We Can Do Hard Things

247. Kerry Washington on the Family Secret that Shaped Her

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Kerry Washington shares the deeply personal story of what happened when her parents finally told her the truth about a long-held and shocking family secret:


  • How uncovering the truth – as painful as it was – led Kerry to reclaim her self trust; 
  • How the revelation made her the lead character of her own life for the first time;
  • Walking the line between protection and deception;
  • Breaking the cycle of gaslighting within families; and 
  • How defying her father freed both of them.


    • About Kerry: 

    Kerry Washington is an Emmy-winning, SAG, and Golden Globe-nominated actor, director, producer, and activist. Washington received widespread recognition for her role as Olivia Pope in the hit drama Scandal. In 2016, Washington launched her production company Simpson Street, whose projects include Confirmation, “American Son”, Emmy award-winning, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience”, The Fight, and Little Fires Everywhere. Washington is a lifelong activist and founder of Influence Change (IC21), an initiative that partners with nonprofits to increase voter turnout. For her efforts, Washington has been honored as one of TIME Magazine’s 2022 Women of The Year.


    Washington released her first memoir, Thicker Than Water, which is on sale now!


    TW: @kerrywashington

    IG: @kerrywashington

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    We Can Do Hard ThingsBy Treat Media and Glennon Doyle
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