Electric Ladies Podcast

I reached out to express my interest in being a guest on this podcast, genuinely excited to share my story and contribute to a conversation around science, sustainability, and innovation. Unfortunately, my experience with the host, Joan, was surprisingly negative. While I completely understand that not every pitch can or should be accepted, the way she handled our conversation was unnecessarily rude and dismissive. Instead of engaging in a professional dialogue or offering constructive feedback, I was met with curt remarks and an abrasive tone. At one point, when I asked for clarification on the type of data she was requesting, I was told, “You're a PhD, you should know.” Comments like this are not only uncalled for, but also reflect a complete lack of respect for someone’s time, credentials, and professional effort. I left the conversation feeling disrespected and discouraged—not because my pitch wasn’t accepted, but because of how poorly I was treated in what should have been a simple, professional interaction. This wasn’t a paid opportunity or a formal interview; I was simply expressing interest in contributing to a meaningful platform. The response I received was unwelcoming and unnecessarily harsh. Just because I joined a call with Joan does not mean that my time is not as valuable as Joan’s. I also opened a time in between my other meetings and my full time work as an engineer. Who cares wasting time for this disrespectful person. There are many podcast hosts out there who are not only professional but also kind, respectful, and encouraging—hosts who appreciate the enthusiasm and value that guests bring, even when the fit isn’t quite right. Sadly, this was not one of those experiences. In addition, she attempted to justify her behavior by pointing out that I’m not a native English speaker — as though that explained the tone or content of her communication. I’ve been living and working in the U.S. for over 15 years, during which I’ve completed my Master’s, PhD, and even a postdoc from prestigious universities such as Texas A&M and MIT. I can clearly distinguish between a language barrier and outright disrespect — and what I experienced was clearly the latter. It also made me wonder whether she was discriminating against me due to my accent or background, which is deeply troubling. At one point, I thought to myself: Who do you think you are to treat others this way? No one is too important to behave with basic courtesy and professionalism. If I had known how unpleasant and demeaning this interaction would be, I would have ended the call immediately and not wasted another second of my time. I have zero interest this type of host and her podcast. Who cares to show up such a disrespectful person’s podcast, definitely not me. There are so many podcast hosts out there who are respectful, thoughtful, and truly value people — even when they choose not to move forward. I sincerely encourage others to seek out those voices instead. This experience left a strong negative impression, and I hope the host reflects on how she treats those who reach out with passion and sincerity.

Thank you Joan for leading these informative conversations! Several podcasts have given me useful takeaways.

Electric Ladies delivers smart, thoughtful & real conversations around sustainability. Love how host Joan & her insightful guests make it easy to follow — and see the potential solutions. I leave every episode more informed & inspired!

Electric Ladies has quickly become a favorite in my feed! I'm consistently impressed by the engaging conversations, insightful content, and actionable ideas shared. I truly learn something every time I listen!