Episode 6

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Published on:

4th Jun 2026

S2E6: Just Us with Liz and Kere Podcast: The D9 In Trenton with Tahesha Way Episode

In this special live episode recorded at D9 in Trenton, Liz and Kere sit down with former New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, Tahesha L. Way, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, public service, resilience, sisterhood, and the power of collective action.

Tahesha shares how a life-changing health crisis shaped her commitment to public service, the lessons she learned from her parents' example of service, and what it means to be "the first" while ensuring you're not the last. She also discusses the role of the Divine Nine in civic engagement, balancing family and leadership, and why showing yourself grace is one of the most important leadership skills of all.

Plus, stay tuned for a hilarious New Jersey-themed edition of Boss It or Toss It featuring Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll, Turnpike vs. Parkway, and more!

Whether you're navigating corporate spaces, public service, or community leadership, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical takeaways.

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 Welcome to the first-ever live taping of Just Us with Liz & Kere at D9 in Trenton

2:17 What is D9 in Trenton and why it matters

3:49 The origin story behind D9 in Trenton

5:02 The 2026 advocacy agenda: voting rights, housing justice & healthcare transparency

6:27 Introducing former Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

9:00 Tahesha's journey into public service

10:03 Lessons learned from parents who served their communities

11:35 Surviving a cerebral hemorrhage at age 19

13:20 How that experience led her to law school and public service

14:24 The power of Divine Nine sisterhood and brotherhood

15:25 Why she chose Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

18:31 Being the "first" and making sure you're not the last

22:03 Creating opportunities and access for others

22:52 The future role of the Divine Nine in civic engagement and politics

27:06 Balancing leadership, family, marriage, and self-care

29:20 The importance of showing yourself grace

29:50 Tahesha's unexpected self-care routine

31:36 What's next for Tahesha Way?

33:20 Why sponsorship matters in career growth

34:21 Boss It or Toss It: Leadership & Power Moves Edition

39:40 Turnpike vs. Parkway

40:42 Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll

41:13 Giants vs. Jets vs. Eagles

42:26 Final leadership advice and call to action

45:08 Closing remarks

Transcript

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About the Podcast

Just Us with Liz and Kere
A place for Black women navigating corporate spaces
Just Us is the unapologetic, unfiltered podcast for Black women navigating the complexities of corporate America.
Hosted by purpose-driven strategist Liz Nolley and seasoned corporate leader Kere Thomas Just Us creates a space where career, culture, and community meet.
Each episode features dynamic segments designed to empower, educate, and entertain:
Teachable Moments – Bite-sized workshops focused on the “soft skills” that make a hard impact in the workplace.
Top 10s – Our pop culture hot takes, always served with a corporate twist and a career lesson.
Elevator Pitch – Step into the spotlight and pitch yourself! Whether it’s for a job, business, or personal brand, get live coaching on-air from Liz and Kere.
Read Out – Real-world scenarios from our listeners, Reddit, and beyond. We break them down and serve up honest, actionable advice.
Toss It or Boss It – Our fun freestyle segment where we give our verdict on trends, tools, and topics. Boss move or total flop? We’ll tell you.
Whether you're climbing the ladder, breaking the mold, or just trying to survive the Monday meeting, Just Us is your go-to guide for thriving in corporate spaces—on your terms.

About your host

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Elizabeth Nolley

Liz is a communications strategist, executive coach, and purpose-driven leader with a passion for leveling the playing field by sharing the unspoken rules of success in corporate America. With over 35 years of experience advising C-Level executives, Liz has led award-winning initiatives in employee engagement, executive visibility, brand communications and community relations. For Liz, the Just Us podcast sits at the intersection of the personal, professional and entrepreneurial. It's a platform for combining her love for all things pop culture (especially classic cartoons, old school music, sports and TV shows) and her passion for empowering Black women navigating corporate spaces to educate, inspire and entertain.