Just Us with Liz and Kere

Just 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.

Just Us with Liz and Kere is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 17 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Just Us with Liz and Kere, a business show with 17 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #10

  S2E10: Just Us with Liz and Kere Podcast: The Did I Do That Episode

  Jul 2, 202655 minS2

  Can you succeed in corporate America without pretending to be someone you're not? In this episode of Just Us with Liz & Kere , we revisit one of television's most iconic characters—Steve Urkel—to unpack a surprisingly powerful lesson about authenticity, code-switching, confidence, and the masks we wear to fit in. Using the legendary Steve Urkel vs. Stefan Urquelle storyline from Family Matters , Liz and Kere explore what happens when we allow other people's expectations to define who we are. They discuss authenticity in the workplace, the pressure Black women often face to conform, and why embracing your full self may be the key to both success and fulfillment. Then, in a special Boss It or Toss It , they rank some of television's most unforgettable characters—from Waldo and Carlton Banks to Janine Teagues, Fred Sanford, Jazz, Franklin, Charlie, and more—based on their commitment to individuality and authenticity. If you've ever felt pressured to wear a mask at work, this conversation is for you. 📌 Like, Subscribe & Share to help more Black women navigate corporate spaces with confidence and purpose. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere 03:03 Teachable Moment: The Book of Family Matters 04:58 Why Steve Urkel is the ultimate lesson in authenticity 09:44 The creation of Stefan Urquelle and the workplace mask 11:31 When other people's expectations become your identity 12:24 Myra, self-worth, and being loved as your authentic self 18:32 Why authenticity wins in the end 19:34 The lesson: Stop wearing masks for other people 20:37 Helping young people discover their own version of "cool" 22:24 The history and reality of masking in Black culture 23:24 Bringing your whole self to work 24:49 Sponsor Break 26:40 Boss It or Toss It: TV's Most Authentic Characters 32:25 Waldo Faldo – Authenticity without apology 34:11 Carlton Banks – Staying true to yourself 35:24 LaVita Alizé Jenkins – Lovably authentic 37:00 Jerome in the House – Boss or Toss? 38:28 Sheneneh – Iconic but too much? 40:01 Madea enters the conversation 40:39 Janine Teagues ( Abbott Elementary ) 43:16 Sandra Clark ( 227 ) 45:03 The Upshaws debate 47:10 Fred G. Sanford 48:32 Jazz from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 49:58 Franklin from Peanuts 51:39 Charlie from Black-ish 53:15 Final thoughts: Authenticity matters #AuthenticityMatters #BlackWomenAtWork #CorporateSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #JustUsPodcast #SteveUrkel #PersonalBranding #ProfessionalDevelopment #BlackWomenLead

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  Episode #9

  S2E9: Just Us with Liz and Kere Podcast - The Stop Yo' Body Policing Before We Make Change Episode

  Jun 25, 202651 minS2

  Can Black women ever just show up to work without being scrutinized? In this episode, Liz and Kere tackle a powerful listener letter from a professional Black woman whose confidence was shaken moments before a major presentation when a coworker questioned whether her outfit was appropriate—even though it fully complied with company dress code. Together, they unpack body policing, workplace jealousy, confidence, self-advocacy, and why Black women are often held to different standards in corporate spaces. Then, the conversation expands into a candid discussion about the stereotypes and tropes that continue to shape how Black women are perceived at work and in popular culture. From the "Sassy Sister" to the "Angry Black Woman," Liz and Kere explore how these labels can be weaponized—and why embracing your authentic self is the ultimate act of resistance. Plus, a few laughs, a Martin throwback, and an unapologetic defense of showing up exactly as you are. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere 0:22 Why we wear T-shirts and sweatshirts on the podcast 1:28 The problem with policing Black women’s appearance 2:25 Authenticity, branding, and showing up as yourself 4:22 Why comfort and relatability matter 6:13 Read Out Letter: "Second Guessing Before Showtime" 6:33 A career-defining presentation and one damaging comment 7:20 "I'm not sure I would wear that..." 8:04 How body policing impacts confidence at work 9:03 Stop policing Black women’s bodies 10:11 Was the comment intentional? 11:08 Why successful women attract criticism 12:36 What haters reveal about your growth 14:01 Real leaders fix crowns—they don't knock them off 15:08 Responding to workplace digs and passive-aggressive comments 16:33 Powerful clap-backs that reclaim your confidence 18:26 Document, document, document 19:22 When workplace criticism is really someone else's issue 20:14 Why you shouldn't second-guess your greatness Top 5 Black Female Tropes That Get Weaponized at Work 21:37 Introduction to the Top 5 22:33 #5 The Sassy Sister 23:40 Why this stereotype gets overused and misunderstood 27:02 #4 The Bubbly Black Girl 28:35 The outsider effect and being "not Black enough" 30:03 The pressure of deciding how much of yourself to show at work 31:18 Liz's corporate karaoke dilemma 33:35 Why it's okay to embrace every part of yourself 34:24 #3 The Exotic Black Woman 36:34 #2 The Prim & Proper Black Woman 38:52 #1 The Angry Black Woman 39:16 Why passion gets misinterpreted in corporate spaces 40:34 How to challenge the "Angry Black Woman" label in real time Honorable Mention 41:53 Tyler Perry's "Struggling Black Sister" trope 44:43 Why pitting Black women against each other misses the reality 46:17 The truth about how Black women support one another Closing Thoughts 47:06 Relax, relate, release 47:37 Martin, Nino Brown, and one of TV's funniest moments 48:52 Just Us merchandise spotlight 49:44 Nobody gets to police what we wear 50:21 Final thoughts and sign-off

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  Episode #8

  S2E8: Just Us with Liz and Kere Podcast - The Ally at the Cookout Episode

  Jun 18, 202656 minS2

  Can you be a genuine ally without making it about yourself? In this candid and often hilarious episode, Liz and Kere respond to a letter from a white female leader who wants to better support the Black women on her team but worries that her efforts sometimes come across as tone-deaf or performative. Together, they unpack the difference between intention and impact, what authentic allyship actually looks like, and how leaders can create meaningful support without centering themselves in the conversation. Along the way, Liz and Kere share real workplace stories, discuss sponsorship versus performative advocacy, and explain why listening may be the most powerful leadership skill of all. Then, things take a turn as they dive into a spirited Top 10 list exploring why they may never attend "the cookout"—a funny but thought-provoking conversation about cultural spaces, belonging, allyship, and who gets invited. This episode blends practical leadership advice, workplace wisdom, cultural commentary, and plenty of laughs. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere 0:09 Why Liz is repping UVA and the connection to allyship 2:41 Just Us merchandise spotlight 3:17 Read Out Letter: "Trying But Still Learning" 3:37 A leader wants to be a better ally but keeps missing the mark 5:02 Why intention and impact are not the same thing 7:16 The questions every ally should ask themselves 8:22 The simplest allyship advice: treat people like people 9:13 Why cultural performativity misses the point 10:03 The workplace story that explains accidental othering 12:19 Human-to-human conversations vs. racializing every interaction 13:32 Sponsorship, advocacy, and using your influence wisely 14:57 Why Black employees are not your cultural classroom 16:22 The awkward questions people really ask 18:58 Curiosity, sincerity, and creating safe conversations 21:38 How to ask questions without putting people on the spot 23:10 What authentic allyship actually looks like 25:27 Listening without trying to make someone else's experience your own 26:30 The difference between performative and meaningful support 27:22 Ask yourself: Am I helping or trying to be seen helping? 28:07 Why genuine allies matter Top 10: Reasons Kere Isn't Going to the Cookout 29:00 The "Cookout" conversation begins 33:22 #10 – We don't know who's going to be there 34:15 #9 – Who made the potato salad? 35:02 #8 – The cookout isn't a fashion show 36:29 #7 – Somebody's going to get cussed out 37:09 #6 – It's too hot outside 38:47 #5 – Somebody brought Baby's Kids 40:12 #4 – The parking situation is unacceptable 41:36 #3 – If the Ques aren't making the chicken, why are we here? 44:18 #2 – The cookout has become too gentrified 47:51 #1 – The cookout isn't even real 51:35 Why allyship and inclusion still matter 52:13 Progress only happens when people work together 55:24 Final thoughts and episode wrap-up

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  Episode #7

  S2E7: Just Us with Liz and Kere Podcast: The D9 In Trenton with Jennifer Davenport Episode

  Jun 11, 202634 minS2

  In Part 2 of our special live podcast taping from D9 in Trenton, Liz and Kere sit down with New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport for an honest conversation about leadership, public service, community partnership, and what it means to serve with purpose. Attorney General Davenport discusses the values that inspired her career in public service, her priorities for New Jersey, and how her office is addressing issues ranging from gun violence and human trafficking to consumer protection, civil rights, and affordability. She also shares her perspective on allyship, community engagement, and the importance of listening before leading. The conversation explores the realities of balancing a demanding career with family life, why giving yourself grace matters, and how authentic leadership can help build trust across communities. Plus, Jennifer joins Liz and Kere for a fun New Jersey-themed edition of Boss It or Toss It featuring Parkway vs. Turnpike, Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham, and the debate over whether Central Jersey really exists. If you're interested in leadership, public service, advocacy, or creating positive change in your community, this episode delivers valuable insights and practical wisdom from one of New Jersey's most influential public servants. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to Part 2 of the live D9 in Trenton podcast 0:39 Introducing New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport 2:24 Making history with her first podcast appearance 3:05 What inspired her career in public service 3:23 Growing up in Wildwood and learning service from family 4:58 Why civic engagement starts at home 5:35 The Attorney General's priorities for New Jersey 6:57 Defining public safety beyond crime and violence 7:44 New Jersey's approach to reducing gun violence 8:56 Combatting human trafficking and protecting survivors 9:48 Protecting children online and offline 10:34 Consumer protection, affordability, and fighting fraud 11:32 Defending New Jersey's rights and interests 12:34 How the Attorney General's Office and the Divine Nine can work together 13:40 The importance of community engagement and listening 16:45 Balancing leadership, family, and public service 17:17 Why "I don't do it all" is an honest answer 18:12 The power of community, support systems, and giving yourself grace 20:15 Allyship, advocacy, and supporting Black and Brown communities 21:05 Lessons learned from the Selma commemoration 22:29 What authentic allyship looks like in practice 24:53 Final reflections on leadership, trust, and public service 27:49 Boss It or Toss It: Public Service Edition 28:24 Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law 29:36 Early Mornings vs. Late-Night Strategy Sessions 30:02 Group Chats, Phone Calls, and Workplace Communication 30:12 Coffee, Tea, or Diet Coke? 31:06 Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham 31:28 Parkway vs. Turnpike 31:47 Eagles, Giants, Jets, and New Jersey sports loyalties 32:25 Jersey Devil vs. State Bird 32:41 Is Central Jersey a real place? 32:59 Closing remarks and thank you to D9 in Trenton

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  Episode #6

  S2E6: Just Us with Liz and Kere Podcast: The D9 In Trenton with Tahesha Way Episode

  Jun 4, 202646 minS2

  In this special live episode recorded at D9 in Trenton, Liz and Kere sit down with former New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, Tahesha L. Way, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, public service, resilience, sisterhood, and the power of collective action. Tahesha shares how a life-changing health crisis shaped her commitment to public service, the lessons she learned from her parents' example of service, and what it means to be "the first" while ensuring you're not the last. She also discusses the role of the Divine Nine in civic engagement, balancing family and leadership, and why showing yourself grace is one of the most important leadership skills of all. Plus, stay tuned for a hilarious New Jersey-themed edition of Boss It or Toss It featuring Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll, Turnpike vs. Parkway, and more! Whether you're navigating corporate spaces, public service, or community leadership, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical takeaways. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to the first-ever live taping of Just Us with Liz & Kere at D9 in Trenton 2:17 What is D9 in Trenton and why it matters 3:49 The origin story behind D9 in Trenton 5:02 The 2026 advocacy agenda: voting rights, housing justice & healthcare transparency 6:27 Introducing former Lt. Governor Tahesha Way 9:00 Tahesha's journey into public service 10:03 Lessons learned from parents who served their communities 11:35 Surviving a cerebral hemorrhage at age 19 13:20 How that experience led her to law school and public service 14:24 The power of Divine Nine sisterhood and brotherhood 15:25 Why she chose Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 18:31 Being the "first" and making sure you're not the last 22:03 Creating opportunities and access for others 22:52 The future role of the Divine Nine in civic engagement and politics 27:06 Balancing leadership, family, marriage, and self-care 29:20 The importance of showing yourself grace 29:50 Tahesha's unexpected self-care routine 31:36 What's next for Tahesha Way? 33:20 Why sponsorship matters in career growth 34:21 Boss It or Toss It: Leadership & Power Moves Edition 39:40 Turnpike vs. Parkway 40:42 Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll 41:13 Giants vs. Jets vs. Eagles 42:26 Final leadership advice and call to action 45:08 Closing remarks

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