Femme Hive

When Helen Lu graduated from college, she started her dream job at a Big Four Consulting company, something she had spent her entire life working towards. But soon she realized she didn't want to follow that path and work in corporate for the rest of her life.It wasn't until Helen discovered the FI/RE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) movement and learned that retirement is not an age, it's whenever you can afford, that it finally clicked for her. She wanted to create a life for herself that would allow her to retire early and have several mini retirements along the way as opposed to feeling burnt out all the time.So Helen started blogging and created @themoneyminimalist with the goal of creating personal finance content for the people around her, especially first generation immigrants and college graduates. She has since been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, in Fortune Magazine, and Business Insider.In the summer of 2021, Helen left the corporate world for a gap year to travel and work on a few passion projects of hers. On this episode, Helen and Thamina talk about steps you should take before taking a gap year, being a content creator, and what it means to separate your identity from your work early in life once you've been stripped away prestigious job titles. 

We live in a society that has largely normalized the medical management of women's hormones. Most doctors are very quick to prescribe hormonal birth control as remedy for any hormonal condition (PMS symptoms, heavy periods, acne, etc.) without properly educating their patients about the potential risks and side effects.On this episode, our host Thamina is joined by Women's Health Expert Megan Haralampou, better known as The Biomedical Naturopath. Megan's purpose in life is to help women understand their menstrual cycles, hormones, and alternatives to hormonal contraception. Megan criticizes the severe lack of understanding about female hormones and the risks associated with hormonal birth control such as increased risk of osteoporosis. Many of her clients in their 30s and 40s that were on the pill for an extensive period of time now have the bones of a 60-year old. And that's just one example.Megan wants women to understand why our period is actually important as fertility is not just about making babies, it's so much more than that and it is frightening how little we know. We need better education, especially for teenage women, so they feel more empowered about their menstrual cycles to be able to make educated decisions about their own bodies - instead of experiencing shame, guilt, gaslighting, and serious health consequences because we live in a society that is built for men.If you've ever been on hormonal birth control, are currently on it, or are considering getting on it, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Your body will thank you later!Links to previous episodes related to women's health:Destigmatizing Endometriosis and Women's Reproductive HealthManaging ADHD and Dyslexia in the WorkplaceWhat's Going on with Abortion Rights in the USMy Lipedema Diagnosis and Why You Should Get Checked

We're switching up our regular programming this week for a bit of a lighter episode considering the war in the Ukraine that's currently going on. Our host Thamina is sharing how her recent move to New York and trying to furnish her new apartment has led to some interesting household item obsessions. 

Did you know most women get diagnosed with ADHD much later in life than men? That's because how ADHD presents itself in girls is different from how it presents itself in boys, which is what most of the ADHD studies have been on. Being extra talkative, bubbly, and outgoing - traits that many people would classify as gender-conforming - could be signs of ADHD. Regardless of when people with ADHD or a learning disability get diagnosed, it can feel either validating or upsetting. Alex Gilbert was diagnosed early in life and while she felt privileged to be born into a family that could afford access to valuable resources, once she graduated from college, Alex had to learn the hard way that the same resources that had supported her throughout her academic career, simply didn't exist in the workforce. Alex had to learn how to advocate for herself and today, she is helping ADHD and dyslexia patients to do the same through her company Cape-Able Consulting.Alex wants to change the perception around having learning disabilities and/or ADHD, and to empower those who have them. On this episode, Alex opens up about her own journey and shares valuable tips on how people who suffer from ADHD or dyslexia can better advocate for themselves at work.

We are back from our winter break with our first episode of 2022! Our host Thamina has a few very eventful weeks behind her after moving to New York. After two of her recent LinkedIn posts where she talked about her move went viral, hundreds of people from all over the world have reached out to Thamina to congratulate her on this achievement and ask for advice on how to replicate her success. On this episode, Thamina reflects on how she managed to pull off her internal transfer from Dublin, Ireland to New York and got visa sponsorship from her company. As we find out, her learnings are applicable to almost any professional goals one can set for themselves. 

As another year is coming to an end, it's time to start thinking about what you want to achieve in 2022. Our host Thamina loves setting ambitious goals for herself but also knows that sticking to your New Year's resolutions can be quite overwhelming. On this episode, she shares an approach - based on James Clear's infamous 1 Percent Rule - that will significantly increase the chances of you actually achieving the goals you set for yourself - without the overwhelm.

When Emily graduated from her Master's Program in May 2020, she was close to $200,000 in debt and was entering the economy during a global pandemic. About six months later, Emily started her blog "Sometimes Sensible"  where she talks about financial wellness and investing education. On this episode, our host Thamina and Emily talk about navigating conversations around debt with your partner and how someone who has loans can still be smart about money while enjoying life at the same time. Emily - who supported herself through college and grad school - also explains under which circumstances it makes sense to invest while paying off debt and when it is financially smarter to solemnly focus on paying off loans first.Check out Emily's Instagram post on “Should I invest while I'm paying my student loans”.You can find Nerdwallet's Compound Interest Calculator that Emily was mentioning here. Check out Emily's book recommendation "I will teach you to be rich". 

Last week, the US Supreme Court kicked off hearings that could lead to the - inexplicit but effective - overturning of the infamous Roe vs. Wade ruling from 1973 that made abortions a constitutional right. With new, extreme abortion bans being introduced across many US states - most recently in Texas - the highly politicized debate between pro-life and pro-choice supporters has never been more polarized.On this episode, our host Thamina - a vocal pro-choice supporter - sheds some light on this ongoing debate and shares some sound bites from the recent protests in Washington DC.

Today, our host Thamina officially shared with the world that her life-long dream of moving to New York City has finally come true. And her post has gone viral. On this episode, we find out how far she's come and why you always have to fight for your dreams. May Thamina's story serve as motivation and as an inspiration for you and all the other hardworking badass women out there. If you can dream it, you can do it! Listen to the episode and then, let's make sh*t happen!

Do you have trouble relaxing until you have checked off all items on your to do list? Do you feel the need to be productive all the time?If the answer is yes, then you are suffering from productivity guilt. Our host Thamina has had her fair share of feeling guilty when not being productive 24/7 and she shares a few perspective shifts that have helped her find a healthier balance.

Annelise Hillmann and Nick Bunn met as undergraduate students at Harvard and quickly realized they shared an interest in branding. The duo was set on starting a Gen Z marketing agency together until one day, Nick noted how jealous he was of women for having access to a plethora of acne products. That triggered the two friends to further explore the "Gender Grooming Gap" and challenge gender norms in our society that speaks differently to men and women about skin care and overall self-care. Shortly after, Frontman was born, the first Gen Z self-care brand for men.On this week's episode, our host Thamina talks to Frontman Co-Founder and CEO Annelise about the importance of breaking down stigma and toxic masculinity surrounding cosmetics and how the brand is hoping to promote different concepts of masculinity. The two also address what it's like being a female Gen Z founder, trying to raise Venture Capital money and what's so special about Annelise's generation.

On this week's solo episode, our host Thamina shares with us how her visualization technique has helped her achieve major milestones in life. She's attributing her process of mentally visualizing her dreams, which then triggers her to ruthlessly execute on those goals, a lot of her success to date, including getting accepted to Harvard and most recently, being able to transfer to New York with her current employer. Funnily enough, Thamina didn't even realize until this year that what she was doing was goal visualization as she thought everyone around her was doing the same. Spoiler alert: That's actually not the case. 

Do you feel like you're always so caught up in your day to day? Do you wish you were more resilient? Could you use more joy in the present?If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then this week's episode is for you. Our host Thamina is joined by Liv Bowser, Founder and CEO of Liberate, the world's first mental fitness studio. When Liv was in college, she realized that her mind did not feel as strong as her physical body, so she started investigating how she could better train her mental muscles. After learning from a variety of mindfulness experts and psychologists, Liv launched the first Liberate classes in May 2020. What was originally supposed to be a brick and mortar studio, turned into a successful online business that helps its clients be more confident, resilient, courageous, grateful, and present in the moment.   

Are you disappointed that something - personally or professionally - didn't work out the way you had hoped? While it does suck in the moment and you have every right to grieve, our host Thamina genuinely believes that things happen for a reason.On this solo episode, she shares a few personal examples of how initial disappointments eventually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. So if you need a pep talk right now, this is the right episode for you.

Do you find investing intimidating? Do you have absolutely no idea where to start?Then you are in the same boat our host Thamina and her guest Julia Menheere were in just a few years ago. During her first job at the Dutch Ministry of Finance, Julia found herself living from paycheck to paycheck and eventually decided things would have to change in order to lead a life that would allow her to live more freely.Once Julia had figured out how to make her money work for her, she started coaching personal finance in addition to her full-time job in Uber's Money Data Science Department. In April of 2021, Julia took her coaching business full-time and is teaching her clients how to be less intimidated by investing.She particularly believes in the power of investing in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), which is an efficient and affordable way of holding a diversified portfolio. 

Are you career-driven, ambitious, a hard worker, constantly wanting to achieve more? Do you feel that weight of your ambition weighing heavily on you? Welcome to the club!Our host Thamina knows exactly how overwhelming the pressure to perform and wanting to get from A to C as quickly as possible can be. Through lots of self-reflection over the past few months, she has come to the conclusion that it is ok to not be on top of your game all the time.In order for our successes in life to be sustainable, it is important to give yourself some grace, especially during times of increased stress. Thamina shares a few handy tips that have really helped her to be more kind to herself while juggling a million mentally draining things at the same time.

Do you add smileys or filler words to your emails and sometimes even go back and delete a bunch of exclamation points in order to tone down your requests? You are not alone. As women, it sometimes feels like as if we can only lose. If we're too nice, we're not being taken seriously and if we're too assertive, we are not likable because society expects us women to be warm and empathetic but not strong.On this week's episode, our host Thamina is joined by Hope Timberlake, Speaker, Trainer, and Coach on persuasive communication, relationship building, and overcoming obstacles to speaking up. She is particularly passionate about elevating and amplifying the voices of women and underrepresented minorities.Thamina and Hope talk about how women can find the right balance between strength and warmth, so we stop discrediting ourselves and become more confident and courageous in our communication. If you're hooked, we also recommend you check out Hope's new book "Speak Up, Dammit! How to Quiet Your Fears, Polish Your Presence, and Share Your Voice".

No matter if you call it "The Great Resignation" or "The Great Reshuffle" - the pandemic has allowed us all to reflect on life, which has resulted in many people around the world pivoting professionally to find jobs that align more with their values, priorities and personal happiness.Our host Thamina recently landed an exciting new job opportunity at her current employer and since she's also been able to generate offers for every single job she interviewed over the past 3 years, she has some strategic tips on how you can increase your chances of landing your dream role.If this topic is relevant for you, you should also listen to our previous episode on "How to excel in your job application process".

Are you one of very few women on your team? Do you work in a traditionally male field or industry? Have you experienced misogyny and discrimination in the workplace?Unfortunately, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are incredible female trailblazer who are paving the way for future generations of badass women. This week's guest is one of them. Kate Gelman is an engineer and was one of the first employees at Elon Musk's Neuralink, his company dedicated to building the world's highest bandwidth brain-machine interface. On this episode, Kate shares with us what it's like to be the only woman on a team of 14 and how the the sexism she has experienced in her field has taught her how to stand up for herself. Kate believes in the importances of creating open and honest spaces where we can discuss our experiences. We also talk about what male allies can do to be more supportive and why having visible female role models is so crucial.If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy listening to our previous episode "How to navigate being a woman in STEM" with guest Sammi Siegel who is a Senior Software Engineer at Duolingo.

Our host Thamina was recently diagnosed with lipedema, a chronic disease of inflamed fat cells that affects primarily women. It causes pain, swelling, and abnormal sensations in the tissues of the legs, hips, buttocks, and sometimes arms. Not to mention the psychological impact on patients' mental health due to their change in physical appearance. On this episode, Thamina talks about her diagnosis and encourages every woman to get checked, preferably by a phelobologist.1 in 10 women are believed to suffer from lipedema, a disease that is widely unknown and very frequently under- and misdiagnosed. While there is no cure for lipedema, the medical treatment that is recommended by doctors, liposuction, is rarely covered by health insurance and can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000.Thamina is sharing her story to spread awareness so more women can diagnosed early in life.

Not knowing where you're headed or what your mission in life is can be daunting. After we graduate from college, we somehow expect that life continues on a straight path but it rarely does. That's why on this week's episode, we learn that rejection is not failure but an opportunity for us to expand our portfolio of possibilities. Our host Thamina is joined by Katie Belfi, Readiness & Resilience Consultant. In 2012, Katie gave up her private-sector gig as a commercial litigator and joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a Regional Counsel. She later worked in Emergency Management at NYU Langone Health and in 2018, Katie eventually founded Belfi Consulting where she is offering a fresh take on emergency preparedness & resilience for everyone from families to Fortune 500 companies.After more than a decade of introspection and exploring different interests, Katie eventually combined her background in emergency management and wellness after initially judging herself for operating on two seemingly divergent paths. She highlights that what she now believes she was meant to do, she never could have intellectually discerned in her 20s. Her message to young female professionals: Allow yourself to experience different things and work on the relationship with yourself in the present moment!Join Katie's "Ready for Real Challenge" in September!

For 58 weeks straight, our Founder & Host Thamina has published a new episode of the Femme Hive podcast in addition to her demanding full-time job in Tech Sales. No winter break, no exceptions while on vacation, no excuses. On this week's episode, Thamina shares what she has learned about the importance of showing up consistently and why sometimes "done is better than perfect". If you have been considering to take that leap and either launch a podcast, start that blog, or train for a marathon, this might be the last bit of inspiration you need.

"I wish my waist was smaller." "I wish I didn't have any cellulite." "I wish I had a sixpack." Everyone - women, men, non-binary people - has probably experienced some form of body dysmorphia in their life where they worry about flaws in their physical appearance. On this week's episode, we are joined by one of our beloved previous guests, Katya Gorbacheva, Personal Trainer & Founder of Total Body Lab. We talk about unsolicited comments and women's internalized misogyny, which is oftentimes the source of women feeling bad about themselves and their bodies - in addition to pop culture and social media.Katya also emphasizes that a lot of your physical appearance depends on your genetics and the fact that beauty standards constantly change. As someone who suffers from body dysmorphia herself, she also shares some valuable exercises that can help you be more accepting of your body. Listen to our previous episode with Katya on how to create a workout routine that sticks.

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. But some people use the available time they have more effectively than others.Our host Thamina is juggling many responsibilities at the same time and suffers from severe productivity guilt. And yet she is actively prioritizing rest and sleep because she knows her body and mind can only take so much. When you know what time of the day you are most productive and what time is better invested in rest and leisure, you'll be able to work with a lot more focus and as a result, get more done.Check out the Oura Ring Thamina was mentioning.Check out the episode on "How to manage your time more effectively"

The future of work has irrevocably changed due to the global pandemic. Many young professionals either moved in with their parents again or were hopping from one Airbnb to another, enjoying the freedom to work from anywhere. No matter your individual circumstances, most employees have come to appreciate the added flexibility working from home has afforded them.This week, our host Thamina is joined by Sarah Aviram, Remote Work Thought Leader and Author of "Remotivation - The Remote Worker's Ultimate Guide to Life-Changing Fulfillment". Sarah has held Human Resources and Talent Development leadership roles within Fortune 500 consumer product organizations as well as in smaller, high-growth technology companies. She has also worked remotely from 12 different countries herself, and her experiences have provided her with insights into the challenges and opportunities for professional fulfillment faced by remote workers. On this episode, Thamina and Sarah talk about misconceptions around remote work on both the employer and employee side and the six core "remotivators" Sarah has identified that drive your professional fulfillment.If you are interested in learning more about the "Remote Year" Program Sarah mentioned, click here.You can download Sarah's free Remotivation Workbook here.

Consulting, Finance, and Software Engineering are common fields that college graduates gravitate to post-graduation. And you can't really blame them considering the lucrative salaries and bonuses as well as the prestige that are usually attached to these jobs. That being said, it's not for everyone. On this week's episode, our host Thamina introduces us to her world of Tech Sales and shares with us why she believes a role in Sales at a global technology company is a great first career step for young professionals. Not only is the earning potential in this field high but Sales people also gain many invaluable insights into how business is being done. Thamina sheds some light on the most common Sales roles - such as Sales Development Representative, Account Executive, and Account Manager - and what each role is all about. If you are trying to get a foot into the door of tech or you simply haven't found your passion yet but are interested in the business side of things, Sales could be a great option for you.

Can you imagine a life where going blind or passing out regularly from excruciating pain is a frequent occurrence? Can you imagine sitting in work meetings while experiencing levels of pain that are comparable to the pain men experience during a heart attack?When it comes to female health, women experience guilt, shame, and gaslighting every single day because we live in a society that is built for men. On this week's episode, we are joined by Lena Klein, Customer Success Manager at LinkedIn and endometriosis patient who bravely and vulnerably shares her horrific experiences with her disorder, from years of being undiagnosed to frightening challenges in her day-to-day life. Lena shares some invaluable tips for women who are facing similar health issues.1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis and it is one of the most common causes of infertility. We also talk about the stigma around menstruation and why we need to unlearn that and start having open conversations about the most natural parts of human life.

Do you sometimes experience imposter syndrome because you don't have any hard skills? Do you occasionally question whether you deserve to be where you are today?Our host Thamina knows exactly what it means to be a generalist who used to think that her "soft" skills weren't valuable compared to her STEM friends' math and engineering talent. It took a few years of successfully working in business at a global tech company to realize that she indeed has many valuable, transferrable skills that will serve her well throughout life.On this episode, Thamina walks us through the benefits of being a generalist and what types of skills will be in high demand in the years to come.

Internalized limitations and belief systems can really hurt young women when it comes to owning their authentic narrative and creating a fulfilling life for themselves.This week, our host Thamina is joined by Rebekah Bastian, Founder of OwnTrail, a peer-to-peer support system platform for women, to talk about how to embrace your authentic, non-linear life path. Rebekah herself fell into her first job out of college by accident and also refers to founding OwnTrail as "accidental entrepreneurship".Rebekah's advice to young female professionals: Take inventory on which belief systems serve you and which aren't. Embrace uncertainty while also not shying away from having difficult and vulnerable conversations with yourself and those around you.She believes that there is no one right path but the more we own our story and choices, the more progress we make. Set-backs and facing obstacles doesn't mean we're doing life wrong, it means we are human.Don't forget to create your own individual trail and be inspired by other badass women's vulnerability and authenticity.

Creating your own path to success in your career takes a lot of hard work. It's more than showing up, doing your job, and checking off the accomplishments expected of your role. If you want to blaze a trail and get the skills and experience you need to grow professionally, building your personal brand is essential for any young female professional.On this week's solo episode Thamina shares her strategy to building a strong personal brand at work to attract new exciting opportunities and advance quickly. Spoiler alert: It all starts with nailing your core role.Listen to our recent episode on "How to increase your visibility at work".Join our Early Career Accelerator Beta Program. We only have 2 spots left!

"I think we still have this image of retirement where we sit in our rocking chairs on the porch, drinking lemonade, watching the world go by. That is NOT the modern day retirement."On this week's episode, our host Thamina is joined by Stephanie McCullough, Founder and CEO of Sofia Financial, whose mission is to empower women to make wise financial decisions and reduce their money stress.According to Stephanie, society's traditional understanding of retirement is outdated as more and more people want work to become optional earlier in life or take sabbaticals. Saving for modern-day retirement is therefore all about freedom creating options for oneself. However, unfortunately, many women still lack confidence when it comes to managing their money and are faced with a particular set of problems around the goal of retirement. The traditional financial services industry is ill-equipped to handle this problem.Stephanie and Thamina highlight the fact that investing and saving is not about being perfect or knowing the answer to all financial questions. It is about getting started and aligning your money habits with your priorities in life.Subscribe to Stephanie's Podcast "Take Back Retirement".

Did you feel a bit lost after graduating from college and facing the real world? Did you feel like you have no clue what you were doing? You are not alone.Our host Thamina vulnerably shares her experience with post-graduation depression and how she was struggling to adjust to post-college life. It was bumpy ride but eventually led her to founding Femme Hive to help young female professionals be more confident while navigating this challenging transition in life. Figuring out how to get through those situations without feeling like a nervous wreck, and how to do it successfully? On top of it all is the question of how to create a career that aligns with your purpose in life (if you know what that is). Whew. It can be daunting. But that's what Femme Hive is here for.Links:Join Thamina's Early Career Accelerator Beta Program (enrollment closes on July 13th)Free Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals WebinarPersonal Finances 101 for Young Professionals Webinar

How can I get promoted? How do I get noticed by hiring managers at my company? How can I pivot and join a different team? On this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Nicole Tschierske to talk about how we can increase our visibility at work to land those amazing internal opportunities.Nicole is passionate about helping overlooked women in STEM become influential, so they can confidently unlock new opportunities for themselves, get their employers saying “we need you on this job!” and have a bigger impact. As a Scientist and Positive Psychology Coach, Nicole helps her clients strategically turn their career frustrations into a renewed love for their work.Nicole and Thamina talk about strategic tactics to build your personal brand, self-promotion, finding sponsors and how to become more comfortable with networking.Join our Early Career Accelerator Beta Program.

2020 has been so tragic in many different ways. We have lost loved ones. So many people - especially women - have lost their jobs. Families and couples have been separated due to travel bans.Our host Thamina has had her fair share of tough luck the first half of 2020. She was so so close to finally fulfilling her biggest dream of being able to move back to the United States through a company transfer and moving in with her cross-continental long-distance partner. Then a hiring freeze and visa ban hit and Thamina's dream burst like a soap bubble. Her mental health was really suffering.Luckily, things got better in the second half of the year. Thamina shares how the pandemic turned out to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise due to all the important lessons she was able to take away from this past year, which resulted in an invaluable shift in priorities and mindset.Enroll in the Early Career Accelerator Beta Program to get a 500 EUR discount. Spots are very limited. Feel free to message Thamina on Instagram with any questions you have on ECA.Listen to the previous episode on "How to set boundaries at work" that Thamina was referencing.Watch Thamina's FREE "Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals" webinar and for even more value, get your copy of Thamina's "Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals" E-book.

As young female professionals in our 20s, we all want to find fulfillment and purpose. But sometimes fear and societal pressures can make that quite challenging.On this week's episode, our host Thamina is joined by Miracle Olatunji. Miracle is a student, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author of “Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact”. She is the founder OpportuniMe, an organization which empowers the next generation of leaders to realize their full potential and make an impact in their careers and in their community. Recently, Miracle was part of Barbie's #YouCanBeAnything #MoreRoleModels global campaign aimed at closing the dream gap and inspiring women and girls around the world.Miracle and Thamina talk about nudging yourself out of your comfort zone to gain new skills and confidence, and how fear can lead you closer to finding your authentic voice. Miracle highlights the importance of showcasing your passions to the world and not being afraid of putting your goals out into the world while also giving yourself permission to be human.Follow Miracle on Instagram and Twitter.

Do you work long hours and don't get paid for overtime? Do you feel like your to do list never ends? You are not alone.On this week's episode, our host Thamina shares some tangible tips on how to set boundaries at work and why it is so important to do so. After all, having a work life balances benefits so many aspects of your life, including your mental & physical health, your productivity & performance, your relationships as well as your overall mood & happiness. Despite refusing to work on weekends, taking every single of her 30 vacation days, and not working past 6:30pm, Thamina has gotten two promotions and a 60% salary increase in under two years. Because people who set boundaries gain respect because they show respect for themselves.Check out the Femme Hive Blog and listen to our recent episode on "How to manage your time more effectively" that Thamina was referencing on this week's episode. 

Should I get my Master's? Should I get my PhD? Should I go to Business School?When you've been in the workforce for a few years and a lot of your friends are going back to school to pursue an additional degree, you might be wondering whether you should do the same. The external pressure is real.On this week's episode, Ada Aka, Doctoral Student in Marketing & Psychology at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, talks about how to figure out whether pursuing a PhD is the right professional move. Ada sheds some light on the differences between the undergraduate and the graduate school experience and shares some valuable tips on how to best approach the application process. 

"Other people's urgency is not your emergency."On this week's solo episode, our host Thamina is getting real about how she manages her time, juggling a demanding 9-5 job in tech sales and Femme Hive while also trying to have a social life, maintaining a long-distance relationship and practicing self-care.Thamina highlights the importance of aligning your time management with your energy management and how setting boundaries has made her more successful. Most importantly, Thamina introduces us to the Eisenhower Matrix, which has become a great tool to help her prioritize based on importance and urgency. Make sure to check out our newly launched blog. And if you've been benefiting from this podcast and our free resources, please consider donating a slice of pizza to Thamina so she can keep producing more episodes.

Rolanda Evelyn was working in a role that many would consider a dream job: product marketing at YouTube in New York City. And while she was thriving professionally, Rolanda had always dreamt about working in fashion.In February 2020, Rolanda left Google to wholeheartedly pursue that fashion dream. Little did she know that a global pandemic was awaiting that would have a significant impact on the retail industry. After months of uncertainty, Rolanda finally landed her dream role: Product Marketing & Customer Strategy Manager at Rent the Runway - a true full-circle moment after she had served as an on-campus ambassador for the company while she was still in college and had always admired Co-Founder and CEO Jennifer Hyman.On this episode, we talk about how Rolanda's passion, tenacity, and convictions allowed her to manifest her dream of working in fashion. She shares some great advice on how you can increase your own odds of lading your dream job. We also chatted about how Rent the Runway pivoted amidst the global pandemic and about Rolanda's side venture "Other Cards", which produces greeting cards that are more inclusive towards minorities and help erase stigma around topics like menstruation, abortion, and sex. Check out Rolanda's blog "leave a little sparkle".Follow Rolanda on Instagram.For the Rent the Runway discount code, use the code RTRFAM55E4DF7 at checkout.

Your credit score is your adulthood GPA. But why is it so important to have a credit history in the first place? In this week's solo episode, our host Thamina explains how a good credit score or the lack thereof can impact many aspects of our day-to-day lives, most notably interest rates on loans. Working on establishing good credit can save you tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.Thamina talks about the do's and don'ts and highlights why not only Americans but also Europeans should care about their credit history. In addition to the US model, we also take a look at how credit works in the UK and Germany. 

Reaching out to older, more experienced people can be pretty daunting to young professionals. We are oftentimes intimidated by individuals who are very accomplished on paper and are wondering what value we can even add to a conversation with our limited life and work experience.And yet everyone around us keeps stressing the importance of having mentors. But how to find them?This week, we are joined by Sanyin Siang, Executive Director of the Coach K Leadership & Ethics Center at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and adjunct associate professor with Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. Sanyin is currently ranked as the world's #1 Executive Coach by Thinkers50 and she is the author of the Launch Book. Sanyin is not only an incredible mentor herself but also loves debunking some common mentorship myths. On this episode, she shares advice on how to best approach potential mentors and how to be a good mentee. Sanyin strongly believes in the power of paying it forward and shares some beautiful anecdotes on how her mentees have added a lot of value to her life.This episode also features some endearing moments as our host Thamina admits her "girl crush" on Sanyin and how she had been admiring her from afar for years. Don't miss out on  a touching exchange between the two women as Sanyin offers Thamina some incredibly kind words of encouragement.Check out Sanyin's website here.Text "Leadership" or "Join" to 828 237 6119 to text with Sanyin (only available in the US & Canada at the moment)

Most women hate self-promoting themselves because we live in a society where women talking about their accomplishments is still frowned upon.Unfortunately, accomplishments do not speak for themselves and if we women don't speak up, we risk falling behind our self-promoting male peers and missing out on job opportunities. On this week's solo episode, Thamina is emphasizing the importance of self-promotion at work and is running you trough an interactive exercise to help you become more comfortable talking about your achievements.Check out the "I am Remarkable" initiative by Google.Access our FREE Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals Webinar on femmehive.com

Did you watch Marie Kondo's show or The Home Edit on Netflix? We sure did. So if you find color coded bookshelves and drawer dividers highly satisfying, then this episode is for you.This week, Thamina is talking to Lucy Milligan Wahl, Founder of LMW Edits, a professional organization company based in San Francisco. Lucy's mission is to bring common sense organizing solutions to modern urban living and has a lot of clients in their 20's who are fed up with the way they're living.On this episode, we find out how an organized home can be the foundation of a beautiful life that prioritizes the relationships, activities, and commitments that matter to us the most. Lucy also talks about the most common mistakes people make when trying to get organized and how we can set up a great "Working from Home" workspace. 

Bad luck with dating? You are not alone.Our host Thamina has had her fair share of bad experiences with love interests, including emotional and physical abuse. Fortunately, she has been in a very happy and successful (cross-continental long-distance) relationship over the past 2.5 years and has become her female friends' go-to person for relationship advice.On this week's episode, Thamina tells us how to identify whether someone you are seeing is actually interested and what qualities to look for in a good partner. 

What role do you want to play in this world? Many young professionals have absolutely no idea how to answer that question. And how would they in a world where our education systems are driving us towards specific professions rather than teaching us how to have an impact?Not knowing your purpose in life can cause a lot of frustration and overwhelm to people in their 20s, for some it might even lead to an existential crisis. To help us get closer to finding our purpose, we are joined by Dr. Leanne Armitage this week. Leanne’s mission in life is to inspire people to be the best version of themselves. She is doing so by sharing her story of the obstacles she has overcome in order to walk in her purpose. With The Armitage Foundation, Leanne is helping to increase diversity across UK medical schools and for her incredible work she was awarded the 2018 Queen’s Young Leaders award by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.On this episode, Leanne and Thamina talk about social mobility and how one traumatic childhood experience changed the trajectory of Leanne's life, allowing her to set course on becoming a doctor. 

Have you been lacking motivation at work and elsewhere lately? If so, you are not alone. After a year-long pandemic it is completely normal to experience a low.This week our host Thamina is opening up about her motivation slump over the past couple of weeks where she even considered changing jobs - but a perspective shift helped her regain her motivation. Thamina vulnerably talks about a tough start to 2021 and shares some tips that have allowed her to get back on track. If you want to indulge in some shared misery or need a bit of a pep talk this week, hit play.Please consider supporting us and our free content by donating a slice of pizza.

When to take a risk if not in your 20s? As young professionals, it can sometimes be difficult to challenge societal norms and expectations in exchange for our pursuit of fulfillment and happiness. Priyanka Venkannagari joined prestigious Bain & Company as a Consultant after graduating from Duke University in 2017 but temporarily left the company after two years to pursue an externship with the Africa Healthcare Network (AHN) in Tanzania. Instead of returning to her coveted job in the United States upon completion of her externship, Priyanka decided to stay in East Africa and is now working as AHN's Senior Director of Growth and Expansion. In this episode we talk about Priyanka's experience as a Consultant and what motivated her to leave Bain. She walks us through her thought process when she was confronted with making a tough decision and shares some great advice for anyone who is considering taking a leap of faith.

Investing in the stock market has a bad rep. It either seems too complicated or too risky. But that's actually not entirely true.Our Founder & Host Thamina is here to demystify the process of how to get started with investing in the stock market - explained in under 15 minutes. Spoiler alert: It's less complicated than you think it is, you just have to take the first step. Investing in stocks was absolutely crucial in order for Thamina to generate a ~70k net worth. She also explains why investing in general is the foundation for building wealth and what types of investment platforms, called brokers, are available in the US and Europe. Check out our free "Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals" webinar and get your copy of the "Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals" e-book, which goes into more depth and will help you adopt a money mindset.DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A REGISTERED FINANCIAL ADVISOR. I’M NOT MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT STOCKS OR OTHER FORMS OF INVESTMENTS TO INVEST IN. ALL MY OPINIONS ARE INTENDED AS EDUCATIONAL AND REFLECT MY OWN PERSONAL RESEARCH AND EXPERIENCE. I HOLD NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, LOSSES OR DAMAGES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS TAKEN BASED ON THE PROVIDED INFORMATION.

Should I go to grad school? Should I quit my job? Should I pivot in my career? Should I go to a bigger company? Should I join a smaller company?As young professionals who are at the beginning of our careers, it can be tough trying to figure out what we should do next on our quest towards a fulfilling, purpose-driven life (that also pays the bills!).This week we are joined by Melanie Okuneye who is currently pursuing her MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Prior to joining Stanford, Melanie worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in London and New York City. While she never planned for a career in finance, Melanie firmly believes that not limiting your career options early on is key to sustainable long-term success. Ever since Melanie joined the world of finance, she has been very strategic about her next steps, including returning to school. After Stanford, Melanie would like to further build out the infrastructure around African music to empower African artists and show diverse images of Africa to the world, empowering those in the diaspora. If you haven't already, make sure to grab your copy of the Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals E-book. Our host Thamina also recently launched a weekly "Monday Money Talks for Womxn" room on Clubhouse, so make sure to follow her @thamina.

Does preparing for your performance review seem like something you always do last minute without strategic preparation?It certainly used to feel like that for our host Thamina. In this episode, she walks you through why it is so important to come prepared for your performance review conversations in the first place and how you can put a strategic process in place that allows you to increase your chances of receiving a higher performance review rating without feeling too overwhelmed. Thamina recommends a few easy steps to take 6 months, 1 month, and 1 week before your performance review self-evaluation is due, which has allowed her to move from an "achieved expectations" to an "exceeded expectations" performance rating only one review cycle later. You can download our FREE Performance Review Checklist here.Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Thamina on LinkedIn.

What would our world look like if we all stopped pretending and started showing up as our true, authentic selves? Both our host Thamina and this week's guest believe we all would be a whole lot happier and more successful.Jessica Zweig  is an award-winning entrepreneur, personal branding expert, the founder and CEO of SimplyBe. Agency and a soon-to-be-published author! She works with "entrepreneurs, creatives, CEOs and the companies they lead to help them grow on and offline by leveraging the most powerful marketing tool on the planet: authenticity".As most young women in their 20s are still trying to figure out who they are and what role they want to play in this world, being brave enough to show up as unapologetically authentic can sometimes be more daunting than giving in to society's expectations. Jessica has an important message to all young women who are still struggling: "Just ride the wave. It's all good."You can pre-order Jessica's book "Be. A No Bullsh*it Guide to Increasing Your Self Worth and Net Worth by SimplyBeing Yourself" here. It officially drops on February 16th, 2021.If you haven't already, don't forget to grab your copy of the "Personal Finances 101 for Young Professionals" E-Book.