Stories We Haven't Shared®
Stories We Haven't Shared®, hosted by Shanti Joy Gold, helps underrepresented / marginalized individuals navigate the extra layers of complexity they encounter within the career landscape. Whether you're seeking guidance in your career, or you’re an ally looking to deepen your understanding, this podcast offers a space for learning and connection. As a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Shanti Joy Gold understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders in their careers. You'll hear stories from individuals who have navigated their careers from the margins - and the allies who support them. Guests share their experiences with and insights on the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, physical ability, age and military veteran status. Learn more about Shanti Joy Gold and Stories We Haven't Shared at https://storieswehaventshared.com
Stories We Haven't Shared®
Breaking Bread with Chef Anita Lo: Resisting Definition, Embracing Intersectionality, and Finding Belonging in the Heat of the Kitchen
In this episode, Shanti Joy Gold (she/her) sits down with chef Anita Lo (she/her), a gay, Asian, gender-nonconforming woman, Michelin-starred culinary innovator, Food Network competitor, and pioneer in contemporary-American cuisine. Anita reflects on growing up as a person of color and outsider in the Midwest: the taunts she endured, the resilience they fueled, and what it means to succeed on her own terms in an industry eager to define her. She shares how kitchens became a place of belonging despite their relentless pace and demands, and how her intersectional identity shaped her approach to her culinary journey. The conversation closes with the Thrive Takeaway: be tenacious, believe in yourself, and keep moving toward what makes you happy.
Anita Lo is a multiple-award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author - and the first female chef to collaborate on a White House State Dinner. She is currently the Culinary Director of Stylus, a private club on the Lower East Side dedicated to the ephemeral arts (opening early 2026). She also hosts culinary tours around the world with Tour De Forks, a luxury travel company specializing in custom-designed epicurean adventures.
Shanti Joy Gold is a professional coach, 30-year corporate warrior and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She understands the unique challenges faced by those who feel like outsiders and, as an executive coach, guides underrepresented people to confidently thrive in their careers by being fully themselves.
👉 Try Shanti’s free Thriving Assessment to get instant clarity on where you’re excelling - and where you can increase fulfillment, joy, and impact: shantijoygold.com/take-the-thriving-assessment
Other stories shared by Anita and Shanti at the campfire:
- Recounting Anita’s sweltering first kitchen job, where illness and exhaustion gave way to the realization she was exactly where she wanted to be.
- Taking the leap to open the award-winning restaurant, Annisa - and why creative freedom outweighed stability.
- Reflecting on the joy and focus found in the “Tetris rhythm” of the kitchen line.
- Sharing Anita’s quirky passions - from mushroom foraging to unicycling - that fuel her artistry and joy.
Thank you for listening! Tune in to all episodes for real stories and practical insights on navigating your career as an outsider - and on the impact of allyship. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast!
Learn more about the Stories We Haven’t Shared podcast at storieswehaventshared.com
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