What Happens When Class Never Stops Following You?

Author and screenwriter Xochitl Gonzalez grew up working-class in Brooklyn and made it to the Ivy League, the boardroom, and the bestseller list. But in this episode of Past Due, she talks honestly about how success didn’t erase class anxiety, it just made it more complicated.

We talk about the emotional labor of code-switching, the psychological toll of upward mobility, and how hard it is to feel like you belong when you’re still waiting for the rug to get pulled out.

Here’s what stuck with us:

Imposter syndrome isn’t always in your head. Sometimes it’s about real, structural exclusion—and pretending otherwise is gaslighting.

The hustle doesn’t go away. Even with TV deals and bestselling novels, Xochitl still has a side gig. Not for fun. For stability.

Success comes at a cost. Climbing the ladder often means losing your community and learning how to live with that grief.

People love a rags-to-riches story until you speak honestly about the “rags” part. Talking about class makes people uncomfortable, but Xochitl refuses to sugarcoat her experience.

Belonging isn’t about the room. It’s about not having to prove you deserve to be there.

“ Fear drives my work ethic. I think I have a disgusting work ethic, like, I don't think it's good.” — Xochitl Gonzalez

Why This Matters

This episode is for anyone who’s made it out but not all the way up. For the creatives whose work gets praised but whose backgrounds still get questioned. For anyone navigating the invisible costs of success in a system that wasn’t built for you. Xochitl’s story is a reminder that stability and status are not the same thing—and that class never really lets go.

A Thought to Carry With You…

Success doesn’t mean safety. And belonging isn’t something you owe anyone—it’s something you decide for yourself.