Is your career a ladder or a jungle gym? How do you transition from reporting the numbers to being the one who drives them? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we sit down with Daryl "DB" Butler, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Trusted Voices at Google. DB takes us on a masterclass journey through his jungle gym career—starting in finance and accounting before making a bold pivot to sales and marketing that led him to shape culture at iconic brands like Boost Mobile, Nike, Jordan Brand, and Beats by Dre.

As Vice President of Global Partnerships and Trusted Voices at Google, Daryl Butler (DB) is responsible for forging strategic alliances and partnerships across the company’s portfolio, including Cloud, Platforms & Devices, Search, Gemini, and YouTube. His team is focused on embedding the Google brand in culture with purpose. Under his leadership, DB manages complex partnerships with influential brands and talent like McLaren Racing, the NBA/WNBA, and Steph Curry. A proud graduate of Morehouse College and Pepperdine University, DB is a dedicated community leader and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Jungle Gym" Career: DB explains why a career isn't a linear ladder but a jungle gym where you climb, slide, and swing to gain the diverse experiences needed for C-suite leadership.
• Scorekeeper vs. Point Scorer: Hear the defining moment when DB realized he no longer wanted to just report on the money (Finance) but wanted to be the one making it (Sales/Marketing), prompting his major career pivot.
• Culture with Purpose: Learn DB’s philosophy on "contextual marketing"—how to authentically insert a brand into a consumer's life by understanding what they love (music, fashion, sport) rather than just selling a utility.
• "Think Two, Take One": A powerful strategy for navigating life and business. DB breaks down how to look two steps ahead (identifying the destination) to ensure the step you take today is the right one.
• The Power of "Angels": No one makes it alone. DB discusses the importance of having mentors and sponsors—his "angels"—who were willing to bet on his potential even when his resume didn't match the role.

Whether you are looking to make a career pivot or wanting to understand how major brands tap into culture, DB’s story proves that your "steps are ordered." If this episode moved you, please rate, review, and share it with a friend!

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Theme Song: No Boxes Just Verses by Thane Kreiner (Suno)

How do you keep moving forward when life forces you to grow up at age 11? Can you maintain your integrity when your job conflicts with your values? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we explore the incredible journey of a leader who turned early personal tragedy into a lifetime of resilience and service. We go beyond the bio to discuss how to lead through loss, the power of divine order in your career, and what it takes to manage global teams during a crisis.

Carrie J. Clark is a powerhouse leader in technology, global governance, and higher education. As the System Director of IT Operations at Henry Ford Health, she drives digital transformation and operational excellence. Beyond the boardroom, Carrie serves as the International Regional Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, overseeing chapters across 13 countries. A proud Detroit native and STEM advocate, she is dedicated to creating pathways for the next generation through organizations like Code 313.

Key Takeaways:

• The Survivor Mentality: Carrie opens up about the devastating loss of her mother when she was just 11 years old. Learn how this tragedy shaped her resilience and instilled a survivor mindset that has fueled her personal and professional success.
• Integrity Over Titles: Hear the defining moment in Carrie's early career when she walked away from a good job because it compromised her values. She shares a powerful lesson on why you can't save everyone, but you must refuse to be part of the problem.
• Your Steps Are Ordered: From losing a major election to losing her father in the same season, Carrie discusses how to handle public defeat with grace and why trusting in divine order is essential for long-term peace and success.
• Leading Through Crisis: As a regional director during the height of COVID-19, Carrie had to pivot from standard leadership to managing the grief and safety of thousands of women. Discover her strategies for galvanizing a team during unprecedented times.
• Going Global: Carrie shares her excitement about expanding Alpha Kappa Alpha's footprint, including chartering new chapters in Ghana, London, and Puerto Rico, and bringing the sorority full circle back to the continent of Africa.

Whether you are a corporate executive, a community servant, or navigating your own wilderness season, Carrie’s story is a testament that "ain't no stopping us now." If this episode inspired you to trust your journey, please rate, review, and share it with a friend!

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Theme Song: No Boxes Just Verses by Thane Kreiner (Suno)

Are you afraid to start over? Do you feel like it’s too late to pursue a creative passion or pivot your career because you didn't start young enough? Whether you are navigating a competitive industry, recovering from a personal setback, or simply feeling the itch to try something new, this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses is your blueprint for resilience. We go beyond the bio to explore how to embrace being a beginner, how to navigate life's sinking canoes and why your 10,000 hours of hard work will always pay off.

Kelly Frye is a dynamic actress, producer, and director known for her roles in Disney's Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Criminal Minds, The Flash, and Rake. A Houston native and Loyola Marymount University graduate, Kelly is a lifelong learner who trained at the famed Second City. Beyond the screen, she is a multifaceted entrepreneur: she co-runs the Campbell Art Collective, hosts immersive "Bite" dinner series, and recently launched her own line of upcycled, artist-collaborative handbags, the Kelly Campbell Collection.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Being a Beginner: From joining her high school golf team with zero experience to launching a handbag line during a Hollywood strike, Kelly proves that success comes from the willingness to be a beginner and put in the work.
• Learn the Rules to Break Them: Kelly shares a critical lesson for any creative or professional: you must master the technical scaffolding of your craft before you can successfully improvise and add your own unique jazz hands.
• The Canoe Theory of Relationships: In a powerful analogy about navigating toxic relationships, Kelly explains how to recognize when you are in a sinking canoe and why you must have the courage to jump out and swim, rather than drowning trying to fix holes others are poking.
• Track Your Wins in the Desert: When you are in a wilderness season or feeling stuck, Kelly recommends keeping a physical list of every small win. Reviewing this list when you feel lost helps you see that you are actually moving forward, even if you can't see the forest through the trees.
• Pivot with Purpose: Learn how Kelly turned an 8-month industry strike into an opportunity to launch new businesses, proving that versatility and the ability to pivot are essential tools for long-term success.

Are you ready to jump off the mountain and see if the parachute opens? Kelly’s story is a reminder that you don't have to fit into one box—you can be an actress, a realtor, an entrepreneur, and an art lover all at once. If this episode inspired you to start your own list of wins, share it with us!

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Theme Song: No Boxes Just Verses by Thane Kreiner (Suno)