Podcast Summary: UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE – Episode 24: "Purpose Ain’t Pretty: The Truth About Living in Alignment" ft. Blake Newby
Introduction
In Episode 24 of UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE, host Shelah Marie engages in an enlightening conversation with journalist, beauty and fashion expert, media professor, and podcast host Blake Newby. The episode, titled "Purpose Ain’t Pretty: The Truth About Living in Alignment", delves deep into the complexities of living a purpose-driven life, recognizing misalignment, and trusting oneself to follow one's true path.
Guest Introduction
Shelah Marie begins by introducing Blake Newby, highlighting her multifaceted career and contributions to journalism and media. She praises Blake's versatility and authentic approach, setting the stage for a candid discussion about purpose and alignment.
Key Quote:
"This is my host, Sheila Marie. I'm an author, a fierce advocate for black women, and the founder of the curvy curly conscious movement." — Shelah Marie [01:02]
Defining Purpose and Alignment
The conversation kicks off with Shelah asking Blake to define what it means to live a purpose-driven life. Blake emphasizes that purpose is often overcomplicated by external influences like family, social media, and societal expectations. Instead, she advocates for leaning into one's strengths and passions to discover and evolve one's purpose.
Key Quotes:
"Purpose for me, my purpose, my path to purpose, has really just looked like leaning into the things that I'm good at and the things that I'm passionate about." — Blake Newby [08:20]
"Purpose evolves. It takes on different meanings, and your purpose can change and evolve." — Blake Newby [09:20]
Career Pivots and Personal Growth
Blake shares her journey of career pivots, including her initial struggles in journalism with CBS News and her transition into PR and beauty venture capital. She discusses how each pivot brought her closer to understanding her true purpose—storytelling—without being confined to a single medium.
Key Quote:
"I just have to go through it. I have to trust that I will have the skills and the tools to deal with criticism, with feedback, and that I will be all right at the end of the day." — Shelah Marie [19:40]
Trusting Oneself and Building Confidence
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the importance of self-trust and confidence. Blake admits that she wasn't always confident in her voice and platforming her thoughts publicly. Over time, she learned to value her opinions and trust her intuition, which allowed her to stay true to her purpose despite external judgments.
Key Quotes:
"You have to trust yourself." — Shelah Marie [52:02]
"Practice day by day trusting the voice, trusting your intuition." — Blake Newby [50:25]
Challenges of a Purpose-Driven Life
Blake candidly discusses the hardships of living a purpose-driven life, including financial pressures, burnout, and the constant evolution of one's purpose. She highlights the emotional toll of not feeling "enough" even when achieving milestones and the struggle to balance ambition with personal well-being.
Key Quotes:
"Purpose driven life is a possibility driven life." — Blake Newby [12:37]
"It's the hardest but the most rewarding stage in my life that I've ever been in." — Blake Newby [20:19]
Combating Hustle Culture
The episode critiques the prevailing hustle culture, especially its impact on Black women who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. Blake points out how the pressure to constantly hustle can lead to burnout and distract from genuine purpose, emphasizing the need for moments of stillness and self-reflection.
Key Quotes:
"It just becomes this never-ending cycle of, like, okay, so I have to work and I have to do this." — Blake Newby [42:40]
"Silence has been my biggest thing. But I think on the flip side of that, you do have to enjoy your own thoughts." — Blake Newby [36:57]
Purpose vs. Passion
Blake distinguishes between purpose and passion, explaining that while passions are activities one loves, they don't necessarily constitute one's purpose. She shares her personal experiences of enjoying music and Pilates without integrating them into her professional life, underscoring the importance of maintaining hobbies separate from one's purpose.
Key Quotes:
"There are things that I'm really passionate about that I'm just passionate about. And that's it." — Blake Newby [44:14]
"Passions don't have to feel heavy." — Shelah Marie [45:51]
Dealing with External Pressures
The discussion also touches on the influence of social media and societal expectations on one's sense of purpose. Blake addresses the unrealistic portrayal of entrepreneurship and the glorification of being a content creator, urging listeners to pursue paths that align with their true selves rather than chasing trendy careers.
Key Quotes:
"There's a myth about living a purpose-driven life that it has to be lucrative." — Blake Newby [24:18]
"We need less T-shirt designers. We need more dentists." — Blake Newby [32:14]
Final Advice and Toolkit
As the episode concludes, Blake offers practical advice for women seeking to find and stay aligned with their purpose. She emphasizes the importance of trusting one's intuition, setting aside time for self-reflection, and being willing to evolve. Shelah and Blake reiterate the mantra to "trust yourself" as a crucial takeaway for listeners.
Key Quotes:
"Take alone time to evaluate the things that you want, the things that you need, the things that your stomach and gut are telling you." — Blake Newby [50:25]
"Trust yourself." — Shelah Marie [52:02] | Blake Newby [52:07]
Conclusion
Episode 24 of UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE offers a profound exploration of living a purpose-driven life, filled with honest reflections and actionable insights from Blake Newby. The conversation underscores the significance of self-trust, the challenges of aligning with one's true purpose amidst external pressures, and the necessity of distinguishing between purpose and passion. Listeners are left with empowering affirmations and practical tools to navigate their personal growth journeys.
Where to Find Blake Newby:
- Instagram: @BlakeLauren (with a "W")
- TikTok: @BlakeNewby
- Podcast: According to Blake on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Stay Connected: To join the conversation or ask Shelah Marie a question, visit speakpipe.com/unruly.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Shelah Marie [01:02]: "Welcome to Unruly. I'm your host, Sheila Marie..."
- Blake Newby [08:20]: "Purpose for me, my purpose, my path to purpose..."
- Blake Newby [09:20]: "Purpose evolves. It takes on different meanings..."
- Shelah Marie [52:02]: "You have to trust yourself."
- Blake Newby [50:25]: "Take alone time to evaluate the things that you want..."
- Blake Newby [24:18]: "I don't think that a purpose driven life is necessarily a lucrative life."
Final Thoughts
This episode serves as a masterclass in understanding and embracing one's purpose amidst the chaos of modern life. Blake Newby's transparency about her struggles and triumphs provides a relatable and inspiring narrative for listeners striving to live authentically and purposefully.