That Part with Naa Yirenkyi and Verta Maloney

That Part with Naa Yirenkyi and Verta Maloney: Relearning Connection at Work

Pick Up the Phone: Relearning Connection at Work (and Beyond)
This one’s for anyone tired of being left on read—in the group chat, in the meeting, or in real life.
In Episode 5, Verta and Naa explore how “not my problem” energy became the norm and what it’s costing us. From unread emails to sitting next to someone who won’t name the issue they have with you, they unpack how burnout, fear, and digital convenience have quietly made us worse teammates—and sometimes worse humans.
They also ask: What would it look like to bring care back to work, not as a performance, but as a practice? Their answer lives in third spaces, intergenerational grace, and the ten seconds of courage it takes to simply check in.
Because liberation isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about building systems that remind us we never had to.
Learn more about Naa & Verta here:
Email: thatpart@45Lemons.com Website: www.45lemons.com/thatpartInstagram: @fortyfivelemons

That Part with Naa Yirenkyi and Verta Maloney: Liberation Is a Strategy

Liberation Is a Strategy
In Episode 4, Verta and Naa unpack what liberation looks like when it is not just a dream or a destination, but a strategy. A lived practice. A choice. From global shifts in leadership to the quiet decisions in your daily calendar, this conversation traces the ways Black women around the world are modeling new ways of living, working, and leading.
They explore liberation as rest, rhythm, refusal, and redesign. From saying no without guilt to trusting ease as strategic, this episode is about softening the grind and reclaiming the moments that make life feel more whole. Verta and Naa reflect on their own practices of liberation, from travel and rest to family legacies, and offer questions for you to consider as you design your own freedom.
Whether you are working, resting, caregiving, or creating something new, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to wait for permission. Liberation is not just a vibe. It is a viable way to move through the world. And it starts with how you live your life, right now.
Learn more about Naa & Verta here:
Email: thatpart@45Lemons.com Website: www.45lemons.com/thatpartInstagram: @fortyfivelemons

That Part with Naa Yirenkyi and Verta Maloney: The Canaries in the Coal Mine

Black Women Been Told Y’all: The Canaries in the Coal Mine
Guest: Jihan Johnston-McGlotten: Strategist, Researcher, Cultural Technologist, and Mother
In this episode, Verta and Naa sit down with the brilliant Jihan Johnston-McGlotten, a Black woman navigating nine months of unemployment after a layoff. Together, they unpack what it means to be pushed out of the workforce while still holding on to creativity, clarity, and community.
They explore the deeper truths behind layoffs, the pressure to produce, and the silence that often follows when Black women speak up. From systems that gaslight to the gut instincts that guide us, this is an honest conversation about being the early warning signal — and the brilliance that comes when we choose ourselves anyway.
JIHAN'S BIO:
Jihan Johnston-McGlotten is a strategist, researcher, and cultural technologist whose work connects technology, gaming, media, and culture to create human-centered, impactful experiences. With over 15 years of experience, she helps organizations, brands, and communities navigate AI, interactive media, gaming, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in ways that are meaningful, inclusive, and culturally informed.As the founder of BeatBotics, a forward-thinking creative technology and media startup, Jihan leads the development of digital experiences that are innovative, equitable, and globally relevant. Her PhD research focuses on HCI and human-centered technology, giving her a unique perspective on how people interact with AI, digital platforms, and interactive media. A mother and global thinker, she blends research, strategy, and cultural insight to translate complex technology and media trends into actionable strategies that resonate across communities.Known professionally as The Real Jihan J, she delivers keynotes, workshops, and strategic advisement for brands, nonprofits, and educational institutions, connecting people, technology, gaming, and culture to foster innovation, inclusion, and authentic human connection.
Learn more about Naa & Verta here:
Email: thatpart@45Lemons.com Website: www.45lemons.com/thatpartInstagram: @fortyfivelemons

That Part with Naa Yirenkyi and Verta Maloney: This Job Is Not Your Whole Story

This Job Is Not Your Whole Story
In this episode of That Part, Verta and Naa unpack the ways work can swallow our sense of self — especially for Black women. They talk about detaching worth from output, grieving professional betrayal, and reclaiming identity beyond our job titles. From stats to side-eyes, from layoffs to liberation, this episode reminds us that rest is not quitting and your story is bigger than your resume.
Learn more about Naa & Verta here:
Email: thatpart@45Lemons.com Website: www.45lemons.com/thatpartInstagram: @fortyfivelemons

That Part with Naa Yirenkyi and Verta Maloney: Welcome to That Part

Welcome to That Part
In this first full episode, Verta and Naa introduce That Part — a podcast rooted in truth-telling, tenderness, and cultural clarity. They share how they met, why they launched 45 Lemons, and what inspired the name That Part.
You’ll hear a mini version of every segment, from What We’re Holding to The Fix — including a personal moment where Naa shares some thangs and Verta responds with care, candor, and (let’s be honest) likely some hilarity.
This episode is a welcome mat, a mic drop, and an invitation.
Come through!
Together on That PartVerta and Naa are your guides through the mess and the magic of being—at work, in the world, and within ourselves. Come for the cultural clarity. Stay for the cackles, the community, and the truth that just might set you free.
Why the Name That Part?
In today’s culture — especially in Black communities and online spaces — that part is what people say when someone speaks a truth that hits deep. Instead of saying yes, exactly or I feel that, we say: That part.
Imagine someone says: I’m tired of jobs saying we’re a family — but cutting people without warning.
And someone else replies: That part.
It’s like saying: That’s the truth that needed to be said — and I feel it.
It’s the moment in a conversation when someone names what everyone else was thinking. It’s a head nod. A pause. A shared knowing. You might hear it in a meeting, a group chat, a meme, or at the dinner table. 
We chose this name because we’re not here to sugarcoat or skip the real stuff. We’re here to say what’s true — not just what’s trending. The hard parts. The holy parts. The parts we whisper about after the meeting or talk about off the record.
This podcast is where we speak from the gut and name what needs naming. Because that part is where the real conversation lives — where the shift begins
Email: thatpart@45Lemons.com Website: www.45lemons.com/thatpartInstagram: @fortyfivelemons