EP 127: Invisible Layers — Identity, Leadership & The Weight Women Carry with Nicole Johnston
In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Nicole Johnston for a thoughtful conversation on her intersections and key insights on invisible labor, workplace expectations, leadership, and the hidden experiences that shape how women navigate work and life.
Nicole shares how growing up with two educator parents—working at opposite ends of the educational spectrum—shaped her understanding of difference, support, and human potential early in life. She also reflects on navigating the workplace with hearing loss in one ear, and how invisible identities often influence professional experiences in ways people may never fully see.
Together, Lola and Nicole explore the concept of the “mental load” and the invisible work expectations that women disproportionately carry at home and at work. From emotional labor and non-promotable tasks to organizational bias and sponsorship, this conversation unpacks how high-performing professionals can become exhausted even as they are overlooked for leadership opportunities.
Nicole also shares insights from her book, Slightly Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About But Don’t, and offers practical strategies for recognizing hidden labor, setting boundaries, and building stronger sponsorship relationships within organizations.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- Growing up between different educational and social realities
- Invisible identities and navigating hearing loss in professional spaces
- Why “mental load” creates invisible exhaustion for women
- The difference between promotable and non-promotable work
- How invisible expectations shape burnout and leadership perception
- Why women are often over-mentored but under-sponsored
- The importance of sponsorship in career advancement
- Recognizing bias in workplace systems and leadership structures
- Practical ways to push back against hidden labor expectations
- Building healthier, more inclusive leadership cultures
About the Guest
Nicole Johnston is a former global sales and marketing executive with more than 30 years of experience leading within major organizations across international markets. Today, she works in executive coaching and leadership development, helping professionals navigate leadership, visibility, communication, and organizational growth. She is also the author of Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About But Don’t.
About the Podcast
Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through reflective conversations and personal storytelling, Dr. Lola Adeyemo highlights the experiences of professionals navigating layered identities across corporate, entrepreneurial, and leadership spaces.
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