Meet Erin Johnell Dickey

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin Johnell Dickey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin Johnell below.

Erin Johnell , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My deep passion for life and its endless possibilities is what makes me resilent. Every challenge I’ve faced has only ignited a greater desire to rise, to try again, and to keep pushing forward. I’ve endured setbacks that could have broken me,but instead, they built me. That’s why I proudly call myself the bounce-back princess.

Some of my dreams have been delayed, but never denied. And through it all, I’ve learned that as long as we’re alive, we have the power to reinvent ourselves, rise from any fall, and conquer anything that stands in our way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Erin Johnell Dickey. I’m an educator by day and an independent filmmaker by evening and weekends. I proudly call myself a Dream Catalyst because I believe in turning visions into reality. My mantra is simple: “You only live once, so make the best out of each day.”

As a true Sagittarius, I embrace life with enthusiasm. I’m outgoing, adventurous, and fearless when it comes to trying new things. If a dream feels even remotely possible, I will chase it until it becomes real.

I spend my days inspiring young people in the classroom, and my evenings and weekends collaborating with an incredible circle of creatives on film projects. Rest days are rare, but when you’re chasing big dreams, there’s little room for pause. Writing and filmmaking bring me joy, and I see both as powerful forms of art. There’s something magical about watching a script I wrote come to life on screen.

I’ve also written two books: Girl Talk 101: The Course You Didn’t Get in College and Girl Talk: The Daughters’ Edition, both available on Amazon.

Currently, I’m the creator and writer and I star in The 4.4 Series, a heartfelt narrative available now on the Follow Your Passions Productions YouTube channel. I am also the creator of PHS a story of teachers and students navigating the ordeals of inner city school life. PHS can be seen on my page EJDPPOPMEDIA on YouTube.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been especially impactful on my journey are belief in self, resilience, and a commitment to learning through research. As an independent filmmaker, I’m proud to say I’m self-taught. But I like to think of my background acting experience as my personal film school. Every time I’ve had the opportunity to work on a major network production, I’ve treated it like a masterclass, observing everything from the showrunners and directors to the camera operators, script supervisors, production assistants, and even hair and wardrobe teams. I’ve taken mental (and literal) notes, soaking in the process from every angle.

I believe that writing a script, or doing anything meaningful, starts with believing in yourself and trusting that your story matters. Confidence and resilience go hand in hand. Setbacks are inevitable, but the ability to bounce back and keep going is what makes the difference.

My advice to anyone chasing a dream? Jump. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Take the first stair, you don’t have to see the whole staircase.” We live in a time full of resources, YouTube can teach you almost anything, and now we have AI that can practically hand you a blueprint. There’s no excuse not to pursue your passions. Don’t sit on your gifts. Use them! And don’t be afraid to be the main character in your life, you only get one life here on earth. Make it count and dream big!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m actively looking to partner with fellow creatives, especially production crew members. I have so many stories I’m ready to bring to life, but as any indie filmmaker knows, it takes both passion and resources to make it happen.

If you’re skilled behind the camera and looking to collaborate, I’d love to connect. I have scripts ready to go, just waiting for the right hands to help bring them to the screen. While I already work with an incredible production team on other projects, they’re stretched thin, so I’m always open to expanding my creative network.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Asha Helaire & Marcus Slayton

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