Visibility, Empowerment And Authenticity

Joanne Lockwood is joined by visibility and empowerment mentor Raimonda Jankunaite to explore what it means to be seen, heard and unapologetically yourself.

Raimonda shares her personal journey, from growing up in Lithuania and later navigating life in the UK as an immigrant, to rebuilding her sense of identity after a traumatic and toxic relationship left her feeling voiceless and disconnected from who she was. Together, they talk about how fear, shame and social conditioning can lead people—especially women—to mask, stay quiet and shrink to fit.

The conversation moves from personal liberation to wider social realities: beauty standards, workplace perceptions of women’s leadership, and the importance of finding communities where it feels safer to speak up. Raimonda describes her decision to shave her head as a symbolic act of self-acceptance and a practical rejection of expectations placed on women’s appearance.

They also reflect on global political shifts, the rollback of inclusion efforts, and why visibility and collective voice matter when rights and representation are being challenged. The episode closes with a call to action: build supportive networks, use your platform—however small—and be an ally for those whose voices are being silenced.