From the show
Navigating corporate America is a game, and no one knows the rules better than we do. The Black Womaning in Corporate America® podcast, hosted by Nicole S.
Palmer, is your guide to understanding and thriving within the complex, often unspoken rules of the workplace. Each episode blends candid storytelling, sharp insights, and actionable strategies to help Black women break through the biases, microaggressions, and systemic barriers that pervade professional spaces.
From decoding office politics to claiming your rightful seat at the table, this podcast does not just share advice. It empowers you to rewrite the rules on your own terms.
Your voice matters. Your journey is worth celebrating.
And this space was built for you.
Episodes
Latest Episode
August 6, 2026 · 25m
Marry Your Talent, Not Your Title (Part 1) | Black Womaning in Corporate America® Nicole S. Palmer talks with guest Lynnae Brown, a consultant and strategist specializing in workforce navigation to help people make work sustainable. Brown shares her background training people in mental health recovery to work in social services, and explains her concept “Marry Your Talent, Not Your Title,” warning that titles can’t capture full value and that layoffs for profit make tying identity to a role risky. She recounts leaving a decade-long position after pandemic burnout, concerns about returning in-person with vulnerable populations, and receiving student loan forgiveness, then consulting nationally before grant cancellations disrupted the field. The conversation also distinguishes self-accommodation from self-advocacy and touches on the long recovery from toxic workplaces, teeing up a deeper discussion in part two. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:44 Meet Lanay Brown 02:21 Marry Talent Not Title 02:37 Origin in Social Services 05:36 Titles Worth and Layoffs 06:47 Burnout Turning Point 08:23 COVID Work Shift 10:40 Leaving After Loan Forgiveness 11:22 Consulting Then Funding Cuts 12:28 From Social Work to Corporate 12:47 Trauma Informed Management 13:29 Self Accommodate vs Advocate 14:44 Code Switching Survival 17:37 Healing After Toxic Jobs 21:07 Abusive Relationship Mindset 22:17 Exit Strategy Playlist 24:06 Part Two Teaser and Wrap
More Episodes
Jul 9 · 28m
Nicole S. Palmer continues her conversation with Crystle Johnson, founder of Kinory® and creator of Underbelonging: the hidden experience of being included in corporate spaces without ever feeling fully seen.Crystle defines Underbelonging and explains why so many Black women spend their careers shrinking themselves, overperforming, and carefully calibrating how they show up at work. Together, Nicole and Crystle examine how Underbelonging manifests in corporate America, including within DEI roles, where practitioners are often caught between executives and employees without meaningful decision-making authority.The conversation explores why organizations must move beyond performative commitments toward greater clarity and accountability, and how Kinory is creating spaces where Black women can experience genuine belonging through community dinners, workshops, retreats, and courageous conversations.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:41 Part Two Intro01:46 Defining Underbelonging03:04 Why It Resonates04:41 Origins Through Kinory07:19 Taking Up Space09:42 Kamala As Case Study12:15 DEI Caught In Middle15:58 Corporate Honesty17:26 What Comes Next19:05 Protecting The Work21:32 Make Your Own Table23:58 Where To Find Crystle25:53 Retreat And Resources27:47 Closing And OutroTo learn more about Crystle:Visit Kinory: https://kinory.co/Follow Her on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/crystlejohnsonConnect With Her on Instragram: https://instagram.com/kinory.coFind Her on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kinory.co
Jul 2 · 34m
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It happens one compromise, one expectation, and one “I’ll just push through” at a time.In this episode of Black Womaning in Corporate America®, founder of Kinory® Crystle Johnson joins host Nicole S. Palmer for an unfiltered conversation about burnout, belonging, and the moment she realized her job was something she did—not who she was.From corporate leadership to building a global community for Black women in Mexico, this conversation explores identity, rest, and the courage to imagine a different future.Whether you’re questioning your next career move or simply trying to remember who you were before work consumed so much of your life, this episode is a reminder that your value has never been defined by your title.00:00 Welcome00:44 Meet Crystle Johnson02:13 An Origin Story of Belonging04:47 Why Kinory Exists05:44 The Courage to Center Black Women08:45 Recognizing Burnout09:50 FMLA, Recovery & Finding Mexico13:49 Your Job Is Not Your Identity17:03 The Truth About Corporate DEI20:06 Racism, Visibility & Obsession22:45 Building Kinory in Mérida25:32 Casa Kinory & A New Vision28:14 Why Every Exit Needs a Plan30:25 Don't Leave Your Benefits Behind33:46 Coming Next Week...34:17 Outro
Jun 19 · 38m
Dr. Chelsey Green on Leading The GRAMMYs, Finding Your Voice & Protecting CreatorsWhat does it mean to find your voice—and trust it enough to use it?In this powerful Black Music Month conversation, Nicole S. Palmer sits down with Dr. Chelsey Green: artist, educator, advocate, and the first Black woman and youngest person ever elected Chair of the Recording Academy® (The GRAMMYs®).From her early roots in church and classical music to leading at the highest levels of the music industry, Dr. Green shares how creativity, courage, and community shaped her journey. Together, Nicole and Chelsey explore what it means to lead with purpose, advocate for equity, protect creators in the age of AI, and remain connected to joy in a culture that often rewards burnout.More than a conversation about music, this is a conversation about visibility, voice, wellness, faith, and the courage to believe in yourself before anyone else does.Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, executive, educator, or simply someone trying to navigate life with authenticity, this episode is filled with wisdom you’ll want to revisit again and again.In This Episode00:00 Podcast Welcome00:41 Meet Dr. Chelsey Green02:17 Music Roots and Calling04:53 Village and Mentors05:35 Path to the GRAMMYs Board09:06 Equity and Representation10:47 Black Music Month and Voice12:50 AI, Music, and Creator Rights18:29 Inspiring the Next Generation19:17 Rebuilding Community20:44 The Power of In-Person Connection21:34 Choosing Joy Over Burden23:08 Workplace Breakdown and Perspective25:54 The System Versus Self29:13 Presence, Therapy, and Gratitude32:09 Living an Abundant Life Now33:11 Believe and Trust Yourself35:43 When the Inner Voice Wins36:40 Where to Find Dr. Green37:20 Final Thanks and OutroConnect with Dr. Chelsey GreenWebsite: https://www.chelseygreen.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchelseygreen/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenProjectTGPYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChelseyGreenProjectSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gYJdJNkyrYyocVfI9LZUMContinue the ConversationWhat resonated most with you from this episode?Was it the conversation around AI and creator rights? The reminder to prioritize joy? The challenge to trust your inner voice? Or Dr. Green’s reflections on leadership, community, and purpose?Join the conversation in the comments and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters.And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Black Womaning in Corporate America® for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, visibility, wellness, and navigating systems not built with us in mind.Want to go deeper? Explore the book that inspired the podcast, Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America®, available wherever books are sold.Learn more at BlackWomaning.com.
May 7 · 44m
Travel as Self-Care: Dr. Lisa Pittman on Boundaries, Burnout Prevention & Black Women’s WellbeingHost Nicole S. Palmer welcomes Dr. Lisa Pittman, a licensed psychologist and certified travel coach based in the DC metro area, to discuss travel as an intentional form of self-care for Black professional women. Dr. Pittman shares her background, including living in Singapore, visiting all 50 states, all seven continents, and 114 countries, and explains how her therapy experience informs coaching focused on maintaining balance and optimal functioning. To contact Dr. Pittman…Email: Lisa@traveldocta.comWebsite: https://thetraveldoctallc.comLinkedIn: Dr-Lisa-PittmanIG: thetraveldocta Blog: TravelDocta.com
Apr 23 · 28m
When Delays Become DataIn this episode of Black Womaning in Corporate America, host Nicole S. Palmer continues April’s focus on burnout and self-regulation by revisiting a past “story time” that reveals burnout patterns through chronic unresponsiveness.
Apr 10 · 19m
Host Nicole S. Palmer shares a short 2026 reset for Black women navigating corporate life, starting with a firm “nope, not today” to resolutions, people-pleasing, shrinking, and contorting to be palatable. She discusses the exhaustion of always being “on,” code-switching, and conforming to workplace norms.Clip Credit: @LyneeMonae (on YT and TikTok)
Apr 3 · 31m
In this episode Black Womaning in Corporate America™, host Nicole S. Palmer and guest Lauren Dike, CEO of Harmon Inclusive Wellbeing, discuss burnout, self-regulation, and nervous system safety.
Apr 2 · 1h 2m
Nicole S. Palmer welcomes returning guest Zara Northover—2008 Olympian, TEDx speaker, and founder of Moving in Faith™—who shares an update on her ongoing race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit involving Rocket Mortgage. Zara explains why she refused to sign an NDA, the alleged retaliatory actions she experienced after raising concerns about Black hiring and lending disparities, and how her case was dismissed at the pleading stage. Now representing herself since 2023, she describes the two key issues before the Michigan Supreme Court, the significance of a rare amicus brief filed by a retired Title VII expert, and the current waiting period as the justices deliberate. The conversation also emphasizes documentation, community support, costs of litigation, and encouraging Black women to know their rights and speak up.
Dec 7 · 13m
A Year in Review: Celebrating One Year of Black Womaning in Corporate AmericaIn this special anniversary episode of 'Black Womaning in Corporate America,' host Nicole S. Palmer, CEO of Delnic Media, celebrates the podcast's first year. Nicole reflects on the journey, including milestones and challenges, and takes the time to recognize Jewel Ham, the creative mind behind Spotify Wrapped. Listen as Nicole shares impressive podcast statistics, highlights special moments, and expresses gratitude to her loyal listeners. She also teases upcoming content, including exciting guest interviews and her next book release. Join Nicole in this heartfelt and inspiring episode that underscores the importance of representation and showing up.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:01 Celebrating One Year of the Podcast01:38 Acknowledging Jewel Ham's Contribution02:50 Podcast Growth and Achievements05:14 International Reach and Top Countries05:48 Listener Engagement and Top Fans09:04 Upcoming Guests and Future Plans10:58 Final Thanks and Closing Remarks