a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/15/high-profile-brandon-dorel-campbell/">Arkansas Democrat-Gazette</a></strong>. &#128240;</p><p>I&#8217;m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me along the way. But even with that milestone, what stayed with me the most this week was a deeper conversation I had on my latest podcast. &#127897;&#65039;</p><p>I had the opportunity to sit down with <strong>Dasya Zuccarello</strong> from <strong>Hohm Press</strong>, and we talked not just about the book, but about the journey behind it. What many people don&#8217;t see is the reality that before this partnership ever happened, I was turned down by over 100 agents. That&#8217;s a lot of &#8220;no&#8217;s.&#8221; But sometimes those &#8220;no&#8217;s&#8221; are necessary to align you with the right &#8220;yes.&#8221;</p><p>When I connected with Hohm Press, it felt different. Not only was it about publishing my first book, but it was about purpose. They focus on healing, spirituality, parenting, and meaningful work. Alignment was important to me, because <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> was never meant just to entertain. It was created to make an impact. &#10084;&#65039;&#128214;</p><p>During our conversation, something really stood out to me. So many books today are designed for quick consumption, for entertainment. However, Oh Brother, My Brother is about something deeper. It&#8217;s about helping families navigate real-life challenges, blended families, emotional connection, childhood trauma, and the importance of being present as parents. It&#8217;s about giving children language for their emotions and giving parents space to reflect and heal, too.</p><p>That&#8217;s what made another part of the conversation hit even harder. Dasya shared his own experience of losing his father at a young age and how that absence shaped him, not just in childhood, but throughout his life. That kind of honesty is powerful because it reflects the reality for so many families today. &#128173;</p><p>Whether it&#8217;s a blended family, a single-parent household, or even a two-parent home, unhealed experiences don&#8217;t just disappear. They show up in how we communicate, how we love, and how we lead. Too often, we pass those traumas down without even realizing it.</p><p>That&#8217;s why this book is for parents, too, because healing doesn&#8217;t start with them&#8230;it starts with us.</p><p>We&#8217;re living in a time where people are more connected than ever, but many families are still disconnected where it matters most&#8212;at home. Less conversation. Less presence. Less intentional connection. And that&#8217;s exactly what <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> was created to restore. &#129309;</p><p>If you want to hear the full conversation and understand the deeper story behind this journey, I encourage you to watch the full podcast episode. &#127911;</p><p>If you&#8217;re ready to be intentional about building stronger connections in your home, I invite you to grab a copy of <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> at BrandonDCampbell.com.</p><p>My book is about helping families heal, one conversation at a time. &#128153;</p><p>Buy <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em> anywhere books are sold. </p><p>Write a review on Amazon. </p><p><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Book</a> me for your next engagement. </p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Selected for the Arkansas Authors' Children&#8217;s Book Festival in April </strong></h3><h4>I will be showcasing Oh Brother, My Brother at the 2nd annual children&#8217;s book festival on April 18th at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR.  </h4><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;066c3084-5a98-43dd-be4e-9310cea06c9d&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg" width="446" height="640" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:640,&quot;width&quot;:446,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:120941,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.brandondcampbell.com/i/191599915?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0k2R!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2eedabf9-ae27-4348-9b14-e7a3baca4315_446x640.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The one major parenting mistake we make.]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Trauma Children Feel&#8230;Even When They&#8217;re Too Young to Remember. What this one celebrity said about her daughter after her divorce struck a nerve.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/the-one-major-parenting-mistake-we</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/the-one-major-parenting-mistake-we</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:39:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/190853114/6a084b9b24bc79c625886dc0890a05ec.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to <strong>Bean&#8217;s Books</strong> for hosting such a wonderful <strong>book signing event</strong>. &#128218;</p><p>Seeing families and educators come out, sharing conversations about emotional health, and signing copies of <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother"> </a>was incredibly meaningful. Moments like that remind me why I wrote this book in the first place: to start conversations about family, healing, and the emotional well-being of our children.</p><p>That mission was on my mind recently while recording my latest podcast episode.</p><p>Normally, I don&#8217;t comment on celebrity news or drama. But something I read stopped me in my tracks.</p><p>Television personality<a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1427900/jeannie-mai-on-jeezy-divorce-aftermath"> </a><strong><a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1427900/jeannie-mai-on-jeezy-divorce-aftermath">Jeannie Mai</a></strong>, the ex-wife of rapper <strong>Jeezy</strong>, recently <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1427900/jeannie-mai-on-jeezy-divorce-aftermath">spoke</a> about their divorce and made a statement about their daughter. She said she was grateful her daughter was only one year old when everything happened because she wouldn&#8217;t remember the turmoil.</p><p>And when I read that, one thought immediately came to mind:</p><p><strong>That&#8217;s the mistake many of us make as parents.</strong></p><p>We assume that because children are very young, they won&#8217;t remember trauma or experience its effects.</p><p><strong>The truth is that children don&#8217;t have to remember trauma for it to shape them.</strong></p><p>Research shows that some of the most critical developmental stages happen between the <strong>ages of newborn and 3</strong>. During that time, the brain, especially the <strong>frontal lobe and limbic system</strong>, is developing rapidly. This is when children begin forming emotional regulation, behavioral patterns, and even early defense mechanisms.</p><p>So, when a child experiences conflict, instability, neglect, or emotional turmoil during those early years, it can impact their development, even if they never consciously remember it later in life.</p><p>Studies have shown that trauma during these early stages can slow emotional development and increase the likelihood of challenges later, including anxiety, depression, maladaptive behaviors, or even substance abuse.</p><p>This isn&#8217;t about blame.</p><p>It&#8217;s about <strong>awareness</strong>.</p><p>If anything, moments like this remind us how important it is for parents, especially during divorce, separation, or difficult life transitions, to intentionally create <strong>safe, loving environments</strong> for our children.</p><p>Children need connection.</p><p>They need stability.</p><p>They need to feel loved and secure by the people who brought them into this world.</p><p>The earlier we pour into them emotionally, the stronger and healthier they become as adults.</p><p>That&#8217;s one of the reasons I wrote my debut children&#8217;s book, <em><strong>Oh Brother, My Brother</strong></em>. It&#8217;s designed to help families start conversations early, while children are still young, about emotions, healing, and the importance of communication.</p><p>The goal isn&#8217;t just raising successful kids.</p><p><strong>It&#8217;s raising emotionally healthy adults.</strong></p><p>&#127911; If you&#8217;d like to hear the full conversation and the deeper context behind this discussion, watch the <strong>latest episode of my podcast</strong>.</p><p>&#128218; And if you want a meaningful resource to help start healing conversations in your own family, grab a copy of my debut children&#8217;s book, <em><strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></strong></em>.</p><p>Visit <strong>brandondcampbell.com</strong> to watch the full episode and order your copy today.</p><p>Because healing families starts with <strong>intentional conversations.</strong> &#128172;</p><p><em>Watch my latest podcast interviews as featured guests - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSjPSzE4FVQ">Wright on Education</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPqVjgFoYic&amp;t=61s">Rebuilding the Bluff</a>. </em></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What My Daughter Said Made Me Pause]]></title><description><![CDATA[A simple moment of vulnerability and active listening reminded me that our kids need idle time, too. Also, meet me Saturday, March 7th at Bean's Bookstore in Conway, AR for a book signing.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/what-my-daughter-said-made-me-pause</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/what-my-daughter-said-made-me-pause</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:06:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/190157838/41b35a735910c339afaa9d5094e0709b.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy <strong>Read Across America Week</strong>! &#128218;</p><p>To celebrate, I&#8217;m excited to share that I&#8217;ll be doing an <strong>official in-store visit at Bean&#8217;s Books, located at 315 US-65, Conway, AR, United States, 72032</strong>. If you&#8217;re in the area, stop by between <strong>12 and 2 PM</strong> to say hello and grab a signed copy of my debut children&#8217;s book, <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em>. I&#8217;d love to meet you. &#9997;&#127998;&#128214;</p><p>I also want to share that my conversation on the <strong>Little Rock School District podcast </strong><em><strong><a href="https://youtu.be/RSjPSzE4FVQ?si=R_7xXd1gOoAAcyql">Wright on Education,</a></strong></em> is now live. It was a powerful discussion with Superintendent <strong>Jermall Wright</strong>, architect <strong>Ernest Banks</strong>, and school counselor <strong>Marquis Cooper</strong> about how we raise emotionally secure and healthy boys who grow into strong leaders.</p><p>It&#8217;s a conversation I hope many families, educators, and mentors will watch.</p><h3>A Busy Week with Kids</h3><p>This past week has also been full of school visits and meaningful conversations with students.</p><p>On Read Across America Day, I had the honor of visiting <strong>Bryant Pre-K</strong> and reading <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> to Ms. Allen&#8217;s class.</p><p>Seeing children engage with the story, ask questions, and recognize themselves in the characters is always one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. &#10084;&#65039;</p><p>But something else happened this week that reminded me of an important parenting lesson.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8a03cb24-854c-4e5e-9fc3-eac72b19bc00_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/faa869b3-ed10-4415-b0e3-985a49a6dcc4_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3e2d3c77-841d-463c-b002-75d510d91cc9_2048x1536.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/57556e7c-b0f2-47d8-a611-fa51aa1c4721_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><h3>Is an Idle Mind Really a Problem for Our Kids?</h3><p>Growing up, many of us heard the saying:</p><p><strong>&#8220;An idle mind is the devil&#8217;s playground.&#8221;</strong></p><p>And sometimes that&#8217;s true.</p><p>But this week taught me something different.</p><p><strong>Sometimes, a restless mind can be just as dangerous.</strong></p><p>My wife and I have three daughters, and like many parents, we try to give them every opportunity we can&#8212;sports, arts, activities, experiences we didn&#8217;t always have growing up.</p><p>Between tumbling, acrobatics, practices, school, and even attending the opening night of <em>MJ the Musical</em> at the <strong>Robinson Center</strong>, our schedule was packed this week.</p><p>One evening after practice, one of my daughters became quiet as we walked to the car. I could see tears forming in her eyes.</p><p>When I asked what was wrong, she said something that stopped me in my tracks:</p><p><strong>&#8220;Dad&#8230;and I just want time to relax.&#8221;</strong></p><p>She didn&#8217;t want to be doing something every night.<br>She wanted to go home, be in her space, read, and simply rest.</p><h3>Kids Need Reboots Too</h3><p>That moment reminded me of something we often forget as parents.</p><p>Kids need <strong>reboots</strong>, just like we do.</p><p>As adults, we take walks, meditate, decompress after long days. However, sometimes in our desire to give our children more opportunities than we had, we accidentally take away something equally valuable:</p><p>Time to simply exist.</p><p>Time to recharge.</p><p>So, we adjusted. Instead of filling every night with activities, we scaled things back. Fewer practices. More space to just be present. </p><p>Because raising healthy children isn&#8217;t only about keeping them busy.</p><p>It&#8217;s about helping them find <strong>balance</strong>.</p><h3>Final Thought</h3><p>An idle mind may sometimes cause trouble.</p><p>But a <strong>restless mind</strong>, one that never gets a break, can wear down a child&#8217;s spirit.</p><p>As parents, mentors, and educators, our job is to help children find the space where <strong>effort, joy, and rest all coexist.</strong></p><p>And if you want to explore more of the conversations around family, connection, and emotional awareness, I invite you to check out my book.</p><p>&#128214; <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> is available now.</p><p>Visit <strong>BrandonDCampbell.com</strong> to learn more and grab your copy.</p><p>Sometimes the most important lessons we teach our kids&#8230;<br>are the ones they teach us first. &#128153;</p><div><hr></div><h2>Saturday, March 7th at 12 pm to 2 pm, Book Signing in Conway, AR!</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!m7M2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0d747a36-666e-427e-8c44-a2420ee940cd_3375x4219.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!m7M2!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0d747a36-666e-427e-8c44-a2420ee940cd_3375x4219.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!m7M2!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0d747a36-666e-427e-8c44-a2420ee940cd_3375x4219.png 848w, 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>To RSVP or learn more information visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1V7J181Sim/">here</a>. </p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Crisis No One Prepared Us For]]></title><description><![CDATA[Four emotional literacy practices families, educators, and mentors can teach boys before another young man's life is lost, and another family is broken.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/the-crisis-no-one-prepared-our-boys</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/the-crisis-no-one-prepared-our-boys</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:53:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/189388439/fdd2465ef309c5e2477c64265246a465.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This past week reminded me why I do this work.</p><p>My interview on the <a href="https://youtu.be/jPqVjgFoYic?si=M4uOCV_FEOzzRYPf">Rebuilding the Bluff</a> podcast premiered on K&amp;C Media Network. I share personal stories, leadership lessons, and practical ways we can rebuild, not just infrastructure, but people. I encourage you to watch it. </p><p>I had the honor of being a featured author at the Black History Month Book Festival hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children&#8217;s Library. I met incredible families, shared <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em> &#128216;, and engaged in honest conversations about blended families, single-parent households, and identity. The response was powerful.</p><p>I also made a guest appearance at Parkway Elementary School for their Black History Celebration &#9994;&#127998;. What made that moment unforgettable? I was introduced by my daughters. Watching them stand proudly as they introduced me as an author was something I will never forget. &#10084;&#65039;</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/30883d19-321b-448b-b79c-8b17291187e3_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3fe870b5-7e68-4c33-b14b-7fb3417c3c53_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0b58b996-b7c3-4fbe-9fb6-94e1cf3dba30_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e34f2eaa-8465-4ba2-b360-a6b251bc3a33_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/77f414b3-d962-400e-86ac-25a941f545a7_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9a33152b-d053-4c28-b303-c338a9c16cb5_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9754238f-acd5-4d1c-b9ac-f52e9e760993_1456x964.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>I connected with students and personalized autographed copies of my book, <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>. Representation matters, especially when children can see up close what healthy leadership looks like.  </p><p>But this week also carried heaviness.</p><p>In light of the tragic death of NFL wide receiver <a href="https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-mourn-passing-of-wr-rondale-moore">Rondell Moore</a>, I felt compelled to address something deeper: the emotional and mental health crisis facing young men. &#129504;</p><p>When I read the news, my heart broke. A young man in his twenties reached a moment where he felt unseen, unheard, and without options. And unfortunately, we are seeing this happen more often, particularly among successful Black men.</p><p>This is why I wrote <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>.</p><p>We have to reach boys early, when they are building their emotional infrastructure. When they are forming their identity. When they are deciding whether they are worthy, lovable, and secure.</p><p>If we don&#8217;t address emotional wounds early, love poured into them can feel like water in a cup with a hole in it.  It never fills. &#128167;</p><p>On the podcast, I shared four reminders for men and young men facing emotional crisis:</p><p><strong>1&#65039;&#8419; You better think. (Yes, that&#8217;s a reference to Aretha Franklin&#8217;s famous song, &#8220;Think.&#8221; </strong><br>Pause before reacting. Create space between emotion and action.</p><p><strong>2&#65039;&#8419; Identify the one dependable person that, when you call, you know they&#8217;ll answer</strong><br>Not text. Call. Who will answer? Put them on speed dial. &#128222;</p><p><strong>3&#65039;&#8419; Retain your autonomy.</strong><br>What brings you peace? Brotherhood. Golf. Walking. Safe spaces with positive men. &#9917;&#127948;&#127998;&#8205;&#9794;&#65039;</p><p><strong>4&#65039;&#8419; Give yourself grace.</strong><br>The empathy you extend to others, extend it to yourself. &#129293;</p><p>This isn&#8217;t a laughing matter. Saving our communities means keeping our men here. Keeping fathers present. Keeping sons alive. Creating spaces where they feel safe in their own skin.</p><p>The work starts early.<br>In homes.<br>In schools.<br>In libraries. &#128218;</p><p>Teach the boy.<br>Save the man.<br>Strengthen the family.</p><p>And if you&#8217;re ready to start those conversations at home, I invite you to pick up <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> &#128216; at brandondcampbell.com.</p><p>Let&#8217;s do the preventative work now.</p><p>On another note&#8230;</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclv6NSQN29kj0UuZ7CpDUq5XoeDaS2Lyms5DjAXFU8NbS7HQ/alreadyresponded?pli=1&amp;pli=1">Book me</a> for your next school event or speaking engagement. </p></li><li><p>A book is only as good as its reviews, so please review the book on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Brother-My-Brothers-Blended/dp/1963433122/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WI8IVCGLEDIS&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Nj1gBqwpMSDRUlYN3CVu1tffYz_hi8MGPYmay7mMo8I4WZ7NXEKznAzWIzuJBleMECZEM8bqVIZKqaeZm6-84JX5_cM0NgI1czpJQ_eL4sQX5WBmzdWNpP1op5C_25fAHu0ONKHcH-d8CgEqu_Y7YJ0qubO2hmvWimvjmfUYVxo3NJQmuRWxobSa9D86d5nlFWtvcp3TpCVOsNPMuILLrY_QnnzsNp6e80-QmCkjW8c.QOCpzLaC-nMm8NbebV5ewxoX3XRfyFKI4I8j3jZtFOs&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=oh+brother+my+brother&amp;qid=1772219239&amp;sprefix=%2Caps%2C134&amp;sr=8-1">Amazon</a>.  </p></li></ul><div><hr></div><h2>March 7th Book Signing in Conway at Bean&#8217;s Books</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3wlK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa4688bfe-f41a-4477-b3cd-8171c7f5b44b_3375x4219.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div 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stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1BiTWUxBHH/">here </a>for more information. </p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Said This On Air, and I Meant It]]></title><description><![CDATA[A new approach to mentoring boys before the damage becomes generational.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-said-this-on-air-and-i-meant-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-said-this-on-air-and-i-meant-it</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:33:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/188641729/4f18ade8e0cdffa8f8744690eb6adc97.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg" width="1456" height="1941" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Cr1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc74f921a-6e6a-4c42-abba-92f005784fd4_3024x4032.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">I appeared on the &#8220;Wright on Education&#8221; podcast hosted by Jermall Wright, Little Rock School District Superintendent. </figcaption></figure></div><p>I had the honor of being featured on <em><a href="https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2026-02-19/knowing-the-signs-of-teen-dating-violence">Talk of Iowa</a></em><a href="https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2026-02-19/knowing-the-signs-of-teen-dating-violence"> </a>through Iowa Public Radio&#8212;returning to the University of Iowa, where I discovered both my talent and my calling. That experience reminded me of something powerful: when you succeed in one place that stretches you, you realize you can succeed anywhere.</p><p>But the most meaningful conversation happened on <em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wright-on-education/id1835958058">Wright on Education </a>podcast</em>, hosted by Dr. Jermall Wright, the Superintendent of the Little Rock School District.</p><p>We talked about leadership. Representation. Emotional wellness. And specifically, what Black boys need in schools today.</p><p>Here&#8217;s what I said, and what I firmly believe:</p><p>If we develop emotionally aware and intelligent boys today, we won&#8217;t have to repair broken men tomorrow.</p><p>If we raise emotionally available and securely attached boys today, we won&#8217;t be trying to fix fractured families later.</p><p>If we equip boys with emotional literacy tools now, we won&#8217;t have to worry about broken communities in the future.</p><p>Yes, I said it on the podcast: we could put the prison business out of business. But it starts at home, and it&#8217;s reinforced at school.</p><p>Leadership doesn&#8217;t suddenly appear at 37 years old.<br>It begins at six and seven. </p><p>Many young boys are carrying trauma, unmet needs, and toxic shame, the quiet belief that they are unworthy or unlovable. When those emotions go unnamed and unaddressed, they show up in behavior, disconnection, and sometimes destructive outcomes.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!C9MJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbc7f685b-ef58-4184-9de0-56f9505b812a_2479x2479.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!C9MJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbc7f685b-ef58-4184-9de0-56f9505b812a_2479x2479.jpeg 424w, 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Pamela Smith, the communications director of the Little Rock School District, is someone I&#8217;ve admired as a journalist for many years. She organized the podcast interview, and she was also one of the first professionals to review &#8220;Oh Brother, My Brother.&#8221; Read her review <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">here</a>. </figcaption></figure></div><p>That&#8217;s why storytelling matters.</p><p>Books. Representation. Characters who reflect their lived experiences. Stories that help them feel seen and heard.</p><p>This is also why I introduced the concept of <strong>micro-mentoring</strong> during the conversation. Not everyone has time for traditional one-on-one mentorship. However, we can merge passion with presence through school visits, book readings, pop-ups, and group discussions, impacting dozens of young people at once.</p><p>When I read <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em> in schools, I&#8217;m not just sharing a story. I&#8217;m introducing authorship, entrepreneurship, economic development, and healthy masculinity. I&#8217;m modeling the possibility.</p><p>Because healing doesn&#8217;t just happen in therapy offices.<br>It happens in classrooms.<br>At kitchen tables.<br>In libraries.<br>Through honest conversations.</p><p>Strong families build strong leaders.<br>Strong leaders build strong communities.</p><p>And it all starts with the boy.</p><p>If you believe in raising emotionally secure, confident, and compassionate young leaders, I invite you to join the movement.</p><p>Let&#8217;s do the preventative work now</p><p>Buy <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em> anywhere books are sold. </p><p>Write a review on Amazon. </p><p><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Book</a> me for your next engagement. </p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Join me at the Black History Book Fest on Feb. 21st</strong></h3><h4>I will be reading &#8220;Oh Brother, My Brother&#8221; and leading a discussion with families.  </h4><div 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!viSD!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2208e189-d978-4378-997a-739a0a723a2b_651x845.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!viSD!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2208e189-d978-4378-997a-739a0a723a2b_651x845.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!viSD!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2208e189-d978-4378-997a-739a0a723a2b_651x845.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!viSD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2208e189-d978-4378-997a-739a0a723a2b_651x845.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Click <a href="https://events.cals.org/event/15757029">here </a>to register. </p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[My First Podcast Guest...and A Surprise Comment]]></title><description><![CDATA[The illustrator behind my book, the classroom reaction I didn&#8217;t see coming, and my upcoming events]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/my-first-podcast-guestand-a-surprise</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/my-first-podcast-guestand-a-surprise</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:08:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/187863299/691111284ee67dfc5681b4cb9495b8c7.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First, thank you. &#128591;&#127998;</p><p>To everyone who attended my <strong>sold-out book release</strong>, I am deeply grateful. Seeing my family, friends, and supporters gathered in one space to celebrate <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> was emotional in ways I didn&#8217;t fully anticipate. There&#8217;s something powerful about watching a vision that started in your heart become real and shared. &#10084;&#65039;&#128214;</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a26f8558-8e8d-48dc-8e64-ad4fb28e4e2d_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/74d8052e-7f1f-4345-9eaa-f8f658ec0bb6_2048x1536.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/846cb105-3505-424c-8c01-96bc715584e3_1660x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e46bb45a-8f46-46f7-8fff-ed9767ec3605_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;I celebrated with my mother and father at my first book release event for Oh Brother, My Brother&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/90b47955-df71-4a7e-9950-014e0266305d_1456x1456.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>This week, I had the honor of visiting <strong>Baker Elementary School</strong> to read to Mrs. Campbell-Berry&#8217;s music class for Black History Month. When I held up the very first page and illustration of the book, a student blurted out, <em>&#8220;This is going to be a good book!&#8221;</em> &#129401;</p><p>Before I read a single word.</p><p>That moment reminded me why details matter. Why illustrations matter. Why representation matters.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/55e1318c-35b7-415f-b653-020687e3c6d6_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c12e2a09-ca53-41f1-9062-d5ccd77c5351_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/860204e4-496b-4fb4-ab06-306d70a1b431_1536x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0957e1e0-8643-44cb-b4df-6a09605a1726_3024x3432.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;I read my story, \&quot;Oh Brother, My Brother\&quot; at Baker Elementary School &quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/add290d6-9e10-4ebd-bcd5-38d833d1f6be_1456x1456.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>And that brings me to this week&#8217;s podcast episode.</p><p>For the first time, I welcomed a guest to the Brandon D. Campbell Podcast&#8212;<strong>Shanzay Saquib</strong>, the illustrator behind <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>. &#127757;&#10024; Shanzay is based in Pakistan, and despite being 11 hours ahead, we built a creative partnership rooted in communication, trust, and shared vision.</p><p>What drew her to this project wasn&#8217;t just the storyline&#8212;it was the healing and resilience within it. She recognized that this book was meant to be more than pages and pictures. It was designed to be a bridge between parents and children, especially with the reflection questions at the end meant to spark deeper conversations.</p><p>One of the most powerful parts of our collaboration was the intentionality behind the characters. The church scene became one of her favorites. For me, the illustration of Ohmar sitting emotionally on the bench stands out. Those images carry weight.</p><p>We also had important conversations about cultural accuracy&#8212;hairstyles, urban neighborhoods, and the Black church experience. Shanzay didn&#8217;t just draw; she researched. She leaned in. She connected with the story from a place of respect.</p><p>Her advice to authors? Find an illustrator who connects with your story, not just your style, and then trust their creative process. Magic happens when collaboration replaces control. &#10024;</p><p>Her advice to aspiring illustrators? Start where you are. Don&#8217;t wait for perfection. Try different styles. Challenge yourself.</p><p>This episode is about more than art. It&#8217;s about partnership. It&#8217;s about intentional storytelling. And it&#8217;s about how visuals can help children feel safe enough to have the conversations many families avoid.</p><p>&#127911; Listen to the full episode.<br>&#128216; Grab your copy of <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em>&#8212;available everywhere books are sold.</p><p>The stories we tell, and how we tell them, matter.</p><div><hr></div><h2>I had my first father&#8211;daughter dance with my girls&#8230;and I&#8217;ll never forget it.</h2><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;3436b43c-9d77-4926-8f02-ac4a556d0f64&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a1e9c8e7-b302-4cab-acf7-4c6fe5b89bc1_2538x2795.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b45e6815-9a3e-4061-b2e5-4e86dc0610db_2463x2522.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5759016c-ea03-4195-82cb-5307f3368fa9_1456x720.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><div><hr></div><h3>Join me at the Black Book Bash on Feb. 21st </h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://events.cals.org/event/15757029" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!axDy!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6da44609-a62b-4711-a640-ba9dda8af21e_1545x1999.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!axDy!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6da44609-a62b-4711-a640-ba9dda8af21e_1545x1999.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!axDy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6da44609-a62b-4711-a640-ba9dda8af21e_1545x1999.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!axDy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6da44609-a62b-4711-a640-ba9dda8af21e_1545x1999.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!axDy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6da44609-a62b-4711-a640-ba9dda8af21e_1545x1999.jpeg" width="1456" height="1884" 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stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Click <a href="https://events.cals.org/event/15757029">here </a>to register. </p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Family Experience I Only Heard About]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a first-time author, a lot is new to me. However, this one event that I get to experience with my daughters is just as important. Watch the podcast or read the blog to learn what it is.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/the-family-experience-i-only-heard</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/the-family-experience-i-only-heard</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:48:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/187105400/65f65dcf46c25387fa01373a93b997d8.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0556baa9-6a5f-4d42-9082-80fb5bb0024b_4624x2604.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9816f583-1759-49c9-8252-3e1459dc00e0_4032x3024.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/08450a51-285a-4c77-8091-d01eed27c1bc_3024x2937.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/aafc2add-0e31-44bc-a0cd-f0b6b365555c_960x1280.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bba76a37-df60-4554-975f-767352a36550_1456x1456.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>February marks more than a new month; it marks a milestone. During Black History Month and Library Lovers Month, I officially became a published author. <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> is now available everywhere books are sold, and the response so far has been overwhelming in the best way possible.</p><p>The messages, emails, DMs, and conversations I&#8217;ve had since the release have reminded me why this work matters. This story is resonating with families, especially blended families, because it speaks to real life, real challenges, and real healing. At its core, this book is about connection, mental health, and the role families play in shaping not just children, but entire communities.</p><p>Recently, I had the opportunity to talk about this journey on <strong><a href="https://www.fox17online.com/morning-mix/michigan-native-debuts-first-childrens-book-on-blended-families">Fox 17&#8217;s The Morning Mix</a></strong> in West Michigan, a place my family and I once called home. During that interview, we focused on how mental health shows up in blended families and why having honest conversations early can change outcomes later. Blended families don&#8217;t just impact households; they influence schools, neighborhoods, and the future leadership of our communities.</p><p>That theme carried into my appearance on the <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@KandCNetwork">Rebuilding the Bluff</a></em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@KandCNetwork"> </a>podcast, produced by Angelica Perkins-Walton of K &amp; C Media Networks. This platform shines a light on rural and underserved communities, including places like Pine Bluff, Arkansas. What stood out most in that conversation was how family structure, healthy or unhealthy, can determine whether communities merely survive or truly thrive.</p><p>At the same time, this season has been deeply personal for me as a father. I&#8217;m preparing to take my daughters to their very first father-daughter dance. It&#8217;s a moment I never experienced growing up, and one I don&#8217;t take lightly. It&#8217;s about modeling love, respect, and presence; showing them what care and intention should look like, long before someone else steps into that role.</p><p>These moments on stage, on screen, and at home are all connected. They reinforce why <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother"> </a>exists. It&#8217;s a story designed to help families talk, heal, and grow together. It&#8217;s for parents navigating blended households, for children trying to understand their place, and for communities invested in doing better for the next generation.</p><p>On <strong>February 7</strong>, I&#8217;ll be hosting my official <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/events">book launch</a> at the Hillary Clinton Children&#8217;s Library, with both in-person and virtual options. It&#8217;s a celebration of family, storytelling, and the journey that brought this book to life.</p><p><em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> is available now at <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">BrandonDCampbell.com</a>, Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble, and bookstores nationwide. I&#8217;m also booking readings, podcast interviews, and community events, because these stories are meant to be shared.</p><p>Healing starts with conversation. Sometimes, it starts with a book.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do you know what today is? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Author Brandon D. Campbell's new book, Oh Brother, My Brother, has been released, kicking off Black History Month. The book is available everywhere books are sold, including www.brandondcampbell.com.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/do-you-know-what-today-is</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/do-you-know-what-today-is</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:38:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg" width="496" height="649.6373626373627" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vaxX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5aadceac-cd40-42d2-8b5e-818156c6dc72_2586x3387.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;BUY NOW&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother"><span>BUY NOW</span></a></p><div><hr></div><h1>Readers praise Oh Brother, My Brother as a valuable tool for social-emotional learning!</h1><p><strong>February 1, 2026</strong> marks the official release of <em><strong>OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER: Two Brothers. Blended Family. A Journey of Healing</strong></em>&#8212;a heartfelt children&#8217;s book by <strong>Brandon D. Campbell</strong> that celebrates love, resilience, and connection within modern families.</p><p>Launching in conjunction with <strong>Black History Month</strong>, this timely release honors the power of family, cultural identity, and emotional growth through the eyes of two young brothers learning to navigate rivalry, imagination, and blended family dynamics. Told through alternating perspectives, the story invites young readers to see both sides of the journey&#8212;fostering empathy, understanding, and compassion.</p><p>More than a story, <em><strong>OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER</strong></em> includes <strong>Conversation Questions </strong>designed to strengthen parent&#8211;child bonds and open the door to meaningful conversations. This makes the book not only engaging for children ages 6&#8211;11 but also a practical tool for families, educators, and counselors.</p><p>Available now in <strong>paperback, </strong>the title is ideal for classrooms, libraries, counseling programs, and family reading time&#8212;especially during Black Appreciation Month celebrations and cultural programming.</p><p>Schools, community organizations, and family-serving agencies are encouraged to take advantage of <strong>special bulk-order pricing</strong> to support reading initiatives and educational events throughout February and beyond.</p><p><strong>Join us in celebrating this powerful story of healing and hope.</strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Order your copies today</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Schedule author Brandon D. Campbell for readings, interviews, or virtual events</a></strong><br><strong>Share this story with families who need it most</strong></p><p><em><strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER</a></strong></em> is now available wherever books are sold. You can buy it from your neighborhood bookstore! </p><div><hr></div><h3>Reviews</h3><p><strong>Pamela Smith</strong>, Communications Professional and Youth Advocate &#8212; <em>This children&#8217;s book offers a gentle way to spark meaningful conversations about belonging, acceptance, and understanding within families. While not prescriptive, it provides a thoughtful framework parents/guardians can use to guide discussions with their children. The beautifully illustrated pages bring the message to life, making it both engaging and visually captivating for readers of all ages. </em></p><p><em> </em><strong>Beatrice Klokpah</strong>, LCSW-S &#8212; <em>As a mental health professional, I found this book to be a powerful exploration of identity, family dynamics, and the longing for belonging. Through the lens of two half-brothers, the author captures the complexities of growing up in blended families, navigating differing relationships with their fathers, and making sense of adult behaviors that often feel confusing to children. The story offers an authentic look at how young people process love, loyalty, and rejection&#8212;reminding us of the resilience of children while also highlighting the profound impact of family systems on emotional development.</em></p><p><strong>Leslie Barner,</strong> Director of Publishing, <em>FamilyLife </em>&#8212; <em>This beautifully illustrated, heartwarming story explores important themes of belonging, self-worth, and blended family dynamics in a way that is entertaining, relatable, and thought-provoking. Told from a child&#8217;s perspective, it reminds us all of the power of love, family, affirmation, and connection.</em></p><p><strong>Venise Berry</strong>, Editor, <em>The Black Superwoman &amp; Mental Health: Power &amp; Pain &#8212; Oh Brother, My Brother is the heartwarming story of a blended family. Brandon Campbell has combined powerful images and words to inspire and inform readers about the importance of love and respect among families of all kinds.</em></p><div><hr></div><p>To celebrate the release, we are offering:</p><ul><li><p><strong><a href="https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=20trw&amp;m=3kZqNH2u.WglPXM&amp;b=Z11VQ.s3TlvSO8AdY.QeVw">CLICK HERE TO REQUEST AN ADVANCE ELECTRONIC REVIEW COPY!</a></strong></p></li><li><p><strong><a href="mailto:clientservices@hohmpress.com">Bulk order discounts</a></strong><a href="mailto:clientservices@hohmpress.com"> for schools, libraries, and organizations (minimum orders apply).</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Book </a>Brandon D. Campbell for special <strong>Black History Month</strong> programming.</p></li></ul><p><em>Be the first to discover a heartfelt children&#8217;s book that&#8217;s already sparking excitement among families and educators.</em></p><div><hr></div><p><em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> has been gaining national attention in the news.  Click <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/events">here</a> to read and watch media coverage. </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="http://www.brandondcampbell.com" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sQ8U!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd2de5341-c3af-493c-9df8-1205b074f40f_2029x2982.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sQ8U!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd2de5341-c3af-493c-9df8-1205b074f40f_2029x2982.jpeg 848w, 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[It all Started from My Mama's Biscuits]]></title><description><![CDATA[From My Grandma's Sunday Dinners to Storytelling: Why Oh Brother, My Brother Matters &#10084;&#65039;&#128214;]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/it-all-started-from-my-mamas-biscuits</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/it-all-started-from-my-mamas-biscuits</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:08:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/186342797/0a8bacc718870c42f95529390399bb70.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some weeks remind you why you started.</p><p>Despite snowstorms shutting down cities across the country, this week has been filled with reflection, momentum, and gratitude. Conversations around <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> are growing, and they&#8217;ve taken me back to where it all began - family. &#128104;&#8205;&#128105;&#8205;&#128102;&#8205;&#128102;</p><p>During a recent interview by Ashley King on <a href="https://www.thv11.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/the-vine/local-author-to-release-childrens-book/91-2276ef37-8cd4-4776-8c2e-9b34c085f09d">The Vine</a>, I was asked a simple question: <em>&#8220;Who are you?&#8221;</em><br>The real answer led me straight to my grandmother.</p><p>My grandmother, Elizabeth Montgomery AKA &#8220;Mama&#8221; passed away in October. She was my family&#8217;s glue. Every Sunday, she opened her small apartment to everyone&#8212;family, church members, neighbors. &#127831;&#129383; Chicken and dumplings. Cornbread. Biscuits. Peach cobbler. I can still smell her sweet and buttery biscuits cooking in the oven. But more than food, she served <strong>connection</strong>. Those Sunday dinners after church taught me something I didn&#8217;t fully understand until later: <strong>healing happens in community</strong>.</p><p>That&#8217;s what <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> represents.</p><p>This book is a Sunday meal in story form. It brings families together, creates space for conversation, and helps children, especially in blended and single-parent households, feel seen, heard, and loved. &#10084;&#65039;</p><p>Launching during Black History Month is intentional. Representation matters. Our children need to see reflections of themselves beyond athletes and entertainers. Not everyone will be Beyonc&#233; or LeBron, but everyone can become a strong leader, a caring parent, or a pillar in their community. &#127793;</p><p>This journey has also reminded me that books don&#8217;t sell themselves. Being an author means showing up, doing interviews, calling bookstores, traveling to communities, and building support from the ground up. And I welcome it. This story is niche by design. It&#8217;s for families healing together, parents breaking cycles, and anyone who believes emotional connection can change lives.</p><p>Seeing <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> in libraries like Tulsa&#8212;home of historic Black Wall Street&#8212;means more than I can express. &#128218; Stories rooted in love still matter.</p><p>&#128197; <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">February 1st</a></em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother"> </a>&#8212; the book releases nationwide<br>&#128205; <em><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/events">February 7th</a></em><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/events"> </a>&#8212; join me at the Hillary Clinton Children&#8217;s Library for the official launch</p><p>&#128073; <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Order</a> the book. Support your local bookstore. Share it with a family who needs it.<br>Sometimes healing starts with a conversation, and sometimes, it starts with a book. &#128153;</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What No One Warns You About Success]]></title><description><![CDATA[Just like what goes up must come down, what goes down must come back up. What I experienced at my lowest point revealed the type of leader I am and helped me throughout my authorship journey.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/what-no-one-warns-you-about-success</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/what-no-one-warns-you-about-success</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:19:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/185550538/4d7d26a80524db3bcb8c52066cd24f6a.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c7d89535-ecb1-4557-b39f-4a3f677e1caa_2911x3559.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a4b324c0-ed17-4a2f-96f0-0593dc90c77e_4032x3024.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/41c1f275-b478-406e-aa29-f6625119ec59_4032x3024.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/827fbb10-6802-4c66-b9a8-52d55bdc647b_3145x3024.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;I had a busy week promoting Oh Brother, My Brother on radio, TV and at live speaking events.&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/30fa6c91-aa27-4cff-8305-7367ca4a9544_1456x1456.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>This past week reminded me just how full-circle life can be when you allow healing to lead.</p><p>I&#8217;ve been on the road sharing <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em>, my debut children&#8217;s book about brotherhood, blended families, identity, and connection. From my first television interview in Northwest Arkansas on <a href="https://youtu.be/0RmqCvFM_Os?si=dtY6EKp0xIrRYLKo">Good Day NWA</a>, to radio conversations, to walking into local bookstores and introducing myself face-to-face, every moment felt humbling and grounding. It wasn&#8217;t about promotion alone. It was about presence (Read <a href="https://aymag.com/little-rock-writer-oh-brother/">AY Magazine</a> feature).</p><p>What struck me most wasn&#8217;t the media attention. It was the peace I felt while telling this story.</p><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;5a723534-4508-4d7e-ba3b-7578e8a3ddcb&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p>That same sense of peace showed up when I spoke to students at the Little Rock School District&#8217;s Student Leadership Institute. When asked what skills future leaders truly need, my answer was simple but intentional: adaptability, relationship-building, communication, and mindfulness. I told them that their greatest asset is their mind, and learning how to regulate emotions will matter just as much as any technical skill.</p><p>I didn&#8217;t always know that. I shared with them a story about my leadership journey that led me to become an author. </p><p>A few years ago, I was at what looked like the pinnacle of my career. I was traveling the country, doing meaningful work, earning more than I ever had, and leading projects I was proud of&#8212;including helping facilitate a $230 million broadband initiative in rural Alabama. I had moved my family hundreds of miles for the role. Then one day, I was told my department was being eliminated. Since I was a department of one, I was being let go.</p><p>I felt small. Angry. Lost.</p><p>For the first time in a long time, I had to ask myself questions many people avoid: <em>Who am I without the title? What happens when the plan changes? Where do I go from here?</em></p><p>That moment forced me to reconnect with a younger version of myself&#8212;the 15-year-old who loved creativity, storytelling, leading people, and possibility. The version of me who once said, &#8220;I want to be a writer.&#8221; That reconnection is what led me to fully pour into <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>.</p><p>Writing this book wasn&#8217;t just a creative project. It was therapy.</p><p>It required me to revisit my own childhood, my experience growing up in a blended family, and the conversations I wish had happened sooner. It pushed me to talk openly with my parents, to process old wounds, and to heal alongside my own children. I brought them into that healing through meditation, movement, routines, and presence long before they understood what I was working through.</p><p>That&#8217;s why this book exists.</p><p><em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> is about building secure bonds early between children and parents, siblings, and families, navigating complexity. When children feel emotionally safe and connected, it changes how they face adversity later in life. It shapes how they love, lead, and regulate themselves as adults.</p><p>Healing opened the door for this opportunity. And because of that healing, I was ready when the right one arrived.</p><p><em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> releases <strong>February 1</strong>. I hope you&#8217;ll read it, share it, and use it as a tool for connection in your own home or community.</p><p>This book isn&#8217;t just mine. It&#8217;s yours.</p><p>You can order it online at www.brandondcampbell or your local bookstore starting February 1st, and I&#8217;d love to celebrate with you in person at the <strong>Hillary Clinton Children&#8217;s Library, located at 4800 W 10th St, Little Rock, AR 72204, on February 7 at noon</strong>.</p><p>Let&#8217;s start the healing sooner together.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Momentum Meets Purpose]]></title><description><![CDATA[The moment is almost here.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/when-momentum-meets-purpose</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/when-momentum-meets-purpose</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:39:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/184817993/f25f1d55b3cff2695e92384618eae863.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1018050,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.brandondcampbell.com/i/184817993?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SfCD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F481f8fc7-e085-43a2-bc6a-18c4912ffa53_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>After years of work, reflection, rewriting, and believing in a vision bigger than myself, my debut children&#8217;s book, <em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em>, officially releases February 1st, kicking off Black History Month. As that date approaches, I wanted to pause and share what this past week has represented for me, because it&#8217;s been nothing short of awe-inspiring.</p><p>This week reminded me that momentum doesn&#8217;t happen overnight; it&#8217;s built through consistency, community, and staying rooted in purpose. It&#8217;s been a two-year journey so far to get where I am as a debut author. </p><p>Over the last several days, I&#8217;ve had the opportunity to reflect on how far this journey has come. I was interviewed by the <strong>Arkansas Democrat-Gazette</strong> for two upcoming features.  One is focused on my book, and another is a &#8220;<em>High Profile&#8221; piece</em> in the publication&#8217;s in-depth &#8220;who&#8217;s who&#8221; series. For anyone from Arkansas, being featured in <em>High Profile</em> is meaningful. It&#8217;s a platform that tells not just what you do, but <em>who you are</em> and <em>how you got there</em>. That has been a personal goal of mine for years, and I&#8217;m deeply grateful to the journalists for helping to bring those stories to life. </p><p>I also reconnected with <strong>Arkansas Money &amp; Politics</strong>, a publication that previously named me among the Top 50 Future Leaders in the state. To come full circle, years later, now as a published author, is a reminder that growth is often quiet until it isn&#8217;t.</p><p>Another exciting milestone: my <strong>first radio and television interviews</strong> to discuss <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> are officially booked. Interestingly, they&#8217;re taking place in Northwest Arkansas&#8212;an area I&#8217;ve never lived in, but one that welcomed this story with open arms. That tells me something important: this book is bigger than geography. Its message resonates wherever families are looking for connection, healing, and understanding.</p><p>And to other members of the media in my hometowns, alma mater, and communities across the country, I&#8217;m ready. Let&#8217;s talk. Let&#8217;s share this story.</p><p>This month also brings me back to where it all started. On <strong>January 22</strong>, I&#8217;ll be collaborating with the <strong>Little Rock School District</strong>, the district that raised me, as a guest panelist for its inaugural <strong>Student Leadership Institute</strong> at Philander Smith University. I&#8217;ll be speaking with students about entrepreneurship, career paths, and one message I believe deeply:</p><p><strong>You don&#8217;t have to wait to &#8220;do.&#8221; Start now.</strong></p><p>Life isn&#8217;t linear. Success doesn&#8217;t follow a straight line. And you don&#8217;t need permission to begin building the future you want.</p><p>That belief is woven into <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em>.</p><p>At its core, this book is about relationships between siblings, parents, caregivers, and children. It&#8217;s about bonding in healthy ways. It&#8217;s about healing childhood wounds early, before they grow into lifelong burdens. Also, it&#8217;s about creating space for conversation, empathy, and emotional growth within families and communities.</p><p>As we approach February 1, I encourage you to support this work in ways that matter:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Pre-order or purchase the book</strong> at <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">BrandonDCampbell.com</a></p></li><li><p><strong>Request it at your local independent bookstore</strong>&#8212;these small businesses are the backbone of our communities, so support them by buying your copy there. </p></li><li><p><strong>Yes, the book will be through Amazon</strong>, if that&#8217;s most accessible. I strongly encourage you to order through your local small bookstores instead. </p></li></ul><p>Lastly, if you&#8217;re an educator, community leader, librarian, nonprofit, media outlet, or organization serving families, I invite you to <strong><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">schedule </a>an interview, reading, or bulk order</strong>. This book was created to be shared.</p><p>This week reminded me that purpose opens doors&#8212;but community keeps them open.</p><p>Thank you for being part of this journey.<br>There&#8217;s more to come.</p><p>&#127911; Watch the full podcast episode<br>&#128216; <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> &#8212; available <strong>February 1</strong><br>&#127760; Learn more at <strong>BrandonDCampbell.com</strong></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Throw Away the Vision Board]]></title><description><![CDATA[How SMART goals (not a vision board), peace, and purpose led to staying on course and overcoming challenges to completing the production of my debut book, "Oh Brother, My Brother."]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/throw-away-the-vision-board</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/throw-away-the-vision-board</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:02:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/184274677/614933de422bc8fcaca00e40e833871e.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Every January, many of us do the same thing.<br>We gather magazines, scissors, glue, and big dreams, and we build vision boards.</p><p>Last year, I did it too, but with my family, in pajamas, with food on the table, and phones down. The experience mattered. The connection mattered.</p><p>What I learned afterward surprised me.</p><p>I&#8217;m done with vision boards, not because dreaming is bad, but because <strong>dreaming without goals costs me some of my peace</strong>.</p><p>When I looked back at my vision board from last year, many things <em>did</em> come true.<br>I bought a home.<br>I landed a book deal.<br>Business growth and opportunities.</p><p>But emotionally, the year felt heavy.</p><p>I wasn&#8217;t attracting. I was chasing.<br>I wasn&#8217;t centered. I was anxious.<br>I felt like I was constantly running, negotiating, fighting, and convincing.</p><p>That&#8217;s when it hit me: my vision wasn&#8217;t specific enough to protect my nervous system.</p><p>Vision boards can unintentionally blur emotional, spiritual, and mental boundaries when goals aren&#8217;t clearly defined. I experienced that firsthand in my business decisions, in family transitions, in grief, and in moments of deep self-doubt.</p><p>And here&#8217;s the truth I had to face:<br><strong>Peace doesn&#8217;t come from vision. It comes from clarity.</strong></p><p>That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m choosing goals, specifically <strong>SMART goals</strong>.</p><p>Goals forced me to ask better questions:</p><ul><li><p>What exactly am I working toward?</p></li><li><p>Is this measurable?</p></li><li><p>Is it attainable?</p></li><li><p>Is it relevant <em>right now</em>?</p></li><li><p>And when will I know I&#8217;ve achieved it?</p></li></ul><p>When I shifted from abstract vision to concrete goals, something changed.<br>I stopped chasing.<br>I started trusting the process.<br>And most importantly, I found alignment.</p><p>This lesson resonates deeply with why I wrote &#8216;Oh Brother, My Brother.&#8217;</p><p>Oftentimes, we focus on accomplishing our dreams but don&#8217;t acquire what ensures those dreams don&#8217;t get deferred, or we don&#8217;t lose what we achieve, and that is true <strong>healing </strong>from our trauma. </p><p>This book wasn&#8217;t born from a mood board or manifestation exercise.<br>It was written through intention, discipline, and commitment. </p><p>It&#8217;s about bonding, <strong>but in a healthy way</strong>.<br>It&#8217;s about helping children feel safe expressing emotions.<br>And it&#8217;s about helping parents heal from their own unfinished stories.</p><p>Just like goal setting, healing requires structure, patience, and honesty.</p><p>So, if you love vision boards, keep them.<br>But don&#8217;t let them replace working on yourself. </p><p>Because dreams without goals can feel exciting, but goals create stability, peace, and progress.</p><div><hr></div><h3>&#127911; Watch the Full Podcast Episode</h3><p>I go deeper into this conversation&#8212;vision boards, nervous system regulation, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and how goal setting shaped my life and this book.</p><p>&#128073; Watch the full episode at <strong>www.BrandonDCampbell.com</strong></p><h3>&#128216; <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Pre-Order</a> in bulk <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em></h3><p>Available February 1st<br>Online and in bookstores nationwide</p><p>If you serve families, schools, churches, or community organizations and are interested in <strong>bulk orders, author visits, or interviews</strong>, I&#8217;d love to <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">connect</a>.</p><p>&#128073; Visit <strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">BrandonDCampbell.com</a></strong> to learn more, pre-order, or request a conversation.</p><p>Goals changed everything for me.<br>And I hope this story helps someone choose clarity and peace this year.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[This Event Shaped My Purpose and Book]]></title><description><![CDATA[With 30 Days until Oh Brother, My Brother, here's a Personal Story that inspired its creation.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/this-event-shaped-my-purpose-and</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/this-event-shaped-my-purpose-and</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:24:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/183292300/a2e8d11d4fda6c967021b59a542dfe40.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>One Month Until Launch &#8211; </strong><em><strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER</a> </strong></em><strong>(Feb. 1, 2026)</strong></p><p>The buzz is building! Secure your review copy and take advantage of bulk order discounts before the release day.</p><p>We are just one month away from the official release of <strong>OH BROTHER, MY BROTHER: Two Brothers. Blended Family. A Journey of Healing</strong>!</p><p>This highly anticipated children&#8217;s book is already generating buzz for its authentic storytelling and its innovative blend of family-friendly narrative with <em>Conversation Questions</em> that encourage meaningful dialogue. It&#8217;s more than a story&#8212;it&#8217;s a resource for healing, connection, and growth.</p><p><strong>Perfect for:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Families navigating blended family dynamics</p></li><li><p>Teachers and librarians seeking diverse, engaging read-alouds</p></li><li><p>Counselors and community leaders fostering resilience and family bonds</p></li></ul><p>As we approach release day, this is your final chance to:</p><ul><li><p>Request your<a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother"> </a><strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">electronic review copy</a></strong></p></li><li><p>Lock in <strong>bulk order discounts</strong></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Schedule </a>author events for February and beyond</p></li></ul><p>Be part of the movement to bring families closer, one story at a time.</p><p>&#128073; <a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Preorder </a>and secure your review copy today&#8212;don&#8217;t miss this inspiring new release.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Was Nervous to Share This. Here’s Why]]></title><description><![CDATA[Over the past few months, I&#8217;ve spent a lot of time reflecting on purpose, on legacy, and on the responsibility that comes with telling stories that matter.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-was-nervous-to-share-this-heres</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/i-was-nervous-to-share-this-heres</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 23:32:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/182663594/f8b96f65883c95f832ce7f4f9c9cda50.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother</a></em><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother"> </a>is my debut children&#8217;s book, but it is not just a story for kids. It&#8217;s a tool for families. A bridge for conversations. And a resource designed to help heal what often goes unspoken.</p><p>As I prepare for the February 1st release, I&#8217;ve also learned something critical about books that aim to create impact: <strong>they need voices beyond the author&#8217;s own</strong>. Reviews and endorsements matter, not for ego, but for reach. They help parents, educators, mental health professionals, and caregivers understand why this story belongs in their homes, classrooms, and communities.</p><p>Sending this book out for review was one of the most vulnerable things I&#8217;ve ever done. This project is personal. My name is on every page. My heart is in every chapter. And I invited respected leaders, mental health professionals, educators, pastors, civic leaders, and parents to read it honestly, with full permission to say no if it didn&#8217;t resonate.</p><p>What came back exceeded anything I imagined.</p><p>Reviewers described <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> as:</p><ul><li><p>A powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and blended families</p></li><li><p>A conversation starter that helps children process love, rejection, and confusion</p></li><li><p>A tool that strengthens the connection between parents and children</p></li><li><p>A resource for healing family dynamics before pain becomes generational</p></li></ul><p>That affirmation matters, not because it validates me, but because it confirms the mission.</p><p>This book exists because too many children grow up without the language to name their feelings, and too many adults carry those unmet needs into adulthood. <em>Oh Brother, My Brother</em> creates space for families to talk, listen, and heal together.</p><h3>Here&#8217;s How You Can Help</h3><p>&#128216; <strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Buy </a>the book today</strong><br>&#127911; <strong><a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/podcast">Watch</a> the podcast episode</strong> to hear the story behind it<br>&#9997;&#127998; <strong>Leave a review</strong> if the book resonates with you </p><p>If you&#8217;re a parent, educator, mental health professional, youth advocate, librarian, or part of the media and you&#8217;re willing to read and review the book, I would love to hear from you. Your voice helps this story reach the families who need it most. <a href="https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/contact">Contact</a> me to request a digital copy or book me for an event. </p><p>&#128073; <strong>Pre-order </strong><em><strong><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">Oh Brother, My Brother </a></strong></em><strong>now.</strong></p><p>Thank you for supporting this journey and for helping turn stories into healing.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[From my family to yours]]></title><description><![CDATA[I wish you and your family - blended or unblended - a very special Christmas and the best New Year.]]></description><link>https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/from-my-family-to-yours</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.brandondcampbell.com/p/from-my-family-to-yours</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon D. Campbell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:12:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SFhK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SFhK!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg 424w, 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data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1456,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:486579,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.brandondcampbell.com/i/182527098?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SFhK!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SFhK!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SFhK!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SFhK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e3eba7-1890-4483-9d45-0ab146a02d8f_1500x1500.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><p>Mark Evans, Senior Pastor of The Church at Rock Creek, says that my debut children&#8217;s book,<em> <strong>Oh Brother, My Brother, </strong>&#8220;does an incredible job helping me and you help our children and grandchildren make everything right by creating conversations that change. Conversations that change how we all see our lives and the lives of those we love the most. Read it and help those you love the most begin to heal.&#8221;</em></p><p><a href="https://www.hohmpress.com/products/oh-brother-my-brother">PRE-ORDER</a> your copy today and receive it the month before it&#8217;s officially released on February 1, 2026. </p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.brandondcampbell.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>