EP124: Why Ambitious Women Never Feel Safe in “Supportive” Spaces
Tue Nov 25 2025
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In this episode, I break down a truth that ambitious women were never taught to name. The mainstream definition of psychological safety doesn’t work for women who think fast, carry emotional responsibility like a second skin, and lead with conviction. I talk about why our bodies tighten in so-called “supportive” spaces, how early conditioning shapes the way we show up in leadership, and why emotional safety is actually rooted in the absence of self-betrayal, not the absence of conflict.
I walk you through how personal history, cultural expectations, and professional norms collide for high-performing women, and how those layers change the way we understand safety, belonging, and power. You’ll hear the real reasons why rooms want us softened, slowed down, or “reasonable,” and why ambitious women instinctively scan for emotional risks before saying a single word.
I also name the specific emotional needs ambitious women carry but hide because we’ve been conditioned to believe they’re “too much”: the need for autonomy, honesty, challenge, mental space, directness, and being taken seriously without having to prove ourselves over and over.
Finally, I offer five concrete actions you can take this week to stop abandoning yourself and start rebuilding emotional safety from the inside out.
If you’re ready for real talk on leadership, identity, boundaries, emotional safety, and what it means to operate at your full capacity without apology, this episode is for you.
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And if you’re ready to dive even deeper, grab a copy of my book Bite-Sized Blasphemy and ignite your inner fire to do life and business your way.
The Business Blasphemy Podcast is sponsored by NYSH Strategic and Sarah Khan Out Loud.
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Send me a direct message! In this episode, I break down a truth that ambitious women were never taught to name. The mainstream definition of psychological safety doesn’t work for women who think fast, carry emotional responsibility like a second skin, and lead with conviction. I talk about why our bodies tighten in so-called “supportive” spaces, how early conditioning shapes the way we show up in leadership, and why emotional safety is actually rooted in the absence of self-betrayal, not the absence of conflict. I walk you through how personal history, cultural expectations, and professional norms collide for high-performing women, and how those layers change the way we understand safety, belonging, and power. You’ll hear the real reasons why rooms want us softened, slowed down, or “reasonable,” and why ambitious women instinctively scan for emotional risks before saying a single word. I also name the specific emotional needs ambitious women carry but hide because we’ve been conditioned to believe they’re “too much”: the need for autonomy, honesty, challenge, mental space, directness, and being taken seriously without having to prove ourselves over and over. Finally, I offer five concrete actions you can take this week to stop abandoning yourself and start rebuilding emotional safety from the inside out. If you’re ready for real talk on leadership, identity, boundaries, emotional safety, and what it means to operate at your full capacity without apology, this episode is for you. Support the show Love what you heard? Let’s stay connected! Subscribe to my newsletter for bold insights on leadership, strategy, and building your legacy — straight to your inbox every week. Follow me on LinkedIn for more no-nonsense advice on leading with power and purpose. And if you’re ready to dive even deeper, grab a copy of my book Bite-Sized Blasphemy and ignite your inner fire to do life and business your way. The Business Blasphemy Podcast is sponsored by NYSH Strategic and Sarah Khan Out Loud.