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E65: What They Don’t Tell You About Reinventing Yourself - Dr. V’s Journey from Judgment to Power
What does it take to rebuild your life from rock bottom?
In this raw and radically honest conversation, Dr. Vrnda “V” Boykin shares her story of going from prison and stripping to becoming a scholar, DEI leader, and author — all while challenging everything we think we know about shame, power, and transformation
In this deeply personal episode, she opens up about what it really takes to rewrite your story when the world has already written you off.
We talk about:
- Why shame can be louder than failure — and how to own your story anyway
- The emotional toll of “being the only one” in the room
- Why DEI in business is failing (and what to do differently)
- The power of boundaries, mentorship, and making choices no one else understands
- Why belonging matters more than buzzwords
This isn’t about “starting over.”
It’s about rising without erasing where you came from.
If you've ever felt misunderstood, underestimated, or stuck — this episode is for you.
About Dr. V. Boikyn:
Dr. V is a trailblazer and inspiring voice in the realms of leadership and equity, proudly embodying the journey of a Black woman who has overcome adversity. As a former single mom, stripper, and felon, she transformed her life through education, earning an impressive array of four degrees—BS, MS, MBA, and DBA—that speak to her resilience and determination.
Now an established keynote speaker and leader in the leadership and equity space, Dr. V passionately addresses the unique challenges that women face both personally and professionally. Her first book, "Fix Your Face & Watch Your Tone: Women Know What's Needed," tackles systemic barriers while offering practical insights on achieving success through social support, railing against the pressure to do it all.
In her highly anticipated second book, "Fix Your Face & Watch Your Tone: Hard Lessons, Simple Truths," Dr. V shares critical life lessons transformed into strategies to navigate the corporate landscape. With her powerful story and mission to uplift others, Dr. V invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and purpose, proving that everything is possible with resilience, guidance, and determination.
Connect with Dr. V: https://drvboykin.com
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:42 Navigating the Digital Conversation Landscape
03:15 The Complexity of American Identity
06:11 Coping with Chaos: Finding Community and Voice
08:48 Resilience and Transformation: A Personal Journey
16:23 The Power of Choice in Adversity
20:00 Rebuilding Life: Education and Mentorship
23:54 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Growth
25:33 The Importance of Mentorship
28:08 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Business
32:12 The Business Case for Diversity
35:29 Understanding Belonging in the Workplace
37:10 Life Experiences and Personal Growth
40:27 Navigating Fear and Making Choices
44:25 Truth, Boundaries, and Acceptance
46:50 The Journey of Writing and Sharing Truths
View all episodes
By Zivile EinikyteWhat does it take to rebuild your life from rock bottom?
In this raw and radically honest conversation, Dr. Vrnda “V” Boykin shares her story of going from prison and stripping to becoming a scholar, DEI leader, and author — all while challenging everything we think we know about shame, power, and transformation
In this deeply personal episode, she opens up about what it really takes to rewrite your story when the world has already written you off.
We talk about:
- Why shame can be louder than failure — and how to own your story anyway
- The emotional toll of “being the only one” in the room
- Why DEI in business is failing (and what to do differently)
- The power of boundaries, mentorship, and making choices no one else understands
- Why belonging matters more than buzzwords
This isn’t about “starting over.”
It’s about rising without erasing where you came from.
If you've ever felt misunderstood, underestimated, or stuck — this episode is for you.
About Dr. V. Boikyn:
Dr. V is a trailblazer and inspiring voice in the realms of leadership and equity, proudly embodying the journey of a Black woman who has overcome adversity. As a former single mom, stripper, and felon, she transformed her life through education, earning an impressive array of four degrees—BS, MS, MBA, and DBA—that speak to her resilience and determination.
Now an established keynote speaker and leader in the leadership and equity space, Dr. V passionately addresses the unique challenges that women face both personally and professionally. Her first book, "Fix Your Face & Watch Your Tone: Women Know What's Needed," tackles systemic barriers while offering practical insights on achieving success through social support, railing against the pressure to do it all.
In her highly anticipated second book, "Fix Your Face & Watch Your Tone: Hard Lessons, Simple Truths," Dr. V shares critical life lessons transformed into strategies to navigate the corporate landscape. With her powerful story and mission to uplift others, Dr. V invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and purpose, proving that everything is possible with resilience, guidance, and determination.
Connect with Dr. V: https://drvboykin.com
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:42 Navigating the Digital Conversation Landscape
03:15 The Complexity of American Identity
06:11 Coping with Chaos: Finding Community and Voice
08:48 Resilience and Transformation: A Personal Journey
16:23 The Power of Choice in Adversity
20:00 Rebuilding Life: Education and Mentorship
23:54 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Growth
25:33 The Importance of Mentorship
28:08 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Business
32:12 The Business Case for Diversity
35:29 Understanding Belonging in the Workplace
37:10 Life Experiences and Personal Growth
40:27 Navigating Fear and Making Choices
44:25 Truth, Boundaries, and Acceptance
46:50 The Journey of Writing and Sharing Truths