Founded On Purpose

Kt McBratney: [00:00:00] Welcome to Founded on Purpose. I'm your host, Kt McBratney. This is the show where you get to know the people behind the companies that are weaving purpose and profit together. They're innovators, founders, creators, movement makers. And today I'm super excited to welcome Julian Walker to the show. He's the CEO and founding team member of PushBlack, the nation's largest nonprofit media organization for Black Americans.

He reached millions of. people every day and Julian really knows the power of storytelling, community, and collective action. So I'm so excited to say, Julian, welcome to the show.

Julian Walker: Hey, Kt. Thanks for having me. Uh, I appreciate that intro. Uh, I'm happy to be here.

Kt McBratney: Hey, I appreciate you being here. And we're going to just dive in with the first of the eight questions because there's literally no better place to start with you, I think, than asking you in one word.

What's your purpose? [00:01:00]

Julian Walker: Community.

Kt McBratney: Obviously, you know, I love that answer. What does community mean to you, and how does it show up in the work that you're doing with Push Black, but also outside of that role?

Julian Walker: To me, uh, community, when I think of community, I think of where I was born and raised first, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and, uh, community that I was a part of, a community that Um, my family was embedded in, uh, I had the opportunity to witness, you know, my grandfather dedicate his life to the community, um, as a civil rights attorney, um, as a member of the [00:02:00] state legislature and seeing that we have the Ability to shape our own destiny by looking to ourselves as community and by building power in communities, um, and that individuals can play a role in that, um, was sort of foundations of where I begin to realize community is not just a place that you, you live.

Uh, it's not just a neighborhood. Yeah. It is the, it's the way that people interact and care for, with, with the, excuse me, care for each other, solve problems, uh, advance their interests. And there's something powerful about that, especially today, uh, when, you know, we've become [00:03:00] fragmented in many ways, uh, when the world is much more global, it feels like we are.

Connected to, we, we are connected to things all over the world in ways that we never were, there's something powerful and special about, um, immunity at a, at a small scale, I'd say a large scale too, but something special about being able to focus on what's around you and try to affect, um, your environment in a way that, uh, folks have been doing forever.

Um, but it seems that. You know, since we're getting so much more input from the, the news and, and, and media, it's hard, it all becomes easy to look beyond community when, and think about, okay, all these problems are going on elsewhere and those are just valid issues, valid opportunities elsewhere. Um, but I do think that [00:04:00] people coming together in community, um, in order to make something happen, uh, will never get, um.

Old never get old to me at least and I think that's something that is worth focusing it on and uh, and preserving and strengthening

Kt McBratney: What i'm hearing in that is that community is Is power community is action, right? It's it's and it's also deeply personal um without being Individualistic, would you agree?

Julian Walker: I would agree with that and you know the way I perceive it Uh, is, I don't think that's a new idea, maybe a novel idea, but, you know, I come from the belief system that, uh, it's not just about the individual, there's levels of like the individual, the family, the [00:05:00] community and, uh, service, being in service of the community, uh, is the ultimate goal and ultimate priority, um, and using, you know, your, uh, Your skills and interests and your family's skills and abilities to, to strengthen and serve the community, um, to form that environment where there's collective power and strength and, uh, and opportunity.

Kt McBratney: And this conversation is happening, you know, we're, we're talking at a moment where community care, community action is very top of mind for, for a lot of people. Yeah. Um, and for context, I gave a very, very, very, very brief version of what y'all do at Push Black. But I think it's some important context to kind of ground the rest of this conversation and this idea of community in is really the purpose [00:06:00] and the day to day work that you and the team are doing and the lens at which you are doing that work for and with community.

So can you tell us a bit more about Push Black? What push black is about and the change that you all and us all are trying to, to have happened through a community.

Julian Walker: Yeah, so, so push black exists to inspire liberating actions and the best interests of the black community specifically. What that means to us is that we recognize that our community has been, uh, under Attack since you know, the the idea of us being a community in this country was even an idea before that I'd say and many ways, uh [00:07:00] Physical ways are most obvious and then the mental ways the psychological ways are Not as obvious and the latter is what push black largely focuses on uh, so We use storytelling and narrative to inspire liberating action.

A lot of that comes from, uh, history and black history. And the opportunity we saw was that, uh, members of our community, well, they told us when we asked them that, you know, they weren't being served, um, and the black history in the package that black had been delivered, whether students school or through mainstream media.

Um, there was something lacking there. So what we did was figure out a way to [00:08:00] repackage it from a perspective that was rooted in a love of community and a desire to have us view ourselves in a different way, uh, which is a way that is not solely objects of oppression, uh, but as agents of victory. So we tell stories.

That of course identify, um, traumatic experiences and, uh, impressive nature of existence, but we don't stop there. I think that's where folk, that's where it often has stopped in the telling of this narrative. Um, we go beyond that and identify the stories that help us see that there is a tradition of, uh, resilience, resistance, agency.

Uh, and a lot of that is rooted in. Culture and Africanisms that we have [00:09:00] carried with us, even if they're not overt and ways of being with each other, ways of joining together in community, um, to advance and defend interests, um, that we have to, to survive and thrive. So we tell stories, um, rooted in that type of narrative and we do so, uh, using digital media.

So we have audiences. across multiple platforms. Um, what, you know, we scaled several years ago, uh, through messaging apps. Uh, so direct messaging folks get notifications directly in a pocket. When they get a story from us, that is essentially like you're texting a friend. We have a character that texts these stories.

It's 250 words story. It has pictures and it's interactive folks. Click Next and you know all that [00:10:00] so we have that format and then of course, um from there we expand it out to podcasts, uh to short form video to social media, so to emails and text messages so Trying to reach folks where they are realizing that You know folks aren't we all see this folks aren't receiving information in the same ways.

Uh, so we have to be able to reach them You Where they are most likely to engage with it in a way that they're most likely to engage. So it resonates in a different way than if they were just to get names and dates through a history book. Um, so that's what we are all about. And, you know, we've been pretty successful with that.

And that's the first part of it. That's the media part of it. But underneath that, um, as a social enterprise. [00:11:00] Impact is what we are pushing towards as well. So by building this, uh, this portfolio of media products, that's culture. First, uh, we've been able to build trust with our audience that trust. We've been leveraged to mobilize folks to take actions.

Uh, so we've been able to mobilize, uh, Over three million folks now, uh, over the past four election cycles now, uh, to take voting actions, folks that otherwise wouldn't have engaged. Uh, so we are able to engage with folks who are not really, we're often not, uh, watching the news all day, keeping up with, you know, political analysis, podcasts, folks that are just going about their day to day lives, we're able to build trust and then, Uh, when it comes time to mobilize, they trust us, [00:12:00] um, to take that action or to bring their friends in and take action.

So we've been able to build, to use media, to build relationships and trust that we didn't leverage to, um, to move, to mobilize folks towards action and, uh, over the past three cycles, we'll have to see what the numbers look like from the cycle that we currently ended the other day. But over the past three cycles, we've been the, uh, the largest.

Voter turnout organization in the digital space out of any demographic and that's, that's, that's, that speaks to, um, what's possible there. That's not the end goal, uh, at all, but that's, that's what is, what we found to be possible and what we're trying to, to build off of and see how far we can take it to help the community exercise, um, power and advance their interests and make sure their voices are heard.

Are heard, received, um, amplified, acted on, and all that.

Kt McBratney: Thank you for [00:13:00] that, and congrats. That is a massive impact already, and I know you're, you're just getting, not just getting started, the organization has been around for a while, but this is not the end, end of that work and the end of that impact. You, you alluded to, to this, um, as you described PushBlack's approach to both PushBlack's The kinds of story you're telling for and with your community and also in the formats of these stories.

Um, but I want to dig in a bit deeper or maybe zoom out a little bit more and ask what you feel like right now, given the success you've had with those missed opportunities so far, right? Seizing those opportunities to innovate in storytelling, meet that need and in format to, to get it in, in front of folks, right?

And get them interacting with it. Today, what would you say is [00:14:00] the biggest single missed opportunity in the field? I

Julian Walker: think the biggest missed opportunity is

the opportunity to,

to lead with culture. Uh, and that I think goes for both media and social impact. Uh, I think that there's a number of sayings where I think people intellectually may know this, right? The saying of. You know, culture eats strategy for breakfast, or, you know, strategy is downstream from culture. These are things that a lot of people say, um, but what does that mean and how is it being acted upon?

Uh, you'll see, you know, we just, this election two days ago, we've been in the midst of it for [00:15:00] a while now. And, uh, it's interesting. Um, the Let me preface this by saying push black is nonpartisan, uh, and, uh, we mean that and I'm nonpartisan and I mean that, um, and I think that what we've observed though, just considering the two different, um, primary political, uh, parties is that there's one side that has got Media, right, and is able to advance, uh, their constituents narratives.

And that's largely through culture, right? You'll see that a lot of the media appearances that Trump and Vance did, uh, were, um, outside of the note was been considered the norm. It's. You know, they did like the Joe Rogan [00:16:00] podcast and the Theo Von podcast and they had a certain, you know, folks speak at their, there's like a touched, uh, they're, they, they've been in touch with the culture and the culture, um, in a way that made them more relatable to people who were not engaged as much in, um, politics.

I don't think this is the reason why results, you know, went one way or another, but it's an interesting observation because, uh, the lift, the left is behind them in that, um, and I think what I've observed is that there's been more of a focus on, uh, policy and talking points, which for certain audiences that works with, but for folks who aren't really, um, engaged like that, you have to connect on culture and values.

Uh, and that's what we. Observe and are trying to do and, uh, have been doing and trying to get even [00:17:00] better, uh, at doing with push black on the idea that

it's going to take,

uh, something that unifies people, unifies communities beyond,

um, I'll put it, I'll put it this way. I think culture is more offensive than defensive. Uh, culture is something that. Is evergreen and unites people, brings people together around a solid foundation. Right. And if each, if the community shares certain values and has certain practices and beliefs through culture, then any thing, any inputs coming at them, they're going to be able to perceive in a way and take action on that's aligned with those values more, I believe more so than [00:18:00] just pure.

Logic, um, and not to say one is more or less important than the other. I just believe that that's how, um, that's my understanding of human, human nature to an extent. And so when, uh, folks in the media or the social enterprise space are just focused on issues or messaging or talking points, especially around politics, even if it's not around politics, just something that's going on in the community, trying to get people, bring people together.

Um, it has to, um, has to hit differently. So it's not seen as, so it's not just defensive. Um, I think something like, um, the events of 2020, uh, George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Maude Arbery, and, um, Black Lives Matter movement, things like that, as an example, but this happened [00:19:00] throughout history, things like that bring people together around.

Uh, an attack and there's a defense that needs to be made against an attack, but that fizzles out a little easier and it becomes a, it's a moment and not a, a movement, um, without that unifying force of, uh, culture that already has people together that will continue to work together, uh, beyond an inciting incident.

Uh, so. That's what I think is being overlooked. And I think that that's a big opportunity for those of us who are more interested in culture, creative people who can find ways to translate and tell stories that connect with folks, uh, in a different way, in a more human way than, uh, you know, a number of initiatives or candidates on a, on a list, uh, or on a ballot.

So.

Kt McBratney: Yeah. And, and [00:20:00] culture is like a daily thing. Culture occurs and we experience and participate in it throughout our daily lives versus choosing to engage or disengage, you know, remove yourself or stay, stay unengaged from the deeper dives and the strategic parts of it. Right. And to your point, they're both necessary.

And what I'm, I'm witnessing and I, it's interesting that you brought up, you know, That kind of, uh, cultural strategy or that cultural, um, insight and, and plan or execution, I guess I would say. I was reading this article, um, in the information this morning about how influencers over celebrity being on the right kind of podcasts, very tactical examples, just using again in a nonpartisan way, um, those two campaigns as examples of adjusting a cultural strategy [00:21:00] or, or demonstrating and using culture as an access point to achieve an outcome.

Um, and doing that at the rapid pace of especially how our media culture is changing so rapidly, like we, we tend, because we're in it and we're experiencing it, we're living it, we're scrolling on our phones all the time, like just a few years ago, most adults weren't on TikTok or using short form video just, you know, a decade ago, the idea of having meetings primarily through zoom was unheard of for most.

And so I think that like. Culture changes rapidly, partially because of technology, and also, to your point, parts of culture are evergreen, and it's really how organizations and how movements balance and use that. I love how you frame that as offensively versus defensively, right? To sustain it, to sustain a movement versus a moment.

Julian Walker: For sure, and, uh, I agree with that [00:22:00] culture changes rapidly and it's a necessity to, to also not be fixed for culture. Can't be fixed. It has to be fluid. Um, and so I think the, the values probably are even the values that inform the culture, even more evergreen, but the ways that culture manifests are a little more fluid.

And I, I think they, they have to be because the world is, you know, Fluid and moving. Um, but, uh, the, the occasion might call for a different way of being or believing or interacting. Um, but I think that still can maintain a community can still have staying power if that is rooted in values that, um, are meaningful to them and that they have seen evidence that, you know, can allow them to thrive and, and survive.

Um, uh, so, yeah, that's, [00:23:00] Overlooking that element, uh, I think is, is dangerous in a lot of ways and takes out the, I don't know, it ignores the, the people element of it. I think it turns people into just numbers and demographics and that, uh, that's, it's not, I don't think that'll be effective overall. And it's just not, it's not fun either.

So.

Kt McBratney: And it's not, yeah, that's like the opposite of community centered or community led. Yeah. Um, and I just want to acknowledge to folks that this is a little bit different of an episode, and Julie and I talked prior to, to, to hitting record about, you know, given this state, the emotional and the complexities around, um, a pivotal election happening, whether or not we wanted to record today, right, holding space for everyone and very much centering community and, and self care in that, and decided that it was as important, if not more important, to have these [00:24:00] conversations happen.

Um, so, we may or may not get to all eight questions, which, like, I know I could sit and talk to you all day, but you're a busy man and have things to do. Uh, so just, just know that this is, this, we're kind of feeling out the right way. Conversation to have for this moment with this brilliant mind with us.

And I'll also say that those nuggets about values and culture and community, you just gave like a three minute masterclass in storytelling. And, uh, so folks get out your like checkbooks or like, you just got, you just got, you just got, uh, a very valuable lesson from.

Julian Walker: I don't know if I'd say all that, but I appreciate it.

What question are we on? Cause I can, I can be quite long winded. I'm going to try, let's see. I, uh, but I've also been practicing being, uh, concise. So let's see. I want to challenge myself to see how we can make the most [00:25:00] meaning within the rest of the questions.

Kt McBratney: Also, I will say these, these, given the context.

If you had one word answers, I would be surprised and a little concerned. Like these, these, these are nuanced, uh, topics that we're getting into. So like, also like it's my show. We can break the rules if we want. We can also do a rapid fire and, and towards the end, if we've got a few left. So it's the beauty of, uh, of autonomy and creative control.

Right.

Julian Walker: Absolutely. All right. Let's do it.

Kt McBratney: Well, I'm curious, you know, like we've talked about some heavy things already that are necessary and we, and we need to hold space to have those conversations, especially when they are uncomfortable because change and growth only come through discomfort. And I want to highlight some of the positive things.

What was your most recent win? And this can be personal or professional.

Julian Walker: I love that. I appreciate the question. Uh, I'd say [00:26:00] personal win. I think I've learned how to be a better apologizer and my wife is teaching me that. So that is a personal win. I think I underestimated, uh, the power of a simple apology.

And I think that, uh, it is, I think, um, it's helpful both personally and professionally. Uh, like, Hey, it's You know, I dropped the ball on that. I'm sorry, this is what I think I can do to make it right now or going forward. Uh, I think I'm learning the value of that more, so I'd say that's a win.

Kt McBratney: I would too, and also a wonderful invitation for all of us to reflect on the role and our kind of experience and, and skills around apologizing because lots of us are very bad at it.

Julian Walker: Yeah.

Kt McBratney: Myself included at times.

Julian Walker: I

think we hold on to, uh, I'll speak for myself for [00:27:00] sure. Uh, you know, there's, uh, a need to, not a need to feel like I want to be right, uh, more often than I need to be right. And, uh, sometimes it doesn't, it's not about being right, uh, or wrong. It's just, you know, it's something, it's something different.

So I'm learning. Uh, I say those, uh, to when I finally have figured out, uh, what that takes for me and why it's important or not important for me. And it's more peaceful, um, and I'll speak about inner peace is more peaceful trying to just play. Okay. Yeah. I messed up and trying to figure out, um, okay, well, what.

Uh, how can I put it to put it [00:28:00] succinctly it just brings more inner peace than trying to find a way that I am I am right and not wrong

Kt McBratney: It's not about winning. It's about The relationship is part of what i'm hearing.

Julian Walker: Yeah. Yeah, for sure

Kt McBratney: The next question I want to pivot to that I feel like is semi related Is this idea that like you're doing incredible and hard work that's multifaceted Multimodal right like You're in lots of places, you're also, you know, you have a family, you have a life outside of work.

We know scientifically and culturally the value that play brings, right? It's rest, is it peace, is it growth in a different way, creativity, learning, all of that. Play is valuable. I'll just end there. How, what does play look like for you knowing that you're running a company and doing all these other things?

Julian Walker: You've

got to find moments of joy and release [00:29:00] and. Something that will not necessarily serve as a distraction, but something just to, you know, bring you that, that peace, um, without having to worry about, you know, in my case, all things of running a business. So recently my wife and I celebrated our.

Anniversary, uh, last month and we took, thank you, we took a trip to Vegas and, um, neither of us drank, um, so our experience there this year as adults, what we used to drink, our experience there this year as adults, uh, different than, um, what it may have been, uh, back in the day. So we had to challenge ourselves.

Uh, different ways of having fun. And there is this adult, uh, play place, right? Folks who have kids. [00:30:00] You know, take your kids to a play place. They run and jump and slide down the slides and play the games. And it looks like a lot of fun, but it can, it's usually not as much fun trying to make sure they don't break their neck or anything.

So we, uh, found one that's just for,

Kt McBratney: I have a six year old, very relatable

Julian Walker: you know how it goes. Yeah. Uh, six year old as well. So I definitely know how it goes. Um, and, uh, but yeah, so it's the same concept. It's just, everything is much bigger. And so I was, you know, trying to. Uh, you know, there's all these games there. So we did that. I won't get into all the games, but we did that.

And then, uh, this weekend for my birthday, uh, I want to go go kart racing. Uh, so I'm going go kart racing and I plan to have a blast. So things like that, that are, uh, remind me that, you know, there's a lot that could be worried about and could be done, but finding things that are. Uh, release that, [00:31:00] uh, in whatever healthy way that looks like to, to a person is necessary.

Kt McBratney: And, and this work is like, it's a marathon, not a sprint. And you do need to have those moments, those releases, those moments of joy and play. Otherwise, it's all hard and it's all work.

Julian Walker: Yeah, for sure.

Kt McBratney: That, that's one, that's one good path to burnout. If anybody is looking for an express train to that,

but I do not recommend.

Julian Walker: Definitely that. And you're so right. Marathon, not a sprint. Got to take those moments. Got to take those breathers. So yeah, it was a couple ways that I have recently and will, will take a breather myself.

Kt McBratney: Now I'm like, there should be more of those adult scale play places. Cause it looks so fun. They're just hurt.

My kid will just hurl, hurt all herself into like a pit of foam. Not knowing how deep that is. Not knowing if there's another kid underneath But they just, [00:32:00] they just go and That, that kind of just unabashed, unapologetic joy, right? And being in your body, too. We live so much on screens, whether it's on a video call or reading something or even scrolling on our phones, and the ability to just be in your body and share it with, with someone you love and, and play without, without restraint is beautiful.

Julian Walker: Absolutely. It's much necessary. I think it's, uh, I don't know. I know it's been underrated. For me, uh, but we're trying to find ways to practice that more and make it, uh, put it at the right place in our lives. So, yeah,

Kt McBratney: you know, you were in a space where on the nonprofit side, on the social impact side, on the media side, a lot of people have opinions, whether or not they're informed or valid or helpful or even asked for [00:33:00] how do you, uh, as a CEO, as a leader, you know, As a person, how do you know what advice to take and what to hear and let go of?

How do you navigate that process and, and, or what's your relationship to that like?

Julian Walker: Yeah, so is the advice intended to help get us closer to The goal, that's the advice that's the most valuable. And that's something that I had to actually, I learned in film school. So I went to grad school for screenwriting and directing. We'd have to give feedback on our classmates were given, received feedback.

And what we came to realize was that it's easy to get into the thing. Okay, well, why did you. You know, you should [00:34:00] have shot it like this. That might have been much better. You should have made them say this. That would have been much better. Um, but a lot of that is rooted in personal preference without a shared understanding of what the goal and the intention is.

So, um, being able to align on, okay, this is what trying to achieve, right? So in that chair being said, okay, I was trying to achieve, This with this line or achieve this with this shot, um, does that work and does it not work and then take that, take the input that makes the most sense to make it better and to get it closer to what that intended outcome is.

So the same thing thing applies with business. And I, there's a lot of parallels between, you know, being a director on a film set and the leader of a company, excuse me, um, it starts with that. They go, what is the, what is the intent? What are we trying to achieve here? And does this feedback help, [00:35:00] um, to achieve that?

And so that's, that's, um, the most helpful. And then I have to make sure I'm doing the work of seeking that as well, and not holding on to, uh, a certain idea or path, um, without the input of folks that I brought on to provide. Their expertise and their insights, uh, so being able to give and receive an alignment with the intended, uh, the goal, um, is, is how I view that.

Kt McBratney: That's such a wonderful example of how having different experiences, different educational backgrounds, different fields that you've worked in, right? Everybody knows I love a non linear path or a non conventional path, and you can make arguments that, of course it makes sense that you went to film school.

What I love about that specific example [00:36:00] is that it shows that the transfer, that great processes, great leadership, Great strategies. All of that can come from different places, right? The source of where you learn a lesson or a practice can come from almost anywhere, and it's really about how you interpret and then apply that to different areas of your life or not.

Um, and I think it's, it's, it's really fascinating because. In the tech world and even within the social impact in the social, uh, space, people sometimes have their blinders on and they have tunnel vision and they, they read their business books, they read the lean startup, they read these, you know, they, they stick to their fields.

I often feel that that's so limiting, right? It limits our imaginations and it limits our potential outcomes because we're artificially putting [00:37:00] up these constraints like it didn't come from business school. So you can't apply it to business to which you just like masterfully disproved. Um, and I think that that's, that's the beauty.

I think that comes through with community as well is those. Those lessons and seeing how community can teach you about yourself, even not just the process of like giving and getting feedback, but teach you about yourself and the lessons you need to receive or can apply is is really a beautiful practice and the creative fields are filmmaking, especially since we both have lived in that world.

Is a wonderful kind of microcosm of that in in functional and also in dysfunctional ways because like Less some of us broken. We know

Julian Walker: yeah,

Kt McBratney: um, but have you ever thought about how? Your journey to where you are today and the role that you're in today Does like what would what would 18 year old julian think?

What would 12 year old? Do you think would [00:38:00] he be like, of course, of course, this makes total sense or would do you think he'd be surprised?

Julian Walker: uh, I don't think he would be You Surprised. Uh, no. Uh, I think my thing is just as you describe connecting the dots, different experiences, different inputs. My perception on the world has never been, you know, cut and dry.

This is the thing. Um, and this is the only thing, uh, which can be so. No, the short answer is no. That can be confusing to some people, though. I try to bring Cause, you know, you try to bring references in from outside of the space where, and if everyone's not on that same type of, uh, time, then there's a translation that needs to occur.

So I'm trying to get better at the translation, cause I might see how the dots are connected, but that doesn't mean everyone does. [00:39:00] Uh, so, um, that's sort of the mode that I exist in and I could see how 12 or 18 year old Julian would say, okay. I understand how that guy ended up there because of these.

That's being connected. So yeah, yeah,

Kt McBratney: and it sounds like the values are still the same, much like we talked about within community and culture. The values have stayed evergreen. It's just adjusting and moving with culture and and media and the moment, right? Collecting those dots. And And connecting them and carving your path versus following a prescribed one on autopilot.

Julian Walker: In a sense, that's actually interesting. A lot of the values probably have stayed the same. I've adopted others. Uh, but I think the purpose has remained the same for sure. Being able to, from a young age, say, observe and say, I'm trying to use my [00:40:00] talents, um, in the interest of, The community that purpose has been evergreen and my understanding of what it means to do that has adjusted over time and had to shed certain values and acquire new ones.

And I'm sure there's many core ones, maybe even just a few core ones that are still, uh, there, which have brought me into, uh, Different communities, um, that have, you know, aligned values and I've taken myself out of other communities that didn't have aligned values. So, um, I think the, the purpose is probably the most evergreen within that, that framework.

Kt McBratney: Growing up and growing into yourself is such a fascinating journey, right? Like this, that's just what it makes me think about is like this, and we're not done, right? We're not done until we're done. Like, so the process of, of living with your values and [00:41:00] shedding some that no longer serve you and your purpose and adding others is, is just such a beautiful reflection of how we are all works in progress and I like to believe most of us are just trying our best.

Uh, at this whole life thing.

Julian Walker: Yeah.

Kt McBratney: Which, so I know you wanted to get through all the questions. Fun fact, there's only one left because through just the nat natural kind of flow of our conversation, you a answered two without me even asking. Get

Julian Walker: that? Love it. So

Kt McBratney: look

Julian Walker: at that. I got time for one more. Yeah, let's do it.

Kt McBratney: Last question is where we end it with everyone. It's a two-for. What is the most challenging part of your job? Like the part that you're like, yes, this seems glamorous, but I've gotta do this. And what is the best part of what you do that you're like, if I get to do this once a week, every day or whatever it is, it like [00:42:00] lights you up and carries you through the hard moments.

Julian Walker: Cool. Uh, the most challenging, I'd say is the most draining, the most life taking is the administrative parts. And it's funny because. As a kid, that's what I thought being a leader of a business was. I used to go into like walk into office Depot and staples and imagine, Oh, I got this office with all these things and I'm, you know, doing office stuff.

And

Kt McBratney: I, I thought there'd be more clipboards.

Julian Walker: Likewise. Don't really, don't really have a use for clipboards. I did. I bought one a couple of years ago when I had it on a legal pad, but I don't, you know, I don't use it now. Um, but yeah, so the admin stuff. Is draining and it's hard. It's annoying I was on the phone with the bank earlier right before this call trying to handle something like that That is draining and I don't like that.

Um, and then the best part is the [00:43:00] um the creative aspect of it and I say that in a way that's uh,

so I don't write stories for push black I used to when we first started I was writing the stories then I was Managing the writers and that all that stuff, but I don't do that anymore um But I still have that, you know, I'm just generally a creative person. So I had to find ways to lean into my creativity in what could be just an administrative role, uh, without a certain approach.

Um, so being able to. Spend my day, uh, either reading or experiencing. So whether I'm reading something of interest and connecting that as we were talking about and writing down new ideas and seeing how things connect to some challenge or opportunity we're facing, um, [00:44:00] putting that into a strategy or just being in the community.

So I live, um, in a community that. Uh, I love and so just being able to get out of the house and interact and engage with people or just people watch and overhear conversations or what people care about gives me, um, necessary inputs as well. And that comes with talking to our, uh, our subscribers, our audience.

I was still call folks up on the phone on a pretty regular basis, just to understand what they, um, what's working for them with what we're putting out, uh, what's not working. So taking in. Inputs and being able to connect dots and get creative in that way and then apply it to, um, the work and say, okay, now I see, and that's another piece that I can add to the vision, uh, and something that we could potentially try or test as part of the, the strategy.

That's what I would prefer to spend all of my time on instead of talking [00:45:00] to. The bank, uh, the bank that will not

Kt McBratney: bureaucracy.

Julian Walker: Yes, absolutely.

Kt McBratney: The nightmare. Well, I can say this has been an absolute Wonderful break from the administrative stuff. I have to do later. Thank you for that. I Hope it's true for you as well.

Julian Walker: Like

Kt McBratney: where can folks find you and push black on the internet? How can we find you stay in touch with the work and get connected to the work that you're doing?

Julian Walker: Uh, so you can find me on linked in, uh, just search my name and push black and you'll see me and then you can find push black, uh, wherever you prefer to, excuse me, you can find push black, wherever you prefer to consume your media.

So if you're a newsletter person, we got that, we got podcasts, we got. Social media, which you can go to push black dot O R G push black. org. Um, and that'll take you to all of our [00:46:00] brands. Um, yeah, or we are push black on Instagram, which seems to be a favorite of many people. So

Kt McBratney: it's a great feed. You got some good reels this week, by the way.

Julian Walker: I appreciate that.

Kt McBratney: I was, I was learning a lot and I loved it. So thanks. So, uh, pass that message along.

Julian Walker: I will. I didn't

Kt McBratney: think it

Julian Walker: was great.

Kt McBratney: Thank you so much. This has been so insightful, just such a gift to connect with somebody and have this conversation in public that we can share with folks. That's been very thoughtful and heartfelt and so community centered.

So, I appreciate the time and I appreciate you.

Julian Walker: Thank you, Kt. Happy to be here. I appreciate you, uh, inviting me and, uh, Yeah, giving a chance to chat with you is, is cool. So I look forward to the next time. And, uh, yeah, I hope somebody gets, uh, at least one, one thing from this, uh, conversation.

Kt McBratney: My friend, I think they, if somebody leaves with just one thing, they clearly were not listening.

I'll say, I feel like [00:47:00] that's the way that that's my takeaway.

Julian Walker: Nice.