Your Unapologetic Career® Podcast

Many high achievers know they need to ask for help. But what happens after you've started reaching out and still find yourself feeling disappointed?  In this episode, Kemi reflects on a season that required her to ask for more support than ever before. She shares how those experiences challenged some of her assumptions about relationships, community, and what support actually looks like in pr...

As a special companion to A Terrible Strength, Kemi shares an original poem by master poet, playwright, storyteller, theatre producer, and cultural architect Hannah Hasan.  This poem was directly inspired by the powerful, personal stories and truths shared in A Terrible Strength.   Take a quiet moment and let this poem hold space for what so many Black women have carried.  Credit : Hannah Hasan |...

Fresh off her 11-city book tour, Kemi is looking back at the personal revelations and unexpected lessons she gathered along the way. With the upcoming Essence Fest and Martha’s Vineyard Black Book Festival stops, she unpacks why real-world audience connection matters just as much as hitting sales numbers.   In this conversation, Kemi answers listener questions from Instagram about how she navigate...

In this encore episode, Kemi challenges the hustle culture belief that you have to work yourself to exhaustion to succeed. Instead of a typical productivity lecture, we are looking at how to use strategic procrastination to your advantage.   Procrastination gets a bad reputation, but it can actually protect your creativity and reduce unnecessary stress. This is not an excuse to put everything off....

In this week’s episode of Your Unapologetic Career , Kemi brings you an encore conversation with Cathy Mazak of the Academic Writing Amplified  podcast about her new book, A Terrible Strength , and the journey of moving from physician, researcher, and professor to debut author.  Kemi pulls back the curtain on the writing and publishing process, from developing the book proposal to finding the righ...

Being "First, Only, Different" in academic medicine and public health forces us to stay incredibly sharp. We have to remain alert just to ensure we aren’t shortchanged on resources, pay, or structural support.  But over time, this defensive mindset creeps into areas where it doesn’t belong.  When you are constantly on guard at your institution, you naturally start fixating on what everyo...

In this week’s episode of Womb Wisdom, we bring you an episode with Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD/MPH, FACOG - host of The Lady Parts Doctor Podcast - who spoke with Kemi about reading her new book and her reaction as a Black woman and an OBGYN. They cover uterine cancer, Black women’s health, and the importance of advocating for better medical care.   The conversation challenges the "strong woman&q...

In this encore episode, Kemi looks at the nonsense fed to early-career faculty in academic medicine and public health, especially women of color, passed off as good advice. While most of it is just harmless chatter, some of these comments actually do damage. They stick with you, get under your skin, and hold you back. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of these toxic tips, consider this repl...

In this episode, Kemi sits down with Magogodi oaMphela Makhene of Madame Speaker Says for a conversation that will reframe everything you thought you knew about excellence, authority, and who gets to tell your story.  They get into why working hard and letting your work "speak for itself" is quietly costing you, and why brilliant women who stay silent about their intentions get written o...

When your career starts to feel like nothing more than a never-ending to-do list, it’s a clear sign that you’ve lost the lead. It’s draining to feel like you're just checking boxes instead of building the life you actually wanted.  In this encore episode, Kemi looks at exactly how that shift happens and why it feels so hard to break out of. She shares some practical, real-life ways to help yo...

It’s publication day!  Today, Kemi is celebrating the release of A Terrible Strength and taking a moment to reflect on what it took to bring this book into the world. From the emotional weight of writing and deciding what stories to tell, to navigating a new industry and the impact of success on relationships, she shares what was hard, what mattered, and why it was all worth it.  She also breaks d...

With book launch just 7 DAYS away, Kemi is taking us deeper into what happened after the book deal for A Terrible Strength. In part 2 of this 3-part series, she shares the emotional ride of landing a major publishing deal, the support system that helped her write the book, and what it looked like to move from ideation into execution.  This episode offers an honest look at traditional publishing, l...

With just 14 DAYS until book launch, Kemi is opening up about the long road it took to create A Terrible Strength!    In this 3-part series she will share what actually happened behind the scenes of this major creative project. Whether you are thinking about writing your own book or are just navigating a long-term goal of your own, there are many gems to learn from how she navigated the years lead...

When your career starts to feel like nothing more than a never-ending to-do list, it’s a clear sign that you’ve lost the lead. It’s draining to feel like you're just checking boxes instead of building the life you actually wanted.  In this encore episode, Kemi looks at exactly how that shift happens and why it feels so hard to break out of. She shares some practical, real-life ways to help yo...

We all have a different style when it comes to our careers. In academia and public health, most people fall into one of four categories: the builder, traveler, maintainer, or adapter.  In this episode, Kemi breaks down these different types of dynamism and the unique value each one brings to the field. By rethinking what a 'successful' career path looks like, she pushes back against the...

Is cycle syncing actually worth it? While this concept has become a buzzword in wellness circles, the episode examines the science behind it, aiming to burst some of the myths surrounding cycle syncing.  Join Kemi as she sorts through the noise regarding how diet can impact menstrual symptoms and the reality of exercise performance throughout the menstrual cycle and learn how to be more aware of y...

To wrap up our writing series, Kemi re-examines the standard practice for grant submissions and writing in academic medicine. In this episode, she breaks down the flaws of the “submit and pray” mentality that many face, calling for a more structured and proactive strategy.   Kemi encourages us to move past a reactive approach to a formal protocol that establishes a system for writing and time mana...

In this recent Womb Wisdom episode, Kemi is interviewed by Myleik Teele, entrepreneur, coach, mentor, and community builder. Together they discuss the alarming statistics surrounding cervical cancer among Black women and the systemic issues that contribute to delayed diagnoses and inadequate care.  Moved by the tragic story of beauty influencer Jessica Pettway , who died from misdiagnosed cervical...

Career isolation doesn’t just affect morale, it can quietly shape the quality of your writing, limiting creativity, clarity, and the willingness to take intellectual risks.   In this episode, Kemi explores how isolation shows up in academic and grant-writing spaces, especially when you are the “first,” “only,” or navigating environments without shared perspective. She highlights why strong writing...

Menopause is a natural transition that affects those with female reproductive organs, yet society often frames it as a challenge to be conquered. Kemi argues that this perspective is not only misleading but also dangerous. Instead of embracing menopause as a natural part of life, many women are bombarded with advice on biohacking and achieving an idealized version of health. This "menopause g...

As institutions like the NIH and CDC face challenges, many professionals find themselves at a crossroads, forced to pivot their research focus to secure funding while grappling with a loss of passion and purpose.  But what if there’s a better way? Join Kemi as she explores pivoting versus strategic framing. Learn the difference and how to choose.    Coming soon: Applications for the Get That Grant...

In this Womb Wisdom episode, Dr. Kemi dives into the vital findings of the Black Women's Health Study. Launched in 1995, this significant study investigated various health issues affecting Black women including breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and fibroids.  Tune in as Kemi highlights key findings on risk factors for fibroids, including dietary habits, exercise, and age, while also deb...

As competition for grants becomes increasingly fierce, understanding the nuances of effective writing is essential.   A good idea alone is not sufficient for securing funding. The truth is, even the most groundbreaking ideas can fall flat if not communicated clearly and compellingly. The excellence of your writing should match the excellence of your idea. By investing time and effort into honing y...

In this episode, Kemi continues the Womb Wisdom series with a captivating conversation featuring Dr. Jamie Knopman, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and author of "Own Your Fertility." Together, they explore the intricacies of womb health, egg freezing, and the emotional journey surrounding fertility.  Join Kemi and Dr. Knopman as they unpack the complexities of fertility,...

In this Womb Wisdom episode, Kemi names the no-win tension Black board certified gynecologists and gynecologic oncologists walk into the moment they decide to educate publicly.   If a Black physician doesn’t show up online, folks may ask, “Where are the trusted black doctors?” When they do show up, the critique becomes, “Ugh, they’re just building a brand.” But the reality is: if you don’t build v...