Risky Conversations with Jamie Lee
Everything that's rewarding is on the other side of a Risky Conversation.
In this podcast for professional women, we have honest talks about topics often considered taboo or "too risky" at work -- salary negotiation, mental and reproductive health, office politics, social injustices, and unconventional ways smart women navigate their path forward despite a flawed and sexist society.
Join me as we dive deeper into these risky yet rewarding conversations, embracing the growth they bring.
Risky Conversations with Jamie Lee
When the Goalposts Keep Moving: A Conversation on Systemic Exclusion with Dr. Cristina Alcalde and Jamie Lee
Why have "Risky Conversations"? Because everything worthwhile is on the other side of one. In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Cristina Alcalde, professor at Miami University in Ohio, gender and women’s studies scholar, anthropologist, and leadership coach, to pull back the curtain on institutionalized bias.
Recorded in December 2025—just before the devastating events of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota—this conversation provides a hauntingly timely framework for understanding the transition from systemic exclusion to institutional violence.
In this episode, we explored:
- Beyond "Us vs. Them": Why addressing institutional whiteness isn't about attacking people, but about fixing the hidden systems that block everyone from equity.
- The "Illusion Bubble": Why the status quo feels so "natural" to some, while creating moving goalposts for high-achieving women of color.
- Feminist Curiosity: How to stop being "complicit" and start asking the risky question: "Who actually benefits from the status quo?"
- Agency in the Heavy Moments: Navigating institutional hate while holding onto our internal authority and resistance.
- Connecting the Dots: How historical exclusions—like redlining—continue to build the workplace barriers we see today.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Connect with Dr. Cristina Alcalde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-cristina-alcalde-ph-d-24b71b8b/
- Dr. Cristina Alcalde's Faculty Webpage: https://miamioh.edu/profiles/cas/m-cristina-alcalde.html
- Dr. Cristina Alcalde's Website: https://www.crisalcalde.com/
- Donate to Support our St. Paul Public Schools Community Fund https://my.cheddarup.com/c/support-our-st-paul-public-schools-community/items
- Learn more about Jamie's Executive Coaching Services: https://www.jamieleecoach.com/apply
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