Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kate Milligan of Detroit

We recently had the chance to connect with Kate Milligan and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Who are you learning from right now?
I’m learning from myself, my story, and my mama — who passed away from cancer nearly three years ago.
I’m learning from myself through the layers of who I was created to be. Every day, I’m still becoming the person I was created to be, and as I peel back the layers, I discover more about the woman I truly am — my strengths, my weaknesses, my dreams, the places that still need healing, and the power that I hold within me to change the world. I’m learning to give myself grace in the becoming, to trust the process, and to honor the person I was yesterday while reaching for who I’m meant to be tomorrow.

I’m learning from my story — the whole of it. From the moments of joy and celebration to the seasons of pain and heartbreak, from the victories that made me stand taller to the challenges that have nearly broken me. Every chapter has shaped me, every experience has left a mark, and I’m realizing that even the hardest parts hold lessons that I carry forward. My story reminds me of my strength, my resilience, and my capacity to keep moving forward no matter what.

And I’m learning from my mama. Though she’s no longer here, she is still one of my greatest teachers. I continue to learn from her grace, her resilience, the way she loved people so deeply, and the joy she carried even in the face of life’s storms. I hear her voice when I need wisdom and I feel her presence when I need courage. Her life and her story still guide me, shaping the woman I am and the woman I’m becoming.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kate Milligan — an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, speaker, and storyteller, and the founder of 1 Girl Revolution, a multimedia nonprofit organization that amplifies the voices and stories of everyday women and girls who are changing the world in their own unique ways.
Through our podcast, documentary films, live events, and creative media, 1 Girl Revolution shares powerful stories that inspire, connect, and challenge the way we think about what it means to make a difference. We believe that every woman and girl has a story and a purpose — and that even the smallest acts of courage, kindness, and love can spark a revolution.

What makes 1 Girl Revolution unique is that it’s not about celebrity or status — it’s about real women and girls, from all walks of life, whose everyday actions are making a lasting impact in their communities and beyond. We use storytelling to build bridges, ignite hope, and remind people of the good in the world.

Right now, we’re working on expanding our reach, producing new podcast episodes every week, hosting live events and workshops, and developing documentary projects that will bring these powerful stories to life on an even bigger scale. My mission is for these stories to not just inspire people — but to empower them to see their own story as part of something bigger.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me anything about myself, I was simply Kate — well, Katie Bryan, to be exact — a little girl with a big imagination, lots of opinions, an open heart, a desire to help others, and a deep sense of wonder about the world. I believe we are all born with a unique mission — something only we can bring into the world — as unique as our fingerprints. When we’re young, before the weight of trauma, expectations, and challenges, we live closer to the mission we were created for. But as we grow older, life hands us trials and hardships that can pull us away from who we were created to be and the mission that’s ours alone.
That little girl I once was didn’t question her worth, her voice, or her place in the world. She didn’t measure herself against anyone else. She was just herself — pure, curious, and alive. But over time, life piles on labels, wounds, traumas, and pressures that can make us forget who we were created to be.

I’ve learned that part of my journey — and the journey for all of us — is to return to her. To remember the little girl, “The Girl Inside”, who lived without fear, followed her curiosity, and knew she was enough just as she was. Because in remembering her, I remember the truth of who I am — and the mission I was born to live out.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I think I truly stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power when I realized that my greatest struggles had also given me my greatest strengths. I have Job Syndrome — a rare immune deficiency — and for much of my life, I suffered from terrible eczema and other health issues. As a kid and even into adulthood, those challenges caused a lot of pain and hardship, but they also drove me to become the resilient, strong, and empowered woman I am today.

Over time, I began to see that Job Syndrome had actually become my superpower. It made me stronger. It made me more resilient. It gave me deep empathy and understanding for others who carry unseen battles. It shaped the way I see the world, the way I connect with people, and the way I use my voice.

Now, instead of hiding my story, I share it — because I know the very things I once saw as weaknesses are what have made me who I am. And I believe that when we stop hiding our pain, we can turn it into power — not just for ourselves, but to inspire and empower others to do the same.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The person I admire most for their character is my mama, Mary Cullen Bryan. She passed away after a short but fierce battle with cancer, but she lived and died with unmatched grace, strength, and courage. My mom was a true force — a woman who loved deeply, stood firmly in her values, and cared for people in a way that made everyone feel seen and important.

Her life wasn’t about power, position, or recognition. It was about character — about showing up for people, loving unconditionally, and living with joy and integrity no matter the circumstances. Even in her final days, she faced the reality of death with the same fierceness and faith that she brought to life, teaching me that true strength is found in how we love, how we endure, and how we remain ourselves even in the hardest moments.

Her example continues to shape who I am and how I live. She taught me that a life well-lived is one rooted in love, resilience, and authenticity — and that will always matter more than any title or position.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
I hope nothing. I strive to live my life in a way that leaves no room for regrets. That doesn’t mean I get everything right — I don’t — but it does mean I try to be intentional, to say yes when my heart says yes, to take the risks that matter, and to tell the people I love how much they mean to me.

Life is short, and I’ve learned — especially through loss — that we’re not promised tomorrow. So I try to live fully, love deeply, and follow the mission I believe I was created for. My hope is that when I get to the end of my life, I can look back and know I poured it all out, left nothing unsaid, and lived without holding back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.1GirlRevolution.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/1girlrevo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1girlrevo/
• Twitter: https://x.com/1girlrevo
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/1girlrevo
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/1girlrevolution

Image Credits
Kate Milligan