1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: On this week's episode of Cultivating her Space. 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 2: I want the confidence of a dope black woman who 3 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 2: is of age, who has been through Helen back and 4 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:13,600 Speaker 2: has now found heaven on Earth. 5 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 3: I want her confidence. 6 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 4: Hey lady, have you ever felt like the world just 7 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 4: doesn't get you? 8 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 3: Well, we do. 9 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to Cultivating her Space, the podcast dedicated to uplifting 10 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: and empowering women like you. 11 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 4: We're your hosts, doctor Dominique Brussard and educator and psychologists. 12 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: And Terry Lomax, a techie and transformational speaker. 13 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 4: Join us every week for authentic conversations about everything from 14 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 4: fibroids to fake friends. As we create space for black 15 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 4: women to just be. 16 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 1: Before we dive in, make sure you hit that follow 17 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: button and leave us a quick five star review. Lady, 18 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: we are black founded and black owned, and your support 19 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: will help us reach even more women like you. 20 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 4: Now, let's get into this week's episode of Cultivating her Space. 21 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next steps, 22 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: this is for you. Hey, lady, is Tea here and 23 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: I just want to invite you to my free goal 24 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: map like a pro coaching workshop, where I'll share the 25 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 1: five proven steps to get unstuck and achieve your goals. 26 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by all your ideas, juggling scattered ideas, 27 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: or maybe you just need confidence to start, this workshop 28 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 1: will give you the clarity, tools and the motivation to 29 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: take back control. Reserve your spot for free by visiting 30 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:46,759 Speaker 1: her spacepodcast dot com and clicking on the goal map 31 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: like a pro webinar link. Lady, don't miss this chance 32 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: to build a roadmap that fits your life and set 33 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: you up for success. I hope to see you there, lady. 34 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: Today's episode is dedicated to everyone whose name was never 35 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: on a keychain and yet still shines like one of one. Okay, 36 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 1: we are joined by a literary force who has mastered 37 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: the art of turning truth into transformation. Lovey At Jaihie 38 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: Jones is a four time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, 39 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:21,399 Speaker 1: and book coach who thrives at the intersection of culture, business, 40 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: and leadership. She's CEO and Chief Creative Officer of All 41 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,640 Speaker 1: Love Media and the founder of the Book Academy. She 42 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: has written five critically acclaimed best selling books, including her 43 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: banner book, Professional trouble Maker, The Fear Fighter manual in 44 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: her Little Troublemaker children's book series. Lovey is an internationally 45 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 1: recognized speaker whose thought leadership on culture, authenticity, and disruption 46 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: enables transformative action. Her renowned TED talk Get Comfortable with 47 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 1: Being Uncomfortable has over ten million views. It's also been 48 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: transcribed into twenty three languages, y'all, and it's placed her 49 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 1: in the top one percent of TED talks of all time. Okay, 50 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:11,080 Speaker 1: the University of Illinois alum is a true force in 51 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: the world, and her work has been featured in such 52 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:19,919 Speaker 1: outlets as Fortune, Forbes, Ink, Fast Company, The Chicago Tribune, Variety, 53 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:24,519 Speaker 1: and many many more. Lovey, welcome to cultivating her space. 54 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 3: Thank you for having me. 55 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: You're so welcome. 56 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 4: We can't wait to dive into this conversation. And so 57 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 4: our quote of the day, Lovey, Our quote will sound 58 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 4: very familiar to you because these are your words. 59 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 3: I mean, you're. 60 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 4: Literary genius. How could we not find some of your 61 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 4: words to quote? 62 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 3: All right? 63 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 4: Our quote of the day. I have the confidence of 64 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 4: a black woman who wins in spite of everything thrown 65 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 4: at her. That confidence is grounding. I'm gonna say it 66 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 4: one more time for the folks in the back to make. 67 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 3: Sure you heard it. 68 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 4: I have the confidence of a black woman who wins 69 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 4: in spite of everything thrown at her. That confidence is grounding. 70 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 3: All right, love you. 71 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 4: Now, we know that today we are talking about your 72 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 4: latest children's book. But this quote felt so appropriate for 73 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 4: understanding this conversation. And so when you hear your words 74 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 4: reflected back to you, give us some context behind this quote. 75 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 2: So yeah, no, it's actually crazy to see my words 76 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 2: use it when people quote me publicly. Is still kind 77 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: of weird, but it's it's because I'm like, man, no, 78 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: like I actually meant it. So this quote is important 79 00:04:58,000 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 2: to me because you see all the times when you 80 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 2: we're like you should have the confidence. 81 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 3: Of mediocre white man. No, why would I want to have. 82 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 2: The confidence of a mediocre white man that's so flavorless 83 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 2: and terrible, like unseasoned, Like I want everybody knows an 84 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,720 Speaker 2: older black woman who you can't tell nothing, you can't 85 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 2: check her for nothing. I want her confidence like a 86 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 2: woman whose life has been a testament, has been proof 87 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 2: of God's glory, has been just like how she's climbed 88 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 2: and conquered mountains that we're supposed to have taken her out. 89 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:37,360 Speaker 2: I want that confidence, not the milt toast fake stuff 90 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 2: that white men do. So that's I'm always like, I 91 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 2: want us to stop saying we want the confidence of 92 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 2: a white dude, Like why why would we want the 93 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 2: confidence of a white dude? Because it's also grifty. Confidence 94 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 2: is cheating people. Confidence, It is confidence that comes with 95 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 2: lineages of cruelty, right, So yeah, I don't want that confidence. 96 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 2: So yeah, I want the confidence of a dope black 97 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 2: woman who is of age, who has been through Helen 98 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 2: back and has now found heaven on Earth. 99 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 3: I want her confidence. 100 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, oh too, Mike Drop. So you just we didn't 101 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 1: know that you preached on Tuesdays, but it's nice. It's 102 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: nice to know that you do, so Lovey. What we 103 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: want to do first is we want to know your 104 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 1: origin story. How did you become the Levey that sits 105 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 1: before us today? 106 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, I mean, the journey to today has 107 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 2: been long and winding. I feel like I've lived nine 108 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 2: different lives and I just turned forty in January. Like, 109 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 2: you know, I started blogging when I was in college. 110 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 2: That was two thousand and three, so twenty two years 111 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: ago I started my first blog. And unlike the other 112 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 2: people who peer pressured me and starting my blog. 113 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 3: I never stopped. 114 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 2: And when I graduated from college and I started my 115 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 2: career as a marketing coordinator in a nonprofit, I would 116 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:58,600 Speaker 2: work from nine to five, and I come home and 117 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 2: write what I felt like. And some days it was 118 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 2: around what I watched on TV. Some days it was 119 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 2: around friendship, breakup. Someday it might have been about politics. 120 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 2: Some days it was about social justice, some day shenanigans. 121 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 2: It was just this blog that embodied the multitudes of 122 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 2: who I was. 123 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 5: Like. 124 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 2: I was never in a niche. I was never a 125 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 2: fashion blogger. I was never a gossip bloger. I was 126 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: never a TV blogger or a business blogger. I was everything. 127 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 2: Like I allowed my blog to really represent all the 128 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 2: things I was interested in, and. 129 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 3: The blog kept on getting more and more attention. 130 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 2: I got laid off my job April twenty ten, fifteen 131 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 2: years ago, and what initially shocked my system was really 132 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 2: God making me take the leap of faith. I wasn't 133 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 2: going to take myself, because really writing is where my 134 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 2: purpose was. Using my words to move hearts and minds 135 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 2: was where my real purpose was, Like making people laugh. 136 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 2: You know, one day they would be laughing at a 137 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 2: blog post on why yellow starbursts are the worst, and 138 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 2: then the day after that they'll see a post called 139 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 2: the stages of what happens when there's injustice against Black people. 140 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 2: So it was like people will find me with one 141 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 2: thing and then go deep into the world of Levy 142 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 2: and fall in love and be like, oh my gosh, 143 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 2: I came for your scandal recaps and then I ended 144 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 2: up reading your social justice pieces and they touched my 145 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 2: spirit right, So it was like I would use humor 146 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 2: to get people's defenses down, and then why their defenses 147 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 2: was down, talk about some real stuff, and no matter 148 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 2: how unsure I was about blogging, because at that point, 149 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 2: blogging was not a real career for people even writing, 150 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 2: because I remember even then, I had a hard time 151 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 2: calling myself a writer. 152 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 3: Because I was like, a writer is Tony Morrison? 153 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 4: Right? 154 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 3: And how dare I? 155 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 2: How can I ever compare myself to Tony Morrison? She 156 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,560 Speaker 2: uses the same title. I can't use that. So for 157 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: a long time I even fought the writer title of 158 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 2: it all because I just didn't think I qualified. 159 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 3: I didn't think the type. 160 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 2: Of work that I was doing was valid enough to 161 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 2: use that title. But even if I was afraid of 162 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:11,439 Speaker 2: the title, I still did the work. So in spite 163 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 2: of whatever my thoughts were hang ups around the title, 164 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 2: I was still writing most days, and my blog just 165 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 2: kept on getting bigger and bigger, and the Scandal recaps 166 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 2: really did pop off too, Like people would watch Scandal 167 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 2: Thursday nights, Friday mornings that was parked on my blog 168 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 2: trying to find out what I said about Scandal, and 169 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 2: those recaps got so prominent that I found out the 170 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 2: cast of Scandal used to be reading my recaps while 171 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,439 Speaker 2: they were on set. Shonda Rhymes started paying attention, like 172 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 2: starting following me on Twitter. 173 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was crazy, like. 174 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 2: They literally were like we're on People would message me 175 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:47,839 Speaker 2: and be like, just so you know, I work on 176 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 2: the set of Scandal. They're sitting on set reading your 177 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 2: recaps right now the last episode. And that was wild 178 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 2: and that's how Shonda Rhymes got to know who I was. 179 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:59,439 Speaker 2: But yeah, twenty fourteen, which is two years after Scandal started, 180 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 2: I got an email from a book agent who was like, 181 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 2: I read your blog. 182 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 3: There's books here. 183 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 2: And I was like, I know signed with him. That 184 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 2: was October twenty fourteen. I wrote my book proposal. I 185 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 2: think I finished it January twenty fifteen. We started sending 186 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 2: it out February. I got my first book deal March, 187 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 2: so it was like less than six months after he 188 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 2: sent me that message, I had a book deal. Even 189 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 2: though the book was the proposal was rejected by eleven 190 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 2: editors because they all thought it was too risky. So 191 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 2: when I finally when the one editor said yes, I say, all, 192 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: I bet I know. My goal here is to make 193 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 2: the other It's to make the people realize they made 194 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 2: a mistake when they said no to me. 195 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 3: And I took that book. 196 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 2: I'm judging you to do better, man you, and I 197 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 2: put it on my back and I was like, I 198 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 2: want this book to kill so that other people who 199 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 2: look like me can be taken seriously when they walk 200 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 2: into an agency, so they don't have to wonder, you know, 201 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: whether their work is their work matters. And honestly that 202 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 2: was my driving force because I was like, bet, y'all 203 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 2: don't think we okay? 204 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 3: Cool? 205 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 2: So then I put I pushed it in with everything 206 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:10,199 Speaker 2: I had and instantly hit the times. Just when it 207 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 2: came out September twenty sixteen, that book has sold over 208 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 2: one hundred thousand copies. That book changed publishing in a 209 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 2: major way because editors started telling me that, like, your 210 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 2: book is in everybody's book proposal now as a comparative title. 211 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 2: Like I know people got seven figure checks off the 212 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 2: back of my book, and. 213 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 3: I'm like, that's what I wanted it to do, right. 214 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 2: So and then twenty seventeen, I got invited to do 215 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 2: a TED talk, a TED official talk. I said no 216 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 2: a few times because I was afraid of it bombing, 217 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 2: and then I did this talk that really was was 218 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 2: about us not making decisions based on fear. It was 219 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 2: the talk that I used that talk to drag myself basically, and. 220 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 3: It hit like a month after it. 221 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:55,839 Speaker 2: Went live, it had a million views, And that talk 222 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:57,320 Speaker 2: changed my life in a different way. 223 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 3: So my career has been. 224 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 2: Simply small steps of me saying yes to even if 225 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,480 Speaker 2: I didn't know the plan, and then. 226 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 3: Other doors opening as a result. 227 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 2: Then here I am twenty two years into this writing career. 228 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 3: My fifth book, Little Troubmaker Defense Her Name, is about 229 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 3: to come out, and I am now also helping other 230 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 3: people become successful authors. But the path has been a journey, 231 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 3: but it's been a good one. 232 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 4: Wow, wow, Yeah, such an amazing journey. 233 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, what is. 234 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 4: Something as you were recounting your journey, what's something that 235 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 4: stands out that that surprises you when you as you're 236 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:57,559 Speaker 4: reflecting back. 237 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 3: Something that surprises me? Oh my gosh. 238 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 2: Honestly, all the many moments where I had no idea 239 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 2: what was coming from my yes, that's probably my biggest surprise. 240 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 3: There were so many times when I. 241 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 2: Didn't know what was next, Like I didn't have a 242 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 2: grand plan of like I'm gonna do this thing and 243 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 2: this thing. 244 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 3: What happened from me then this other thing. 245 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 4: No. 246 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 3: I tell people like you know sometimes we want to write. 247 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 2: Five year plans and you're like, then I'm gonna do this. 248 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 2: I'm gonna strategize my life. I didn't strategize none of this. 249 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 2: I literally just took. I went step by step. If 250 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,560 Speaker 2: something felt compelling, I would say all right, I'm gonna 251 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:45,559 Speaker 2: try it. If something did not feel compelling, I'll say nah. 252 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:49,360 Speaker 2: But like my career, I was always surprised by what 253 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 2: came from my yeses. So it was like me saying 254 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 2: yes to that Ted talk led to me getting and 255 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 2: it's still my best lead magnet ever for speaking, I 256 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 2: still get notes about that tech talk every day. 257 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 3: I still have somebody mentioning it to me. 258 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, I discovered you through your ted talk 259 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 2: and it changed my life. 260 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 3: You know. 261 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 2: So that shocked me because I never thought, you know, 262 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 2: that teed talk was gonna be that. 263 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,559 Speaker 3: I was like, okay, cool, I guess I'm gonna do 264 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 3: this teed talk. 265 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 2: I was never expecting ten million views is crazy, like crazy. 266 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 2: And then the other thing is, and what's funny that 267 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 2: te talk ended up leading to really my book, because 268 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 2: Professional Troublemaker is my second book, and it's actually my 269 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 2: banner book. So a banner book is an author's book 270 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 2: that is their signature, right, So Professional Troublemaker of Fear 271 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 2: Fight Emmanual is my has become my banner book. And 272 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 2: when it was time to even name that book, and 273 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 2: I say, you know what, I'm gonna name this Professional Troublemaker, 274 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 2: what I did not realize was that those were the 275 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 2: first words I said in my ted Talk. 276 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 3: I'd actually forgotten that I had. 277 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 2: Said that, Like in my Ted Talk, I'm like, my 278 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 2: name's love you, Jay Jones, and I'm pfessional Troublemaker. I 279 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 2: did not recognize that until I named the book already 280 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 2: because I don't watch my own tech. 281 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 3: Talk, Like when it first came out, I watched it 282 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:10,440 Speaker 3: to make. 283 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,800 Speaker 2: Sure I look good and sounded okay, but I don't 284 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 2: will watch my own tet talk. So I had completely 285 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 2: forgotten that that's actually how I started that teed talk. 286 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 2: So it was like past me had left a crumb 287 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:24,640 Speaker 2: for me to use and hold on to, and. 288 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 3: That in itself was surprised. 289 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 2: And I was like, and that's happened multiple times in 290 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 2: my career where I will say something or do something 291 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 2: and then I'll in a random, different moment, I'll be 292 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 2: looking at something and I go, oh, I already said 293 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 2: this six years ago. Oh, I already kind of set 294 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 2: the path. That always surprises me anytime it happens. But 295 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 2: it's it's so funny. It's like proof that our steps 296 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 2: are divinely ordered, that we nothing is by accident, right 297 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 2: like our time is never wasted. So I find that 298 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 2: all the time around my journey, and I'll be like, whoa, 299 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 2: I'll see a picture and I'll be like, oh my. 300 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 1: Gosh, look at this thing. So yeah, that is so powerful. 301 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: I got goosebumps. So you said that, Oh my goodness. Okay, 302 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: So first off, the book is amazing and I lie 303 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: to you not lovely. These are the best illustrations I've 304 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: ever seen in a book. 305 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 3: Really is it? Joey? 306 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: Is that his name? 307 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 3: Joey Joey's Fioto my illustrator. 308 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: Listen, those illustrations are so on point. I love this 309 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: special shout out to Joe lof Rice in the book. 310 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 1: I said, you better go ahead, you better represent And 311 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 1: then the final touch at the end with the key chain, 312 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: I was like, it's so precious, so beautifully done. Amazing job. 313 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: So your book, Little Troublemaker Defends her Name, is dedicated 314 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:39,680 Speaker 1: to those right whose names are rarely on keychains. Can 315 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:42,200 Speaker 1: you share with us the earliest memory you have of 316 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: realizing that your name was powerful, even before others knew 317 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: how to honor it fully. 318 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, when I was nine. 319 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 2: So I was born and raised in Nigeria, and we 320 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 2: moved to the United States when I was nine years old, 321 00:16:56,400 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 2: almost ten, and we moved to Chicago and like fall, 322 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:06,159 Speaker 2: so it was like cold. So I come from Nigeria 323 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 2: where everybody looks like me, everybody sounds like me. 324 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:09,320 Speaker 3: My name is not strange. 325 00:17:09,320 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 2: It actually is very common over there, and I stepped 326 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:16,919 Speaker 2: into this classroom and I just instinctively knew that my 327 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:20,440 Speaker 2: name was too different for that room. I wasn't ashamed 328 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 2: of my name at all. It was actually the contrary. 329 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 2: I felt like my name was too special for them 330 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 2: to have it. So nine year old me immediately when 331 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 2: they were like introduce yourself, I did like a two 332 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 2: second thing in my head and I was like, yep, no, 333 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,399 Speaker 2: they can't have it. And I changed my name on 334 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,880 Speaker 2: the spot because my first name is ethel Lua, which 335 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 2: means God's Love. And I immediately was like, they're not 336 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 2: gonna know what These kids are not gonna know what 337 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 2: that name is. I don't got time for this. So 338 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 2: I was like, my name is Levette, which is what 339 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 2: my uncle calls me as a nickname. So I said, 340 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 2: they can do that one. I know they can do 341 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 2: that one. I'm going to introduce myself as that. And 342 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 2: that's actually probably the first time that I made a 343 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:01,480 Speaker 2: decision and a clear, conscious decision about my name. But 344 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:04,199 Speaker 2: it wasn't grounded in any type of shame. It was 345 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,479 Speaker 2: actually the contrary. It was me trying to protect this 346 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:11,200 Speaker 2: thing that I felt was sacred, and you know, it 347 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 2: was it's such a big part of me that I 348 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 2: was like, I can't have them have access to that 349 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 2: part of me because I'd go home. You know, I 350 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 2: still bring jall rights to school. So it wasn't like 351 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 2: I was trying to not be a Nigerian girl. I 352 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 2: was just like, em, I can't trust y'all with how 353 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:29,160 Speaker 2: you about to butcher this, so let me just let's 354 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,640 Speaker 2: not even let's not even play that game. So yeah, 355 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 2: I believe that's probably the first time that I made 356 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 2: that decision and kind of had to deal with the 357 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:40,360 Speaker 2: consequence of being different like that. 358 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 4: I love that at nine you like listen to your intuition, 359 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 4: Like even if you weren't sure exactly where it was 360 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 4: coming from, you listen to your intuition. And I also 361 00:18:56,480 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 4: appreciate you saying that your name is sacred and that 362 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 4: everybody doesn't get access, everybody doesn't deserve access. Yeah, And 363 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 4: so like when when you think back to nine year 364 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 4: old loving, is there anything that you wish someone would 365 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:24,439 Speaker 4: have told you or did for you in terms of 366 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:26,879 Speaker 4: protecting your name? Like you did a good job of 367 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 4: protecting yourself, but is there something that you wish someone 368 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 4: would someone else would have said or did to protect 369 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 4: your name. 370 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:42,200 Speaker 3: M So that's a great question. 371 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 2: You know what's interesting is we talk about doing inner 372 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 2: child work, like we get older and older and you 373 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,280 Speaker 2: realize that the work you actually need to do is 374 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 2: to reparent your younger self and be the adult that 375 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:57,120 Speaker 2: the younger self needed. And honestly, I would say that 376 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 2: that's why I write my Little Troubmaker Yez, is to 377 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 2: reparent that little Lovey. And that's why I actually chose 378 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:07,119 Speaker 2: to make sure her name was Little Lovey because the 379 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 2: things that are said to her in the books that 380 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 2: I write about her or for her are things that 381 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,159 Speaker 2: I wish I would have heard, Like your name is 382 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:18,239 Speaker 2: worth defending is the number one mission and message of 383 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 2: Little troub Maker defends her name, Like that is something 384 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 2: that I want to drum into the ears of kids, 385 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 2: Like I don't care what your name is. 386 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 3: It is worth defending. 387 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,919 Speaker 2: It is worth standing up for, It is worth pronouncing correctly, 388 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,880 Speaker 2: It is worth speaking up for. That is something that 389 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 2: I don't think I was ever told, right, I knew it, 390 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 2: like in the back of my head, you know, but 391 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 2: I was never explicitly told that. 392 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 3: Because every first day of school. 393 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 2: And I would go and introduce myself to all my 394 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 2: teachers because A Ji, I'm first on the roster usually, 395 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 2: and it was because I immediately knew the moment they 396 00:20:57,119 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 2: saw my name, they would add burden to it where 397 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:00,720 Speaker 2: there might not be any. 398 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 3: So literally, I would show. 399 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 2: Up at school thirty minutes early every first day of school, 400 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 2: and I would go to every classroom and introduce myself 401 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 2: to their teachers and be like, I'm number one on 402 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 2: the roster. 403 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 3: Here's how you say my name. 404 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 2: And yet and still when it was time for roll call, 405 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:19,199 Speaker 2: they would look at my name and be like, oh, 406 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 2: that one's hard. 407 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 3: I just came and saw you like, and anytime we 408 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 3: had a substitute teacher. 409 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 2: I would have to do it again and I'd be like, 410 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 2: here we go. So that's something that I think more 411 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 2: kids need to hear. I just did the first ever 412 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:37,200 Speaker 2: book reading for this book at TIAA the other day, 413 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 2: and I read the book for the kids. And then 414 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 2: when it was time for Q and A, my rule was, 415 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 2: before you answer, before you ask me a question, I 416 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 2: want you to say your name loud and proud, and 417 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:51,440 Speaker 2: then you asked me the question. And the times when 418 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,439 Speaker 2: they were being quiet, I'd be like, no, say it louder, 419 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:55,959 Speaker 2: and also I would repeat it to them to make 420 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 2: sure that they know that I'm trying to get their 421 00:21:58,600 --> 00:21:59,120 Speaker 2: name right. 422 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 3: So I end up I think I end up getting 423 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:06,439 Speaker 3: twenty questions and I make sure each kid I asked them. 424 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:08,879 Speaker 2: What their name was, and I'm like, okay, cool like 425 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 2: this and they're like yeah, and I'm like awesome, So 426 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:14,359 Speaker 2: what's your question? That doesn't happen often a lot of 427 00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:16,399 Speaker 2: those kids are used to kids in general. If your 428 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 2: name is not Michael Joseph James, John Amy and Mary 429 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 2: Odds are, you had to deal with moments where somebody 430 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 2: felt like your name was too heavy right, where they 431 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 2: didn't feel like it was worth the effort. 432 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 3: And I think after a lifetime of that does something 433 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:34,640 Speaker 3: to you. A lifetime of that kind of hurts your 434 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 3: feelings because you're like, dang. And there are some people 435 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 3: now who were grown who were like, yeah, I go 436 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:43,919 Speaker 3: by because I just figured like that would just be 437 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 3: easier for them. 438 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:47,400 Speaker 2: It's not a I go by this because I want 439 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:49,720 Speaker 2: to protect me. It's I go by that because it'll 440 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 2: be easier for them. And I'm like, dang, imagine if 441 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 2: when we were little, somebody actually said no, no, no. If 442 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 2: you feel like change your name because you want to 443 00:22:57,840 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 2: protect it, that's one thing. If you change your name 444 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 2: only because you think it's. 445 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 3: Gonna be easy for other people and you just want 446 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:06,520 Speaker 3: to just be like, fine, I guess I'll go by 447 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:10,119 Speaker 3: Amy even though your name is a Marie, right it is. 448 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 3: That's when it's tough. 449 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:14,919 Speaker 2: So yeah, that's I want you know, all the little 450 00:23:15,480 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 2: all the little ones and even the big ones who 451 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 2: are listening to this, like, after a lifetime of getting 452 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:25,160 Speaker 2: your name it's pronounced misspelled, and you've been irritated by it, 453 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:27,720 Speaker 2: you and you've never been apologized to. 454 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 3: It's why in this book. 455 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:33,280 Speaker 2: I actually have both the teacher and the kid apologize 456 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 2: to little Lovey. 457 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:36,280 Speaker 3: I made it a point to make sure she heard 458 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:37,480 Speaker 3: I'm sorry. You're right. 459 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:41,000 Speaker 2: I shouldn't have done that, because I don't think any 460 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 2: of us have gotten apologies for all the ways in 461 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,840 Speaker 2: which people have butchered our names. So she gets, she 462 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:48,120 Speaker 2: gets all the things that I wanted to get. 463 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 1: That's so powerful. What a great way to mirror the 464 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 1: reparenting process of yourself and protecting yourself and being the 465 00:23:55,640 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 1: you that you need it back then, that's so beautiful, now, 466 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:02,199 Speaker 1: lovely this conversation. It's been great so far, but we 467 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:04,880 Speaker 1: want to shift up the energy a little bit. Okay, 468 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: And because we recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the multifaceted woman, 469 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,000 Speaker 1: and we believe that it's okay to be bougie, classy 470 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:14,119 Speaker 1: and ratchet. You can still be elegant and dance to 471 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 1: strip club music if you so choose. We want to 472 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:20,480 Speaker 1: invite you to the ou blatchet segment. Do you take 473 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:21,160 Speaker 1: on the challenge? 474 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 3: Let's go, all right, let's get it. 475 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 1: So, now that you've agreed, we're going to tell you 476 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:28,960 Speaker 1: what to expect. So we're going to ask you three questions. 477 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 1: We're going to share three sentence completions. And then Levey, 478 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 1: we have three photos pulled up a view that we're 479 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:35,560 Speaker 1: going to share on the big screen. But we want 480 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:37,200 Speaker 1: you to share. We want you to give us a 481 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:39,159 Speaker 1: number out of one in three and we're going to 482 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:40,920 Speaker 1: share that photo. And when we share the photo on 483 00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 1: the big screen, we want you to describe the photo 484 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:44,919 Speaker 1: for folks that are only listening to the audio. And 485 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 1: then we want you to give us some context about 486 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:49,240 Speaker 1: the photo that we wouldn't know just by looking at. 487 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:49,600 Speaker 3: It all right. 488 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:53,119 Speaker 1: I like that, Okay, Going ease into the segment. The 489 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:56,120 Speaker 1: first question is what is the best piece of wisdom 490 00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:58,239 Speaker 1: or advice you've ever received? 491 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 2: Underpromise and over deliver. M yeah, like yeah, you know. 492 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:10,280 Speaker 2: Ultimately it comes down to always blow folks minds. That's 493 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 2: really what's because if you're under promise, you do above 494 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 2: and beyond, people's minds be blown as opposed to you 495 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:19,879 Speaker 2: talking big game and then you're not living up to it. 496 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 3: That's how you disappoint folks. So I try to under 497 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 3: promise and then I'll come and blow your mind. 498 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:31,919 Speaker 4: Love that, Love that all right. So this next question 499 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 4: total shift from the words of wisdom. This is our 500 00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:46,719 Speaker 4: ratchet side, our blatchet side. When that DJ cues the music, 501 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:51,359 Speaker 4: are you gonna twirk or two step? 502 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:57,360 Speaker 3: I'm a two stepper. I'm a two step girly. I'm 503 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 3: a two step girly. 504 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:02,080 Speaker 1: Uh huh, ain't not wrong? A good two steps all right, lovey. 505 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 1: Our next question, we know you love a good shoe. Okay, 506 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 1: we in the senior Instagram, we see them shoes behind 507 00:26:07,840 --> 00:26:10,400 Speaker 1: you over there. Okay, So the question here we're gonna 508 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 1: change up a little bit is what is the sexiest 509 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 1: shoe you own? 510 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:22,080 Speaker 3: Ooh, you know, probably the shoes I wore on my wedding. 511 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:24,639 Speaker 1: Are they out there back there? Oh, we're about to 512 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: get a little little visual. 513 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 3: Actually, there's two person of shoes that I want my 514 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:33,439 Speaker 3: wedding actually in this mix. Yes, actually they're both bagsie mischiga. 515 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 3: Oh so I just right. 516 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 2: Oh so then the dress off side, Oh yeah, the 517 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:50,000 Speaker 2: dress stick the blaine is blinding right, these are these 518 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:51,879 Speaker 2: are the two? Yeah, because I wore this for my 519 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 2: night during wedding and I wore this for the Western wedding. 520 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:56,600 Speaker 3: So yeah, the bassie mister. 521 00:26:56,720 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 1: Is come own wedding shoes to see it? 522 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:03,960 Speaker 4: Is all right now, lady, if you are listening to 523 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 4: the audio only, then that means you need to go 524 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:09,479 Speaker 4: out ahead and become a Patreon subscriber so that you 525 00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 4: can see this video and you could see these shoes. 526 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 3: Yep. 527 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:18,600 Speaker 4: All right, So we're gonna move on to our sentence completion. 528 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 4: One question or topic I wish people asked me about 529 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:32,120 Speaker 4: more often? Is damn, that's good. 530 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:36,359 Speaker 2: You know, shoes probably did ask People don't ask you 531 00:27:36,440 --> 00:27:38,959 Speaker 2: enough about shoes. They don't, They really don't. So I'm 532 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 2: actually glad y'all asked me about shoes. A lot of 533 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:43,840 Speaker 2: people do not ask me about my shoes enough. 534 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:46,320 Speaker 1: That is an amazing levey. 535 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 3: I mean, listen, a part of me I want to 536 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 3: shoot collection one day. That's one of my Oh and 537 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:55,440 Speaker 3: jewelry also, people don't ask me about jewelry enough. 538 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,520 Speaker 1: Well, you know, it's so crazy, you're not gonna believe this, levee. 539 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,640 Speaker 1: The next sentence completion is what I would tell y'all 540 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:05,919 Speaker 1: about shoes and jewelry. Is you lying? 541 00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:08,199 Speaker 3: I want to see lying, but I'm lying, but I 542 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:08,720 Speaker 3: want to hear you. 543 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 5: I hear your answer. 544 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 3: Oh. 545 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:17,040 Speaker 2: I think more of us need to like be into 546 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 2: jewelry because there's such great adornments, right. I feel like 547 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 2: to be adorned is to kind of be adored a bit, 548 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:25,920 Speaker 2: even if you're being adored by you. 549 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 3: So I just, yeah, people might. 550 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 2: Consider that shallow, but I actually think it's something that 551 00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:36,440 Speaker 2: makes you feel. 552 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 3: A bit more. 553 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:39,560 Speaker 2: Adorned is the word, and adorned feels like crowned to me. 554 00:28:40,640 --> 00:28:43,920 Speaker 2: So yeah, okay, I'm with it. 555 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 4: I feel that, Okay, okay, all right, and now our 556 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:53,920 Speaker 4: last sentence completion. What I love most about myself. 557 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:59,280 Speaker 2: Is how I smile with my whole face. Yes, it's 558 00:28:59,320 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 2: my favorite thing about myself. Like I have crows feet 559 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:05,360 Speaker 2: and laugh lines and I'm forty and I'm like, you 560 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 2: know what, it is an honor to live a life 561 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:11,239 Speaker 2: that has created crows feet from smiling and laughing with 562 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:14,239 Speaker 2: my whole face. And I think it's something that I 563 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:18,040 Speaker 2: walk into rooms with and yeah, I think that's my 564 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 2: favorite piece about myself. 565 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:23,240 Speaker 1: That is so beautiful, so beautiful. Okay, So we're moving 566 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 1: into our last part of this segment. 567 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 4: So love. 568 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: We got these photos, fold up, these photos. These some 569 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 1: badass photos. Okay, I'm gonna tell you, oh my gosh, 570 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 1: they're so so cute. But we want you to choose 571 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: a number out of one and three so we can 572 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,640 Speaker 1: share that one particular photo. So what number are you 573 00:29:36,680 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 1: going with? 574 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 3: Two? 575 00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:41,000 Speaker 1: I'm so glad you said this. Okay, so we're gonna 576 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 1: share the photo. I'm gonna share the other big screen, 577 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 1: and if you can give some context behind the photo first, 578 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:49,560 Speaker 1: or actually describe the photo so the folks who are 579 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:52,400 Speaker 1: not tuning into the video can see what you talk 580 00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 1: about and then give us some context, that would be amazing. 581 00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:57,520 Speaker 1: Look at this photo, y'all, Oh my gosh, ah, oh 582 00:29:57,560 --> 00:29:58,880 Speaker 1: my gosh. 583 00:29:58,360 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh. 584 00:29:59,080 --> 00:30:02,280 Speaker 2: Okay, So in this phone, I am wearing a white 585 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:08,720 Speaker 2: leather turbine. I have on big hoop earrings, and this 586 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 2: particular photo shows the top half of what is actually 587 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 2: a really beautiful wedding gown that I did for a 588 00:30:14,840 --> 00:30:17,760 Speaker 2: photo shoot a month before I got married. 589 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 3: In twenty nineteen. And yeah, that photo's kind of dope. 590 00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:24,280 Speaker 3: I didn't go hold with you. That's dope. 591 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:26,320 Speaker 1: Yes, it's so fire. 592 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:26,880 Speaker 2: We love it. 593 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 1: Thank you for thank you for playing along with the 594 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 1: oh you've blache segment. Any other context you want to 595 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 1: share for this photo. In context, something needs to be 596 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:34,160 Speaker 1: an art piece. 597 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 2: Yes, so you know what, I can actually see it 598 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:38,160 Speaker 2: being an art piece because I think the head piece 599 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:41,720 Speaker 2: is what did it. Additional context is we were on 600 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 2: sets and so this dress was created by a black 601 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 2: owned designer named Lori. Lori does beautiful gowns like she 602 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 2: really knows how to capture a woman's body in these 603 00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:58,360 Speaker 2: amazing wedding gowns, so like on your wedding day, you 604 00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:02,720 Speaker 2: can feel as beauty as possible. So we are on set. 605 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 2: I'm getting my makeup done and the stylist goes ooh. 606 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 3: I feel like you'd be dope to like top this 607 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:13,320 Speaker 3: gown off with a turbine. So the stylist. 608 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:15,960 Speaker 2: Really like leaves the photo shoot and goes to Michaels 609 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,680 Speaker 2: to get this fabric. So this was like a last 610 00:31:18,680 --> 00:31:22,080 Speaker 2: minute addition to the look, but I think it really 611 00:31:22,120 --> 00:31:24,600 Speaker 2: elevated it, and that look ended up becoming the cover 612 00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:28,360 Speaker 2: photo for the magazine and news for Munna Luci Bride magazine. 613 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:32,720 Speaker 1: So yeah, yeah, the turbine definitely, Oh that was a 614 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:36,160 Speaker 1: beautiful story. Think yes, the turban definitely did that. Oh 615 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:38,320 Speaker 1: my goodness, thank you for playing along with the oh 616 00:31:38,360 --> 00:31:41,120 Speaker 1: you're black just segment with us. We appreciate you, and 617 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:42,680 Speaker 1: just kind of hopping back into some man they other 618 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: questions loving how do you personally navigate the balance between 619 00:31:46,920 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 1: being honest and being palatable if that's something that you 620 00:31:50,040 --> 00:31:53,080 Speaker 1: care to balance in the first place, especially in spaces 621 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:56,080 Speaker 1: that are not designed with us in mind. 622 00:31:56,640 --> 00:32:01,520 Speaker 2: M navigating the balance. I don't actually think it's a 623 00:32:01,560 --> 00:32:04,400 Speaker 2: balance for me to navigate. I think I kind of 624 00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:07,880 Speaker 2: approach how I speak, how I talk, how I show 625 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:11,080 Speaker 2: up with the idea that am I showing up as 626 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:14,240 Speaker 2: the most thoughtful and truest version of myself, and the 627 00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:17,600 Speaker 2: thoughtful piece is important because of course you can be true, 628 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,400 Speaker 2: but sometimes that's why I say brutal honesties. 629 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:25,440 Speaker 3: The truth doesn't have to be brutal, right, it doesn't 630 00:32:25,480 --> 00:32:28,640 Speaker 3: have to be brutal. So can it be thoughtful truths? 631 00:32:28,720 --> 00:32:33,560 Speaker 2: Yes, direct truths, absolutely, I'm direct, but I also try to, 632 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:37,280 Speaker 2: you know, try to be thoughtful. But beyond that, that's 633 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:38,320 Speaker 2: all I owe people. 634 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:39,600 Speaker 3: That's it. 635 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:42,480 Speaker 2: Like I can't owe palid. I can't say I'm gonna 636 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:44,760 Speaker 2: be palatable, do you. I can't say that you're gonna 637 00:32:44,840 --> 00:32:46,800 Speaker 2: like me. I can't say that you're gonna love what 638 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:48,320 Speaker 2: I'm gonna say, or how I even show up or 639 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 2: who I even am. And that's okay because it's not 640 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:55,640 Speaker 2: my job, Like my purpose is not to be palatable, 641 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:58,440 Speaker 2: and frankly, it should be nobody's purpose. Like we were 642 00:32:58,480 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 2: not born and placed on this earth to people please. 643 00:33:02,480 --> 00:33:04,040 Speaker 3: We were born to pursue purpose. 644 00:33:04,640 --> 00:33:07,720 Speaker 2: So purpose does not look like I need to acquiesce 645 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 2: everybody's thoughts. And humans are really fickle, so why would 646 00:33:11,280 --> 00:33:13,400 Speaker 2: I be bended myself backwards all the time to make 647 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:16,360 Speaker 2: fickle human beings like me? The same ones who today 648 00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:19,040 Speaker 2: might like you tomorrow might not. The only thing that 649 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:22,480 Speaker 2: I can guarantee is what I consider to be thoughtful truths, 650 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:24,239 Speaker 2: and I will say it in the way that I 651 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:27,160 Speaker 2: know how, and then if it rubs when not even if, 652 00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:30,400 Speaker 2: because it will rub somebody the wrong way at certain points. 653 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 2: My hope is that if those people are my people, 654 00:33:33,360 --> 00:33:35,680 Speaker 2: or people who are aligned with me values wise, did 655 00:33:35,720 --> 00:33:37,360 Speaker 2: they go what am I missing? 656 00:33:37,920 --> 00:33:39,640 Speaker 3: Or they give grace? 657 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 2: If there are people who weren't gonna like me anyway 658 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 2: because our values are not aligned, you weren't gonna like 659 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:46,160 Speaker 2: whatever I said regardless. 660 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:49,360 Speaker 3: So yeah, we needed to hear that. 661 00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:57,160 Speaker 4: Thank you, Yes, yes, and so lovey. You have spent 662 00:33:57,240 --> 00:34:05,680 Speaker 4: a career being bold and outspoken and targeting mostly adults, right, 663 00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:13,440 Speaker 4: and now you have your little Troublemaker series, and so 664 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:17,560 Speaker 4: tell us what inspired you to switch it up or 665 00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:22,200 Speaker 4: add this facet to your writing collection. 666 00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:25,719 Speaker 3: Oh man, it's been. 667 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:29,200 Speaker 2: A dream for me to do a kid's book for 668 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:33,400 Speaker 2: a long time, but I hadn't prioritized it because I 669 00:34:33,400 --> 00:34:34,759 Speaker 2: was like, it'll be way down the line. 670 00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:37,239 Speaker 3: I'm thinking it's going to be in five years. And 671 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 3: what's interesting is. 672 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:42,280 Speaker 2: It's like when we call up with ideas It's almost 673 00:34:42,360 --> 00:34:44,680 Speaker 2: like it's like God will be like I already knew 674 00:34:44,680 --> 00:34:45,799 Speaker 2: that you wanted to do it. 675 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:48,440 Speaker 3: I'm going to enable this to happen. So fun fact, 676 00:34:49,239 --> 00:34:53,360 Speaker 3: I was right after writing Troublemaker came out my book 677 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:56,160 Speaker 3: for teenagers, so I did Professional Troublemaker. 678 00:34:57,360 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 2: Like a bunch of parents reached out to me. It 679 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:01,120 Speaker 2: was like, man, I wish I had this book when 680 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:03,400 Speaker 2: I was fifteen. I wish I had this book that 681 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:06,359 Speaker 2: I could really give to my teenager and be able 682 00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:09,760 Speaker 2: to talk them through this moment where they feel into different. 683 00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 2: And I was like, I had so many parents hit 684 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:15,000 Speaker 2: me up and teachers. So that's actually what led to 685 00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:18,839 Speaker 2: Rising Troublemaker, the one for teenagers. So then after Rising Troublemaker, 686 00:35:19,160 --> 00:35:21,839 Speaker 2: somebody on my team named Macy, who I've been working 687 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:24,960 Speaker 2: with for seven years now, like surprised me with the 688 00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:27,160 Speaker 2: little Troublemaker illustration. 689 00:35:28,840 --> 00:35:30,760 Speaker 3: Right like this little trub Maker is when I'm judging 690 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:31,359 Speaker 3: you t shirt. 691 00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 2: She got jewels on like this is me shrank down 692 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:36,360 Speaker 2: And I literally was like, Macy, how did you know? 693 00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:38,640 Speaker 3: I wanted to do a little version of me for 694 00:35:38,680 --> 00:35:42,839 Speaker 3: a while. So fun fact, the person who she got 695 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:46,000 Speaker 3: to commission it, I said, is he taking more clients? 696 00:35:46,719 --> 00:35:49,520 Speaker 3: He's the one. This is Joey Spioto. So I said, 697 00:35:49,560 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 3: I have an idea for a Joey you damn to 698 00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:55,080 Speaker 3: do this with me. He was like yes. And between 699 00:35:55,200 --> 00:35:57,200 Speaker 3: when I got this as a gift. 700 00:35:56,960 --> 00:35:59,560 Speaker 2: And when the first Little trumb Maker book comes out 701 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:02,200 Speaker 2: came out, which was twenty twenty three, that was Little 702 00:36:02,239 --> 00:36:05,279 Speaker 2: trump Maker Makes a Mess. It was a year, which 703 00:36:05,320 --> 00:36:08,200 Speaker 2: is crazy. Kids books usually take like two to three 704 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:10,960 Speaker 2: years to develop. I did this in twelve months. So 705 00:36:12,280 --> 00:36:16,160 Speaker 2: it just felt aligned. It felt like divine intervention and 706 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:19,400 Speaker 2: it felt so right. And I mean since the book 707 00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:23,200 Speaker 2: came out in twenty twenty three, like I've had teachers 708 00:36:23,239 --> 00:36:25,279 Speaker 2: reach out to me and be like, my students are 709 00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:29,600 Speaker 2: more thoughtful and empathetic towards the Arab kid or I 710 00:36:30,440 --> 00:36:33,520 Speaker 2: have twins who are white and redhead, being like Little 711 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:36,440 Speaker 2: trump Maker looks just like me, like you know. So 712 00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:39,879 Speaker 2: it's just an affirmation of the work of the work 713 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:43,000 Speaker 2: when we do not allow ourselves to overthink, to have 714 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:47,120 Speaker 2: analysis paralysis, for when it's divinely guided. So yeah, Little 715 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:49,640 Speaker 2: trump Maker is my jam. I love doing it. And 716 00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:51,160 Speaker 2: the third book is coming out next year. 717 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,960 Speaker 1: You are on it. That's the inspiring Levey. And I'm 718 00:36:55,960 --> 00:36:57,920 Speaker 1: thinking about what you shared about your journey, how it 719 00:36:58,000 --> 00:36:59,719 Speaker 1: was not a straight path. You just kind of took 720 00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:01,880 Speaker 1: us and you're like, Okay, I'm going to do this 721 00:37:01,960 --> 00:37:04,239 Speaker 1: and make it be My guess. My question for you 722 00:37:04,360 --> 00:37:06,319 Speaker 1: is what do you have, like what advice do you 723 00:37:06,400 --> 00:37:08,600 Speaker 1: have or words of wisdom for the people who are 724 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:12,760 Speaker 1: on the journey and it's the end in the meantime season, 725 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:16,080 Speaker 1: So they haven't they don't have the ten million views 726 00:37:16,080 --> 00:37:18,040 Speaker 1: on the Ted Talk, they don't have the book idea, 727 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:20,440 Speaker 1: but they're just in the they're doing the work, like 728 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:22,640 Speaker 1: on the journey, they're committed to it, but they don't 729 00:37:22,680 --> 00:37:24,560 Speaker 1: see all of the results. What advice or words of 730 00:37:24,640 --> 00:37:27,759 Speaker 1: encouragement do you have for those people? You got to 731 00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:30,680 Speaker 1: keep doing the work, And I know that sounds cliche. 732 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:34,960 Speaker 1: There were many times in my journey where. 733 00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:37,920 Speaker 2: I was seeing my peers win all these awards, being 734 00:37:37,960 --> 00:37:43,440 Speaker 2: all these wombs, being recognized, getting all these dope partnerships. 735 00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:45,640 Speaker 2: There was a point where I felt ignored, where I 736 00:37:45,680 --> 00:37:48,279 Speaker 2: felt like I was banging my head against the wall, 737 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:53,640 Speaker 2: where I felt like invisible and had I quit. During 738 00:37:53,680 --> 00:37:55,719 Speaker 2: those times, I wouldn't have these times. 739 00:37:56,360 --> 00:38:00,360 Speaker 3: So that's also why don't obsess about the stratag to 740 00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:01,280 Speaker 3: get to the next level. 741 00:38:01,440 --> 00:38:04,680 Speaker 2: Just do really good work consistently. And that's one thing 742 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:08,239 Speaker 2: that I've been doing. If there's I mean, of course, 743 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:09,759 Speaker 2: there are people who don't like me. We all have 744 00:38:09,840 --> 00:38:13,440 Speaker 2: people who don't like us. There's somebody somewhere who probably 745 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:16,960 Speaker 2: cannot stand me. But the thing they cannot deny is 746 00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:19,279 Speaker 2: that I have worked my butt off to get where 747 00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:22,719 Speaker 2: I am. That when other people quit blogging, when other 748 00:38:22,719 --> 00:38:27,439 Speaker 2: people deleted their websites, when they went quiet for years, I. 749 00:38:27,520 --> 00:38:30,399 Speaker 3: Was the person who was consistently there. 750 00:38:31,000 --> 00:38:34,319 Speaker 2: Even if I wasn't blogging every day anymore, even if 751 00:38:34,360 --> 00:38:37,400 Speaker 2: I wasn't on social media every day, I had my newsletter. 752 00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:42,200 Speaker 2: I've always poured into my audience consistently, whether or not 753 00:38:42,239 --> 00:38:45,160 Speaker 2: somebody was paying attention or not. So yeah, for those 754 00:38:45,160 --> 00:38:47,200 Speaker 2: of you who are in your waiting period of like 755 00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:50,160 Speaker 2: I'm waiting to pop or I'm waiting for this thing 756 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:54,840 Speaker 2: to shake, just keep doing what feels compelling and write. 757 00:38:55,160 --> 00:38:58,920 Speaker 2: That's all you can do, and then doors will open 758 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:01,319 Speaker 2: when you kind of down on that. Like, so the 759 00:39:01,320 --> 00:39:04,239 Speaker 2: ones who are known Francesca Ramsey, for example, is another 760 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:07,080 Speaker 2: creator who's been added. Now I know Francesca her not 761 00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:10,279 Speaker 2: wearing panel with Asa Ray and twenty twelve together, you know. 762 00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:10,600 Speaker 3: What I mean. 763 00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:13,000 Speaker 2: So Francisca's been around for a long time because she 764 00:39:13,080 --> 00:39:17,200 Speaker 2: never stopped while her peers stopped. Francesca being consistent, been 765 00:39:17,280 --> 00:39:19,120 Speaker 2: on it will give you a good YouTube via on 766 00:39:19,160 --> 00:39:22,160 Speaker 2: a hot second, was on TikTok when it started. Like, 767 00:39:22,880 --> 00:39:26,840 Speaker 2: the ones who are consistent and excellent, not perfect excellent, 768 00:39:27,360 --> 00:39:30,120 Speaker 2: are the ones who win. So think about ways to excel, 769 00:39:30,680 --> 00:39:33,240 Speaker 2: think about ways to constantly get better at your craft 770 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:38,280 Speaker 2: and just put your head down and get the work done. 771 00:39:38,560 --> 00:39:43,200 Speaker 4: Yes, yes, consistency, persistence, Yes. 772 00:39:45,400 --> 00:39:45,879 Speaker 3: And so. 773 00:39:47,880 --> 00:39:51,920 Speaker 4: As I'm listening to that message and thinking about all 774 00:39:51,960 --> 00:39:57,840 Speaker 4: the little ones out there and thinking about the message 775 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:04,879 Speaker 4: that that you give in your book, what's something, what's 776 00:40:04,960 --> 00:40:09,319 Speaker 4: the what's the long lasting message that you want the 777 00:40:09,360 --> 00:40:14,960 Speaker 4: little troublemakers out there to take away from this particular book. 778 00:40:17,120 --> 00:40:20,920 Speaker 3: I mean that you can always stand up for yourself thoughtfully. 779 00:40:21,160 --> 00:40:23,840 Speaker 2: So like her mistake in this book is that she 780 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:26,160 Speaker 2: pops off on the boy who pops off on her right, 781 00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:27,560 Speaker 2: she called. 782 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:29,080 Speaker 3: Him a dummy because he made find. 783 00:40:28,920 --> 00:40:29,960 Speaker 4: Her normal reaction. 784 00:40:30,160 --> 00:40:31,240 Speaker 3: Yep, normal reaction. 785 00:40:31,400 --> 00:40:33,759 Speaker 2: But my girl got to always learn she could do 786 00:40:33,840 --> 00:40:36,320 Speaker 2: things better than she did, She could be more thoughtful. 787 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:38,200 Speaker 3: She's not wrong for defending herself, she can do it 788 00:40:38,239 --> 00:40:38,960 Speaker 3: more thoughtfully. 789 00:40:39,080 --> 00:40:43,360 Speaker 2: So for Little trump Maker in general, Little Lovey those books, 790 00:40:43,360 --> 00:40:45,560 Speaker 2: one of the things that I promise, no matter how 791 00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:48,279 Speaker 2: many books I end up writing about Little Lovey, is 792 00:40:48,320 --> 00:40:51,760 Speaker 2: that she will never be humbled. She will never be humbled. 793 00:40:51,800 --> 00:40:55,319 Speaker 2: She will always walk away knowing, Okay, I made a 794 00:40:55,360 --> 00:40:58,960 Speaker 2: mistake and I grew because of it, not I am 795 00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:00,840 Speaker 2: a mistake, which is problem that a lot of us 796 00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:05,560 Speaker 2: end up internalizing. When we were little, your mistakes felt 797 00:41:05,600 --> 00:41:12,919 Speaker 2: like indictments and personality like hits. Where for her, she'll go, Okay, 798 00:41:12,920 --> 00:41:15,160 Speaker 2: I made a mistake. I learned how to do it 799 00:41:15,200 --> 00:41:18,480 Speaker 2: better and different for next time. But I still feel loved. 800 00:41:18,840 --> 00:41:21,319 Speaker 2: So after every every mistake that she makes, she will 801 00:41:21,360 --> 00:41:25,040 Speaker 2: always walk away still feeling loved and still knowing that 802 00:41:25,200 --> 00:41:30,080 Speaker 2: she was not somebody who's worth throwing away. So that 803 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:32,279 Speaker 2: is a big, big, big message out of any of 804 00:41:32,280 --> 00:41:35,640 Speaker 2: the books, from Little Troubmaker Makes a Mess to this one, 805 00:41:36,160 --> 00:41:39,279 Speaker 2: is that Little Lovey, with her big heart that gets 806 00:41:39,320 --> 00:41:42,759 Speaker 2: her in big trouble. She will always feel loved, she 807 00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:45,160 Speaker 2: will never be humbled, and she will always grow and 808 00:41:45,200 --> 00:41:45,680 Speaker 2: be better. 809 00:41:48,360 --> 00:41:51,680 Speaker 1: So, beautiful Love, we appreciate you. We thank you for 810 00:41:51,719 --> 00:41:54,759 Speaker 1: your gifts, how you pour into the community, all that 811 00:41:54,800 --> 00:41:57,200 Speaker 1: you're doing in the world, and we are so excited 812 00:41:57,200 --> 00:41:59,040 Speaker 1: for this book launch. We wish you the best, and 813 00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:00,480 Speaker 1: we just thank you so much for your time. 814 00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:01,440 Speaker 3: Listen. 815 00:42:01,840 --> 00:42:04,799 Speaker 2: This book means a lot to me because these are 816 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:10,160 Speaker 2: the messages that, when internalized, it can actually change the 817 00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:13,920 Speaker 2: trajectory of these kids who take it on now because 818 00:42:14,200 --> 00:42:17,880 Speaker 2: we're so used to hearing about the confidence gap or 819 00:42:17,920 --> 00:42:21,200 Speaker 2: hearing kids, you know, be less. 820 00:42:22,239 --> 00:42:23,560 Speaker 3: Confident about who they are. 821 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:26,399 Speaker 2: And the confidence gap, by the way, starts at eight, 822 00:42:26,640 --> 00:42:33,000 Speaker 2: especially for girls. So the genders, they're usually neck and neck, 823 00:42:33,080 --> 00:42:36,680 Speaker 2: and then something happens at eight where it completely tanks 824 00:42:36,719 --> 00:42:39,400 Speaker 2: for girls. And my hope is that as a result 825 00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:45,839 Speaker 2: of girls, especially meeting Little Levey across my books, that 826 00:42:45,880 --> 00:42:48,680 Speaker 2: they don't get that confidence gap, and that's actually why 827 00:42:48,719 --> 00:42:52,040 Speaker 2: we are so My success metrics for this book is 828 00:42:52,040 --> 00:42:54,479 Speaker 2: different from the other books. It's not just about hitting 829 00:42:54,480 --> 00:42:57,439 Speaker 2: the Times list, but my goal is to get ten 830 00:42:57,480 --> 00:43:00,839 Speaker 2: thousand copies of this book into the hands of kids 831 00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:03,239 Speaker 2: run the country without their parents and their teachers having 832 00:43:03,239 --> 00:43:05,520 Speaker 2: to pay for it. So we're doing a sponsorship train 833 00:43:06,600 --> 00:43:09,320 Speaker 2: to get this into schools. We have members of my 834 00:43:09,440 --> 00:43:13,880 Speaker 2: audience actually paying and sponsoring class from worth of books 835 00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:16,800 Speaker 2: or even five books, and we're sending it to teachers 836 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:21,560 Speaker 2: who don't have the budget because they're already underpaid strapped 837 00:43:21,560 --> 00:43:23,840 Speaker 2: for cash. So if you were listening to this and 838 00:43:23,880 --> 00:43:26,880 Speaker 2: you want to be a part about sponsorship train, just 839 00:43:26,920 --> 00:43:31,879 Speaker 2: go to sponsor Little Troublemaker dot com. We are so far, 840 00:43:31,960 --> 00:43:35,640 Speaker 2: we've gotten We're twenty percent there. Two thousand books are 841 00:43:35,640 --> 00:43:39,120 Speaker 2: being sent into classrooms and a lot of these books 842 00:43:39,239 --> 00:43:43,120 Speaker 2: are starting these kids' libraries. So a teacher messaged me 843 00:43:43,160 --> 00:43:45,839 Speaker 2: and said she gave a copy to a kid, and 844 00:43:45,880 --> 00:43:48,040 Speaker 2: this kid was like, do I get to keep it forever? 845 00:43:48,640 --> 00:43:50,479 Speaker 2: Because it was her first book that this kid would 846 00:43:50,480 --> 00:43:52,560 Speaker 2: actually not have to bring back to school. This is yours, 847 00:43:52,560 --> 00:43:54,920 Speaker 2: put your name on it, do whatever you want with it. 848 00:43:55,040 --> 00:43:57,000 Speaker 2: So you know, that is the one way that I 849 00:43:57,040 --> 00:43:59,200 Speaker 2: would really love people to support outside of buying their 850 00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:01,840 Speaker 2: own copies. If you can, even as Lula is one 851 00:44:01,920 --> 00:44:07,040 Speaker 2: hundred dollars, help us sponsor some classroom books that we 852 00:44:07,040 --> 00:44:10,040 Speaker 2: can send to programs, especially to kids who usually not 853 00:44:10,120 --> 00:44:15,080 Speaker 2: gifted things like books. So sponsor Little Troublemaker dot com. 854 00:44:15,320 --> 00:44:18,279 Speaker 2: Join us, like it would be so meaningful. So that's 855 00:44:18,280 --> 00:44:19,960 Speaker 2: the way that I'm like, I. 856 00:44:19,880 --> 00:44:21,880 Speaker 3: Ain't too prid to beg help us get to ten thousand. 857 00:44:22,280 --> 00:44:24,520 Speaker 2: Let's help these kids out, and let's let them know 858 00:44:24,560 --> 00:44:26,800 Speaker 2: that they're seeing this little black girl with a fade, 859 00:44:27,200 --> 00:44:30,640 Speaker 2: who is confident, who is cute, who is smart, who 860 00:44:30,760 --> 00:44:34,200 Speaker 2: is loved. Okay, she can be a mirror for them 861 00:44:34,239 --> 00:44:36,200 Speaker 2: to know that this can be their story too. 862 00:44:40,160 --> 00:44:45,200 Speaker 4: Oh, thank you so much, Lovey. We have thoroughly and 863 00:44:45,800 --> 00:44:51,160 Speaker 4: enjoyed this interview with you. And tell folks if they 864 00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:53,359 Speaker 4: aren't already following you, which if they're not, I don't 865 00:44:53,400 --> 00:44:57,520 Speaker 4: know why they're not where they should have been following 866 00:44:57,560 --> 00:45:02,000 Speaker 4: you from way back when. Tell them where they can 867 00:45:02,080 --> 00:45:02,600 Speaker 4: find you. 868 00:45:03,880 --> 00:45:06,399 Speaker 2: Yes, find me all of the internets, y'all. I am 869 00:45:06,640 --> 00:45:09,719 Speaker 2: at lovey l U v v I E on all platforms. 870 00:45:10,080 --> 00:45:12,600 Speaker 2: But I think even more meaningfully, you can sign up 871 00:45:12,600 --> 00:45:14,960 Speaker 2: for my newsletter. My newsletter is where I really am 872 00:45:14,960 --> 00:45:20,160 Speaker 2: able to pour into people and talk about my reflections, 873 00:45:20,280 --> 00:45:24,560 Speaker 2: my recommendations, and how I am moving through this world 874 00:45:24,719 --> 00:45:32,920 Speaker 2: as a purpose driven leader, woman, wife, boss, friend, and 875 00:45:32,960 --> 00:45:35,279 Speaker 2: you know my newsletters at loveletter dot com, l U 876 00:45:35,440 --> 00:45:38,120 Speaker 2: V V L E T e R dot com. But yeah, 877 00:45:38,160 --> 00:45:41,080 Speaker 2: I'm I'm so easy to find, y'all. I'm literally one 878 00:45:41,120 --> 00:45:43,160 Speaker 2: of the most easy people to find on the internets. 879 00:45:43,360 --> 00:45:45,759 Speaker 2: If you actually google one word my first name, all 880 00:45:45,760 --> 00:45:49,200 Speaker 2: my stuff comes up one word, So I'm officially one word. 881 00:45:50,960 --> 00:45:54,880 Speaker 1: There you go, There you go, the one name club. 882 00:45:55,000 --> 00:45:57,759 Speaker 1: Come on, come on. We'll make sure we add these 883 00:45:57,800 --> 00:46:00,480 Speaker 1: links in the show notes so everyone can support and 884 00:46:00,600 --> 00:46:03,719 Speaker 1: join the sponsorship train, join the newsletter, by the book, 885 00:46:03,760 --> 00:46:06,440 Speaker 1: all that good stuff. But we thank you so much. 886 00:46:06,200 --> 00:46:07,360 Speaker 3: No, thank y'all for having me. 887 00:46:07,400 --> 00:46:10,640 Speaker 2: It's very mandful when people tap on and say, hey, 888 00:46:10,680 --> 00:46:12,040 Speaker 2: we trust you with our platform. 889 00:46:12,080 --> 00:46:14,200 Speaker 3: Come join us for a good Kiki. 890 00:46:14,400 --> 00:46:18,359 Speaker 2: And I appreciate y'all for inviting me and having me on. 891 00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:19,720 Speaker 3: So appreciate y'all. 892 00:46:20,480 --> 00:46:21,400 Speaker 1: You're so welcome. 893 00:46:21,480 --> 00:46:21,920 Speaker 3: Thank you. 894 00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:26,799 Speaker 5: Hey, lady, it's doctor Dom here from the Cultivating her 895 00:46:26,880 --> 00:46:30,839 Speaker 5: Space podcast. Are you currently a resident of the state 896 00:46:30,880 --> 00:46:36,319 Speaker 5: of California and contemplating starting your therapy journey? Well, if so, 897 00:46:37,120 --> 00:46:41,360 Speaker 5: please reach out to me at doctor Dominique Brusard dot com. 898 00:46:41,800 --> 00:46:46,719 Speaker 5: That's d r D O M I N I q 899 00:46:47,000 --> 00:46:51,120 Speaker 5: U E B R O U S s A r 900 00:46:51,280 --> 00:46:56,399 Speaker 5: D dot com to schedule a free fifteen minute consultation. 901 00:46:57,000 --> 00:47:01,480 Speaker 5: I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for tuning 902 00:47:01,560 --> 00:47:05,880 Speaker 5: into Cultivating her Space. Remember that while this podcast is 903 00:47:05,920 --> 00:47:10,680 Speaker 5: all about healing, empowerment, and resilience, it's not a substitute 904 00:47:10,719 --> 00:47:14,759 Speaker 5: for therapy. If you or someone you know need support, 905 00:47:15,320 --> 00:47:19,520 Speaker 5: check out resources like Therapy for Black Girls or Psychology Today. 906 00:47:20,400 --> 00:47:23,400 Speaker 5: If you love today's episode, do us a favor and 907 00:47:23,480 --> 00:47:26,719 Speaker 5: share it with a friend who needs some inspiration, or 908 00:47:27,360 --> 00:47:30,799 Speaker 5: leave us a quick five star review. Your support means 909 00:47:30,800 --> 00:47:33,920 Speaker 5: the world to us and helps keep this space thriving. 910 00:47:34,440 --> 00:47:39,319 Speaker 1: And before we meet again, repeat after me. My actions 911 00:47:39,400 --> 00:47:47,080 Speaker 1: are aligned with purpose leading to continuous transformation. Keep thriving, lady, 912 00:47:47,239 --> 00:47:51,239 Speaker 1: and tune in next Friday for more inspiration from Cultivating 913 00:47:51,280 --> 00:47:54,319 Speaker 1: her Space. In the meantime, be sure to connect with 914 00:47:54,400 --> 00:47:57,400 Speaker 1: us on Instagram at her Space Podcast