Imperfect Genius Podcast

Join host Rachel Foster as she dives into a captivating conversation with HR leader Ryan Fortman! Together, they explore the empowering world of corporate professional development funds and how to transform them into personal growth opportunities. Ryan shares his wealth of insights on harnessing these valuable resources and the crucial role of self-investment in skyrocketing your career. Get ready...

In this episode, host Rachel Foster discusses the importance of intentional planning in achieving career and business goals. She outlines a five-step process for effective planning, emphasizes the need for flexibility, and discusses the importance of overcoming challenges.

Host Rachel Foster welcomes listeners to the second season of the Imperfect Genius podcast with an exciting announcementa brand new content strategy for 2025. Get ready for a fresh perspective and more engaging content. We want to answer your questions in 2025. Contact us at (404) 425-9862 or on social media @askimperfectgenius.

We are wrapping up January with one final re-release of episodes that speak to the core of the Imperfect Genius mission. In the third episode of the Imperfect Genius podcast, host Rachel Foster is joined by former entrepreneur and franchisee Dawn Whalen. Rachel and Dawn discuss their experiences as franchise owners and provide valuable insights on the pros and cons of franchising. Want to know mor...

This January, we are revisiting the episodes that define the core of the Imperfect Genius mission. In the second episode of the Imperfect Genius podcast, host Rachel Foster is joined by Gwen Hurd, Sad C. Johnson, and Zyria Lott. In this inspiring episode, they discuss the importance of mentoring and networking for Black women in the tech industry. Their personal experiences and insights emphasize...

Happy New Year! This January we are revisiting the episodes that define the core of the Imperfect Genius mission. In this first episode of the Imperfect Genius podcast, host Rachel Foster is joined by Assistant Podcast Producer, Emma Burgin. Together, they introduce the podcast and discuss their backgrounds in the tech industry. Rachel explains her motivation for starting the podcast: to provide t...

In this episode, host Rachel Foster is joined by guest Kory McDow for a discussion on the challenges of corporate life in tech. They discuss the concept of 'golden handcuffs' that keep professionals tethered to their jobs despite dissatisfaction and share personal stories of finding joy and fulfillment outside of corporate structures. We want to answer your question in 2025! Contact us at (404) 42...

At last, host Rachel Foster shares her full tech and entrepreneurship origin story with listeners.

In this Throwback Thursday episode, host Rachel Foster revisits her journey of trademarking "Imperfect Genius" and shares the lessons learned along the way. She discusses the challenges she has encountered during the trademarking process and emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research, hiring professionals, and being adaptable in the face of setbacks. The episode concludes with an up...

In this episode, host Rachel Foster closes out her Grace Hopper Celebration 2024 experience in conversation with fellow speaker Kaj Bansal, a Software Engineering Manager with a decade of experience in tech. They discuss their serendipitous meeting at the Grace Hopper Celebration, Kajs non-traditional career path into technology, and the importance of representation for women of color in tech. The...

In this episode of Imperfect Genius, Rachel is fresh off her trip to the 2024 Grace Hopper Celebration in Philadelphia and excited to share all the highs, lows, and lessons from the experience. From engaging conversations with fellow women of color in tech to navigating a packed conference schedule and dealing with introvert overload, Rachel will take you through each day of this fantastic event....

In this episode, host Rachel Foster speaks with Niesha White, an experienced UX designer and founder of Birmingham Black Techies. They discuss Niesha's unconventional entry into tech, her talent for community building, and how she built a supportive network for Black tech enthusiasts in the Birmingham, Alabama area. Want to join in the discussion? Call or text (404) 425-9862 with your questions.

Don't miss out on this insightful episode of Imperfect Genius! Tune in to gain valuable insights on project management, technical sales, and building confidence for interviews. Host Rachel Foster shares her personal experiences, insights on certifications, and practical advice for navigating these high-paying tech roles. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the work in proje...

In this solo episode, host Rachel Foster revisits her quest to find a supportive community of Black women entrepreneurs and establish a community of support for women of color in the tech industry. Rachel talks about her discovery of Mighty Networks as a community-building platform and her struggle to decide which group to focus on first. She also teases her session topic for an upcoming speaking...

Meet Rukayatu "Ruky" Tijani, the powerhouse behind Firm for the Culture. As a trademark attorney, she's on a mission to safeguard intellectual property and empower diverse founders. Ruky breaks down the key forms of intellectual propertytrademarks, copyrights, and patentsand shows us how they're crucial for protecting brands, content, and inventions. But that's not all. Ruky also dives into the vi...

Guess who's back? Kory McDow, aka Dr. Rubik, joins Rachel for an in-depth conversation about all things website-related. No matter your skill level, this episode has something for you. It kicks off with tips for saving money on website hosting services. Rachel and Kory explore the world of website-building platforms, discussing the pros and cons of Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, Weebly, and WordPress....

Where can you find White Chocolate-Dipped Red Velvet Cake Cookies, Double Chocolate Expresso Cookies, and Amaretto Biscotti? At Miss Gwens Cookie Factory! Those are just a few of the new recipes Miss Gwen is creating for customers this Fall. Gwen Hurd is back on the podcast to discuss her inspiration for Miss Gwens Cookie Factory and share her founders story. Thats rightRachels tech mentor owns a...

Bridget Washington, the founder and CEO of RaveVenn, a social media app focused on preserving democracy, shares her founders story and the inspiration behind the app. RaveVenn aims to combat fake news, break down echo chambers, and promote diverse perspectives. Bridget discusses the challenges she faced as a non-techie entrepreneur and her plans for the future of RaveVenn, including international...

Rachel talks to friends and former colleagues about tech origin stories, having the heart of a teacher, and how they came to be collectively known as The League of Extraordinary Educators. Want to join in the discussion? Call (404) 425-9862 with your questions.

In this episode, host Rachel Foster shares her quest to find a supportive community of Black women entrepreneurs and talks about the communities she has been a part of throughout her life. Follow her story, from early childhood to college, through bowling leagues and book clubs, and finally into the corporate world. Listen in to discover Rachel's inspiration for creating the Imperfect Genius commu...

Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion with Leon Adato as he shares his expertise in writing and publishing eBooks. In this episode, we delve into the world of eBooks by exploring the different types, the writing process, and various publishing options. We'll uncover the importance of editing, formatting, and cover design, as well as the need for effective advertising and promotion to e...

Get ready to dive deep into the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship as we answer burning questions about the essential tech resources needed to kickstart your business. In this episode, Rachel shares her top five essential tools for getting started in business, plus she discusses finding a CPA and bookkeeping best practices. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, th...

Join us for an enlightening episode of the Imperfect Genius Podcast featuring former entrepreneur and franchisee Dawn Whalen. Hosted by Rachel Foster, dive into a riveting conversation about the realities of owning and operating a franchise. Rachel and Dawn discuss their experiences as franchisees with Computer Explorers and provide valuable insights on the pros and cons of owning a franchise. The...

Join Rachel L. Foster, Gwen Hurd, Sad C. Johnson, and Zyria Lott in this inspiring episode as they discuss the importance of mentoring and networking for Black women in the tech industry. Their personal experiences and insights emphasize the power of having a supportive community. Their conversation highlights the pressing need for more representation and opportunities for Black women in tech. The...

In this episode, Rachel Foster is joined by her Assistant Podcast Producer, Emma Burgin. Together, they introduce the Imperfect Genius podcast and discuss their backgrounds in the tech industry. They share stories of their experiences as mentors and mentees. Rachel explains her motivation for starting the podcast: to provide technical advice to Black women entrepreneurs and career guidance to all...