The Art of Leaving w/ Darlene Gillard Jones
Build The Damn Thing
Whether navigating the complexities of divorce, stepping away from a business venture, or exiting any significant chapter of your life, leaving can be a difficult art. In this episode, Kathryn and Darlene Gillard Jones discuss the nuances of knowing when to leave and the importance of doing it in a way that doesn't destroy what you’ve built. “Figuring out how to leave is a delicate dance, and you definitely need a strategy.” One thing you should keep in mind is that leaving is a change, and many people are not very good with change. So you have to recognize that when you leave a...
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Global Impact w/ Gizelle George-Joseph
Build The Damn Thing
After George Floyd's death, Gizelle George-Joseph, Partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs realized that she could leverage her platform to bring a voice to the issues in the Black community. In this episode, she and Kathryn discuss how businesses can be a force for positive change, the importance of diversity in leadership, and the role of inclusive research in shaping a more equitable future. “Black women, for all of the progress that we've made over the last few decades…experience just massive inequalities across such a...
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What It Takes to Support a Black Woman Leader? w/ Kimberly Bryant
Build The Damn Thing
One of the hardest people to be in the world is a brilliant Black woman because Black women leaders are rarely given the mentorship, guidance, and grace needed to be truly successful. In this episode, Kathryn and Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, discuss the power of supporting Black women leaders. This episode explores the strategies, practices, and nuances that go into fostering a thriving leadership ecosystem for Black women. “We as Black women and Black-women-run entities are undervalued, underfunded, and undersupported.” Despite doing the work and often doing it even...
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The Power of Resilience w/Torian Richardson
Build The Damn Thing
How do we access our full potential? In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, expert life hacker Torian Richardson, explore how to hack your way to reaching your full potential- addressing setbacks, failures, and doubts head-on. Learn how to deal with the fear of permitting yourself to live the life you want to live and how to cultivate resilience in your own life. “I can't give what I don't have, right? So, I can't give time if I don't have it. I can't give resources or money or love if I don't have those things for myself.” You can’t serve your family or community if...
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Adapting to Change w/Denise Hamilton
Build The Damn Thing
We say we want change but often don’t budget for its cost. In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, Denise Hamilton, founder of WatchHer and author of Indivisible, examine the complexities of adapting to change and uncover effective strategies for navigating these shifts seamlessly. “We often say that we want change, but we don't budget for the cost of change, right?” Change means more than just making minor adjustments. There is a cost to real change. For example, change can mean calling out toxic practices or people, even if the people are powerful and the practices are just how...
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Dating as an Entrepreneur w/AJ Johnson
Build The Damn Thing
Entrepreneurship demands dedication, innovation, and unwavering focus… and so does dating. In this episode, Kathryn speaks with celebrity hairstylist and designer AJ Johnson, who has navigated the intricacies of dating while pursuing business ambitions. “One thing that I definitely think [that high-powered women] could do is instill in themselves self-love… because you're not gonna be able to share or receive love from nobody else if you don't feel it about yourself.” To find a life partner successfully, you have to put as much effort into dating as you do into building your...
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Motherhood and Entrepreneurship w/Laurence Basse
Build The Damn Thing
Balancing the beautiful chaos of motherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship can be a real challenge. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by fashion designer and Project Runway alumnus Laurence Basse to discuss the joys of motherhood and entrepreneurship. “ I'm a rockstar mom.” Having your child be part of your work life can give them more insight into who you are and what you do when you’re not being Mom. For Kathryn and Laurence, having their kids around when they work means that the kids better understand what they do and why. “I never felt very connected to...
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Balancing Act: Work, Life, and Entrepreneurship w/Darlene Gillard Jones
Build The Damn Thing
Are you struggling to balance work, life, and family? In this episode, Kathryn and her guest, Darlene Gillard Jones, provide real advice and heartwarming stories to help entrepreneurs maintain a healthy work-life balance. Darlene was a fashion editor who was doing it all at magazines like ELLE and Essence. But the late nights and constant travel weren’t easily compatible with raising her young children and helping care for her mother with cancer. So, she decided to leave that life behind for a creative life which she controls. “Figure out how to simplify things that don't need to be...
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Defying Convention w/Roger Carter
Build The Damn Thing
Many have walked unconventional paths, made bold decisions, and exhibited incredible resilience. They've not only broken barriers but also redefined what's possible. In this episode, Kathryn is joined by Roger Carter, an award-winning visual artist who captures the context of modern culture and the persona of the African-American journey to the representation of iconic images in everyday citizens. “Good art, whatever that may mean, elicits discussion. Maybe it gets people to think differently. Maybe it gets them to ask questions and explore.” We tend to see our public heroes as flat,...
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Centering Joy w/ Bevy Smith
Build The Damn Thing
Do you center joy in your life? In this episode, Kathryn and author Bevy Smith share tips on how to center joy in all areas of your life, from work to your personal life. You’ll learn what centering joy in your life looks like, how to find your own blissful brand, and how living in joy can help you be successful. “You cannot be in your joy, in your bliss, if you are being something you're not. And part of that is showing up a hundred percent who you are.” It can be hard to center joy in a world where happiness is determined by the amount of “things” you possess. The key to being...
info_outlineWhether navigating the complexities of divorce, stepping away from a business venture, or exiting any significant chapter of your life, leaving can be a difficult art. In this episode, Kathryn and Darlene Gillard Jones discuss the nuances of knowing when to leave and the importance of doing it in a way that doesn't destroy what you’ve built.
“Figuring out how to leave is a delicate dance, and you definitely need a strategy.”
One thing you should keep in mind is that leaving is a change, and many people are not very good with change. So you have to recognize that when you leave a situation, many people will not be comfortable with you leaving because they're uncomfortable with change. You’re not disappointing people; they just don’t like change. Realizing this truth can help make it a little bit easier to leave.
“One of the things I wanna encourage everyone to do is to figure out how to remove yourself from a situation before you get to the point of losing yourself.”
It can be tempting to stay in a stable situation, even when you’re no longer growing and it’s no longer the best environment for you. When you’re thinking about how to leave, be sure to center who you are and meditate a bit. The biggest part of leaving anything is knowing yourself and your reasons for doing this. And when you're clear on that, it makes it much easier to exit.
“My goal is to leave in a way that honors me and who I am, but also to make sure that whatever I build continues on.”
You don’t have to leave in a way that hurts other people or burns bridges. Instead, you should strive to leave with dignity while preserving relationships and fostering growth. Doing this requires intention, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the impact our departures can have on those around us.
Guest
Darlene Gillard Jones: https://www.darlenegillardjones.com/
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