You Can't Productivity Your Way Out of Pain | Black Women, Grief & Healing

What happens when being productive becomes a way to avoid your pain? As Black women, we're often the ones who find solutions, hold everything together and keep moving forward.

But what happens when we never give ourselves permission to feel? In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E.

Black Women , Kamika Dillard sits down with Jennifer Erie , an international development leader, former USAID Foreign Service Officer and author of The World in My Bones: The Diplomat Queens Made . Jennifer spent 15 years building a career in international public health.

Then, in March 2025, everything changed. She received a reduction-in-force notice during the same week her mother passed away.

Suddenly, she was navigating grief, career loss and an identity crisis while trying to figure out who she was beyond her professional title. Through writing her memoir, reconnecting with her creativity and leaning on her community of Black women, Jennifer began finding her way forward.

IN THIS CONVERSATION Why Black women sometimes use work and productivity to avoid emotional pain Losing your professional identity after an unexpected layoff Navigating grief while still feeling responsible for everyone else The pressure to keep going when life falls apart Learning to define yourself beyond your career and accomplishments The biggest takeaway: Your job title is not your identity. Your productivity is not your healing.

And you don't have to hold everything together to prove your strength. 💜 About Jennifer Erie Jennifer Erie is an international development leader, former Foreign Service Officer and published author. Over the course of her career, she worked across Africa, Asia and the United States, including 15 years at USAID supporting global health, humanitarian and community development initiatives.

She is the author of The World in My Bones: The Diplomat Queen's Memoir , a personal account of her life, experiences and journey through adversity. Through storytelling, speaking engagements and community connections, Jennifer continues to share her experiences and support others.

Find Jennifer: Instagram @FeteJen Sponsored By Hello LaJoy & Co: Stella Beyond Studio: 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗸𝗮: Kamika Dillard is an ACC-certified professional coach, CEO of Fail Forward Coaching, and host of the Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women Podcast .

Through her coaching framework, she empowers Black women and leaders to navigate career transitions, overcome setbacks, and build unshakeable confidence without burnout. She is dedicated to creating sanctuary spaces that Support, Amplify, Validate, and Elevate Black women across every sphere of life. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗮𝘁: LinkedIn: Instagram: Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E.

Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: Interested in sharing your story?

Apply here: Like, subscribe and follow Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women wherever you get your podcasts.

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