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Biracial, Black, and Breaking: The Mental Toll of Living Between Worlds
Episode Title:
Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/biracial-black-and-breaking-the-mental-toll-of-living-between-worlds
Episode Video Link:
In this episode of A Black Executive Perspective Podcast, host Tony Tidbit dives into a raw and revealing conversation with Grace Fooden, a seasoned executive in the fashion and beauty industry. Growing up with a white Jewish father and a Black mother, Grace learned early how to navigate — and at times pass within — white culture. That ability helped her rise in corporate America, but it came with a heavy price.
Grace shares the mental toll of living between worlds: the privilege of being “white enough” in certain spaces, the discomfort of not fully belonging in Black culture, and the emotional cost of constantly shifting identities to fit in. She reflects on how mentorship shaped her path toward authentic leadership, and why embracing her Blackness was essential to reclaiming purpose and wholeness.
This isn’t just one executive’s story — it’s an unflinching look at what it means to lead, succeed, and survive while living with triple consciousness.
▶︎ In This Episode
00:00 Navigating Identity in a Divided World
00:58 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
02:39 Grace Fooden's Background and Family
06:12 Challenges of Growing Up Biracial
24:28 Corporate Journey and Cultural Bias
27:52 Therapy and Self-Realization
33:05 Uncovering Childhood Trauma
35:07 Challenges in Corporate America
36:05 Strategic Identity Management
44:05 Mentorship and Personal Growth
45:58 Connecting with the Black Community
49:16 Advice for Companies and Individuals
58:31 Final Reflections and Call to Action
🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:
🔔 Listen and Subscribe
Listen to this episode and subscribe for future updates
subscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast on
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- Apple Podcasts
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- Amazon Music
- Other platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"
if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive change
- subscribe to our newsletter
- give us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts
- share an episode with a friend, family member or colleague
🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExec
- YouTube
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⭐️ Follow @TonyTidbitfollow Tony across social media @TonyTidbit
This episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email [email protected] .
View all episodes
By TonyTidbit ™Episode Title:
Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/biracial-black-and-breaking-the-mental-toll-of-living-between-worlds
Episode Video Link:
In this episode of A Black Executive Perspective Podcast, host Tony Tidbit dives into a raw and revealing conversation with Grace Fooden, a seasoned executive in the fashion and beauty industry. Growing up with a white Jewish father and a Black mother, Grace learned early how to navigate — and at times pass within — white culture. That ability helped her rise in corporate America, but it came with a heavy price.
Grace shares the mental toll of living between worlds: the privilege of being “white enough” in certain spaces, the discomfort of not fully belonging in Black culture, and the emotional cost of constantly shifting identities to fit in. She reflects on how mentorship shaped her path toward authentic leadership, and why embracing her Blackness was essential to reclaiming purpose and wholeness.
This isn’t just one executive’s story — it’s an unflinching look at what it means to lead, succeed, and survive while living with triple consciousness.
▶︎ In This Episode
00:00 Navigating Identity in a Divided World
00:58 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
02:39 Grace Fooden's Background and Family
06:12 Challenges of Growing Up Biracial
24:28 Corporate Journey and Cultural Bias
27:52 Therapy and Self-Realization
33:05 Uncovering Childhood Trauma
35:07 Challenges in Corporate America
36:05 Strategic Identity Management
44:05 Mentorship and Personal Growth
45:58 Connecting with the Black Community
49:16 Advice for Companies and Individuals
58:31 Final Reflections and Call to Action
🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:
🔔 Listen and Subscribe
Listen to this episode and subscribe for future updates
subscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast on
- YouTube Podcasts
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify Podcasts
- Amazon Music
- Other platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"
if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive change
- subscribe to our newsletter
- give us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts
- share an episode with a friend, family member or colleague
🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExec
- YouTube
- TikTok
⭐️ Follow @TonyTidbitfollow Tony across social media @TonyTidbit
This episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email [email protected] .