Embracing Only: Workplace Culture & Career Development for BIPOC Leaders

What happens when everything you have built—your home, your plans, your identity, and the life you thought you knew—is swept away overnight? In this deeply personal and emotional return to Embracing Only , Olivia and Archita share the story behind their unexpected hiatus and the life-altering experience that changed everything. After Hurricane Melissa—a catastrophic Category 5 storm—left Olivia fa...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 34 with guest Dr. Kim McLear. We explore what it means to be a truth-teller, the emotional cost of retaliation, and how choosing courage over fear can break generational cycles of harm.  Kim is an author, speaker, and social designer who works at the vibrant...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 10 with guest Priyanka Lugani. Through intuitive decision-making, self-study, and a deep connection to nature and ancient wisdom, she shares how you can lead with your truth, make peace with mistakes, and reimagine what success looks like on your own terms....

Episode Highlight: In this episode of the Embracing “Only” podcast, we welcome back bestselling author and corporate change-maker Mita Mallick. With her signature candor, Mita shares wisdom from her upcoming book The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses, which explores 13 “devil boss” archetypes, drawing on personal stories and real-life failures turned into lesson...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 74 with guest Adelle Thompson. If you've ever felt limited by salary bands, imposter syndrome, or undervaluation, this short but potent episode is your call to action. As a certified life coach, with over 12 years of experience in HR and recruitment, Ad...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 42 with guest Deepa Purushothaman. This is a must-listen for every woman of color navigating the tension between success and self-erasure in systems never built for us. Deepa spent more than 20 years at Deloitte helping clients transform and grow. She was th...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into the cost of loyalty and the power of letting go with award-winning pharma sales executive Karen Madison. She opens up about the emotional toll of being unseen at work, the illusion of loyalty in corporate spaces, and how she found freedom by choosing herself even when the system didn’t. Karen is a decorated...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 73 with verbal identity strategist Kezia Israel. From rewriting internal narratives to learning how to evaluate decisions with strategy and grace, this is a masterclass in transitioning strategically. With over eight years of experience in the marketing and...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into how high-achieving women can reclaim their power and purpose and break the trauma default with  globally recognized strategic advisor Christy Rutherford. Christy challenges cultural norms around endurance, self-sacrifice, and worth, and offers a powerful, data-backed roadmap for recovery, self-worth, and un...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 72 with Minette Norman. If you’ve ever faced fear before a big leap or struggled with failure on your team, Minette offers a powerful reframe. What if failure is the doorway to innovation? Minette is an award-winning author, speaker, leadership consultant, a...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we come together for an emotionally honest conversation about fear, bias, and what it means to be seen as suspicious simply for existing. We explore how microaggressions, implicit bias, and systemic racism continue to shape the lived experience of women of color and what it really means to advocate, to listen, and to lea...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 71 with guest Animah Kosai. This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt pressured to conform, questioned your leadership style, or struggled to stay authentic in high-stakes environments.  Animah is a passionate advocate for ethical leadership, diversi...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we sit down with Kim Crowder, transformational leadership expert and founder of Courageous Crowd. Kim is known for helping Fortune 500 companies transform crises into catalysts for growth, and she brings both her extensive corporate experience and entrepreneurial wisdom to this conversation. We explore how high-achieving...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 26 with guest Monique Ball. What does it take to rise above stereotypes and rewrite the narrative? Monique shares how identity, education, and self-belief can become tools for empowerment. Monique is a licensed real estate agent and previously worked in broa...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 24 with guest Annette Maxberry-Carrara. Feeling behind or unsure if it's too late to pivot? This conversation will remind you that reinvention isn’t about timing; it’s about courage, clarity, and action. Annette is a screenwriter, celebrated author, and...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we spotlight a powerful moment from episode 70 with guest Cindy Gallop. What happens when your values no longer align with your workplace? Cindy shares insight on walking away, speaking up, and building a career rooted in authenticity and impact. Cindy is a bold entrepreneur, brand innovator, and advocate for social chan...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 30 with guest Sanhita Sen. How do you stay true to your values in corporate systems that resist change? Sanhita is sharing insight on navigating identity, power, and purpose in corporate environments. Sanhita is an experienced Assistant District Attorney wit...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 28 with Olivia Grant-Cream from before she was a host on the show. Olivia is sharing the exact steps you need to take to advocate for yourself in the workplace.  Olivia is a US veteran, born and raised in Jamaica, with over 12 years of experience in HR leade...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 67 with guest Mary Waweru. We’re diving into creating inclusive workplaces as Mary shares impactful DEI practices and the importance of anti-racism. Mary is an intersectionality, racial equity, decoloniality, and social impact consultant. As the CEO and foun...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 66 with guest Dorothy Mashburn. Workplace negotiations can be intimidating. Luckily, Dorothy is sharing her tips to help you master them.  Dorothy is a leading authority in negotiation and has a fervent mission to champion the underserved in corporate arenas...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating transition and finding alignment. Discover the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and hear personal stories and strategies for finding alignment and maintaining clarity during significant life changes. Olivia also makes a very exciting announcement i...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 65 with guest Lisa Hurley. If you are struggling with boundaries at work, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.   Lisa is an entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, and Anthem Award-winning activist. Her work centers Black women and encompasses self-care, comm...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into redefining productivity and thriving amidst struggle with Grace Marshall, an award-winning author, speaker, and productivity ninja at Think Productive. She's here today to share how we can redefine success on our own terms and how life's messiest moments can spark growth, creativity, and resilienc...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 64 with guest Shiva Roofeh. Do you value your work experience and education over your lived experience in corporate spaces? Shiva is here to tell you why you shouldn’t.  Shiva is a culture creator and learning design specialist. She's worked at all leve...

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating bias and embracing identity in corporate spaces with Dr. Delia Grenville, an executive leader, integral coach, and TEDx speaker. Discover how you can take control of your success and find the right environment for growth, all while holding space for those who come after you.  Delia is a strategic...