Meet Crissy Johnston | Director of Brand Operations and Mentali-Tea Podcast Co-Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crissy Johnston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crissy, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
The most important thing I’ve done for my children as a parent, is to lead by example and let them just be their own individual self. From a young age, giving them choices and allowing them to make their own choices so that they know they too have a voice in the decision making. For example, laying out 2 outfits and having them choose which one they feel like wearing, or a few options on what meals they would like to eat. Being a safe space for them to talk about what’s on their minds so that they feel they can tell me anything. I think it’s soo important as a parent to not only be there to protect your child but also allow them to be independent thinkers so that they can carry that with them into adulthood. It’s not always easy to do by any stretch, and of course we live by the “don’t make the same mistakes I did” mentality, but if we take a step back, the realization is, that’s how they learn. We never want to see our kids hurting but if we guide rather than command or demand, they will be more receptive to what we say.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I wear many different hats in my professional life. I’m Director of Brand Operations for B-Side Studios, I co-host a mental health podcast, ‘Mentali-Tea,’ and I am heavily involved in the theatre arts world. Having a hand in all of those areas, definitely sets me apart from others as all of those roads lead to my main passion, which is theatre. I’ve always been a huge advocate for mental health awareness as I myself struggle with anxiety and depression, but more so have kept my focus on our youth since that’s where it started for me. My co-host, Angel Simmons, and I started a mental health podcast back in March with the encouragement and help of our producer, Maurice Proffit. When the pandemic started, I wasn’t sure how things were going to pan out, none of us did. I had quit my day job to focus on my theatre career, and boom, the world shut down. Over the months, my own mental health was not great and I think it’s safe to say that the majority of the population was in the same boat. I also work with high school youth at my church and made sure to do check-in’s as much as I could and realized that once we were able to be back in person, this whole experience took a dramatic toll on them as it did for everyone. In high school, theatre was an outlet for me in dealing with my anxiety and depressive stages, and so I wanted to continue to offer that outlet to our youth. Our podcast, ‘Mentali-Tea,’ is a starting point, as it is for everyone who is anyone that just needs some words of encouragement, or just to know that they are not alone in their struggles and we are here to help. I love that the youth I lead, including 1 of my own, can tune in and just find that relatability and feel safe. We are blessed to be streaming on Spotify, and on the B-Side Studios YouTube channel, so that they can access our show. Next steps to come in the future, our own youth theatre company. That has always been a dream of mine and we’re working to hopefully make that a reality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Only a week??? Well, given that I live just outside of Chicago, you already know where most of our time will be spent. We would have to spend at least 3 of the days in the city to take in all of the sights. Day 1- We would go to Navy Pier for sure and sit at the rooftop bar for some drinks. Maybe take a spin on the ferris wheel even though I’m terrified of heights. Then we would take a water taxi over to the Shedd Aquarium and walk over to Buckingham fountain (which we would revisit at night to see it all lit up). Grab some dinner at Burger Bar Chicago, and then get ready for day 2. Day 2- Breakfast at Yolk, maybe take in a museum or 2, visit the Bean at Millennium Park and people watch while enjoying some java from Peet’s Coffee.
Day 3- You already know, we’re heading to the Sears Tower to take in the sights from high above the clouds and facing our fear of heights by stepping on the glass ledge seeing the whole city under our feet. We’ll spend the day shopping on Michigan Ave and end the day with a special dinner atop the John Hancock building at the Signature room.
Day 4- It’s Broadway in Chicago baby. We’ll stroll the theatre district and take in a matinee with dinner and drinks afterwards at 312 Chicago.
Day 5- Back to the suburbs for some great wine at Lynfred Winery in Roselle. Listening to some live music at Ravinia or maybe an outdoor festival in one of the neighboring towns.
Day 6- We’re seeking some more adventure and heading to Six Flags Great America. Spending the day from open to close riding coasters and soaking up some sun at their Hurricane Harbor water park.
Day 7- It’s chillax and go time. Breakfast at a local spot and then say our goodbyes until next time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Victor Johnston Maurice Proffit
Angel Simmons
B-Side Studios Family

Instagram: the_real_crissy_j

Twitter: @TheRealCrissyJ

Facebook: Artist Crissy Johnston

Youtube: BSide Studios https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjMCdEooRjven-GSWmqezA/videos

Other: Mentali-Tea Podcast on Facebook Mentali-Tea Podcast on Spotify

Image Credits
Paulina Fadrowska Maurice Proffit Brittney Galloway