We were lucky to catch up with B.A. Crisp recently and have shared our conversation below.
B.A. , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
…takes a deep breath… Wow, where do I begin? When I think about the source of my resilience, it’s like peeling back the layers of an onion – there’s so much depth and complexity (along with tears and stink) to my personal adventure. But if I had to pinpoint the core, it would be my experiences as a former ward of the court, foster child, and human trafficking survivor.
Growing up, I faced challenges that no child should ever have to endure. But through those trials, I discovered inner strength. It was like an internal angel, gently pushing me to prevail. And as I navigated the ups and downs of life, that angel grew into a formidable yet compassionate warrior.
Every obstacle I encountered, every setback I faced, only fueled my grit and determination to rise above my circumstances. I learned I had a choice: I could either let negative events define me or use them as a springboard for reinvention. I chose the latter.
My resilience comes from the moments when I thought I couldn’t go on, but somehow found the courage. It comes from the people who believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself. It comes from the realization that our past does not dictate our future—that we every decision we make ultimately determines where we’ll find ourselves, literally and figuratively.
But most importantly, my resilience comes from a deep-seated desire to make a difference. I know firsthand the pain and suffering that exists in this world, and I refuse to stand idle. Whether it’s through my work combating human trafficking, my writing that aims to inspire and empower, or simply listening to and learning from others who have faced adversity, I am driven by a purpose greater than myself.
So, when people ask me where I get my resilience from, I tell them it’s a mosaic of experiences, my faith, and an unwavering commitment to create positive internal and external change. It’s not always easy, but it’s an adventure of opportunity. Through the fires of adversity, I have emerged stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever to leave this world a little better than I how I arrived.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Unbuckle your seatbelt, bend the rules, and put your head out the window because I’m about to take you on a wild ride through the incredible adventure that is my life! I’m not your conventional author, CEO, or advocate. I’m here to raise vibrations and make a difference.
I’ve poured my heart and soul into my writing. I genuinely feel it’s something special—and it started with the Quanta Chronicles Trilogy.
When you pick up one of my books, whether it’s my best-seller, “Red Bird,” my second work, “X Point,” or the thought-provoking “Emergent,” you’re not just getting a story. You’re getting a piece of me, a window into my world, and an opportunity to see life through a new lens. My writing is raw, honest, and unapologetically real. It’s a reflection of my journey, my struggles, and my triumphs.
Loosen Your Lotus: Opening Your Heart to Self-Discovery & Peace was my first non-fiction, with a foreword from Jennifer Aupke, USAF Colonel (ret.). I met Jenn through a private contractor when she worked as the Division Chief for Irregular Warfare in Washington, D.C. She’s a helicopter instructor pilot credited with 76 saves and earned the Air Force Combat Action Medal. I love to highlight formidable women with the courage to lead and mentor other women.
And speaking of triumphs, I’m thrilled to announce that my latest work in progress, “How to Hug a Ghost: Embracing Your Past as a Launchpad for Life,” is set to release on May 3rd! It’s more than another self-help book; it’s a transformative experience. I’ve poured everything I’ve learned about overcoming adversity, embracing your past, and using it as a springboard for success. How to Hug a Ghost is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt held back by their history, or for those ready to rewrite their story.
Consequently, writing is just one facet of who I am. As the CEO of Empowerment Enterprises (DBA Crisp Concepts, Inc.), I’m on a mission to innovate and inspire. I’ve been in the trenches, working as a liaison between private and public sector entities to help improve policies and programs on the front lines of human trafficking. There’s no greater feeling than knowing you’ve positively yanked someone from the jaws of horror and helped them participate in their own healing plan.
So, what can you expect from the B.A. Crisp brand? Authenticity, passion, and a commitment to positive change. Whether I’m writing a novel, delivering a keynote speech, or working behind the scenes to combat injustice, I pour my heart and soul into everything I do. Because for me, it’s not just about personal success; it’s about leaving a legacy of empowerment and transformation.
So, if you’re ready to join me on this incredible adventure, grab a copy of “How to Hug a Ghost,” dive into my other works, and let’s elevate our potential. Because together, we can forge lives of awe and create a future for this planet that’s brighter than we ever imagined.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I feel that three qualities have been instrumental in shaping my journey: resilience, compassion, and curiosity.
Resilience: My experiences as a former ward of the court and foster child taught me the power of resilience. I’ve learned that no matter how difficult the challenges we face, we have the strength within us to overcome. My advice to those early in their adventure would be to embrace their struggles as opportunities for growth. Don’t be afraid to lean on others for support, but also trust in your own inner strength. Remember that setbacks are temporary, and every obstacle you overcome makes you stronger and more resilient.
Compassion: One of the driving forces behind my success has been an unwavering passion for making a difference in this world. This passion manifests from something bigger—love. I believe enlightenment and peace is found in love and the exercise of compassion. It is easy to hate. It is easy to go to war. It is easy to complain or live life through a lens of negativity. Find what ignites your soul and pursue it with relentless compassion. When you align your authentic nature with a greater purpose, you unlock a fulfillment that will lift you higher than you can imagine. This includes taking solitary time to inter-be.
Curiosity: Throughout my adventure, I’ve never stopped learning—even when I fall on my ass. I ask questions. I take risks. I realize that not everyone is going to like me, and I don’t take it personally. From my academic pursuits to my work, I’ve always sought out opportunities to expand knowledge, connection, and skills. My advice would be to approach life with enthusiasm and a growth mindset. Embrace curiosity, seek out new experiences, and never stop investing in your personal and professional development. The more you experience, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate challenges and opportunities. In other words, take that road trip!
To those who are early in their journey, I would offer this final piece of advice: believe in yourself and your potential. Have fun. Lean on humor to diffuse tense situations. Also, your past does not define your future, and your current circumstances do not limit your possibilities. Embrace your unique strengths, forgive yourself and others as needed, detach from toxic people or drama that doesn’t lift you higher. Learn from your experiences and surround yourself with people who support and inspire you.
Remember that success is never a destination but an ongoing quest. So, strive for awareness, authenticity, and enlightenment. Stay true to yourself, get to know yourself fully, and never stop believing in the incredible person you are and the awesome impact you make in this world.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The most pressing issue I currently face is the injustice and misinformation targeting strippers. Many people are unaware that a large, tax-exempt non-profit organization called the Family Research Council, which holds a church designation, operates 38 state chapters known as the Family Policy Council. These chapters collaborate with groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom Fund to actively influence politics, which I believe violates their tax-exempt status. Due to their church status, only a high-ranking Treasury official can initiate an investigation into these alleged activities.
What troubles me most is that the Family Research Council and the Alliance Defending Freedom are responsible for crafting the policies behind abortion bans, restrictions on birth control, music, online media, and adult entertainment. While claiming to be Christian-like in their pursuits, they appear to lack compassion, transparency, and honesty. For instance, they create, and pressure elected officials to enact legislation against strippers—a marginalized group—under the guise of combating human trafficking. They assert that sex trafficking is rampant in strip clubs and that all women working in clubs are victims of force, fraud, or coercion. But when the laws pass, women are arrested, suddenly out-of-work, or unable to pay their bills because the economic rug has been ripped out from underneath them. Groups like the Family Policy Council are ready to ban behavior they deem reprehensible but never seem to craft or support legislation that offers dancers job-growth or educational opportunities.
Additionally, when I analyze the government’s own data, it reveals that sex trafficking in strip clubs accounts for less than 1% of the U.S. problem. Moreover, clubs nationwide display anti-human trafficking posters, conduct mandatory age verification, and collaborate with law enforcement to provide anti-human trafficking training.
Despite this evidence, it is disregarded in favor of spiritual condescension, unyielding dogma, and a long-term agenda outlined in their playbook called Project Blitz, which aims to establish a country governed under a biblical theocracy. This is the opposite of love and compassion. They believe that by first attacking strip clubs and strippers, they will face minimal opposition–and they’re correct! However, their goal is to systematically target and suppress women, freedom of expression and speech (outside of their subjective fire-and-brimstone beliefs) the LGBTQ+ community, and other groups. One of the most disturbing findings is that groups like these have their roots in white supremacy.
I’m trying to resolve this by first getting the word out. The FRC and its sister Family Policy Councils are extremely well-organized and receive millions of dollars in annual funding. They have every right to their freedom of speech and expression–but perhaps not their tax-exempt status as a church that doesn’t have to pay taxes, if they play politics.
Ultimately, in this ring, I am David against Goliath. One of the aha moments brought to my attention is that fighting against well-connected and influential extremists is not a winning strategy. But–the adult entertainment industry has untapped power. Millions of people spend money at clubs, novelty stores, at male stripper shows, online, and on lingerie or risque music…but the industry hasn’t harnessed or realized the level of their potential power. The adult industry collects millions of voluntary emails and contact information, yet they are not well-organized. Rather than lamenting the alleged corruption of doctrine dominionists, my focus is a rising campaign: “You Can’t Dance, but you can VOTE!” Stay tuned…unless of course, that right is suddenly taken from you too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bacrisp.com
- Instagram: @bacrispwrites
- Facebook: BA Crisp, Author
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-a-crisp-434a119/
- Twitter: @BACrispWrites
Image Credits
BA Crisp
