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The Importance of Inclusive Language while Speaking and Networking
Episode 19715th May 2024 • This Shit Works • Julie Brown
00:00:00 00:10:19

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In this episode Julie discusses the importance of using inclusive language in networking and public speaking. After receiving feedback that her presentation at a prestigious university failed to acknowledge non-binary individuals, Julie reflects on the need for inclusivity. 

Julie explores the lack of data on how non-binary people network differently and shares resources for LGBTQIA+ and non-binary professionals looking to network in their fields, highlighting platforms like "I Like Networking" by Isabel Sachs. 


Additionally, Julie offers practical tips on how individuals can make networking events more inclusive by using preferred pronouns and gender-neutral language.




Drink of the week….Rhode Island Spirits



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Julie Brown:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Youtube


LGBTQIA+ Networking Platforms and Resources

I Like Networking Website

I Like Networking Podcast

Out Professionals 

Lesbians Who Tech & Allies 

StartOut 

Out to Innovate

MyGwork

Pride Network


Transcripts

Speaker:

At the end of every speaking

engagement, I asked the audience

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to fill out a survey via a QR code.

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I do this because yes, I want to

gather all the wonderful comments

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and testimonials from the crowd.

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But also because I'm curious about what,

if anything, people do not like about

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me, my presentation or my delivery style.

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When I do receive criticism, it usually

revolves around my use of colorful

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language or that I talk too fast.

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But recently after a presentation

at a prestigious university, our

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received some feedback that made

me quite frankly, feel like shit.

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Welcome to episode 1

97 of this shit works.

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The podcast dedicated to all

things, networking, relationship

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building and business development.

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I'm your host, Julie Brown.

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Speaker author and networking coach.

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And today I am talking about the

importance of inclusive language

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while speaking and networking.

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Yeah.

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The positive comments I receive are great.

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But sometimes it's the negative

or more constructive ones

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that help us grow and improve.

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The exact feedback I received that

made me feel like shit was quote.

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Heads up.

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And non-binary student felt

unseen because of the men versus

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women comments in your speech.

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Unquote.

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When discussing networking disparities,

I often delineate between how men and

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women network differently particularly

because I frequently keynote and

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headline women specific conferences.

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However, this tendency can

inadvertently overlook individuals

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who identify as nonbinary.

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For any listeners who may not

fully understand what that

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means in really simple terms, a

non-binary person is someone who

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does not identify as exclusively.

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A man.

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Or a woman.

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Someone who is non-binary might

feel like a mix of genders or

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like they have no gender at all.

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The lack of extensive studies on how

nonbinary individuals network differently

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from binary persons, further exasperates.

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My oversight.

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I just don't have the data.

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To speak to it effectively in my keynote.

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But that doesn't mean that during my

keynote, I should fail to recognize the

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potential for non-binary audience members.

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And while I am speaking, I should

100% use inclusive language

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to make sure they feel seen.

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It is a mistake.

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I will not make again.

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This is the power of asking for

genuine feedback, asking for people

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to help make you better at your craft.

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Now.

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When it comes to networking, recognizing,

and addressing this gap, the gap

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being that most people still live in a

binary world and see gender as binary.

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Recognizing that gap is crucial

for fostering inclusive networking

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environments by acknowledging the

diverse ways in which individuals,

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regardless of gender engage in networking,

we can create spaces that cater to

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everyone's needs and preferences.

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Ultimately fostering more equitable

and inclusive professional communities.

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After I received the feedback, I

scoured the internet for studies

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for data that I could fold into

my network using statistics.

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And I could not find any concrete

information on non-binary networking.

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The way I could find, stats and studies

for the differences between men and women.

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But I did find a number of

resources for people who are

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non-binary or in the LGBTQ IAA.

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,plus world and want to network.

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One particular resource is called.

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I like networking, which is a UK based

company launched by Isabel Sachs, which

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is a platform that looks to support women.

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And non-binary professionals who

are either trying to enter the

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creative industries or are already

working in the field, but need help.

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There is also an I like networking

podcast, which has not been updated

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in a while, but still offers 37

episodes for you to dive into.

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Other LGBTQ.

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A professional networks include in there.

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I will list these on the show notes.

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So you don't have to take notes.

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Out professionals, which helps

LGBTQ professionals make meaningful

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connections face to face.

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Lesbians who tech and allies is

the largest LGBTQ plus technology

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community globally committed to

visibility, intersectionality, and

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changing the face of technology.

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It's comprised of 100,000 LGBTQ plus

women, people of color non-binary and

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trans leaders and allies and the tech.

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Industry in more than a

hundred cities worldwide.

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Start out is a US-based nonprofit

focused on supporting LGBTQ plus.

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Entrepreneurs and startup founders.

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Their mission is to increase

the number diversity and impact

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of LGBTQ plus entrepreneurs and

amplify their voices to drive the

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communities, economic empowerment.

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Out to innovate formerly known as the

national organization of gay and lesbian

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scientists and technical professionals

is a professional network that aims to

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advance LGBTQ plus professionals in stem.

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The organization offers education,

networking, and career development

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to the LGBTQ plus community.

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Mike G work is also another global

networking platform and job site

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for LGBTQ plus professionals.

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The site operates as a professional

networking platform, allowing members to

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upload their profile and their CV search

for new job opportunities or simply

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share experiences and ask for advice.

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From other members of the site.

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One of the best professional

networks for LGBTQ plus entrepreneurs

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is called pride network.

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It is the largest LGBTQ professional

network globally for entrepreneurs,

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business owners and professionals.

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You can sign up as a free member.

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Pride network is a social network

exclusively for LGBTQ plus

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professionals and entrepreneurs.

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The network owner aims to build a

diverse professional community of

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individuals looking to network,

make contacts in the gay community,

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get advice or help and find.

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Find business opportunities.

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Since most of the networking

events we attend are not geared

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towards the LGBTQ plus community.

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I've done some research into how

we might approach the events we

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attend in a more inclusive manner.

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According to Mason aid who writes about

inclusion for Como magazine, one of the

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best and simplest inclusive practices

anyone can follow is to introduce

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themselves with their preferred pronouns.

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Simply say, hi, my name is Julie

Brown and I use she her pronouns.

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This goes a long way in making people

feel comfortable around you because

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it opens up the door for the other

person to state their pronouns.

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Another tip Mason offers is to

use gender neutral language.

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When inquiring about a

person's personal life.

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Instead of asking about a husband

or a wife, for example, ask

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about a spouse or a partner.

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This gives room for someone to

talk about their significant other,

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without assumption of gender.

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I've included a link to the full

article that Mason wrote on inclusive

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networking in the show notes.

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Or, you know, what's super cool about

this experience, even though I'm

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an expert in my field, I feel like.

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I have continually subscribed

to a lifelong learning program

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with no expiration date.

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By staying curious and open-minded

and accepting feedback.

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I keep adding new chapters to my book of

expertise, making me feel like the more I

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learn, the more I can help other people.

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So the next time, I think

I've got it all figured out.

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I'll remember, there's always

room to learn and grow.

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No matter how much of an expert I become.

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Okay friends.

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Onto the drink of the week, which

I'm not actually going to do a drink.

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I'm going to highlight a

distillery in Rhode Island where

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I spend most of my summers.

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In Rhode Island, not at the distillery.

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If you were confused.

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The distillery is Rhode Island spirits.

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It's new.

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England's only LGBT.

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Owned spirits brand in his home

to the rhodium brand of premium

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gins, vodkas and lockers.

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That company is owned by a married

couple, Kathy Plourde and Kira Larson,

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who are founders, owners and distillers.

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Their aim was to create an ensured that

the distillery and tasting room is a

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welcoming and accepting space for all.

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All spirits crafted at the distillery

are gluten-free organic and kosher

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created with the belief that everybody

should be able to enjoy premium

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spirits that work with their needs.

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Amongst their productions are

rhodium vodka, rhodium gin.

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Foragers gin.

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rhodium lemon, cello, rhodium,

grapefruit cello, coffee, and black

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Walnut vodka and Rhode Island red FATCA.

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The duo supports LGBTQ.

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A non-profits and political candidates

and make sure that they work

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with other like-minded businesses

whenever the opportunity arises.

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So go check them out.

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All right friends.

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That's all for this week.

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If you like what you heard

today, please leave a review

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and subscribe to the podcast.

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Also, please remember to share the podcast

to help it reach a larger audience.

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If you want more, Julie

Brown, you found my book.

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This shit works on Amazon

or Barnes and noble.

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You can find me on

LinkedIn at Julie Brown BD.

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Just let me know where you

found me when you reach out.

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I'm Julie Brown underscore BD

on the Instagram, or you can

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just pop on over to my website.

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Julie Brown bd.com until next week.

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Cheers.

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