Storytellers, creators, creatives lets gather for the Season Finale of That Work Podcast. In this episode, I talk to Shirley Williams-Toney, founder of Willie B. Studios (a creative house that has worked with all your favorite brands) to explore the evolving landscape of storytelling, creativity, and the impact of AI on the industry going into 2026. One thing is clear: WE ARE THE NEW STUDIOS. Two things for sure: storytelling transcends every platform, every era and every shift and I don't about you, I am ready. Follow @ThatWorkBTW on TikTok, Instagram + YouTube and follow Shirley @shirleyvernae + Willie B. Studios @willie.b.studios Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background06:50 The Journey into Storytelling and Creative Direction16:05 The Birth of Willie B Studios17:55 Cultural Resonance in Storytelling25:30 Brands as Content Creators30:54 The Future of Storytelling in a Changing Landscape31:40 The Evolving Landscape of Creators37:11 The Power of Social Media and Community Building41:51 Navigating Personal Branding and Professional Expectations45:08 Integrating AI into Creative Workflows51:43 Rapid Fire Insights and Reflections54:38 The Importance of Decision-Making in Creativity Happy Holidays!

We Are The New Studios: AI + The Future of Storytelling Is Here [w/ Shirley Williams-Toney]

Anxiety is a liar, things are happening for us, not to us, and workplace trauma can create the greatest soldiers, leaders, and creatives (if we let it). Episode Chapters00:00 Embracing Personal Growth Through Trauma02:43 Navigating the Creative Chaos05:06 The Impact of Workplace Trauma on Leadership07:56 Finding Confidence in Vulnerability10:34 Transforming Anxiety into Productivity13:14 Lessons from Toxic Workplaces16:13 Building Emotional Intelligence18:41 The Importance of Collaboration21:11 Healing and Moving Forward23:32 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts Follow @ThatWorkBTW on Instagram + YouTube.

I Made Anxiety My B*tch

Every time I open my phone, I feel pushed to be angry about something. The outrage economy is working overtime and the effect is real. It drains creativity. It drains compassion. It shows up in meetings, interviews, pitches, and anywhere we need clarity. Takeaway:Disengaging from noise protects your mind. Peace produces better ideas than panic. Episode Chapters:00:00 The outrage economy is overwhelming01:15 Welcome03:05 Why I deactivated Twitter and Threads06:45 Rage and creativity cannot coexist09:10 The impact of repeated job loss headlines12:00 The cost of constant reactiveness15:20 Listener Letter: The overwhelmed empath18:40 My advice to protect energy at work21:05 Baddiemations23:20 Key takeaways to stay grounded25:40 Closing reminder about worth and workload Follow @ThatWorkBTW on Instagram for updates.

The Outrage Economy Is Costing Us Our Emotional + Creative Budget

There's a quiet grief so many of us carry behind the degrees, the flights, the promotions, the accomplishments, and the soft life montages. Inspired by a TikTok from Les Alfred of She’s So Lucky, this conversation goes straight into the heartbreak of realizing some of us might not get the partnership we dreamed about, the ways successful Black women get punished in modern dating, and the pressure to hold it all together while feeling like we are never quite chosen in the spaces where it matters most.This episode is heavy, yes, but it is honest. It is soft. It is reflective. And it is for every corporate baddie, lover girl, and ambitious woman trying to make peace with life’s timeline, not society’s. Takeaway: Acceptance. Alignment. Openness. Self-worth.Hope is not delusion. Desire is not desperation. And acceptance is not giving up, it is releasing the pressure, the panic, and the performance. If we want love to find us, we cannot disappear inside fear. Staying open, aligned, and grounded in our worth is the path. Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Personal Reflections: Tunisia sets the stage for a candid discussion on dating challenges.03:00 - Challenges in the Dating World: Navigating the complexities of dating as a "successful" Black woman.09:00 - Societal Expectations and Pressures: The impact of societal norms on personal relationships and self-worth.15:00 - Acceptance and Choosing Oneself: Embracing self-acceptance and setting the tone for how others choose us.21:00 - Finding Contentment and Self-Worth: Building a fulfilling life beyond societal expectations.27:00 - Conclusion and Takeaways: Key reflections and encouragement for listeners to embrace their journey. Follow @ThatWorkBTW on Instagram.

We Won't All Be Chosen [And That's Ok] 

What happens when a Black woman and a White woman sit down and actually tell the truth about work, race, privilege and layoffs? Meet Jillian O'Malior on TikTok, where she talks openly about the dumpster fire job market on TikTok and Corporate nihilism, and honestly, this episode just scratches the surface of the WTF is happening in the workplace diaries for all the corporate baddies. This is a conversation about layoffs, yes, but it is also about self-worth, power, and what it means to burn down the system without burning yourself out. Takeaway: Partnership. Allyship. Accountability. Openness.Outrage feels good in the moment, but it does not build a new world. Honest conversation, accountability, and self-worth do. If we want a different future of work, Black women, White women and everyone in between will have to stop performing and start partnering for real. Episode Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Jillian, unhinged bosses and the "I bet you think strippers like you" story00:05:30 - Niceness is not consent and why men misread women at work00:10:00 - Corporate nihilism, toxic startups and emotional labor for your boss00:15:30 - Layoffs, Disney, DEI and 300,000 Black women pushed out of work00:23:00 - White guilt vs white empathy and what privilege actually means00:30:00 - Performative DEI, being hired for optics and the sting of being replaced00:39:00 - The reputation of white women at work and why so many choose a white male boss00:47:30 - Bias, accountability and how both Black and white women can unlearn harmful patterns00:55:00 - Career PTSD, self-sabotage and rebuilding a life that actually fits01:03:00 - Side business vs fixing a broken company and redefining success on your own terms01:10:00 - Game of This or That Jillian is an Employer Brand Consultant, Leader, and Culture Strategist, and real talker on TikTok. Follow her @JillianDoesBranding. Follow @ThatWorkBTW on Instagram.

The Conversation We All Need [w/ Jillian O'Malior] 

Seriously, I am over it. The constant self-reflection is so LA of me and yeah, nah, over it. Takeaway:Doing the inner work is a non-negotiable but doing it for the plot, embracing mess (not wrecklessness) and living is just as important. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Personal Reflections00:03:00 - The Pressure of Self-Improvement00:06:00 - Embracing Authenticity00:09:00 - Living in the Moment00:12:00 - Balancing Fun and Inner Work00:15:00 - Breaking Free from Societal Expectations00:18:00 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways Follow @ThatWorkbtw podcast on Instagram for news + updates.

Honestly, I Am Over It

In this episode, I continue to explore my journey of self-discovery in alignment vs ambition. I share a candid reflection on one of my most traumatic career experiences, getting fired after six weeks, during the 2015 BLM movement, which challenged my values and led to a profound personal transformation. TAKEAWAY: The pedestal we create is usually never worth it. CHAPTERS: 00:00:01 Introduction and Self-Discovery 00:00:26 The Dream Job Distraction (My CondeNast Story) 00:00:54 Chasing Proximity to Power 00:29:02 Ambition vs. Addiction 00:16:25 Family Love and Self-Love 00:29:01 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Follow ‪@byTunisiaWilson on all social platforms and join the @ThatWorkBTW community for updates.

They Say All The Cool Girls Get Fired 

In this episode, I share my journey of self-discovery and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of aligning ambition with purpose. I reflect on what should have been a career-changing experience at Netflix that had so much promise but left more to be imagined and a big bill from my therapist that I am still paying for to this day. Takeaway: Waiting for the world to pick you up and choose you is never a good idea. Chapters: 00:00:01 Introduction and Self-Discovery00:00:26 The Dream Job Distraction00:00:54 Chasing Proximity to Power00:29:02 Ambition vs. Addiction00:16:25 Family Love and Self-Love00:29:01 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Follow ‪@byTunisiaWilson on all social platforms and join the @ThatWorkBTW community for updates.

Ambition Without Alignment Can Become An Addiction

It's spooky season, and I am not talking about Halloween. I caught up with my former colleague, Starr Roque, host of Black Horror Journal podcast, author of Bloggers Can’t Be Trusted, and she’s giving the behind-the-scenes dish on what it's like to be a Black woman writer in these times. Takeaway: Resilience is the only antidote to spooky conditions in the workplace. 00:00 - The Evolution of BET and Its Impact02:42 - Navigating Career Challenges as Black Women05:18 - Reflections on Past Experiences in Media07:43 - The Journey of a Hip Hop Journalist10:42 - The Intersection of Culture and Journalism13:18 - The Challenges of Freelancing and Corporate Work16:26 - The Reality of DEI Initiatives19:09 - The Spookiness of Corporate Culture21:55 - The Importance of Resilience and Adaptability24:33 - The Role of Mentorship in Career Growth27:16 - The Future of Black Women in Media29:52 - The Connection Between Horror and Reality32:38 - The Impact of 2020 on Careers35:21 - The Importance of Community and Support37:57- The Soft Skills Needed in Spooky Spaces40:31 - Advice for Young Black Women in Media43:12 - The Balance Between Authenticity and Professionalism45:57 - The Future of Work and Freelancing48:54 - The Importance of Representation in Leadership51:19 - The Need for Equity in the Workplace54:17 - The Journey of Building a Community57:12 - The Role of Influence in Career Advancement59:24 - The Importance of Self-Advocacy01:02:20 - Navigating the Challenges of Being a Black Woman in Media01:05:01 - The Future of Black Horror Journal01:07:55 - Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations Follow @starr_rocque on all social platforms. Follow @byTunisiaWilson on all social platforms and join the @ummBTW community for updates.

Soft Power in Spooky Workspaces [w/ Starr Roque]

That Work Podcast is for the work wifeys who do the most &amp; deserve more…let’s chat worth, work &amp; the wtf’s because seriously, wtf was that? Follow @ThatWorkBTW podcast on Instagram for updates. for inquiries: hello@thisisbtw.com | thisisbtw.com Produced by BTW Studios™️

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