Instant New York Times best seller                       

From the New York Times best-selling author of I’m Judging You, a hilarious and transformational book about how to tackle fear – that everlasting hater – and audaciously step into lives, careers, and legacies that go beyond even our wildest dreams

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is known for her trademark wit, warmth, and perpetual truth-telling. But even she’s been challenged by the enemy of progress known as fear. She was once afraid to call herself a writer, and nearly skipped out on doing a TED talk that changed her life because of imposter syndrome. As she shares in Professional Troublemaker, she’s not alone.

We’re all afraid. We’re afraid of asking for what we want because we’re afraid of hearing “no.” We’re afraid of being different, of being too much or not enough. We’re afraid of leaving behind the known for the unknown. But in order to do the things that will truly, meaningfully change our lives, we have to become professional troublemakers: people who are committed to not letting fear talk them out of the things they need to do or say to live free.

With humor and honesty, and guided by the influence of her professional troublemaking Nigerian grandmother, Funmilayo Faloyin, Luvvie walks us through what we must get right within ourselves before we can do the things that scare us; how to use our voice for a greater good; and how to put movement to the voice we’ve been silencing – because truth-telling is a muscle.

The point is not to be fearless, but to know we are afraid and charge forward regardless. It is to recognize that the things we must do are more significant than our fears. This book is about how to live boldly in spite of all the reasons we have to cower. Let’s go!

©2021 Luvvie Ajayi Jones (P)2021 Penguin Audio

BIO: LUVVIE AJAYI JONES, Pofessional Troublemaker

Assassin of the Alphabet.
Bestseller of Books.
Conduit of Courage.
Advocate of Audacity.
Sorceress of Side-Eyes.
Aficionado of Authenticity.
Sage of Service.
Testifier of Truths.
Curator of Community.
Critic of Culture.
Nigerian Noble.
Justice Seeker.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker and entrepreneur who
thrives at the intersection of culture, business, and leadership.

AUTHOR               

Her critically acclaimed books Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens (2022),
Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual (2021) and I’m Judging You: The Do-Better
Manual (2016) were instant New York Times bestsellers, establishing her as a literary force with a
powerful pen. Her latest book (and first children’s book) Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess was
released on May 2, 2023.

SPEAKER

Luvvie is an internationally recognized speaker whose thought leadership on culture, authenticity, and
disruption enables transformative action. Her renowned TED talk “Get Comfortable with Being
Uncomfortable” has over 8 million views, has been transcribed into 23 languages, and has placed her
in the Top 1% of TED Talks of all time.

Known for her trademark wit, warmth, and powerful storytelling, Luvvie has captivated audiences
around the world for over 10 years, and her talks have been consistently praised for their ability to
spark conversations, provoke thought, and leave audiences feeling empowered. She has spoken at
some of the most innovative brands, such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, Spotify, Nike, Bank
of America, Deloitte, and American Express. She’s been a featured speaker at noted conferences such
as: TEDWomen, Cannes Lions, SXSW, Leadercast, 3% Conference, MAKERS Conference.
Her superpower: using humor as a tool to engage audiences and speak directly to the heart of others.
When she walks away, people take action.

WRITER

A 19-year blogging veteran, Luvvie writes on AwesomelyLuvvie.com, covering all things culture with a
critical yet humorous lens.

A prolific writer, she has contributed to several anthologies (You Are Your Best Thing edited by
Tarana Burke and Brene Brown, Hungry Hearts, Black Girls Rock) and has written for the New York
Times, ELLE and Essence. Additionally, her work has been featured in outlets such as Variety, NPR,
Forbes, Inc, Fortune, Fast Company, The Chicago Tribune and more.

PODCAST HOST                           

Luvvie is the host of a podcast of the same name as her book, Professional Troublemaker, where she has candid conversations with trailblazers who have taken action, caused good trouble and led courageous lives driven by conviction, humor and honesty. Guests like Bozoma Saint John, Jenifer Lewis, Glennon Doyle, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Tarana Burke, Elsa Majimbo, and more. Started in February 2018, the podcast has over 3 million downloads, was chosen as “New & Noteworthy” by Apple Podcasts and featured in their “BOLD WOMEN” collection. It was chosen as a “featured podcast” by Spotify, and NPR’s Michel Martin chose it as a “Must Listen. “Professional Troublemaker” was nominated for a 2022 NAACP Image Award in the category
“Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast.”

BOOK COACH

With a passion and proven track record of creating and launching successful books, Luvvie founded
The Book Academy (TBA), as a platform to help others do the same. TBA is a comprehensive course
and coaching suite designed to guide students from the initial idea to the final reality of a published
book. As a 4-time NYT bestselling author, Luvvie wants to see more marginalized voices and stories on
bookshelves and in bookstores everywhere.

MARKETER and DIGITAL STRATEGIST

As a veteran marketer and digital strategist, Luvvie is adept at creating campaigns that make impact
and rise above the noise. Most recently, Luvvie created the campaign Black Business Luvv
(#BlackBizLuvv) to fund and amplify Black businesses. #BlackBizLuvv was a month-long campaign
highlighting 31 companies, across multiple product categories (skincare, fashion, tech, jewelry, home
décor, candles and more). In just 31 days, the #BlackBizLuvv campaign infused over $540,000 into
small, Black-owned businesses. It continues to be a banner campaign that generates revenue into up
and coming companies.

In 2020, Luvvie was co-creator of #SharetheMicNow, a campaign that magnified the voices of brilliant
Black women through the telling of their stories from the Instagram accounts of prominent white
women. The campaign got over 20 billion impressions worldwide, and its impact earned it an honorable mention by Fast Company for “World Changing Ideas.” It also won the Content Marketing Institute’s 2020 B2C Marketer of the Year award. The campaign’s reach has spanned the globe and industries, having been replicated through #SharetheMicUK, #SharetheMicNowHome, and #SharetheMedicalMic, to name a few.

In Spring 2022, Luvvie served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of
Business. Her course, “The Power of Personal Branding and Storytelling in the Digital Age,”
entailed lessons in strengthening your voice to build a personal brand and creating a visual identity to
match your voice and work.

AWARDS AND PRESS

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate has received numerous awards, including her alma mater’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She was also named a 2021 Rising Star in Forbes Magazine’s Culture 50 Champions list, and Oprah Winfrey chose her as part of her inaugural SuperSoul100 list as someone who “elevates humanity.” Luvvie has received the Council of Urban Professionals Breakthrough Award, and has been named as a Black Enterprise Luminary Award honoree.

Born in Nigeria, bred in Chicago, and comfortable everywhere, Luvvie enjoys laying around in
her plush robe and eating a warm bowl of jollof rice in her free time. Her love language is shoes.

Bio of Luvvie Ajayi Jones gathered from her site at:
https://luvvie.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Luvvie-Bios-October-2023.pdf

AI Contribution follows:  Luvvie Ajayi Jones Podcast Success (via ChatGPT 4.0)   
Prompt used: 500+ words on the podcast history and success of Luvvie Ajayi Jones’ Professional Troublemaker podcast with over 100,000 monthly listeners and over 4,000,000 downloads:

The Podcast Journey of Luvvie Ajayi Jones:  Professional Troublemaker’s Rise to Success

Luvvie Ajayi Jones, the award-winning author, speaker, and cultural critic, has made a significant impact in the podcasting world with her show, Professional Troublemaker. With over 100,000 monthly listeners and more than 4 million downloads, the podcast has cemented itself as a must-listen for audiences seeking bold conversations on leadership, authenticity, and fearlessness. Since its launch, Professional Troublemaker has become a platform where honesty meets humor, and where Luvvie encourages listeners to challenge the status quo while living unapologetically.

Origins and Concept of Professional Troublemaker

Luvvie Ajayi Jones has been a prominent voice in media, advocacy, and digital culture for over a decade. She first gained widespread recognition through her blog Awesomely Luvvie, which tackled everything from pop culture to social justice with a sharp wit. Her best-selling books, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (2016) and Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual (2021), further solidified her reputation as a fearless truth-teller.

The podcast Professional Troublemaker was born from her passion for pushing boundaries, amplifying important conversations, and helping others navigate fear in pursuit of greatness. Originally launched under the title Rants & Randomness, the podcast underwent a rebranding to align with the themes of her second book. The name change reflected Luvvie’s mission—to inspire individuals to be “professional troublemakers” by speaking up, taking up space, and leading with integrity.

Each episode of Professional Troublemaker features in-depth conversations with trailblazers across various industries, including business, entertainment, and activism. Luvvie’s guests are chosen for their courage, innovation, and impact, making each episode a masterclass in confidence, resilience, and success.

Notable Guests and Conversations

The success of Professional Troublemaker can be attributed in part to its impressive lineup of guests. Some of the most memorable episodes feature powerhouse figures such as:

• Bozoma Saint John – The former Global Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix and a marketing industry icon, Bozoma shared insights on navigating corporate spaces as a Black woman and the importance of owning one’s worth.
• Glennon Doyle – The best-selling author of Untamed discussed embracing vulnerability and leading with authenticity.
• Stacey Abrams – The political leader and voting rights advocate spoke about resilience, strategy, and the power of persistence.
• Issa Rae – The actress, producer, and creator of Insecure shared her journey from YouTube to Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and representation.
• Cicely Tyson – In one of the podcast’s most revered episodes, the late legendary actress reflected on her career and the power of legacy.

Luvvie’s interview style is what makes these conversations so impactful. Her mix of humor, directness, and depth allows guests to open up in unique ways, providing listeners with candid, insightful discussions that feel both personal and empowering.

Impact and Audience Growth

With over 100,000 monthly listeners, Professional Troublemaker has cultivated a loyal and engaged audience. The podcast’s success is a testament to Luvvie’s ability to blend humor with hard truths, making even the most complex topics approachable. Its global reach and 4+ million downloads highlight its resonance across different demographics.

The podcast’s appeal lies in its authenticity. Luvvie does not shy away from tough conversations, whether discussing racism, career setbacks, mental health, or self-doubt. Her fearless approach to storytelling and critique creates an environment where listeners feel seen, challenged, and inspired to be bolder in their own lives.

Expansion and Future of Professional Troublemaker

Building on the success of her podcast, Luvvie has expanded her Professional Troublemaker brand beyond audio content. She has developed workshops, courses, and live events aimed at helping individuals confront their fears and embrace their full potential.

The podcast has also created a thriving online community, where listeners engage in discussions and share their own “troublemaking” moments—whether that’s advocating for themselves in the workplace, pursuing new opportunities, or challenging systemic inequities.

Looking ahead, Professional Troublemaker is poised for continued growth, with potential for more high-profile guests, live recordings, and multimedia extensions. Given Luvvie’s track record, it’s likely she will continue to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a “professional troublemaker.”

Conclusion                           

Luvvie Ajayi Jones’ Professional Troublemaker podcast is more than just a series of interviews—it is a movement. With its candid conversations, fearless storytelling, and commitment to empowerment, the podcast has inspired millions to stand in their truth and fight for what they believe in. Its 100,000+ monthly listeners and 4 million downloads are proof that Luvvie’s voice is not only necessary but also transformative.

As Professional Troublemaker continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: Luvvie Ajayi Jones will keep challenging norms, inspiring boldness, and proving that being a troublemaker—when done right—is one of the most powerful things one can be.  Find the podcast here at https://luvvie.org/podcast/