In this episode, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with her freshman-year roommate, Caren Lissner (she/her) — a news editor, reporter, essayist, and published novelist. Caren recently began sharing how housing insecurity and financial instability shaped her upbringing, including periods of living out of her car during college summers without anyone knowing. Caren shares what it was like to grow up navigating poverty alongside a parent’s mental illness, and how hiding those realities became a necessary way to cope. The conversation explores themes of outsiderhood, resilience, creativity, and the pressure to hustle quietly in an effort to break the cycle of instability. Caren reflects on how she never let go of her dreams, leaning into creativity as a way to heal herself and support others — and how determination and persistence shaped a path that finally felt like her own.

Caren Lissner is a news editor and reporter who currently writes for local news websites. Her humorous and serious essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. Her first novel, Carrie Pilby — an independent coming-of-age comedy-drama — was adapted into a feature film. She is currently working on a memoir, How We Became Homeless, which chronicles downward mobility from the 1980s to today.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior, and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment here to get clarity on where you’re excelling — and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact.

Other stories shared by Caren and Shanti at the campfire:

• Reflecting on the gradual unraveling of stability — from living modestly in a suburb to her mom’s mental illness quietly taking its toll over time.
• Sharing how publishing her Pennsylvania Gazette essay created space for others with similar financial insecurity to reach out and feel seen.
• Describing how Caren worked her way out of poverty one job at a time, squirreling away money and continuing to take small steps toward supporting herself and her family.
• Offering her belief that everyone’s story matters, and that telling it can help someone else feel less alone.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for stories and insights on navigating your career as an outsider — and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review!

Learn more about the podcast at storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH CAREN
Read Caren’s Work
Penn Gazette Essay "Close Your Eyes"
Buy Carrie Pilby - The Book
Watch Carrie Pilby - The Movie
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In this episode, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with Felix Sutherland (they/them), a white, queer, nonbinary, autistic coach whose work is shaped by their lived experience. Felix shares their stories of self-recognition around identity and neurodivergence - along with the relief, grief, and clarity that surfaced as they began to understand and share themselves more fully. The conversation explores allyship, including the advice to stay present and engaged when discomfort arises. Felix discusses themes of masking, workplace safety, and the emotional labor required to navigate systems not designed with neurodivergent or nonbinary people in mind. They also reflect on how overcompensating through perfectionism and overachievement leads to deep exhaustion, and how cultivating self-trust supports a shift toward work that is aligned, joyful, and sustainable.

Felix Sutherland helps high-masking and late-/un-diagnosed autistic and ADHD folks sort through the identity crises that come with understanding your brain for the first time in adulthood. They offer coworking sessions, 1:1 coaching - and more - to help people build more joyful relationships with themselves and others.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment here to get clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact.

Other stories shared by Felix and Shanti at the campfire:

• Recounting the range of reactions Felix experienced after sharing their pronouns at work, from support to subtle resistance.
• Sharing how an unexpected layoff disrupted ideas of safety at work and, in the end, offered a sense of freedom.
• Exploring what the words “queer” and “nonbinary” mean to Felix - and their experience of how others within the LGBTQIA+ community relate to the language
• Learning about Felix’s passion for roller derby and what the sport is actually about (hint: not throwing elbows).

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for stories and insights on navigating your career as an outsider — and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review!

Learn more about the Stories We Haven’t Shared podcast at storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH FELIX
Work with Felix!
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Facebook
Mailing List
Coworking

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Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Shanti (she/her) welcomes Ally Sunberg (she/her), a marketing leader and long-time LGBTQ+ workplace advocate. Ally shares her journey of embracing her bisexual identity and navigating what it means to show up authentically in her career. She unpacks the tension between how she naturally presents, her discomfort with traditional “femme” business attire norms, and the assumptions that often lead her into repeated coming-out moments - whether about her sexuality or the significant age difference with her wife. She reflects on formative career experiences - from early conversations about her identity to leading her company’s Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) - that shaped her confidence and her commitment to creating safer spaces for others. She explores how identity, family, and resilience intersect, and how embracing the dynamic “messy middle” has helped her grow as a leader and a person.

Ally Sunberg is a corporate strategist and marketer who leads the development of innovation pipelines for consumer products - from early-stage ideation through feasibility and execution. She is a values-driven leader committed to inclusive leadership and creating space for others to thrive. Ally believes that insight and empathy are as essential as data and discipline.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment here to get clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact.

Other stories shared by Ally and Shanti at the campfire:

• Reflecting on the ongoing “scanning” LGBTQ+ people navigate, and how her daughters inspire her to show up without hesitation.
• Recounting the emotional labor of repeated coming-out moments and how leading the Pride ERG helped her take control of her narrative.
• Exploring how marathon training teaches Ally to break life into small, manageable moments.
• Sharing the layered experience of being in a same-sex relationship with a significant age gap.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for stories and insights on navigating your career as an outsider — and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review!

Learn more about the Stories We Haven’t Shared poscast at storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH ALLY
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Book a Free Discovery Call
Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with Chris Ruden (he/him) - keynote speaker, powerlifter, disability advocate, and competitor on The Rock’s Titan Games. Born with a limb difference and later diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Chris shares how he spent years perfecting the art of hiding - keeping his hand in his pocket, wearing a glove, and meticulously planning ways to blend in. He talks about the weight of ableism, both external and internal, and how unlearning it required facing layers of shame and self-protection he didn’t know he carried. What followed wasn’t a sudden transformation, but a steady reclamation - and the belief that difference itself can be a source of power. Chris also shares how curiosity - his own and others’ - opens the door to inclusion, connection, innovation, and unlocking the best version of ourselves.

Chris Ruden is a transformational keynote speaker, change management expert, author, and disability inclusion advocate. He leverages his story of overcoming adversity to help organizations build trust and resilience - bringing his message of “creating your world without limits” to impact people around the world.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment here to get clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact.

Other stories shared by Shanti and Chris at the campfire:

• Exploring how lasting change grows from small, winnable moments that build confidence - encouraging risk-taking and opening the door to possibilities.
• Recounting the middle-school moment when a classmate’s cruel taunting set off years of hiding and self-doubt.
• Discussing that habits are not identity - and the freedom that comes from knowing we can choose differently at any moment.
• Reflecting on a period of numbing that ended with a little girl’s unfiltered love - sparking a cascade that led Chris to share his disability publicly.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for stories and insights on navigating your career as an outsider — and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t Shared at storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH CHRIS
Work With Chris!
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Book - The Art of Changing Course
Book - The Upper Hand

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
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Podcast Spotify playlist
Book a Free Discovery Call
Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with chef Anita Lo (she/her), a gay, Asian, gender-nonconforming woman, Michelin-starred culinary innovator, Food Network competitor, and pioneer in contemporary-American cuisine. Anita reflects on growing up as a person of color and outsider in the Midwest: the taunts she endured, the resilience they fueled, and what it means to succeed on her own terms in an industry eager to define her. She shares how kitchens became a place of belonging despite their relentless pace and demands, and how her intersectional identity shaped her approach to her culinary journey. The conversation closes with the Thrive Takeaway: be tenacious, believe in yourself, and keep moving toward what makes you happy.

Anita Lo is a multiple-award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author - and the first female chef to collaborate on a White House State Dinner. She is currently the Culinary Director of Stylus, a private club on the Lower East Side dedicated to the ephemeral arts (opening early 2026). She also hosts culinary tours around the world with Tour De Forks, a luxury travel company specializing in custom-designed epicurean adventures.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment to get instant clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact: shantijoygold.com/take-the-thriving-assessment

Other stories shared by Anita and Shanti at the campfire:

• Recounting Anita’s sweltering first kitchen job, where illness and exhaustion gave way to the realization she was exactly where she wanted to be.
• Taking the leap to open the award-winning restaurant, Annisa - and why creative freedom outweighed stability.
• Reflecting on the joy and focus found in the “Tetris rhythm” of the kitchen line.
• Sharing Anita’s quirky passions - from mushroom foraging to unicycling - that fuel her artistry and joy.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for real stories and practical insights on navigating your career as an outsider - and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast!

Learn more about the Stories We Haven’t Shared podcast at storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH ANITA
Tour de Forks
Stylus
Instagram
LinkedIn
Anita’s Cookbooks
More About Anita

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
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Book a Free Discovery Call
Work with Shanti!

In the Season 2 premiere, host Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with her dad, Rondavid Gold (he/him), to revisit the moment she nervously came out to him. They reflect on how Rondavid met the news by prioritizing Shanti’s happiness, a response that quickly replaced fear with unconditional love and modeled true allyship. The conversation also acknowledges that while Rondavid's acceptance was immediate, many loved ones need time to adjust to reframed expectations - and that patience and grace are part of the journey. Shanti shares how years of secrecy shaped her leadership style, and how bringing her full self to work transformed her career, her teams, and their results. The episode closes with the inaugural Thrive Takeaway, revealing why ‘be yourself; everyone else is already taken’ is a powerful way of operating in work and life.

Rondavid Gold is a retired ad guy who spent 50 years as a copywriter, partner and CEO providing advertising, marketing, branding and PR for clients. He’s a Veteran, published author and active musician. Due to his many interests, a dedicated exercise routine (initiated by his wife) and multiple philanthropic/volunteer efforts, he’s one heck of a busy retired guy.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment to get instant clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact: shantijoygold.com/take-the-thriving-assessment

Other stories shared by Shanti and her Dad at the campfire:

• Reminiscing about the Yankees rain-delay conversation where Shanti shared why she didn’t plan to have kids - and Rondavid’s evolving thoughts on grandparenthood.
• Remembering Shanti’s stepmom’s light-bulb moment of acceptance and understanding.
• Recounting how Shanti strongly resisted a sales path, until an internship revealed unexpected enjoyment and launched a decades-long career.
• Talking about a charity concert around a historic Rachmaninoff piano - and sharing a perfectly-timed Dad joke.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for real stories and practical insights on navigating your career as an outsider - and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast!

Learn more at storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH RONDAVID GOLD
Book - Because of Eve (Thriller)
Book - Selling (Without Selling)...With Wife, Carol
Rondavid Performs “Shanti and Me”
Rondavid's Website
The Project R Story from Ep. 14
Tuesdays With Shanti’s Dad

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Podcast Spotify playlist
Work with Shanti!

In this Season One wrap-up, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) is joined once again by co-host Mary Tess Rooney (she/her). Together, we revisit the podcast’s founding intention: to create a campfire space and community where underrepresented people feel seen and more powerful as we navigate layered career paths - and invite allies to learn, listen and lead alongside us. We reflect on the stories that took our breath away - including moments of shocking injustice, quiet fear and powerful transformation. We explore the strategies we use to stay safe, the toll of hiding - and the eventual reckoning that leads to purpose-driven change. Tune in to hear more about four key takeaways for reclaiming fulfillment and success: taking small steps toward healing, the grounding power of presence and gratitude, the importance of joy, love, and kindness - and the strength we access through empathy for others. Season One closes with an enduring truth: shared experiences can change the world. Season Two, and a growing circle around the campfire, returns September 18.

Mary Tess Rooney is a teacher, healer, professional coach, retreat leader, speaker and perpetual student. As a 25-year corporate warrior, her executive presence combined with her coaching and Shamanic Reiki healing gifts, uniquely qualifies her to empower others to share their Heart Value and align with what lights them up.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

ACCESS SHANTI’S FREE THRIVING ASSESSMENT TO GET BIG-PICTURE CLARITY ON FOCUS AREAS FOR INCREASED FULFILLMENT, JOY AND IMPACT - https://shantijoygold.com/take-the-thriving-assessment/

Other stories shared by Mary Tess and Shanti at the campfire:

• Understanding that the guests’ deeply-vulnerable shares offer an amazing opportunity for growth and expansion, since we don’t know how to do better until we know better.
• Recounting how discrimination is often compounded by silence - when no one speaks up or intervenes, the harm deepens.
• Sharing that hiding parts of ourselves is a defensive strategy to feel safe - stemming from fear of judgment, rejection and not belonging.
• Discussing that overperformance is a common survival strategy for outsiders to compensate for not starting on an even playing field, but it’s deeply unsustainable.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me below to share your key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH MARY TESS ROONEY
Buy Mary Tess’s Book
Listen to the True Stride Podcast
Work with Mary Tess!

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Podcast Spotify playlist
Book a Free Discovery Call
Work with Shanti!

In this episode, Shanti welcomes Lisa Hurley (she/her), a Black, Caribbean-born woman in her mid-50s with autism and ADHD — who shares her journey as an award-winning activist, writer, podcaster and community builder. Lisa powerfully describes a shocking discriminatory incident on a bus that reveals not only the harm of overt racism, but also the quieter betrayals of silence, gaslighting and complicity. She offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in workplaces that are rarely designed with them in mind, leaving them feeling uncomfortable and isolated. Lisa shares how the compounded stresses of racism, neurodivergence and overwork led her to extreme burnout — and how that moment created a calling to create spaces for deep rest and healing. She offers an inspiring dialogue on reclaiming humanity and kindness, challenging hustle culture, practicing self-care and choosing a gentler way of living.

Lisa Hurley is a 3x Anthem Award-winning activist, writer, and podcaster. She is the author of Space To Exhale, host of Space To Exhale: the Podcast, and the Founder of The Great Exhale: the Community. A powerful voice, she has been recognized as one of the Top 10 anti-discrimination activists worldwide. Her words have been quoted in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Adweek and more.

Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.

ACCESS SHANTI’S FREE THRIVING ASSESSMENT TO GET BIG-PICTURE CLARITY ON FOCUS AREAS FOR INCREASED FULFILLMENT, JOY AND IMPACT - https://shantijoygold.com/take-the-thriving-assessment/

Other stories shared by Lisa and Shanti at the campfire:

• Hearing Lisa talk about the extra hurt inflicted by gaslighting, saying - “If you're okay with me being harmed, that means that you would probably be okay harming me yourself.”
• Exploring how validation and support are not just about policies — they require cultural shifts in how we listen, believe and adapt to others’ lived realities.
• Brainstorming and laughing about the possibilities of a creative TV collaboration called Breakdown-ish, focused on the career burnout most of us have experienced.
• Discussing how small, joyful rituals - like dancing - can offer an emotional reset in high-pressure work environments – and create a positive ripple effect.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes to receive insights about how to navigate your career as an outsider - and learn more about the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and find me to share key takeaways!

Learn more about Stories We Haven’t shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com

CONNECT WITH LISA HURLEY
Order Space to Exhale book
Bulk Order Space to Exhale
Listen to Space to Exhale: The Podcast
Watch Space to Exhale: The Podcast
TikTok
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

CONNECT WITH SHANTI JOY GOLD
LinkedIn
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Work with Shanti!