In this episode of Resiliency The Podcast, we welcome Brandi Lewis — blood disorder educator, TEDx speaker, writer, podcast host, and founder of a nonprofit supporting blood disorder patients facing financial hardship.

At just 19 years old, Brandi was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and PNH, rare blood disorders that changed the course of her life. What began as a devastating diagnosis became a calling. Brandi turned her pain into purpose by helping register hundreds of potential bone marrow donors and supporting patients navigating similar journeys.

Brandi shares what it meant to pause her college dreams, face uncertainty, learn “the art of rest,” and discover that resilience is not something we do alone. Her story is a moving reminder that community, advocacy, patience, and storytelling can become life-saving forces.

In this episode, we explore:

00:00 — Welcome to Resiliency The Podcast
01:27 — Meet Brandi Lewis
02:00 — What resilience means to Brandi
03:09 — Life before diagnosis and asking “Why me?”
05:33 — What the pause taught her about rest and success
07:00 — Creating a nonprofit while still sick
08:48 — How donor registration efforts helped save lives
10:09 — Addressing the bone marrow registry gap for African-American patients
13:32 — Overcoming financial and community-building barriers
17:25 — How Brandi balanced rest, advocacy, and action
20:14 — Facing relapse and choosing to fight again
24:06 — Why resilience can look like crying on the couch
25:56 — Navigating frustration, inequity, and self-advocacy
29:05 — Brandi’s podcast, The Life We’re Given
33:14 — Why sacred conversations matter more than numbers
37:25 — Brandi’s question for a future guest
38:22 — When resilience becomes a group effort
39:42 — Where to find Brandi

About Brandi Lewis

Brandi Lewis is a blood disorder educator, TEDx speaker, writer, nonprofit founder, and host of The Life We’re Given. After being diagnosed with rare blood disorders at 19, Brandi became a passionate advocate for patients, donor registration, and the power of community-centered resilience.

Learn more about Brandi:
Website: https://brandilewis.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-lewis/

Podcast: The Life We’re Given — available on all podcast platforms https://brandilewis.com/podcast/

About Resiliency The Podcast

Resiliency The Podcast is a global conversation with leaders, investors, creators, and everyday changemakers aimed at redefining resilience in today’s ever-evolving world.

Hosted by Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver, each episode offers stories, strategies, and inspiration to help listeners embrace change, overcome challenges, and find strength through community.

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DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS OR VIEWS EXPRESSED DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT OR REPRESENT THOSE OF THE HOSTS OR RESILIENCY THE PODCAST; SUCH VIEWS ARE MERELY OPINIONS EXPRESSED. THE INFORMATION IN THIS EPISODE IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES. RESILIENCY THE PODCAST CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF ANY STATEMENTS FROM GUESTS OR THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE INFORMATION.