#326 Finding Your Voice | Elaine Lin Hering, JD

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews keynote speaker and author Elaine Lin Hering about her book Unlearning Silence and the harms of feeling silenced, including resentment, depression, quiet quitting, and group catastrophes when crucial information is ignored, especially for minorities. Hering argues leadership advice to simply “speak up” misses that voice also depends on whether others honor it, and she defines silence as withholding self for others’ comfort. They discuss authenticity, the “low power double bind,” and how silence erodes a sense of self and agency. Hering distinguishes strategic silence from oppressive silence based on choice, describes self-, social-, and system-based silencing, and offers practical tools like saying “From where I sit” and clarifying decision roles (decider, consulted, informed). Both emphasize agency as the key skill that creates healthier norms and inspires voice in others.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Why Silence Hurts01:06 Meet Elaine Lin Hering01:49 Finding Your Real Voice06:29 Authenticity and Becoming10:08 The Business Case for Voice12:32 Low Power Double Bind16:30 Emotional Costs and Agency22:59 Strategic Silence vs Oppression25:16 Practical Tools to Speak Up33:09 Self Social and System Silence36:12 Agency as the Insider Skill38:37 Final Thanks and SubscribeHelpful Links:Elaine Lin Hering, JD WebsiteElaine Lin Hering, JD LinkedInElaine Lin Hering, JD InstagramElaine Lin Hering, JD YouTubeUnlearning Silence Book