Say Yes (with Elaine Welteroth) – Episode 32 of Rants & Randomness
Hey, my peoples! This week, I’m bringing you a new episode of Rants and Randomness with special guest Elaine Welteroth.
Download Episode 32 TranscriptThis New York Times bestselling author is an award-winning journalist, creative, and judge on the new Project Runway. From her childhood in a small town in Northern California to a powerful career as the editor in chief at Teen Vogue, Elaine has always believed in charting her own path in life. Download the transcript to learn more about her experiences while navigating the topsy-turvy media world as a young African American woman.
In her bestselling book, More Than Enough, Elaine shares stories from her own career to inspire women to pursue a meaningful and authentic lifestyle. And she doesn’t hold any of this wisdom back in our interview – we talked in depth about her journey from the San Francisco Bay Area to the corporate offices of Condé Nast publications like Teen Vogue and Glamour. Here are some of the gems that she dropped in our episode:
Be Relentless
When I asked Elaine what she was like as a child, she immediately said, “enterprising and relentless.” Before she ever walked through the doors of some of the most powerful media conglomerates in the world, she was not afraid to chase down opportunities in her neighborhood. And that kind of confidence can make a critical difference in a young person’s life, especially when you’re a black girl in a small, predominantly white town.
After listening to her experiences as a student, intern, and journalist who refused to be held back by her age or her ethnicity, I hope that you are inspired to be relentless in your own life. If there is a dream that you have been too scared to pursue, know that it is still waiting for you on the other side of your fear. All you need to do is to take the first step – it’s time to start chasing the things that matter to you.
Trust Yourself
But being relentless can take a toll, and if you don’t have the confidence to challenge other people’s preconceptions about your identity and your ability to accomplish your goals, you’ll have a hard time when you need to challenge your own. That kind of confidence takes courage – the ability to share your story openly and honestly, to stand up for yourself, to speak your truth.
When Elaine released her book, More Than Enough, she entered a new stage in her career. She stepped out of her comfort zone to share her own story, and in the process, ended up inspiring others. And we all have the power to improve the lives of the people we come into contact with, by promoting authenticity in a way that encourages others to become their best selves.
You can follow Elaine on Twitter and Instagram at @elainewelteroth. As always, much love to the Chicago Recording Company, where I record each episode!
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