S4 EP20: How Valerie Jarrett Turned Her Misery Into Motivation

President Obama's longest serving advisor blossomed when she stopped listening to authority figures...and started loving the 'swerves' in life.

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Valerie Jarrett's fascinating family defied racism to become some of the most influential African-Americans you’ve likely never heard of, including one of Louisiana's first black legislators and MIT's first black student. But Jarrett also shares how, despite a law degree and supportive parents, she struggled to find her own career path. Hear what jolted Jarrett out of a professional stupor to find work that mattered to her. Plus, the revolutionary ways she dealt with staffing and "women's issues" in the White House, including making paternity leave mandatory and letting the President know when menopause was getting her down. Whatever your politics, this is an extremely inspiring listen.

Season 4 of ZigZag is examining the current culture of business and work, figuring out what needs to change, and experimenting with new ways to do it. 

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CREDITS:

Matt Boynton, Audio Engineer and Sound Designer

Ania Grzesik, Audio Engineer

David Herman, Composer

Maria Wurttele, Production Coordinator

ILLUSTRATION: 

Sara Wong

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S4 EP21: Being Ethnically Ambiguous At Work

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S4 EP19: The Guy Who Quit Planes for Good