Shows
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Power Of Touch & The Black Brute Narrative In The Workplace With Aaron JohnsonWhat is holistic resistance? How can we practice it to break historical narratives and challenge oppression in the workplace?
In Episode 131, Aaron Johnson, Professional Speaker at The CUT, joins Melinda in an honest conversation on the power of touch and the Black brute narrative in the workplace. They explore holistic resistance as a response to the profound impact of the Black brute narrative on African heritage men. They discuss ways this narrative shows up in the workplace, including through a lack of safe space where Black men can be vulnerable, set boundaries, and protect themselves when those boundaries are violated...2023-07-1245 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastNavigating Politics In The Workplace With Cari GuittardWhat exactly is political intelligence? And why is it important to have in the workplace?
In Episode 130, Cari Guittard, Chief Strategy Officer & Partner at ChangeX & purposewerx and Leadership Professor at Hult International Business School, joins Melinda in a conversation around the constructive approach to addressing politics within the workplace. Drawing from her multiple experiences in the DEI, ESG, and political fields, Cari delves into practical tools to develop our political intelligence. She discusses why this skill set can be necessary for advancing our careers and positioning ourselves as purpose-driven leaders, the importance of curiosity in political conversations, and how it...2023-07-0656 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastUnlocking The Beauty Of Belonging With Ritu BhasinWhat’s the difference between social power and personal power? And how is our personal power tied to our sense of belonging?
In Episode 127, Ritu Bhasin, Belonging and Leadership Speaker, Consultant, Author, and Expert at bhasin consulting inc., joins Melinda in an insightful conversation on unlocking the beauty of belonging. Drawing from Ritu’s book, We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging, they share their stories of navigating the path to belonging and delve into the strong connection between authenticity, personal power, and belonging. They discuss the importance of healing work and how this impacts our ability to be bet...2023-06-1549 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Address Workplace Bullying With Megan CarleIn Episode 125, Megan Carle, Author and Consultant at Carle Consulting, joins Melinda in an insightful conversation on ways to address workplace bullying. They draw from Megan’s book, WALK AWAY TO WIN: A Playbook to Combat Workplace Bullying (McGraw Hill), to discuss various forms of workplace bullying and how to recognize and respond to these harmful behaviors. They share their own workplace experiences and dive into opportunities for leaders and allies to advocate for individuals who have experienced mistreatment and foster a safe workplace culture for everyone's overall well-being.
About Megan Carle (she/her)
Megan Carle spent 30 years rising steadily th...2023-06-0149 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastChanging Workplace Cultures: From Planning To Execution With Marissa AndradaWhen is cultural transformation crucial for teams and organizations? What can leaders do to empower people in times of change?
In Episode 124, Marissa Andrada, Culture Master & Kindness Catalyst, joins Melinda in a solution-focused discussion on transforming workplace cultures. Marissa draws from her experience in planning and executing culture change across different industries. She shares insights on how we can harness the transformative power of kindness through transparency, empowerment, collaboration, and co-creation. She also explores the importance of building leadership capability and developing incentive programs to encourage people across organizations to meet their goals for transformation.
About Marissa Andrada (she/her)
...2023-05-2552 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastExploring The Neuroscience Of Ethical Leadership With Ellen Petry LeanseHow does a lack of diversity limit one's cognitive potential? What steps can leaders take to cultivate radical equality and belonging?
In Episode 123, Ellen Petry Leanse, Author, Speaker, and Podcast Host of The Brain and Beyond, joins Melinda in a thought-provoking conversation about the neuroscience behind ethical leadership. They explore how you can engage both hemispheres of the brain to break free from binary thinking and develop the ability to recognize biases. Ellen introduces the concept of homogeneity hijack, how it impacts workplace culture, and why it hinders our ability to be responsive, curious, and open to possibilities. They also...2023-05-1849 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastDoing Equity Work As A Marginalized Changemaker With Cory Ervin-StewartWhat does it take to maintain confidence and resilience while engaging in equity work? How can self-grace and allyship help underrepresented changemakers?
In Episode 122, Cory Ervin-Stewart, Founder and CEO of Stewart Consulting and Management, LLC, joins Melinda in a candid conversation on navigating the challenges of equity work as a marginalized changemaker. They share personal insights from their experiences in interracial relationships and discuss the importance of self-reflection and self-care practices to address the harmful effects of marginalization. They also explore ways allies can support and advocate for individuals engaged in equity work.
About Cory Ervin-Stewart (she/her)
As a...2023-05-1144 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Change Catalyst Became EmpoviaWhat does 10 years of work in DEI look like? How do you transform an industry? And why is Change Catalyst changing to Empovia? In episode 120, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) and Wayne Sutton, Co-Founder & Advisor of Empovia, kick off season 10 with a reflective conversation on a decade of DEI work across various industries, including their impactful work in building inclusive tech ecosystems. They discuss Empovia’s mission to empower inclusive innovation and the launch of a new accessible eLearning platform that provides individuals with actionable steps, tools, and frameworks to create positive change.
Use code LE...2023-04-2846 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastBlack History: Past, Present, & FutureIn Episode 115, Melinda shares talks from previous Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) events made by Black leaders Daisy Ozim, Angel Acosta, and Ashantè Fray that tackle the impact of Black history on our present and future. At Tech Inclusion 2019, Daisy discusses the long-term impacts of intergenerational trauma and how it is perpetuated through technology. She dives into 10 things allies can do to help create systemic change. In Angel’s talk on mindfulness and healing in tech at Tech Inclusion Global Summit 2020, he shares the power of mindfulness and healing practices to support ourselves through trauma from the global health crisis and rac...2023-02-2438 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastBuilding Global Inclusion Through Community With Gabriela de QueirozIn Episode 113, Gabriela de Queiroz, Principal Cloud Advocate Manager at Microsoft, joins Melinda in an impactful discussion on building global inclusion through community. They dive into the importance of building inclusive communities to address the global gap in access and opportunity. They discuss how people can start to advocate for social change by finding out what issues they're passionate about and recognizing what they can give back, no matter how small. They also explore key lessons from building inclusive communities that can help global leaders manage their teams more effectively.
About Gabriela de Queiroz (she/her)
Gabriela de Queiroz is...2023-02-0843 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastDriving LGBTQIA+ Workplace Equity & Inclusion With Nick AlmIn Episode 112, Nick Alm, Founder and Godx of Mossier, joins Melinda in an informative discussion about the key trends that drive LGBTQIA+ workplace equity and inclusion. They look into challenges around policies and procedures for transgender and nonbinary inclusion. They discuss how companies can take action to improve their DEI initiatives through normalizing pronoun use, integrating self-identification into recruitment efforts, incentivizing ERG and DEI leadership, and more. They also touch on ways for managers to rethink how they approach political discussions at work.
About Nick Alm (they/them)
Nick Alm (they/them) was born in St. Paul and grew up...2023-02-0246 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRedefining Professionalism With Pabel MartinezIn Episode 111, Pabel Martinez, Founder and CEO of Plurawl, joins Melinda in a discussion on redefining professionalism so people can bring their authentic selves to the workplace. They explore how biases around professionalism move individuals to mask their identities and “code-switch”’ to assimilate into another culture. They look into the difference between uncomfortable and unprofessional and how we can mitigate the impact of biases around professionalism. They also discuss how managers can promote authenticity at work by building trust in teams and leading honest conversations.
About Pabel Martinez (he/him)
Pabel Martinez is a native New Yorker, storyteller, and former Tech e...2023-01-2637 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastPaving A Pathway To Success For Underestimated Leaders With Donald ThompsonIn Episode 110, Donald Thompson, CEO and Co-Founder of The Diversity Movement, joins Melinda in an enriching conversation about how underestimated leaders can pave a pathway to success. Donald shares his successful journey overcoming adversities as an underestimated leader and how his path can help leaders create access and opportunity for marginalized people in their workplaces. He shares his strategies for implementing inclusive leadership across large organizations and growing companies by maximizing everyone’s unique talents and evaluating team performance. He also provides practical ways for underrepresented entrepreneurs to gain access to funding by knowing how to approach the right VC fi...2023-01-1839 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastEveryone's Role In Creating Accessible Communities With Sunday ParkerIn Episode 109, Sunday Parker, Access Technology Program Manager at Microsoft, joins Melinda in a conversation about everyone’s role in creating accessible and inclusive communities for people with disabilities. Sunday describes what physical and digital accessibility look like and the importance of continuing to incorporate digital accessibility into social media platforms, particularly as they evolve and change. She shares the value of interdependence in communities and how allies can amplify the voices of disability advocates. She also talks about her work in providing non-profits with the resources they need to better support their disability constituents.
About Sunday Parker (she/her)
Su...2023-01-1239 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastUnderstanding The Changing Landscape Of DEI Work With Dax-Devlon RossIn Episode 108, our final episode of Season 8, Dax-Devlon Ross, Founder / Principal of Dax-Dev and Third Settlements, joins Melinda in a reflective conversation about the changing landscape of DEI work over the years. They look into systemic shifts in communities and organizations, including the pushback to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. They explore what Dax-Devlon calls the BIPOC savior syndrome, an issue that incoming BIPOC leaders often face. Dax-Devlon also shares his experience navigating the DEI space as a Black cis man and how we can reflect and set goals to support DEI initiatives moving into 2023 and beyond.
About Dax-Devlon Ross...2022-12-1549 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastInterrupting Microaggressions For LGBTQIA+ ColleaguesIn Episode 107, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), shares a short talk based on her Out & Equal Workplace Summit session with our friends at Qualcomm on “Interrupting Microaggressions: Workplace Interventions for Calling People In.” In this workshop, Melinda shares how we can call each other in to interrupt microaggressions experienced by LGBTQIA+ folks in the workplace. She guides us through microintervention processes and scripts we can use to address common verbal, nonverbal, and environmental microaggressions. She also shares how managers and team members can take action to create a call-in culture together.
About Melinda Briana Epler (she...2022-12-0837 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastWays To Address Interpersonal Conflict At Work With Lisa GelobterIn Episode 106, Lisa Gelobter, CEO of tEQuitable, joins Melinda in a discussion on ways to address interpersonal conflict in the workplace. They discuss the true costs and consequences of interpersonal conflicts for an organization. Lisa shares an open-ended question framework tEQuitable uses in their process that can help us all create constructive conversations at work and shift team cultures. They also look into the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for managing workplace conflict to improve business outcomes.
About Lisa Gelobter (she/her)
Lisa Gelobter is the CEO and Founder of tEQuitable. Using technology to make workplaces more equitable, tEQuitable provides a...2022-12-0146 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastFinding Your Power To Create Systemic Change With Lily ZhengIn Episode 105, Lily Zheng, Consultant at Zheng Consulting, joins Melinda in a discussion on how we can use our power to create real systemic change around diversity, equity, and inclusion. They explore different types of power and practical ways we can build movements that address inequities in the workplace. They also discuss the importance of trust in creating change and how managers can earn their team members’ trust by understanding and utilizing the currency of trust when making decisions.
About Lily Zheng (they/them)
Lily Zheng (they/them) is a sought-after Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion speaker, strategist, and organizational consultant wh...2022-11-1748 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Be An Ally For Muslim Colleagues With Rahimeh RamezanyIn Episode 104, Rahimeh Ramezany, DEI Practitioner & Founder of Rahimeh Ramezany Consulting, joins Melinda in a discussion on how to be better allies for Muslim colleagues. They dive into the importance of addressing intersectionality in the workplace when building religious inclusion and how managers can use an intersectional approach to establish policies & procedures for religious accommodations and inclusion. They also explore meaningful ways to support Muslim colleagues, such as learning to navigate religious differences during the winter holidays and promoting policies to address the impact of religious discrimination.
About Rahimeh Ramezany (she/her)
Rahimeh Ramezany is a multiethnic, neurodiverse, visibly identifiable...2022-11-1047 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Be An Ally In A StartupIn Episode 103 (recorded live), Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), joins Paula Quintana, Senior Analyst, for High Alpha Innovation’s Satellite Series event on “How to Be an Ally.” In this fireside chat, Melinda shares how we can start our journey as allies to drive a more inclusive and equitable culture in a startup ecosystem. She introduces small steps anyone can take to intervene and counter the impact of microaggressions across teams. She also discusses how startups can set tangible goals and develop strategies to achieve measurable progress for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
About Melinda Briana Epler...2022-11-0345 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastTransforming Our Workplaces Through Emotional Justice With Esther A. ArmahIn Episode 102, Esther A. Armah, CEO of The Armah Institute of Emotional Justice, joins Melinda in a discussion about how Emotional Justice serves as a roadmap for racial healing. This roadmap focuses on the important emotional work all individuals can do to end systemic inequity and help transform our workplaces. They touch on the systems and racial biases we need to unlearn based on the four pillars of the language of Whiteness. They explore how we can replace them with the love languages of Emotional Justice to relearn inclusive thoughts and behaviors. They also discuss how leaders and DEI practitioners...2022-10-2745 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastMindfulness-Based Support For Allyship & Empathy With Rhonda V. MageeIn Episode 101, Rhonda V. Magee, Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, joins Melinda in a conversation about the practice of mindfulness as a way to build sustainability into allyship and empathy. They look into ways we can deepen our mindfulness to support ourselves through healing intergenerational trauma. They explore how to be better allies by learning to stay open to making mistakes and being corrected when our actions cause harm to others. They also talk about how leaders and managers can help teams develop mindfulness practices to make everyone feel more included.
About Rhonda V. Magee (she...2022-10-2046 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastBuilding Psychological Safety And Trust On Teams With Amy EdmondsonIn Episode 99, Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, joins Melinda to discuss how leaders can build psychological safety and trust on their teams. They explore the benefits of a psychologically safe workplace, signs that may indicate if a workplace is safe, and how psychological safety enables innovation and positive team performance. They also discuss effective strategies for establishing and maintaining trust on diverse teams and in hybrid workplaces.
About Amy Edmondson (she/her)
Amy C. Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, a chair established to...2022-10-0537 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Create Disability Inclusion, Accessibility, & Equity Through Policy With Dr. Victor PinedaIn Episode 98, Dr. Victor Pineda, President & Founder of The Victor Pineda Foundation / World ENABLED, joins Melinda in a discussion on his work to create disability inclusion, accessibility, and equity through a comprehensive and integrated approach to policy. They discuss the importance of thought leadership, culture change, and training programs to address the barriers to inclusive innovation in communities and organizations. They also explore top strategies for companies and individuals to build a disability-inclusive workplace.
About Dr. Victor Pineda (he/him)
Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is a human rights expert, scholar, investor, and philanthropist. His work focuses on inclusive and accessible...2022-09-2830 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastCreating A Culture Of Belonging For Latina ColleaguesIn Episode 97 (recorded live), Melinda is joined by an incredible panel of experts to discuss actionable steps to creating a culture of belonging for Latina colleagues. Gabriela Chavez-Lopez and Maica Gil share meaningful ways to support Latina colleagues by addressing systemic challenges in the workplace and amplifying the voices of Latinas beyond Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. They also dive into the importance of choosing the right vendors through supplier diversity programs and improving the workplace ecosystem to increase Latinx equity & inclusion.
About Gabriela Chavez-Lopez (she/her)
Gabriela is the first Executive Director of Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley. She is...2022-09-2249 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastInclusive Leadership In A Distributed Workforce With Dr. Nika WhiteIn Episode 96, Melinda starts Season 8 with an extensive discussion with Dr. Nika White, President & CEO of Nika White Consulting, about inclusive leadership as a key to building empathy and understanding in a distributed workforce. They explore how to overcome proximity bias in a hybrid workplace, support team members’ well-being, and provide equitable opportunities for everyone. They also delve into how we can improve our cultural intelligence to encourage effective collaboration within diverse teams and how DEI practitioners and HR managers can approach resistance to DEI efforts across global teams.
About Dr. Nika White (she/her)
Nika White is a national au...2022-09-1538 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Exclusion & Epigenetics Shape Our Sense Of Belonging With Rajkumari NeogyIn Episode 95, Rajkumari Neogy, Executive Coach at iBelong, joins Melinda in an in-depth discussion about how exclusion and epigenetics, the study of how behavior and environment can affect the way our genes are expressed and inherited, can impact our sense of belonging. They explore meaningful practices of empathy and representation to address transgenerational trauma and recover the affected parts of our brains from discrimination, racism, and other stressors that destroy our psychological safety. Rajkumari also suggests how managers and employees can work better together to create pathways for healing and cultures of belonging in the workplace.
About Rajkumari Neogy (he...2022-07-2739 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastAddressing Disability & Intersectionality Across Global TeamsIn Episode 93, Melinda is joined by visionary activists for disability and social justice, Eleanor Lisney and Eddie Ndopu. Throughout the live recording, they discuss the importance of having leaders who cultivate empathy and inclusion for global teams to work better together across different cultures, genders, disabilities, and intersectionalities. They share how we can be better allies against systemic ableism to support disability and social justice worldwide. They also explore the first step that organizations can take to align their strategic priorities and objectives with the Sustainable Development Goals and promote sustainable economic growth, inclusivity, and accessibility for everyone in the...2022-07-1344 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Impact Of Surveillance Tech On Marginalized Populations With Lydia X. Z. BrownIn Episode 92, Lydia X. Z. Brown, Policy Counsel for Privacy & Data at the Center for Democracy & Technology, joins Melinda in an enlightening discussion around the impact of surveillance tech on marginalized populations. They address the importance of understanding the threats of surveillance in our daily lives brought on by algorithmic technologies used in education, policing, healthcare, and the workplace, and they discuss how this tech can be disproportionately damaging to people of color and people with disabilities. Lydia also shares what actions are needed to protect health data following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and how individuals and organizations...2022-07-0641 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Empathic & Highly Sensitive People Can Thrive In The Workplace With Matt LandsiedelIn Episode 91, Melinda speaks with Matt Landsiedel, Life & Spiritual Coach at Inspired to Be Authentic, about how empathic and highly sensitive people (HSPs) can thrive in the workplace and become some of our strongest leaders. They explore what being "highly sensitive" means, how we can identify individuals with this personality trait, and where there are overlapping characteristics between HSPs and empaths. They also discuss ways for HSPs to support themselves through healing past trauma to become their most authentic selves, and they provide simple approaches for managers to support a highly sensitive team member's valuable contributions and emotional well-being.
About...2022-06-2939 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Venture Capital Impacts Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion In Tech With Katelin HollowayIn Episode 90, Katelin Holloway, Founding Partner at Seven Seven Six, joins Melinda in an extensive conversation over the role of venture capital in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across the tech industry. They explore how the venture ecosystem can evolve to empower a talented and diverse workforce, create new opportunities and access to wealth for underrepresented founders, increase representation at senior levels within VC firms, and invest in companies that positively shape the future of work. Katelin also shares about their firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion across all investor roles to address the wealth gap in VC an...2022-06-2247 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Be An Ally: Key LearningsIn Episode 88, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Change Catalyst, shares key learnings in a book reading from a few chapters of her book, How to Be an Ally (McGraw-Hill). Drawing inspiration from her own story of experiencing biases and microaggressions in the workplace, Melinda explains how allyship can create positive change in workplaces and communities. She also presents a comprehensive list of tangible actions we can take to support people who experience microaggressions, systemic inequities, and other barriers to opportunity— specifically by learning to recognize and overcome verbal and nonverbal microaggressions and by counteracting the effects through microaffirmations.
About Me...2022-06-0939 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastFinding Freedom Through Vulnerability With Kudakwashe MushaikeIn Episode 87, Kudakwashe Mushaike, Founder of Below The Surface, shares a brief and powerful talk from Change Catalyst's third Icon Summit hosted by Icon Project Founder and Change Catalyst Co-Founder, Wayne Sutton. In “Finding Freedom Through Vulnerability,” Kudakwashe tells us how authenticity, freedom, and love play a pivotal role in the journey of understanding vulnerability and how leaning into vulnerability can allow us to experience the world around us more fully. Vulnerability is important as we work to be good allies—and as we ask each other for allyship. We’re excited to share this special session with you.
About Kudakwas...2022-06-0214 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRacial, Ethnic, & Gender Equity In The Global Workplace With Julia Taylor KennedyIn Episode 86, Julia Taylor Kennedy, Executive Vice President at Coqual, joins Melinda to discuss key insights from Coqual’s Equity Series that feature insights on racial, ethnic, and gender equity in the global workforce. Julia takes us through her findings on specific differences around workplace equity across various countries. She shares how professionals from underrepresented groups experience inequity in performance evaluations, promotions, and compensation. She also offers a strategic approach for employers, managers, and DEI practitioners to measure and improve equity in global workplaces by identifying marginalized groups, addressing systemic issues, and understanding where there might be gaps in inclusion in...2022-05-2540 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Power Of Empathy & Shame In Creating Sustainable Change With Karla McLarenIn Episode 85, Karla McLaren, CEO of Emotion Dynamics, dives into a conversation with Melinda about how we can approach empathy and shame as a way to create sustainable change in communities and workplaces. They talk about ways to support ourselves through compassion fatigue, which often comes from doing tremendous amounts of emotional labor, emotion work, and empathy work. Karla also shares what organizations can do to protect the well-being of workers engaged in empathy work, such as setting up 'repair stations' and developing emotionally well-regulated social structures in the workplace.
About Karla McLaren (she/her)
Karla McLaren, M.Ed. is...2022-05-1943 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Radical Act Of Choosing Common Ground To Create Change With Nisha AnandIn Episode 84, Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream Corps, joins Melinda in a reflective conversation about how we can make unlikely allies and find common ground to create large-scale change in our organizations, culture, and legislation. They share their take on the Supreme Court's draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, its impact on abortion rights across different communities, and the power every individual can have in pushing for an inclusive piece of legislation. Nisha also provides practical steps for creating common ground in communities and workplaces by learning how to have hard conversations, listening to understand, and finding commonalities...2022-05-1136 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Hurry History: Moving DEI Forward Faster With Laura LiswoodIn Episode 83, Laura Liswood, Secretary General of the Council of Women World Leaders, joins Melinda in a thoughtful discussion about how we can improve workplace diversity faster. They discuss tactics that help leaders address the roadblocks brought by the 'Elephant-Mouse' dynamic between dominant and non-dominant groups in organizations. Laura also addresses some of the key topics from her latest book, The Elephant and the Mouse: Moving Beyond the Illusion of Inclusion to Create a Truly Diverse and Equitable Workplace, such as the meritocracy myth, code-switching, the risks posed by a homogeneous workforce, and the rewards of allyship. Bonus: Laura shares...2022-05-0440 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Interrupt Subtle Acts Of Exclusion With Doc JanaIn Episode 82, Doc Jana, CEO & Founder of Doc Jana LLC and TMI Consulting Inc, joins Melinda in a conversation that gives individuals and organizations a clear approach to interrupting what Doc calls “subtle acts of exclusion,” also known as microaggressions, at work. They guide us through the steps in addressing our own biases, which are often the root of these subtle acts of exclusion. Doc also shares their latest work and their participation in pleasure activism as a way to reclaim joy and find liberation and healing from the pain of trauma.
About Doc Jana (they/them)
Dr. Jana (they/them...2022-04-2144 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastUnderstanding & Supporting Intersectional Identities In The WorkplaceIn Episode 80, Melinda is joined by her amazing co-producers from the Leading With Empathy & Allyship show, Christina Swindlehurst Chan and Renzo Santos, to discuss helpful ways for organizations to understand and support intersectional identities at work. Christina and Renzo describe how intersectionality has shaped their own experiences within their communities and workplaces. They also suggest practical steps that allies can take to foster an empathetic and inclusive work culture that is mindful of intersectional experiences.
About Christina (she/her)
Christina Swindlehurst Chan supports the marketing team at Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) through content creation, event coordination, and brand marketing & communications...2022-04-0642 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Future Of Work For The Rest Of Us With Sherrell DorseyIn Episode 79, Sherrell Dorsey, Founder & CEO of The Plug and Author of Upper Hand: The Future of Work for the Rest of Us, dives into an insightful conversation with Melinda about the future of work and strategies for supporting inclusive innovation. They discuss important ways for people from marginalized communities to thrive and actively take part in the tech-driven economy, whether that is by reskilling, upskilling, fighting coded bias, or getting started in tech.
About Sherrell (she/her)
Sherrell Dorsey is the founder and CEO of The Plug—a digital news and insights platform covering the Black innovation economy. Her wo...2022-03-3042 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastCentering Empathy & Allyship In Support Of Others As We Grieve With Dr. Komal BhasinIn Episode 78, Dr. Komal Bhasin, Senior DEI Consultant & Mental Health Expert-in-Residence at bhasin consulting inc. and Founder at Insayva Inc., joins Melinda in a conversation about centering empathy and allyship in communities impacted by injustice during times of crisis, pain, and tragedy.
Komal explains how individuals and organizations alike can learn the skill of empathy according to science. She recommends practical ways to drive inclusion and build psychological safety at work by creating an environment where managers recognize and address marginalizing behaviors. Throughout the episode, she shares how we can use our power, resources, and privilege to impactfully support others...2022-03-2344 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastDeveloping An Inclusion Mindset With A Lens Of Intersectionality With Ruchika TulshyanIn Episode 77, Ruchika Tulshyan, Founder of Candour and author of “Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work”, joins Melinda to discuss how we develop an inclusion mindset that centers women of color, build empathy for people from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds, and focus on the importance of intersectionality and anti-racism in our work as allies and advocates.
About Ruchika Tulshyan (she/her)
Ruchika Tulshyan is the founder of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times and Harvard Business Review, and as a ke...2022-03-1538 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastPsychological Safety & The Neuroscience Of Trust With Dr. Vivienne MingTrigger warning: This podcast episode contains discussion of suicidal ideation.
In Episode 76 (recorded live), Dr. Vivienne Ming, Founder, and CEO of Socos Labs, joins Melinda to discuss her new research on the neuroscience of trust in the workplace. They explore why we tend to feel an innate sense of trust in certain people over others, how we can overcome these biases to strengthen the trust on our teams, and how working remotely can shift how we build trust and psychological safety.
About Dr. Vivienne Ming (she/her)
Dr. Vivienne Ming explores maximizing human capacity as a theoretical neuroscientist, delusional inventor...2022-03-0951 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThere Are Seats For Everyone - Forging Our Power Together With Deepa PurushothamanIn Episode 75, Deepa Purushothaman, author of THE FIRST, THE FEW, THE ONLY: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America, joins Melinda to discuss the structural and cultural dynamics of what women of color are experiencing in the workplace, how women can get comfortable sitting in positions of power, and why it’s important to shift away from a scarcity mindset to allow more women of color a seat at the table.
About Deepa Purushothaman (she/her)
Deepa Purushothaman is the co-founder of nFormation which provides a brave, safe, new space for professional women of color. Deepa is al...2022-03-0235 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Power Of Neurodiversity In The Workplace With Tim GoldsteinIn Episode 74, Tim Goldstein, Neurodiverse Communication Specialist, joins Melinda to explore what it means to have a neurodistinct team. They discuss the breadth of neurodiverse experiences, how we can be good allies to neurodistinct colleagues, and the significant benefits of having neurodiversity in the workplace.
About Tim Goldstein (Autistic he/him)
Diagnosed with Asperger’s at 54, Tim Goldstein is a global trainer for a major tech company, a Neurodiverse Communications Specialist, and a Roger Love method vocal coach. He trains all employees neurotypical and neurodistinct how each other functions and strategies to communicate.
With deep experience in business and consulting, Ti...2022-02-2347 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Talk To Your Boss About Race With Y-Vonne HutchinsonIn Episode 73, Y-Vonne Hutchinson, CEO & Founder at ReadySet and author of How to Talk to Your Boss About Race, joins us to discuss how our labor history has informed the racism and microaggressions we observe in our workplaces today, how we can create change through difficult but important conversations, and how we can rethink the role of power as we discuss these issues with our bosses.
About Y-Vonne Hutchinson (she/her)
Y-Vonne is the author of How to Talk to Your Boss About Race and CEO of ReadySet, a diversity and inclusion training firm that helps tech giants, political leaders...2022-02-1558 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Heal From Racial Trauma In The Workplace With Minda HartsIn Episode 71, Minda Harts, Speaker & Author at Memo LLC, joins us to discuss the trauma that women of color experience in the workplace, the role allies can play in the healing process, and how managers can reduce workplace trauma.
About Minda Harts (she/her)
Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC and an award-winning and best-selling author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table and Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace.
Minda is a Professor at NYU Wagner and hosts a live weekly...2022-02-0239 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRedefining Normal In The Remote/Hybrid WorkplaceIn Episode 70 (recorded live), Founder of The Good Success Network, Lekisha Middleton, and HR business partner director in Intuit’s Consumer Group, Catie Harriss, join Melinda to discuss what they’ve learned from the ‘Great Resignation’; how we can build diversity, equity, and inclusion in remote and hybrid workplaces; and the unique opportunities that these workplaces provide around DEI.
About Lekisha (she/her)
Lekisha is the Founder of The Good Success Network, a global management consulting and executive coaching firm that focuses on creating a workforce that is equipped and a workplace that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
She is a proud...2022-01-2551 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Managers Can Practice Allyship & Active Inclusion With Scott HanselmanIn Episode 69, Scott Hanselman from Microsoft joins us to discuss how we can bring more people in to become allies and what allyship means to Scott. We discuss Scott’s path to allyship, why Scott works to be an ally, and what to do when you make mistakes as an ally.
About Scott Hanselman
Scott Hanselman is a programmer, teacher, speaker, technologist, podcaster, writer, inclusion advocate, and more.
Scott Hanselman has been a developer for over 30 years and has been running his own blog www.Hanselman.com for over 20 years. He is also a prolific podcaster and has produced over 800 ep...2022-01-1940 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Build Allies In Your WorkplaceIn Episode 68, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder and CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), talks us through how we can build allies in the workplace by understanding the Stages of Allyship and people’s motivations for being allies. She explains the behavioral science behind moving people toward action, addresses how we can convince people who don’t want to be convinced, and shares how we can grow allyship across our teams, organizations, and communities.
View this episode’s accompanying infographic at ally.cc/EP68Graphic.
About Melinda (she/her)
Melinda Briana Epler has more than 25 years of experience elevating brands and develo...2022-01-1131 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastAllyship: Where Do I Start? And Other FAQsIn Episode 67, Melinda Briana Epler concludes Season 5 of the Leading With Empathy & Allyship Show by guiding us through the first steps to becoming an ally. She provides some simple but powerful actions that managers and team members can take to help create a safe space in the workplace where learning, growth, and allyship are supported. She also answers the most often-asked questions around microaggressions, what performative allyship is, and how to talk about the business case for allyship.
About Melinda (she/her)
Melinda Briana Epler has more than 25 years of experience elevating brands and developing business innovation strategies for startups...2021-12-2024 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastBlazing Your Own Trail With Rebekah Bastian & Kt McBratneyIn Episode 66, Melinda is joined by the founders of Own Trail: Rebekah Bastian and Kt McBratney. Rebekah and Kt share their journey on how they’ve blazed their own trail as entrepreneurs building a platform that’s intentionally diverse, builds empathy, encourages authenticity, and creates impact for women globally. They also provide actionable takeaways on how you can increase allyship and incorporate DEI into your own platforms.
About Rebekah (she/her)
Rebekah Bastian is an entrepreneur, award-winning writer, artist, tech executive, mentor, wife, mother, and aerial acrobat. She is the CEO & Co-founder of OwnTrail and was previously vice president of prod...2021-12-1443 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastMoving Beyond Diversity With Jennifer Brown & Rohit BhargavaIn Episode 65, Melinda is joined by Jennifer Brown and Rohit Bhargava, the incredible authors of the book Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways To Build A More Inclusive World. Jennifer and Rohit share their personal experiences and perspectives on creating a more inclusive world. They present key learnings from their book on storytelling, retail, and leadership, as well as their own educational moments they experienced while writing the book and how those moments helped them grow as allies.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Brown (she/her) is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, author, and diversity and inclusion expert who is deeply passionate about building more...2021-12-0750 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Pandemic Trauma Is Showing Up At Work With Sara Wachter-BoettcherIn Episode 64, Sara Wachter-Boettcher, Founder of Active Voice, joins Melinda in a discussion on how pandemic-related trauma affects leaders’ abilities to manage their teams. Sara provides practical tips on how we can regain access to our critical thinking and work through the trauma without harming people around us. She also touches on what organizations, managers, and allies can do to build trust and create a safe space for courageous conversations in the workplace.
About Sara
Sara Wachter-Boettcher is an author, speaker, coach, and strategist dedicated to changing design and tech for good. She’s the founder of Active Voice, a coac...2021-11-3046 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastEmbracing Anger As A Pathway To Empathy... And Resilience With Meag-gan O'ReillyIn Episode 63, Meag-gan O'Reilly, CEO & Co-Founder of Inherent Value Psychology INC, joins Melinda in an illuminating conversation about the importance of embracing your anger and how it helps us foster empathy with one another. They also discuss how anger helps us build resilience by allowing us to recognize our own needs and boundaries and how Systems Centered Language can be the first step to dismantling oppression and marginalization.
About Meag-gan
Dr. Meag-gan O’Reilly (she/her), is a staff Psychologist at Stanford University's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Adjunct Faculty in the Stanford School of Medicine. While completing her Po...2021-11-2340 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastCreating Transformative Change Through Research With Leila McKenzie-DelisIn Episode 62, Leila McKenzie-Delis, Founder and CEO of DIAL Global, Author, Activist, Speaker and Podcast Host shows how research is driving transformative change across industries and how data can enrich an organization's decision-making processes around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leila and Melinda also look into some key findings from the McKenzie Delis Packer Review 2020 study conducted in the UK workforce where a disconnect is observed between the company’s claimed priorities and the execution and strategy of said priorities.
About Leila
Leila has a proven track record of recruiting Director, C-suite Executive and Board level positions throughout the UK and In...2021-11-1633 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastAddressing Burnout In The WorkplaceIn Episode 61, Melinda Briana Epler is joined by an incredible panel of experts and catalysts for anti-burnout in the workplace: Erayna Sargent, Anthony Ware, and Al Dea. They examine the common drivers of burnout, how to spot its symptoms and take action for yourself and your team, and what managers can do to prevent burnout at work. They also share some tips on how to support teams through the emotional impact of an acquisition.
About Erayna
Erayna is a contributing writer for Well+Good and has guest appeared on podcasts including NPR Life Kit, Dribble Overtime, Balanced Black Girl and...2021-11-0948 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow Women Network With J. Kelly HoeyIn Episode 60, J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network, shows us how networking can be critical for women's success and allyship. Kelly and Melinda discuss the strategies to diversifying your network, building a community that will help you reach your fullest potential, and cultivating relationships with people in the era of hybrid work environments.
About Kelly
Networking expert, Kelly Hoey is the author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World (Penguin Random House). She’s working on her second book which focuses on the unique networks women need for career success. A speaker so...2021-11-0244 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastDemystifying Disability With Emily LadauIn Episode 59, Emily Ladau, Disability Rights Activist, Author, and Communications Consultant at Words I Wheel By, introduces the topic of disability through an insightful discussion with Melinda on systemic ableism, disability history, representation, and rights. Emily explains why it's alright to use the term 'disabled', how accommodation and inclusion should be viewed upon, and how we can build allyship within the disability community.
About Emily
Emily Ladau is a passionate disability rights activist, writer, storyteller, and digital communications consultant whose career began at the age of 10 when she appeared on several episodes of Sesame Street to educate children about her...2021-10-2644 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRebuilding Equitable Structures In The Workplace With Ulysses SmithIn Episode 58, Ulysses Smith, Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Blend, joins Melinda in a conversation that focuses on the approach to rebuilding structures that are equitable across different organizations. Ulysses shares his take on collaborating with various business entities to develop the DEI vision, using the lens of DEI in product design and development to impact consumers, and how business leaders can contribute to creating structural change in the workplace.
About Ulysses Smith
As a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ulysses builds organization-wide DEI functions that drive social impact through products. Much of his work has been centered...2021-10-2050 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastWhat Allyship Looks & Feels LikeIn Episode 57, Melinda Briana Epler is joined by four inspiring DEI experts: Ritu Bhasin, Wayne Sutton, Rachel Williams, and Tiffany Yu. They explore what allyship means to each of them, specific examples of how allies have impacted them, and how they think about being allies for others. This conversation was originally recorded during the launch event for How to Be an Ally, Melinda’s book.
About the Panelists
Ritu Bhasin, LL.B. MBA, President of bhasin consulting inc., is an award-winning speaker, author, and expert in diversity and inclusion, women’s advancement, and authentic leadership. Her Amazon bestselling book, The Auth...2021-10-1234 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastMental Health & The Icon Ride Across The Country With Wayne SuttonIn Episode 56, Melinda brings in her husband, Co-Founder of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and greatest ally, Wayne Sutton, for an honest conversation about addressing the mental health of Black and Brown men. Find out about Wayne's motorcycle trip and learn about how Wayne and Melinda show up for each other in their interracial relationship.
About Wayne Sutton
Wayne Sutton is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Icon Project (https://theiconproject.org/). The Icon Project mission is to address Black and Brown Men’s mental health and professional development needs in tech. Wayne is also the Co-Founder and CTO of Em...2021-10-0540 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastThe Power Of Storytelling To Create Change With Cynthia OvertonIn Episode 55, Cynthia Overton, Senior Director of Tech Workplace Initiatives at the Kapor Center, dives into conversation with Melinda about the impact of storytelling. They discuss important ways storytelling can change our perception, whether that is by advocating through storytelling, interrupting our own stories to create internal change, or using stories to build empathy and trust.
About Cynthia Overton
Cynthia Overton, Ph.D., serves as Senior Director of Tech Workplace Initiatives at the Kapor Center, a racial justice organization dedicated to leveling the playing field in tech. In this role, she leads Diversity Advocates, a professional learning community dedicated to...2021-09-2945 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastBehind The Scenes With Melinda Briana Epler With Ritu BhasinIn episode 54, Ritu Bhasin, Founder & President of bhasin consulting inc. and author of The Authenticity Principle, joins in discussion with Melinda Briana Epler — the human behind Leading With Empathy & Allyship, CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and new author of How to Be an Ally. We flip the script: Ritu hosts this episode in an intimate interview with Melinda as her new book launches! They explore Melinda’s journey to allyship, the process of writing How to Be an Ally, and why allyship matters.
About Ritu Bhasin
Ritu Bhasin, LL.B. MBA, President of bhasin consulting inc., is an award-winning spea...2021-09-2252 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastWhat The Research Says: Change Catalyst’s "State Of Allyship Report"For the first episode of Season 5, Melinda is joined by Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) team members Renzo Santos and Merve Bulgurcu to discuss key insights from the newly released State of Allyship Report: The Key to Workplace Inclusion. Melinda, Renzo, and Merve take you through the important findings the team has uncovered about what people want and need from allies, why allyship is important for business, and how people become better allies. Download the State of Allyship Report at ally.cc/report.
About Renzo Santos
As the Finance & Operations Analyst at Empovia, Renzo oversees the company’s finances across the pl...2021-09-1435 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRecognizing & Overcoming Microaggressions - Part 2 With Melinda Briana EplerIn Episode 52: “Recognizing & Overcoming Microaggressions - Part 2,” Melinda Briana Epler draws from her book How to Be an Ally (McGraw-Hill 2021) for the fundamentals of understanding, identifying, and interrupting microaggressions in the workplace. Melinda discusses nonverbal and environmental microaggressions, as well as some tactics for intervening and treating the impact of microaggressions. You can order How to Be an Ally at ally.cc/book for more on this topic.
About Melinda
Melinda Briana Epler has more than 25 years of experience elevating brands and developing business innovation strategies for entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. As CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), Meli...2021-07-2744 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRecognizing & Overcoming Microaggressions - Part 1 With Melinda Briana EplerIn Episode 51: “Recognizing & Overcoming Microaggressions - Part 1,” Melinda Briana Epler answers the most often-asked questions about microaggressions: what they are, how humans are impacted by them, and examples of alternative language that can replace common verbal microaggressions in the workplace. This episode is based on fundamentals from Melinda’s book, How to Be an Ally (McGraw-Hill 2021). You can order your copy of How to Be an Ally at ally.cc/book for a deeper dive into the subject.
About Melinda
Melinda Briana Epler has more than 25 years of experience elevating brands and developing business innovation strategies for entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and gl...2021-07-1244 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastUnderstanding & Correcting Our Biases With Melinda Briana EplerWelcome to Episode 50 in our special Season 4! In “Understanding & Correcting Our Biases,” Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), shares key learnings from a few chapters of her book, How to Be an Ally (McGraw-Hill 2021). She explores some common workplace biases, how they show up in the workplace, and how to correct them in ourselves, along with some intervention strategies for reducing biases in the workplace. Melinda also addresses gaslighting and making sure we show empathy when people talk about their own experiences. To go deeper into this subject, you can order your copy of How to Be a...2021-06-2845 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastWhy Empathy & Allyship Matter In The Workplace With Melinda Briana EplerEpisode 49 kicks off Season 4 with “Why Empathy & Allyship Matter In The Workplace.” Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), shares some key learnings from a few chapters of her book, How to Be an Ally (McGraw-Hill 2021). She talks about what people with underrepresented identities need from allies; why empathy is the foundation of allyship work; and the business case for allyship. Valuable Q&A is incorporated from the live broadcast. You can order your copy of How to Be an Ally here!
About Melinda
Melinda Briana Epler is the Founder and CEO of Empovia (ally.cc.) and the...2021-06-1538 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Be An Ally In The Remote Workplace With Melinda Briana EplerIn this last episode of Season 3, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), talks about “How To Be An Ally In The Remote Workplace." Melinda shares specific steps you can take in a virtual environment to be an active ally for others - often requested during the global pandemic - and answers questions submitted during the live broadcast.
About Melinda
Melinda Briana Epler is the Founder and CEO of Empovia and the creator and host of the Leading With Empathy & Allyship show. Melinda has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 co...2021-06-0141 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastWhy Mentorship & Advocacy Are Key To Career Growth With Sam SepahMelinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Sam Sepah, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Product Manager at Google, have an open conversation around “Why Mentorship & Advocacy Are Key To Career Growth." Sam describes his journey as a Deaf Persian in tech. He shares key takeaways from his work in HR and DEI, the difference between having a mentor and having an advocate, and how as allies and advocates we can work to make products and tools like AI universally useful.
About Sam
Sam Sepah has worked for well-known organizations for more than 15 years: Google, National Institutes of He...2021-05-2445 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastShifting Our Work From Diversity To Equitable Design With Aubrey BlancheMelinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Aubrey Blanche, Director of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp, talk about why it’s critical to think beyond diversity and representation. With a shift to equitable design, we build equity, right the power dynamics, and create greater access and support for people in our workplaces and communities who are most marginalized. The conversation covers how to build our capacity to create and lead this change.
About Aubrey
Aubrey Blanche is The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), Director of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp, and a startup investor, and ad...2021-05-1746 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Address Ageism In The Workplace With Jeff TidwellMelinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Jeff Tidwell, CEO & Co-Founder of Next For Me, explore the often overlooked topic of ageism at work, and share strategies for dealing with this type of discrimination - as the recipient or as a bystander.
About Jeff
Jeff Tidwell founded Next For Me as a new resource that connects and inspires our generation to evolve +50 life through new work, a new purpose, or a new social contribution. Jeff began his career with alternative newspapers and then moved online, where he has worked in Silicon Valley and New York overseeing...2021-05-1144 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastAn Allyship Journey As A Straight, White Man With Jeremy SussmanMelinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Jeremy Sussman, Senior Product Manager at Google, explore “An Allyship Journey As A Straight, White Man.” Jeremy shared why becoming an ally is so critical to seeing real improvements in diversity, equity, and inclusion at work, and the role of allies in ERGs to actively create change.
About Jeremy
Jeremy Sussman is a Senior Product Manager at Google, working on data privacy. He sits on the Steering Committee for the NY chapters of the Women's ERG and the Allyship ERG. He is actively involved in different mentorship programs in and...2021-05-0444 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastCentering BIPOC Voices In Business & Social Justice With Two Eagles MarcusMelinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Two Eagles Marcus, Founder of MPWRDX, talk about “Centering BIPOC Voices In Business & Social Justice.” They explore what it means to embrace your heritage, reimagine business and social justice to center Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific, and Indigenous Native American experiences, and bridge our siloed communities through solidarity work.
About Two Eagles Marcus
Two Eagles Marcus is a Tiwa Puebloan Indigenous Native American, known also as the Red Willow people. MPWRDX Media Group (Pronounced Empowered X) centers, and amplifies the voices Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific, and Indigenous Native Americans in busi...2021-04-2646 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastInfluencing Your Company To Address Racism With TDoMelinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), talks with TDo, Senior Solutions Engineer at Gladly, for “Influencing Your Company To Address Racism.” TDo describes her work to address racism and violence against the AAPI community in her workplace, as well as building coalitions, influencing leaders, and the role allies have in this work.
About TDo
TDo (Theresa Do) is a Sr. Solutions Engineer at Gladly based in San Francisco, CA. She has over 10+ yrs of pre-sales experience in SaaS based companies. Providing insight and offering consulting on how to deliver radically personal customer service is a long-held pass...2021-04-2043 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastExpanding Anti-Racist Allyship With Sonja Gittens OttleyIn this episode, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Sonja Gittens Ottley, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Asana, talk about “Expanding Anti-Racist Allyship.” You’ll learn about anti-racism, strategies to expand our anti-racist allyship to address intersectionality and many forms of racism, and how this can help you can level up DEI efforts in your workplace.
About Sonja
Sonja Gittens Ottley is the Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Asana, where she’s responsible for crafting the company’s strategies for recruiting employees from underrepresented groups and creating an inclusive environment that allows people to thrive. Prior to h...2021-04-1445 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastDesigning for Intersectional Inclusion With Frieda McAlearIn this episode, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Frieda McAlear, Senior Research Associate at the Kapor Center, talk about “Designing For Intersectional Inclusion.” Frieda described what we can do to redress the lack of Native American representation in Computer Science while applying an intersectional lens. She'll also share principles we can use in our workplaces and communities to improve inclusion.
About Frieda
Frieda McAlear is the Senior Research Associate, where she brings her skills as a social science researcher and her passion for working with and for marginalized and underrepresented communities, at the Kapor Cent...2021-04-0648 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastIt's OK To Make Mistakes As An Ally With Manisha AminIn this episode, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), and Manisha Amin, CEO of the Centre for Inclusive Design, discuss “It’s OK To Make Mistakes As An Ally.” Our work as allies and advocates continues to shape society for the better. The work can also feel heavy - especially when we stumble. Manisha explores how to get over our fears when it comes to allyship; call each other in rather than out; own our truth; apologize and repair; and forgive others, as well as ourselves.
About Manisha
Manisha Amin is the chief strategist and visionary at the...2021-03-3047 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastEngaging Leadership To Improve Density, Equity & Inclusion With Sheree AtchesonIn this episode, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), speaks with Sheree Atcheson, author of Demanding More. Sheree and Melinda dive into strategies for how to effectively help leaders succeed in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), even when we may not be in a position of power ourselves.
About Sheree
Listed as one of the UK's "Top Most Influential Women in Tech," Sheree Atcheson is the Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Peakon, an Advisory Board Member of Women Who Code, and a contributor for Forbes. She's the author of Demanding More: Why Diversity...2021-03-2449 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow We Can Collectively Address Anti-Asian Hate With Tammy ChoIn this episode, Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), speaks with Tammy Cho, Co-Founder & CEO of Hate Is A Virus and BetterBrave. Tammy and Melinda discuss the work we must do together to combat racism against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, starting with raising awareness of what community members have experienced - historically and presently - in the United States. They address what allies and members of the AAPI community can do to create change.
About Tammy
Tammy Cho focuses on work that dismantles harassment, discrimination, and racism. She’s the Co-Founder & CEO of...2021-03-1538 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastUnderstanding Privilege & Using It To Create Change With Karen CatlinIn this episode Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) and Karen Catlin, CEO of Karen Catlin Consulting and author of Better Allies, discuss how we can each build empathy and create positive change for others by first understanding our own privilege.
About Karen
After spending 25 years building software products and serving as a vice president of engineering at Macromedia and Adobe, Karen Catlin witnessed a sharp decline in the number of women working in tech. She’s now a leadership coach and acclaimed speaker on inclusive workplaces. Learn more at https://karencatlin.com/
For more about Em...2021-03-0938 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastRaising Our Children To Be Allies & Advocates For Social Justice With Margenett Moore-RobertsIn this episode, Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler engages in an important conversation with Margenett Moore-Roberts, Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer of IPG - DXTRA, about how to raise our children as allies and advocates who can disrupt and redress race-based harm.
You’ll come away from this episode with an understanding of why and how to have tough conversations with children about racism, so that they can live in a just, fair, and peaceful world. We also discuss the critical need of reforming the white supremacy built into our American educational system, one that has often ta...2021-02-2246 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastWhat Allies Can Do During Black History MonthJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with a conversation on ‘What Allies Can Do During Black History Month’ with Rachel Williams, Head of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity at X- the moonshot factory, Lionel Lee, Head of Diversity Engagement at Zillow Group and Almaz Negash, Founder & Executive Director at the African Diaspora Network.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How Black History month goes far beyond a month of celebration.
- How Black history should be part of American history program in school.
- The importance of reflection on policies and KPI within communities and workplaces.
This epis...2021-02-0943 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship PodcastHow To Use Empathy To Create Change In The Workplace With Kate JohnsonJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Kate Johnson, President Microsoft U.S, for a deep dive on how Microsoft is creating changes within the company by leading with Empathy.
We talked about
- Microsoft's ongoing program to building an inclusive workplace
- Leading with Empathy and how to foster vulnerability and courage
- The need for top-down clarity on the company's goals, values and outcomes
- The importance of processes and data analytics
Kate Johnson is the President of Microsoft U.S., a $45 billion subsidiary including all of Microsoft's solutions, services, and support revenues across...2020-12-2348 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast30: Want To Be Inclusive? Support Women Of Color As Leaders In The WorkplaceJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Deepa Purushothaman and Rha Goddess, co-founders at nFORMATION on how to support women of color as leaders in the workplace.
We talked about
- The future of work and what managers can do to become real allies for WOC
- The new mobile app for women of color that nFORMATION is launching to support the community
- How to address systemic oppression and create a safe space for WOC to bring their full self to work and lead in the workplace.
- How the concept of power might differ...2020-12-1552 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast29: How To Create A Culture Of Belonging At Work: Put People At The CenterJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Kat Gordon, CEO and Founder of the 3% Kat Gordon talk to us about the evolution of gender equity in the advertising space.
We talked about:
- Kat’s background as a creative director and what led her to create the 3%movement.
- How she helped move the industry from 3% of creative directors to 29%.
- And how to create a culture of belonging in the workplace, with the importance of putting people at the center.
Some of our favorite quotes of the conversation:
- "This is working from home in an...2020-12-0847 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast28: Empathic Leadership And Emotional Tax In the WorkplaceJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Andrea G. Tatum Senior Director, Corporate Equity Engagement, Catalyst Inc on discussing how to create a supportive working environment.
We discuss the Catalyst's research and the challenges of the emotional tax for women, particularly women of color: the state of being highly "on guard" at work, which can impact well-being and ability to thrive in the workplace.
In this rich conversation, we learned about:
- Andrea's personal experience experiencing racism in the workplace and how that led her to become an advocate.
- The role of inclusive leaders to...2020-12-0147 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast27: How To Make Disability Accommodation And Inclusion The New Working NormJoin Change Catalyst Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Victor Calise, discussing how to make disability accommodation and inclusion the new norm.
We talked about Victor Calise's disability journey and how he turned it into a strength, becoming one of the most innovative advocates for disability. In this rich conversation, we learned about:
The forward-thinking work NY is doing in collaboration with other cities to build inclusive working environments.
The need for 'accommodation' of the disabled community and how Covid-19 has helped accelerate the workplace's transformation.
The impact of outdated regulations on the community
How we should not separate disability...2020-11-2442 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast26: Exploring What It Means To Be An UpstanderJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Daralyse Lyons on understanding what it means to be an upstander An upstander is an individual who sees wrong and acts also called an ally.
We talked about Daralyse Lyons’s upbringing as a biracial kid and what led her to become an advocate and an upstander. In this fascinating conversation,
We learned about:
- Colorism and the dangerous path to rank people based on their skin colors.
- The difference between an upstander and bystander and how can we become an ally
- The intersectionality of diversity and it...2020-11-1751 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast25: Understanding The Effects Of Racism On Black Boys & MenJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Dr. Kevin Simon on Understanding The Effects Of Racism On Black Boys & Men
We talked about Dr. Kevin Simon’s journey to becoming a force for good and his work during COVID-19, helping Black and Brown kids and their families understand intergenerational trauma and historical trauma, and how the effects can manifest through depression and addiction.
We learned:
- What ally can do to support this community
- What are intergenerational trauma and historical trauma and their impact on mental and physical health
- How important is to communicate wi...2020-11-1047 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast24: Juggling Parenting and the PandemicJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler interview with Muna Hussaini, Chief of staff to Indeed CTO in conversation about how to navigate parenthood during the pandemic.
We talked about Muna’s own story as an American Muslim of building more inclusive workplaces. the impact of Black Live Matters on her kids and family and the new norm of handling Zoom calls with kids.
We learned:
- The opportunity to redefine success in this tumultuous time.
- The fact that it is ok not to handle everything.
- The need for companies to walk the talk when th...2020-11-0249 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast23: Opening Doors For The Disabled Community with KR LiuJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with KR Liu, Head of Brand Accessibility at Google in conversation about how we can make the working environment more inclusive for people with disabilities.
We talked about KR Liu’s incredible journey to becoming an advocate, based on her own story of struggling in the workplace with dealing with hearing loss.
We learned:
- The importance of speaking up and making the disabled community part of every department in a company.
- The dramatic statistic with regards to the representation of the disabled community in the workplace and even mo...2020-10-2647 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast22: Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate with Jeannie GainsburgJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Jeannie Gainsburg, Founder Savvy Ally Action in conversation about how we can become a better advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
We talk about actionable steps companies can make to create a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ employees and some tips about having difficult conversations with people who might not think like us. Jeannie shares some tips based on her 15 years of practice leading workshops for companies.
Learn more about Jeannie Gainsburg: https://ally.cc/savvyallyaction
Additional Resources:
Savvy Ally Action YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTbZy88...2020-10-1345 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast21: A Conversation On Impostor Syndrome with Dr Adia GoodenHere's the link to take our Allyship Survey! http://ally.cc/allyshipsurvey Thank you so much for your help in this research.
Join Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Dr Adia Gooden, Clinical psychologist in conversation about how we can support ourselves and each other to overcome Impostor Syndrome.
We talk about how Impostor Syndrome shows up and how it is affecting our lives preventing us from reaching our full potential. The pervasive influence of Impostor Syndrome is underestimated, and often exacerbated by discrimination and stereotype threat. It can prevent us from asking questions, and speaking...2020-10-0647 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast20: Using Data to Drive Change with Danny AllenJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Danny Allen, VP of Tech Diversity & Inclusion at SAP Labs in conversation about Using Data to Drive Change.
Danny Allen has been an engineer in the tech industry for over 30 years, and the last four as an executive focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. In this episode he talks about why he made the jump to create change, and the different projects he oversees across the tech ecosystem to make that happen. We discuss how he uses a diversity dashboard to help drive understanding, accountability, behavior change and equity...2020-09-2946 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast19: Cultivating Empathy as a Skill with Corey PonderJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Corey Ponder, Empathy Practitioner & Facilitator at em|PACT Strategies, in conversation about Cultivating Empathy as a Skill.
We talk about Corey’s story, and how he started emPACT Strategies after the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Then we dive into three types of empathy, and ways to build empathy inside organizations by using design thinking frameworks. We talk about allies as being the “trusted sidekick” in a super hero movie, and how to show up as an ally in this crucial moment – to ensure we are moving racial e...2020-09-2249 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast18: Leading the Change with Irma Olguin Jr.Join Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Irma Olguin, Jr. CEO & Co-Founder at Bitwise Industries, in conversation about Leading the Change.
We talk about Irma's story as a granddaughter of immigrants, who starting out working as a farm laborer in the California Central Valley. After earning an engineering degree, she eventually became CEO of a company working to improve diversity and inclusion in tech through technology education. Irma recently closed a Series A round of fundraising of $27M, one of the largest ever led by a Latinx female founder. We discuss innovative ways that leaders can...2020-09-1544 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast17: Engaging Leadership with Lionel LeeJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Lionel Lee, Head of Diversity Engagement at Zillow Group, in conversation about Engaging Leadership. We talk about Lionel's story, what empathy looks like in 2020, how Lionel has worked with leadership to build allyship and deepen understanding for people from underrepresented identities, and the deep work of building empathy across the company.
Learn more about Zillow Group's work on Equity and Belonging: www.zillowgroup.com/careers/equity-belonging/
For more about Empovia, and to join us for a live recording, visit ally.cc. There, you’ll also find educational resources and high...2020-09-0949 min
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Podcast16: Becoming a Great Ally with Melinda Briana EplerJoin Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) Founder & CEO Melinda Briana Epler with Lionel Lee, Head of Diversity Engagement at Zillow Group, in conversation about Engaging Leadership. We talk about Lionel's story, what empathy looks like in 2020, how Lionel has worked with leadership to build allyship and deepen understanding for people from underrepresented identities, and the deep work of building empathy across the company.
Learn more about Zillow Group's work on Equity and Belonging: www.zillowgroup.com/careers/equity-belonging/
For more about Empovia, and to join us for a live recording, visit ally.cc. There, you’ll also find educational resources and high...2020-08-0444 min