October 18, 2025 • 44 mins
What happens when the fear of “messing up” keeps us from speaking, connecting, or including others?
We are thrilled to welcome Brittany Martin Déjean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart, for a conversation about FOMU—the fear of messing up—that holds back well-intentioned people and feeds exclusion.
Brittany knows this from both sides. At 12, after her father was paralyzed in a car accident and her brother was killed, she returned to school only to find silence. Classmates, afraid of saying the wrong thing, said nothing at all—leaving her isolated. Years later, she found herself making the same mistakes toward others.
Our conversations are always organic and you're encouraged to contribute questions. Join us live and shape the conversation in real time. We're looking forward to a deeply relevant discussion about how fear of making mistakes keeps us locked on the outside of "belonging". What might it take to build real connection through courage and compassion?
Brittany brings her lived experience and her professional expertise—leading disability inclusion at Airbnb, where she trained thousands across nine countries—to help us see how fear can give way
to growth, inclusion, and deeper humanity.
About Brittany Martin Déjean:
Brittany Martin Déjean is the founder of Inclusion Jumpstart with a mission to help non-disabled leaders get comfortable with disability to accelerate inclusion in business.
In the years after her dad was paralyzed in a car accident, she confronted the pervasive misconceptions about disability, forever transforming her awareness and understanding. She spent over 6 years at Airbnb as a disability inclusion and accessibility specialist. There she led workshops on disability inclusion and accessibility for over 1,000 employees and Airbnb hosts in nine countries.
These experiences reinforced what she had already seen throughout her career: many professionals hold deep-rooted misconceptions and unspoken fears about disability that create unnecessary barriers. Her conviction to change minds grew, as did her confidence that she was the right person to do it.
At her core, she is a daughter, mother, friend and colleague, who approaches her speaking, coaching and advocacy with deep empathy and compassion.
Connect with Britany:
www.inclusionjumpstart.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-martin-dejean/
Exposing the Hidden Reality is a weekly gathering for women who are ready to get real, ask better questions, and push back against the biases and barriers that shape our lives, work, and leadership.
Here, we:
✨ Dive into bold conversations with brilliant women
✨ Spotlight untold stories and truths
✨ Challenge hidden systems and social norms
✨ Share practical insights—with a side of sass and sisterhood
This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a platform for our collective voice.
Have you lived through something that exposed hidden biases, reshaped how you lead, or changed the way you see yourself and the world?
Women and allies who are ready to speak truth, to name what's been silenced, and to spark change through authentic conversation are always invited to join us so we can hear your story. This is a platform for our collective and individual voices; where your voice matters and your experience can light the way for others navigating similar terrain. Click Here to Apply
Connect with Exposing the Hidden Reality:
https://exposingthehiddenreality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exposingthehiddenreality
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exposingthehiddenreality
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exposingthehiddenreality
Connect with Annette Garsteck:
https://www.annettegarsteck.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettegarsteck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annettegarsteck
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@annettegarsteck
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@annette.garsteck
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AnnetteGarsteck
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettegarsteck
Connect with Sandra Wint:
https://www.me-her-us.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrabwint
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meherusllc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meherusllc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.wint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meherusllc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meherusllc
Photography of Sandra Wint + Annette Garsteck taken by Katie Garlock, Portrations | Intro and Outro Music + Stock Media provided by BlueFoxMusic / Pond5.
We are thrilled to welcome Brittany Martin Déjean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart, for a conversation about FOMU—the fear of messing up—that holds back well-intentioned people and feeds exclusion.
Brittany knows this from both sides. At 12, after her father was paralyzed in a car accident and her brother was killed, she returned to school only to find silence. Classmates, afraid of saying the wrong thing, said nothing at all—leaving her isolated. Years later, she found herself making the same mistakes toward others.
Our conversations are always organic and you're encouraged to contribute questions. Join us live and shape the conversation in real time. We're looking forward to a deeply relevant discussion about how fear of making mistakes keeps us locked on the outside of "belonging". What might it take to build real connection through courage and compassion?
Brittany brings her lived experience and her professional expertise—leading disability inclusion at Airbnb, where she trained thousands across nine countries—to help us see how fear can give way
to growth, inclusion, and deeper humanity.
About Brittany Martin Déjean:
Brittany Martin Déjean is the founder of Inclusion Jumpstart with a mission to help non-disabled leaders get comfortable with disability to accelerate inclusion in business.
In the years after her dad was paralyzed in a car accident, she confronted the pervasive misconceptions about disability, forever transforming her awareness and understanding. She spent over 6 years at Airbnb as a disability inclusion and accessibility specialist. There she led workshops on disability inclusion and accessibility for over 1,000 employees and Airbnb hosts in nine countries.
These experiences reinforced what she had already seen throughout her career: many professionals hold deep-rooted misconceptions and unspoken fears about disability that create unnecessary barriers. Her conviction to change minds grew, as did her confidence that she was the right person to do it.
At her core, she is a daughter, mother, friend and colleague, who approaches her speaking, coaching and advocacy with deep empathy and compassion.
Connect with Britany:
www.inclusionjumpstart.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-martin-dejean/
Exposing the Hidden Reality is a weekly gathering for women who are ready to get real, ask better questions, and push back against the biases and barriers that shape our lives, work, and leadership.
Here, we:
✨ Dive into bold conversations with brilliant women
✨ Spotlight untold stories and truths
✨ Challenge hidden systems and social norms
✨ Share practical insights—with a side of sass and sisterhood
This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a platform for our collective voice.
Have you lived through something that exposed hidden biases, reshaped how you lead, or changed the way you see yourself and the world?
Women and allies who are ready to speak truth, to name what's been silenced, and to spark change through authentic conversation are always invited to join us so we can hear your story. This is a platform for our collective and individual voices; where your voice matters and your experience can light the way for others navigating similar terrain. Click Here to Apply
Connect with Exposing the Hidden Reality:
https://exposingthehiddenreality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exposingthehiddenreality
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exposingthehiddenreality
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exposingthehiddenreality
Connect with Annette Garsteck:
https://www.annettegarsteck.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettegarsteck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annettegarsteck
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@annettegarsteck
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@annette.garsteck
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AnnetteGarsteck
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettegarsteck
Connect with Sandra Wint:
https://www.me-her-us.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrabwint
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meherusllc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meherusllc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.wint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meherusllc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meherusllc
Photography of Sandra Wint + Annette Garsteck taken by Katie Garlock, Portrations | Intro and Outro Music + Stock Media provided by BlueFoxMusic / Pond5.
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