If you have ever felt like your job is swallowing your creative dreams my guest is here to remind you, you don't have to choose between financial stability and your passion.

Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/D3P30ukC_Fg

Kehinde Winful, author of Flooding the River and practicing litigator, and I discuss the mindset shifts required to write a book while maintaining a professional career. We unpack the power of small daily habits, overcoming the imposter syndrome around self-promotion, and Kehinde shares her love of handwriting her stories. If you want to cultivate a growth mindset and integrate art into your everyday schedule, this episode offers practical wisdom and deep encouragement.

Follow Kehinde:

• https://www.instagram.com/kenyoureads/
• https://kenyoureads.substack.com/
• Buy Flooding the River on Itasca Books
• Buy Flooding the River on Amazon

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

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• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

What would it cost you to fully be yourself unapologetically, without hiding behind AI?

Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/LefIowmxAZ0

I explore the personal and social costs of relying on generative AI in this solo episode. I make a case that we should actively avoid AI in creative and personal spaces so we can protect human connection and creative autonomy.

I get into why leaning into the "cringe" of being fully yourself is far more valuable than leaning into who you think you should be. I talk about how choosing creative authenticity over automated output can build your confidence, protect genuine collaboration, and grow real connection in your everyday life.

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

Fun news!! Me in the Making podcast is in the running for a nomination for a 2026 Black Podcasting Award in the Best Episode of the Year category! I need your help. Please cast your vote for Me in the Making on of before Monday, 9/7/2026.

Vote here: http://blackpod.awardsplatform.com/

The steps are simple! Create an account, click on 2026 Public Voting Booth, select the Best Episode of the Year category, scroll down and vote for Me in the Making. You can only vote once per category, so please make it count. Your vote will be counted immediately when you click on the heart icon.

DM me on Tiktok or IG if you have any questions!

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Why do we spend so much time stressing over milestones we might not even want?

Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/Mp6r67ZESEU

I talk through the concepts of life milestones, aging, and self-definition in my solo episode. Do you think you're living the life you actually want, or the one you feel like you should be living? The lifespan in America is roughly 80 years and 80 years is both a blip in history but it's a long time to live so why not live it authentically.

I unpack the trap of social comparison, the value of mental health support, and the peace that comes with realizing 80 years leaves plenty of time to reinvent yourself.

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

What does your favorite TV show say about society, and how do you use your own story to make a real cultural impact? I connect with Eteng Ettah, host of Consider This for Comfort podcast, to unpack media commentary, creative self-expression, and personal growth .

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/Mp6r67ZESEU

Eteng shares her origin story, from watching pop culture shows as a kid to studying social influence and launching her own podcast and newsletter. We explore the loss of media monoculture, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who see your vision, and how to stop letting your ideas live only in your head. Packed with humor, inspiration, and actionable advice, this episode is a guide for anyone stepping into their purpose.

Follow Eteng:

• https://www.instagram.com/considercomfortpod/
• https://www.instagram.com/etenggg
• https://www.etengettah.com/

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

You don't have to fit into a single box to succeed and my guest Dr. Tajuana Lordeus is living proof. We have an inspiring conversation on career pivots, overcoming self-doubt, and creating a life filled with purpose.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/Oz7SXyoCz9A

Tajuana reflects on her path as a Black woman in medicine, from finding her calling as a Physician Associate to advocating for diversity in healthcare. She drops practical career advice on cold-messaging on LinkedIn and stepping into public speaking despite stage fright.

Beyond her career, Tajuana opens up about finding love in her 30s, navigating infertility and fibroids, rethinking motherhood, and publishing children's books to uplift Black youth . Whether you are exploring healthcare careers, looking to expand your professional network, or navigating personal life transitions, this episode offers rich wisdom on resilience, self-advocacy, and growth .

Follow Tajuana and check out her books!

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Email
• The Little Brown Boy - Premier
• The Little Brown Boy with the Red Scarf goes to Chicago

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

Is it ever too late to rewrite your story, find love later in life, and start completely fresh ? I welcome my guest Camille for an empowering discussion on second chances, marriage after divorce, and finding joy through every season of life .

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/dIyq18JD_3o

From her career life, navigating major family losses, and reconnecting with a longtime friend, Camille shares how every pivot led her to where she is today . She offers a fresh, honest look at what makes second marriages thrive, how to keep relationships exciting, and why getting older is something to celebrate rather than fear .

Whether you are navigating midlife transitions, looking for hope after divorce, or seeking inspiration for your own journey of self-discovery, this episode offers a warm and uplifting perspective on love, friendship, and starting fresh .

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

Are you feeling burnt out by the constant pressure to produce, perform, and stay visible online ? I welcome Leo Ra'Chel (founder of The Phat Girl Chronicles and PGC Media) for an inspiring conversation on personal development, introspection, and emotional wellness .

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/QkBtS_F2hlw

Leo shares her raw journey through grief after experiencing a profound personal loss. She discusses re-evaluating who she was outside of other people's expectations . She shares how therapy helped her navigate depression and anxiety and how shedding people-pleasing tendencies led her into a bold new chapter of life . We dive into the reality of burnout in the digital age, why rest is non-negotiable, and how genuine connection always beats algorithm-driven content .

Follow Leo on social media-

• https://www.instagram.com/iamleorachel/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@iamleorachel
• https://www.facebook.com/iamleorachel/
• https://www.facebook.com/pgcmediaco/
• https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePhatGirlChronicles

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

Have you ever looked around at the spaces you occupy and realized you don't actually belong there? In this solo episode, I reflect on the power of self-discovery and what happens when you finally decide to choose yourself .

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/rOG1sY-Mkfo

I share about walking away from unsupportive spaces to self-publishing my short story When the Lights Come Up, and I discuss how this podcast became a manifestation of my personal growth . This book explores universal themes of identity, belonging, and building community that genuinely pours back into you . Whether you're on your own healing journey, looking for encouragement, or interested in the self-publishing path of an independent author, tune in for an uplifting discussion on community, intentionality, and taking control of your own narrative.

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]

This episode of the Me in the Making podcast features a conversation with author and researcher Dr. Brandi Nikkale.

Watch this guest episode here - https://youtu.be/VedZjo_jU6A

We pull back the curtain on the medical system to confront the deeply rooted fatphobia, medical racism, and discrimination that Black women face as patients. Dr. Brandi reveals the hidden flaws of the BMI scale and equips you with the language needed to advocate for your body.

Also, what happens when you stop trying to fix friendships that drain you? Our conversation shifts into actionable self-discovery, covering the evolution and a healthy devolving of friendship dynamics to eliminate anxiety-inducing people-pleasing. We also explore the power of structured creative accountability through writing communities, redefining fulfillment as a single woman in her 30s, and counter-cultural life lessons for the next generation.

Walk away from this episode with the motivation to establish firm boundaries, protect your health, and unapologetically honor your unique path.

Follow Dr. Brandi

• https://www.brandinikkale.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/brandinikkale/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@brandinikkale710
• https://www.instagram.com/thebookishbaddie/?hl=en

New here? Check out seasons 1-3 in this feed for audio, and watch season 3 on my YouTube channel. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow my newsletter:

• https://substack.com/@makingmepod/posts

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• [email protected]