Valeisha Butterfield Interview | Trust Your Gut, Tell the Truth & Own Your Story

Valeisha Butterfield has spent her career at the intersection of culture, politics, entertainment, and business—leading global initiatives while never losing sight of her truth. As the founder of C Media and a former Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for the Recording Academy (Grammys), Valeisha has consistently championed voices and communities that have been strategically undervalued.

In this powerful conversation with host Astor Chambers, Valeisha breaks down why truth is the most important tool in leadership, storytelling, and life. From her reflections on pivoting careers to her decision to self-fund projects in order to maintain ownership, she offers wisdom on navigating toxic environments, building authentic platforms, and raising the bar for yourself and those you serve.

This episode explores:

• Why pivoting is really evolution—not reinvention
• The importance of owning your story and your business
• Navigating toxic workplace cultures with confidence and clarity
• Why “culture eats strategy for breakfast”
• How diversity and inclusion are being dismantled—and how we must respond
• The responsibility of both creators and consumers in shaping culture
• Why truth outperforms data every time
• The three seeds Valeisha wants to leave for future stewards of culture

This conversation is a masterclass in authenticity, resilience, and leadership. For anyone balancing ambition with integrity, or seeking to create change while protecting their energy, Valeisha Butterfield delivers an unfiltered blueprint for moving with courage, clarity, and joy.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired to raise your bar, trust your gut, and always stand in your truth.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Opening Reflections
00:20 – Valeisha Butterfield on Freedom & Identity
01:10 – Culture vs. Strategy: Trusting Your Gut
02:05 – Pivoting or Evolving? Rethinking Career Moves
04:00 – Transferable Skills Across Industries
05:35 – Navigating Toxic Workplace Cultures
08:16 – Playing the Game vs. Owning the Game
09:58 – Founding C Media and Choosing Ownership
11:13 – Why Self-Funding Matters for Creative Control
13:26 – Influence vs. Being Influenced
15:11 – The Power of Telling the Truth in Any Room
18:00 – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Under Attack
20:20 – Building Community Power and Supporting Each Other
23:00 – Economic Divide: The Real Root of Inequity
24:00 – A Call to Action: Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
26:00 – The Need for Trusted Leadership & Clear Direction
28:00 – Mentorship & Scaling Yourself to Help More People
30:00 – Guarding Your Energy and Choosing Who You Work With
34:00 – Redefining Wealth: Energy, Joy, and Good People
35:00 – Valeisha’s Three Seeds for Future Leaders
37:00 – Closing Thoughts & Gratitude

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