Episode 249 -- Futurist -- How Crystal Washington Builds Courage, Boundaries, And Vision
Thu Jan 29 2026
Start with a hunch, bet on yourself, and learn fast enough to outrun fear. That’s the energy Crystal Washington brings as she walks us through her journey from high-performing corporate marketer to entrepreneur, technologist, and futurist whose client list spans mom-and-pop shops to Microsoft and Google. She doesn’t sell hype; she teaches people how to think clearly about technology, remove jargon walls with humor, and take intentional steps that actually move the needle.
We dig into the difference between being nice and being kind, and why boundaries are essential if you want your work to align with your values. Crystal shares how she says no without guilt, how she protects her mission to be a “good ancestor,” and why arguing is a time sink while thoughtful disagreement unlocks learning. You’ll hear her framework for leadership—care about people, stay curious, then be decisive—and how that triad helps teams navigate uncertainty, adopt new tools, and build trust without getting stuck in endless analysis.
The conversation stretches across history and foresight. Crystal’s deep family research informs her present-tense choices: tell the whole truth, learn from it, and design a future worthy of the next generation. We talk about the pain of trying to help people who resist change, the art of choosing counsel wisely, and the small rituals that keep you grounded on big stages (including why she speaks in sparkly sneakers). If you’re craving practical, human-centered strategies for embracing technology, setting better boundaries, and leading with courage, this is a masterclass in clarity and action.
Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs a nudge toward decisive kindness. If this resonated, leave a review and tell us: what intentional action are you taking this week?
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
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Start with a hunch, bet on yourself, and learn fast enough to outrun fear. That’s the energy Crystal Washington brings as she walks us through her journey from high-performing corporate marketer to entrepreneur, technologist, and futurist whose client list spans mom-and-pop shops to Microsoft and Google. She doesn’t sell hype; she teaches people how to think clearly about technology, remove jargon walls with humor, and take intentional steps that actually move the needle. We dig into the difference between being nice and being kind, and why boundaries are essential if you want your work to align with your values. Crystal shares how she says no without guilt, how she protects her mission to be a “good ancestor,” and why arguing is a time sink while thoughtful disagreement unlocks learning. You’ll hear her framework for leadership—care about people, stay curious, then be decisive—and how that triad helps teams navigate uncertainty, adopt new tools, and build trust without getting stuck in endless analysis. The conversation stretches across history and foresight. Crystal’s deep family research informs her present-tense choices: tell the whole truth, learn from it, and design a future worthy of the next generation. We talk about the pain of trying to help people who resist change, the art of choosing counsel wisely, and the small rituals that keep you grounded on big stages (including why she speaks in sparkly sneakers). If you’re craving practical, human-centered strategies for embracing technology, setting better boundaries, and leading with courage, this is a masterclass in clarity and action. Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs a nudge toward decisive kindness. If this resonated, leave a review and tell us: what intentional action are you taking this week? Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff