In this amazing episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we're joined by the one and only Shaun Robinson. Are you a leader trying to navigate a changing industry, find your purpose beyond your career, or make a lasting impact on your community? Shaun’s journey is a powerful testament to the value of hard work, strategic career-building, and using your platform to empower others. We explore her unboxed path from her Detroit roots to the red carpet, and how her friendships with music legends taught her some of the most profound lessons on leadership and self-worth.

Shaun Robinson is a television host, actress, and producer best known for her 16 incredible years with Access Hollywood and her role as the face of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé reunion specials. A proud graduate of Spelman College, she is a passionate advocate for girls and women, running the Shaun Foundation for Girls to support programs in STEM, health, arts, and more. She has also written a book to help girls build self-esteem and has produced and acted in numerous films and TV shows.

Watch on YouTube:

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Seeing It to Believe It: Shaun shares how seeing a Black female news anchor on TV as a child inspired her to become a journalist and gave her the conviction to succeed despite facing doubt.

• Longevity Comes from Skill: Learn how Shaun’s long and hard grind in local news markets prepared her for her big break at Access Hollywood and why a real skill set, not just being "cute," is the key to lasting success in a volatile industry.

• Turning a Platform into Purpose: Hear why Shaun left a 16-year career at Access Hollywood to create the Shaun Foundation for Girls, and how she built a nonprofit that supports other organizations in her community's pillars.

• Lessons from Legends: Discover the leadership wisdom Shaun gained from her friendships with Aretha Franklin and Prince, including the importance of reading a contract and owning your own content.

Shaun’s story proves that every step of your journey—from childhood dreams to professional pivots—is part of your purpose. Join us in building our leadership playlists and support the Shaun Foundation for Girls in their mission to empower the next generation.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

CONNECT WITH SHAUN ROBINSON:

Website

Shaun Foundation for Girls

Instagram

Playlist

CONNECT WITH SHANNON:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn Shannon | LinkedIn NBJV

Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

The Real Secret to a Powerful Career: Lessons from a Hollywood Powerhouse

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a career that doesn't just last, but makes a real difference in the world? You see the familiar faces on TV and in movies, and you might think their lives are all about fame and glamour. But what if the real story is about a deeper purpose, a journey that goes from the red carpet to a lasting legacy of giving back? In an interview on the "No Boxes: Just Verses" podcast, television host and producer Shaun Robinson shared her incredible story of how she built a career with longevity, purpose, and impact. This article is for you if you are ready to use your platform—no matter how big or small—to make a real difference.

Prerequisites for a Purpose-Driven Career

Are you ready to stop just chasing success and start building a life of meaning? This content is for anyone who has a passion they want to turn into a mission. You don’t need a fancy resume or a huge platform to get started. All you need is a willingness to put in the hard work and a heart to serve others.

Building a Purpose-Driven Career

Step 1: Find a Vision of What You Can Be

We often believe that our dreams are just a fantasy, especially if we don't see anyone like us doing what we want to do. A common mistake is thinking you need permission to pursue your goals. But our guest’s story shows us that a powerful vision can be the fuel for a lifelong career. Shaun shared that growing up in Detroit, she saw a Black female news anchor on TV, and in that moment, her own path became clear. Seeing that one woman gave her the conviction and belief that she could also become a journalist. This vision was so strong that when people later told her she couldn't make it because of the color of her skin, she knew they were wrong, because she had already seen it done.

Conclusion:

Finding a powerful vision of what you can be is the first step to building a career of purpose.

• Look for role models and mentors who look like you and share your background.

• Use their success as proof that you can also succeed.

• Let your conviction be your shield when others try to tell you that you can't.

• Remember that a strong vision of your future is more powerful than any doubt.

Step 2: Build a Foundation of Skill and Longevity

It's tempting to look at today's entertainment industry and think that a career can be built overnight with social media. But a common mistake is to confuse fleeting fame with true longevity. Shaun’s story is a powerful reminder that real careers are built on a solid foundation of skill. She spent years "grinding" in small news markets, from Detroit to Miami, learning the ins and outs of her craft. This hard work and training prepared her for her big break at Access Hollywood, and it's what sustained her career for 16 years. She believes that while you might get a job because you're "cute," longevity comes from a skill set that cannot be easily replaced.

Conclusion:

A lasting career is built on a foundation of skill and hard work, not just social media fame.

• Don't be afraid to put in the work in a small market or a less glamorous role.

• See every job as a training ground to sharpen your skills and improve your craft.

• Remember that a solid skill set is your greatest asset for longevity.

• Be innovative and talented so that you can create your own opportunities.

Step 3: Use Your Platform to Build a Lasting Legacy

Many of us believe that a successful career is the final destination. But a common mistake is not recognizing when it's time to pivot to a new, more purpose-driven chapter. After 16 years at Access Hollywood, Shaun realized the industry had changed and it was time for her to move on. She pivoted to her life's mission, creating the Shaun Foundation for Girls, a nonprofit that empowers young women by supporting other small nonprofits in key areas like STEM, health, and arts. She saw that women-led nonprofits often struggle to get funding, so she created a new model of philanthropy that challenges "gatekeeping" and helps these organizations succeed.

Conclusion:

A successful career can be a stepping stone to a legacy of giving back and making a real impact.

• Be willing to pivot when your soul feels it's time for a new chapter.

• Use your platform and your resources to support causes you care about.

• Look for gaps in the world and create a solution that helps others.

• Remember that a lasting legacy is built on helping the next generation, not just on your personal success.

Step 4: Learn to Own Your Value from the Best

Many creative people don’t feel comfortable talking about the business side of their work. A common mistake is to let others define your value and ownership. Shaun learned powerful lessons about this from two music legends she was friends with: Aretha Franklin and Prince. She saw firsthand that Aretha was about her business and would not sign a contract without reading every word. Prince taught her a similar lesson about ownership and value, reminding her to "create your own and don't think that anyone is sort of your master". These lessons influenced Shaun to create her own opportunities and to be a leader who is about ownership, not just being paid for her talent.

Conclusion:

Learning to own your value is a key leadership lesson that influences how you build your career and your legacy.

• Be a good student of the business and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty with contracts.

• Don’t let others define your value; know your worth and own it.

• Create your own opportunities and don’t depend on others to be your "master."

• Remember that your most valuable asset is your talent, and a leader is the one who owns it.

Conclusion: Your Unboxed Journey to Authentic Leadership

You've learned that a life of purpose, resilience, and leadership isn't just about what you do in the public eye. It’s a journey of finding a powerful vision, building a foundation of skill, and using your platform to create a legacy. The big idea is that your unique experiences, from your Motown-infused childhood to your friendships with music legends, are what make you the perfect leader for the moments you are in. Shaun’s story is a joyful anthem of what it means to be a true leader with heart and poise.

Now it's your turn to apply these lessons. Start by asking yourself:

Final Steps to Take:

• What is your vision for your career, and what role models are you looking up to?

• What are the skills you can be working on today to ensure a career of longevity?

• How can you start using your platform—even if it's just on social media—to make a positive impact?

• What can you be doing today to ensure you are about ownership, not just being paid for your talent?

• Don't forget to find the joy in your journey and play the music that makes you happy!