Conversations With Carole
"Conversations with Carole" is meant to build a community where we can talk about current and historical issues relevant to our times. I've been in the cross culture business for many years and celebrate the past work I've done in radio. It made sense NOW to move the conversation to a podcast format where we can all get involved!
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As an award-winning keynote speaker, trainer, and global thought leader, since 1987, Carole Copeland Thomas moderates the discussions of critical issues affecting the marketplace. She has her pulse on the issues affecting working professionals and regularly consults with industry leaders. She has spent 36 years cultivating relationships and partnerships with local, national, and international sponsors, including Walmart, Amtrak, and Emirates Airlines. Carole is the past president of The National Speakers Association -New England Chapter and was on the leadership team of Black NSA. Carole is a blogger and social media enthusiast using various technology platforms to enhance her business development activities.
Carole has been featured in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Black Enterprise, ABC Radio, and CBS News.
She is the author of eight books and is the Past National Vice Chair of the National Black MBA Association
Carole is a 28-year member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and an active member of Black NSA. She won the President Emeritus Award for the leadership role she played during the 2017-2018 NSA New England Chapter Year.
Visit Carole's website at www.carolecopelandthomas.com.
Conversations With Carole
9/14/2025 EPISODE #58 Words Matter: Eight Words & Phrases That Can Get You Into Trouble
In today’s episode of Conversations With Carole, we explore the power of language and the unintended consequences of everyday words and phrases. What you say may seem harmless, but the impact on others can be lasting, offensive, or dismissive.
Carole breaks down eight common words and phrases that can trigger negative reactions, create distance, or reinforce harmful stereotypes. She explains why these expressions are problematic, shares cultural context, and offers better alternatives that promote respect and inclusion.
The eight words/phrases discussed include:
- “You people” – why this collective phrase often sounds derogatory.
- “People of color” – how usage depends on context and confidence.
- “Colored people” – why this outdated term is unacceptable in the U.S. today.
- “Articulate” – how it can feel condescending when applied selectively.
- “Poor communities” – the hidden implications behind labeling.
- “Safe neighborhood” (or its opposite “crime-ridden”) – the coded language of geography.
- “Idyllic life” – how this phrase privileges some lifestyles while dismissing others.
- “Broken home” – why this term can be inaccurate and painful, and what to say instead
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Carole draws from history, current events, and personal experience to demonstrate how these words can alienate others—even when not intended. By choosing more accurate and respectful language, we can create conversations that connect rather than divide.
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Discover how Carole can support your organization with keynote speaking, leadership training, and consulting solutions—visit www.carolecopelandthomas.com