Shows
This One Goes to 11Ep 79: Michael Fosberg Nominates Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue"It's our final IRL episode, and we're feeling - dare we say it - kind of blue. But don't fret. Expert storyteller and fellow podcaster Michael Fosberg is bringing the first jazz album before the tribunal - Miles Davis's Kind of Blue. We recorded this episode on the campus of Northwestern University, home of the Cherubs program, where Michael F. first heard this album (and where Michael O. spent the summer educating young theatre artists). And when we tell you that Michael F. has met some famous musicians in his day, we mean it. Guess you'll have to listen...2024-09-2459 min
Break Your Bullsh*t Box344: Storytelling & indful Dialog with Michael FosbergToday's Guest: Michael FosbergMichael Fosberg/s early career work in the fields of acting, writing, teaching and directing prepared him expertly for a life of prolific storytelling. He has worked at a number of prestigious theater companies including the Chicago-based Goodman and Steppenwolf Theaters, and has had small roles in film and television over the years. In addition he has taught theater-based classes at Northwestern and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as an assortment of high schools across the country.Episode Quotes:"Telling your story is a very natural...2024-08-261h 02
Authenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep10 : It Starts With You | Gail PlantGail Plant is an inspirational Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging advocate. She attended Drexel University, where she received her B.A. in Computer Information Systems. Immediately following graduation from Drexel in 1995, she began her career with a local company, where she worked for 27 years until her retirement in June 2022. During her tenure, she held several leadership roles within the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. Gail received her M.A. in Leadership Development in 2015, and she has spent the last 28 years coaching, mentoring, and leading others on the journey of embracing and fostering the value of themselves and ot...2024-08-0531 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep9 : Intentional Consciousness | Emily McConnellEmily McConnell is a collaborator, designer, educator, and researcher based in Chicago. She has been the resident costume designer at the CCPA Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University since 2007, designing almost 100 productions during that time all while managing the costume shop and teaching and supervising students. Starting in the fall of 2024, she will also be serving as the Program Director for Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies and the Curriculum Coordinator for Technical Theatre. She has been an Artistic Associate at Steep Theatre since 2011 and worked as a freelance designer in Chicago theatre since 1999 with credits including The House, Northlight, Oak Park Theatre...2024-07-3037 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep8 : “I Am Because of Those Around Me” | Lusanda MayikanaLusanda Mayikana is the Dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs at Lake Forest Academy. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Social Justice from Lancaster University (U.K.), a Master of Arts in English Education from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and a Master of Arts in English from Middlebury College. Lusanda came to Lake Forest Academy in 2003 after spending a year as a Harvard-South Africa fellow in the African American Studies department and the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. As the Dean of Equity, Pluralism, Inclusion, and Community, Lusanda is committed to...2024-07-2244 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep7 : Follow Your Passion | Damon CatesDr. Damon Cates has been the President & CEO of One Hope United since 2024. Damon received a BA from Millikin University, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an EdD from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined One Hope United from the University of Chicago, where, for over 16 years of service, he led alumni relations and development programs for several of the University’s academic units. In addition to UChicago, Damon has also held leadership fundraising positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University. Damon is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at conferences. He...2024-07-1536 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep6 : The Art of Give and Take | Jeff SpahnJeffrey Spahn is the founder and president of Leading Leaders Inc. For more than 20 years he has researched, coached and inspired top business executives and their teams through the distinctive collective leadership process of We the Leader. Jeff’s journey into leading leaders was sparked by experiences of collective flow in high school and as a letterman on the University of Michigan football team. His business degree from the University of Michigan and doctorate from the University of Chicago ground his practice in sound scholarship. Jeff’s most recent publication is the book, We the Leader, published by McGraw-Hill.
2024-07-0828 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep5 : Leading with Dignity | Beth-Sarah WrightDr. Beth-Sarah Wright, an Atlanta-based author, dynamic speaker, and strategic thought partner, writes to inspire transformation and change in communities, institutions, and personal lives. Her impactful work tackles deep-rooted challenges that demand identity shifts and enhanced capacities to achieve lasting, meaningful change. Dr. Wright champions authenticity, striving to align our aspirational identities with our lived realities. Dr. Wright is the author of seven influential books, served for 10 years on the senior leadership team as the director of enrollment management at the largest parish Episcopal school in the country, and serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Emory...2024-07-0141 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep4 : Authenticity Over Accomplishment | T. Mark MeyerT. Mark Meyer is a psychotherapist and a consultant for the world’s largest corporations, leading workshops on conflict resolution, authenticity, and authentic management. He coaches professional athletes in discovering their purpose and counsels both couples and individuals. After founding and spearheading several successful companies, Mark connected with his authentic self and refocused his professional aspirations. He’s a business coach and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner who uses his personal experience to help others live their most authentic lives.
Key Takeaways:
Authenticity is a life-long journey
Accomplishments won’t bring you happiness if you...2024-06-2422 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep3 : Just Slow Down | Sean DeMarco GarciaSean DeMarco Garcia is the Founder/Coordinator of Astrochemistry Consulting LLC, which offers training and coaching sessions in de-escalation and crisis intervention for frontline workers. They teach individuals how to humanely deescalate those experiencing an emotional or mental wellness crisis both in personal and professional interactions. Sean has written a book on his de-escalation work throughout his life entitled “It Isn’t About You,” and has 30+ years of experience as a naval veteran, police officer, and head of the private security department for a hospital.
Key Takeaways
We are all connected
Curate a worldv...2024-06-1725 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep2 : Representation Matters | Elaine HoElaine Ho serves as NASA’s Chief Diversity Officer, providing executive and transformative leadership over diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policy and programs for the entire NASA workforce. Ho is a long-time public servant who has been connected to DEIA throughout her career, having held multiple high-level positions at the Department of Agriculture, IRS, and the White House. Prior to her federal service career, Ho was a practicing attorney, specializing in employment law and workplace diversity and inclusion, and served over four years active duty as an Air Force criminal prosecutor.
Key Takeaways:...2024-06-1036 min
Introducing MeMichael: Personal Stories and Our CommonalitiesMichael Fosberg grew up in Chicago with his Armenian mother, step-father, and half-siblings, but didn’t wonder about his biological father until he was in his 30s. Armed with a name and potential location, Michael quickly found his father and learned about his previously unknown Black heritage and family. He published his memoir Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self Discovery which he also turned into a one-man play. Michael has found himself in the world of DEI helping people realize they have more in common than they have differences.
Connect with Michael: https://inc...2024-06-0447 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS7 Ep1 : DEI is Not a Threat | Michael FosbergWelcome back to another season of INCOGNITO the podcast! In the first episode of Season 7, Michael offers his thoughts on the demonstrated value of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our society and the high cost of its politicization in the U.S. Michael shares his insight into navigating the divisive world we find ourselves in and reminds listeners that DEI is a human issue, not a political one.
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For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram.
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Thanks to Ned Doheny for pro...2024-06-0320 min
Breaking Bias107: Revelations of Identity - Michael FosbergAbout this Episode
Joining the conversation today is Michael Fosberg. Michael holds many titles, a few of which are Actor, Author, Speaker, Diversity & Inclusion trainer/educator, and founder of Incognito Inc. Michael has harnessed his unique and very personal life story to promote dialogue around race, identity, and self-discovery.
Call to Action: Tell your story
5 Words/Values: Ethics, Friendship, Loyalty, Values, Passion
Connect with Us:
Website: https://diversityonfire.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/diversityonfire
Instagram: https://www.ins...2024-04-3056 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep10 : Make Connections Not Impressions | Laura SchellhardtLaura Schellhardt is a Chicago based playwright and adapter. Her original works include Air Guitar High, Auctioning the Ainsleys, The Apothecary's Daughter, The K of D, Courting Vampires, and Shapeshifters, among many others. Adaptations include The Phantom Tollbooth, The Outfit, and Creole Folktales. She is also the author of Screenwriting for Dummies. She’s a two-time Jeff Award nominee and recipient of the AATE Distinguished Play Award, the New Play Frontier’s residency, the TCG National Playwriting Residency, the Jerome Fellowship, the New Play Award from ACT in Seattle, and a Dramatist Guild Playwriting Fellowship. She has participated in the...2024-03-1155 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep9 : Majority In The Middle | Shannon WatsonShannon Watson is a communicator, strategist, thought leader, and civic thinker. Shannon has worked in policy public affairs roles for Majority in the Middle, Casper Corcoran, The Medical Alley Association, St. Paul Area Chamber, U.S. Bank, the Minnesota Senate and the National conference of State Legislatures. She has more than two decades of experience in electoral politics having worked on local and state-wide campaigns on both sides of the aisle in Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota. She holds a bachelor's degree in English, Theatre, and Psychology from Wichita State University and a master's degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership...2024-03-0437 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep8 : Build Your Capacity To Listen | Michael RohdMichael Rohd is a theatre-maker, educator, process designer, writer and facilitator. His research and creative practice is focused on civic imagination. He has a 30+ year history of projects across sectors bringing cultural activity to the work of public engagement, community planning and cross-sector coalition building. In 1992 in Washington DC he co-founded Hope Is Vital, an arts & public health program that, over 8 years, helped start up theatre-based public engagement/HIV prevention coalitions in over 80 communities around the US. In 1999, he co-founded Sojourn Theatre and served as artistic director for 20 years, co creating and directing nearly 30 devised often site specific and...2024-02-2632 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep7 : Leaving Legacies of Inclusion | Rhodes PerryRhodes Perry is a bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and an internationally sought-after keynoter. He helps senior executives and people leaders build belonging at work by establishing psychological safety and trust. Nationally recognized as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) thought leader, he has over 20 years of leadership experience having worked at the White House, the Department of Justice, the City of New York and PFLAG National. Media Outlets like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press have featured his powerful work. Both of his books, Belonging at Work (2018) and Imagine Belonging (2022) debuted as #1 Amazon bestsellers and...2024-02-1939 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep6 : Authenticity Is Integration | Catherine Altman MorganCatherine Altman Morgan is an award-winning career transition expert and business consultant who has been coaching clients and colleagues through job and life transitions for more than 20 years. She is the founder of Point A to Point B Transitions Inc. and the author of This Isn't Working! Evolving the Way We Work to Decrease Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.
Key Takeaways
Be empathetic, use your experience and build trust
Intentionally set up a safe space by providing guidelines like
The details of what’s shared here stay here
No meanness, sh...2024-02-1232 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep5 : Make Space, Embody Joy | Joe DavisJoe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility. Joe is a student and practitioner of Radical Joy, a deep-rooted wellspring of well-being that he cultivates in community through writing, music, theater, and dance. Based in Minneapolis, he tours internationally to join schools, faith spaces, and nonprofits to practice envisioning and embodying a world of collective liberation and human flourishing. Joe holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts and also heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program.
2024-02-0530 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep4 : Mindset, Listening and Self Love | Shirley BuckContent warning: This episode discusses abuse and suicide. Please take care as you listen.
Shirley Buck is the author of the internationally best-selling book Sweet Freedom Whispered in My Ear. A dedicated mindset coach specializing in trauma and abuse recovery. Drawing from her own remarkable journey of overcoming years of severe abuse and trauma. In addition to her coaching expertise she is also an energy healer helping individuals find healing and empowerment. Her life’s mission is to inspire and guide others on their path to recovery, resilience and personal transformation.
...2024-01-2933 min
This Shit Works7 Tools to Navigate Conversations About Race and Identity with Michael FosbergMy guest today spent the first 30 years of his life thinking he was white. It wasn’t until he spoke to his biological father for the first time that he discovered that he is half black. Since then Michael has utilized his award winning autobiographical story, told in the form of a one-man play, as an entry point for meaningful dialogues on race and identity, and in his most recent book Nobody Wants to Talk About It: he has assembled a set of seven important tools and takeaways useful in navigating uncomfortable conversations about race and identity - s...2024-01-2435 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep3 : Open-hearted and Compassionate | Andrew HorningAndrew Horning is a former licensed private practice psychotherapist with a Masters degree in clinical work from the University of Michigan. He is trained in EMDR, Mediation and Dispute Resolution, Gottman Couples Counseling, and Brené Brown’s Daring Way. He also hosts a podcast on relationships and coached high school basketball. Drew published his book, Grappling: White Men’s Journey from Fragile to Agile, in May, 2021. He lives in Boulder, CO with his wife of over 20 years, Genny, and their two children.
Key Takeaways
Place, where you grew up or where you live...2024-01-2229 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep 2: Truth and Reconciliation | Tim WiseTim Wise is among the nation's most prominent anti-racist educators and authors. He has spent the past 30 years lecturing on matters of racism and racial bias in all 50 states, on over 1,500 college campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to corporate, non-profit, and community groups throughout North America.
He is the author of eight books, including his highly acclaimed memoir, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and his latest essay collection, Dispatches from the Race War. He has contributed essays or chapters to 25 additional volumes, and his writings have appeared in d...2024-01-1538 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS6 Ep1 : Authenticity, Belonging, Community | Michael FosbergSeason’s Greetings and Season Beginning to all listeners.
Season Beginnings refers to the start of the New Year and what will be the 6th season of the podcast. I am also alluding to the slight change of brand…we will no longer call the show; Incognito the Podcast, but rather; Authenticity Belonging & Community, or ABC for short. And for many of us, our childhoods were filled with learning our ABC’s. These three words - more than anything else - truly define the focus of the show. And thus, it is with a new season beginning that I off...2024-01-0819 min
The Thought Leader Revolution PodcastEP526: Michael Fosberg - Why Social Media Is Actually Anti-Social“It's a universal human experience. We're all on this journey of identity. It doesn't stop. It's not like you get to a certain place in your life and you go, ‘that's it I'm done, I know exactly who I am, where I'm going and what I'm doing’.” “We have more in common than we have differences.” We all experience a degree of separation from others in our lives. We can be in the same room yet feel worlds apart. Politics and especially our own notions of ourselves and others can complicate the innate connection and familiarity...2023-12-0544 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep10 : We’re All On The Same Team | Michael FosbergMichael wraps up the 5th season of the podcast with some thoughts around the condition of DEI education in the United States today. He tells of how the pandemic and current political state of affairs has affected his business and that of others attempting to teach and speak out about identity.
Key Takeaways
In 2020 former president Donald Trump labeled any and all discussions of race, slavery or racism as CRT (critical race theory) and subsequently banned them from schools. This is still affecting DEI training and race conversations today.
The f...2023-11-1324 min
Blossom Your AwesomeBlossom Your Awesome Podcast Embracing Our Differences With Michael FosbergBlossom Your Awesome Podcast Embracing Our Differences With Michael FosbergAuthor, Trainer, Thought-Leader, Activist, Actor and host of the Incognito: The Podcast joins us. Michael uses his award winning autobiographical story, told in the form of a one-man play, as an entry point for meaningful dialogues on race and identity. His book, 'Incognito: An American Odyssey Of Race And Self Discovery' is about his journey of discovering he was part black in his thirties. On this episode Micheal shares his incredible story of self discovery having grown up as a white male and passing as...2023-11-0750 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep9 : Get Intellectually Curious By Asking Why | Eric GrantEric Grant is the managing partner and financial adviser with Polaris Wealth Management a firm that specializes in insurance, investments and financial advisory services for individuals and businesses. Eric has over 35 years of experience and knowledge in personal and business financial services and is a speaker and lecturer on matters related to personal and business financial planning. He also expresses himself as the host of a two-hour weekly national radio show “The Family Meeting” on WCPT and has been a contributor to various media outlets including Black Enterprise, The Wall Street Journal and WVON Radio. He’s a proud Howard...2023-11-0642 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep8: Find Beauty and Wisdom Everywhere | John NoltnerJohn Noltner is an award winning photographer who is the founder and creator of A Peace of My Mind — a multimedia arts project, created by award-winning photographer John Noltner, that uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. Through exhibits, workshops, lectures, on-site studios, and distance learning, A Peace of My Mind leads transformative experiences that help a polarized world rediscover the common humanity that connects us. A gifted storyteller, Noltner has worked on four continents, gathering stories of human courage, grace, and resilience. He has produced projects for national magazines, Fortune 500 companies, an...2023-10-3041 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep7: Open, Honest and Vulnerable | Chaazé P. RobertsChaazé P. Roberts, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who over the last 16 years studied, trained, and worked at The Family Institute, Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic at Northwestern University. Mr. Roberts currently still works as a clinical lecturer and supervisor at the Family Institute for the MSMFT program at Northwestern University. Recently, he embarked on a new venture starting his own private practice, CPR Counseling. Mr. Roberts works with families, couples, individuals, adolescents, as well as conducting group therapy. He has a particular passion for and commitment to working with adolescent’s issues and men...2023-10-2336 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep6 : Be Curious Not Judgmental | Greg MoisioGreg Moisio is a longtime Waukegan resident, a father of three daughters, a graduate of Waukegan East and a graduate of the University of Illinois Champaign. He holds a masters degree in education leadership from Aurora University. He is a retired educator from the Waukegan school district with 34 years of service as a football coach, a basketball coach, a baseball coach, and a powerlifting coach. He is on the board of directors of the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association and he is also a retired 3rd ward Alderman in the city of Waukegan for 20 years where he served as...2023-10-1636 min
I Need To F***ing Talk To You76 - Am I F***ing Black or am I F***ing White?"Am I F***ing Black or am I F***ing White?" asks Michael Fosberg. “F***ing Hell,” said Russell upon first hearing the story of Michael Fosberg from his own lips. A Chicago native, Michael has spoken at nearly a thousand high schools, colleges, government agencies, corporations, law firms and not-for-profits since 2005. He uses his award winning autobiographical story - the journey to find his biological father and the discovery of his Black heritage - told in the form of a one-man play, as an entry point for meaningful dialogues on race and identity. BiographyChica...2023-10-1056 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep5 : Intercultural IQ | Kevin Chan BradleyKevin Chan Bradley is the Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community for HUB International. Joining the organization in 2021, oversees the company’s overarching DEI strategy and provides coaching and consultation to ensure the execution of the strategy on all levels or the organization. Mr. Bradley is a seasoned Diversity & Inclusion practitioner with over 30 years in Human Resources. He has been a recruiter, business partner, EEO/AA Compliance leader and D&I leader. Bradley has worked in various industries including manufacturing, aerospace, fast food, and financial services. He is often asked to speak at events on the topic of di...2023-10-0934 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep4: Hidden Differences | Ed ThompsonEd Thomson is the founder and CEO of Uptimize the leading neuro-inclusion training company whose mission is to help organizations embrace and leverage every type of thinker. Born and raised in London and educated at the University of Oxford, Ed founded Uptimize in 2016 recognizing the urgent need for greater understanding and appreciation of neurodiversity within the working world. His role with Uptimize has afforded him unique insights and connections with pioneers in the neurodiversity at work field across the world. And he is now a frequent speaker on the topic. He and Uptimize have been featured by outlets including...2023-10-0236 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep 3: Authenticity from the Akashic Realm | Laura CoeContent warning: Please note this episode includes a brief discussion of gun violence at minute 16 and minute 19. Take care as you listen.
On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Laura Coe. Laura was born in Chicago and found her calling in philosophy, which she studied at Brandeis as well as in graduate school at Tufts University. After realizing she didn’t want to pursue academia, she went on to become a healthcare tech entrepreneur.
When Laura came across the Akashic Records — a way to systematically deepen the connection to your authentic voice — she found th...2023-09-2540 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep 2: Being Whole with Yourself, Community and Environment | Billy DanielOn this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Billy Daniel, an episcopal priest and rector at Church of the Ascension in Knoxville Tennessee. Billy received his PhD in theology from the University of Nottingham, England and is the author of Inhabited by Grace and Christ the Liturgy. Billy has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in theology, ethics and the humanities and is the co-creator of Spiritus Knox, a center for spiritual practice and learning in Knoxville. He is currently working on a book of meditations and prayers on the matter of “Becoming,” as well as developing curriculum and retr...2023-09-1847 minAuthenticity, Belonging, CommunityS5 Ep 1: Using Privilege and Experience to Make Change | Mark WynnOn this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Mark Wynn! Mark is a former police officer and consultant for the justice department. He served as an officer in Nashville for 21 years and worked to create the largest police domestic violence investigative unit in the United States. He trains professionals, from executives to officers to social workers and more, on how to address domestic violence in their work. Recently he was featured in the documentary “This Is Where I Learned Not to Sleep” about his life and his work.
Key Takeaways:
The system need...2023-09-1142 min
Missing Pieces - NPE LifeIncognito with Michael FosbergMichael Fosberg went on a search for the dad he never knew. The dad he had never asked about. And he found him rather easily BUT he got a huge surprise. One that sent his life in a new direction. Michael can be found at https://incognitotheplay.comYou can find links to his books and podcast. Check him out. this is the link to his podcast on Apple Podcast To help support the show you can purchase cool shirts and other merchandise hereorhttps://missingpieces.printify.meA...2023-07-2031 min