When You're the Only One in the Room Who Looks Like You

What does it cost to lead when you're "the only"? Dawn Stone, the Conflict Chick, knows what it's like to navigate leadership as the only Black woman in the room. This is a conversation about navigating the messy middle of major life changes in your career when microaggressions are constant and burnout is inevitable. About the anxiety of code-switching, proving yourself, and carrying representation. For anyone leading while being "the only." Dawn shares what it's like to mentor others while managing microaggressions yourself, how overthinking every word and move becomes survival, and why boundaries feel impossible when you're already fighting for a seat at the table. You'll hear about the grief of what leadership costs when you're breaking barriers, emotional regulation under constant scrutiny, and starting over when you realize the system wasn't built for you. In this episode: - The anxiety of being "the only" in leadership - Microaggressions and their cumulative toll - Overthinking every word when you're representing your race - Navigating major life changes in your career - Boundaries when you're already fighting for space - Burnout from carrying representation - Grief for what leadership costs - Emotional regulation under constant scrutiny - Mentorship while managing your own trauma If you've ever shrunk yourself to fit, questioned your worth in a room, or felt the pressure to be both exceptional and invisible, this one will hit. Because life isn't either/or—it's both. Resources & Links: - Listen to the companion podcast: It's Both- Guided Meditations for Anxiety, Emotional Regulation, & Real Life Transitions - Get Connected with Dawn Stone, The Conflict Chick - Get Dawn's new book Unburdened here - Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts - Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation - It's Both on Instagram & Youtube