In today’s episode, host Mary Tess Rooney (she/her) turns the tables and interviews Shanti Joy Gold (she/her). Shanti shares more about her journey, including the early days of her relationship working at the same company with her now-wife - before there were societal shifts in LGBTQ+ acceptance. She discusses the tightrope of balancing her personal and professional life while experiencing the exhaustion and isolation of hiding her relationship in order to maintain a sense of professional safety. Mary Tess and Shanti also reflect on the first 10 episodes of the podcast, discussing key moments from the wide-ranging and deeply-personal stories shared by underrepresented guests and allies. Mary Tess and Shanti express gratitude for the vulnerability with which the guests have shared in order to use their stories in service of others - transforming the systemic challenges that marginalized people often face into opportunities for hope, healing, evolution, connection and empowerment.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, helps underrepresented people confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

Mary Tess Rooney is a teacher, healer, professional coach, retreat leader, speaker and perpetual student. As a 25-year corporate warrior, her executive presence combined with her coaching and Shamanic Reiki healing gifts, uniquely qualifies her to empower others to share their Heart Value and align with what lights them up.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Mary and I also discuss:

• Remembering the “do we want to keep going?” conversation that Shanti and her now-wife revisited throughout their early days as they assessed the career risks associated with their relationship
• Exploring the opportunity to ask deeper questions and share our stories more freely to foster deeper connection with people in our lives
• Explaining the experience of constantly “filtering” and “scanning” conversations / situations to engage with colleagues while trying to avoid suspicion - and the exhaustion of it all
• Sharing anecdotes about not “getting away with things” - and the humorous moments in Mary Tess’s and Shanti’s lives that offered this awareness

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Podcast Spotify playlist
Take the Free Thriving Assessment
Book a Free Discovery Call
Work with Shanti!

CONNECT WITH MARY TESS ROONEY
Buy Mary Tess’s Book
Listen to the True Stride Podcast
Work with Mary Tess!

In this episode, Brett D'Alessandro (he/him) shares his journey from active military service as a Marine in Afghanistan to founding Backpacks for Life - a nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless and at-risk veterans. Drawing from his own difficult reintegration into civilian life after a tough deployment, Brett’s work with veterans is rooted in establishing trust and making them feel human again. He shares about his struggles with alcohol addiction - and how a chance encounter with a homeless veteran helped him find his purpose and open the door to recovery. He emphasizes that seeking help when struggling is a sign of strength, and shares a wide range of available therapeutic approaches. He expresses gratitude for the clarity, strength and resilience he gained from overcoming hardships, and how - while he’s still human - it has made him a better person in every aspect of his life.

Brett D’Alessandro is the Founder of Backpacks for Life, a nonprofit that supports homeless and at-risk veterans. He also owns Golden Door Dispensary, where he focuses on innovation and exceptional service in the cannabis industry. His career is shaped by a commitment to giving back and creating meaningful solutions for underserved communities.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, helps underrepresented people confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Brett and I also discuss:

• Navigating the specific challenges he faced after returning home from war - “They train you how to go to Afghanistan and how to survive, but they don't tell you how to leave.”
• Discussing how words matter - and how communicating with kindness and empathy can change outcomes and create positive results
• Realizing that, at times, we can all become jaded in our work - and the importance of having the presence of mind to catch ourselves and reconnect to our purpose
• Connecting with other like-minded people is an important part of navigating through challenging times
• Understanding that success isn’t about perfection - it’s about the important lessons we can only learn when things don’t go as planned

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH BRETT D’ALESSANDRO
Backpacks for Life (BFL) - learn more or donate!
BFL on LinkedIn
BFL on Instagram
BFL on Facebook
BFL on X (Twitter)
ROGER - a resource website for NJ veterans

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Podcast Spotify playlist
Take the Free Thriving Assessment
Book a Free Discovery Call

In this episode, Ruth Rathblott (she/her) shares her story of finding the courage to reveal her limb difference after the exhaustion and loneliness of hiding it for 25 years. She reveals the deep relief that comes from vulnerably letting others in, embracing her true self - and experiencing the power of connection and community. She also emerges with a mission to help leaders transform cultures so their employees can unhide, thrive and belong. Ruth offers practical steps to catch the ways in which we each may be building walls in an attempt to fit in and avoid judgment - and the empowering choices we can make to emerge into our full truth and potential.

Ruth Rathblott is a disability specialist and inclusion expert who empowers leaders to foster an inclusive and diverse culture of unhiding in order to unleash untapped potential and ignite innovation. She is a bestselling author who has published two books, including this year’s “Unhide and Seek: Live Your Best Life. Do Your Best Work.” She is also a TEDx and inspirational speaker.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, helps underrepresented people confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Ruth and I also discuss:

• Understanding the importance role leaders play in creating spaces for employees to feel safe to unhide - and the opportunity to model this behavior by being vulnerable and prioritizing connection
• Expanding the view of what we may be hiding - including neurodiversity, relationship status, financial situation, education level, trauma, family background, health, difficult family relationships and more….
• Looking at the ways that hiding limits our presence in the moment, leads other people to make assumptions about our behavior - and may create a limited view of our ability to make a contribution
• Examining the momentum of both hiding and unhiding

Thank you for listening! Check out all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH RUTH RATHBLOTT
Work with Ruth - speaking and consulting
Book - “Singlehandedly: Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection”
Book - “Unhide and Seek: Live Your Best Life. Do Your Best Work”
TEDx - “When I Stopped Hiding, I Found Freedom”
LinkedIn
Instagram
X (Twitter)
YouTube

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Podcast Spotify playlist
Take the Free Thriving Assessment
Book a Free Discovery Call
Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Justin Ayars (he/him), shares his journey to starting equalityMD, an LGBTQ+ telehealth platform that enables marginalized patients to enjoy affordable, affirming care in safe digital spaces - and become the superheroes of their own healthcare stories. Justin - a white, cisgender, gay man - has a story that starts in a showbiz family as the godson of Liberace...and gets more interesting from there. His eclectic professional journey brings him to an intersection of LGBTQ+ circles, where he consistently hears the question: “Where can I find a doctor who makes me feel safe?” Justin goes on to share a deeply-personal and shocking experience of discrimination he encountered in a medical setting - as well as statistics about the healthcare disparities that lead many people in the LGBTQ+ community to avoid health care altogether. Justin’s knowledge and experiences inspire him to mission-driven action, powerfully illustrating the impact of living deliberately and authentically.

Justin Ayars is a former healthcare trial lawyer turned healthtech entrepreneur. As the Founder of equalityMD, he is working to transform how the LGBTQ+ community perceives and receives healthcare - offering a telehealth platform that affordably connects them with culturally competent providers for all of their mental, physical and prescription healthcare needs.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, helps underrepresented people confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Justin and I also discuss:

• Examining our own intersectionality of identities - and how these different parts of ourselves can complement each other and lead to our fullest potential
• Demonstrating why “your network is really your net worth” and the importance of building trust and social capital over time
• Choosing to embrace the uncomfortable as an avenue to achieving transformative growth and impact
• Looking at an example of how being a white, cisgender male can open doors professionally - but may not prevent LGBTQ+ bias
• Exploring how music can “...uplift the soul and speak to the height of what the human condition can attain - if only we stay curious and look up”

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH JUSTIN AYARS
equalityMD Website
equalityMD Product Demo
Justin on LinkedIn
equalityMD on LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Spotify playlist
Take the Free Thriving Assessment
Book a Free Discovery Call Here
Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Amy Bobchek (she/her) joins the campfire in allyship with her friend, Shanti, and with “a whole bunch of people I've never met…I just want everybody to have a good [life]." Through the lens of a cisgender, white, heterosexual woman, Amy explores the meaning of allyship and its impact. She shares personal stories that illuminate the isolation some people face in the workplace due to their identity and the importance of proactively stepping in to support them when needed. She discusses how crucial it is to create environments where people can show up fully as themselves. Amy also shares a pivotal coaching experience that opened her up to approaching life through a deeply-curious lens, which transformed her career and directly contributed to her success.

Amy Bobchek is a former media sales leader who is currently Senior VP of New Business for Blackbaud's Workplace Culture and Compliance Training Division. She co-founded and helps run the non-profit BENEFIT, a coalition of musicians and community leaders committed to raising funds and awareness for charities supporting children in need.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, helps underrepresented people confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Amy and I also chat about the following:

• Witnessing her mom fiercely stand up for others - and how it shaped Amy’s views on what it means to be an ally
• Discussing Amy’s supportive feedback when Shanti shared her coming-out-at-work stories - and the central role it played in inspiring Stories We Haven’t Shared
• Examining gender bias and double standards in the workplace
• Sharing stories of an epic jam session and Amy’s unapologetic dislike of dad jokes

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH AMY BOBCHEK
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
DEI Training and Offerings
Non-Profit Work at BENEFIT Music
Loudoun Art Tours

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Spotify playlist
Take the Free Thriving Assessment
Book a Free Discovery Call Here
Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Farrah Hudson-Brown (she/her) discusses her career as a Black, heterosexual, cisgender woman in the predominantly white, male-dominated sales industry. She recounts a time when she worked on a sales team led by Shanti - and a memorable 1:1 meeting during which Shanti challenged Farrah to examine an observed pattern of shifting from openness to defensiveness. Farrah’s introspection following this conversation uncovered an awareness of fears related to her racial identity and feeling “different” in corporate settings, which led her to adopt a likable, team-player persona in order to feel safe. Frustration and resentment followed. Farah ultimately found inspiration in her Faith and her mother's advice to express her true self - returning to work with renewed commitment to showing up authentically, openly and powerfully.

Farrah Hudson-Brown has worked 20+ years in sales consulting in various industries, ranging from telecommunications, software and education. She is currently spending cherished time as the mom of two truly-adorable young sons. She is also focusing on early childhood development with a specific interest in Black male education.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Farrah and I also chat about the following:

• Accelerating success by tapping intuitively into one’s best self - and not looking externally for motivation and validation
• Shifting from being transactional at work to looking for opportunities to inspire others and add flavor
• Experiencing microaggressions and how they reinforce feelings of being different and unseen
• Accessing self-love and being untethered to make a positive impact

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and more about allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Spotify playlist
Book a Free Discovery Call Here
Work with Shanti!

CONNECT WITH FARRAH HUDSON-BROWN
Farrah is currently juggling two small boys. If you’d like to connect with her, please let me know and I’ll be glad to make the introduction.

In today’s episode, Eduardo Placer (he/him), a cisgender gay/queer man who is the proud descendant of refugees/immigrants, shares his journey to becoming a Story Doula and international public speaking coach. Eduardo recounts personal stories from his childhood - including a pivotal 2nd grade story featuring Sammy the Seal - that highlight the impact of being misunderstood, feeling shame and living untruthfully. He talks about his path to coming out in the 1990s, the healing he experienced by embracing his own narrative - and how he now joyfully empowers others to do the same. As a professionally-trained actor who suffers from self-described showtune-itis, he also randomly breaks out into song.

Eduardo Placer is the Founder of Fearless Communicators, helping game-changing leaders become more clear, connected and courageous communicators: “I think it's not about eliminating fear, but building a powerful relationship with it and allowing it to be our teacher….”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Eduardo and I also chat about the following:

• Exploring the dynamics of language and how it powerfully informs who we are in the world
• Understanding the intolerance of femininity in the male culture and how it differs from homophobia
• Recognizing when we are in a position of privilege - and the importance of standing in solidarity with our gender-expansive and trans communities
• Overreaching and over-performing to compensate for how others may perceive us as outsiders
• Choosing joy and love as a revolution

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and more about allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH EDUARDO PLACER
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Work with Eduardo!

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Spotify playlist
Book a Free Discovery Call Here
Work with Shanti!

In today’s episode, Karameli Faaee (she/they) shares her inspiring journey to becoming the 2017 US Women's Rugby World Cup captain and the first-ever woman to coach a professional US men's rugby team. Karameli vulnerably opens up about new layers of her story to honor her authenticity and empower others. She recounts how overcoming childhood adversity, along with being Indigenous / Polynesian and queer, have shaped her life and career. She discusses how she transformed self-doubt and limiting beliefs into joy and success. Karameli serves others from a place of abundance: “I feel my purpose in this world is to support people, highlight their superpower…and remind them that we're all born whole, perfect and complete.”

Karameli Faaee is the Director of Operations for Rugby4All, using flag-rugby as a vehicle to teach leadership, self confidence and teamwork to middle schoolers in New York City. She also coaches the highly-competitive New York Athletic Club men’s rugby team - and she is training to be a transformational coach.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 CAREER COACHING WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD, BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL HERE

Karameli and I also talk about the following:

• Effectively leading others – whether in sports or in their careers – is rooted in communication, clarity, affirmations and being present
• Grinding it out and performing from a place of scarcity are not sustainable and only lead to surface-level success
• Self-acceptance and self-love create the space for deep connection and inspiring others to be their best
• Receiving feedback about performance offers the gift of knowing what we’re doing well and where there are opportunities to grow

Inspired by Karameli's story? Share this episode with someone who needs a dose of inspiration. Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and be an ally for others. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH KARAMELI FAAEE
Instagram
Rugby4All

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
Instagram
Spotify playlist
Book a Free Discovery Call Here
Work with Shanti!