Today we’d like to introduce you to Jontai Reynolds.
Hi Jontai, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey really started from a place of survival that eventually evolved into purpose. I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, but my it got deeper during the most challenging season of my life.
What started originally as personal journaling eventually grew into TAI Corner Blogs, two podcasts, a Masters Degree, and several published self-care books. I knew I wanted to create spaces where people could have real, honest conversations about healing, self-awareness, and the messy process of healing.
Most recently, I earned my Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which has allowed me to connect my passion for storytelling and advocacy with my professional interests. I’m determined to help organizations and professionals expand the way they think about workplace culture and inclusion, particularly when it comes to creating more inclusive environments for people with disabilities.
So, in many ways, my journey has been about turning the experiences that I’ve gone through into work that can hopefully create space, understanding, and opportunity for others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. It’s been a lonely road in many ways. I’ve experienced being blackballed, losing a scholarship, and feeling left out of spaces I thought I was supposed to be part of. There were definitely moments when I questioned myself and wondered if I was on the right path.
I also was a people pleaser so I spent a lot of time worrying about whether people liked me or approved of the work I was doing. Healing has taught me that not everyone is going to like you, and not everyone is going to understand or support your vision and that’s okay.
I’ve had to pivot several times, and some of those pivots came because things didn’t work out the way I expected but I learned not to let those losses define where I was going. Instead, I stayed focused on the mission, kept pushing forward, and trusting that every closed door was teaching me something about the direction I was supposed to take.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Taicorner Blogs, About HER Business Podcast & Healing through Chaos the podcast?
At the heart of everything I do is purpose. I’m a scholar, author, mental health advocate, podcast host, and community builder, but more than anything, I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
After I earned my Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, my work will be centered around creating more inclusive workplaces, particularly for people with disabilities. I want my work to challenge organizations to think differently about how they support, develop, and value their people.
Storytelling and media are also a major part of my work. Through TAI Corner Blogs, I create conversations around mental health and personal experiences that are often swept under the rug. My goal is to make these conversations honest, relatable, and informative while reminding people that there is value in talking about the things we don’t always feel comfortable discussing.
I’m also the host of About HER Business, a podcast where I sit down with women entrepreneurs and professionals across different industries to discuss their journeys, challenges, successes, and lessons learned. What makes the podcast meaningful to me is that it goes beyond celebrating the finished product. We talk about the real stories behind the businesses such as the pivots, setbacks, sacrifices, and breakthroughs while giving aspiring entrepreneurs something they can actually learn from and apply to their business.
I’m also the co-host of Healing Through Chaos, where licensed professionals and survivors come to the same table to have honest conversations about difficult experiences, healing, resilience, and purpose. That platform is especially meaningful because it creates room for conversations that people may not always feel comfortable having elsewhere.
What sets my brand apart is the intersection of all these areas. I’m not limited to one title or one industry. Psychology gives me the academic foundation, advocacy gives me the purpose, storytelling gives me the voice, and community gives the work meaning.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve continued building despite the obstacles I’ve faced. I continue to expand my platforms while working toward my long-term goal of earning a doctorate in psychology. Ultimately, I want people to understand that my brand is bigger than any one title. Whether I’m writing, advocating, interviewing a business owner, discussing mental health, or talking about workplace inclusion, the mission remains the same which is turning purpose into platforms that educate, connect, empower people and creating spaces where real conversations can actually happen.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that success starts with you. You can be inspired, you can have the vision, and you can have amazing ideas, but if you don’t believe in yourself, it becomes very difficult to turn that vision into reality.
Entrepreneurship teaches you that growth requires flexibility. There will be times when you have to pivot, change direction, try something new, or completely rethink your approach. That’s not failure that’s just apart of growing and expanding long-term but none of those pivots will matter if you don’t believe in yourself. You have to trust your vision enough to keep going, even when the original plan doesn’t work out. So believing in myself has been the foundation that allowed me to keep going, learning, and growing into who I want to become.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibewithtai?stkn=MW96ZTFqZGIwMng4Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19qbezKCuc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jontai-reynolds-msiop-647337231?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aboutherbusinesspodcast?si=i3qp-UT3wGX-xsDK
- Other: https://youtube.com/@healing_through_chaos?si=fyqxCdoIPzBLu1S1
