In this episode of Embracing Intensity, host Aurora Remember sits down with Caroline J. Sumlin, author of We'll All Be Free: How a Culture of White Supremacy Devalues Us and How We Can Reclaim Our True Worth. Together, they explore the intersection of intensity, self-worth, and collective liberation.
Caroline shares her journey from feeling like she was "too much" to reclaiming her intensity as a gift. They dive into how societal systems—especially those rooted in white supremacy—fuel perfectionism, hustle culture, and the feeling of never being good enough. This conversation is both deeply personal and action-oriented, offering tools for doing the inner work to break free from these toxic systems and reclaim your inherent worth.
About Caroline J. Sumlin:
Caroline J. Sumlin is a writer, speaker, and educator whose work focuses on dismantling the toxic cultural messages rooted in white supremacy that tell us we are never enough. She empowers individuals—especially Black women and other marginalized communities—to reclaim their self-worth and reimagine a liberated, fulfilling life.
Her book, We'll All Be Free, blends personal narrative, social commentary, and actionable guidance to help readers break free from perfectionism, self-doubt, and societal pressure.
In This Episode:
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The Never-Enough Culture – How systems of white supremacy drive perfectionism and keep us striving to prove our worth.
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Intensity as a Gift – Caroline's journey from being labeled "intense" to recognizing her passion as a source of power.
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Masking and Cultural Expectations – The pressure on Black women to tone down their true selves and "fit in."
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Self-Discovery as Liberation – Why examining how systems shape our beliefs is essential to personal and collective freedom.
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Finding Outlets for Intensity – How Caroline channels her energy through writing, tennis, acting, and music.
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The Power of Rest and Reclaiming Time – How rest can be a radical act of resistance in a culture that values productivity over well-being.
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Navigating ADHD and Giftedness – Caroline's exploration into her own possible neurodivergence and her daughter's twice-exceptionality journey.
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Ripple Effect Change – Why small, intentional actions can lead to lasting, collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
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Your worth is not tied to your productivity.
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Systems of oppression benefit from keeping us feeling "not enough."
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Intensity is a strength when you learn to embrace and channel it.
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Rest is a radical act of resistance against hustle culture.
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Small, personal shifts can ripple outward to create collective change.
Resources & Links:
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Follow Caroline on Instagram & Threads: @carolinejsumlin
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Book: We'll All Be Free – Support independent bookstores via Bookshop.org
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