Up From Here

Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman

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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.

4 days ago

Motherhood Isn't Every Woman's Dream | Episode 39

In this episode, we have one of our most honest conversations yet about motherhood, freedom, and what it really means to leave a legacy. We explore the possibility that motherhood may not be part of our futures—and why it's important that every woman has the freedom to make that decision for herself, without shame or pressure. From there, we discuss a topic that isn't talked about enough: the resentment that can sometimes exist around parenthood. How some people quietly grieve the freedom they once had, and how those unresolved feelings can show up as judgment toward people who choose a different path or wait longer before having children. Kelsi shares why she believes more people should take time to truly know themselves before becoming parents. To travel. To build a life. To discover who they are outside of expectations before taking on the lifelong responsibility of raising another human being. The conversation then shifts into legacy. What does it actually mean to leave one? Kelsi believes legacy is measured by the lives you touch, the people you inspire, and the impact you leave behind—not solely by the family tree you create. Janai shares a similar, yet distinct perspective, reflecting on the desire to contribute something meaningful to the world and leave it better than she found it, whether or not children are part of that journey. This episode isn't about convincing anyone to have children—or not to. It's about questioning expectations, honoring choice, and redefining what a meaningful life can look like. If you've ever questioned the timeline you've been given, wrestled with the idea of parenthood, or wondered what kind of legacy you want to leave behind, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
28 Jul

Girls' Girls, Brutal Honesty, & When Support Becomes Enabling | Episode 38

In this episode, we tackle one of the internet's favorite labels: What does it actually mean to be a "girls' girl?" What starts as a lighthearted conversation quickly turns into one of our most honest debates yet. Kelsi shares why she's skeptical of the phrase, arguing that the title has become an excuse to blindly affirm one another—even when accountability is what's actually needed. She questions whether supporting women should always mean agreeing with them, or if real friendship sometimes requires uncomfortable honesty. Janai sees it differently. To her, being a girls' girl isn't that deep. It's about celebrating women, hyping each other up, and creating moments of encouragement without overanalyzing every interaction. As the conversation unfolds, the disagreement becomes personal. Kelsi shares why she believes Janai can sometimes prioritize keeping the peace in certain friendships over speaking hard truths, while Janai reflects on where encouragement and accountability should coexist. We also shift into another relationship dynamic: How involved should your partner really be in your friendships? Should your significant other know everything about your friends? Where do healthy boundaries exist between romantic relationships and your girl friendships? And how do you balance protecting your friendships without shutting your partner out? This episode is about loyalty, honesty, and asking whether true support means always standing beside someone—or having the courage to lovingly challenge them when they need it most. If you've ever questioned what it really means to be a girls' girl, struggled to hold your friends accountable, or wondered how much of your friendships your partner should be involved in, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
21 Jul

"I'm Working On It"… But Am I? | Episode 37

In this episode, we have one of our most personal conversations yet. Kelsi reflects on a recent trip to visit her dad and why, despite everything they've been through, he still feels like home. She opens up about the heartbreak of moving away as a child while watching her dad build a new family, the complicated emotions that came with feeling left behind, and the journey of learning to hold both love and grief at the same time. She also shares how difficult it is to want so much for someone you deeply love, while realizing they have to want those things for themselves. The conversation turns to something many of us avoid thinking about—the reality that our parents won't be here forever. Kelsi shares why the thought of losing her dad feels impossible to imagine, and how some relationships become such a safe place that they shape your entire understanding of what "home" feels like. Janai then opens up about a different kind of healing. She reflects on her bodybuilding prep and how it's exposed patterns she's been avoiding for years. She talks about how often she's said, "I'm working on it," while realizing she hadn't truly committed to the work. Together, we discuss the difference between wanting to change and intentionally changing, and how self-awareness means very little without action. This episode is about loving people for who they are while taking responsibility for who you're becoming. About giving grace without giving up on growth. And about recognizing that healing isn't something we talk about—it's something we practice. If you've ever wrestled with your relationship with a parent, struggled to accept someone you love, or found yourself asking whether you're actually doing the work you say you are, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
14 Jul

College Dropouts, School Failed Us, & Reading Changed Us, | Episode 36

In this episode, we talk about something that's been on both of our minds lately: learning. We share the books we've been reading, the ideas that have challenged us, and why we've both developed such a deep desire to continue educating ourselves—even years after leaving school. As college dropouts, we reflect on our very different educational journeys and ask ourselves a question we never thought we'd be asking: Would we actually go back to school? The answer surprised us. We talk about how much more equipped we feel now than we did at 21, 22, or even 25. How life experience has changed the way we approach learning, discipline, and curiosity. Sometimes maturity gives you the tools that traditional education couldn't. The conversation also expands into the education system itself. We question why schools often prioritize conformity over curiosity, and why so many children aren't encouraged to discover their natural strengths and interests until much later in life. What would happen if we nurtured passion as intentionally as we taught memorization? Ultimately, this episode is about redefining what it means to be educated. Whether that comes from a classroom, a book, lived experience, or simply staying curious enough to keep asking questions. If you've ever felt like school wasn't built for the way you learn, wondered if it's too late to go back, or found yourself falling in love with learning as an adult, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
7 Jul

Girl Talk, Never Have I Ever, & Slumber Party Confessions | Episode 35

This week, we're taking it all the way back to sleepovers. The theme of this episode is Slumber Party, and we wanted to recreate that feeling of being teenage girls—staying up way too late with your best friend, talking about absolutely everything, laughing until your stomach hurts, and somehow ending up in the deepest conversations without even trying. We play Never Have I Ever, put each other on the spot with Rapid Fire, and answer questions we probably shouldn't have answered 😂. From hilarious confessions to girlhood moments, relationship takes, embarrassing stories, and the kinds of conversations that only happen between best friends, this episode is pure fun from beginning to end. Sometimes you don't need a deep life lesson. Sometimes you just need to laugh with your girls. So grab your favorite snack, put on your pajamas, and pretend you're at the sleepover with us. If you've been missing those late-night conversations that somehow covered every topic imaginable, this episode is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
30 Jun

The Men Who Raised Us, The Love We Needed, & Growing Up | Episode 34

In this episode, we celebrate the first men we ever loved—our dads. We reflect on the relationships we've built with our fathers, the lessons they've intentionally and unintentionally taught us, and the ways they've shaped how we love, trust, and move through the world today. We also ask an age-old question: Do we date people like our dads? And if we do, is that necessarily a bad thing? As we've gotten older, we've begun seeing our fathers less as superheroes and more as people. People with childhoods, wounds, dreams, fears, and experiences that shaped the men they eventually became. We talk about how their upbringings influenced their ability to experience freedom, vulnerability, and joy—and how beautiful it is to witness growth in our parents, even in adulthood. There's something incredibly healing about realizing your parents are still evolving. This episode is about gratitude, perspective, and giving our fathers grace while celebrating the men they've become—and continue to become. If you've ever looked at your parents differently as you've gotten older, wondered how they shaped your relationships, or found yourself rooting for them just as much as they've rooted for you, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
23 Jun

Birds of a Feather, Friendship Audits, & Outgrowing Expectations | Episode 33

In this episode, we dive into friendship — how much our friends influence us, what it really takes to maintain long-term relationships, and whether "birds of a feather flock together" is actually true. We discuss how the people around us shape our decision-making, perspectives, habits, and even our judgment. Are we more influenced by our friends than we'd like to admit? From there, we get into the realities of long-term friendship. Loving people through different seasons of life. Accepting that your friends will change over time. And understanding that the version of someone you met years ago may not be the version standing in front of you today. Kelsi opens up about her tendency to cut people off quickly when they disappoint her, and how she's learning that every conflict doesn't require a complete ending. Sometimes the healthiest thing isn't removing someone from your life altogether — it's simply reorganizing where they belong within it. We also talk about friendship hierarchies and why not every friend should occupy the same space in your life. Some friends are for deep conversations. Some are for fun. Some are for business. Some are for growth. And expecting one person to be everything can create unnecessary disappointment. This episode is about releasing unrealistic expectations, understanding relationship dynamics, and building healthier friendships that can evolve with time. If you've ever struggled with friendship changes, cutting people off, or figuring out where people fit in your life, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere
16 Jun · Video

Reacted with a sticker to "Legacy, Community, & The Power of Black Excellence | Episode 32

In this special Juneteenth episode, we decided to do something a little different. Instead of focusing on the pain, oppression, and suffering that often dominate conversations around Black history, we wanted to spend time celebrating the incredible contributions Black people continue to make today. After discussing the origins of Juneteenth and why the holiday exists, we shift our focus toward honoring some of the brilliant Black innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives, and visionaries shaping our culture right now. From Olamide Olowe and Breanna Daniels to Virgil Abloh and many others, we highlight the people building businesses, creating opportunities, influencing culture, and leaving lasting legacies for future generations. We also talk about our responsibility to not only know our history, but to actively celebrate our people while they're here. Too often we wait until someone has passed to acknowledge their impact. This episode is about giving flowers in real time. The conversation expands into the importance of supporting our community through intentional action: buying Black, building Black, investing in Black businesses, and preserving the culture that has given so much to the world. This episode is a celebration. A celebration of resilience. A celebration of innovation. A celebration of community. A celebration of Black excellence. If you've ever wondered how to contribute to the culture beyond social media posts and hashtags, this conversation is for you. Follow us on Instagram: 🍒 @thekelsilee 🍒 @janaiiman ✨ @xo.upfromhere

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.

Creator

Kelsi Lee and Janai Iman
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

38
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025
Show Website

Up From Here