Not Your Gratitude Project + Boss It or Toss It: Vacation Edition

In this episode of Just US, Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas dive into a letter from “Not Your Gratitude Project,” a high-performing Black woman whose boss keeps hitting her with the same undermining line: “You should be thankful you even have a job.” And whew…Liz and Kere are immediately triggered—because they’ve lived it.

They break down why that phrase isn’t “just a joke,” but a classic corporate gaslighting and intimidation tactic meant to control behavior and shrink confidence. From documenting every incident (and every win), to pulling receipts, gathering third-party praise, and getting HR involved when necessary, they outline real strategies to protect your peace and your career. They also talk about reading the room: is this one manager, a toxic culture, or a warning sign about layoffs? And no matter what—keep your “corporate go bag” ready: updated resume, active network, and a financial cushion.

Then the episode shifts into a lighter (but still very real) round of Boss It or Toss It: Vacation Spots Black Folks Love (Besides Martha’s Vineyard)—with hot takes on Atlantic City, Dubai, Jamaica, cruises, Miami, Vegas, Ghana, and the undefeated favorite: staying home.

Come for the coaching, stay for the laughs, the culture, and the mic-drop moments.

Episode 4: “Up In Here” – Navigating Your Career Without Losing Your Mind

In this laugh-out-loud and deeply practical episode of Just Us, Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas tackle a question many Black women are asking right now: How do I navigate this chaotic job market without burning out or blowing up at work?

From adopting an entrepreneurial approach to managing your career, to using AI tools to uncover transferable skills and new career pathways, Liz and Kere offer real strategies you can use today. Along the way, they unpack purpose, side hustles, career pivots, and the power of reframing your day job as a means—not the mission.

And because music is self-care (until it’s not 😅), the episode wraps with a hilarious and painfully accurate list of “Songs You Should NOT Listen to on Your Way to Work When You’re Already Stressed.”

Come for the career coaching, stay for the culture, the stories, and the laughs. This episode is equal parts strategy session and group chat energy.

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!

You’re invited! Join Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas for the official launch of the Just Us Podcast — the space where Black women keep it real about life, leadership, and leveling up in corporate spaces.

In part one of the premiere episode, we’re breaking down two game-changing conversations:

1. How to build your personal board of directors — the people who help you grow, grind and be great.
2. The Wu-Tang Way — our top 10 teamwork lessons from the legends themselves.

Come vibe, learn, and laugh with us as we kick off this new platform in the first half of our pilot episode.

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.

Submit your letter, send us your elevator pitch and join our growing community of subscribers at https://lizthepurposecoach.com/podcast