Up From Here

Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman
  • 3.3 (12)
  • Leisure
  • Weekly

Up From Here is the unfiltered podcast where Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman bring the raw conversations they've always had on the couch - about culture, womanhood, motherhood, money, identity, and survival — straight to the mic. It's equal parts therapy, chaos, and truth-telling. For women who are evolving in real time, this is the group chat gone public.

  1. 1d ago

    "This Is The Truth Behind Billionaires.." | Episode 52

    In this episode, we're asking a question that might ruffle a few feathers: Is it actually ethical to aspire to become a billionaire? We live in a world that constantly encourages us to dream bigger, work harder, and chase financial freedom. But at what point does ambition turn into greed? We get into the sheer scale of a billion dollars and how difficult it is to even comprehend that amount of money. To put it into perspective, spending $1,000 every single day would take you more than 2,700 years to spend a billion dollars. So if one person could accumulate more money than they could reasonably spend in a lifetime, what does it say about our relationship with wealth that becoming a billionaire is still considered the ultimate goal? We question whether there's a moral responsibility that comes with accumulating extreme wealth, what it means to have more than you'll ever need, and whether the pursuit of that kind of money can exist without selfishness. We also explore the difference between wanting financial security, wanting to be wealthy, and wanting to accumulate wealth on a scale that most people can't even begin to imagine. Because there's nothing inherently wrong with wanting a comfortable life, financial independence, or the freedom to do whatever you want with your time. But is there a point where having more stops improving your life and starts becoming about something else entirely? This episode isn't about shaming ambition or pretending money doesn't matter. It's about questioning the values behind the goals we're taught to chase—and asking ourselves whether more is always better. If you've ever dreamed of becoming ridiculously wealthy, questioned the existence of billionaires, or wondered how much money is actually enough, this conversation is for you. Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    "This Is The Truth Behind Billionaires.." | Episode 52

  2. Oct 27

    Pick Your Poison: A Halloween Girls' Night Gone Wrong | Episode 51

    In this episode, the group chat is getting SPOOKY! 👻🎃 We're taking a little break from our regularly scheduled deep conversations to celebrate Halloween the only way we know how—with questionable decisions, ridiculous hypotheticals, a little friendly judgment, and plenty of laughs. We kick things off with Pick Your Poison, where we're forced to choose between some pretty terrible options. Because apparently, there's no such thing as a good answer when both choices are equally unhinged. 😂 Then we get into Til Death Do Us Part, putting our opinions and decision-making skills to the test with another round of Halloween-inspired chaos. And because we can't resist having an opinion, we throw in a rating game that has us judging, debating, and defending our answers. But what's Halloween without a few spooky stories? We close out the episode by sharing some scary stories, setting the mood for the season and reminding ourselves that sometimes the best conversations happen when you're just sitting around telling stories with your girls. No big life lessons this week. No serious debates about becoming our best selves. Just two best friends having fun, being a little ridiculous, and inviting you into the group chat for Halloween. So grab your favorite candy, get comfortable, and come spend a spooky girls' night with us! Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    Pick Your Poison: A Halloween Girls' Night Gone Wrong | Episode 51

  3. Oct 20

    Your Dream Life Doesn't Care How You Feel Today | Episode 50

    In this episode, we're asking ourselves a question that might make a few people uncomfortable: Are we actually disciplined, or do we just have really big goals? We kick things off with a little friendly competition in our latest whiteboard game, Boss Up or B*tch Out, where we put our discipline to the test through a series of scenarios that force us to decide whether we'd push through or give ourselves an out. And let's just say… Kelsi had to face a few uncomfortable truths. 😂 Despite having big ambitions and a very clear vision for the woman she wants to become, the game reveals some inconsistencies between her goals and her everyday habits, particularly when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and sticking to a routine. From there, we dive into a conversation inspired by a podcast episode featuring James Smith and Ross Edgley that challenged the way we think about discipline, discomfort, and what it really takes to accomplish difficult things. We discuss the importance of learning to push through the moments when motivation disappears, when things become inconvenient, and when the easier option is sitting right in front of you. Because wanting something badly doesn't automatically mean you're willing to do what it takes to achieve it. We also reflect on the difference between having an ambitious mindset and living a disciplined lifestyle. How often do we make promises to ourselves that we don't keep? How much of our potential are we leaving on the table simply because we're unwilling to be uncomfortable consistently? And perhaps most importantly, how do we become women who actually follow through on the things we say we want? This conversation left both of us feeling inspired to raise our standards, challenge our excuses, and become more intentional about the habits we're building. Not because we believe life should be miserable or that rest is a weakness, but because we recognize that meaningful growth often requires doing things that aren't immediately gratifying. If you've ever had a vision for your life that your daily habits haven't quite caught up to, this episode is for you. Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

  4. Oct 13

    What If Your Best Years Are Actually Ahead of You? | Episode 49

    In this episode, we're talking about something society has spent a whole lot of time convincing women to fear: getting older. Except… we're actually excited about it.  From preventative Botox to anti-aging culture and the never-ending pressure to preserve our youth, we question why aging has become something women are expected to fight rather than a privilege we're allowed to celebrate. We talk about our love for expressive faces, why we're not rushing to freeze our foreheads, and how we're genuinely looking forward to seeing the women we become with age. Gray hair, laugh lines, and all. Because honestly, who doesn't want to be a fine little silver fox?! But getting older isn't just about how you look. We also get into how our priorities, interests, and perspectives are changing as we grow. The freedom that comes with caring less about what's trendy, feeling less pressure to keep up with everyone else, and becoming increasingly comfortable making decisions based on what actually works for YOU. There's something beautiful about realizing that the older you get, the more life experience you have to draw from. You make better decisions. You understand yourself more deeply. You become less concerned with outside opinions and more confident in the life you're creating. And maybe that's the part of aging we should be talking about more. What if getting older isn't something to dread, but something to look forward to? This episode is about embracing every version of ourselves, questioning the beauty standards we've inherited, and recognizing that there's so much more to becoming a woman than staying young. If you've ever felt pressured to keep up with beauty trends, worried about getting older, or found yourself falling more in love with who you are as the years pass, this conversation is for you. Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    What If Your Best Years Are Actually Ahead of You? | Episode 49

  5. Oct 6

    What Bodybuilding Prep Actually Did to Her | Episode 48

    Janai DID IT!! 🏆 After months of discipline, sacrifice, questionable moods 😂 and an insane bodybuilding prep, she finally stepped on stage—and walked away with THREE medals and a trophy! But what happens when the thing you've spent months obsessively working toward is suddenly… over? This week, we're getting into the side of bodybuilding prep you don't always see online. Janai talks about the reality of post-show blues, the hardest parts of prep, what surprised her most about competing, her biggest regret, and whether she'd actually do it all over again. And because Kelsi had a front-row seat to the entire journey, we're comparing experiences: what prep looked like from the outside vs. what Janai was actually experiencing internally. And most importantly… Did either of us actually like "Prep Nai"? 😭 This episode is about bodybuilding, but it's also about what happens when you dedicate everything to a goal, finally accomplish it, and then have to figure out who you are when the chase is over. Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    What Bodybuilding Prep Actually Did to Her | Episode 48

  6. Sep 29

    My Religion Changed How I Date | Episode 47

    Janai is away this week, so Laila is stepping into the group chat—and we're getting to know her on a much deeper level. In this episode, Laila opens up about growing up as a Somali Muslim woman and how her culture, family, and upbringing shaped the way she views success, relationships, and herself. As the youngest of five children, Laila talks about yearning for attention from her parents and eventually discovering one very effective way to get it: achievement. Doing well academically became more than getting good grades. It became a way to be seen, celebrated, and affirmed—and we unpack how those childhood patterns can follow you into adulthood long after you stop needing anyone's permission. We also talk about growing up within a community where Laila often felt aware of how she might be perceived or judged, and how that contributed to a desire for approval. What happens when being "good," successful, or respectable becomes intertwined with feeling worthy? Then the conversation shifts to something we have in common: one of our best friends, Myka. And we realize just how differently the two of us love the exact same person. Laila tends to lead with softness. She considers feelings first, approaches difficult situations gently, and wants the people she loves to feel emotionally safe. Kelsi tends to lead with directness. Logic, facts, accountability, and telling the people she loves what she believes they need to hear—even when it isn't necessarily what they want to hear. Neither approach comes from a lack of love. They're simply two completely different expressions of it. So we ask: What does actually showing up for your friends look like? Is being a good friend protecting someone's feelings? Holding them accountable? Knowing when they need softness versus honesty? And how much of the way we love our friends comes from the way we learned to give and receive love growing up? This episode is about culture, family, approval, friendship, and understanding that two people can love someone just as deeply while showing that love in completely different ways. Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    My Religion Changed How I Date | Episode 47

  7. Sep 22

    Changing Your Mind, Changing Your Habits, & Building a New Life | Episode 46

    What does it actually take to change your life? In this episode, we talk about the part of transformation that doesn't always make it onto social media—the systems, thoughts, habits, and seemingly boring decisions that eventually create a completely different version of your life. Janai reflects on how much bodybuilding prep has changed her outside of her physique. As someone who's always considered herself carefree, spontaneous, and admittedly a little chaotic, she's realizing just how much she actually thrives with structure. Meal prep. Schedules. Routines. Planning ahead. Doing things whether she feels like doing them or not. What started as systems she had to create for bodybuilding have slowly become systems she can't imagine living without. Kelsi shares a different perspective on change: before you can change your life, you have to change your thoughts. Before the new habits, new routine, new career, new body, or new version of yourself exists in real life, you have to be able to conceive of it internally. We talk about how transformation starts with the conversations you're having with yourself—and why wanting something isn't the same as thinking, behaving, and building a life that supports it. Because maybe changing your life isn't one massive decision. Maybe it's creating enough small systems that eventually your old way of living doesn't make sense anymore. And because we can't be serious for an entire episode 😂, we also catch up on what we've been watching lately, talk movies, and Kelsi takes us behind the scenes of her recent Savage X Fenty shoot and what that experience was like. This episode is for anyone who's been saying they want something different and is finally ready to ask: What would my everyday life actually need to look like to become that person? Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    Changing Your Mind, Changing Your Habits, & Building a New Life | Episode 46

  8. Sep 15

    Are We Still Friends? | Episode 45

    In this episode, we put the topics aside and turn the questions toward each other. We each came prepared with a list of questions we wanted to ask the other—some about our friendship, some about who we're becoming, and some that forced us to go a little deeper than we expected. After years of friendship, it's easy to assume you know everything there is to know about your best friend. But people change. Life changes. Your needs change. And sometimes being close to someone requires intentionally getting to know the person they are now, instead of relying on everything you already know about who they've been. So this week felt like a temperature check. We talk about the ways we've changed, how we currently experience our friendship, the things we appreciate about one another, and some of the thoughts and feelings that don't always make their way into our everyday conversations. Some questions made us laugh. Some made us think. And some created space for conversations we probably wouldn't have had if we hadn't simply asked. More than anything, this episode reminded us that maintaining a friendship requires curiosity. You don't just get to know someone once and assume the work is finished—especially when you're both constantly evolving. Sometimes reconnecting doesn't require a huge moment. Sometimes you just need to sit across from someone you love and ask, "How are we… really?" If you've ever felt yourself growing and changing alongside a longtime friend, grab your bestie and listen together. And maybe steal a few of our questions for your own friendship check-in afterward. Enjoy! UP FROM HERE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo.upfromhere Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xo.upfromhere KELSI LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelsilee Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.thekelsilee JANAI IMAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaiiman Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janaiimann

    Are We Still Friends? | Episode 45
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3.3
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Up From Here is the unfiltered podcast where Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman bring the raw conversations they've always had on the couch - about culture, womanhood, motherhood, money, identity, and survival — straight to the mic. It's equal parts therapy, chaos, and truth-telling. For women who are evolving in real time, this is the group chat gone public.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Up From Here