In this powerful and relatable episode of Just Us, Liz and Kere are joined by special guest Erica Fulton—entrepreneur, esthetician, and founder of Kin Skin & Wellness—for a real conversation about one of the hardest skills to master in the workplace: saying no.

Responding to a listener who feels trapped in a cycle of overcommitment, the trio unpacks the pressure many high-achieving Black women face to always say “yes”—and the burnout, invisibility, and frustration that often follow. From “performance punishment” to internalized expectations, they break down how we become the go-to person… and how to reclaim our time, voice, and boundaries.

With practical strategies like “soft no’s,” capacity language, prioritization, and even a game-changing email scheduling hack, this episode is both a mindset reset and a tactical guide to self-advocacy at work. Plus, the conversation expands beyond the office—challenging listeners to examine where else “yes” is costing them peace.

And because it’s Just Us, the episode wraps with a hilarious and all-too-real segment: Top 10 Ways to Disagree Using Black Conversation—proving you don’t always need words to say “absolutely not.”

If you’ve ever felt like a “professional yes ma’am,” this episode is your permission slip to do things differently.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Just Us + Meet Guest Erica Fulton

01:15 – The Readout: “I’m tired of always saying yes at work”

02:40 – The pressure of being a Black woman in corporate spaces

04:15 – “Performance punishment” and the cost of overdelivering

07:05 – How to say no (without actually saying “no”)

09:00 – When your boss makes you the go-to for everything

10:45 – Self-advocacy: Asking “what should I deprioritize?”

12:00 – Pushback vs. people-pleasing

13:00 – Are you doing this to yourself? (Internal expectations)

15:00 – Managing the anxiety of saying no

16:00 – The “sleep at night” test

17:00 – Why leaders don’t actually want yes-people

18:00 – Burnout risk: What happens when you never say no

20:00 – Mindset shift: Are you creating unnecessary pressure?

21:30 – Real-life story: When work isn’t more important than life

23:00 – Setting boundaries in real time (Kere’s example)

25:00 – Understanding urgency vs. perceived urgency

26:30 – Teaching people how to treat you

27:45 – 🔥 Pro Tip: Use scheduled email send to manage expectations

30:00 – Why you shouldn’t make everything look “too easy”

31:00 – Boundaries beyond work (friends, family, business)

33:00 – You created it—you can fix it

35:00 – Practical tools: capacity language + prioritization

36:30 – Documenting conversations to protect yourself

38:00 – Final advice: You don’t have to say yes

40:00 – Final thoughts: Capacity, burnout, and self-awareness

41:50 – Top 10 Ways to Disagree Using Black Conversation

43:00 – Honorable mentions (“Girl, bye”, “I said what I said”)

45:25 – Top 10 countdown begins

50:00 – #1 way to disagree (no words needed 👀)

51:00 – Viral “Black conversation” moment explained

52:30 – Closing + where to connect

What would you say if opportunity met you in an elevator? 👀

In this episode of Just Us with Liz & Kere, we introduce a brand new segment—The Elevator Pitch—and welcome our first-ever guest, entrepreneur and master esthetician Erica Fulton, owner of Kin Skin & Wellness.

From corporate strategy to entrepreneurship and self-care, this episode is packed with gems on how to show up prepared, positioned, and confident.

✔️ What an elevator pitch is—and why you need one

✔️ How to clearly communicate your value

✔️ Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship

✔️ Skincare for melanated skin & common myths

✔️ The connection between stress, health, and your skin

✔️ Why self-care is essential—not optional

00:00 – Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere

00:00:45 – Teachable Moment: What is an elevator pitch?

00:02:10 – Key components of a strong elevator pitch

00:05:10 – Why your elevator pitch matters for your career

00:06:30 – Introducing our first guest: Erika Fulton 🎉

00:08:40 – Erica’s elevator pitch (masterclass!)

00:09:30 – Breaking down what makes a great pitch

00:11:00 – Erica’s background: military to entrepreneurship

00:12:00 – What is paramedical tattooing? (powerful impact)

00:13:20 – Restoring confidence after trauma & surgery

00:14:30 – Mind-body connection: how skin reflects stress

00:15:00 – Skincare myths: yes, Black women need SPF 👀

00:16:00 – Gut health, stress & skin explained

00:18:00 – Creating safe spaces through wellness services

00:18:50 – How Erica got started in esthetics

00:20:00 – Representation in skincare for melanated skin

00:21:30 – Hyperpigmentation explained (the science!)

00:23:00 – Why TikTok skincare trends can be risky ⚠️

00:25:00 – How to connect with Erica & Kin Skin Wellness

00:26:00 – Water & skincare: fact or fiction? 💧

00:27:30 – “Black don’t crack”… or does it? 👀

00:30:00 – Final advice: self-care, rest & consistency

00:33:00 – Boss It, Gloss It, or Toss It (fun segment begins 🔥)

00:33:30 – Hot comb vs flat iron vs curling iron

00:37:00 – Bar soap vs body wash vs water debate 😂

00:40:00 – Washcloth vs African net vs loofah

00:42:30 – Bonnet vs scarf vs satin pillowcase

00:50:00 – Quick take: what feminism really means

00:52:00 – Closing + where to find Just Us merch

“If I asked you to list everyone you love… how long would it take for you to get to yourself?”

Full episode available on YouTube, Spotify & all platforms

🔗 https://linktr.ee/lizthepurposecoach

Erica Fulton

🌐 www.kinskinwellness.com

📱 @kinskinwellness

Do you have your elevator pitch ready? 👀

Or are you still “figuring it out”?

Drop your answer in the comments ⬇️

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#JustUsPodcast #ElevatorPitch #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SkincareForBlackWomen #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #SelfCareMatters #BossItOrTossIt

In this dynamic episode of Just Us, Liz and Kere tackle a career topic that many professionals—especially Black women navigating corporate spaces—find confusing and intimidating: sponsorship.

Responding to a listener who calls herself “Looking for a Sponsor, Not Just a Cheerleader,” the hosts break down the real difference between mentorship and sponsorship. They explain why a sponsor isn’t just someone who gives advice—but someone who uses their influence, social capital, and reputation to advocate for you when you’re not in the room. Liz reframes sponsorship as a “strategic faith walk,” reminding listeners that while you can’t control who sponsors you, you can control the frequency you’re broadcasting through your work, relationships, and personal brand.

From practical strategies like doing your own 360-degree feedback to intentionally managing your professional reputation, this conversation delivers both mindset and tactical tools for positioning yourself for advancement—even when you don’t see who’s advocating behind the scenes.

Then the mood shifts into fan-favorite segment Boss It or Toss It, where Liz and Kere hilariously debate iconic talk show hosts—from Oprah (original vs. modern), Gayle King, and Tamron Hall to Wendy Williams, Sherri Shepherd, Maury, Jerry Springer, Phil Donahue, and more. Along the way, they unpack authenticity, cultural responsibility, chaos vs. empathy in media, and what it really takes to build a lasting platform.

It’s part career masterclass, part cultural commentary, and all Just Us—where ambition meets assignment, and even the jokes come with leadership lessons.