28. I’M BACK! Where I’ve Been, & Where We’re Going From Here

On episode 28 of 'A Chat with Uma,' I return to the podcast after a year-long hiatus to launch its next era! In this raw, unfiltered, tell-all episode (in true Uma fashion, of course), I talk us through the wild year that led to my unexpected hiatus, my PhD journey, the unexpected adjustment of navigating this new chapter, and the paralyzing fears that kept me from picking the mic back up up again. I open up about perfectionism, the overwhelming realization that people (including scientists and clinicians!) were actually listening, and the endless self-doubt that stifled me. Most importantly, I share all of the reasons that led me to come back - how I’m facing my fears and self-doubt, learning to accept imposter syndrome, making space for my health & well-being amongst all of my values-driven work, and letting myself be seen. I’m so grateful to be back here with you and can’t wait for everything to come for us!

Topics Discussed (+ Timestamps):

(00:00:00) HI! We’re BACK!

(00:01:40) The unplanned hiatus

(00:05:00) Moving to Madison, beginning my Ph.D, and navigating constant transition & uncertainty

(00:18:00) The overwhelm & burnout of it all

(00:25:40) Imposter syndrome, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the paralyzing fear of being seen

(00:36:00) The comeback: How and why I’m facing all of my fears to be here and show up fully

(00:53:20) What’s coming next for the podcast?

(01:00:00) Gratitude, reflections, and moving into our next era

Connect with me!

• My website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠umarchatterjee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Twitter:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• TikTok:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Support my work:⁠https://ko-fi.com/umarchatterjee⁠
• Have a guest you want on the show? Fill out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Suggestion Form!⁠