Black women encounter unique challenges in the workplace, particularly concerning likability and stereotypes that can significantly impact their professional experiences. In this episode, Dr. Katrina Gipson joins Whitney to explore how Black women are often forced to navigate misogynoir - hatred or prejudice against Black women - and how this shows up in the workplace.Pulling from personal experience with health care in Georgia, Whitney and Dr. Gipson start by discussing medical racism. The conversation then shifts to the subject of one of Dr. Gipson's article titled "Black women don't owe you likeability," and the pair explore how Black women are expected to be likable in the workplace. They are judged based on their friendliness, approachability, and ability to make others feel at ease.Black women face penalties for not meeting these likability criteria. Penalties that become apparent in performance reviews and promotion decisions, and are noted with coded language like "not being a team player," "needs improvement in proactivity," and "could show more enthusiasm for her job." This can create a hostile work environment where Black women feel pressured to conform to certain expectations to avoid negative outcomes.The episode underscores the importance of allyship and solidarity in addressing the challenges faced by Black women in the workplace. It is crucial for individuals, especially those in positions of power, to actively support and advocate for Black women, challenging stereotypes and biases as they arise.Dr. Gipson emphasizes the necessity of creating inclusive work environments where Black women can be themselves without fear of judgment or backlash. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensuring that all voices are valued and respected, organizations can work towards dismantling harmful stereotypes and fostering a more equitable workplace.Dr. Gipson's message to listeners: you are enough and you are worthy.Subscribe to Impostrix Podcast here or on Youtube. Katrina A. Gipson, MD, MPH is an ER Physician, an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and Public Voices Fellow of AcademyHealth in partnership with The OpEd Project. Connect with Dr. Gipson on LinkedIn.Read articles by Dr. Gipson: "Black Women Don't Owe You Likeability" (Boston Globe)"As A Black Woman and Physician, It's Time To End Microaggressions in Medicine" (Ms. Magazine)"Imposter Syndrome, Like the “Strong Black Woman” Trope, Hurts Us" (Visible Magazine)Learn more about Impostrix Podcast at https://www.impostrixpodcast.com. Follow Whitney on IG @ImpostrixPodcast.Editor: Digital REMInterested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at [email protected] the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

In this episode, Whitney is joined by Aimée-Josiane ("AJ") Powell-Ingabire (they/them), a passionate activist and organizer, to discuss their journey and insights working within and alongside labor union organizers throughout the US. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:Courage Needed.AJ shared valuable insights into the significance of courage in the workplace, especially in the context of labor organizing. They highlighted the transformative nature of being in a union, emphasizing the collective solutions, protection, and empowerment that unions provide. AJ's perspective on unions as a means to a more equitable society resonates deeply with the need for collective action and solidarity in the workplace.Labor Unions Can Be Great, And Their History is One of ExclusionThe history of labor unions is complex and involves many things we shouldn't be proud of, including contradictions and exclusions faced by workers of color. And in fact, our learning of the labor movement is whitewashed and completely erases key events by and for Black workers, including the "Great Strike of 1861." AJ shed light on the importance of recognizing and addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities, including Black, trans, disabled, and immigrant workers. We Need Labor Movements for Real, Complex, People.Labor organizing must create spaces that prioritize access, comfort, and dignity for all workers. By advocating for disability justice and amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals, AJ exemplifies the importance of centering diverse perspectives in labor movements. Their focus on creating inclusive workplaces that empower all individuals, regardless of identity, sets a powerful example for fostering diversity and equity in the labor sector.Don't miss out on this enlightening episode of Impostrix Podcast, where AJ's insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for navigating imposter syndrome and advocating for inclusivity in the workplace. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives and inspiration for your own professional journey. 🌟This episode is available on YouTube! Watch here.Catch AJ on the airwaves also by listening to their podcast, Disciples of Courage. Follow AJ on Instagram at @DisciplesofCourage Let's continue the conversation on Facebook at the "Impostrix Podcast Validating Space" community group, and on IG @ImpostrixPodcastInterested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at [email protected] the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

Let's talk history y'all, and jump into the vibrant tapestry of how Caribbean people have had a profound impact on Black culture and the civil rights movement in the United States.In this episode, we had the pleasure of conversing with the brilliant Alexandria Miller, a Jamaican American doctoral student and host of Strictly Facts Podcast, who shared her wealth of knowledge on the subject. We explored the nuances of Black identity, particularly within the context of people within the Caribbean diaspora who have shaped and enriched Black American culture.Alexandria speaks on the significant contributions of Caribbean people,  highlighting historical figures like Marcus Garvey, Shirley Chisholm, and Malcolm X, whose roots and activism have been instrumental in the fight for equality and justice. We also touched on the complexities of language,  discussing the term "patois" and its cultural significance.Our conversation was not just about the past; it was a celebration of the ongoing influence of Caribbean culture in America, from the rhythms of Afrobeats to the entrepreneurial spirit of icons like Rihanna. Alexandria's personal journey and her mantra, "one one cocoa, full basket," reminded us of the importance of perseverance and the collective effort in achieving our goals.For those looking to deepen their understanding of the role Caribbean history, Alexandria's podcast Strictly Facts, is a biweekly treasure trove of history and culture that you won't want to miss. (We love her episodes, especially a recent episode on law, race, and sovereignty in Puerto Rico).Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Impostrix Podcast. Stay to the end to hear a transparent message from Whitney about cultural competency and continued learning. Remember, our stories and histories are interconnected, and by learning from each other, we continue to build a more inclusive and empowered community. Until next time, stay validated and keep making waves!Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode, and reach out to us at [email protected] with your thoughts and feedback!Connect with Alexandria on IG @StrictlyFactsPod and on her website, StrictlyFactsPod.comDo you want to watch this episode? It's available on YouTube!Interested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at [email protected] the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

Black spaces are so important. For many people in the United States, the default space is white space. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of Black spaces and the various ways that lack of Black spaces can impact Black professionals. Our guest is Talib Jasir, founder and CEO of Afros and Audio Podcast Festival, builder and holder of Black spaces. In this episode, Talib shares his personal journey and experiences as a Black man navigating work environments, reflecting on the challenges and complexities he faced. We discuss the power of community, the impact of socialization, and the need for Black voices to be heard and valued in the podcasting industry in particular. Talib also shares insights from his work as a life coach, emphasizing the importance of dismantling limiting beliefs and embracing one's own power. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the Black experience as we discuss the intersection of race, identity, personal and professional growth and the transformative potential of community and self-empowerment.Connect with Talib Jaseer:Instagram: @TalibJasirWebsite: talibjasir.comPodcast: Afros and Audio Black History Month Interview SeriesAfros and Audio Podcast Festival: afrosandaudio.comConnect with Whitney and Impostrix Podcast:Instagram: @ImpostrixPodcastWebsite: impostrixpodcast.comJoin the conversation and gain valuable insights into the Black experience, imposter syndrome, and the power of community. Subscribe to Impostrix Podcast and never miss an episode!Interested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at [email protected] the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

Autumn Walker, a therapist specializing in helping Black women navigate imposter syndrome joins Impostrix Podcast for the Season 2 premiere.  Autumn shares her insights on the experiences of Black women with imposter syndrome and the importance of combining mental wellness and personal development to confidently pursue purpose-driven goals. Autumn emphasizes the significance of recognizing imposter syndrome as a reinforced belief system that leads to self-doubt, self-criticism, and a lower sense of self-concept. She highlights the unique challenges faced by Black women due to cultural norms, systemic oppression, and historical patterns of marginalization. The conversation centers on the tool of unlearning and replacing distorted beliefs with more flexible and authentic ones. Autumn emphasizes the importance of validation, understanding the root causes of imposter syndrome, and setting alternative rules and expectations for oneself. The episode ends with Autumn’s three suggestions for moving through imposter syndrome, tune in to learn what they are! Watch this episode on YouTube!Connect with Whitney at https://www.impostrixpodcast.com. Interested in continuing the conversation in community with other listeners? Find Whitney and the community on Facebook in the “Impostrix Podcast Validating Space” Community. It’s free to join and a great way to get support  from other like-minded folks! Get your FREE "Working Within Your Values" Toolkit, here:To connect with Autumn:Instagram and LinkedIn @AutumnCWalkerFacebook @The Soul ReasonsText SOUL to 206-647-0594 to subscribe to Autumn’s weekly therapist tips messages Also, if you are a Black woman looking for a mental health therapist, reach out to Autumn who has launched Soul 2 Soul, a therapy concierge service linking you to vetted therapists specially matched to your needs! Be Validated! Interested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at [email protected] the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

Enjoy this season 2 trailer and be on the lookout for Episode 1, coming February 7, 2024!Join host Whitney Knox Lee, an attorney, mediator, and DEI consultant, as she tackles imposter syndrome, racial toxicity, and the impact of white supremacy and racial capitalism. Through intimate conversations with guests and practical tips, we validate each other's experiences and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of empowerment and change.Impostrix Podcast WebsiteJoin the Impostrix Podcast Validating Space Facebook community here!Email UsIG @ImpostrixPodcastSupport the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

We are back with another re-release, this time discussing colorism, imposter syndrome, our culture and how we show up at work, and how our culture impacts our idea of success. This isn't just a podcast episode; it's an immersive journey into self-discovery, cultural reflections, and empowering narratives. If you are an OG fan of Impostrix Podcast, you heard these conversations before in Episodes 4 and 5 of Season 1. You get both conversations in one this time around! Do you remember the first time like you felt like an imposter? In the opening segment of this conversation, Karla and Whitney spill the tea on how imposter syndrome leaves its mark on immigrants and people of color in the U.S. Karla, a bilingual and bicultural mental health therapist from Mexico, candidly shares her earliest memories feeling "imposter syndrome." Whitney jumps in, shedding light on the struggle of feeling like imposters even within her own community. It's a real talk moment.Then they talk colorism. Karla and Whitney dissect this sensitive subject, tracing its roots back to colonialism and white supremacy. They lay bare the current landscape, exploring how skin tone shapes opportunities and perceptions within families and communities. Parenting kids with varying brown skin tones? They've got you covered, navigating the complexities and responsibilities tied to combating colorism within families.And then there's racial capitalism! The hosts guide us through the challenges of building a career that is in alignment with their values, resisting the cultural norm of profiting off others' pain. Karla shares how her private practice's business model intentionally aligns with her cultural values, proving that financial success doesn't have to compromise integrity.To get in touch with Karla, visit her website, www.garciacounseling.com. You can also listen to her on the Spanish language radio show Aqui y Alla broadcasted on KDNA from Yakima, Washington.Interested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at [email protected] the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

This episode is so appropriate this month that I couldn't help but re-release it. After Dr. Claudine Gay announced her resignation as president of Harvard University, Black women around the country (myself included) are left reeling. Many of us have experienced this kind of treatment before, the peak level scrutiny and the "throw anything at the wall and see what sticks" gaslighting and manipulation. I stand proud of Dr. Gay for protecting her peace and her energy. And this is why Impostrix Podcast is so necessary.Become a monthly donor!Receive your freebie! Working Within Your Values ToolkitSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterEpisode Description from Season 1, Ep. 11:What does it take for Black and Latino/a/x scholars to break through the gatekeeping in academia? In this episode, we gain a deeper understanding of the struggle women of color encounter in the pursuit of tenure and how these inequities are reshaping the landscape of higher education.  Katie Acosta Ph.D., an academic trailblazer and fellow podcaster, shares her journey as a queer-identified, Afro-Latina professor and scholar navigating the complexities of higher education. In this conversation, Dr. Acosta discusses the impact of her identity on her career and on her experience working toward tenure. She gives truly cringe-worthy anecdotes about the barriers that exist for faculty of color (Black women even more specifically) in higher education which work as intended to drive away Black faculty and uphold the values of white supremacy. This discussion emphasizes the importance of intentional corrective actions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Acosta shares her thoughts on what must happen to create a higher ed that is equitable and inclusive toward Black and brown women. Whitney and Dr. Acosta share plenty of laughs as they get really real to address common excuses used by institutions who fail to hire and retain people of color, that live by color-blind ideology, and bend knees to legal and structural barriers that hinder racial and cultural representation and inclusivity.Katie L. Acosta, Ph.D., is a queer, Afro-Latina mother, sociologist, scholar, professor and consultant, author, AND podcaster. Her research specializations include gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, family, Latina/o studies and immigration.Learn more about Dr. Acosta!Check out Intersectionality in the American South Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Acosta, this show explores the experiences of BIPOC individuals in the South, shedding light on structural issues and resilience. Listen to Episode 7 to hear Whitney talk about advocating for incarcerated people in Georgia.Buy Dr. Acosta's book, Queer Stepfamilies: The Path to Social and Legal Recognition.Learn about Whitney and find ways to support the show at www.ImpostrixPodcast.comFollow Impostrix Podcast on IG @ImpostrixPodcast.And, if you loved this episode, rate it!Support the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

Happy New Year!There is so much opportunity in 2024 as I enter the new year in a completely different position than I anticipated. In this episode, I share with you what's going on with me, what's important (including diving in to my family history) and what my plans are to build a business. I also briefly check in on my feelings about Dr. Claudine Gay, Harvard's outgoing president.AND, let's start the new year off with a gift, shall we?To keep myself accountable to my values during this period of growth and new ventures, I created a "Working Within My Values" toolkit. It's available to you for free through the link above! The toolkit includes a BINGO card and reflection prompts! Listen to the episode to find out more, or reach out to me at [email protected], are you interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series for Season 2? Your gift of $100 or more pay for an editor for 1 episode and will ensure that the quality and content of Impostrix Podcast is at the highest possible level. Topics are:- Black History- Women's History- Returning to Work After Incarceration- Mental Health, Work, and RaceIf interested, please reach out to me at [email protected] ready to be a sponsor? No worries, learn about the other ways you can support the show.Support the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast

Well this is exciting!This is our first crossover episode featuring the Tea with Tanya Podcast! In this episode, Whitney joins Tanya as they share dig deeper into the imposter syndrome narrative, self-doubt and self-sabotage. They both share their experiences navigating and reframing imposter syndrome and overcoming self doubt to enjoy their personal and professional lives. The conversation delves into the internal struggles individuals face, the fear of failure, and the guilt associated with success, particularly in communities of color. Tanya, opens up about her own imposter syndrome, especially as a high achiever in a graduate school setting. She discusses the challenges of being the only black person in her class, battling self-doubt, and feeling the need to downplay her achievements. Whitney and Tanya explore how imposter syndrome contributes to self-sabotage, inhibiting their ability to fully embracing opportunities and recognizing her worth.In this discussion, Whitney and Tanya highlight the importance of extending themselves grace, establishing boundaries, and acknowledging that seasons in life change. They stress the need for self-care, understanding personal limitations, and learning to navigate imposter syndrome to live authentically and with purpose. The episode provides valuable insights and relatable anecdotes for listeners grappling with imposter syndrome.More about Tea with Tanya PodcastTea With Tanya is created and hosted by Tanya Ambrose, a Maternal Health professional, Nonprofit Founder, and Grad Student spilling the tea on finding balance and promoting positive living while doing it all. Tea With Tanya is dedicated tothe modern, multifaceted woman looking to embrace her true potential and live a vibrant, fulfilling life.  Every Tuesday, join Tanya in the Tea Tasting room as she delves into the diverse aspects of womanhood, exploring topics ranging from women's health, self-development, maternal health, and the art of holistic well-being. Whether you're seeking guidance on cultivating a healthy mindset, understanding your body, or finding balance amidst the demands of motherhood and womanhood, this podcast is here to serve you! So tune in as we educate and empower you on this journey to becoming the Boss of your health and wellness.Connect with Tanya:Listen to Tea with Tanya PodcastSubscribe to the Tea Talk NewsletterFollow on IG @TeaWithTanyaPodcast Connect with Whitney on IG @ImpostrixPodcastSupport the showSUBSCRIBE to the Validating Voice NewsletterSUPPORT Impostrix Podcast