We’re looking forward to introducing you to Briona Johnson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Briona, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Honestly, integrity. Intelligence and energy are powerful, but without integrity they don’t mean much to me. I need to trust that you are who you say you are and that you’ll do what you say you’ll do. If I can’t trust your word, I can’t relax around your presence. And if I can’t relax, there’s no real connection.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Briona Johnson. I’m an actress, educator, and founder of Theatre AOG, LLC (Theatre Academy of Georgia). I’m back in the acting world after nearly a decade away, and it feels like a homecoming. During that time, I built a life around teaching, motherhood, and creating spaces where children could find their voices through theatre and social emotional learning. That journey led me to design a full K–5 curriculum that blends arts, emotion, and expression in ways that uplift both students and teachers.
Now I’m modeling too, something I never thought I’d do, but it’s been a powerful way to reclaim visibility and joy on my own terms. My brand is rooted in storytelling, whether it’s on stage, in a classroom, or behind a camera. I’m currently working on expanding my curriculum into more schools, growing my digital presence, and bringing more beauty and truth to every project I touch.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose is the one that equated hard work with being tied to a full time schedule. That version of me who thought grinding from sunup to sundown was the only way to be successful got me far, but I don’t need her in the same way anymore.
Now I move through my days with flexibility. I can be a graduate student in the morning, shoot content in the afternoon, teach in the evening, and still make time for a walk or a nap in between. I wear a lot of hats, but I wear them with more joy and presence now. Letting go of that rigid hustle mentality made space for creativity, softness, and deeper purpose. I serve myself better, and that helps me serve others more fully.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Something I changed my mind about after failing hard is this idea that everything has to be perfect before it’s shared. I used to delay starting things because I felt like I didn’t have all the pieces or the right conditions. I thought I needed to have it all figured out before making a move. But that mindset cost me opportunities.
What I’ve learned is that finished is better than perfect. Starting messy, showing up with what I have, and being open to refining along the way is where momentum lives. Progress doesn’t wait on perfection, and neither do the doors I’m meant to walk through.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth that not everyone agrees with me on is that wealth isn’t just about how much money you have. To me, wealth is about freedom. It’s about waking up and deciding how you want to move through your day. It’s being able to build a life that reflects your values, your joy, and your purpose.
I know people who have money but no peace, no flexibility, no time to be with the people they love. That’s not wealth to me. Wealth is being able to take a walk in the middle of the day, pour into your creative gifts, and choose work that fills you up. It’s the freedom to live the life of your dreams, not just afford it.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is my own inner spotlight. I’ve always considered myself a private person and in some ways that’s felt like protection. But lately I’ve had to face the fact that what I call privacy might also be fear wearing a softer name.
I know I’m called to be visible. To be a voice. To shine in ways that uplift others, not just myself. And when I stay small or quiet, I’m not just shielding myself, I’m withholding something that could free or inspire someone else. There’s power in what I’ve lived, in what I carry, and I’m learning that honoring my calling means letting that light be seen. Even if it feels vulnerable. Especially when it does.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theatreacademyofgeogia.com
- Instagram: brionajohnsonofficial
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/brionajohnson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briona.johnson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnsonbriona/videos
Image Credits
Nichole Stovall, JNS Photography, LLC.
