Have you ever found yourself code-switching so well at work that people forgot who you really are? In this powerful episode of Coffee No Cream, I sit down with retail veteran Nadine Foster to discuss what happens when your professional persona works a little TOO well.Nadine shares her eye-opening story about working with a white manager who became so comfortable around her that she started saying things that were completely out of line. From racial profiling of Black customers to inappropriate comments about appearance and culture, this conversation dives deep into the unintended consequences of code-switching in the workplace.🎯 CHAPTERS:(0:00) Intro: What Are Coffee No Cream Moments?(4:47) Meet Nadine: Retail Veteran & Serial Entrepreneur(7:07)The Coffee No Cream Moment: When Code Switching Backfires(14:00) Being Called "Different" - Is It Really a Compliment?(19:01) Code Switching in Professional Environments(20:44) When Your Manager Gets Too Comfortable(23:04) The Breaking Point: Standing Up at Work(28:44) Workplace Personas vs. Authentic Self(32:17) Hair Politics in Professional Settings(36:32) Teaching Kids vs. Adult Experiences(40:37) Finding Your Voice in the Current Workplace(44:22) Handling Workplace Situations Differently Today(48:20) Workplace Friendships for Black Women(54:13) The "Angry vs. Guarded" Label(1:01:32) Supporting Other Black Women at Work(1:03:43) Advice for Black Women Entering Retail(1:07:16) Where to Find Nadine + Discount CodeKey Takeaways:✨ Code switching can make others so comfortable they forget your boundaries✨ There's a difference between being "guarded" vs "angry" at work✨ You don't have to educate grown people who choose not to learn✨ Your authentic voice matters, even in professional spacesThis episode is for every Black woman who's ever felt the pressure to dim her light to make others comfortable, or wondered if her workplace friendships were actually real.Connect with Nadine:🕯️ House of Foster Candles📱 @PrettyGirlsCloset on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok💫 Use code COFFEE for 15% off candles!About Coffee No Cream:This podcast is unapologetically dedicated to Black women, sharing our "Coffee No Cream moments" - those experiences that happen to us simply because we're Black women. Subscribe for real conversations about navigating bias, microaggressions, and workplace dynamics while building confidence and community.Join our Facebook CommunityInstagramTikTok
