Many people think I'm a negotiation coach, but I'm really a practitioner of change working at the intersection of ancient Eastern philosophy and modern Western neuroscience.

The Science: Quantum physicists like David Bohm and Zen masters in the mountains agree: Everything you think is "solid" (your desk, your body, your obstacles) is actually 99.9999999% empty space. Similarly, neuroscientists like Michael Gazzaniga have found that there is no singular, fixed "I" in your brain. You are a "Society of Mind," an aggregate of different parts negotiating conflicting and inherently empty impulses in real-time.

The Philosophy: In Zen, this is encapsulated in a single character: Mu (無). It often gets translated as “empty,” but it can also reference a kind of boundlessness.

The Intersection: When you realize matter is mostly space, the "solid" walls in your mind begin to soften. You realize you are not your self-talk, the very thoughts that lie at the root of professional stress.

Instead, you are the boundless potential behind the action.

What you'll learn in this episode:

02:15 – The Humble, Good News: Why you don’t need a PhD or to become a monk to benefit from these fundamental truths

04:30 – Your "Society of Mind": How the illusion of being a fixed, singular "I" is dismantled by both modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom.

06:50 – Tyranny of Self-Talk: Getting to the root of all professional stress when external circumstances don't seem to go your way.

07:45 – The Liberation of "Mu": What becomes possible when new perspectives enable new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding to circumstance beyond our control.

09:30 – The 3 Stages of Change: A roadmap through Dissolution (of negative self-talk), Mental Rehearsal, and Embodied Brave Action.

11:00 – The Fortress of Trust: Why true trust comes from realizing your "self" is not a fragile, solid thing that can be broken.

12:15 – Creator & Masterpiece: When tangible results like getting promoted and better paid are the byproduct of accessing a deeper truth of who you really are.

To learn more about working with me 1:1, come on over to https://www.jamieleecoach.com/apply

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• Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts.

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• Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1.
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• Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com

When I sat down to record this conversation with M. Cristina Alcalde, Ph.D., ACC, last December, institutional biases hadn't yet turned as blatantly fatal as they have in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge.

But truth be told, systemic exclusion leading to institutional violence has never been news for BIPOC and immigrants.

The endlessly "moving goalposts" is just one of many ways BIPOC professionals experience institutional bias in the workplace.

My guest Dr. Cristina Alcalde is an anthropologist, author, leadership coach, and professor of Global and Intercultural Studies at Miami University in Ohio.

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

Text me your thoughts on this episode!

Enjoy the show?

• Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts.

Connect with me

• Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com

Have you felt the crushing weight of otherization as the only woman or person of color in the room? Or maybe you've been told you’re "too intense," "not assertive enough," or some other maddening combination of subjective, conflicting feedback at work?

In this episode of Risky Conversations with Jamie Lee, we dive into why these experiences are not personal failings, but symptoms of the systemic injustices we swim in every day.

As a South Korean immigrant living in the U.S., I feel the tension of both: I've gained advantages by understanding how global workplaces function, yet I've also experienced the invisible barriers many marginalized people face, working harder than most, only to be undervalued.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Truth About Intersectional Feminist Coaching: Why traditional "think positive" coaching fails women of color, and how to embrace the paradox of systemic reality versus personal agency.
• The Biology of Bias: How systemic inequities and "otherization" trigger your nervous system and create inherited belief systems that lead to over-functioning.
• Real-World Case Studies: How a woman in the male-dominated construction industry reframed "intensity" into leadership; how a single mother successfully challenged the assessment that she wasn't "technical enough"; and how a BIPOC woman transformed her income and impact by choosing to believe in herself when no one else at work would.
• The Three Votes Strategy: A practical framework to regain your agency—voting for yourself, voting with your tribe, and voting with your feet.

To learn more about my coaching philosophy, process, and pricing, come on over to www.jamieleecoach.com/apply

Text me your thoughts on this episode!

Enjoy the show?

• Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts.

Connect with me

• Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com