It Just Got Real

What does it mean to design your life? In this episode, Denisha Kuhlor, founder and CEO of Stan, shares her journey of embracing uncertainty, taking risks, and redefining her path. Through introspection and experimentation, she discovers the importance of pausing to reflect on one's true desires and the confidence that comes from learning through triumphs and setbacks. Denisha's story of leaving t...

Shyvonne lands in Bali, and things immediately get Very Real. With various challenges and unexpected situations, Shyvonne shares how she chose to embrace the moment and make the most of it: shifting from what was going wrong to embracing the abundance of life and living each day to the fullest. We talk trusting ourselves, what it means to take a calculated risk, and ultimately – transformative exp...

On this episode, Snigdha Sur, founder of The Juggernaut , discusses the decision to raise prices and the challenges faced in a tough funding environment. As a community-driven platform focused on people largely underrepresented in the media space, this was a challenging balancing act. How do you focus on representation while leaving space for critique? How do you invite criticism of yourself while...

In this episode, Cheraé shares a vulnerable moment at a team dinner that could’ve went entirely left. The tension between her current role in venture capital and her previous work building her startup were at a fever pitch and spilled over in a way she did not anticipate. After being gathered by a couple of her closest friends and confidantes, her perspective shifts dramatically and some incredibl...

In this episode, Mallory Contois, Head of Community at Mercury and Founder of The Old Girls Club , shares her journey of navigating the challenges and pressures of being a woman in tech, from raising a $25 million Series A round for a gaming startup to grappling with the immense responsibility and isolation that came with her role as COO. The conversation delves into the themes of vulnerability, r...

From sleeping in gym clothes to the profound impact of spiritual journey’s, this episode with Sugar Living CEO Fatima Choice, is a testament to the resilience required to succeed in the startup world. Her transition from Jetpack to Sugar, a community-enhancing tech platform, illustrates the importance of community and connection in both business and personal growth. This episode not only explores...

In this conversation, Cat Middleton, General Partner at The Venture Collective, shares a vulnerable moment when she questions her place in venture capital. She discusses her motivation to make a difference and create a more inclusive environment. While charing her unlikely journey to VC, she addresses imposter syndrome, the fear of failure and success, and how she sees the value of authentic conne...

Let’s talk navigating career transitions! Han shares her post-acquisition story from where we left off in the last season when her company was acquired. We cover fitting into boxes (or not), taking advice (or not), and going from being a generalist to a specialist in a career transition. We also talk about the importance of approaching learning with a growth mindset and “time boxing”. With plenty...

Whether intentional or not, shifts are a constant. JZ is a master of the career pivot, and is here to tell us all about it, how she’s (impressively) navigated them to here current role as COO at Charm. But this is It Just Got Real, and so of course, we’re gonna get into it :) We also talk regretful decisions, missed opportunities, the complex experience of being a minority that is often labeled “s...

9 lives isn’t even the beginning of what Karina has lived in her impressive career. From the military to banking to tech to coaching and so much more, throughout it all Karina Cares About The Humans. In this show we get into what it really means to be a “leader”? And how do you unleash potential in others as a manager? Karina brings the goods, smashing up our traditional (aka patriarchal) notions...

If you identify as: “A ______ and an Artist” – or want to, this show is for you. In this (hilarious) episode we talk to Danielle , someone who isn’t only a tech founder in the Silicon Valley, but also a prolific and extremely funny artist. Highly aware of the unique (and sometimes bizarre) culture of the Bay Area, she’s consistently pranking it with art-scepades. Next time you hear about where to...

With Manushka Magloire. Whether you’re a community builder or appreciate being in community, Manushka's story is one you don’t want to miss. Amidst a loss-of-identity moment, the former Global Director of Social Impact and Community for AFROPUNK takes us through her journey of self-discovery and growth to leaning into her superpowers as a soul-led convened an architect founding The Lay Out and wor...

With Geneviève Patterson. In this episode, we bring on our first (!) guest, Dr. Geneviève Patterson , Han’s co-founder at Trash. Geneviève is an accomplished scientist specializing in computer vision and artificial intelligence. We talk to her about her current (surprising) project and what it’s been like to be on the forefront of inventing a technology that is now hitting every consumer and enter...

We're back for season 2! In today's new episode, Cheraé talks about continuing to be a founder, even when you're no longer running a company. She describes the winding road for Tastemakers Africa, how the pandemic impacted the business, and navigating changes in her identity since then. Learn about how to support the Fearless Fund .

"It Just Got Real" returns next Thursday! Join us for Season 2 of It Just Got Real, a podcast for creative women in business who are carving out their own path in work and life. Join us every Thursday for the realness! Coming soon, wherever you listen to podcasts and now on YouTube .

The realest moment of the season goes down in the finale - Han announces she's sold her company TRASH to VSCO. The two unpack the ins and outs of getting acquired in the rona before going into a run-down of some of the biggest record scratches and culture moments of an insane 2020.

Cherae realizes she's been so busy with making things sound right that she's stopped following her instincts. Han jumps in and they unpack everything from transparency, to the creative process, to just putting shit out there. In culture we discover Colors on YouTube and new music and we even make our way to discussing Mike Tyson now on Triller (bbm confused face).

Cherae realizes she needs more than a "work/life balance break" and unpacks what it's like to reprogram the way you get things done. Han chimes in with some thoughts on her own shifts before getting real about the state of COVID-19 in Los Angeles and what's really going on with pandemic Thanksgiving gatherings. The two close it out with Cherae stepping into the new millenium and actually using Spo...

Han gets asked a question that makes her confront the realities of building, and the not so glamorous parts of getting the job done. Cheraé chimes in with some thoughts on where our need for "veneer" comes from and the two of them have some record scratch moments from everyday life. In culture Han drops two new tracks (by other people, she has not taken up being a rapper) before wrapping up t...

With election results in - Han and Cherae dive into what this all means and are generally elated about the outcomes. In the real moment, Cherae chats moving into a new apartment in Brooklyn, what that means for her state of mind as a founder, and the tradeoffs female founders make unnecessarily in their journeys. In culture Soulection shows up again as does YG's FDT hit rising to the top...

Cherae and Han jump into the thing everyone is laser focused on: the US election. Recorded as the results were in the air, the two discuss what this means for America and for themselves. Han also gets pretty personal with her moment - you'll have to tune in to see how.

In another live episode from Mexico, Cheraé shares the moment where Han, over the most delicious of Portuguese dinners, blew up the idea of "creative blocks" and got to the nuts and bolts of how creative output (when it's what you do for a living) actually works. The record scratch dives into things white women are doing in 2020, including becoming a new breed of political activist in the burbs (a...

Han and Cheraé take the pod to Mexico and deal with the realness of travel during COVID-19 and what makes something "essential essential". Han chats through the emotions and logistics of the entire decision and Cheraé's record scratch reveals that leaving the US doesn't always mean leaving its problematic ways. In culture or what could be called the Big Phat Culture Moment Han and Cherae run...

Cheraé's week gets real when she has to hit pause and give herself time to get to leader level vision. Han chimes in with some lessons and cautions around the murky middle of being in the thick of a founder journey at the least celebrated stage. They both share tips for breaking through before jumping into the Record Scratch moment, which per normal includes commentary on Trump and other shenaniga...

Han's moment is a bit of a founder's groundhog's day and tackles the idea of focus . Probably the single most repeated advice given to founders, Cheraé and Han tackle whether focus is really the key to the game. You'll have to listen in to see where they land. On the record scratch they chat Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis and Roblox's IPO (which Cheraé is kicking herself for not investing in). In cult...