Loren speaks at the the Leadership Institute in D.C. via The Thurgood Marshall Fund

Summary

The Breakfast Club Podcast – Loren LaRosa Speaks at the Thurgood Marshall Fund Leadership Institute

Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Lauren LaRosa (with contributions from The Breakfast Club team)
Location: Leadership Institute, Washington, D.C., via the Thurgood Marshall Fund
Audience: 500–600 HBCU students from across the U.S.

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to Lauren LaRosa’s keynote at the Thurgood Marshall Fund's Leadership Institute, an event supporting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as they navigate the transition from academia to the professional world. The conversation is intimate, motivational, and sharply honest, focused on professional development, personal branding, navigating setbacks, and the unique power of HBCU community.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. Setting the Scene and Purpose [02:29]

• Lauren addresses a large audience of HBCU students who are at a pivotal moment in their educational journey. She sets the context:

  "It's about 5 to 600 HBCU students. They had no idea I was coming... Today was like one of the closing days where we speak into them and they introduce that I’m here and I’m here to talk to them. It’s based on professional development and just, you know, figuring yourself out in college." [03:02]

2. Pathway From Delaware State to Media Success [04:47–10:11]

• Lauren’s journey started at Delaware State University, where she majored not in communications but marketing:

  "A lot of people think that I studied journalism, that I was a communications major. I was a communications major for about a day... I felt like I needed the business and professional development more." [06:00]

• Early on, she hustled for on-campus visibility—radio, vlogs, events, modeling troupe—building a brand before “branding” was common.
• The strategic foundation from her business degree set her apart in a crowded digital world:

  "The only way I can set myself apart is to really understand the business of me. Like, what is my brand, who am I speaking to?" [07:23]

• She chronicled her transition to LA and NY via YouTube, inspiring others, especially as a first-generation graduate.

3. The Leap of Faith: Moving to LA [10:23–15:12]

• Lauren details the courage to relocate and the realities of starting over, including setbacks and second chances:

  "You just get on a plane and go... I found a friend I could, like, just crash with for, like, a couple months, and I’m gonna figure it out. Went there once. It didn’t work. I ran out of money, couldn’t find a job." [10:30–11:12]

• She discusses how her upbringing in a tough, ambitious household gave her resilience.
• Lauren underlines the importance of owning one’s unique identity—even when misunderstood or underestimated:

  "People not having a me in the room was my superpower. Took a little minute, but I realized it. And once I realized that, you couldn’t tell me nothing." [14:53]

4. Advice for Overcoming Adversity [18:03–21:23]

• For first-gen students and anyone on a new path, Lauren says:

  "The best thing you can do is to always be a student... When you’re the first at doing something, you’re going to mess up. But what I do is I learn from that." [18:26]

• She urges students to take advantage of peer networks and mentorship—even if those mentors are virtual.
• Lauren stresses persistence in seeking knowledge and asking for help:

  "If you ever find yourself in a room with people you can actually learn and progress from, and you do not try and do that… you are wasting your scholarship money." [19:28]

• She encourages active, daily self-encouragement and self-coaching:

  "Talk to yourself, baby. Learn how to coach yourself, okay? Because the world is going to try and humble you. Don’t let them do it." [20:48]

5. Responsibility to Uplift Black Voices [21:30–26:27]

• Student Madison Brythway asks about Lauren’s sense of responsibility for representing Black voices:

  "As a Black person in the world, you want to feel Black responsibility, period. Every job I’ve ever had... a lot of that was they didn’t have a Black person." [21:57]

• She shares the high stakes of being the only Black face on mainstream platforms:

  "If anything goes out wrong in such a sensitive time, it’s like, yo, the whole world at one point was like, it’s Lauren’s fault, because you’re seeing me on camera, and I’m the only Black face you’re seeing." [24:03]

• HBCUs foster pride, versatility, and a spirit of community, teaching her to “show up” authentically and help others—core to her professional identity.

6. Managing Professional Relationships in Entertainment [29:05–32:05]

• Student Kalandra Carter asks about handling tricky industry relationships:

  "If I have a personal relationship with anybody and I’m a speak on something on air, I talk to them first off air... And then that extends into...okay, so while we’re talking...what do you want to say for yourself?" [29:43]

• Lauren’s policy is honesty, but with clarity between fact and opinion:

  "Sometimes I say in my opinion. So people know the difference between here’s what is actually happening and here’s how I feel. But people gonna get upset. You cannot get around that." [30:20]

• Her advice: Don’t let fear of opinions stop you, and maintain your boundaries and integrity.

7. Final Encouragement for Students [32:05–34:15]

• Lauren’s closing advice centers on trust, action, and instinct:

  "Warning comes before destruction. You are going to try things and you should throw things at the wall, see if they stick... You have an instinct and you have a gut for a reason... Listen, because those warnings will come, that gut instinct will come, but ain’t gonna come too many times before you get in your own way." [32:26] "Start now. Don’t wait until you graduate. Don’t wait until you move to your dream place... These tables are going to be there for y’all to pull up a seat to or for you to create for yourself. But you got to execute to do any of that, right?" [33:39]

8. Community and Brand: Brown Girl Grinding [34:19–35:22]

• Lauren highlights her platforms for continued connection:

  "I’m Lauren LaRosa everywhere... and then my favorite brown girl grinding. I call it the online group chat. So we inspire, we lift up, we have a little bit of fun." [34:25]

• She attributes her breakout growth (e.g., YouTube subscribers during Diddy trial coverage) to just starting, without waiting for the “perfect” moment:

  "Do it now. Don’t wait...all that’s iPhone footage. Do it now. Don’t wait for things." [35:17]

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Memorable Quotes

• "The only way I can set myself apart is to really understand the business of me." — Lauren LaRosa [07:23]
• "People not having a me in the room was my superpower." — Lauren LaRosa [14:53]
• "Don’t underestimate where you are right now. Don’t rush it. Spend these last couple months...really just enjoy being, like, for the most part, bill-less and worry-less." — Lauren LaRosa [12:27]
• "As a Black person in the world, you want to feel Black responsibility, period." — Lauren LaRosa [21:57]
• "Your instinct and your gut will tell you so much of what you should be doing. Listen, because those warnings will come..." — Lauren LaRosa [33:08]
• "Start now... Don’t wait until you graduate... These tables are going to be there for y’all to pull up a seat to or for you to create for yourself." — Lauren LaRosa [33:39]

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Important Timestamps

• Intro to the Event & Scene Setting: [02:29–04:29]
• Lauren’s Journey & Del State Experience: [04:47–10:11]
• On Moving to LA, Setbacks, and Brown Girl Grinding: [10:23–15:12]
• Blueprint for Overcoming Challenges: [18:03–21:23]
• Being the Only Black Voice in the Room: [21:30–26:27]
• Professional Relationships in Entertainment: [29:05–32:05]
• Final Words of Encouragement: [32:05–34:15]
• Lauren’s Socials & Brand: [34:19–35:22]

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Tone & Style

Lauren is candid, uplifting, and deeply practical. Her stories blend inspiration (overcoming adversity, valuing community, embracing identity) with grounded career advice and hard-won lessons. She maintains a direct, lively, “big sister” energy throughout.

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This episode is a must-listen for anyone stepping into their professional life, especially HBCU students and first-gen graduates seeking reassurance, real talk, and actionable inspiration.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Matt Rogers]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

And Doug here we.

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[Doug]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Let's get to it. Time to do it. I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody.

[Matt Rogers]

You know she don't lie about that, right?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Lauren came in hot Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren the Rosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Well, today's episode is actually us taking you to D.C. for a conversation that shakes the room. So I headed to Washington, D.C. to speak at a leadership institute in Washington, D.C. via the Thurgood Marshall Fund, which is an organization that, you know, just helps kid. That helps kids get to and through college, Historically black colleges and universities. And let me tell y' all something, okay? I had such a good time in D.C. such a good conversation. So the audience, right? I'm setting the scene. The. It's about 5 to 600 HBCU students. They had no idea I was coming. They had been in this Leadership Institute. It's like a, you know, something that they fly into from various schools. So you have schools from all over the country that send their students. A lot of them are at the end of their collegiate time, so they're like juniors, seniors. It might have been some sophomores there as well, too, but they had no idea I was coming there. Been there for a few days. Today was like one of the closing days where we speak into them and they introduce that I'm here and I'm here to talk to them. It's based on professional development and just, you know, figuring yourself out in college. And they give you resources and tools this whole weekend to do so, which is so needed because, man, it's college inexperience. But the way you gotta be prepared to take over the world is a whole nother ball game. So take a listen to my conversation at the Leadership Institute with the Thurgood Marshall Fund. Oh, y' all can hear me?

[Interviewer/Moderator]

They can bring you up.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, great. You was checking out the shoe.

[Matt Rogers]

Shoe can.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Listen, the whole fit is just it, right?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Wow. It's a lot of y'. All.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Listen. Yeah, we got good people here. We got good people here. So we gonna chop it up a little bit. That's in a good kind of a way. So let's start with the very, very important things.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

You studied at an hbcu. Would you like to tell all of our audience where you study?

[Lauren LaRosa]

The best HBCU in the world, Delaware State University.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Come on.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, I'mma say it one more time. Cause I like to be humble. The best HBCU in the world, Delaware State University. Ok. All right. Psu. Uh huh. All right. Yeah. Well, we're here.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

This is call and response.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It is call and response. But, yeah, I studied at hbcu, which I'm always so proud to say, because I remember being at HBCU and people telling me, working in entertainment at the level I'm doing, it wasn't possible because I was at hbcu. So now I love to be like, oh, yeah, I went to Delaware State University. Oh, Delaware State University. Yes. It's a historically black college, you know, and I'm amongst the HBCU family. I love that is, like, forefront for me always.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Well, as you know, we've got 500 scholars here participating in the conference. Juniors and seniors in college. Do me a favor, take us back in time. Can you talk some about your career pathway from your time at dsu? Marketing degree there.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

And then how things have progressed. Talk to them.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Whew. That's been a journey. Okay. Yeah. So a lot of people think that I studied journalism, that I was a communications major. I was a communications major for about a day. And then I realized that, well, I felt like at the time, a lot of the things that I was being taught in school wasn't necessarily what I needed. I could learn that on the job. I felt like I needed the business and, like, the professional development that you guys are getting here. I felt like I needed that more. And the reason why I would be at. So I was on campus and I was doing everything I could. So, like, when people would come to campus and it's homecoming, I'm not even a mass comm major, but, like, I'm in a radio station doing interviews for whatever artists are on campus. I'm vlogging. And YouTube was so new, so people didn't know what I was doing, but I would, you know, vlog as much as I could. Hosting events, whatever I could do. You know, I was a part of modeling troupe at Del State as well. Just staying in front of people and branding myself then. So people knew me for the person that, like, wanted to be in front of people, speaking and entertaining. Sure. But when I decided to not be a mass Comm major, the biggest thing was I felt like going and getting a marketing or business degree or just having any level of business, you know, experience and professionalism. What set me apart because what I began to realize, I knew a long time ago and that, like, the Internet and social media was gonna be like, home for the creators. And as a storyteller, I was like, you know, the only way I can set myself apart, if everybody's online, they're doing something, the only way I Can set myself apart is to really understand the business of me. Like, what is my brand, who am I speaking to? How does that change every year? How does that change from when I'm at Del State and I'm a student to first year out of college, I'm trying to find a job in LA to moving to New York. Like in each level of my life I've been able to kind of like, I wouldn't even say rebrand, but I guess storytelling in a way that reaches the market, my market or my audience for where I'm at. Like, I think when I was at college, you know, I was figuring it out. So my conversation was then I'm a college student, I'm figuring it out and I'm vlogging about, you know, what are internships, how do I get them, how do you know? One of the things I thought was crazy when I was at college was when I graduated, they wanted you to already have had a job before you could get a job. And that was crazy to me. So I remember I made a YouTube video about that and like, you know, that got like big pickup for me. And then I posted was so new. I was like posting to like Facebook. I don't even think Instagram had long form video at the point, but I was just using every point of my life. So after I left Del State, I moved to LA. Couldn't get a job. YouTube, I lived on YouTube. And I meet people today, literally today, who still tell me the videos I was posting when I moved to LA years ago inspired them to move to LA or, you know, different things like that. But I was just honest about my journey after college with no money, for real, trying to figure it out. And one of the things that I thought was also something that was like, people got to know about this. I wasn't afraid to go work a job. I think, you know, when you're trying to be an entrepreneur or you're trying to figure out your career, especially when you're in college and you get a degree when you graduate. Especially for me, because I was first generation, so, you know, I was the first person to figure it out in my family. Everyone's looking at you like, oh, you have this degree. Like you're supposed to live this great life now just instantly. And it doesn't happen like that all the time. Some people do have that story, but for me it didn't happen like that. It wasn't instant, it wasn't right away. So, well, not in my focus. Like I knew I wanted to be in entertainment. So I had to go get a job. I worked for Barclay Card, you know, and that was an internship I had at Delaware State for about two years. I was a publicist for some time. I've been a flight attendant in each of those roles. So much of what I learned at Del State helped me. But I got online on YouTube and I talked about that, like, hey, here's all the jobs I'm doing, because no one will put me on camera. I'm putting myself on camera telling you guys that I don't have a job. And then now you know where I'm at now. And then moving from LA to New York, I've been just vlogging and documenting my journey and having to move from LA to New York and just figure it out, like, Breakfast Club just was one of those things that, like, kind of, like, just happened, and it turned into so much more. So I've been just vlogging and, you know, just the transition of that. But Del State and being a business major helped me understand that as things evolved and changed, I needed to understand what that meant and how to get that out to what my market was.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

I love it. Y' all feeling that? That's real, right? Let's pivot a little bit. Time there at Del State. And you're from Wilmington, Delaware as well, if I'm not mistaken.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Okay. To then go to the West Coast. How do you. How do you make a move like that and still stay?

[Lauren LaRosa]

You, um. You just get on a plane and go. If I'm being honest with you, like, tell him. Tell him that's all that it was. I think I've always. So first, I want to say that I was raised in a household that you can't be really too timid. In my house, my mom's family is from the Bronx, so she talks real crazy.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Shout out to the Bronx.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes. So in my household, you know, you gotta be able to, like, keep up. So my mom, you know, really raised me to be very, like, ambitious to know what I want and to just go and do it to execute. So for me, when I knew I wanted to go to la, I remember being at Dale State my senior year and, you know. Any seniors here? Seniors. Okay. All right, so for.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

We got some seniors graduating in December in here, too, so.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes. Shout out to y'. All. Y' all excited. I know. I remember the feeling. And are y' all at that point yet where you guys are having to put together, like, the presentations and have conversations about what you want to do after school? Okay, now let me tell y' all how that went for me. So I'm a business major. At the time, Delaware State University's business program was very, like, it was boxed in. They didn't really like, so I'm coming to school, I'm coming to class. And when they're asking me this, I'm like, oh, I'm move to LA and become a TV star. And they're like, that's not the project we gave you. You need to create a business. You need to. And I'm like, I'm telling you, I'm the business. Here's my digital numbers. Here's my. And they didn't really understand it then. So I went through that whole struggle before I. So from that, I learned that, like, I couldn't really. I could only be me. I didn't have a choice, because if I chose to do whatever anybody else was telling me, it wasn't gonna get me to where I was going, because I just knew people didn't understand it at the time, right? So that was a big push. But again, I was raised that way. So I literally just was like, okay, here's my plan. I'm gonna move to la. I found a friend I could, like, just crash with for, like, a couple months, and I'm gonna figure it out. Went there once. It didn't work. I ran out of money, couldn't find a job. I had to call Barclay Card in Wilmington, Delaware, and say, hey, I'm on my way back to Delaware. I need a job. But because of my internship, I got the job. I was there for a couple years, moved back to la. That time worked. It worked, but it was rough. Like, I was broke. And if y' all are on YouTube watching vlogs, please go check out my YouTube channel. It's Lauren LaRosa TV. Especially for the seniors and the juniors. Because I think in that time, the second time when I moved back to la, I really realized that no matter how much passion you have for something, things will always hit a low. And if they hit a low, that means a high is coming. You just have to know how to maneuver when things aren't the way that they need to be or the way you want them to be in the moment. Cause it will happen. Adult like, life be life ing. And you don't realize, like, y' all are in such a good place right now. Like, y' all are in college. You guys are, you know, getting to meet all these people and build relationships and this. Don't underestimate where you are right now. Don't rush it. Spend these last couple months, whatever you have to really just enjoy being, like, for the most part, Bill, less and worryless and all that. Because once you get into life, so many other things start coming at you. But I think from that time, I really built a strong mental relationship with myself. And I would build it on YouTube, to be honest with you. I would turn on my camera and talk to myself. Cause I just needed somebody to talk through it with who wouldn't discourage me. So when I was doing that, I was like, okay, we got this. So I'm in la. I'm figuring it out that time. But everywhere I was going, what I was realizing was people had never had a me in that space. And in the beginning of it, I didn't really understand, like, what that meant in the beginning of it, to be honest with y'. All. I was like, ugh, this is going to be so hard because I have the professional background. I have the business degree. I. I've been working corporate now for years. So I'm very well put together. I can run a meeting from top to bottom, honey. Like, I can. I get the things done. But I want to be in entertainment, and people don't really understand the switch. So in the beginning, I was really discouraged. And then that's how Brown Girl grinding my brand came about. Because I started realizing, like, okay, well, if they don't have a me, if I'm a marketing major and I'm thinking about this in a business aspect, if they don't have a me, that means there's a hole in the market. Like, there's a niche for a me. So why don't I make that a thing? So I started hashtagging browngirlgrinding. And then I started realizing other black and brown women were hashtagging it too. Cause they was catching on. Like, okay, every single time she's doing something or she's talking about her journey, and now we got guys in the mix, too. But she's hashtagging that. And it got to a point where I realized that, you know, people not having to meet in the room was my superpower. Took a little minute, but I realized it. And once I realized that, you couldn't tell me nothing.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Oh, no ball.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Nothing at all. So I've always been me. I think it just took me a while to realize the beauty in that limu game.

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[Doug]

Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

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[Doug]

It's Mario Lopez. Back to school is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. And kids may feel isolated, a vulnerability that human traffickers can exploit. Human trafficking doesn't always look like what you expect. Everyday moments can become opportunities for someone with bad intentions. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or neighbor. Check in, ask questions, stay connected. Blue Campaign is a national awareness initiative that provides resources to help recognize suspected instances of human trafficking. Learn the signs and how to [e-mail] blue campaign.

[Ed Helms]

Hey, everyone. Ed Helms here.

[Matt Rogers]

And hi, I'm Kal Penn and we're the hosts of Irsay, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Ed Helms]

This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the iHeart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[Lauren LaRosa]

You know what? I can see you as Mr. Darcy. You got a little call in first.

[Ed Helms]

Okay, that's really sweet. I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennett here, listen to earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

You had the one way ticket from the east coast of la. Yes, but you had to come back.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Mm.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Then you had a second one way ticket to la. This time it stuck. Talk about overcoming challenges. Some of the scholars in the room may be in a similar position to you. Maybe they were. That first one graduating, the first one now going into corporate. Give them a couple of blueprint pieces to help them overcome challenges.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I would say the best thing you can do is to always be a student. Like, when you leave school, the learning shouldn't stop. And I know that that sounds cliche, but. But I'm be really honest with y'. All. When you're the first at doing something, you're going to mess up. Like, I mess up at stuff all the time, but what I do is I learn from that. So, you know, find people that, like, you can kind of latch onto as, like, mentors or. And even if it's not a mentor that you actually pick up the phone and call, if it's somebody that, like, you just follow on Instagram or, like, you watch their YouTube content or you got a chance to submit a question on their Instagram story, something like that. Because what you want to do is. Is it's like trial and error. Like, you want to take, okay, I'm new here, so I'm probably going to mess up. And if I mess up, how can I be a person that learns how to grow from that? Basically teaching yourself? Because a lot of times you are going to have to teach yourself. Also, I ask, and I still do. I mean, that's my job. I ask a lot of questions. Like, if I want to know something, I'm not going to be in a room ever where there is something I want to know. And I do not ask. You are doing yourself a disservice. You are wasting your scholarship money or your tuition that you pay. If you ever find yourself in a room with people that you can actually learn and progress from, and you do not try and do that. Sometimes it is about being quiet. I had to learn that, too. But, you know, ask questions. Don't be afraid to say, hey, I'm thinking this. What do you think? And I will also say, too, you know, if you're new in a space, use your friends. Like, they got this thing. When you come into college, I'll do the look to the left of you. Look to the right of you. Yeah, they got that. And I think that even though they do it real quick when you come into college and they might do it at, you know, your graduations, it's so important because, like, a lot of times you're gonna use the people that you went to college with when you do mess up or not even mess up, but when you're at a high. Because a lot of times, like now, what I'm experiencing is, like, I'm reaching different success and goals, that even though I envision a lot for myself, I don't really have people I can call and say, hey, this Just happened to me. Not in my regular life because it's new, but as I meet new people, I begin to realize that those people have experienced that as well, too. So if you sitting in a room with me and I think you might have understood something or you might have been through something or, you know, had a similar contract issue or whatever, I ask, hey, this is what's happening to me. Have you experienced this? Do you have any lawyers you would recommend? Any business managers, any whatever, do it all the time? But I got that from Delsade as well, too. I'm a reach out to a friend. I'm going to call you. I'm going to use what I have sitting right next to me. Because you guys are sitting next to some of the. Not even some. You guys are sitting next to living legends, and you don't even know it. So you got to make sure that that's one of the things that you do, too, and write down stuff. Talk to yourself, baby. Learn how to coach yourself, okay? Because the world is going to try and humble you. Don't let them do it. You got to learn how to talk to yourself and block out everything else.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Oh, all the time, every day.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

We love that.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hi, my name is Madison Brythway. I'm a junior at the Delaware State University, where I major in mass communications with a concentration in convergence journalism. First, thank you for coming here and talking with us today. My question is, do you feel a responsibility to. A responsibility to uplift black voices and stories, and how does that influence your work behind the scenes? And how did your HBCU add to that responsibility? So, first of all, great question. Yes, I feel that responsibility, and I felt that. That you don't. I don't care if you're on camera, if you're behind the camera, if you sit at a cubicle in a computer, as a black person in the world, you want to feel black responsibility, period. Every job I've ever had, when I said I realized they didn't have a me, a lot of that was they didn't have a black person. So I. I mean, Breakfast Club, to be honest with y', all, is the first place I've ever worked at where I'm working with black people, where I'm not the only black person, if not maybe one of two. So I've always felt the responsibility because I think that, you know, there's just certain things that will happen and you're watching it in front of you. Like, even when I was in corporate, I was hired by Barclays as a community relationship coordinator. And my job there was to take Barclay Card into the community where I was from. I'm from Wilmington, Delaware. To take them into the community and figure out where their money should go, who they should be helping, and why. These are people that don't even cross the blocks that I grew up on. So you're talking about responsibility. Not only am I having to explain to them why certain places need money, but I'm also having to explain to them why they shouldn't be afraid to go and see it. You know what I mean? So that they can really understand this is who you need to help. So that happens. There's tmz, Raquel. Y' all remember Raquel. That was on tmz, And Van Lathan, who had the moment with Kanye West. So I'm in there. I'm at tmz, and they're there. They both end up leaving around the same time. I probably say, Raquel decided on, like, a Thursday, maybe a Friday. Hey, I just had a baby. I'm not coming back. I'm cool right now. Ahmaud Arbery gets killed instantly. It's like, oh, Mauryn, you're black. What do we do? And this is like. And now this is different because I'm not in a boardroom. I'm not on an email. I'm in front of millions of viewers on prime time and daytime television.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Yes.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And TMZ.com when those stories go live, they reach the world. So if anything goes out wrong in such a sensitive time, it's like, yo, the whole world at one point was like, it's Lauren's fault, because you're seeing me on camera, and I'm the only black face you're seeing. My responsibility. I had to. Yo. I had to grow up. Like, my responsibility not only kicked in, but it had to become, like. I was, like, cute little middle school responsibility. I had to become, like, grown up real, real quick because it's millions of viewers. That. That responsibility is different. Especially when, you know, you don't feel as empowered because it is just you. And then you transition into. I don't care if I'm empowered or not. That's not cool. We not gonna do that. Not while I'm here. You want me to say what? No, I'm not saying that. Why would I say that? Oh, I'm also gonna be honest about this. And, hey, you're very ignorant if you get on air and say that. Okay, cool. You wanna get on air and say it? I'll call you ignorant on air. Because people need to know that that's not how they should abide by anybody that doesn't look like them, because you don't understand. So I'm having, like, literally, like, verbal sparring matches on camera. Like, the responsibility just. It never stops. It never turns off. And the way that your HBCU and my HBCU came into that, when you go to hbcu, you just learn that. I don't know, like, being black is this. It's a gift to the world. So all you want to do once you leave your HBCU is just share that gift. Like, ooh, okay, y' all need a little sprinkle with me over here, a little seasoning over there. And I'm a. And you really learn how to show up. Like, I think people are always so amazed because it's like, I'm fun. I know how to speak. I might be like, okay, cool, period. But then I also, like, I get on air, and I can be buttoned up if I want to. And they're so amazed by that. And I'm like, at my hbcu, everybody was like that. We was having a great time when we were at college. But these are some of the best professionals in the world right now. You know what I mean? But your HBCU teaches you that it's like a. It's like an ability to, like, almost like. I wouldn't say camouflage. Cause I don't really like that term, but, like, to bend and I guess, like, shake and move. So the responsibility, Yes, I feel it. It's a thing. I also make sure I prioritize highlighting other black media platforms, which I was also doing at tmz, too, because I worked for some of them, so I know how, like, you know, they might break an exclusive, and people don't give them the props they deserve. And then also, too, your HBCU teaches you the full circle of community. So, like, if you give and you help when you need to get. Cause you not always gonna be up, you might be down, and you gonna need to give help and pick up the phone. But people remember when you were that person for them. And I learned that at school, too. Limu emu.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Liberty mutual.com Liberty, Liberty. Liberty Liberty Savings.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Excludes Massachusetts.

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It's Mario Lopez. Back to school is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming, and kids may feel isolated, a vulnerability that human traffickers can exploit. Human trafficking doesn't always look like what you expect. Everyday moments can become opportunities for someone with bad intentions. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or neighbor. Check in, ask questions, stay connected. Blue Campaign is a national awareness initiative that provides resources to help recognize suspected instances of human trafficking. Learn the signs and how to [e-mail] blue campaign.

[Ed Helms]

Hey, everyone. Ed Helms here.

[Matt Rogers]

And hi, I'm Kal Penn, and we're the hosts of Irsay, the Audible and.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I Heart Audiobook Club.

[Ed Helms]

This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the iHeart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[Lauren LaRosa]

You know what? I can see you as Mr. Darcy. You got a little Colin Firth.

[Ed Helms]

Okay, that's really sweet. I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennett here. Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audio Book Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay.

[Kalandra Carter]

Hello. Thank you for being here. My name is Kalandra Carter from Alabama State University. Senior studying communications, currently with ESPN and Andscape. So my question to you is working in entertainment, that's something I've always tried to push towards, but right now I'm kind of stuck in the sea. Sports and entertainment so how do you handle professional relationships within entertainment? Because it can get messier with rap beats. Like, how do you prepare and handle those situation and conflicts in the entertainment industry? Cause that is rare kind of in sports and entertainment.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You mean like because of the content you're covering?

[Kalandra Carter]

Yeah, because of the content you're covering.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I mean, you just get to a point where you, like, I can't please everybody. One of the things that I do try to do, though, is like, I mean, if I have a personal relationship with anybody and, like, I'm a speak on something on air, I talk to them first off air. Like, yo, even if I'm like, that was stupid. Why did you do that? I'mma call you and be like, yo, you know, that was stupid. And you like, come on. And you know, I'mma have to talk about this. And then that extends into. Okay, so while we're talking, I mean. Cause if I know you personally, you know, we. We're on background. So that means I can't use anything from the conversation, right? But once we start talking and I'm like, okay, cool. So as a friend, even if you're not a friend, this goes for, like, people that I don't know personally either. I reach out, hey, so this happened. This is how it's being reported. These are. This is what I know, the facts that I've learned on my own. What do you want to say for yourself? And then I think if you present. As long as I try to present as many sides of the story as I can. If you do that, and then you state your opinion in the mix of that, if you choose to. And I also try and tell people, like, okay, sometimes I say in my opinion. So people know the difference between here's what is actually happening and here's how I feel. But people gonna get upset. You cannot get around that. Because I think one of the things, too, that people have enjoyed watching with me is the fact that, like, I'm honest. Like, if I feel away, I feel away. If I need to say something, I say it. I think I've learned how to button it up and keep it real cute. But I think people enjoy that. That's why y' all like watching the Breakfast Club. Cause you know Charlamagne is going to say what he wants to say. You know, Envy's gonna get a joke or something. And y' all know Jess with the mess and her News is real is gonna say what she wants to say. And people like that. So you can't get around it. I will say, though, I wouldn't run from it. I wouldn't run from entertainment because of that. Unless you're just not comfortable with it. If you're not comfortable with rubbing people the wrong way, people having an opinion about your opinion and not liking certain things, it might not be the industry for you on Camera. Because it literally just happens people are gonna not like the fact that you put on lipstick today. No, I promise you. I promise you. It gets that petty. Like, people will be like, why is she sitting up there in that red lip? Journalists don't wear red lip. Oh, baby, I wear Ruby Woo. I do red lip. Down like it. So you gotta kinda like, do all you can do and realize that some things you just can't help. Thank you. You're welcome.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

All right, all right. We got folks graduating in December. We've got folks graduating in the spring. We've got folks that are graduating next December 26th or into the next year. Give them a message or something they can hold on to, something that they can play back, use as encouragement when it gets tough. Close us out, sis.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I would say I got two things. Okay? I would say, no, I'll just do one. Warning comes before destruction. You going to experience a lot of different things. You are going to try things and you should throw things at the wall, see if they stick. Whatever you think, like, if you're passionate about it, do it, do it well. Start now. Execution is important. Discipline is important. But you have an instinct and you have a gut for a reason. If there is, you know, when I say, warning comes before destruction, I really mean that. There will be times where your own natural instinct will say to you, this isn't right. I should pivot here. I should take that opportunity. Even though I think I didn't want to work at Barclay Cart, that was the best thing that ever happened to me. I did it for two years. Without them, I wouldn't be sitting here. I learned everything about my professional delivery from that job, and I didn't even want to take it. But my gut said, girl, you need a job. Just take it. Put your head down, do what you need to do. Your instinct and your gut will tell you so much of what you should be doing. Listen, because those warnings will come, that gut instinct will come, but ain't gonna come too many times before you get in your own way. And that looks like the destruction. So get out your own way, Try things, throw things at the wall. Execution. Don't just talk about it, write it down, pray on it, but actually go do it. Like, start now. Like, right here, right now, you should be starting. If you rap, I should be able to go on Instagram and see freestyles and covers. If you are a journalist, I should be able to see right now your interviews. If you make clothing, I should see right now some photo shoots, your homegirls and all of your branding. Come on. All that stuff. Like, start now. Don't wait until you graduate. Don't wait until you move to your dream place that you want to live. None of that matters. These tables are going to be there for y' all to pull up a seat to or for you to create for yourself. But you got to execute to do any of that, right?

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Let's give it up, y'.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Lauren, thank you again so much. Remind him one more time social on the IG component.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay. Yeah. I'm Lauren LaRosa everywhere. So L O R e n L o R o S a and then my favorite brown girl grinding.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Come on.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah. So brown girl grinding. I call it the online group chat. So we inspire, we lift up, we have a little bit of fun. There's news there, there's conversations there. You'll have a good time over there too. Brown girlgrinding on Instagram. And I do have a podcast with Iheart and the Black Effect network called the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. It's a daily dig on all things pop culture and entertainment news. And I break exclusives there. We just did. We just wrapped up all of our diddy trial coverage, so all that stuff is there as well too. Yeah, that's where I'm at, Helen.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

Content. And again, on a very, very important topic.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah. Oh, yeah, no, the diddy trial coverage took my, like, social out of here. I started the trial with like 3,000 subscribers on YouTube. I'm at like 60k right now.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

It's a testament to your work.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Do it now. Don't wait. Nope. All that's iPhone footage. Do it now. Don't wait for things.

[Interviewer/Moderator]

We'll use it as our clothes, everyone. So thank you all so, so much. Let's give it up again.

[Lauren LaRosa]

At the end of the day, you guys could be anywhere with anybody having a conversation about all these things. Would you choose to be right here with me, my low riders? And I appreciate you guys for that. I'm Lauren LaRosa. This is the latest with Lauren LaRosa and I will see you guys in my next video. Next episode.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

What kind of man would let this happen to his family?

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Inspired by shocking actual events, I'm working.

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Starring Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette and Jason Clark.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's only cheating if you get caught. Hulu Original Series Murdoch Death in The.

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Family premieres October 15th on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Terms apply.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.