Women in Data Podcast

Rejection is something we all experience in our careers, but rarely talk about openly.

In this episode, Karen and Cecilia have an honest conversation about what setbacks actually feel like in data careers. From job rejections to ideas not landing and difficult feedback, they explore how these moments can impact confidence, identity, and growth.

Together, they share personal experiences, unpack the stories we tell ourselves after a “no”, and offer practical ways to reframe rejection without dismissing the emotional impact.

This episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t about being unaffected, it’s about learning how to process setbacks, build perspective, and keep moving forward in a way that’s sustainable and kind to yourself.

Have you ever stepped into a new role… and suddenly felt smaller than you expected?

You worked hard to get there. You have the experience. But a few weeks in, you walk into meetings and start second-guessing yourself. Everyone else seems more established, more confident.

And before you realise it, you start shrinking.

In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Karen is joined by Michelle Adebayo, Data and AI Governance Manager, who shares her experience of navigating imposter syndrome after joining an organisation where many colleagues had been there for decades.

Despite nearly a decade of experience in data governance, Michelle found herself stepping back in meetings, letting others speak for her, and questioning whether she really belonged. A candid moment with a mentor  forced her to confront what was really going on: fear.

Michelle shares how she rebuilt her confidence, learned the language of the organisation, and developed practical strategies to stay visible and influential in meetings.

If you’ve ever felt smaller in a role you worked hard to get, this episode will remind you of something important:

You earned your place. Your voice belongs in the room.

Are we becoming worse at our jobs because we use AI?

It’s a question so many of us are quietly asking. If AI can write the code, summarise the findings, build the deck… are we still building our skills, or slowly outsourcing them?

In this episode, I sit down with AI researcher Nora Petrova to unpack the guilt, the anxiety, and the real risk behind AI tools. But instead of fear-mongering, we focus on something practical: how to use AI as a learning accelerator.

Nora shares a simple but powerful framework:

Stay in the driver’s seat

Never outsource what you don’t understand

Use AI to invest in yourself, not automate yourself

Test whether you’re actually learning (or just feeling productive)

We also talk about the illusion of learning, the difference between junior and senior professionals in this new landscape, and how to navigate uncertainty without spiralling.

If you want to use AI confidently without losing your edge this episode is for you.

Tune in and rethink how you’re using AI today.

 Nora recommends to also watch: https://youtu.be/z3kaLM8Oj4o?si=Jr9amKNncuE4egKi

In this cohosted episode Karen and Cecilia reflect on questioning their careers in data from imposter syndrome and leadership doubts to navigating fast-moving industry change. They challenge the idea that seniority brings certainty, instead considering how ambiguity is constant and self-questioning can be an advantage. The conversation explores resilience, shifting environments, and detaching identity from job titles. They share a practical framework for gaining clarity: reflecting on strengths, tracking interests, learning from past roles, reality-checking through conversation, and defining what to start, stop, and continue—emphasising growth is an ongoing, imperfect process.

The hiring system carries bias, and it shows. While efforts are made to solve this, it’s important that we take ownership of our own career.

In this episode, Karen is joined by Nuria Muñoz, Global Talent Leader at Munich Re, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes in hiring, promotions and pay decisions.

They talk about why job descriptions are wish lists, why being a perfect match is actually a red flag, bold interview questions that change the dynamic, and how to handle high-pressure interviews with confidence. Nuria also shares negotiation strategies for salary offers and for promotions. For her, treating your career like a business plan is essential.

If you’ve ever hesitated to apply, struggled to negotiate, or wondered how to fast track your growth, this conversation is your playbook.

You don’t need permission to grow. You need strategy.