235 Mothers, Wounds, and High Achievers

235 Mothers, Wounds, and High Achievers

Using her own childhood as a starting point, Kemi considers how emotional warmth, safety, and nurturing continue to shape high-achieving women, especially Black women.   This episode invites you to think honestly about the experiences that shaped you, how those experiences show up today, and what it looks like to build something different for the next generation.  Order Dr. Kemi’s Book: A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775526/a-terrible-strength-by-kemi-doll-md-mscr/]    If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]  Text Dr. Kemi directly. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1729958/fan_mail/new]

234 The Step Past Asking for Help

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 practice.  If you've ever wondered why asking for help can feel so vulnerable or why people's responses don't always match your expectations, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective that may change the way you approach support, both in your career and in your life.  Check out Dr. Kemi's new column: NEJM Voices [https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2003544]    Order Dr. Kemi’s Book: A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775526/a-terrible-strength-by-kemi-doll-md-mscr/]    Join the waitlist for the January 2027 Get That Grant® [https://kemidoll.com/get-that-grant/] cohort: www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist. [http://www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist]   If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]  Text Dr. Kemi directly. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1729958/fan_mail/new]

233 {BONUS} This Womb, This Woman: Inspired by A Terrible Strength

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 | Instagram: @iamhannahhasan  Hannah Hasan is a master poet, playwright, storyteller, theatre producer, and cultural architect whose work lives at the intersection of truth, memory, and communal liberation. For over two decades, she has written, documented, performed, and archived the true narratives of underrepresented communities.  Mentioned  Epoch Tribe [https://www.instagram.com/epochtribe/]  Order Dr. Kemi’s Book: A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775526/a-terrible-strength-by-kemi-doll-md-mscr/]    Join the waitlist for the January 2027 Get That Grant® [https://kemidoll.com/get-that-grant/] cohort: www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist. [http://www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist]   If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]  Text Dr. Kemi directly. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1729958/fan_mail/new]

232 Book Tour Reflections - Audiences, Surprises, and the Problematic Tour Narrative

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 navigates talks with everyone from patients to clinicians. You will also hear about the tour's most surprising, healing moments.  Ultimately, this episode shows the power of designing intentional experiences and nurturing your professional passions. Listen now for Kemi’s real-world advice on building meaningful connections in your own career journey.  Mentioned  Episode 230 - Preparing for the Season You Say You Want: Dr. Kemi Doll on Academic Writing Amplified [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000772938508]  Order Dr. Kemi’s Book: A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775526/a-terrible-strength-by-kemi-doll-md-mscr/]    Join the waitlist for the January 2027 Get That Grant® [https://kemidoll.com/get-that-grant/] cohort: www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist. [http://www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist]   If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]  Text Dr. Kemi directly. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1729958/fan_mail/new]

231 {ENCORE} How to Use Procrastination Effectively

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. It is about knowing exactly when to wait so you can break the cycle of last-minute panic without dropping your high standards.   Tune in to learn how to handle talk slides, abstract submissions, and SOPs without sacrificing your sanity or your standards.  Applications for the July 2026 Get That Grant® [https://kemidoll.com/get-that-grant/] cohort have been extended through Tuesday, June 23 at 11:59 PM PST.  If you've been considering GTG, this is your final opportunity to apply for the July 2026 cohort. Participants also receive immediate access to Writing for Excellence: Persuasive Scientific Writing, Kemi's newest training for writing clear, persuasive, and competitive grant proposals and manuscripts—giving you a repeatable process you can use throughout your career.   Submit your application here. [https://airtable.com/appdc1X7nzb66kfHj/shrcUFEBxcsUdq2sw]  Not quite ready? Join the waitlist for the January 2027 cohort: www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist [http://www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist]  If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. [http://www.kemidoll.com/foundations]  Text Dr. Kemi directly. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1729958/fan_mail/new]