235 Mothers, Wounds, and High Achievers

237 3 Tools to Help You Receive Negative Feedback

In this episode, Kemi talks about the uncomfortable but necessary role feedback plays in making your career stronger.  She explores why critique can feel so personal, especially when you care deeply about the work you are doing, but no matter how strong your work is, your own perspective will always have gaps. At some point, you need input from people who can see what you cannot.  This episode is a direct and necessary conversation for anyone who wants their work to get better, go further, and create more opportunities. As Kemi makes clear, not being able to receive and process feedback can become a real career limitation.  Related Episodes  * Episode 06: The Key to Making Better Career Decisions [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000521336401]  * Episode 20: Career Advice Audit (Part 1) [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000532257626]  * Episode 21: Career Advice Audit (Part 2) [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000532962743]  * Episode 24: From Career Chandeliering to Informed Believers [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000535278661]  * Episode 78: Discerning True Supporters From Frenemy Energy [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000580772018]  * Episode 151: Upgrading the Mentor-Leader Relationship [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000648883761]  * Episode 154: Discerning Quality Input Through Career Transitions [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-unapologetic-career-podcast/id1565219435?i=1000651871578]  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]

236 The Red Flag To Watch For When Leaving Academic Medicine

In this episode, Kemi explores the changing landscape of academic medicine and public health, highlighting why professionals in these fields crave more variety. She tackles a common myth that leaving academia for a new path is simply an easy escape. Kemi points out that while the temptation to find an easier route is strong, true fulfillment takes hard work and a clear understanding of your personal goals.  Listen in to discover how to question traditional structures and find ways to pursue your passions both inside and outside of the medical field. This episode is a great reminder that while making a career change can be intimidating, it often leads to deep satisfaction when you take deliberate, focused action.  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]

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]