S2E7: Uncovering Your Whiteness with Dr. Claire Stewart-Hall: Why Silence Isn’t Neutral

What role has race had in your life?

In this conversation on Becoming You - the podcast, John speaks with Dr. Claire Stewart Hall - a researcher, practitioner, coach, and educator to explore how whiteness shapes identity, leadership, and belonging. 

They discuss masking, silence, systemic power, and why noticing your own racialisation is the first step in meaningful personal growth. Claire spent 20 years as a qualified teacher and head teacher, and for the last 10 years has studied race and whiteness in leadership settings.

Claire now designs programmes and coaches people to understand systemic injustice - how it shows up in their lives, their settings, and themselves. 

Together, John and Claire explore:

• How whiteness functions as a structure not just skin colour
• Why masking, silence, and “looking away” uphold racism
• How fear and the nervous system influence our response to race
• What it means to be racialised as white, and how to begin noticing it
• The potential for growth when white people create spaces to run towards these conversations

Claire also reflects on her personal journey navigating her identity, family, and her work as a leader and researcher, and why she continues to examine her own relationship with whiteness.

If you’re curious about what “uncovering your whiteness” really means, and how race shapes identity, leadership, and belonging, this episode offers an open and honest entry point.

Listen to the podcast Whiteness at work: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/whiteness-at-work/id1782561091

Check out Dr Claire Stewart-Halls website & programs: https://equitablecoaching.com/

Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?

Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/

Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbook

Follow Becoming You on Social Media:

Instagram: @becoming_you_

TikTok: @becoming_you_

Share Your Story:

John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to [email protected]

Visit the website at www.becomingyou.ie

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.