In this episode of White Women Wake Up, Karen and Jonelle explore the concept of psychological safety and why it matters in both personal relationships and professional spaces. Drawing from research by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson and examples from workplaces like Google, they discuss how true safety means creating an environment where people can admit mistakes, share concerns, and disagree without fear of humiliation or punishment. Karen shares raw reflections from her own classroom and leadership experiences, while Jonelle highlights corporate lessons that reveal how trust is built through consistent actions rather than empty promises. Together, they unpack how psychological safety is not about avoiding conflict but fostering spaces where vulnerability deepens trust, accountability grows, and diverse voices are welcomed. This conversation reminds us that building safe spaces—at work, at home, or in community—requires intentionality, humility, and courage.

 Calls to Action

• Reflect on a recent mistake—how did you respond, and did your environment feel safe to admit it?
• Ask someone in your community what safety looks like for them, and listen without defense.
• Commit to one action this week that builds trust through honesty and accountability.

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