IM39: Speaking Truth to Power & Surviving Retaliation in the Workplace with Dr. Kim McLear
Fri Sep 19 2025
Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 34 with guest Dr. Kim McLear. We explore what it means to be a truth-teller, the emotional cost of retaliation, and how choosing courage over fear can break generational cycles of harm.
Kim is an author, speaker, and social designer who works at the vibrant intersections of the arts, tech, wellbeing, civic engagement, and justice. She served 20 years of distinguished public service as a senior officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and bravely exposed three of the largest abusive cover-ups of racism, sexual assault, and retaliation in modern U.S. military history.
This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 34: Choosing to Challenge workplace bullying and retaliation.
Key Discussion Points:
00:59 Claiming the Label “Whistleblower”: Whistleblowing is not dishonorable. It’s an act of integrity rooted in American history.
03:29 The Audacity to Be Your Full Self: It is powerful and takes courage to show up authentically in spaces where your gender, the color of your skin, sexual orientation, or your accomplishments are considered threatening.
05:30 Navigating Fear and Survival: Sharing stories of abuse and psychological violence is important not only for the storyteller but for the countless others who don’t survive the system.
09:05 Centering Courage Over Fear: It is both a responsibility and a gift to use our voice to make the path easier for those who follow.
In Summary: Dr. Kim McLear shares how choosing truth over fear can change a system. She reminds us that being your full self in environments not built for you is radical, courageous, and essential.
Resources from this episode:
Follow Kim on LinkedIn or visit her website.
If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/
Ready to make a change?
→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.
→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.
Connect with your hosts:
Follow Embracing Only on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.
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Produced by Ideablossoms
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Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 34 with guest Dr. Kim McLear. We explore what it means to be a truth-teller, the emotional cost of retaliation, and how choosing courage over fear can break generational cycles of harm. Kim is an author, speaker, and social designer who works at the vibrant intersections of the arts, tech, wellbeing, civic engagement, and justice. She served 20 years of distinguished public service as a senior officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and bravely exposed three of the largest abusive cover-ups of racism, sexual assault, and retaliation in modern U.S. military history. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 34: Choosing to Challenge workplace bullying and retaliation. Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Claiming the Label “Whistleblower”: Whistleblowing is not dishonorable. It’s an act of integrity rooted in American history. 03:29 The Audacity to Be Your Full Self: It is powerful and takes courage to show up authentically in spaces where your gender, the color of your skin, sexual orientation, or your accomplishments are considered threatening. 05:30 Navigating Fear and Survival: Sharing stories of abuse and psychological violence is important not only for the storyteller but for the countless others who don’t survive the system. 09:05 Centering Courage Over Fear: It is both a responsibility and a gift to use our voice to make the path easier for those who follow. In Summary: Dr. Kim McLear shares how choosing truth over fear can change a system. She reminds us that being your full self in environments not built for you is radical, courageous, and essential. Resources from this episode: Follow Kim on LinkedIn or visit her website. If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com. Connect with your hosts: Follow Embracing Only on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms