

Professional Troublemaker with Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Creating a life that is authentic, bold, and purposeful takes audacity. It takes disruption. That is what it means to be a Professional Troublemaker. Join New York Times bestselling author, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, as she brings perspectives, conversations and deep dives about culture, business and leadership.
Her guests are world movers and change agents who have gotten where they are through their tenacity, their truth telling and commitment to making good trouble.
Her guests are world movers and change agents who have gotten where they are through their tenacity, their truth telling and commitment to making good trouble.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 15, 2020 • 1h 24min
Wait for Your Harvest (with Austin Channing Brown)
In this episode of Rants & Randomness, Luvvie is talking with the brilliant Austin Channing Brown. Austin is a speaker, writer, and media producer providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the author of New York Times' bestselling I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness - recently chosen as a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick -and the Executive Producer of web series The Next Question.This is an amazing and energetic conversation, talking about everything from how Austin grew up, how she got her first name, what she does to make sure that she’s finding rest in this stressful world, and how she became this voice, this person that ended up writing a book that hit the New York Times bestseller list two years after it came out.Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Sep 1, 2020 • 48min
Step Toward Your Destiny (with Tiwa Savage)
In this episode of Rants & Randomness, Luvvie is talking to Nigerian pop star and Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage. With more than two decades in the music industry, Tiwa is having a huge moment right now. She wrote and performed a song on Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift album and the Black is King visual album, made her US television performance debut, and just dropped her latest studio album, Celia. Named after Tiwa's mom, Celia is packed full of songs you want to listen to and dance to, and that will help you feel better about the world. Listen in as Luvvie and Tiwa talk about the ups and downs in the music world, how motherhood has affected her music, and how moving from Nigeria to London as a child changed her entire life.Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual, and pre-order her new book, PROFESSIONAL TROUBLEMAKER: The Fear-Fighter Manual now!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Aug 26, 2020 • 46min
Hold Yourself Accountable (with Sophia Bush)
In this episode of Rants & Randomness, Luvvie is talking with her friend Sophia Bush. In June, Luvvie was one of four founding members of an online initiative called Share the Mic Now where 50 Black women took over the accounts of 50 white women for the day, getting billions of views around the world. Sophia shared her IG account with Luvvie that day, and this episode is taken from a live conversation that they had the next day on IG Live.This episode is an excerpt from that IG Live conversation, which so many who saw it loved because it was a peek into Luvvie and Sophia’s relationship and how they work together from their respective platforms to do good in the world. Luvvie and Sophia are talking about getting over the paralysis of perfection, speaking up, what spending your privilege looks like, and why these conversations about privilege could actually save lives if we’re paying attention, and why we gotta commit to standing up for each other in more visible ways. And if you love this conversation, don’t miss this week’s episode of Sophia’s podcast, Work In Progress. Luvvie is her guest, and they have an amazing conversation that continues what they talk about in this episode.Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual, and pre-order her new book, PROFESSIONAL TROUBLEMAKER: The Fear-Fighter Manual now!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Aug 18, 2020 • 30min
Fight Your Fear
On this episode of Rants & Randomness, we’re sharing an excerpt of an IG Live Luvvie did last week on fear and imposter syndrome. Luvvie had a recent conversation with her boo Bozoma Saint John (@badassboz) on how imposter syndrome changes and shifts during your career and the LuvvCousins in LuvvNation and folks who saw the live on Instagram had a lot of follow up questions about it.This bonus episode goes into those follow up questions and has Luvvie preaching on how imposter syndrome is something you always need to fight, why you need to accept your calling before you get shamed into it, and how find the confidence to share your dreams with others.After you listen, 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.Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual! And be sure to pre-order PROFESSIONAL TROUBLEMAKER: The Fear Fighter Manual, Luvvie’s second book, wherever books are sold.Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Aug 11, 2020 • 1h 2min
Be Authentic (with Dr. Yaba Blay)
On this episode of Rants & Randomness, we’re sharing an excerpt of a Chat and Chill Luvvie had with Dr. Yaba Blay. Chat and Chill is a gathering Luvvie will hold with her community on LuvvNation on Friday nights. Everyone grabs their snacks, shows up at the computer in their coziest auntie robe, and hangs out for great conversation. This episode is an excerpt from one of those great conversations. We’re bringing you Luvvie’s chat with Dr. Yaba Blay (@fiyawata). She’s a scholar, Professional Black Girl (@professionalblackgirl) and in this conversation, Yaba and Luvvie talk about exploiting our privilege for the greater good, sisterhood as a verb, and giving ourselves the permission to succeed.Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Aug 4, 2020 • 52min
Do The Thing That Feels Bigger Than You (Behind the Scenes on Luvvie's Next Book)
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, why a book proposal is the most critical thing you need when it comes to writing a book, 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.Write your book with Scrivener: https://luvvie.me/scrivluvvFollow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Jul 15, 2020 • 1h 2min
Speak Up for Yourself (with Gabrielle Union)
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, as a leader and advocate for inclusion in the Entertainment industry. She is also a champion of breast health and combating sexual violence. Gabrielle talks about being a Black woman in Hollywood – why those big hit movies early in her career didn’t change much for her career trajectory and what her experience as a judge on America’s Got Talent taught her about the projects she will choose going forward. Luvvie and Gabrielle also talk about what it’s like to be a parent and stepmom and how Gabrielle is crushing that role.You can follow Gabrielle on Twitter (@itsgabrielleu) and Instagram (@gabunion)Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!Recorded at: Chicago Recording Company
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Jul 7, 2020 • 16min
The Weary Weaponizing of White Woman Tears - BONUS Episode 11
A white woman feels challenged or uncomfortable about something a Black person said or did. Instead of using her words, she cries. Instantly. No matter what the initial catalyst of the situation is, she ends up being appeased, pacified, and pampered.In this bonus episode of Rants and Randomness, Luvvie is revisiting a previously published piece that starts getting shared on social every time another Becky weaponizes her tears against a Black person.READ: About the Weary Weaponizing of White Women TearsFollow @Luvvie everywhere on social – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Buy her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual.Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness and follow the podcast on Twitter and Instagram. Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with thoughts and questions!Recorded at: Chicago Recording Company
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

May 5, 2020 • 35min
Build Your Brand (with Rory Vaden)
In this episode of Rants and Randomness, we’ve got a little bit of a twist. Instead of Luvvie doing the interviewing, she’s the one begin interviewed. After being a guest on his Influential Personal Brand Summit and podcast, Luvvie wanted to share this interview from Brand Builders Group Co-Founder Rory Vaden. Rory and his team at Brand Builders Group specialize in helping people get clarity on their purpose and uncover their uniqueness so they can use that to serve the world. Luvvie is talking all about her 17 year journey as a writer and speaker and shares all the things she has learned with Rory and with you.If you want to take your personal brand to the next level, take Rory and his team up on their special offer for Rants listeners for a FREE brand strategy call. Visit freebrandcall.com/luvvie and get signed up for your free call to get clear on how to build more influence, impact and income.Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!Recorded at: Chicago Recording Company
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨

Mar 31, 2020 • 1h 4min
Blow Them Away (with Courtney A. Kemp)
In this episode of Rants and Randomness, we’re sharing an interview that was so good, it needed to stand on its own. Today, Luvvie is talking with Courtney A. Kemp. Courtney is a television writer and producer. In 2014, she created the Starz series, Power, the most-watched original series on Starz with millions of viewers. She was also a writer on shows like The Bernie Mac Show, The Good Wife, and Beauty and the Beast. Courtney is one of the most powerful women in television. In this conversation with Luvvie, Courtney dropped so many gems that this interview needs to stand alone. Be sure to listen and share.So, also check out our other standalone interviews that I've done on this podcast. Rich Dennis (Episode 20), Yvette Noel Shure (Episode 23), and Thasunda Brown Duckett (Episode 29).You can follow Courtney on Twitter (@courtneykemp) and Instagram (@courtneyakemp)Follow @Luvvie everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Check out her New York Times best-selling book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual!Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #RantsandRandomness. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter! Email LuvvieRants@gmail.com with feedback or questions!Recorded at: Chicago Recording Company
📕 Grab a copy of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual🔗 Connect with Luvvie Ajayi JonesInstagram & Threads (@Luvvie)LinkedInOfficial Website (Luvvie.org)🗣️ EngageShare your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker.For episode transcripts, check out Luvvie.org/podcastIf you're an aspiring writer, explore The Book Academy, Luvvie's masterclass for aspiring authors! 📚✨