Eyes On Whiteness
Eyes On Whiteness is a podcast that illuminates the insidious and ignorant ways of whiteness, regardless of intent. Our guests are invited to talk about the ways white supremacy and patriarchy are pervasive and ever-present. Our conversations are rooted in a commitment to normalizing the "how, not if" lens for looking at the ways it's present for all of us.
Eyes On Whiteness
Leading Without Ego: Nonjudgment as a Tool for Clarity and Collective Power
In this episode, Maureen dives into the powerful practice of nonjudgment—not as a soft alternative to accountability, but as a path to clarity, discernment, and principled leadership. She unpacks how judgment (especially internalized) can cloud our ability to lead with integrity, and how nonjudgment offers a way to pause, inquire, and root critique in care.
Through a close look at the recent New York City mayoral primary, we examine how progressive candidates modeled nonjudgment in action—setting aside ego, embracing strategic alignment, and practicing principled critique. Maureen also shares a personal reflection on the ways shame and judgment have shaped her own leadership journey, and how she’s learning to notice, pause, and respond from clarity instead of control.
This episode is an invitation to slow down, to breathe, and to ask:
What’s working? What’s not? And for whom?
In this episode we explore:
- The difference between judgment and discernment
- How nonjudgment strengthens—not weakens—accountability
- What NYC's progressive coalition teaches us about ego-less leadership
- The relationship between shame, projection, and leadership
- Personal cues Maureen uses to interrupt her own judgment loops
Who this episode is for:
- Educators navigating challenging classroom moments
- Parents struggling to let go of control without losing connection
- Organizational leaders learning to receive feedback
- Movement organizers balancing urgency with inclusion
- Anyone trying to show up with more care, clarity, and integrity
This week´s reflection:
- Where in your life or leadership are you making someone—or something—“wrong,” and how is that shaping your choices or perceptions?
- Whose voices have you intentionally or unintentionally quieted—because of fear, fatigue, or urgency?
- What would it feel like to meet your own righteousness with curiosity, instead of doubling down on being “right”?
This isn’t about abandoning accountability. It’s about anchoring it in care—and returning to clarity in the moments that matter most.
For more resources or to join the community, visit:
www.eyesonwhiteness.com
www.cultivatingintersectionalleadership.com
This episode was created with deep love, and deep thanks to the frameworks and tools within Cultivating Intersectional Leadership, a course I co-created with Diedra Barber.
CIL isn’t just a training. It’s a transformative journey—one that supports individuals and organizations in making the systemic, strategic, and spiritual shifts needed to build something different.
Something rooted in justice. Something aligned with who we say we want to be.
You're invited to learn more or inquire about participation at:
🌐 www.cultivatingintersectionalleadership.com
Or visit our podcast site at:
🎧 www.eyesonwhiteness.com
If this episode stirred something in you, share it.
If you’re holding big questions, write them down.
And if you’re tired—rest. But don’t quit.