Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sarah Jakes Roberts is not a traditional entrepreneur. She’s the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, one of the most prominent pastors in America.
Sarah became a mother at 13, and in the years that followed, she carried the weight of that story in public, under a spotlight she never asked for.
This conversation is about what happens when the thing you’re most ashamed of becomes the thing you build from.
Today, Sarah co-leads a megachurch while raising a blended family of six. But she didn’t set out to lead a global movement, launch conferences that fill stadiums, host a top-ranked podcast, operate more than a dozen revenue streams, or become a bestselling author.
She started a blog because she had something to say and an instinct that other women might see parts of themselves in her story. It turned out to be millions of women.
In today’s conversation, Sarah sits down with Emma to talk about calling, responsibility, and a feeling she describes as being “willing to do what I’ve been trusted with.”
Sarah shares:
- The relationship between anger and people-pleasing, and why suppressing one feeds the other
- What Old Thoughts look like when you've been carrying them since you were 13
- How she went from a blog with a million views to a global conference and a publishing operation without a traditional business strategy
- What young motherhood taught her about shame and building something real from the chapter most people would want to erase
- Where ministry ends and business begins, and how she navigates making millions from a unique calling without losing what built it
What’s something in your life that you need to move past?
Drop it in the comments. And subscribe to Aspire with Emma Grede so you never miss what's next - youtube.com/@EmmaGrede?sub_confirmation=1
#sarahjakesroberts #womanevolve #radicalresponsibility #overcomingshame #TeenMom #faithjourney #EmmaGrede #aspirepodcast #megachurch #NYTBestseller #personalgrowth #leadership #buildingabusiness #brokenpieces #purpose #inspiration
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:00 - Meet Sarah Jakes Roberts
00:04:20 - Taking radical responsibility
00:06:00 - Not letting hard moments define you
00:08:10 - Living by faith
00:11:25 - Teenage pregnancy and shame
00:14:35 - Finding your voice
00:16:55 - Overcoming self-doubt
00:19:58 - Ad Break
00:21:20 - Imposter syndrome
00:24:07 - Making meaning from broken pieces
00:25:28 - Building the business
00:28:30 - Leading with heart and mind
00:32:10 - The Woman Evolve movement
00:36:39 - Ad Break
00:38:47 - Working with your husband
00:42:15 - Writing and storytelling
00:48:10 - Anger as a tool
00:52:25 - Leading a megachurch
00:57:10 - Ad Break
00:59:32 - Dealing with criticism
01:03:40 - Future aspirations
01:06:20 - Rapid Fire
_____
Emma's book START WITH YOURSELF is out now, grab your copy at emmagrede.com or wherever books are sold.
_____
ABOUT ASPIRE WITH EMMA GREDE
Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world's most successful people.
Emma Grede, one of America's richest self-made women, wants you to make the most of your life. On 'Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet, including goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, investor, philanthropist and former chair of Starbucks, Mellody Hobson, podcast host Jay Shetty, billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban, rapper and cultural icon Cardi B, fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons, actress and entrepreneur Issa Rae, bestselling author and motivational powerhouse Mel Robbins, and public luminaries like Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Charlamagne Tha God, Jessica Alba, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy, and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology, and, of course, how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need to turn your dreams into reality.
LISTEN TO ASPIRE WITH EMMA GREDE
link.pscrb.fm/f0281/Aspire_YT
_______
ABOUT EMMA GREDE
Emma Grede is a founding partner and chief product officer of SKIMS and CEO of Good American. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on Shark Tank. Learn more at: emmagrede.com
Sarah Jakes Roberts is not a traditional entrepreneur. She’s the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, one of the most prominent pastors in America.
Sarah became a mother at 13, and in the years that followed, she carried the weight of that story in public, under a spotlight she never asked for.
This conversation is about what happens when the thing you’re most ashamed of becomes the thing you build from.
Today, Sarah co-leads a megachurch while raising a blended family of six. But she didn’t set out to lead a global movement, launch conferences that fill stadiums, host a top-ranked podcast, operate more than a dozen revenue streams, or become a bestselling author.
She started a blog because she had something to say and an instinct that other women might see parts of themselves in her story. It turned out to be millions of women.
In today’s conversation, Sarah sits down with Emma to talk about calling, responsibility, and a feeling she describes as being “willing to do what I’ve been trusted with.”
Sarah shares:
- The relationship between anger and people-pleasing, and why suppressing one feeds the other
- What Old Thoughts look like when you've been carrying them since you were 13
- How she went from a blog with a million views to a global conference and a publishing operation without a traditional business strategy
- What young motherhood taught her about shame and building something real from the chapter most people would want to erase
- Where ministry ends and business begins, and how she navigates making millions from a unique calling without losing what built it
What’s something in your life that you need to move past?
Drop it in the comments. And subscribe to Aspire with Emma Grede so you never miss what's next - youtube.com/@EmmaGrede?sub_confirmation=1
#sarahjakesroberts #womanevolve #radicalresponsibility #overcomingshame #TeenMom #faithjourney #EmmaGrede #aspirepodcast #megachurch #NYTBestseller #personalgrowth #leadership #buildingabusiness #brokenpieces #purpose #inspiration
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:00 - Meet Sarah Jakes Roberts
00:04:20 - Taking radical responsibility
00:06:00 - Not letting hard moments define you
00:08:10 - Living by faith
00:11:25 - Teenage pregnancy and shame
00:14:35 - Finding your voice
00:16:55 - Overcoming self-doubt
00:19:58 - Ad Break
00:21:20 - Imposter syndrome
00:24:07 - Making meaning from broken pieces
00:25:28 - Building the business
00:28:30 - Leading with heart and mind
00:32:10 - The Woman Evolve movement
00:36:39 - Ad Break
00:38:47 - Working with your husband
00:42:15 - Writing and storytelling
00:48:10 - Anger as a tool
00:52:25 - Leading a megachurch
00:57:10 - Ad Break
00:59:32 - Dealing with criticism
01:03:40 - Future aspirations
01:06:20 - Rapid Fire
_____
Emma's book START WITH YOURSELF is out now, grab your copy at emmagrede.com or wherever books are sold.
_____
ABOUT ASPIRE WITH EMMA GREDE
Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world's most successful people.
Emma Grede, one of America's richest self-made women, wants you to make the most of your life. On 'Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet, including goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, investor, philanthropist and former chair of Starbucks, Mellody Hobson, podcast host Jay Shetty, billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban, rapper and cultural icon Cardi B, fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons, actress and entrepreneur Issa Rae, bestselling author and motivational powerhouse Mel Robbins, and public luminaries like Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Charlamagne Tha God, Jessica Alba, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy, and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology, and, of course, how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need to turn your dreams into reality.
LISTEN TO ASPIRE WITH EMMA GREDE
link.pscrb.fm/f0281/Aspire_YT
_______
ABOUT EMMA GREDE
Emma Grede is a founding partner and chief product officer of SKIMS and CEO of Good American. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on Shark Tank. Learn more at: emmagrede.com
