Episode 17

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Published on:

2nd Sep 2026

Was That Shade? Microaggressions in Business

Somebody says something to you. On the surface it sounds fine. Almost like a compliment.

Then your stomach does that thing.

WAYMENT! Was that shade?

Season 2 opens with the question every Black woman in business has asked herself, and then talked herself out of asking.

I share 3 stories. One I had to decode. One I didn't have to decode at all. And one where I chucked dueces.

There's no HR department in your business. You're it. So you're going to have to decide.

Ready to stop performing?

Start With Self is a self-guided identity process. Six modules, one weekend. Go back to who you were before the degrees, before corporate, before you learned how to shrink. Introductory rate: $97 → mellynated.com/self

Got a story? I know I'm not the only one. Come tell it on Substack, where we go deeper on every episode: substack.com/@mellynated

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp4tHH05phcnjPgkXdhP1uDtcFaydNPbz

More: codeswitchrebellion.com

Your identity is the strategy.

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Timestamps:

1:01 Was that shade?

2:05 What a microaggression actually is

4:40 Why entrepreneurs have it different

6:08 "You like to question people"

9:56 When they villainize your superpower

12:47 "Your hair gives beach vibes"

14:19 Braids are not seasonal

17:08 When it's bigger than a micro

19:50 The resignation

21:15 "Educate me" is not your job

22:30 Clock it, correct it, or get the hell on

27:06 What eating it actually costs

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About the Podcast

Codeswitch Rebellion
For the ones who are done performing professionalism
Codeswitch Rebellion is a thought-provoking podcast for Black women who are tired of editing themselves to be seen, heard, or taken seriously.

Hosted by personal branding strategist, Melanie L. Denny, this show explores authenticity, identity, visibility, and personal branding without the pressure to perform professionalism, dilute your voice, or shrink your presence.

Through raw solo reflections and conversations with bold thinkers, creators, and leaders, Codeswitch Rebellion challenges the myths we’ve been taught about credibility, success, and what it means to “sound professional.”

This is a space for reclaiming your voice, honoring your rhythm, and building a brand rooted in who you actually are.

If you’re done code-switching for comfort and ready to show up whole, you’re in the right place.

About your host

Profile picture for Melanie L. Denny

Melanie L. Denny

Melanie L. Denny, also known as Melly D, is a personal branding consultant who helps Black women stop performing professionalism and start showing up with bold authenticity.

Her core belief is simple: your identity is the strategy.

With over a decade of experience guiding professionals and entrepreneurs through visibility, messaging, and positioning, she is known for helping her clients build brands rooted in who they actually are, not who they were conditioned to be.

As the host of Codeswitch Rebellion, Melanie leads truth-telling conversations unpacking identity, authenticity, visibility, and storytelling...and what it means to show up with integrity, authority, and bold authenticity so you can attract better clients and bigger opportunities.