Just Us with Liz and Kere

In this powerful and relatable episode of Just Us, Liz and Kere are joined by special guest Erica Fulton—entrepreneur, esthetician, and founder of Kin Skin & Wellness—for a real conversation about one of the hardest skills to master in the workplace: saying no.Responding to a listener who feels trapped in a cycle of overcommitment, the trio unpacks the pressure many high-achieving Black women face to always say “yes”—and the burnout, invisibility, and frustration that often follow. From “performance punishment” to internalized expectations, they break down how we become the go-to person… and how to reclaim our time, voice, and boundaries.With practical strategies like “soft no’s,” capacity language, prioritization, and even a game-changing email scheduling hack, this episode is both a mindset reset and a tactical guide to self-advocacy at work. Plus, the conversation expands beyond the office—challenging listeners to examine where else “yes” is costing them peace.And because it’s Just Us, the episode wraps with a hilarious and all-too-real segment: Top 10 Ways to Disagree Using Black Conversation—proving you don’t always need words to say “absolutely not.”If you’ve ever felt like a “professional yes ma’am,” this episode is your permission slip to do things differently.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Just Us + Meet Guest Erica Fulton01:15 – The Readout: “I’m tired of always saying yes at work”02:40 – The pressure of being a Black woman in corporate spaces04:15 – “Performance punishment” and the cost of overdelivering07:05 – How to say no (without actually saying “no”)09:00 – When your boss makes you the go-to for everything10:45 – Self-advocacy: Asking “what should I deprioritize?”12:00 – Pushback vs. people-pleasing13:00 – Are you doing this to yourself? (Internal expectations)15:00 – Managing the anxiety of saying no16:00 – The “sleep at night” test17:00 – Why leaders don’t actually want yes-people18:00 – Burnout risk: What happens when you never say no20:00 – Mindset shift: Are you creating unnecessary pressure?21:30 – Real-life story: When work isn’t more important than life23:00 – Setting boundaries in real time (Kere’s example)25:00 – Understanding urgency vs. perceived urgency26:30 – Teaching people how to treat you27:45 – 🔥 Pro Tip: Use scheduled email send to manage expectations30:00 – Why you shouldn’t make everything look “too easy”31:00 – Boundaries beyond work (friends, family, business)33:00 – You created it—you can fix it35:00 – Practical tools: capacity language + prioritization36:30 – Documenting conversations to protect yourself38:00 – Final advice: You don’t have to say yes40:00 – Final thoughts: Capacity, burnout, and self-awareness😂 Bonus Segment41:50 – Top 10 Ways to Disagree Using Black Conversation43:00 – Honorable mentions (“Girl, bye”, “I said what I said”)45:25 – Top 10 countdown begins50:00 – #1 way to disagree (no words needed 👀)51:00 – Viral “Black conversation” moment explained52:30 – Closing + where to connect

What would you say if opportunity met you in an elevator? 👀In this episode of Just Us with Liz & Kere, we introduce a brand new segment—The Elevator Pitch—and welcome our first-ever guest, entrepreneur and master esthetician Erica Fulton, owner of Kin Skin & Wellness.From corporate strategy to entrepreneurship and self-care, this episode is packed with gems on how to show up prepared, positioned, and confident.💼 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✔️ What an elevator pitch is—and why you need one✔️ How to clearly communicate your value✔️ Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship✔️ Skincare for melanated skin & common myths✔️ The connection between stress, health, and your skin✔️ Why self-care is essential—not optional⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere00:00:45 – Teachable Moment: What is an elevator pitch?00:02:10 – Key components of a strong elevator pitch00:05:10 – Why your elevator pitch matters for your career00:06:30 – Introducing our first guest: Erika Fulton 🎉00:08:40 – Erica’s elevator pitch (masterclass!)00:09:30 – Breaking down what makes a great pitch00:11:00 – Erica’s background: military to entrepreneurship00:12:00 – What is paramedical tattooing? (powerful impact)00:13:20 – Restoring confidence after trauma & surgery00:14:30 – Mind-body connection: how skin reflects stress00:15:00 – Skincare myths: yes, Black women need SPF 👀00:16:00 – Gut health, stress & skin explained00:18:00 – Creating safe spaces through wellness services00:18:50 – How Erica got started in esthetics00:20:00 – Representation in skincare for melanated skin00:21:30 – Hyperpigmentation explained (the science!)00:23:00 – Why TikTok skincare trends can be risky ⚠️00:25:00 – How to connect with Erica & Kin Skin Wellness00:26:00 – Water & skincare: fact or fiction? 💧00:27:30 – “Black don’t crack”… or does it? 👀00:30:00 – Final advice: self-care, rest & consistency00:33:00 – Boss It, Gloss It, or Toss It (fun segment begins 🔥)00:33:30 – Hot comb vs flat iron vs curling iron00:37:00 – Bar soap vs body wash vs water debate 😂00:40:00 – Washcloth vs African net vs loofah00:42:30 – Bonnet vs scarf vs satin pillowcase00:50:00 – Quick take: what feminism really means00:52:00 – Closing + where to find Just Us merch💡 KEY TAKEAWAY“If I asked you to list everyone you love… how long would it take for you to get to yourself?”🎧 WATCH / LISTENFull episode available on YouTube, Spotify & all platforms🔗 https://linktr.ee/lizthepurposecoach📲 CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTErica Fulton🌐 www.kinskinwellness.com📱 @kinskinwellness💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONDo you have your elevator pitch ready? 👀Or are you still “figuring it out”?Drop your answer in the comments ⬇️🔔 DON’T FORGETSubscribe for real conversations for Black women navigating corporate spaces👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔁 Share🏷️ HASHTAGS#JustUsPodcast #ElevatorPitch #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SkincareForBlackWomen #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #SelfCareMatters #BossItOrTossIt

In this dynamic episode of Just Us, Liz and Kere tackle a career topic that many professionals—especially Black women navigating corporate spaces—find confusing and intimidating: sponsorship.Responding to a listener who calls herself “Looking for a Sponsor, Not Just a Cheerleader,” the hosts break down the real difference between mentorship and sponsorship. They explain why a sponsor isn’t just someone who gives advice—but someone who uses their influence, social capital, and reputation to advocate for you when you’re not in the room. Liz reframes sponsorship as a “strategic faith walk,” reminding listeners that while you can’t control who sponsors you, you can control the frequency you’re broadcasting through your work, relationships, and personal brand.From practical strategies like doing your own 360-degree feedback to intentionally managing your professional reputation, this conversation delivers both mindset and tactical tools for positioning yourself for advancement—even when you don’t see who’s advocating behind the scenes.Then the mood shifts into fan-favorite segment Boss It or Toss It, where Liz and Kere hilariously debate iconic talk show hosts—from Oprah (original vs. modern), Gayle King, and Tamron Hall to Wendy Williams, Sherri Shepherd, Maury, Jerry Springer, Phil Donahue, and more. Along the way, they unpack authenticity, cultural responsibility, chaos vs. empathy in media, and what it really takes to build a lasting platform.It’s part career masterclass, part cultural commentary, and all Just Us—where ambition meets assignment, and even the jokes come with leadership lessons.

Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas kick off Season 2 of Just Us by reflecting on the joy (and work!) of Season 1—and shouting out the growing community of listeners and YouTube subscribers. Liz opens with a “Teachable Moment” that’s perfect for a new year and a new season: “Pause as an action” and “silence speaks volumes.” Together, they unpack how Black women—often expected to do the most—can reclaim power by practicing discernment: knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when silence is the strongest move in the room.Then the episode shifts into a fun, culture-forward “Top 10” segment: Top 10 Business Lessons from The Book of Eddie Murphy—with chapters from Coming to America and Trading Places. From protecting your intellectual property to asking for what you want, learning the unspoken rules, building the right team, and not resting on privilege, Liz and Kere translate classic movie moments into real workplace strategy—without losing the laughs.They wrap with a special listener perk: a limited-time merch discount (20% off) tied to Divine Nine Founders’ Day season, plus an invitation to join the Inner Circle community for future tools, discounts, and bonus resources.

Not Your Gratitude Project + Boss It or Toss It: Vacation EditionIn this episode of Just US, Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas dive into a letter from “Not Your Gratitude Project,” a high-performing Black woman whose boss keeps hitting her with the same undermining line: “You should be thankful you even have a job.” And whew…Liz and Kere are immediately triggered—because they’ve lived it.They break down why that phrase isn’t “just a joke,” but a classic corporate gaslighting and intimidation tactic meant to control behavior and shrink confidence. From documenting every incident (and every win), to pulling receipts, gathering third-party praise, and getting HR involved when necessary, they outline real strategies to protect your peace and your career. They also talk about reading the room: is this one manager, a toxic culture, or a warning sign about layoffs? And no matter what—keep your “corporate go bag” ready: updated resume, active network, and a financial cushion.Then the episode shifts into a lighter (but still very real) round of Boss It or Toss It: Vacation Spots Black Folks Love (Besides Martha’s Vineyard)—with hot takes on Atlantic City, Dubai, Jamaica, cruises, Miami, Vegas, Ghana, and the undefeated favorite: staying home.Come for the coaching, stay for the laughs, the culture, and the mic-drop moments.

Episode 4: “Up In Here” – Navigating Your Career Without Losing Your MindIn this laugh-out-loud and deeply practical episode of Just Us, Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas tackle a question many Black women are asking right now: How do I navigate this chaotic job market without burning out or blowing up at work?From adopting an entrepreneurial approach to managing your career, to using AI tools to uncover transferable skills and new career pathways, Liz and Kere offer real strategies you can use today. Along the way, they unpack purpose, side hustles, career pivots, and the power of reframing your day job as a means—not the mission.And because music is self-care (until it’s not 😅), the episode wraps with a hilarious and painfully accurate list of “Songs You Should NOT Listen to on Your Way to Work When You’re Already Stressed.”Come for the career coaching, stay for the culture, the stories, and the laughs. This episode is equal parts strategy session and group chat energy.

In this powerful and relatable episode of Just Us with Kere & Liz, the hosts dive deep into what it truly feels like to be a Black woman navigating today’s volatile corporate landscape. Liz opens by reflecting on her decades as a “corporate Jackie Robinson”—often the first and the only Black woman in executive spaces—sharing the unspoken rules and real-life lessons she created her coaching practice to pass down.The featured Readout Letter comes from “Stressed Out Corporate Canary,” a Black woman manager worried about looming layoffs and the disappearing presence of Black women in senior leadership. Kere and Liz break down the meaning behind being a “canary in the coal mine,” tackle myths around job security, and offer grounding, actionable advice: detach emotion from corporate decisions, document everything, build community, and create your “freedom fund” to layoff-proof your life.Then, the duo turns to their fan-favorite segment: Boss It or Toss It, rating how Black corporate professionals are portrayed across movies and TV. From Boomerang and The Cosby Show to Living Single, Insecure, Empire, Black-ish, Girlfriends, and Abbott Elementary, they unpack what Hollywood gets right—and very wrong—about Black leadership, ambition, style, and everyday office culture.Filled with humor, honesty, cultural callouts, and coaching gems you’ll want to write down, this episode reminds listeners that while the corporate world may shake, Black women have always found a way to “make a dollar out of 15 cents.” And on Just Us, no one has to navigate it alone.

Get ready to boldly go where no manager has gone before in an episode stacked with leadership lessons from Captain Kirk and New Edition.In this insightful episode, Liz and Kere dive deep into the differences between leadership and management, using iconic examples from Star Trek's Captain Kirk and the legendary R&B group New Edition.Discover the key traits that set visionary leaders apart - from having a clear mission and empowering their team, to embracing authenticity and vulnerability. Get ready to be inspired as the hosts unpack leadership lessons from each member of New Edition, exploring how qualities like business savvy, second chances, and putting the team first can take your career to new heights.Whether you consider yourself more of a manager or a leader, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you boldly go further in your professional journey. Tune in now and get ready to take your leadership journey to new heights!

Tune In to Part Two of the Pilot Episode of the Just Us Podcast!Join Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas as they continue to keep it real in Just Us—the podcast where Black women unpack the realities of life, leadership, and leveling up in corporate spaces.In this highly anticipated second half of the premiere episode, Liz and Kere dive into a Reddit letter titled "Black Girl Navigating Corporate America." Together, they share insightful advice on how to foster authentic relationships at work and strategize ways to "layoff-proof" your career.But that’s not all—this episode also features the debut of their signature Boss It or Toss It segment, where they salute some of their favorite Black TV sitcom career moms and break down what makes them boss-worthy (or toss-worthy as the case may be!).Come for the coaching, stay for the laughs. Either way, don’t miss the second installment of this game-changing conversation. It’s real talk, real advice, and a whole lot of fun!

You’re invited! Join Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas for the official launch of the Just Us Podcast — the space where Black women keep it real about life, leadership, and leveling up in corporate spaces.In part one of the premiere episode, we’re breaking down two game-changing conversations:How to build your personal board of directors — the people who help you grow, grind and be great.The Wu-Tang Way — our top 10 teamwork lessons from the legends themselves.Come vibe, learn, and laugh with us as we kick off this new platform in the first half of our pilot episode.

JUST US PodcastA Place For Black Women Navigating Corporate SpacesJust Us is the unapologetic, unfiltered podcast for Black women navigating the complexities of corporate America.Hosted by purpose-driven strategist Liz Nolley and seasoned corporate leader Kere Thomas Just Us creates a space where career, culture, and community meet.Each episode features dynamic segments designed to empower, educate, and entertain:Teachable Moments – Bite-sized workshops focused on the “soft skills” that make a hard impact in the workplace.Top 10s – Our pop culture hot takes, always served with a corporate twist and a career lesson.Elevator Pitch – Step into the spotlight and pitch yourself! Whether it’s for a job, business, or personal brand, get live coaching on-air from Liz and Kere.Read Out – Real-world scenarios from our listeners, Reddit, and beyond. We break them down and serve up honest, actionable advice.Toss It or Boss It – Our fun freestyle segment where we give our verdict on trends, tools, and topics. Boss move or total flop? We’ll tell you.Whether you're climbing the ladder, breaking the mold, or just trying to survive the Monday meeting, Just Us is your go-to guide for thriving in corporate spaces—on your terms.Submit your letter, send us your elevator pitch and join our growing community of subscribers at https://lizthepurposecoach.com/podcast