Shedding the Shame

Tami Wong
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

Shedding the Shame is a women’s empowerment podcast where we talk openly about the experiences society tells women to keep quiet. Every episode explores a different experience that can leave women carrying shame, whether that's infertility, emotional abuse, widowhood, alopecia, divorce, career loss, eating disorders, or something else entirely. For generations, women have been conditioned to push through, downplay pain, and stay silent. This podcast challenges that. Shedding the Shame was created by Tami Wong, Founder of Hair Loss Pride, who knows firsthand what it means to carry shame in silence, Each episode features honest conversations about women’s mental health, healing, identity, personal growth, and resilience. Guests share the shame they carried, how it shaped them, and how they rebuilt their lives with strength and self-trust. There’s no trauma mining and no fixing. Just respectful, thoughtful dialogue and space to be heard. If you’ve ever felt broken, dramatic, or alone because of what you’ve lived through, this podcast is for you. This is for women who are done whispering. Let’s shed the shame.

  1. 5d ago

    What If the Thing You Hated Became Your Purpose with Michelle Doan

    What if the thing you spent years trying to hide became the very thing that shaped your purpose? Michelle Doan, founder of Emani Cosmetics, knows what it's like to feel like you're hiding in plain sight. Michelle struggled with painful cystic acne from a young age, describing herself as an "ugly duckling" and feeling like her appearance affected her confidence and how she believed others saw her. She eventually turned that deeply painful experience into a career dedicated to helping women feel confident in their own skin. In this episode, Michelle and Tami talk about the shame that comes with visible skin conditions, their shared experiences with cystic acne and Accutane, and the pressure women face to look "perfect." They talk about motherhood, menopause, aging, self-acceptance, and what happens when the insecurities you thought you'd left behind come back in a different form. Michelle also shares how she built Emani Cosmetics from her own struggles with acne and why she believes the very thing she once considered a curse ultimately became a blessing. This is a conversation about beauty, but it's really about something much deeper: learning that you don't have to be perfect to feel beautiful, and you don't have to hide the parts of yourself that make you human. If you've ever felt ashamed of your skin, your hair, your body, or any part of yourself you wished you could change, this episode is for you. Emani Website: https://emani.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoorGQhJF3EJHbjI5NHeEAagoaqhTRdZ3QjZRJSvCu0Jj1sJYmVO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emanicosmetics/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emanicosmetics

  2. Aug 7

    You Are Enough: Healing The Wounds That Drive Us With Jane Chen

    What happens when you've accomplished everything you thought would finally make you feel worthy, and it still isn't enough? Season 2 of Shedding the Shame starts with this deeply moving conversation. Tami sits down with bestselling author, leadership coach, and Embrace Global co-founder Jane Chen to explore the hidden shame that can fuel achievement, perfectionism, and burnout. Jane shares the incredible story behind Embrace, the portable infant warmer that has helped save more than one million babies around the world. But behind the accolades, recognition from President Obama, and global success was a woman quietly carrying childhood trauma, believing she had to constantly prove her worth. We talk about how unresolved pain shapes the way we lead, love, parent, and work, why productivity can become a form of numbing, and what finally helped Jane begin healing after years of pushing herself beyond exhaustion. Together, we discuss: • Why so many high achievers secretly struggle with feeling "not enough" • The connection between childhood trauma, perfectionism, and burnout • How Internal Family Systems (Parts Work) helped Jane develop self-compassion • The courage it takes to confront generational trauma • Why belonging isn't something we find, but something we build within ourselves • How healing ourselves changes future generations Jane's message is simple but profound: You are enough exactly as you are. Whether you've experienced childhood trauma, struggle with people-pleasing, or simply feel like your worth is tied to what you accomplish, I hope this conversation reminds you that healing is possible and that you're not alone. Connect with Jane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemariechen/ Website: www.janemariechen.com Resources mentioned: • Like A Wave We Break by Jane Chen • No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

  3. Jul 31

    What If Being the Black Sheep Was Your Greatest Gift with Alexandra Perel-Winkler

    What happens when you've done everything "right," achieved the prestigious career, and still feel like something is missing? In this episode, I sit down with physician-turned-medicine woman Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler to explore the shame that comes with feeling like the black sheep. From a young age, Alexandra felt different. While training as a physician and later specializing in rheumatology, she found herself asking questions that traditional medicine couldn't answer. After years of burnout and a life-changing family crisis, she chose to leave the path she'd worked so hard to build and follow a calling that felt deeply aligned with who she truly is. Together, we talk about: • Why so many women feel like they don't belong • The shame of being "too different" and learning to embrace it • Burnout, perfectionism, and people-pleasing • The connection between the nervous system, intuition, and healing • Why worthiness is at the root of so many of our struggles • Letting go of the need to be liked • What it means to live in alignment with your authentic self Whether you connect with spirituality, therapy, breathwork, or simply the desire to feel more like yourself, this conversation is an invitation to stop hiding the parts of yourself that make you unique. Maybe the thing you've spent your life trying to change is actually the gift you're here to share. Where you can find Alexandra: Website: https://www.themysticmedicine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themysticmedicine/

  4. Jul 17

    Visibility Is a Skill: Bridging the Confidence Gap with Sheena Yap Chan

    Confidence isn't about feeling fearless. It's about trusting yourself enough to take the first step anyway. In this episode of Shedding the Shame, I sit down with Sheena Yap Chan, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, TEDx speaker, host of The Tao of Self-Confidence podcast, and creator of the VISIBLE™ Framework. For nearly a decade, Sheena has been helping women build confidence and step into leadership, with a special focus on increasing the visibility and representation of Asian women, whose voices and contributions have too often been overlooked. Together, we explore why so many women struggle to recognize their own abilities and how the confidence gap impacts our careers, relationships, and lives. Sheena shares how cultural expectations, imposter syndrome, and the fear of self-promotion can keep women playing small, even when they're more than qualified. We also talk about why simply working hard isn't enough, the importance of advocating for yourself, and how confidence is a skill that can be built. In this episode, we discuss: • What the "confidence gap" really is and why it holds so many women back • Why working hard doesn't always lead to recognition or promotion • The importance of self-advocacy in your career and everyday life • How cultural conditioning can shape the way we see ourselves, especially for Asian women navigating stereotypes and expectations • Navigating imposter syndrome and learning to trust your own voice • Why confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you practice. • Small, practical ways to become more visible and advocate for yourself, even before you feel ready If you've ever questioned whether you're qualified enough, worried about speaking up, or waited for someone else to recognize your worth, this conversation is for you. The opportunities you're waiting for may start with believing you're already capable of them. Sheena's Website: https://www.sheenayapchan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheenayapchan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheena.yap.chan/?hl=en Bridging the Confidence Gap Book: https://a.co/d/0eSzCMZm

  5. Jul 10

    Who The Hell Am I and I Why Did I Start A Podcast?

    Some people find this podcast and wonder... Who is Tami? And why is she talking about shame? In this deeply personal solo episode, I'm answering that question. I'm sharing the experiences I've spent decades carrying quietly, from living with hair loss since I was 15, to growing up in an emotionally unsafe home, navigating religious shame, experiencing abandonment, infertility, miscarriage, grief, family trauma, and the imposter syndrome that still follows me today. For years, I believed these were the parts of my story that needed to stay hidden. Now I've learned that the very things we hide are often the things that connect us most deeply to one another. I also share why I started Shedding the Shame, how this podcast has grown beyond anything I imagined, and why I'll continue creating a space where women can tell the stories they've been told to keep quiet. If you've ever wondered whether your story matters... If you've ever felt like your struggles made you "too much" or "not enough"... Or if you've been carrying something alone for far too long... This episode is for you. Because shame grows in silence. Healing begins when someone is brave enough to speak.

  6. Jul 3

    It's Not Just Hair: The Hidden Mental Health Impact of Female Hair Loss with Emily Shea

    Hair loss is often dismissed as "just cosmetic." But for many women, including host Tami Wong, it affects every part of their lives. In this episode of Shedding the Shame, Tami sits down with Emily Shea, founder of Flox Hair, a wig brand in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to talk about her decades-long journey with hair loss, the devastating impact it had on her mental health, and how she turned her biggest insecurity into her life's purpose. Emily shares what it was like to lose half her hair as a teenager, the years spent searching for answers from doctors, the depression and isolation that followed, and the moment she finally found hope through alternative hair. We also talk about: • Why hair loss is so much more than a cosmetic issue • The emotional toll of being told "it's not that bad" • Learning to advocate for yourself in the medical system • The role community plays in healing • Why no one is actually looking at your hairline • How sharing your story helps others find the courage to share theirs • Turning your biggest insecurity into your greatest purpose Whether you've experienced hair loss yourself or love someone who has, this conversation is a powerful reminder that confidence, healing, and connection are possible.

  7. Jun 19

    From Heartbreak to Purpose: Libby's Story of Pregnancy Loss and Healing

    After losing her son Fletcher at 20 weeks pregnant, Libby Baxter's world came to a standstill. While everyone around her seemed to move on, she was left navigating unimaginable grief, unanswered questions, and the painful reality of returning to a life that no longer felt familiar. In this deeply moving conversation, Libby shares her experience of stillbirth, the isolation that often follows pregnancy loss, and the years-long journey of learning how to live with grief rather than trying to "get over it." Together, we discuss: • The heartbreak of receiving devastating news at a routine pregnancy scan • What people often don't understand about stillbirth and pregnancy loss • The shame, guilt, and self-blame many women carry after loss • Why grief doesn't follow a timeline • How alcohol, therapy, travel, and self-discovery shaped Libby's healing journey • The powerful analogy that changed how she views grief forever • Why asking for help is one of the bravest things we can do • How she transformed her pain into purpose through her support group, I Feel It Too, and The Little Bear Project This episode is a reminder that grief is not something we move on from. It is something we learn to carry. And even in our darkest moments, healing, connection, and purpose are still possible. Whether you've experienced pregnancy loss yourself, love someone who has, or simply want to better understand the realities of grief, this conversation is filled with compassion, honesty, and hope. To learn more about Libby's work, the I Feel It Too support group, The Little Bear Project, and her children's book Fletcher and Bear, connect with her through the links below. IG: https://www.instagram.com/ifeelittoo_peersupport/ and Other Resources: Canada: https://www.babysbreathcanada.ca/ United States: https://rtzhope.org/ and https://www.marchofdimes.org/ UK: https://www.sands.org.uk/ Australia: https://stillbirthfoundation.org.au/

  8. Jun 5

    Breaking Free from Childhood Labels: Brittney Ashley on Dyslexia, ADHD & Self-Worth

    What happens when you're labeled "not smart enough" as a child and spend years trying to prove everyone wrong? In this episode of Shedding the Shame, I sit down with business strategist, certified Imposter Syndrome Coach, and founder of Creative Dynamics Virtual Services, Brittney Ashley, for an honest conversation about growing up with dyslexia, navigating ADHD, and learning to challenge the stories we tell ourselves about our worth. Brittney shares how being labeled "dumb" by teachers shaped her confidence, why imposter syndrome still shows up despite her success, and how she built a thriving business while raising two young children. Together, we explore the realities of motherhood, postpartum struggles, people-pleasing, burnout, perfectionism, and the pressure women face to be everything to everyone. This conversation is a reminder that you don't have to earn your worth through achievement, productivity, or perfection. You are already enough. In this episode, we discuss: • Growing up with dyslexia and the lasting impact of being labeled "dumb" • How imposter syndrome shows up for high-achieving women and entrepreneurs • ADHD, neurodivergence, and creating systems that work with your brain • Postpartum depression, anxiety, and asking for support • The pressure of motherhood and why so many women feel like they're failing • Setting boundaries, protecting your energy, and letting go of perfectionism • Why success doesn't have to look like hustle culture • What it really means to shed shame and step into your own power If you've ever felt behind, not enough, or like you're carrying the weight of impossible expectations, this episode is for you.

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About

Shedding the Shame is a women’s empowerment podcast where we talk openly about the experiences society tells women to keep quiet. Every episode explores a different experience that can leave women carrying shame, whether that's infertility, emotional abuse, widowhood, alopecia, divorce, career loss, eating disorders, or something else entirely. For generations, women have been conditioned to push through, downplay pain, and stay silent. This podcast challenges that. Shedding the Shame was created by Tami Wong, Founder of Hair Loss Pride, who knows firsthand what it means to carry shame in silence, Each episode features honest conversations about women’s mental health, healing, identity, personal growth, and resilience. Guests share the shame they carried, how it shaped them, and how they rebuilt their lives with strength and self-trust. There’s no trauma mining and no fixing. Just respectful, thoughtful dialogue and space to be heard. If you’ve ever felt broken, dramatic, or alone because of what you’ve lived through, this podcast is for you. This is for women who are done whispering. Let’s shed the shame.

Information

  • Creator
    Tami Wong
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tami Wong
  • Show Website
    Shedding the Shame

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