Embracing Only: Workplace Culture & Career Development for BIPOC Leaders

Archita Fritz , Olivia Cream and Meha Chiraya
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The Embracing Only podcast introduces ordinary women who have defied the odds as they navigated their professional careers as 'an ONLY'. The diverse guests interviewed lean into their learnings, lived experiences and expertise from their global experiences to create a show that will engage, inform, empower and provide actionable ways in which the listeners can see the change they seek to rise and shine in their professional space as 'An Only'.Women and particularly women of color are constantly bombarded with societal and systemic hurdles that they face professionally with no balance in solutions. News, media and coaching tends to focus on our differences and the obstacles but do not provide thought provoking solutions to help people regain control of their lives and find direction. This show seeks to provide a community for women to share their lived experiences and not feel alone in their journey to claim their power and purpose in the communities they seek to serve, transform and impact. Embracing Only is a podcast where we seek to empower women with stories of other women who have defied the odds and thrive in spite of the hurdles presented. Our mission is to inspire women to align with their highest selves and dare to dream big dreams. When women win, we all win!The Embracing Only podcast was formerly known as The Nine Oh Six podcast.

  1. IM40: When Life Falls Apart: Surviving a Category 5 Hurricane, Learning to Ask for Help & Finding Yourself Again | Embracing Only

    Jun 22

    IM40: When Life Falls Apart: Surviving a Category 5 Hurricane, Learning to Ask for Help & Finding Yourself Again | Embracing Only

    What happens when everything you have built—your home, your plans, your identity, and the life you thought you knew—is swept away overnight? In this deeply personal and emotional return to Embracing Only, Olivia and Archita share the story behind their unexpected hiatus and the life-altering experience that changed everything. After Hurricane Melissa—a catastrophic Category 5 storm—left Olivia facing unimaginable loss, she found herself standing in the wreckage of a life she had spent years creating. What followed was not only a journey of physical recovery, but a profound reckoning with identity, resilience, vulnerability, and the stories we tell ourselves about strength. Together, Olivia and Archita explore the hidden cost of always being the strong one, the difficulty of receiving help, and the surprising ways healing begins when we stop trying to carry everything alone. This conversation is for every woman who has ever felt responsible for holding it all together. For every high-achiever who has mistaken survival for strength. For every person who has struggled to ask for help, even when they desperately needed it. At its heart, this episode is a reminder that resilience is not found in how much we can endure alone—but in our willingness to be seen, supported, and transformed by the communities around us. Because sometimes life dismantles what no longer serves us so that something more authentic can emerge in its place. What happens when life strips away everything you thought made you who you are? In this deeply personal and emotional return to Embracing Only, Olivia shares her firsthand account of surviving Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever to impact the Caribbean. After losing her home, belongings, and sense of normalcy overnight, she was forced to confront a truth many high-achieving women know all too well: strength can sometimes become a survival mechanism that keeps us from receiving the help we need. Together, Olivia and Archita explore resilience, trauma, therapy, community, burnout, and the hidden cost of always being "the strong one." This is a conversation about rebuilding—not just a home, but a life. If you've ever struggled to ask for help, found yourself carrying too much, or felt like you had to navigate life's challenges alone, this episode is for you. In This Episode  Surviving Hurricane Melissa and losing everything  The emotional aftermath of disaster and trauma  Why high-achieving women struggle to ask for help  The healing power of community and vulnerability  Therapy, burnout, and the cost of forced strength  Learning to say "no" without guilt  The journey from survival to healing Key Moments 00:00 – Welcome back to Embracing Only: Why we took a break 01:24 – Hurricane Melissa changes everything 05:20 – Losing an entire home and rebuilding from nothing 07:29 – Why asking for help felt impossible 10:29 – Hurricane Melissa: What really happened 12:05 – Stop asking if people need help—just help 13:05 – The real reason many women don't ask for support 16:20 – The storm story begins 22:43 – Trapped inside a collapsing house 23:43 – "I thought this was it." 24:31 – The moment prayer became all they had left 26:44 – Surviving the storm, facing the aftermath 27:46 – "No one is coming to save you"—and why that belief changed 29:48 – The hidden cost of being strong all the time 31:49 – Learning to say no and ask for help 32:49 – The Unraveling Overachiever 34:22 – A simple exercise: Count how many times you say no 37:12 – Why your brain fights change 38:25 – The future of Embracing Only Book Mentioned: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Dr. Gabor Maté About Embracing Only A podcast for ambitious women navigating leadership, identity, healing, personal growth, and life beyond traditional definitions of success. Connect with us:  www.embracingonly.com Memorable Quote "It took a Category 5 hurricane stripping away everything I had armored myself with to realize that I was never walking through life alone." — Olivia Books Mentioned When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress — Dr. Gabor Maté About Embracing Only Embracing Only is a podcast for women navigating ambition, identity, healing, leadership, and life beyond the traditional definitions of success. Through honest conversations and lived experiences, we explore what it means to embrace the parts of ourselves that make us unique—and how those differences become our greatest strengths. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder that she does not have to carry everything alone. Subscribe, follow, and join the conversation. Ready to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

    40 min

  2. 09/19/2025 ·  Bonus

    IM39: Speaking Truth to Power & Surviving Retaliation in the Workplace with Dr. Kim McLear

    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

    12 min

  3. 09/12/2025 ·  Bonus

    IM38: Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Redefining Education with Priyanka Lugani

    Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 10 with guest Priyanka Lugani. Through intuitive decision-making, self-study, and a deep connection to nature and ancient wisdom, she shares how you can lead with your truth, make peace with mistakes, and reimagine what success looks like on your own terms. Priyanka  is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Alma Deli, a plant-based food brand based in London, which is pushing the boundaries of connecting the ancient wisdoms of the world with food, travel, art, spirit, and science. Today, Priyanka advocates for systemic change across health, education, and food. 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 10: Women Leaders on a Mission - Feeding Clean Food to the World. Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Choosing Freedom & Self-Expression: Self-expression and freedom of choice are two of the core pillars of entrepreneurship. 02:43 Success Without a University Degree: University is not the only path to success, but you have to have a growth mindset and be open to learning in different forms. 05:30 The Role of Family Support: Having an emotional and financial support system does give you more freedom to fail, learn, and experiment.  06:35 Finding Your Source of Inspiration: You can find inspiration from so many places in your daily life.  In Summary: Priyanka Lugani shares her journey from fashion to holistic healing, emphasizing the importance of self-expression, support systems, and inspiration drawn from health, nature, and ancient wisdom. Resources from this episode: Follow Priyanka 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

    9 min

  4. 09/05/2025

    93: The Devil Emails at Midnight: Unmasking Bad Bosses & Broken Systems with Mita Mallick

    Episode Highlight: In this episode of the Embracing “Only” podcast, we welcome back bestselling author and corporate change-maker Mita Mallick. With her signature candor, Mita shares wisdom from her upcoming book The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses, which explores 13 “devil boss” archetypes, drawing on personal stories and real-life failures turned into lessons in leadership.  Mita is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author on a mission to fix what's broken in our workplaces. With a background spanning global brands like Unilever, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, Mita brings deep insight into marketing, HR, and organizational transformation.  Key Discussion Points: 02:58 Why Good People Become Bad Bosses: Stress in the market, pressure from above, or personal issues at home can cause leaders to act out in harmful ways. 06:29 Beloved but Incompetent Leaders: Mediocre men keep getting promoted based on potential, while overqualified women of color are passed over. 12:30 Diversity Under Attack: As corporate DEI commitments backslide, Mita challenges companies to stand firm and urges employees to "vote with their wallets”. 16:48 Internal vs. External Consistency: If your external brand doesn't match your internal culture, expect to be called out. 21:39 Building a Personal Safety Net: Loyalty is dead. Women of color must protect themselves in workplaces that don’t always protect them. 29:08 Burnout & Overfunctioning: Women of color are told to "work twice as hard" to get half as far. This is exploitation masked as opportunity. 33:24 The Midnight Email Culture: What does it say about a company when leaders only respond between 10 PM and 1 AM? In Summary: Mita Mallick encourages us to reimagine leadership in modern workplaces. She challenges leaders to prioritize coaching and development, create inclusive environments, and maintain genuine commitments to diversity and ethical practices. Resources from this episode: Find Mita's books here: https://www.mitamallick.com/book Follow Mita on Linkedin or check out her website. Check out our first episode with Mita here: https://embracingonly.com/episodes/debunking-corporate-myths-to-transform-your-workplace  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. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms Ready to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

    44 min

  5. 08/29/2025 ·  Bonus

    IM37: How to Master Self-Selling and Salary Negotiation with Adelle Thompson

    Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 74 with guest Adelle Thompson. If you've ever felt limited by salary bands, imposter syndrome, or undervaluation, this short but potent episode is your call to action. As a certified life coach, with over 12 years of experience in HR and recruitment, Adelle teaches career-driven individuals & early entrepreneurs to build a winning career strategy while working to overcome their own self-doubt. This enables them to pursue a career they love and earn more doing it. 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 74: Mastering the Art of Selling Yourself. Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Identifying Your Key Competencies: Self-selling starts with knowing what you're uniquely good at, and sharing these competencies with confidence to build credibility. 02:19 Selling Yourself with Integrity:  Selling is talking about what you're good at and how that thing is valuable to someone else. 05:16 Redefining Negotiation: Adelle reframes negotiation as a daily skill, especially for women juggling roles at work, at home, and everywhere in between. 08:09 Permission to Pivot Softly: You don’t have to leap off a cliff to pivot. You can make incremental changes toward your bigger goals without destabilizing your life. In Summary: Adelle Thompson highlights the power of knowing your value and reframing negotiation as a life skill. She encourages women to own their strengths and advocate for themselves with confidence. Resources from this episode: Follow Adelle 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 Archita on LinkedIn or check out her website. Follow Olivia on LinkedIn or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

    11 min

  6. 08/22/2025 ·  Bonus

    IM36: How to Reclaim Your Power as a Woman of Color in Leadership with Deepa Purushothaman

    Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 42 with guest Deepa Purushothaman. This is a must-listen for every woman of color navigating the tension between success and self-erasure in systems never built for us. Deepa spent more than 20 years at Deloitte helping clients transform and grow. She was the first Indian-American woman and one of the youngest people to make partner in the firm's history. Deepa is an author and the founder of multiple businesses. In 2022, her debut book, The First, The Few, The Only, was published by HarperCollins to international acclaim. 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 42: 500 stories of THE FIRST, THE FEW, THE ONLY. Key Discussion Points: 00:59 The Pressure to Conform as a Female Leader of Color: The pressure to conform often intensifies once women of color reach senior leadership, making it harder to reclaim authenticity at the top. 03:12 Choosing What Not to Compromise: Identify a short list of non-negotiables: values you won’t trade in for professional acceptance. 04:26 Confronting Internalized Guilt: Women of color often internalize blame when they experience bias, but the root cause is rarely personal. It’s structural. 08:45 The Health Toll of Conformity: 2 out of 3 women that Deepa interviewed were suffering from mysterious chronic illnesses - fatigue, migraines, infertility, and more - linked to the psychological toll of erasure. In Summary: Deepa Purushothaman emphasizes the importance of identifying and holding firm to one's non-negotiables in the workplace and being aware of the subtle indoctrinations that can lead to self-erasure. Resources from this episode: The First, The Few, The Only by Deepa Purushothaman Follow Deepa 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

    17 min

  7. 08/15/2025

    92: The Cost of Loyalty & The Power of Letting Go with Karen Madison

    Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into the cost of loyalty and the power of letting go with award-winning pharma sales executive Karen Madison. She opens up about the emotional toll of being unseen at work, the illusion of loyalty in corporate spaces, and how she found freedom by choosing herself even when the system didn’t. Karen is a decorated sales leader with accolades like the World Champion Award (top 1% in her field), Circle of Excellence, and Market Access Preceptor Award. Beyond this, she champions representation through programs like Maryland Made and BACES. Karen is redefining what leadership looks like for women of color in high-stakes industries. Key Discussion Points: 01:59 The Power of Mentorship: Mentorship is not limited to the beginning phases of your career; it is vital throughout your entire career, especially as an “only.” 07:21 Breaking Into Sales as a Woman of Color: There are real barriers in pharma sales for women of color, and the industry’s bias shows up in subtle yet significant ways. 13:02 Natural Hair Bias: It is not uncommon for people to make assumptions about women of color based on their hair and not their skills or results. 17:57 Surviving Microaggressions at Work: How do you stay emotionally intelligent and professionally firm when repeatedly disrespected for your appearance?  20:25 The Pressure to Perform as a Woman of Color: As an “only,” there is pressure to outperform just to be seen as competent. 29:16 Knowing When It’s Time to Walk Away: If the microaggressions in your environment are not tolerable, you can show your resistance by walking away. 35:58 The Myth of Corporate Family: Loyal employees are often underpaid, and loyalty won’t protect you from being replaced. In Summary: Karen shares that you don’t need to prove your worth to people who refuse to see it and that reclaiming your power often means walking away before they push you out. Resources from this episode: The Pivot Point by Gregory L Peel Follow Karen on LinkedIn. 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 Ready to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

    46 min

  8. 08/08/2025 ·  Bonus

    IM35: How to Transition Strategically with Kezia Israel

    Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 73 with verbal identity strategist Kezia Israel. From rewriting internal narratives to learning how to evaluate decisions with strategy and grace, this is a masterclass in transitioning strategically. With over eight years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry, Kezia has honed her skills in crafting persuasive copy that not only increases brand awareness but also drives meaningful consumer engagement across various platforms. 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 73: Owning Your Authenticity and Making Fearless Decisions. Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Embracing Transition: Letting go of a long-held identity comes with a sense of loss. The key is to adapt those parts of yourself rather than abandon them. 03:36 Confidence From Clarity: Confident women know what they want. This clarity may not come naturally; it can be built through practice, and there are tools to help you. 08:58 The Biggest Obstacle to Transition is Ourselves: The biggest obstacle to growth is often internal. Giving yourself grace and learning from mistakes is key to moving forward with strength. 09:18 Redefining Feedback and Failure: Feedback is essential for growth, but you have to be specific about whose feedback you receive. In Summary: Kezia Israel shows us that clarity is a habit, confidence is earned, and transitions are less about leaving and more about becoming. If you’ve been wrestling with your next step, this is your sign to reflect, plan, and move gracefully and boldly. Resources from this episode: Follow Kezia 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

    12 min
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About

The Embracing Only podcast introduces ordinary women who have defied the odds as they navigated their professional careers as 'an ONLY'. The diverse guests interviewed lean into their learnings, lived experiences and expertise from their global experiences to create a show that will engage, inform, empower and provide actionable ways in which the listeners can see the change they seek to rise and shine in their professional space as 'An Only'.Women and particularly women of color are constantly bombarded with societal and systemic hurdles that they face professionally with no balance in solutions. News, media and coaching tends to focus on our differences and the obstacles but do not provide thought provoking solutions to help people regain control of their lives and find direction. This show seeks to provide a community for women to share their lived experiences and not feel alone in their journey to claim their power and purpose in the communities they seek to serve, transform and impact. Embracing Only is a podcast where we seek to empower women with stories of other women who have defied the odds and thrive in spite of the hurdles presented. Our mission is to inspire women to align with their highest selves and dare to dream big dreams. When women win, we all win!The Embracing Only podcast was formerly known as The Nine Oh Six podcast.

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