Words of Wisdom on the Road to Becoming
February 17, 2025
Kultur’d podcaster Quammie debuts with a chatty and inspiring guide to finding one’s way in the world. Loosely tracing how her divorce spurred her to rebuild her life, she highlights the small joys of new beginnings, recalling, for example, the sense of possibility afforded by picking out her own IKEA furniture. She also celebrates taking baby steps toward intimidating goals and finding a partner with whom to “drop all pretense... and just be yourself” (the energy normally spent worrying about a partner’s judgments can be used to strengthen the relationship). While some sections tread familiar ground, others use Quammie’s experience as an “overachieving Black girl who grew into an overachieving Black woman” to anchor valuable advice on negotiating power dynamics in professional spaces. For example, she argues that avoiding displays of humility can cut off opportunities for connection (“Each time you... reply with an emphatic ‘thank you!’ you’ll create room for something more”), and provides guidance on grappling with imposter syndrome. Readers will feel empowered.