Episode 3: Using Your Voice (Isn't Just About You)

Hannah and Tara get real about using your voice at work—from interrupting interruptions to asking for the raise (again). They unpack why many women in STEM wait to be noticed, how to build advocacy as a skill through tiny reps, and when “moving on” is actually the most self-respecting form of self-advocacy. Expect practical scripts, manager-friendly tactics, and a loving nudge to stop waiting until you feel “ready.”

Key Takeaways

• Advocacy is a skill, not a personality trait. Start with low-stakes reps (finish your thought after an interruption, share one idea per meeting) and build up.
• Prepare receipts, not feelings. Track wins, metrics, and impact continuously so performance convos aren’t a blank-page problem.
• Engineer your moments. Pre-brief allies before big meetings, ask leaders to “round-robin” at the end, and use intentional silence to open space.
• Turn “no” into “not yet.” Leave every comp/promo chat with a concrete checklist and a date to revisit.
• Control breeds engagement. Even asking (and being told no) can restore a sense of control and reduce burnout; repeated stonewalls may mean it’s time to move on.
• Lift as you climb. Sponsor other women publicly—amplify in meetings, send kudos emails, and redirect the spotlight.

Chapter Guide (Approx.)

• 00:00–02:30 Welcome + shoutout: intro/outro music by artist Olivia Knox; episode setup
• 02:30–06:30 The bedtime story: a 9-year-old masterclass in self-advocacy
• 06:30–11:45 Why early conditioning (be agreeable, don’t push) stalls careers—and how to rewire it
• 11:45–15:30 Behavioral activation: tiny advocacy reps that snowball
• 15:30–19:30 Hannah’s paper-mill story: asking for the pay that matches the work
• 19:30–24:30 Receipts over sentiment: metrics, calendars, and a “wins” folder
• 24:30–30:30 Mentorship vs. sponsorship; being the advocate you needed
• 30:30–34:45 Make speaking easier: pre-meeting allies, round-robin, and productive silence
• 34:45–39:45 “I won’t leave with a no”: converting rejection into a roadmap
• 39:45–46:45 Control spectrum: how advocacy boosts engagement (and burnout when it’s missing)
• 46:45–End When “moving on” is self-advocacy; listener call-in + ways to share stories

Try-It-This-Week Micro-Challenges

• Finish your thought: When interrupted, say: “I wasn’t finished—let me wrap this quickly.”
• One idea rule: Share at least one idea in your next meeting.
• Kudos ripple: Send one cross-functional kudos email naming a woman’s contribution.
• Wins folder: Create it today; drop in one metric or praise note.

Resources & Mentions

• Intro/outro music by Olivia Knox (find her on Spotify/Apple Music)
• STEM Girl Affirmations (Tara’s book)
• Contact: [email protected]
• DM us on IG: @femaledominatedpod (send stories & questions), @stemwithhannah or @simplysortedstem

Don't forget to head on over to Instagram and follow @Fe_maledominated to join the community.

You can also follow Hannah @stemwithhannah
and Tara @simplysortedstem