Luvvie Ajayi
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NYT bestselling author (4x) 📚 Speaker 🗣 and ✍🏾 Book Marketing Coach at The Book Academy - 5BookMistakes.com.
Articles by Luvvie Ajayi
Rising Troublemaker
In this young listeners edition of her New York Times best seller Professional Troublemaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones uses her honesty and humor to inspire teens to be their bravest, boldest, truest selves, in order to create a world they would be proud to live in. The world can feel like a dumpster fire, with endless things to be afraid of. It can make you feel powerless to ask for what you need, use your voice, and show up truly as your whole self.
Episode 134 - Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
This episode we’re discussing Piranesi by Susanna Clarke! Major spoiler warning for this episode as we talk about a lot of various plot points! (Though we don’t reveal everything.) There’s an extra spoiler siren immediately before we start diving into the plot in depth. You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast delivery system.
How I started as a blogger, became CEO of media firm, and eschewed guilt to grow my career
e fear change and then attach the guilt of what we could lose to it, further making it harder to welcome with open arms. When my first book came out and instantly hit the New York Times bestseller list, my life changed immediately. I went from being a girl who blogs to being an author in an elite club. I was already traveling a lot, but my inquiries tripled and my fees doubled. I basically lived on planes, in between speaking engagements.
Luvvie Ajayi: Why you should get yourself a Nigerian friend
Share: igerians are world-renowned loudmouths who happen to exist in every place on earth, roll deep, and have a reputation for cleverness. We are legion, so hear us roar. I think everyone needs a Nigerian friend, pretend cousin, or auntie in their lives. In a world where fear rules our lives and we get used to cowering, we need to surround ourselves with some rowdy energy that takes up space unapologetically. That’s where Nigerians come in.
Writer. Speaker. Truth teller. And Professional Troublemaker. on Apple Podcasts
53 min You'll get a kick out of this remarkable person. I know I did. Luvvie Ajayi Jones is an award-winning author, podcast host, and sought-after speaker who thrives at the intersection of comedy, justice, and professional troublemaking. 53 min Top Podcasts In Documentary See All
Well, That Escalated Quickly
In this sharp, funny, and timely collection of personal essays, veteran video blogger and star of MTV's Decoded Franchesca Ramsey explores race, identity, Online activism, and the downfall of real communication in the age of social media rants, trolls, and call-out wars. Franchesca Ramsey didn't set out to be an activist. Or a comedian. Or a commentator on identity, race, and culture, really. But then her YouTube video "What White Girls Say...to Black Girls" went viral. Twelve million views viral.
Professional Troublemaker
The Fear-Fighter Manual Narrated by: Luvvie Ajayi Jones Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins 4.8 out of 5 stars 4.8 (1,189 ratings) 1 title per month from Audible’s entire catalog of best sellers, and new releases. Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts. You will get an email reminder before your trial ends. Your Premium Plus plan is $14.95 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Fight Your Fear – BONUS Episode 12 on Apple Podcasts
29 min On this episode of Rants & Randomness, because you’ve been blowing up our mentions with some of the content we’ve been creating in other spaces, we’re sharing excerpts from an IG Live that Luvvie did last week on fear and imposter syndrome that really resonated over on social. And don’t miss the chance to sign up for a follow up class on Thursday, August 20 at 6:00 pm Central. Visit FearFighterClass.com for more information. 29 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Be Authentic (with Dr. Yaba Blay)
1 hr 1 min On this episode of Rants & Randomness, we’re sharing an excerpt from a LuvvNation Chat and Chill Luvvie did with Dr. Yaba Blay. Yaba and Luvvie talk about the importance of exploiting our privilege for the greater good, sisterhood as a verb, and giving ourselves the permission to succeed. 1 hr 1 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Do The Thing That Feels Bigger Than You (Behind the Scenes on Luvvie's Next Book)
51 min On this episode of Rants & Randomness, we’re sharing a recent IG Live where Luvvie is diving into the behind the scenes of getting the book deal for her second book, getting it written in the middle of a pandemic, and is answering questions on the tools and processes that helped her get it done. If you have something you want to get done, and it’s sitting on your heart (whether it’s writing a book or not), make sure you listen to this episode.
Jesus and Jollof: Pursuing Passion and Purpose: The Career Q&A Episode
32 min In this bonus episode, Luvvie and Yvonne answer listener questions about careers and believing in yourself. How do you deal with the “not your time yet” season? What are the steps to deal with imposter syndrome? Tune in to hear everything from how to deal with rejection to learning how to manage money and fame. 32 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Speak Up for Yourself (with Gabrielle Union) – Episode 42 on Apple Podcasts
1 hr 2 min In this episode of Rants and Randomness, Luvvie is having a conversation with Gabrielle Union – actress, activist and author. She's been speaking out about injustice throughout her career, and she’s talking about her amazing 25+ year career, what she’s learning as a mom and stepmom and what her experience on America’s Got Talent taught her about the projects she will choose going forward. 1 hr 2 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Insecure - Lowkey Lost Recap
This post is in partnership with HBO. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. Make it Work - Issa meets up with Lawrence. He got the job in San Francisco. He is going to get an assistant, corner office and a team. Relocation fee. So, what about them? He asks if it’s a deal breaker and she says it’s not, because SF ain’t that far away. She said maybe she could move one day. What about her friends? Well, she might need to make new ones. She wants to surround herself with what brings her joy.
Transcript of "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable"
I'm a professional troublemaker. (Laughter) As my job is to critique the world, the shoddy systems and the people who refuse to do better, as a writer, as a speaker, as a shady Nigerian — (Laughter) I feel like my purpose is to be this cat. (Laughter) I am the person who is looking at other people, like, "I need you to fix it." That is me. I want us to leave this world better than we found it. And how I choose to effect change is by speaking up, by being the first and by being the domino.
Insecure - Lowkey Trippin' Recap
This post is in partnership with HBO. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. The Run - Molly is at the Ethiopian restaurant being indecisive about her gluttony when she sees Issa come out the car. She hits that “look forward as if I see nothing” move we all know about but is then stunned when she sees her friend get back in the car and leave. Stunned! Andrew’s talking to his brother when Molly walks in, all puffed up and irritated. She tells him she saw Issa, who basically ran away from her.
Insecure - Lowkey Done Recap
This post is in partnership with HBO. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. Helping Hand - Issa is in bed replaying the big fight she and Molly had at the Block Party in her head. Had Molly not spazzed out on her, she would be celebrating the major success it was. People have been showing love on the Facebook event page. They want more! Issa’s phone has been blowing up, and she has a bunch of voicemails from folks calling to check up on her.
Insecure - Lowkey Movin' On Recap
This post is in partnership with HBO. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. Not Cool - It’s 3:32 a.m. and Issa is wide awake at home, stressed, because she still needs a headliner for the Block Party. She gets on the ‘gram and sees that Nathan is active so she DMs him. He asks if she wants to talk and the answer is yes, because she dials his number. He big ups her for the upcoming event, but she laments that she’s still struggling to find a main act.
Insecure - Lowkey Losin' It Recap
This post is in partnership with HBO. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. Not the Time - Issa is working hard on the Block Party and excited that Schoolboy Q is headlining. Just then, Trina knocks on her door with what seems like the whole building of tenants behind her. Their beef? Their water stopped running. There is no water in her apartment too, and they rush in to give her all the smoke. Someone knocks on Molly’s door, and it’s Asian Bae.
Insecure - Lowkey Thankful Recap
This post is in partnership with HBO. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. Alarm - Lawrence is getting some mirror time in by dropping techy buzzwords to himself in prep for a big meeting he has at work. Just then, Condola wakes up with a jolt to a loud alarm clock and he’s all cutesy about her in the morning, which is how you know he’s smitten. He didn’t even care about stale breath or nothing. He tells her how he’s inspired by her and wants to step his game up at work.
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Blow Them Away (with Courtney A. Kemp)
1 hr 3 min In this episode of Rants and Randomness, Luvvie is sharing a standalone interview with Courtney A. Kemp - television writer, producer, showrunner and co-creator of the hit Starz series Power. She's a force to be reckoned with and an influential black woman in Hollywood getting things done. 1 hr 3 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Jesus and Jollof: People Pleasing (The Unlearning)
1 hr 2 min In this episode, Luvvie & Yvonne explore their hangups with the subtle art of not giving a DAMB. They share candidly their struggles with unlearning people-pleasing and confront their desperate need to no longer betray themselves, because let’s face it— self-sabotage is an enemy of progress. 1 hr 2 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Jesus and Jollof: Busy Bodi (The Unlearning)
1 hr 17 min In this episode, Luvvie and Yvonne share their ongoing battle with being busy. It’s not their fault. Blame it on the overachieving-ness of Nigerians (at least that’s what their therapists tell them). 1 hr 17 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Be An Advocate (with Kim Foxx) – Episode 38 on Apple Podcasts
57 min In this episode, Luvvie is feeling good about Jalaiah Harmon getting the credit she was due for creating the Renegade. She rants about how we don’t need to feel the need to show up on every single social media platform and spotlights her favorite apple juice – Martinelli’s. Luvvie then speaks with current Cook County State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx. 57 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants & Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi on Apple Podcasts
47 episodes Join NYT Best-Selling Author and Side-Eye Sorceress, Luvvie Ajayi, as she rants on all things pop culture and business. Her unique brand of loving judgement, hilarious shade and necessary truth-telling will keep you wanting more. Plus, her all-star guests stay dropping gems! Join NYT Best-Selling Author and Side-Eye Sorceress, Luvvie Ajayi, as she rants on all things pop culture and business.
Jesus and Jollof on Apple Podcasts
30 episodes Jesus and Jollof is a podcast featuring Luvvie Ajayi and Yvonne Orji, two proudly Nigerian women (who have no behavior) talking about the things they love, their stories, and life in general. Why “Jesus and Jollof?” Those are the two things they cannot do without.
Rants and Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Do Good Work (with Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche) – Episode 34 on Apple Podcasts
1 hr 15 min In this episode, Luvvie is feeling great about being the cover girl for Munaluchi Bride Magazine’s fall 2019 issue. She rants about tantrum-throwing adult-toddlers that feel the need to announce when they “officially unfollow” someone. And she spotlights the Podcasting 101 video series she’s hosting with Sean Rameswaram, in partnership with Google and PRX.
Want to make a podcast? 5 tips to get you started
OK, so you should really watch the videos to get all the good stuff, but here are some of my top tips to get you started: 1. Define your who. When you’ve figured out your “why” for making your podcast, then you need to figure out “who” should listen. A focus statement like this can really help: My show is about _________ And on it you’ll hear _________ And you should listen if you are _________. 2. Structure matters.
4 Essentials for Building a Meaningful “Friendwork"
Out with the old – business cards and empty handshakes – and in with real relationships that lead to change. Keisha Mabry (St. Louis ’10) wants to do away with two things: the elevator pitch and the question, “So, what do you do?” They’re not authentic, she says. “Tell people your story, share your passion.” Mabry’s passion is for what she calls “friendworking”: human connections loosed from the transactional expectations of networking.
4 Essentials for Building a Meaningful “Friendwork"
1. Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People By Vanessa Van Edwards Edwards’s book analyzes the speech and body language needed to win people over in social and business settings, Mabry says. It “justified and validated my want for genuine, authentic connections, and used data to do so.” 2.
BUNDLE: Intro to Public Speaking + The Public Speaking Masterclass
Frequently Asked Questions When does the course start and finish? The first cohort officially begins on June 6, 2019. That gives you one week to get started on the Intro to Public Speaking class, as well as complete the introductory module for The Public Speaking Master Class. You'll get one lesson a week for 7 weeks, and then you have lifetime access to the content. How long do I have access to the course? How does lifetime access sound?
Rants and Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi on Apple Podcasts
38 episodes Join NYT Best-Selling Author and Side-Eye Sorceress Luvvie Ajayi of AwesomelyLuvvie.com as she rants on all things society and pop culture. Her unique brand of loving judgement, hilarious shade and necessary truth-telling will keep you wanting more. Plus, her all-star guests stay dropping gems! Use #RantsandRandomness to discuss on the interwebs. Join NYT Best-Selling Author and Side-Eye Sorceress Luvvie Ajayi of AwesomelyLuvvie.com as she rants on all things society and pop culture.
Jesus and Jollof: Prioritizing You: Self-Care
21 min In this episode, Luvvie & Yvonne make a quick, but necessary pit stop into self-care, which sometimes is all self care is: quick, but necessary. There’s nothing sexy about burnout, so they share practical tips on prioritizing the most important human in your life: YOU. 21 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants and Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Own Your Character (with Thasunda Brown Duckett)
59 min In this special episode, Luvvie has a candid conversation with Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. They talk about showing up as your full self, even in corporate settings, rising through the ranks and her clarity about her purpose. Thasunda is passionate about ensuring that Black women are able to build wealth, and that is why she champions Currency Conversations. 59 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants and Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Own Your Purpose (with Thasunda Brown Duckett)
59 min In this special episode, Luvvie has a candid conversation with Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. They talk about showing up as your full self, even in corporate settings, rising through the ranks and her clarity about her purpose. Thasunda is passionate about ensuring that Black women are able to build wealth, and that is why she champions Currency Conversations. 59 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Jesus and Jollof: Parenting Our Parents: Payback
1 hr 7 min In this episode, Luvvie and Yvonne discuss why, despite their best efforts at love, parents need to control every aspect of their children's lives. Luvvie shares the reason she's been a useful disappointment and Yvonne challenges DMX to a Christmas duet album. 1 hr 7 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Jesus and Jollof: Cardio For Your Mind: Therapy
56 min On this episode, Luvvie and Yvonne discuss the taboo subject of therapy and why seeking professional help isn’t “airing your dirty laundry in public.” As two Nigerians who are women of faith, they lean on God, but also lean on the doctor whose job it is to help them be their best selves and they encourage listeners to do the same. 56 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Rants and Randomness with Luvvie Ajayi: Do Better: Social Media Etiquette
19 min In this BONUS episode, Luvvie talks about social media etiquette! Being the cantankerous Auntie she is, she rants about people sending messy DMs and emails, and shares tips on how to get it all the way together in 2019. Your social media presence matters, so do it right! 19 min Top Podcasts In Society & Culture See All
Simplify Honesty: Luvvie Ajayi on How to Tell Uncomfortable Truths
This is a magazine from the makers of Blinkist, an app that transforms the best ideas from nonfiction books into 15-minute reads and listens. Curious? Start your free Blinkist trial today. If a friend of yours needed to hear an unpleasant truth, would you tell it to them? Or would you gloss over it in order to avoid an uncomfortable conversation?
Insecure - High-Like Recap
Running - Issa is driving Lyft to make ends meet after quitting her We Got Y?all job, and gets all types of passengers. Best one? Thug Yoday! She ends up at Molly?s job with all types of errand stuff for her bestie to get her ready for their trip to a music festival in California where Beyonc� is performing! They both need this trip?and Beyonc�?s performance?so bad that Issa does the ?Formation? choreography as she leaves.
Insecure - Fresh Like Recap
Fresh Start - Issa?s got her new spot, and is back with her raps cuz she finally has a bathroom mirror again. Daniel stops by to drop off the last of her stuff and he looks like he?s already missing her. Those Puss-in-Boots eyes he was giving told me that. She thanks him with a hug and he bounces. He looks slightly salty, doe. Molly comes bearing gifts: an inflatable mattress, a plant and some Hennessy. She?s such a good friend.
Insecure - Familiar Like
Denied ? Issa is at work, looking at apartments to rent but these L.A. prices are out of pocket. She shoots a text to Daniel cuz apparently they are ships passing in the night in that small apartment of his. She?s declined for another apartment she applied to, doe. Daniel?s response is super short. My feelings are still hurt over his ?roommate? emphasis, and clearly, he is feeling some type of way about Issa. Wrong and Strong ?
The Bookshelf: Laugh your pants off
Looking for something fun to read, listen to or watch?
Why we need to call out casual racism
Sacha Vega/iStock We can’t have an honest reckoning about race until we start to recognize all the ways in which privilege and prejudice creep into our lives, says author and digital strategist Luvvie Ajayi. There comes a time in every upwardly mobile Black person’s life when they encounter someone who tells them how “well-spoken” and “articulate” they are.
The 2018 MAKERS Conference
Kumail Nanjiani is a critically acclaimed actor, writer and comedian who recent starred and co-wrote with his wife Emily V. Gordon, “The Big Sick”. The film tells the story of their real-life relationship. Produced by Judd Apatow and Barry Mendel and directed by Michael Showalter, Nanjiani stars opposite Holly Hunter, Zoe Kazan and Ray Romano. The film premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and was released by Amazon Studios and Lionsgate this past Summer.
Luvvie Ajayi: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
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Luvvie Ajayi: We Didn't Do Better
What a difference two years can make. I turned in the full manuscript for this book on October 15, 2015. When I set out to write I'm Judging You, I wanted to create something that was both timely and timeless. But I didn't know how timely this book would be until we, the people of the United States, elected a walking Cheeto to the highest office in the land on November 8, 2016.
Mr. Big Syndrome Ruins Lives
Like a lot of women, I’m a huge Sex and the City fan. SATC is one of those shows that really impacted pop culture in many ways. First, it introduced many of us to Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks. And remember those Manolo Blahnik timbs that were all the rage back in 2000? Yeah … me neither. (-__-) Carrie and crew had women everywhere ordering Cosmos even though they taste like cough syrup, vodka, and disappointment.
Opinion | How to Keep Your College Admission Offer: Start With Digital Literacy
When I graduated from college in 2006, I went into marketing and ended up introducing the organizations I worked for to social media. It turned out these platforms we kids were all loitering on could be used for business! It was perfect for my next move. I got a job as a marketing coordinator at a nonprofit that taught other nonprofits how to tell their stories through social media and on the web. My position expanded: I started coaching and teaching social media strategy.
Author and Blogger Luvvie Ajayi: “The most important part is transparency”
Author and Blogger Luvvie Ajayi: “The most important part is transparency” Author Luvvie Ajayi joins John to talk about her book, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual, as well as about her blog, Awesomely Luvvie. As someone who has written and run a blog for 14 years, Luvvie provides her wisdom on how best to create one’s brand through the art of words. She and John discuss speaking up when it’s appropriate, a prevalent theme in her book. Listen to her at Printers Row Lit Fest Saturday.
4 Important Places to Visit in Johannesburg, South Africa | Awesomely Luvvie
After 2 days in Cape Town (read my post on 5 Awesome Places to Visit in Cape Town), I took a 2-hour flight and landed in Johannesburg ready to speak at Social Media Week Jozi and excited for almost 4 days of adventures. I truly didn’t realize I would have as good of a time that I did and I was actually missing the Mother City. My amazing friend Mimi Selemela (of Afrika Reads) was my tour guide for my time in Jozi and that did a world of good.
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