In this encore episode, Kemi looks at the often-overlooked challenge of self-sabotage and how it impacts our ability to adjust to new norms in our professional lives. She candidly shares her own experiences of handling the complexities of changing environments, particularly for women of color in academic medicine and public health. And she outlines practical steps to effectively adjust to new norms, from recognizing automatic reactions to embracing new interpretations of communication styles.  

Tune in for a helpful discussion that equips you with insight to handle your career unapologetically. 

Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing   

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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

In this encore episode, Kemi explores the concept of self-trust and how it is essential for growing your career, especially for women of color in academic medicine. She reflects on the challenges of defining our value through the eyes of others and offers practical strategies to transition from seeking external validation to fostering a strong sense of self-trust.  

Tune in to discover how to shift your mindset from "I try" to "I do," giving you the confidence to make decisions that align with your true goals and aspirations. This episode is a clear reminder that building self-trust is not just a personal endeavor but a necessary step toward creating a fulfilling career on your own terms. 

Mentioned 

• The Path Made Clear 

Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing   

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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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 
• Episode 20: Career Advice Audit (Part 1) 
• Episode 21: Career Advice Audit (Part 2) 
• Episode 24: From Career Chandeliering to Informed Believers 
• Episode 78: Discerning True Supporters From Frenemy Energy 
• Episode 151: Upgrading the Mentor-Leader Relationship 
• Episode 154: Discerning Quality Input Through Career Transitions 

Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing   

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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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   

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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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   

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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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  

 Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing   

Join the waitlist for the January 2027 Get That Grant® cohort: 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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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 

Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing   

Join the waitlist for the January 2027 Get That Grant® cohort: 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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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 

Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing   

Join the waitlist for the January 2027 Get That Grant® cohort: 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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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® 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. 

Not quite ready? Join the waitlist for the January 2027 cohort: 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: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

Text Dr. Kemi directly.

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 right agent, building a writing team, protecting time to write, and preparing for the full-time work of promoting the book. 

This conversation is a grounded look at what it means to bet on yourself, prepare for the season you say you want, and trust that big dreams are worth the hard work they require. 

Check out Cathy’s podcast: Academic Writing Amplified 

Order Dr. Kemi’s Book:
A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing  

Text Dr. Kemi directly.