Barbara Lanebrown
About Barbara
I have an MFA and spent my first lifetime in professional theater. During that time, I developed many tools to help me continually become a better artist, and I shared those tools with other artists. I really loved that life, but after a good run, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I felt drawn to go west, so I moved to California and took a job with a temporary agency. I worked with very different companies ranging from the California Center for Judicial Education and Research to US Gypsum to a marketing company where I got to ride around all day with potential customers while they test-drove Ford cars of the future. During that time, I earned what I later came to call my street MBA. Then one day, literally sitting on the dock of the bay (do you know that song?), it came to me that I should get a real MBA. After the shock wore off, that’s what I did.
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After graduating University of Chicago, I began my second life. I took the tools I’d developed in theater out into the world to help others play their roles more effectively and be more fulfilled. Hired by organizations, I worked with generals and admirals in the US military, political figures like the Secretary of the Navy, professors at schools like Stanford and MIT, C-suite businesspeople, and doctors. I also coached individuals from dance teachers to investment counselors. And I trained therapists in the use of my tools. I loved my second life just as much as I loved my first life,.
But then one day (I wasn’t sitting on a dock this time), I felt a pull, something new beckoning. I didn’t know what it was. I did know that I needed to make an empty space so the new thing could enter. I closed my business and lived in the moment. After several months, I found myself outlining on an old whiteboard. I stepped back and saw that I’d laid out books I wanted to write about the tools I’d developed, tools I’d used to help so many people around the world. I wanted to write about what I’d learned and experienced while working with those people. Who Are You, Really? is the first of those books. And so my third lifetime began. Do I love it? So far, yes, I do!
About My Nickel, LLC
My Nickel, LLC is my 6th company
I always had difficulty coming up with company names. But the name for my 6th company came to me before I even knew what the company would do.
I often use the phrase (picked up in my childhood), “It’s your nickel.” And I add, “You get to spend it however you’d like.”
This company is My Nickel because when I tried to write books before, they never came to fruition. I finally realized it was because I was trying to write the books I thought others expected me to write. This time, I’m writing the books I want to write. My Nickel!
If you’re curious about the other 5 companies, read this:
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The first 3 companies were theaters (live productions not movies). The 4th was called Mastery, Incorporated and specialized in coaching. The 5th was Be More Not Less, LLC—formed with Nancy Whitehurst, a licensed clinical social worker. We designed and delivered programs to train therapists in my methods for growth and development.
Why is a monkey the mascot?​
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I have an abiding curiosity in pretty much everything. I used to say that’s why I majored in theater—it was a great umbrella that gave me an excuse to dig into everything—and still be “working.” I’ve studied major philosophies and religions and various ways in which we humans try to understand what we are, astrology included. In eastern astrology, I’m a monkey. My friends (me, too) have long thought a monkey is perfect for me since they are endlessly curious. I also do a pretty good imitation of a monkey as well as tell stories of communing with them at zoological parks.
About Laura
I met Barbara in her second life, coaching faculty on their instructional style. I didn't witness her working with faculty but could definitely tell the difference between before-Barbara and after-Barbara. Everyone should get an after-Barbara. That’s why I think so many people have asked her to write books about the tools she uses in her coaching.
My background is in writing, editing, and education. These have been a constant focus in both my personal and professional lives. I have edited short stories, creative non-fiction, literary fiction, academic writing, and books focused on personal development. I started my writing career crafting quiz questions for Chicken Stacker, a preschool game for a PBS Kids TV show. I went on to produce & write digital media for other PBS Kids shows including, Zoom, Curious George, and Arthur. Now I work with faculty to support their teaching through digital media, online learning, evidence-based teaching practices, and action research.
Although I have a master’s in education, everything I need to know I learned by working with preschoolers and a very curious monkey named George.
For inquiries regarding Laura’s editing services, please reach out via Laura@BarbaraLanebrown.com