Here's Where It Gets Interesting - A Dream Twenty-Three Years in the Making with Tabitha Brown

Episode Date: June 8, 2022

In this episode, Sharon sits down with America’s favorite mom, Tabitha Brown. Tabitha talks about how grateful she is that fame and opportunity came at a time in her life when she was ready for it: when she knew what she wanted, and was able to have the patience to do the things that make her feel good, and in turn, make all of us feel good. Together, Sharon and Tabitha talk about Tabitha’s many projects, from her daily TikTok videos, her new restaurant, Kale My Name, her children’s show on YouTube, Tab Time, and even some of her recent collaborations. In everything she does, Tabitha strives to be accessible, make a difference, and give her audience leave to make something their own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Whether you're helping that special person take their content up a notch or adding that extra quality to your own shoots, Canon's got you covered. Shop the Level up sales event today at canon.ca. Hello, friends. You're here and I'm thrilled that you are because today I'm talking to perhaps America's favorite mom, Tabitha Brown. You have undoubtedly seen her in bookstores, on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube, on the Food Network, in Target. And I've been such a big fan of hers for a long time. And I can't wait to share this with you. Let's dive in. I'm Sharon McMahon.

And welcome to the Sharon Says So podcast. Thank you so much for doing this. Truly a pleasure to meet you. I've been a huge fan of yours since literally you were making carrot baking on TikTok. Did you ever think to yourself when you started making TikTok videos that like someday I'm going to have a restaurant, I'm going to be collaborating with Target, I'm going to have a best-selling book? What did you envision for yourself when you started making little cooking videos? restaurant. I'm going to be collaborating with Target. I'm going to have a best-selling book. What did you envision for yourself when you started making little cooking videos? You know, I had been making the cooking videos for like two years before TikTok.

Facebook was my platform, right? And I went viral on there in 2017 is when I started. And like 2018 was the year that everybody was like, oh my God, who's this lady in this TTLA sandwich? And I built that, my fan base of like half a million followers on Facebook. And I was traveling and touring and speaking and doing all these things. And I thought, oh, this is great. This is very good. And my daughter came to me in March of 2020 and was like, mom, you should, you should get on TikTok now. And I was like, girl, I'm getting on there with those kids. They don't want me on there, you know? And so she kept pressuring me, mom, you need to get on TikTok. It's like, you know, you'd be a TikTok mom. And I was like a TikTok mom. Like, I don't even understand this. But I was like, OK, I'll give it a try. And that first week I went viral on TikTok. And I was like, okay, I guess the kids like me on here, you know? And I started to read their responses and their comments and

they were saying things like, oh my God, her voice is like a warm hug. And, you know, she helps my anxiety. She makes me feel better. You know, I wish she was my mom or my aunt or my sister. And then it became a responsibility to me. Right. And so when I made a decision that I'm going to do a TikTok, you know, every day I'm going to cook and I'm going to do my inspirational videos that I had been doing for the last few years. And it was with no intention to receive anything back, but just to give love to people and

to take their mind off of the pandemic. Mm hmm. And so everything else that has come is just the bones. I never thought I would write a book. I had been trying to write a cookbook for like two years prior to TikTok. And it was so hard and it was just so much. And then when everything happened with the pandemic, I was like, you know what? People don't need a cookbook right now. They need an inspirational book book they need to know that somebody else has been through their own personal pandemic and she got through it and that's me and so I decided to do an inspirational book

I had no idea it would do as well as as it has done and everything else that just started happening I'm just so grateful for right I knew I've always had big dreams, but as an entertainer, just as an actress, never would I have thought that the things that I've done would have happened, but they have, and I'm grateful for that. One of the things that I would love to hear you talk about is about what it is like to find success as a real grown woman, you know, not like a 20 year old super sports illustrated model, although you could do that. And I wouldn't be surprised, but you know what I'm saying? Like a grown woman with, with almost grown children. I think there's a lot of women who are sort of in this middle place in their lives where they're like, I'm it's, is it too late for

me? I don't know if people ask you that, but they ask me that all the time. Is it too late for me to go back to school or make something of my dreams? I would love to hear your thoughts on that. Oh, honey, you know, first and foremost, it's never too late, right? As long as we still got breath in our body, it is not too late for us. I'm so grateful that my success came later in life. When I was younger, my twenties, even in my thirties, when things were happening, I'd be, Oh my God, it's happening. You happening, I'd be, oh, my God, it's happening. You know, I'd be all just crazy excited and just all over the place. And I wasn't ready.

I have had very small victories in my career, you know, over the last 20 years or so. And I wasn't ready for what I have now. I didn't know who I was. And so all these things were happening during a time where I could not have had success the way I have it now. And so all the living that I did in that time, though, it built character within me. I went through life experiences that changed me. All those things helped me be this Tabitha. And that couldn't have happened any sooner than it did. Every day, I'm just so appreciative. Every moment, I hold on to it.

You know, because when you've lived a while, when you've lost, you realize how special they are. And you enjoy it a little bit more. I think if I was a little younger, it would have passed me by a little quick. And I wouldn't have realized the specialness until it was too late. Now in the middle of it, I realize how special this moment is. And also I have patience for it. I'm not in a rush. I do a whole lot, but I only do what I want to do. I ain't doing nothing that don't feel right.

Because when you grow, honey, you ain't doing nothing just to do it. I only do the things that make me feel good. And I couldn't have done that when I was younger. So I say to all people who are 40 plus, 50 plus, 60 plus, and it ain't ever too late. It is never too late. Pursue your dreams. If it still lives inside of you, do something with it. You know, my daddy is 70 now, but his dream from, you know, being 12 and up, he started cutting hair and his dream was always to own his own barbershop. And he did not open his own barbershop until he was 65. It inspired me. I feel like, you know, we were on the journey at the same time of starting something new. He also inspired the community by doing that. I love that. And I think that's exactly what you're doing for people now is you're saying to women who are grown 35, 40, 50, like, hello, look at what is possible for you. That's right. I love that. Yeah for you. That's right.

I love that. Yeah, absolutely. That's it. And I love that you're doing it with such joy and enthusiasm. I think that's part of what makes you so delightful to watch. You can tell that it comes from this place of true enthusiasm and joy for what you're doing. It doesn't seem like a job. You can tell that you're grateful for it. And it's such an inspiration to other people, including me. Thank you.

You recently started a restaurant. I would love to hear, like, can you give us a couple little behind the scenes of what it is like to start a restaurant? It's something most of us will never do and are curious about. Yes, it is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. It is so hard to find like-minded people until you get that team, right? And I think that's what it's about, building the team. So it's trial and error. And every person that I've talked to, Manit Chauhan, who is an amazing friend of mine, she's like the chef that is amazing on every Food Network show and owns like four restaurants in Tennessee. time to find your core people to help you run this restaurant. So that has been the season that we've been in and the people that come through, the customers, like I call them my family, but you know, my fans, they're so excited. And then, you know, my staff that work there, they're so excited to serve them. They're so excited because they're excited, right?

they're so excited to serve them. They're so excited because they're excited, right? And it is, that in itself is rewarding. Every time I go, it's just, my heart is so full because it's like, people are flying in just for dinner. It's a beautiful thing to witness that and to go and embrace them and have conversations and sit down and talk to people and let them eat well and be well that part I love but I'm telling you honey it is tough right it is trying to build the village to help run the restaurant that oh lord I don't know how much more of this I can take I'm such a a people person, right? And if people aren't like passionate or happy, or they don't feel at peace at a job, I'm that person. I'll be like, honey, I'll close the restaurant down before I let somebody's peace suffer.

I could, I just can't do that to people. I want everyone to love being there. I want people to feel good about being there. And I want to find those people that, you know, also pour that back in. I can imagine. I mean, obviously I'm not in the restaurant business, but I, you have to have in first of all, enough people, there's no way to be like, well, I got my one guy. No, you need like a whole team of great people to make a great experience for your customers. I can imagine that's very challenging to pull that together. And customers never know, you know, that we may be short a person or we don't have enough people or whatever, because of, you know, trying to build a team the right way. And so customers never, never know. I am excited to talk more too about your YouTube

show because YouTube has really started moving into original programming, which is what you have been doing with YouTube. It's not just putting videos of you cooking on YouTube. It's a YouTube original program. Tell us more about that. So that is Tab Time. It's a children's show. It's probably one of the most special projects I've ever done in my life, because it's also a responsibility. You know, these children to me are a responsibility of mine because I'm putting out something for them that I pray stays inside of them and grows with them right into their adulthood. And I, I've had this idea for about four years. I kept hearing every morning in prayer to heal the world. And I was like, heal the world. I'm one person. How prayer to heal the world. And I was like,

heal the world. I'm one person. How can I heal the world? And then about two years ago, I heard it starts with children. And so I remember telling my team, listen, I have this idea. If I can get a children's show, I can teach children how to see themselves and love themselves despite how different they may be and to love others, be compassionate to each other, learn together, explore together, use your imagination together, right? And those same children

will one day grow up and be adults who love each other, who see each other, who are also willing to help heal each other. And then the world will begin to heal. So that was the whole reason for me wanting a children's show. And I also wanted to help heal each other. And then the world began to heal. So that was the whole reason for me wanting a children's show. And I also wanted to bring back feel good shows like Mr. Rogers, right? I love that type of show. Things were slower. We took time with teaching

children. We didn't overstimulate. We allowed them to digest. And that's what I wanted to do. stimulate. We allow them to digest. And that's what I wanted to do. And so every episode we go on an adventure and it starts in my garden. And I always have a question for the day that's been on my mind as I talk to my favorite friend, Avi the avocado. And it prompts me to think of whatever our question is. Like our first episode was how things grow. And so I have a wind chime. Her name is Breezy. And whenever she chimes, that means it's time to go to the next part of the adventure. And the entire episode is we are figuring out the answer to the question, how things grow or whatever the topic may be. And so then we go into our special adventure, which is animation.

And I turn into a cartoon and all my friends are animated. And it's such a fun moment. And then we leave from there and we go into a cartoon and all my friends are animated and it's such a fun moment. And then we leave from there and we go into our lab and I have a special guest. So I have all different celebrities that come in their personalities, right? There are these different characters that help us learn the answer to the question. And then we do craft time where I have two children come, which is my most favorite because kids, honey, are so pure. They just got to let them be, you know, let them have their moment and talk and teach us. And we together try to answer the question and talk about how things grow or

whatever the question may be. Then we go to snack time and I create a snack that also helps us understand the question. And the snacks I prepare are always a hundred percent vegan without kids even understanding that. And then we go to story time and we talk about our day and how everything came together and what we learned and how we feel about it. And that's it. And it has been so amazing amazing we just got picked up for season two and I'm just grateful to go in and jump back into the studio and do another 10 episodes and continue to grow this show for children all over the world and I hope that my idea works of helping heal the world that's a definition of a long game, Tabitha. Is that a 20 year long game?

That is, that's a long game. I'm 43 and all of my dreams and goals, everything started to come true about two, three years ago. And so, but I started pursuing my dreams in 98. So it took me about 23 years. So I always tell people, you know, a friend of mine was like, can you imagine if God told you at 19 years old, hey, listen, you know, a friend of mine was like, can you imagine if God told you at 19 years old, Hey, listen, I'll give you all of your dreams, which I need

you to give me 23 years. You would have said, are you out of your mind? Pass. Pass. What I did, I never gave up. I kept going. I kept pursuing and here we are. Turns out the wait was worth it. pursuing. And here we are. Turns out the wait was worth it. And a lot of times what people lack when they are pursuing their dreams is patience. Yeah. Yeah. And they don't see the amount of progress that they want to see. And they look, maybe look at somebody like you where it's like, and then one day she blew up because of carrot bacon and like, so like that on TikTok and now look at where she's everywhere. But in reality, they don't realize that it's 20 years of work behind the scenes to get to that point. That's right. I was like, my overnight success is 23 years. It was a long overnight. That was a long night, a 23 year long night. I'm Jenna Fisher and I'm Angela Kinsey we are best friends and together we have the podcast

office ladies where we re-watched every single episode of the office with insane behind the scenes stories hilarious guests and lots of laughs guess who's sitting next to me Steve in the studio every Wednesday we'll be sharing even more exclusive stories from the office and our friendship with brand new guests. And we'll be digging into our mailbag to answer your questions and comments. So join us for brand new Office Lady 6.0 episodes every Wednesday. Plus, on Mondays, we are taking a second drink. You can revisit all the Office Ladies rewatch episodes every Monday with new bonus tidbits before every episode. Well, we can't wait to see you there.

Follow and listen to Office Ladies on the free Odyssey app and wherever you get your podcasts. How long does it take to make a season of 10 episodes of your show? Well, we're in pre-production now. Shooting-wise, believe it or not, the first season we shot in three weeks, which normally, in the real world, should take about maybe three months or half an hour. But in development and everything for that, it was almost a year of developing and preparing. We were able to shoot it in three weeks. So now that we have the formula and everything is done and down, we've just writing scripts and reviewing and all that stuff.

So about two months and we'll be in perfect condition and ready to get it done. So. That's so exciting. I love that. I love that for you. And I can't wait to see you sort of grow that brand of children's programming. It's very needed and it's such a unique and important voice that you're bringing to the table. Cause you're right. Mr. Rogers was a singular man. No, nobody wants to replicate what he did, but a lot of children's shows truly are. It's almost like an assault on your senses. And you're like, is this, what is this? You know what I mean? Yes, I do. Yes. My dad once, when my dad was still alive, my son, when he was young, he was watching a TV show.

And my dad, who has never spent one day watching children's television, walked in. He's like, is this a children's aerobics program? Is this going on? Yes. It was like, is this a workout class? Like that was his impression of this show. Is this, that's how much the people on the show were jumping around. He thought it was a children's aerobics program. And I love that

you just have a different perspective on what children need. There's plenty of children's aerobics programs in the world. And you know, there's a moment where like, you know, we have a movement episode, right? And we're showing, you know, how to move and how a movement makes us feel. And then there's a moment in that where we can move and dance and do all those things. But then there's also a moment when we're supposed to be still. And what does that mean, right? How does that make us feel to be still, right?

I think there's a balance that we need, right? Absolutely. That teaches children that we can't jump around all the time. My daughter loves the Calm app and she was so excited that My daughter loves the Calm app. And she was so excited that you were on the Calm app. I thought that was like a perfect partner for you. I love that.

It was so fun. I was cracking up in the studio when I went to record because I'm so animated with like when I'm talking, like I'm a storyteller. I'm like, and I'm an actor. So when I'm reading a story, I just really want to like engage you. So they were like, we love that. But this is the comment. I'm not going to go to sleep if you tell this. That's right.

Right. So I was like, oh, got it. So, you know, I had to like bring it all the way down and slow. And I was like, I'm already a slow talker so I was like wait you want me to talk slower than I already talked I'm gonna fall asleep that is the point I gotta get the story told so I was like oh lord but it was so much fun and we were cracking up but it turned out so well and people love it so they do they do it yes do. Yes. I can. I probably would be the same way. Like this is not the hype it up app. You have other platforms

where you can hype it up. Right. Is it weird for you now to go back onto TikTok and to make a cooking video? Are you like, oh man, this is where it all started? Yeah, no, I still do it. I still do the same videos I've always done. The only thing I don't get to do that I used to do was I used to go live every day on Facebook and cook and I don't have time anymore. And I miss it so much. Like my original fans for like two years, I did that consistently every day for two weeks and they miss it. And I miss it. I'm like, oh, those were the good times. I still do a cooking video for TikTok, for Facebook, for Instagram, you know, because it's still the options is the reason that I do it. Cause I want people to know, Oh, wait, you have a healthier option. You can choose or, you know, an animal free option or plant-based option, a vegan option. So I still do that because that's the whole point of it all. I love your cooking videos too, because they're so they're extremely accessible. It's like, I'm putting in purple

onion that's what I have yeah it's not like here's your shopping list of fancy ingredients you need to go to eight stores to get I'm just I'm putting it in the pan I'm adding some seasonings because that's my business and that I'm putting it in tortilla yeah yeah that's yeah i'm gonna post today because i made jackfruit fajita tacos just that simple some i have a garden so i pulled some peppers out my garden i had a red onion i chopped it up threw it all in the pan with some canned jackfruit seasoned it to my liking i need you do it how you want to that's your business that's right put it in a tortilla with a little garlic salt. That's it. That's right. I love it. I love that. It, it just adds that element of accessibility. Like, listen, this is not hard. Chop it up and put it in the pan, season it however you want. And it, it inspires kids like

my daughter to just be like, yeah, it's, it's very easy. Look at how easy it is your recipes don't involve a seven hour 42 step process it's very accessible right and i'm not a chef i always tell people i'm not a chef i'm a i'm a cook i'm a home cook i'm a mother and a wife who loves to cook that's it i never went to study i still learn when i see somebody cooking something or for my show because i have a show on food network that was actually announced yesterday with the Target announcement. So I couldn't even announce it yet, but it's out there now. But on the show, it's called It's Compaplated. And so we have, you know, four chefs on every episode.

And I would be watching like, oh, my goodness, this is amazing. So when you add that, oh, this is this is amazing. But that's not how I cook. I cook from the spirit, whatever I feel. I feel like, OK, let me put a little bit of that, a, this is, this is amazing, but that's not how I cook. I cook from the spirit, whatever I feel, I'd be like, okay, let me just put a little bit of that, a little bit of that. And I like easy and quick. Yes. Season with your heart. That's it. Oh, I just love that. I want all of the good things for you. What do you feel like is potentially on the horizon? Like what would your ultimate dream be? Is it movies? Is it a talk show? What would be like the pinnacle of man? I've made it.

Definitely a talk show and movies. I still love acting. I love it, but I came to the realization, the reason that, you know, ever since I was a little girl, I've loved to act is because I simply just want to make people feel. And I'm in a season of my life where people are so important to me and how they feel is so important to me. And I feel like with a talk show, I can bring people in even more. I can do that every day. Movies I love. I love doing, you know, even scripted television. I love acting, but it's a season. That's right. A little bit, you know, it's a, you got to wait, but with a talk show, I can reach somebody every day, which is why content, because I can reach someone every day. I can make somebody feel seen every day. I can

make someone feel like I'm your friend every day. That is definitely something that has always been on my list. I thought I would have to do way later in my life. But you know, God said, no, I don't have to wait. So I'm going to start working on that. Absolutely. And doing children's books. And I would love to do a tap time tour. Remember back in the days when Barney used to go on tour and the kids would go crazy?

The Wiggles. Yes. remember back in the days when Barney used to go on tour and the kids would go crazy the wiggles yes all those things I would love to do a tour for tab time and bring all my little animated friends and you know have the kids come in and we do story time together and the whole thing I just think it would and I only do what feels right. I think endurance comes from when you're moving in purpose, right? And it feels right to keep going. The moment we start adding things in that don't really belong to us, that's when it's hard to keep going. And I don't add those things. I only do what I want to do. And I only say yes, if I feel like it's yes. There's never a moment inside of me that says, girl, this don't feel right. Or no, I will not do it. I absolutely will not do it because my piece is not for sale, right? I can't give it away. This is mine. And I have to make sure I'm all right so that I can keep going. But I love, love, love what I'm doing. I absolutely

am grateful for this season of my life. And I don't take it for granted. And so, honey, I want to keep on going until he tells me to stop, you know, until something doesn't feel right. But that's how I keep on going. You have to say no to things in order to have space in your life for the things that are meant for you. Yeah, that's right. How would you advise somebody who maybe has difficulty saying no? They're a people pleaser. They always feel like, oh, somebody's going to be mad at me if I say no, or I'm never going to have another opportunity. And so I have to say yes to everything because I'll never have another opportunity. How do you politely say no to things? Because I imagine you have to say no to a lot. You have a lot, I bet you have a lot of opportunities that you have to politely decline. Yeah, I do that daily, right? And I used to be that people pleaser.

And I used to be that person that was fearful that, oh, if I don't do this, nothing else is going to come around. But she was not free. And she didn't. She was. So I encourage people who are in that season to get to know yourself, right? And also take those layers off that are holding you down. And once you get to you, 100% you, you're not afraid because you know whatever's meant for you will come, right? Saying no ain't gonna stop nothing. It actually will bring forward the things that belong to you

because I believe that God honors that when we're obedient to our spirit and something doesn't feel right. And we're like, you know what I believe that God honors that when we're obedient to our spirit and something doesn't feel right. And we're like, you know what? I can't do that. I'm so sorry. And, you know, I say no in the most nicest way. I'll let somebody give a whole presentation and I'll know in the first 30 seconds if I want to do that. And I'll let them finish. And I say, you know what? First of all, thank you so much for thinking of me. This is amazing, but it's a no for me. And that's it. And I have no problem saying no, because I am worthy of that. We all are. We deserve that. We deserve to be able to say no, because that's how we feel and that's our business.

That's a great way to look at it, that you deserve to be able to say no to the things that you know are not right for you. That's fine. But that is a way that you deserve to be able to say no to the things that you know are not right for you. That's right. That that is a way that you value yourself and you have enough self-esteem to say no to the things that you know are not right. That's right. Yeah, absolutely. And there's a way to do it. And here's the thing. If somebody is like, if they're mad at you for saying no, then guess what?

You definitely were supposed to say no. Right. They mad at you, honey. Applaud. That's right. I said, no, that's right. My intuition was right. I was supposed to say no to that. Yes. What advice would you have to somebody who has, you know, you've been, you chase your dreams for decades. What advice would you have for somebody who is like, listen, I've been at this for 10 years and I'm seeing no progress. I'm feeling really discouraged. I have big things that I want to accomplish. And I just feeling run down. I'm feeling worn out. What would you tell somebody who's in that space? You know, for me, it's the first thing is always make sure it's your dream.

Make sure it's yours. Make sure you're not pursuing or chasing something that you've seen someone else do. Make sure the thing that you're pursuing belongs to you. Right. And if it belongs to you within like this is your burning desire. It is the thing that you absolutely love to do. And if it belongs to you within, like this is your burning desire. It is the thing that you absolutely love to do. It is the thing that you think about all the time. Then you must keep going. This is your temporary season.

But all the work that you're doing right now, all of the no's that you're getting, all of the doors that are closing will still work for your good later. This is your story and it's loading, right? Because one day you'll look back and you'll be able to say, it took me X amount of years to get here. These are all the things that I had to endure. These are all the things that I went through. That's just part of the story. But if your dream belongs to you, if it lives inside of you, keep pursuing it. I love that. I am so grateful you said yes to doing this today. My audience was so excited when I told them that you were coming on today. They absolutely love you as do I. And I cannot wait to just go buy all the things at Target and watch all the YouTube shows and the Food Network shows and buy all the spices.

And someday I'm going to get tickets to your talk show. Come on. I'm going to get tickets to your talk show and you're going to give away some, I don't know, some prize and I'm going to win it. And I, yeah, that's right. That's what's happening. So I'm you just wait. I don't even care about the prize. I'm just going to be like, I won. Do you remember me? I absolutely love you. Like I remember we spoke this day. That's right. I'm going to remind you of this conversation when you have your talk show and I'm going to be so excited to watch it. The Target stuff is super cute, by the way. Thank you. I have on one of my shirts now. You see it? Okay. It says hips, thighs and fries. I approve that message.

I got hips, thighs and fries. Okay. So yeah. I approve that message. Yes. Thank you so much for doing this. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for continuing to pursue your dreams. Thank you. Thank you for opening your heart to me and letting me in. I appreciate it.

All the good things coming your way, Tab. Thank you so much. All right. Thank you so much for listening to the Sharon Says So podcast. I am truly grateful for you. And I'm wondering if you could do me a quick favor. Would you be willing to follow or subscribe to this podcast or maybe leave me a rating or review? Or if you're feeling extra generous, would you share this episode on

your Instagram stories or with a friend? All of those things help podcasters out so much. This podcast was written and researched by Sharon McMahon and Heather Jackson. It was produced by Heather Jackson, edited and mixed by our audio producer Jenny Snyder, and hosted by me, Sharon McMahon. I'll see you next time. Hey, Torontonians. Recycling is more than a routine. It's a vital responsibility. By recycling properly, you help conserve resources, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the environment.

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