Episode 47: The Right Shoes on the Wrong Feet | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA™ Part 2

In Part 2 of our October conversation with cruciverbalist Jan Buckner Walker, we move beyond the crossword puzzle itself and into the bigger question: what happens when the career you built no longer feels like where you belong? Jan talks about finding the thing that has always been in you, the difference between hard work and being uncomfortable, creating work that feels safe and inclusive, and why it’s never too late to “shake your own box” and discover what else might be inside.

Chapters 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:41 Previously On 02:37 Why This Work Matters 04:59 Finding Your Calling 08:05 The Right Shoes on the Wrong Feet 11:03 Making Puzzles Feel Safe 13:29 Representation Without Judgment 14:51 Closing Thoughts Learn more about Jan Buckner Walker and Black Crosswords: - Website: - LinkedIn: Jan will also celebrate Black Crosswords: In Our Own Words, Volume 2 at Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2026. Event details: