Episode 21

full
Published on:

30th Sep 2026

Say It Witcho Chest

Somebody asks what you do and you fumble...

You downplay it, give a generic job title that explains nothing, and even try to change the subject.

That's shrinking.

How you talk about your work tells people what you believe about your work.

In this one, I get into where the shrinking comes from and why "humble" ain't gonna get you paid. I pull from 15 years as a resume writer, including the one word I rejected on sight.

Then we go through every place you're doing it without noticing, including the payment plan nobody asked for.

I also tell you how my resume company's tagline went from cute to a promise of $15K–$50K salary increases, and why it took me a while to own that.

And I give you my own answer to "what do you do."

Say it with your chest.

Ready to stop shrinking?

Start With SELF is a self-guided identity process. Six modules, one weekend. Get clear on who you are before you try to explain what you do. Introductory rate: $97 → https://mellynated.com/self

Come talk to me on Substack. What do you say when somebody asks what you do? Drop it in the comments. → https://substack.com/@mellynated

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/show/VLPLp4tHH05phcnjPgkXdhP1uDtcFaydNPbz?sbp=KgtORDVOa0JWZFVURUAB

codeswitchrebellion.com

Your identity is the strategy.

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About the Podcast

Codeswitch Rebellion
For the ones who are done performing professionalism
Codeswitch Rebellion is a thought-provoking podcast for Black women who are tired of editing themselves to be seen, heard, or taken seriously.

Hosted by personal branding strategist, Melanie L. Denny, this show explores authenticity, identity, visibility, and personal branding without the pressure to perform professionalism, dilute your voice, or shrink your presence.

Through raw solo reflections and conversations with bold thinkers, creators, and leaders, Codeswitch Rebellion challenges the myths we’ve been taught about credibility, success, and what it means to “sound professional.”

This is a space for reclaiming your voice, honoring your rhythm, and building a brand rooted in who you actually are.

If you’re done code-switching for comfort and ready to show up whole, you’re in the right place.

About your host

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Melanie L. Denny

Melanie L. Denny, also known as Melly D, is a personal branding consultant who helps Black women stop performing professionalism and start showing up with bold authenticity.

Her core belief is simple: your identity is the strategy.

With over a decade of experience guiding professionals and entrepreneurs through visibility, messaging, and positioning, she is known for helping her clients build brands rooted in who they actually are, not who they were conditioned to be.

As the host of Codeswitch Rebellion, Melanie leads truth-telling conversations unpacking identity, authenticity, visibility, and storytelling...and what it means to show up with integrity, authority, and bold authenticity so you can attract better clients and bigger opportunities.