The Moment of Truth

The Moment of Truth

This one’s for the women. (no male-bashing here, just some straight girl talk).

*******************

Um… you all need to check out this song. Moment of Truth by Red Clay Strays.

I mean, stop everything. Seriously. Get your headphones (the ones that cover your ears—the real deal, none of this earbud nonsense). Now, press play. Turn it up loud. No, LOUDER.

And let your body move. I mean really move. It’s okay, no one is watching. No men allowed here.

Feel the beat, let it in.

This song is a vibe—a whole mood—and it’s going to take you places. You’ll feel it in your soul. The rhythm, the words… they’ll stir something.

Pause. Reflect. Dance. Whatever it is, lean into it.

Let’s unpack it together, ladies—because this song? It’s got layers.

“Now I’m in the valley, running the roads, numbing my wits.”

So here I am, writing about all the things we don’t talk about on LinkedIn—especially sex, politics, religion, money… and then, let’s be honest, sex again.

And guess what? I’m getting things. Let’s call it… attracting things. All the things. Invitations, opportunities, questions—this whole whirlwind of energy coming my way.

But what’s really stopping me in my tracks isn’t just what I’m receiving; it’s what I’m hearing from you—my friends, my sisters. Your voices. Your stories.

The things you have to say? Your experiences? Just… wow.

I feel like a keeper, a collective holder of women’s truths—our experiences, our lives, our work, our deeply personal stories and histories.

And you trusted me with that. You trusted me to carry these pieces of you.

I mean, what an incredible, awe-inspiring thing you’ve done. I’m overwhelmed and so deeply grateful.

So, it seems like we—you and me—have bumped up against some things along the way. You know the type of things I’m talking about.

The ones that aren’t okay. The ones that make you pause and say, “WTF, did that really just happen?”

And let me clarify here—if you WANT to bump up against them, that’s a whole different story. That’s one thing altogether.

Like, have a ball. Go nuts. Ride high. You do you—or anyone else you want to. That’s a thing you can do as a woman. All the things.

“If I can’t see temptation through, I will face my judgment in the moment of truth.”

But when it’s not your choice? When it’s something you didn’t seek out, didn’t agree to? That’s where the line is drawn. That’s where the real story begins.

And when these stories begin, it’s really important to have the sisterhood beside you. Gloria Steinem said it best:

“Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. She will need her sisterhood."

Not only do we need the sisterhood, but it’s just as vital to remember—it ain’t you. Whatever this thing is, whatever made you stop and say, “WTF,” it probably wasn’t your fault. You didn’t summon it; it just found you.

Temptation's a liar, always looking for a hand to hold.”

See, I’ve always believed that as a changemaker, you will bump up against things. All sorts of things. Because that’s what change looks like.

You can’t make change by being docile, agreeable, or blending into the background. Change is messy. It’s ugly sometimes. It’s painful. Scary. Really scary.

I know because I’ve been there. I’ve felt it.

But this? This is how we earn our stripes. This is how we grow. This is how we become. This is how we lift up. There is no other way.

And because I know you, I know this—you are a changemaker.

You will need your sisterhood. You’ll need people beside you to help you navigate these moments. Maybe it’s a guide, maybe it’s someone who will truly listen. Maybe it’s… well, let’s just say someone who knows how to stand their ground when it counts.

When you’re standing at your own moment of truth, surround yourself with people who are living theirs too. Their authenticity, their strength, their clarity will inspire and steady you.

And if you need help building that community? I’m here. I’ve got a Rolodex (yes, old-school term) packed with people who can and will help you stand tall when you need it most.

This is the way.

The only way.

Now, keep those headphones on, keep this song on repeat. Play it whenever you need inspiration.

“I’m just trying to be a better (wo)man, but I keep falling down.”

Let your body move. It’s okay. But this time, I’m watching, and I got your back.

We all have each other.



To view or add a comment, sign in

More articles by Amy Reinert

  • Dream Big, Erika

    Dream Big, Erika

    A few weeks ago, I received a kind note on LinkedIn from Erika MacMillan. Her message was so thoughtful that I won’t…

    10 Comments
  • How to Host a Holiday: Step 1, Don’t Ask Me

    How to Host a Holiday: Step 1, Don’t Ask Me

    So recently, I wrote a story about being a mother and Thanksgiving. It got some traction—or maybe it struck a chord…

    7 Comments
  • The Art of Intimacy

    The Art of Intimacy

    This morning, dark and early, I woke up the way I always do: headphones on, Sadie curled up beside me, and a cup of…

    4 Comments
  • A Little Tao for the Holidays

    A Little Tao for the Holidays

    Today I met Jim Galovski for coffee in Wellesley (a.k.

    14 Comments
  • Front-Seat Moments

    Front-Seat Moments

    The evening of January 1st, 1996: there I was, standing outside my home in Sheboygan, WI, with my brand-new Saturn…

  • The Song of the Dirty War

    The Song of the Dirty War

    I’ve written a few stories referencing my college years. Don’t get too excited, they weren’t that fun.

    6 Comments
  • For Julie…in Oklahoma City

    For Julie…in Oklahoma City

    Tonight, on the way home from dinner, my husband mentioned something about a story in the news. I tried to follow, I…

    9 Comments
  • The original OO.S.A — ‘85 USWNT

    The original OO.S.A — ‘85 USWNT

    This morning, at 4am, I wrote a story about Caitlin Clark—about pay equity, a mistake I made as a CMO, and how I woke…

    113 Comments
  • Caitlin and Making it Right…w/ $$$$$$

    Caitlin and Making it Right…w/ $$$$$$

    Caitlin Clark. Did I capture your attention? Good.

    25 Comments
  • I am Not a Statistic…Tonight

    I am Not a Statistic…Tonight

    So tonight I found myself alone in a bar. And while it was a very, very cool place to be (Omni, Seaport, yeah, cool…

    24 Comments

Explore topics