Our Story

Why We Exist

“Our communities face complex interconnected challenges that can make us feel hopeless, overwhelmed, frustrated, and saddened; oftentimes resulting in inaction while opportunities exist to take action to address them. A catalyst is needed to spur action from within; one that stirs our soul… and that is what Soulstir provides.”

— Mike Brown, Founder and CEO of Soulstir

Our Mission

Soulstir is a social enterprise that exists to enrich lives as a premier creator of experiences that inspire empowerment and action.

Our Strategy

We harness the power of personal transformation and collaboration to enact positive social change through the experiences we create, strategic partnerships, and initiatives focused on sustainable and scalable social impact.

What We Believe

Everyone can make a difference
We believe everyone, independent of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or socio-economic status, can take action to affect positive change and make a difference in our communities.

There is power in our thoughts
We believe soul-stirring experiences directly connect with a person’s heart and mind and cause a shift in their thoughts. Those thoughts then energize, influence, and promote the self-actualization that a person can and should take action to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

Teamwork makes the dream work
We believe large-scale social impact and problem solving require global reach, local relevance, and a collaborative approach — and strategic partnerships are critical.

Our Origin Story

Soulstir is the social entrepreneurial manifestation of the energy, passion, and spirit of its Founder and CEO, Mike Brown. It was born out of a personal journey of discovery during 2020, in which he asked himself:

  • What am I doing to make a difference in the world?

  • What more can I do?

  • What are my gifts?

  • What’s my purpose?

  • What are my passions?

  • How am I putting my gifts from God to use right now?

  • What are my priorities?

  • What am I focused on?

The deeper within himself he went to discern answers to those questions, the more things were revealed. Ultimately, he discovered there was so much more within himself to offer that would enrich the lives of others — and there were many things destined to be done, and he was born to do them.

He began taking action on what was in his heart and mind. Those actions — and a series of events — led to the creation of Soulstir. That full journey is outlined below.

The Soulstir Journey

February 2020
Mike decides to take action to reignite a single book project he originally began in 2009 to document the stories of the 57+ people who have served as Notre Dame’s Leprechaun mascot.
Mike is interviewed by Jetaun Davis for her Journey to Jupiter podcast.

March 2020
Inspired by his reflective Journey to Jupiter interview, Mike begins recording weekly Reflections and Encouragement messages.
A global health pandemic ensues.

April 2020
“Survive and Advance” becomes the theme Mike and his wife use to address the multi-faceted day-to-day challenges of navigating life during a global health pandemic.

May 2020
Mike applies for a management role and doesn’t get it, but proclaims it to be “Open Door Season” in his life and proceeds with a mindset that God closed that door in order to make room for another one.
Mike coordinates a joyous virtual talent show and graduation celebration with his maternal family — on the same day George Floyd is murdered.

June 2020
Mike delivers a moving statement to the University Relations leadership team on behalf of Black employees within the Division regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
He shares publicly about his relationship with his father during a Reflections and Encouragement message on Father’s Day.
Mike and his wife team up with Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Muffet McGraw for a neighborhood food drive and collect 350 lbs of food for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.

July 2020
Mike decides to train to run his first half marathon — scheduled for October 11, 2021.

September 2020
Mike joins the ND University Relations Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Unity Task Force and serves as Chair of the Communications and Impact Committee.
Inspired by his late maternal grandmother Alva Jean Luster-Brown's favorite song “Walk With Me,” Mike creates a virtual walk/run event to honor those who’ve walked with him through life.
Mike’s late paternal grandmother, Jeannetta Simpson-Robinson, is honored on her birthday, September 17, by the State of Wisconsin with a memorial highway.
During a training run two days later, the idea for a children’s book honoring the memory of Mike’s late cousin, Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson (Little Netta), is born — along with an idea to resurrect a program his grandmother started: Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Toys for the Children That Santa Forgot but God Remembered Through Your Gifts of Love.

October 2020
Mike runs his first-ever half marathon.

December 2020
Mike completes 53½ interviews for the Leprechaun book project and submits a draft manuscript to a potential publisher.
He writes nine chapters of a self-help book.
After consultation with his writing and publishing mentor Jim Langford, Mike reconnects with ND cheer teammate Cara Krenn.
Over an 11-day span, Mike writes the first two books in the Little Netta children’s series, and he and Cara co-author three Notre Dame-themed children’s books.
With nearly 60 book ideas in the pipeline, Mike decides to start an independent publishing company.

January 2021
The name Soulstir is revealed to Mike at 5:30 a.m. on January 12.

March 2021
Soulstir LLC is officially established.

April 2021
Reflections and Encouragement with Mike Brown is produced and launched as a podcast.

July 2021
Public announcement of Soulstir (company), Little Netta’s Gift (book), and Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love (program).

August 2021
Preorders begin for Little Netta’s Gift.

September 2021
Partnership announced with Elder Charles Walton and United Way of Greater Milwaukee for the Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love program.