Leap Academy with Ilana Golan – Episode E110: Gretchen Carlson: The Journalist Who Defied Fox News and Exposed Workplace Abuse

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Leap Academy with Ilana Golan, host Ilana Golan sits down with Gretchen Carlson, a trailblazing journalist and former Fox News host. The conversation delves deep into Carlson's courageous decision to sue Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, her pivotal role in the MeToo movement, and her ongoing efforts to transform workplace dynamics through her nonprofit organization, Lift Our Voices.

Gretchen Carlson’s Journey and the Courage to Speak Out

Filing the Lawsuit Against Fox News

At 00:36, Ilana introduces Gretchen Carlson, highlighting her pivotal moment in July 2016 when she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes. Gretchen provides a raw insight into why she chose to come forward:

Gretchen Carlson [00:58]: “Fox took away the career that I had killed myself for. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong when I did what I did in 2016. ... what happened immediately after I filed the lawsuit was that I started hearing from women all across the world, and they all had the same eerie truth: I did what you did. I came forward, I was fired, and I've never worked in my chosen profession ever again. And I was silenced."

The Decision to Take a Stand

Ilana probes Gretchen about her decision-making process during her tenure at Fox News. Gretchen emphasizes the prolonged struggle and the personal sacrifices involved:

Gretchen Carlson [03:24]: “Building up the courage that it takes to do something that monumental is not something that you decide the night before. ... I had reached the pinnacle of television. I was hosting the number one morning show on cable in the country and they fired me. And I knew I hadn't done anything wrong. ... I looked into the eyes of my children who were middle schoolers at the time, and I just decided that I was doing it for their generation as well.”

Personal Impact and Family Support

Navigating Family Dynamics

Gretchen shares the emotional toll her decision had on her family, particularly her relationship with her husband and children:

Gretchen Carlson [08:12]: “Yes, it's hard on a marriage. ... My children were in middle school, so a very vulnerable age. ... I said, 'don't worry, she's going to be fine, and Mommy will be fine, too, and you will be fine.'”

Facing Public Scrutiny and Lack of Immediate Support

Reflecting on the aftermath of her lawsuit, Gretchen touches on the lack of immediate support from her community:

Gretchen Carlson [12:43]: “People who live on my street have never acknowledged that this happened to me. ... someone had invited him [Roger Ailes], and I saw him walk past my office... how am I going to get out of my office without running into this person? That's how scared I was all those years later.”

From Miss America to Media Mogul

Early Life and Miss America Experience

Gretchen recounts her upbringing in Anoka, Minnesota, her disciplined pursuit of the violin, and her unexpected journey to becoming Miss America:

Gretchen Carlson [16:07]: “Lake Wobegon is my Hometown... I played the violin starting at age 6, which gave me immense discipline and self-confidence. ... My mom got a brochure in the mail, and she was determined to get me into Miss America, which turned out to be the largest scholarship program in the world for women.”

Challenges of Public Perception

Transitioning from a high-achieving individual to Miss America, Gretchen discusses the shift in how she was perceived and the challenges she faced:

Gretchen Carlson [25:20]: “There was a lot of people that were really incredibly rude to me... One of my celebrity judges wrote an entire book about me and how I was too fat to be Miss America. He called me Miss Piggy throughout the whole book.”

Reinventing and Advocating for Change

Launching Lift Our Voices

Post-lawsuit, Gretchen channels her experiences into activism, founding Lift Our Voices to combat workplace harassment and silencing mechanisms like non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and forced arbitration:

Gretchen Carlson [43:55]: “I started walking the halls of Congress because I was like, we have to change the laws... The laws I helped pass are the two biggest labor law changes in the last 100 years. They don't allow you to use forced arbitration anymore or non-disclosure agreements for sexual misconduct at work.”

Passing Landmark Legislation

Gretchen highlights her success in lobbying for significant legislative changes, underscoring the impact of her efforts:

Gretchen Carlson [43:55]: “... my lawyers came up with the brilliant move to sue Roger Ailes personally to try and get around my forced arbitration clause.”

Continued Advocacy and Future Goals

Discussing the ongoing mission of Lift Our Voices, Gretchen emphasizes the need for cultural and legislative shifts to support victims:

Gretchen Carlson [47:49]: “We still have a lot of work to do... We’re working on behalf of other protected classes that are still silenced... We have a ton of messages for different people, like, raising our boys... treat their fellow women in the workplace the same way they would treat their sisters or their mothers.”

Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

Handling Rejection and Staying Motivated

Drawing parallels between her journalism career and nonprofit work, Gretchen discusses resilience in the face of rejection:

Gretchen Carlson [49:50]: “Being a reporter meant I had to cold call so many people... The majority of the time the answer was no. ... Getting rejections now is disappointing, but it actually motivates me to keep going because I've had it so much in my life.”

Advice to Future Leaders

Gretchen imparts wisdom to listeners aiming to leap their careers and make impactful changes:

Gretchen Carlson [51:28]: “Keep pounding your head against the brick wall... Never give up. ... To our men out there, please, please, please honor us and help us. ... We need your help.”

Closing Thoughts

Ilana expresses profound gratitude for Gretchen's openness and the vital lessons shared, emphasizing the importance of such conversations in inspiring and educating listeners to take bold steps in their own careers and lives.

Ilana Golan [53:07]: “Thank you for what you're doing that will change a lot of lives. ...”

Key Takeaways

1. Courage to Speak Out: Gretchen Carlson's decision to sue Roger Ailes was fueled by years of enduring harassment and a commitment to protect future generations from similar abuses.

2. Impact of Personal Support: Family support played a crucial role in Gretchen's ability to take such a monumental step, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system.

3. Reinvention and Advocacy: Post-lawsuit, Gretchen reinvented herself as an advocate for workplace rights, successfully passing landmark legislation to eliminate silencing mechanisms.

4. Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Her experiences underscore the importance of resilience and perseverance when facing rejection and challenges.

5. Call to Action: Gretchen emphasizes the need for societal and cultural changes, urging both women and men to participate actively in creating respectful and equitable workplaces.

Notable Quotes

• Gretchen Carlson [00:58]: "Fox took away the career that I had killed myself for... and I was silenced."

• Gretchen Carlson [03:24]: "...I decided that if I don't do this, who will? ...I was doing it for their generation as well."

• Gretchen Carlson [08:12]: “Don't worry, she's going to be fine, and Mommy will be fine, too, and you will be fine.”

• Gretchen Carlson [25:20]: "...he called me Miss Piggy throughout the whole book."

• Gretchen Carlson [43:55]: "...my lawyers came up with the brilliant move to sue Roger Ailes personally to try and get around my forced arbitration clause."

• Gretchen Carlson [49:50]: "Getting rejections now is disappointing, but it actually motivates me to keep going because I've had it so much in my life."

• Gretchen Carlson [51:28]: "Never give up. ... To our men out there, please, please, please honor us and help us."

Conclusion

Gretchen Carlson's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of advocacy, and the impact one individual can have in driving systemic change. Her journey from a high-achieving journalist to a leading activist underscores the themes of reinvention and courage that resonate deeply with Leap Academy’s mission to inspire and educate individuals striving for transformative career and life leaps.

For more insights and actionable career strategies, subscribe to Leap Academy with Ilana Golan and explore their resources at leapacademy.com.