About the Podcast
White Woman Wake Up is a podcast where two white women—Karen, a Boomer, and Jonelle, a Millennial, mother and daughter—come together for honest, intergenerational conversations about awakening to our cultural biases and privilege. Rooted in curiosity and accountability, we explore how our actions (and inactions) connect to larger systems and what it means to challenge harmful conditioning.
Each week, one host introduces a topic the other hasn’t prepared for, sparking raw, unscripted dialogue. We also invite guest speakers to broaden our perspectives and encourage our audience to share their thoughts or challenge us.
We’re not experts—we’re learners. Through these conversations, we hope to inspire listeners to engage in meaningful dialogue within their own circles, fostering understanding and building a better world that uplifts all women.
Meet the Hosts
Co-Host
Jonelle
The millennial co-host of White Woman Wake Up. With an interest in social justice and a passion for creating space for open dialogue, Jonelle brings a forward-thinking and reflective approach to each conversation. Her focus is on fostering understanding and encouraging others to embrace vulnerability and growth. Through candid storytelling and honest exploration, Jonelle works to empower listeners to recognize and address their own biases, while promoting empathy and progressive change in today’s world.
"For me, this podcast emerged from a deep desire for accountability and growth—not just for myself, but for anyone willing to join in. I’ve always seen myself as someone who fights for truth, ready to challenge what doesn’t feel right. Yet, in the past few years, as I’ve begun unpacking my inherited biases and understanding my role as a white woman, I’ve realized that many of my well-intentioned actions were, in fact, harmful forms of allyship."
Co-Host
Karen
The Baby Boomer co-host of White Woman Wake Up, where she openly shares her evolving journey toward understanding social justice. Raised in a midwestern Christian household, Karen has spent years reexamining and deconstructing her early beliefs in order to better align with a more inclusive and compassionate worldview. With a deep commitment to introspection and personal change, Karen offers listeners valuable insight into how one can shift long-held perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations about privilege and equity. Her aim is to help others navigate their own transformative journeys and foster a more just society.
"I used to think I was a “good” person—someone who followed the rules and did the right thing. But as I examined where those rules came from, I realized many were rooted in white cultural dominance. Now I’m questioning my role, acknowledging my silence, and striving to move beyond “good” toward genuine allyship. I’m committed to listening, amplifying marginalized voices, and continuously challenging what I’ve been taught."