Your Unapologetic Career® Podcast
Are you ready to become the CEO of your career? Join Kemi Doll – physician, surgeon, researcher, coach, and career strategist – as she guides you on the journey to transform your academic life, so that you can channel your ideas, passions, and skills into a successful and nourishing career. In each episode, she’ll be taking a deep dive into one CORE growth strategy so you can gain confidence and effectiveness in pursuing the dream career in academic medicine that you worked so hard to achieve. Tune in for an always authentic, sometimes a little raw, but unapologetically empowering word. Learn more at www.kemidoll.com.
Episodes
216 episodes
205 My Top 5 Lessons of 2025
As we approach the new year, Kemi encourages you to reflect on your journey. In our latest episode, Kemi shares her top five lessons learned in 2025, covering everything from the power of routine to the importance of sleep. These le...
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25:11
204 Trust Yourself Anyway
In a world of uncertainty, trusting yourself is more crucial than ever. This week’s episode is all about trusting yourself and making bold career moves in uncertain times. As you listen in, you’ll hear Kemi emphasize that during tim...
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25:06
203 Beyond the OR: Dignity, Justice, and Healing with Dr. Caitlin Collins
In this episode, Kemi is joined by Dr. Caitlin Collins, an Assistant Professor in trauma surgery and surgical critical care at University of California, San Francisco. Her research has focused on alternative payment models, health equity, and q...
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30:13
202 Receipts! $80M+ in Grant Funding
On this inspirational episode Kemi shares her transformative journey of building KD Coaching from a side hustle to a powerhouse in the field of academic medicine and public health. Throughout the episode, she shares her strugg...
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30:52
201 The Purpose Is for You with Dr. Nina Zhao
This week, Kemi welcomes Dr. Nina Zhao, an otolaryngologist and educator who shares her unique journey in academic medicine. Dr. Zhao is an Assistant Professor and fellowship-trained Laryngologist in the Department of Otolaryngolog...
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30:34
200 When Opportunity Isn’t Enough with Dr. Nadia Abuelezam
This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Nadia Abuelezam, an Associate Professor at Michigan State University and an epidemiologist dedicated to advancing health equity among Arab and MENA American populations. Join Kemi and Nadi...
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43:15
199 The Freedom in Structure with Dr. Francesca Duncan
This week, Kemi welcomes Dr. Francesca Duncan, a physician and researcher specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Together, they explore the often-overlooked topic of lung cancer screening, especially within black and brown commun...
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32:28
198 Facing the Fire PT 4: Rethinking Imposter Syndrome in Academia
Imposter syndrome, as defined, is that nagging feeling that your achievements are merely luck rather than a reflection of your hard work and capabilities. Kemi emphasizes that while this feeling is common, it can be misdiagnosed. &...
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35:16
197 Facing the Fire PT 3: The 4 Non-Negotiable Skills for the New Academic Gig Economy
The rules of the game changed. The gig economy has already reshaped academic medicine. The old guarantees are gone; tenure, titles, and “waiting your turn” are not a strategy. These four non-negotiables are. If you’ve felt th...
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35:26
196 {BONUS} The Plagiarism Podcast That Wasn't (Allegedly)
This week’s episode explores the intersection of plagiarism allegations and systemic issues in academia. How do we navigate these challenges while maintaining authenticity? Join Kemi as she reflects on an unexpected twist that...
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20:29
195 Facing the Fire PT 2: Academia as the New Gig Economy
This week, Kemi tackles the pressing question: What does the new standard of academia look like in the wake of recent upheavals? As institutions grapple with shifting ideologies, Kemi explores the implications for academic faculty and the emerg...
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18:48
194 Facing the Fire PT 1: What Does Job Security Really Mean in Academia?
Have you felt the tremors of change in the academic job market? The landscape of academia is shifting, and job security is no longer what it used to be. In our latest episode, Kemi’s diving into the shifting sands of job secu...
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15:45
193 Small Acts of Resistance with Dr. Neelima Navuluri
This week Kemi dives into the world of global health with Dr. Neelima Navuluri, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Duke University and the Durham VA. Together, they explore her impactful work in Kenya and the challenges of addressing ch...
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35:10
192 Fighting Career Apathy PT 2: Society Crumbles When Scientists Give Up
Continuing our conversation from last week on keeping apathy at bay in a chaotic world, this episode dives into how to stay focused on your goals. Drawing on Timothy Snyder's critical lessons from his book, "On Tyranny," Kemi ...
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21:23
191 Fighting Career Apathy PT 1: When the World is Burning
How do we keep apathy at bay in a chaotic world? Join the conversation as Dr. Kemi shares her personal reflections on the emotional toll of navigating professional responsibilities while grappling with the realities of the world around us. ...
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29:37
190 What Book Covers Reminded Me about Leading While Learning
“Just because you don't know how to do the thing you really want to do, whether it's research or programming or whatever, doesn't mean that you don't get to go after it with fervor and a passion.“ - Kemi Doll This week, Kemi takes u...
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23:47
189 Recess Recommendations!
This week, we're shaking things up! In this episode, Kemi invites you to join her for a refreshing break from the usual career-focused content. Embracing the concept of "recess," she encourages you to explore the importance of fun and leisure i...
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36:51
188 WOC Leaders: Promise & Pitfalls
This week, we celebrate the resilience and strength of women of color in leadership! Join Kemi as she explores insights from Vanessa Priya Daniel's book "Unrig the Game" highlightin...
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32:29
187 Informational Interviews - An Underutilized Tool
In the world of academic medicine, the transition into new roles can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you're a fresh graduate stepping into your first faculty position or a mid-career professional changing jobs, one tool stands out as inv...
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40:34
186 Academic Culture is Kryptonite for Boundaries
As summer approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on our career goals and the boundaries we need to set to achieve them. However, in the fast-paced world of academia, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of work and person...
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31:16
185 How to Get Non-NIH Funding (ie How I Built My Career)
Looking for ways to diversify your research funding? Check out this week’s episode where Kemi discuss how to get creative with non-NIH funding! Tailored especially for women of color in academic medicine and public health, Kemi shar...
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42:22
{BONUS} Kemi's Challenge - A Running Jump
Join Kemi for this empowering conversation that reminds us that betting on ourselves is not only necessary, but also a powerful step towards achieving our dreams. This information is especially timely as many are feeling the pressure of crumbli...
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44:37
184 GTG® Alumni Spotlight: Adesuwa Akhetuamhen, MD
In this episode, Kemi welcomes Dr. Adesuwa Akhetuamhen, an emergency medicine physician and faculty member at Emory University. Dr. Akhetuamhen’s research focuses on preventative medicine for emergency department patients at risk for neuro-card...
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30:22