Season 1 Wrap-Up with Mary Tess Rooney: The Human Side of Working While Marginalized, the Power of Allyship - and 4 Takeaways to Show Up Fully in Your Success

In this Season One wrap-up, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) is joined once again by co-host Mary Tess Rooney (she/her). Together, we revisit the podcast’s founding intention: to create a campfire space and community where underrepresented people feel seen and more powerful as we navigate layered career paths - and invite allies to learn, listen and lead alongside us. We reflect on the stories that took our breath away - including moments of shocking injustice, quiet fear and powerful transformation. We explore the strategies we use to stay safe, the toll of hiding - and the eventual reckoning that leads to purpose-driven change. Tune in to hear more about four key takeaways for reclaiming fulfillment and success: taking small steps toward healing, the grounding power of presence and gratitude, the importance of joy, love, and kindness - and the strength we access through empathy for others. Season One closes with an enduring truth: shared experiences can change the world. Season Two, and a growing circle around the campfire, returns September 18.

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.

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, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

ACCESS SHANTI’S FREE THRIVING ASSESSMENT TO GET BIG-PICTURE CLARITY ON FOCUS AREAS FOR INCREASED FULFILLMENT, JOY AND IMPACT - https://shantijoygold.com/take-the-thriving-assessment/

Other stories shared by Mary Tess and Shanti at the campfire: 

• Understanding that the guests’ deeply-vulnerable shares offer an amazing opportunity for growth and expansion, since we don’t know how to do better until we know better.
• Recounting how discrimination is often compounded by silence - when no one speaks up or intervenes, the harm deepens.
• Sharing that hiding parts of ourselves is a defensive strategy to feel safe - stemming from fear of judgment, rejection and not belonging. 
• Discussing that overperformance is a common survival strategy for outsiders to compensate for not starting on an even playing field, but it’s deeply unsustainable.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all 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 MARY TESS ROONEY
Buy Mary Tess’s Book
Listen to the True Stride Podcast
Work with Mary Tess!

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
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