Ornamental No More: Dr. Kalya Castillo on Identity, Hypervisibility, and Healing

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In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kalya Castillo—a Black and Japanese psychologist and trauma-informed therapist—joins Shawna to explore identity, racial ambiguity, and the lived experiences of multiracial individuals. Together, they unpack what it means to grow up without cultural mirrors, the coded messages around hair and professionalism, and how mixed-race identity can shape the way we’re seen, valued, and understood.

Kalya shares insights from her research on the hypersexualization of Black and Asian women, and how these dynamics often show up in the workplace and therapeutic settings. She also offers a deeply personal reflection on motherhood, internalized bias, and the work of helping others navigate the in-between spaces of identity with compassion and clarity.

Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:

• "How Are You?" A Question of Depth and Trust
• The Tahitian woman behind Paul Gauguin's paintings
• SheaMoisture - Break The Walls
• The Pain We Carry by Natalie Y. Gutiérrez
• What Is Trauma-Informed Therapy?
• Whites Distrust Biracial People When Their Racial Presentation Varies
• You're called a 'model minority' as an Asian American — until they decide you aren't

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Continue the conversation on Instagram and find Season 5 episodes on YouTube.

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