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!