Black Womaning in Corporate America®

Nicole S. Palmer
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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.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 50: Successful, But at What Cost? | Lesa Frye | BWICA Podcast, Part 1

    What happens when you achieve everything you set out to accomplish—only to realize success is costing you the very things you wanted it for? In Part 1 of this four-part Black Womaning in Corporate America® conversation, host Nicole S. Palmer welcomes Lesa Frye, a certified life and business coach and real estate professional with more than three decades of experience. Nicole and Lesa explore the difference between achievement and fulfillment, the importance of defining success for yourself, and three questions that can help you reclaim agency over your career and your life. Coming in Part 2: What happens after you recognize that something needs to change? Lesa shares how she began course-correcting—and why boundaries matter. 🤎 LEARN MORE ABOUT LESA FRYE Discover Lesa’s approach to creating success without sacrificing yourself or the people you love. Website: https://lesafrye.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesafrye/ 📖 READ THE BOOK Explore Nicole’s award-winning and bestselling Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America™: https://delnicmedia.com/product/playing-the-game-while-black-womaning-in-corporate-america/ 🏆 SUPPORT NICOLE FOR TOP HOST 2026 Nicole S. Palmer is competing for the title of Top Host 2026! Support her journey to amplify underrepresented voices and bring more conversations like these to a wider audience. Cast your free daily vote and learn how to support her campaign: https://tophost.org/2026/nicole-s-palmer Subscribe to follow all four installments of this November series. #BlackWomaningInCorporateAmerica #BWICA #LesaFrye #WomenInBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #TopHost2026

    Episode 50: Successful, But at What Cost? | Lesa Frye | BWICA Podcast, Part 1

  2. Oct 29

    Episode 49: When “Fit” Isn’t Really About Fit | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA™ Part 4

    Sometimes “fit” has very little to do with performance—and everything to do with how bias gets interpreted as culture. In the conclusion of our October BWICA™ feature, Jan Buckner Walker draws on her experience as an employment lawyer to unpack coded language, microaggressions, advocacy, performance plans, severance, medical leave, and why Black women should not automatically assume they are the problem when something feels off at work. She also leaves us with one final reminder: nurture your quiet. Watch Part 4 of our conversation with Jan Buckner Walker now. 📖 READ THE BOOK Explore Nicole’s award-winning and bestselling book, Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America™: https://delnicmedia.com/product/playing-the-game-while-black-womaning-in-corporate-america/ 🏆 SUPPORT NICOLE FOR TOP HOST 2026 Nicole S. Palmer is competing for the title of Top Host 2026! Support her journey to amplify underrepresented voices and bring more conversations like these to a wider audience. Cast your free daily vote and learn how to support her campaign: https://tophost.org/2026/nicole-s-palmer #BWICA #BlackWomaningInCorporateAmerica #JanBucknerWalker

    Episode 49: When “Fit” Isn’t Really About Fit | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA™ Part 4

  3. Oct 15

    Episode 48: Your Customers Are Waiting for You | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA™ Part 3

    You don’t have to be the first. You can be the first of your kind. In Part 3 of our October BWICA™ feature, Jan Buckner Walker and Nicole S. Palmer talk about starting again, finding your niche, trusting the perspective only you can bring, and refusing to let self-limiting beliefs decide what’s possible. Jan also reflects on what happens when you stop asking, “Who would want this?” and start recognizing that your people may already be waiting for what you have to create. Watch Part 3 now. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:44 Previously On Recap 02:13 Starting Over After Layoffs 02:43 Finding Your Niche 04:44 Stories That Fuel You 05:17 Stop Self Limiting 06:08 Inspiration Beyond Demographics 07:23 Microaggressions At Work 07:54 Challenging Fit Bias 09:07 Protecting Employees Fairly 11:05 Advice And Closing #BWICA #BlackWomaningInCorporateAmerica #JanBucknerWalker #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship Learn more about Jan Buckner Walker and Black Crosswords: - Website: https://blackcrosswords.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kidsacrossparentsdown/ Vote Nicole for Top Host: https://tophost.org/2026/nicole-s-palmer

  4. Oct 8

    Episode 47: The Right Shoes on the Wrong Feet | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA™ Part 2

    In Part 2 of our October conversation with cruciverbalist Jan Buckner Walker, we move beyond the crossword puzzle itself and into the bigger question: what happens when the career you built no longer feels like where you belong? Jan talks about finding the thing that has always been in you, the difference between hard work and being uncomfortable, creating work that feels safe and inclusive, and why it’s never too late to “shake your own box” and discover what else might be inside. Chapters 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:41 Previously On 02:37 Why This Work Matters 04:59 Finding Your Calling 08:05 The Right Shoes on the Wrong Feet 11:03 Making Puzzles Feel Safe 13:29 Representation Without Judgment 14:51 Closing Thoughts Learn more about Jan Buckner Walker and Black Crosswords: - Website: https://blackcrosswords.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kidsacrossparentsdown/ Jan will also celebrate Black Crosswords: In Our Own Words, Volume 2 at Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2026. Event details: https://www.sankofa.com/events/book-event-black-crosswords-in-our-own-words-vol-2

    Episode 47: The Right Shoes on the Wrong Feet | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA™ Part 2

  5. Oct 1

    Episode 46: Black Crosswords & Representation | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA Part 1

    Last year, we sat down with cruciverbalist Jan Buckner-Walker ahead of the release of Black Crosswords: In Our Own Words. We could think of no better way to celebrate its first birthday than by sharing our BWICA conversation with Jan about the story behind the book. Jan talks about her path from journalism and law to crossword construction, creating puzzles for The Washington Post, Essence, and Ebony, and why Black representation in crossword culture matters. Chapters 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:44 Meet Jan Buckner-Walker 01:29 Why Black Crosswords Matter 02:51 Jan’s Origin Story 03:27 From Law to Puzzles 04:12 Kids Across, Parents Down 04:57 Breaking Into Syndication 06:19 Representation in Crosswords 07:10 Essence and Ebony Crosswords 08:03 Making Crosswords Welcoming 09:59 The Book Finally Happens 10:27 Why Black Crosswords Matter Now 11:07 Closing Thoughts Learn more about Jan Buckner-Walker and Black Crosswords: - Website: https://blackcrosswords.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kidsacrossparentsdown/ Jan will also celebrate Black Crosswords: In Our Own Words, Volume 2 at Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2026. Event details: https://www.sankofa.com/events/book-event-black-crosswords-in-our-own-words-vol-2

    Episode 46: Black Crosswords & Representation | Jan Buckner Walker | BWICA Part 1

  6. Sep 24

    The Body Keeps the Receipt | Dr. Wendi Williams, 2026 APA President | BWICA Part 4

    Host Nicole S. Palmer closes her conversation with Dr. Wendi Williams, 2026 President of the American Psychological Association and founder of The Well. In Part 4, they discuss workplace harm, recovery, boundaries, nervous-system reset, and Dr. Williams’ work through The Well to help Black women move beyond survival toward healing, joy, and becoming abundantly well. They also explore community care, accessible tools, and reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that work and trauma can force us to abandon. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to BWICA 00:41 Previously on BWICA 02:02 What’s Next for The Well 02:43 The Well Podcast 04:22 Frameworks, Retreats & Reset 05:22 When Work Lives in the Body 07:39 Nicole’s Closing Reflection 09:07 No Shame, Only Care 10:29 Finding the Little Girl Again 11:11 Connect With Dr. Wendi 11:56 Closing Learn more about Dr. Wendi Williams and The Well: Website: drwendiwilliams.com Instagram: @drwendiwilliams LinkedIn: Dr. Wendi Williams The Well newsletter: wellwithdrwendi.substack.com

    The Body Keeps the Receipt | Dr. Wendi Williams, 2026 APA President | BWICA Part 4

  7. Sep 17

    Episode 44: You Were Not Born to Do a Job | Black Womaning in Corporate America, Dr. Wendi Williams

    Host Nicole S. Palmer continues her conversation with Dr. Wendi Williams, 2026 President of the American Psychological Association and founder of The Well. In Part 3, they redefine the “mountaintop,” explore the difference between a job and a calling, and unpack what it means to build a life around joy, purpose, and a sense of self that exists beyond work. 00:00 Welcome to BWICA 00:41 Redefining the Mountaintop 02:53 You Were Not Born to Do a Job 05:31 Little Girl Dreams 07:19 Fear as a Compass 09:11 Building The Well 12:25 Staying in Corporate Differently 13:31 Emotional Detachment at Work 14:51 Replaceable at Work 15:44 The ROI of Black Labor 16:31 Closing Learn more about Dr. Wendi Williams and The Well: Website: drwendiwilliams.com Instagram: @drwendiwilliams LinkedIn: Dr. Wendi Williams The Well newsletter: wellwithdrwendi.substack.com

    Episode 44: You Were Not Born to Do a Job | Black Womaning in Corporate America, Dr. Wendi Williams

  8. Sep 10

    Episode 43: This One Is Mine | Black Womaning in Corporate America w/ Dr. Wendi Williams

    Host Nicole S. Palmer continues her conversation with Dr. Wendi Williams, 2026 President of the American Psychological Association and founder of The Well. In Part 2, they explore boundaries, rest as self-respect, the stereotypes and projections placed on Black women, and why centering Black women can become a pathway to broader freedom. The conversation also examines DEI rollbacks, racism, burnout, and what it means to start choosing yourself. 00:00 Welcome to BWICA 00:41 Previously on BWICA 01:02 Black First, Woman Second 02:01 Holding Your Own Boundaries 03:43 Rest as Active Respect 05:01 Why Center Black Women 07:19 Black Women as Workplace Canaries 08:29 How Racism Hurts Everyone 10:30 Moving Toward the Life You Want 12:41 This One Is Mine 13:20 Closing Learn more about Dr. Wendi Williams and The Well: Website: drwendiwilliams.com Instagram: @drwendiwilliams LinkedIn: Dr. Wendi Williams The Well newsletter: wellwithdrwendi.substack.com

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About

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.

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