In this deeply personal episode of Unleash Your Voice, I’m sharing the story I’ve never told in full: How my so-called “dream job” as a TV anchor nearly broke me. From the outside, I had it all: a high-profile role, a steady voice on morning shows, and a path I’d worked toward since childhood. But behind the scenes? It was costing me my mental health.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a role you once wanted more than anything, only to feel drained, diminished, or disconnected—you are not alone. I walk you through my journey: from delivering newspapers as a kid to anchoring the news, enduring microaggressions and toxic leadership, and finally making the bold leap into a new chapter that aligned with my worth, values, and mental health.

This episode is for anyone questioning whether they’re meant for more and needing permission to choose themselves.

✨ What you'll hear:

• The behind-the-scenes truth of my newsroom career (and what finally pushed me to leave)
• How therapy, storytelling, and community helped me reclaim my power
• Why building a Power Story isn’t just about getting the next job, it’s about remembering who you are
• Why leaving a toxic job is not failure, it can be the start of your next chapter

This one’s for anyone who feels stuck in a job that’s draining their spirit. You’re not imagining it. You’re not alone. And you deserve better.

🔗 Plus, I’m sharing my free on-demand Power Story Masterclass here to help you start crafting a story that reflects your full power, potential, and voice.

Because no job is worth your peace. And your story? It’s the key to unlocking the future you deserve.

A Power Story is your unique story - it highlights how you're different. Your Power Story should include your passion, values, the themes from your life and career, and micro-stories.

You don't just need this story in job interviews or for your website or speaker bio. You need these stories in every day life - especially at work. Your personal brand is being built whether you're doing it intentionally or not (but if I'm being real...you should be doing it intentionally).

When you have this core story, it will lead to you being able to talk about yourself confidently and effectively. You'll build better personal and professional relationships and stand out in job interviews with ease.

If you're ready to build your Power Story and to learn how to use it in the professional world, you can join my FREE Power Story Codes Workshop next week. More info here: https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/the-career-confidence-codes

If you've been listening to the pod for awhile - you'll remember Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa from episode 24. She's the first repeat guest we've had!

Chika was the only Black medical student in her class at the University of Toronto in 2016 and she became an advocate for more diversity and inclusion in healthcare.

Since then she has accomplished A LOT - she was her class valedictorian in 2020, named one of Time's Next Generation leaders in 2021, and now she's a Mom of two and a published author.

Chika's book Unlike the Rest: A Doctor's Story is a memoir that reads like a novel - it chronicles her childhood dream of going to medical school and the challenges and the successes she experienced along the way. It's raw, powerful, and insightful as Chika dives into topics including racism, disordered eating, body image, and finding her place when the odds were against her.

You'll get a behind the scenes look at how this book came to be in this episode.

You can find Chika's book Unlike the Rest: A Doctor's Story here: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/unlike-the-rest-a-doctors-story/9781443466264.html