What does equity actually look like in everyday life—and how do we begin dismantling the systems we’re all swimming in? In this powerful conversation, Nicole sits down with equity educator and former public defender Pooja Kothari to explore the deep connections between self-awareness, systemic oppression, and personal responsibility. Drawing on her years defending marginalized clients in Brooklyn’s criminal courts, Pooja shares the moment she realized that even people committed to justice can unknowingly absorb and perpetuate the very systems they’re fighting against. Together, Nicole and Pooja dive into the complexities many Asian American women face navigating privilege, oppression, and the “model minority myth.” They unpack how systems of power operate in subtle ways—from the stories we tell ourselves to the language we use every day—and how we can begin to interrupt those patterns with curiosity, compassion, and courage. This episode is both deeply reflective and incredibly practical. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay hopeful while confronting systemic injustice, or how to take meaningful action in your own life, this conversation will leave you with new ways to see the world and your place within it. THE TOP LEARNINGS IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️ Becoming Aware of Personal Bias in Social Justice Work ➡️ The Model Minority Myth and Its Impact on Asian Americans ➡️ The Tension Between Oppression & Privilege for Asian American Women ➡️ Values vs. Personality-Driven Decision Making for Equity ➡️ The Power of Language in Dismantling Internalized Oppression ➡️ Racism as Distraction: Staying Intentional Amid Social Systems Pooja Kothari is a trailblazer in the field of equity and progress, designing anti-oppression curriculum, facilitating difficult conversations, and guiding organizations towards profound cultural transformation. As an attorney and founder of Boundless Awareness, LLC Pooja brings a powerful blend of lived experience, legal expertise, and profound empathy to her work. Pooja’s first career was as a public defender with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice, advocating for her clients in all aspects of the criminal case. She uses these experiences to present equity work at the intersections of race, disability, sexuality, gender, class and more, examining the histories and existing structures of oppression through a multimodal pedagogical process. Her workshops are experiential journeys, custom-built to address the unique concerns and experiences of each client organization. Boundless Awareness's mission is to equip organizations with the tools to engage in honest, respectful dialogue and make decisions rooted in equity and belonging. From government agencies and nonprofits to law firms and global corporations, Pooja's clients emerge equipped to build a more just, equitable and inclusive workplace. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong and Pooja Kothari @boundlessawarenessllc so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support! Asian Visibility System: Want to permanently reverse cultural conditioning and step into a life where you feel purposeful and thrive? Grab the Asian Visibility System: go.nicoletsong.com/visible. Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz: nicoletsong.com/quiz Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge: go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504 For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.
