Honey & Hustle

Today, I'm diving into Rewrite Your Rules by Morgan DeBaun, the brilliant CEO and founder of Blavity. If you've been following the show a while, you'll remember that I featured Morgan in last year's February/Black History Month daily podcast challenge (linked below). Since then, I've been following her newsletter on Substack, and it's been such a joy to read her perspectives and learnings as she leads one of the most important media companies focused on Black culture and millennials.

In this chapter, A Purposeful Life: Simple, Not Easy, Morgan breaks down what it really means to live with purpose. The title says it all—living purposefully is simple in concept, but it's definitely not easy in practice. Purpose isn't something you find once and you're done—it's something you continuously refine and recommit to. The simplicity comes from knowing what matters most to you; the difficulty comes from actually making the hard choices to align your life with those values. Morgan shares personal stories about pivotal moments in building Blavity and how she had to make tough decisions that didn't always feel comfortable but were aligned with her purpose. Living purposefully often means saying no to good opportunities so you can say yes to the right ones

What really resonated with me is how Morgan emphasizes that you don't need to have everything figured out. You just need to be intentional about the direction you're moving in and be willing to course-correct along the way. If you're an entrepreneur, a creative, or anyone trying to build something meaningful, this chapter (and this whole book) is a must-read.

More Episodes to Explore:

How Morgan DeBaun Raised $12M to build Blavity: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/how-morgan-debaun-raised-12m-to-build-blavity-home-of-shadow-and-act-afrotech/

Successful Failure by KevOnStage: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-successful-failure-by-kevin-fredericks-kevonstage/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your free lesson from CommunityOS here: https://www.communityos.xyz

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

In this episode, I'm diving into Successful Failure by Kevin Fredericks (KevOnStage), specifically the chapter "Where Hoop Dreams Go to Die." Successful Failure by Kevin Fredericks is a New York Times bestseller that explores how flops, failures, and detours can actually pave the way to real success. Kevin shares his journey with humor and honesty, making it a must-read for anyone who's ever felt like they've "failed" at their original dream. The chapter chronicles the start of his personal journey from aspiring athlete to finding his true calling in comedy and content creation. He shares the pressure of athletic expectations and the identity crisis that can follow when those paths close. The skills and discipline from pursuing one dream can transfer to another path in surprising ways. We can debate if KevOnStage is funny all day, but we can’t deny that he is an incredible storyteller.

You may also enjoy I Hope You Fail by Pinky Cole: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-i-hope-you-fail-by-pinky-cole-for-you/

Here's an article I wrote featuring motivational quotes from KevOnStage: https://www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com/p/motivation-monday-kevonstage-edition

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Download the free guide on How to get your first 1,000 subscribers here: https://www.angelahollowell.com/first1000

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

In this episode, I dive into Chapter 2 of Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, a book that's been on my radar since I first spotted it in a coworking space in Mobile, Alabama. This chapter explores the foundation of creating exceptional experiences and the philosophy behind going above and beyond in hospitality. Will Guidara's insights aren't just for restaurant owners—they apply to anyone looking to elevate their craft, build meaningful connections, and create experiences that people remember long after they've left.

You may also enjoy Tiny Experiments: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-tiny-experiments-by-anne-laure-le-cunff-for-you/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Download the free guide on How to get your first 1,000 subscribers here: https://www.angelahollowell.com/first1000

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

In this episode, I'm diving into Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, specifically exploring the chapter titled "Why Goal Setting is Broken." Anne-Laure Le Cunff is the brilliant mind behind Ness Labs, a newsletter with over 100,000 readers. Her work focuses on mindful productivity, creative thinking, and evidence-based strategies for personal growth. In this chapter, Anne-Laure challenges the traditional approach to goal setting and offers a refreshing alternative that emphasizes experimentation over rigid objectives. Her approach to productivity and personal development is both research-backed and refreshingly human.

You may also enjoy New Happy: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-new-happy-by-stephanie-harrison-for-you/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

Get your free lesson from CommunityOS here: https://www.communityos.xyz

In this episode, I'm diving into The New Happy by Stephanie Harrison and sharing my thoughts on the chapter "How We Got It All So Wrong." I first discovered Stephanie's work through her brand, The New Happy, which features vibrant and colorful illustrations that beautifully capture emotions like happiness, anxiety, and doubt. Her visual approach to complex feelings really resonated with me, so I was excited to explore her book. Stephanie Harrison's work stood out to me because she combines research-backed insights with accessible, beautiful visuals that make complex psychological concepts easy to understand. The New Happy isn't just about feeling good—it's about redefining what happiness means in our lives.

In this chapter, Stephanie explores how our modern understanding of happiness has been shaped by cultural narratives that often miss the mark. She challenges conventional wisdom about what makes us truly happy and offers fresh perspectives on building a more meaningful life. What are your thoughts on happiness?

You might also like The Pathless Path: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-chapters-of-the-pathless-path-by-paul-millerd-for-you/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Download the free guide on How to get your first 1,000 subscribers here: https://www.angelahollowell.com/first1000

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

In this episode, I dive into The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd, exploring two powerful chapters that challenge conventional thinking about work and purpose: The Trap of Meaningful Work and We Want to be Useful. Can the pursuit of "meaningful work" become a trap that keeps us stuck? Paul Millerd challenges the assumption that we need to find the perfect career that aligns with our purpose, and instead offers a different perspective on how to think about work and fulfillment. The second chapter examines our deep-seated desire to be useful and how it shapes our relationship with work. Paul Millerd discusses how this drive can both motivate and limit us, and what it means to redefine usefulness on our own terms.

You may also like Opinions by Roxanne Gay: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-chapters-of-opinions-by-roxanne-gay-for-you/

You may also like Hidden Potential by Adam Grant: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-hidden-potential-by-adam-grant-for-you/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

Get your free lesson from CommunityOS here: https://www.communityos.xyz

In this episode, I'm diving into Super Skill by Joe Lazer, specifically the chapter titled "Lead Through Stories." Stories are one of the most effective tools for leaders to communicate vision, values, and lessons in a way that resonates emotionally with their team. Unlike facts and data alone, stories create memorable narratives that people can connect with on a personal level, making complex ideas easier to understand and remember. Sharing authentic stories—including challenges and failures—helps leaders build deeper trust and rapport with their teams. Every leader should develop a repertoire of stories that illustrate their core principles and the behaviors they want to model (yes, even solopreneurs and solo creators). This chapter reminded me that leadership isn't just about directives and strategy—it's about connection. The stories we tell shape how people understand our vision and motivate them to take action. I'm thinking about what stories from my own experience I can share more intentionally to inspire and guide others.

You might also like Banana Ball by Jesse Cole: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-banana-ball-by-jesse-cole-for-you/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

Download the free guide on How to get your first 1,000 subscribers here: https://www.angelahollowell.com/first1000

In this episode, I dive into Jesse Cole's "Banana Ball" and explore the chapter titled "Changing the Game." This chapter reveals how Jesse Cole revolutionized baseball by challenging traditional norms and creating an entertainment experience that puts fans first. The Savannah Bananas didn't just tweak baseball—they reimagined it entirely. He prioritized creating memorable experiences over preserving conventional baseball traditions. Every decision was made by asking "What would make this more fun for fans?" rather than "How has this always been done?" In this chapter, he shares stories of trying wild ideas that other teams would never consider—and how those risks paid off in building a devoted fanbase.

• What "rules" in your industry are actually just assumptions that could be challenged?
• How can you prioritize your audience's experience over industry conventions?
• What would your work look like if you optimized for delight instead of efficiency?

You might also like Slow Productivity by Cal Newport: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-slow-productivity-by-cal-newport-for-you/

You might also like my article on Jesse Cole: https://www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com/p/find-your-yellow-suit

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your free lesson from CommunityOS here: https://www.communityos.xyz

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

In this episode, I dive into Cal Newport's Slow Productivity, focusing on the chapter titled "Obsess Over Quality." This chapter explores how a relentless focus on producing high-quality work can be more sustainable and fulfilling than simply working to make more money. In this chapter, Cal Newport argues that obsessing over the quality of your output naturally slows down your pace but leads to better, more meaningful results. Adopting a craftsperson's approach to your work—where excellence is the primary goal—can reduce burnout and increase satisfaction. By concentrating on fewer projects but executing them exceptionally well, you build a reputation and create work that stands the test of time. Quality work takes time. Embracing the slower pace as a feature, not a bug, of sustainable productivity.

This chapter resonated with me as a reminder that constantly churning out content or projects isn't always the answer. Sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is slow down and ensure what we're creating truly matters.

You may also like Binge by Tyler Oakley: https://www.honeyandhustle.co/i-read-a-chapter-of-binge-by-tyler-oakley-for-you/

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your free lesson from CommunityOS here: https://www.communityos.xyz

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com

Welcome back to the Book Club! Today I'm diving into I Hope You Fail by Pinky Cole, specifically the chapter titled "I Hope Your Business Burns Down." In this powerful chapter, Pinky Cole shares the story of when her first restaurant literally burned down—and how that devastating loss became the foundation for building Slutty Vegan, one of the most talked-about plant-based restaurant chains in the country.

My first article on Pinky Cole: https://www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com/p/how-pinky-cole-made-slutty-vegan

My second article on Pinky Cole: https://www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com/p/when-your-business-baby-gets-too-big-475effbc8d7d91d0

My third article on Pinky Cole (I'm clearly a fan): https://www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com/p/the-g-is-silent

Thanks for listening! Let's keep the convo going:

Join the community, Please Hustle Responsibly: https://pleasehustleresponsibly.com/

Find all episodes here: https://www.honeyandhustle.co

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaHollowell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahollowell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyandhustle

Mentioned in this episode:

Download the free guide on How to get your first 1,000 subscribers here: https://www.angelahollowell.com/first1000

Subscribe to the newsletter today: www.pleasehustleresponsibly.com