Ep 28 - The Mixed Race Experience: Dr. Jenn on Identity Shame & Finding Belonging

In this episode of Speak Shame, Dr Connie Kerali is joined by Dr. Jenn (Jennifer Noble), a licensed psychologist and parent coach specialising in children, teens, identity development, and the mixed-race population, and founder of Free to Be Collective. Dr Jenn shares her early life in Santa Monica shaped by diversity and international travel, and discusses her own mixed-race identity (African American and Sri Lankan Tamil) and how being read as Black influenced her understanding of perception and identity. She describes recognising a gap when mixed-race adults at community events revealed they had never processed identity with their parents, often feeling shame and pressure to choose one “box.” Dr Jenn explains her work helping parents understand the “third” mixed-race experience, increase intentional cultural exposure, and support adolescents navigating appearance, belonging, and assumptions. She highlights how societal expectations create shame and names Wangarī Maathai as a key inspiration.00:00 Mixed Race Identity Gap00:33 Meet Dr Connie Kerali01:09 Introducing Dr. Jenn02:47 Chapter One: Origins04:55 Finding Her Purpose08:27 The Need She Saw11:30 Coaching Parents Basics13:49 Cultural Exposure Matters16:53 Sade and Self Freedom19:40 Advice for Mixed Race Teens23:49 Key Takeaways for Everyone25:57 Connect with Dr Jenn27:23 Shame and One Box Thinking29:50 Remarkable Woman InspirationDR. JENN (JENNIFER NOBLE)INSTAGRAM: @DrJennPsychWEBSITE: FreeToBeCollective.com GET IN TOUCHJoin the community:@StoriesWithoutShame on InstagramSign up for the Stories Without Shame newsletter to join the movement.