In this powerful episode, Leah C. Murphy CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, is joined by Nicole S. Palmer—bestselling author, equity strategist, and public health advocate—for a conversation that pulls no punches on what it takes to survive and thrive in corporate America as a Black woman.
Nicole shares her journey from healthcare communications to the public health frontlines, and how lived experience, chronic pain, and burnout led her to write her transformative book: Playing the Game While Black: A Black Woman’s Guide to Surviving Corporate America.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
💎 What burnout really looks and feels like—and why it often gets ignored until it’s too late
💎 How chronic illness and workplace inequity forced Nicole to step away and rewrite her life
💎 Why it’s not “selling out” to protect your peace in the workplace—it’s survival strategy
💎 The emotional cost of being mission-driven in organizations that don’t return the same care
💎 How to balance purpose and boundaries as a high-achieving woman of color
💎 Why Nicole says bringing your whole self to work can be harmful—and what to do instead
Nicole also breaks down the inspiration and strategy behind her book, which uses chess as a metaphor to reveal how Black women are expected to navigate unwritten rules, coded language, and systemic barriers in corporate culture—while still delivering results.
This episode is packed with gems that will help you protect your health, reclaim your voice, and thrive without compromise. 💎💎
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About Our Guest
Nicole S. Palmer is a public health professional, bestselling author, and founding partner of Dell Nick Media. She’s on a mission to make health data and workplace wellness tools accessible to Black women navigating corporate systems. With lived experience in chronic illness, burnout, and inequity, Nicole brings a sharp, unapologetic voice to the conversation—and her book is a must-read for anyone seeking real talk on corporate survival and self-preservation.
Visit her at nicolespalmer.com and download her free guide, The 7 Unspoken Rules of Corporate America.
You can also find her on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond @Nicolespalmer.
