Shows
Why Care?53. Permissible Beauty with Robert TaylorIn this compelling episode, host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with renowned photographer, Robert Taylor. Robert discusses his impactful journey from the RAF to becoming an acclaimed artist whose work champions black queer visibility and diversity. Robert shares insights about his pioneering, powerful project, "Permissible Beauty," exhibited at Hampton Court Palace, which creatively explored Black queer representation and challenged traditional beauty standards. Delving deeply into topics such as British identity, the transformative potential of art, and his contributions to LGBTQ+ advocacy and women’s visibility in STEM and academe, Robert's story highlights the power of authenticity, courage, and creative expression in ch...2025-06-2355 min
Why Care?52. From Olympics to Advocacy with Montell DouglasIn this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down with the extraordinary Montell Douglas, a groundbreaking athlete known for her historic achievements as the UK's first woman to compete in both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Montell shares her inspiring story of overcoming barriers, redefining success, and advocating passionately for equitable access to physical activity. She dives deep into issues of representation, resilience, and why she continuously pushes herself out of her comfort-zone, including her recent role as ‘Fire’ in BBC's Gladiators and as a 2024 contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. Montell’s honest reflections highlight the power of spo...2025-06-0252 min
Why Care?51. Pursuing Positive Impact with Christopher KennaIn this new episode of Why Care?, starting Season 6, Nadia Nagamootoo talks with Christopher Kenna, CEO and founder of Diversity Media Inc. and Media Stream AI. Christopher shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood and life in the British Army to becoming a pioneering entrepreneur focused on diversity and inclusion. Learn how Chris uses AI to create personalised and inclusive media, why authentic representation matters deeply to him, and his vision for a more equitable media landscape. He also shares his challenging upbringing, navigating personal threats, and the relentless pursuit of positive impact through innovation.Key...2025-05-1351 min
The Leading Below the Surface Podcast with LaTonya WilkinsEp: 50: Inclusion Below the Surface: The Hard Truths and Risks of Abandoning InclusivityDive into the challenging realities of inclusive leadership in this powerful episode of the Leading Below the Surface podcast! Host LaTonya Wilkins welcomes psychologist and author Nadia Nagamootoo to discuss her groundbreaking book "Beyond Discomfort: Why Inclusive Leadership is so Hard.Episode Summary:In this thought-provoking conversation, LaTonya and Nadia explore why inclusion goes far beyond traditional DEI frameworks and why abandoning inclusivity poses significant risks to organizations and society. They discuss how inclusive leadership impacts innovation, mental health, and our ability to address global challenges, revealing the psychological barriers that make inclusion difficult but...2025-05-0538 min
Is It Hot In Here? menopause podcastWill Fertility Issues Affect My Menopause? – Pregnancy Struggles, Shame And DenialFeeling isolated in midlife? You’re not alone — and today’s guest, Nadia Nagamootoo, knows exactly how that feels.Nadia is a chartered psychologist, CEO of Avenir Consulting Services, and host of the Why Care? podcast. In this episode, she opens up to Dr Naomi Potter about her long, emotional journey with fertility struggles — and how those years shaped not just her 30s, but her experience of perimenopause.Doctors told Nadia she had a low ovarian count, which resulted in her struggles to conceive. So the question is: do fertility struggles also suggest that Nad...2025-04-2841 min
Focus on WHYReflections with Actions with Amy Rowlinson 453 Reflections with Actions with Amy Rowlinson After every five guest interviews, I take time to reflect on each episode, honing in on specific topics, unravelling different threads and diving deeper into the moments that sparked my curiosity. In this episode, I explore themes such as storytelling, neurodiversity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), motivation, mastery, autonomy, truth and rigour, sharing my Reflections with Actions drawn from these five recent podcast conversations: 448 Health, Wealth and Happiness with Gurps Khaira 449 Keys to Self-Compassion with Charlie Hart 450 Redesigning for Difference with Nadia Nagamootoo2025-03-1936 min
Beautiful MessEP14: Nadia Nagamootoo..."Beyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard (and what you can do about it)Introducing the amazing "Nadia Nagamootoo"...
Nadia Nagamootoo (she/her) is a prolific diversity, equity & inclusion thought leader, a global keynote speaker, award-winning businesswoman, and best-selling author.
Nadia’s work is driven by her purpose to create ripples of change in every organisation and person she touches; striving for a world where everyone feels like it was designed for them.
She is boldly challenging our understanding of leadership, pushing for leaders to recognise the deep, inner work needed if they are to truly embody conscious inclusion.
Nadia has shared her th...2025-03-1223 min
Focus on WHYRedesigning for Difference with Nadia NagamootooNadia Nagamootoo, a Chartered Business Psychologist, drives systemic change through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in organisations. She emphasises the need to uncover and address the invisible, historical biases embedded in systems designed by and for the majority. Urging leaders to reflect on their beliefs and develop emotional intelligence, Nadia encourages them to embrace complexity and engage in open-minded conversations to navigate DEI effectively. Nadia advocates for a more inclusive world through storytelling, self-awareness and a willingness to embrace redesigning for difference. KEY TAKEAWAY ‘We need to start redesigning for difference and that mea...2025-02-2647 min
Why Care?Special Episode: Smarter in Seconds with Blair ImaniIn this special episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down with Blair Imani, historian, educator, and author of Read This to Get Smarter. Known for her viral Smarter in Seconds series, Blair breaks down complex topics in an accessible and engaging way. In this conversation, Blair shares her journey as an advocate, the role of education in driving change, and the importance of challenging misinformation. She also discusses her experiences in activism, the impact of storytelling on social justice, and how we can all contribute to making the world more inclusive.Key Takeaways...2025-02-1348 min
Why Care?50. Murder Most Unladylike: Breaking Barriers in Children’s Literature with Robin StevensIn this season finale of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo is joined by bestselling children’s author Robin Stevens, best known for the internationally renowned Murder Most Unladylike series, to explore how literature can shape young minds and create lasting change. Robin shares her journey as an author, the personal experiences that influence her writing, and how her neurodivergence, identity, and lived experiences have shaped the stories she tells. They discuss the importance of representation in children’s books, the impact of subtle acts of exclusion, and how stories can help young readers navigate diversity, identity, and belonging. This epis...2025-01-2253 min
Yellow Shelf PodcastBeyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard, author Nadia NagamootooBeyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard (and what you can do about it) Talk to anyone about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and it sparks a whole range of emotions. Why? Because DEI, at its very core, is about values and beliefs, and it’s about change. So, it is no surprise then, that despite putting in place a DEI strategy and multiple initiatives, many organizations get stuck. Beyond Discomfort: Why Inclusive Leadership Is So Hard deconstructs the complex emotions and belief systems that hamper the progress of DEI in the workpl...2025-01-1916 min
Why Care?49. Food, Family, and Leadership Lessons with Shelina Permalloo & Pamela Permalloo BassIn this episode of Why Care?, host, Nadia Nagamootoo, has an inspiring conversation with the Permalloo Sisters - Shelina Permalloo, MasterChef winner and celebrated chef, and Pamela Permalloo Bass, a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert with extensive experience in the NHS. Together, they share stories of their Mauritian heritage, navigating identity as British Mauritian women, and breaking barriers in their respective industries. From exploring the richness of Mauritian cuisine to advocating for inclusion in the workplace, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of family, culture, and leadership.Key TakeawaysCultural heritage can be a source...2025-01-0950 min
Why Care?48. Beneath the Surface with Michael GunningIn this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Michael Gunning, an elite swimmer and trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in sport. Michael shares his incredible journey from becoming one of the few Black swimmers to compete internationally, to using his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and equality. He opens up about navigating labels, breaking barriers, and the importance of representation in sports and beyond. Michael also discusses his recent projects, including the Swim United campaign, his work with Pride House, and his new, groundbreaking TV series, Beneath the Surface. This conversation clearly demonstrates his resilience...2024-11-2536 min
Catching North StarsLeading with EmpathyIn this episode of Catching North Stars, I sit down with psychologist, coach, CEO, and author Nadia Nagamootoo about her new book, "Beyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard (and what we can do about it)" which invites leaders to explore their own relationships to inclusion and creates meaningful ways for them to develop in this area. We also talk about her career journey into DE&I work, which spans 2 decades. Using empathy as a way in, Nadia's work inspires sustained work in this important field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-11-0751 min
Why Care?47. Tackling Workplace Bullying with Claire CollinsIn this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down with Claire Collins, a coach and Henley Business School Professor of Leadership, to discuss the impact of toxic work environments. Claire shares her journey from a biomedical career to becoming a law firm chief executive and, following a highly successful academic career, finding her purpose in coaching professionals who are dealing with workplace bullying. This conversation delves into identifying toxic behaviours, understanding the effects of gaslighting, and building resilience. Claire provides invaluable insights into navigating such environments, regaining confidence, and fostering better organisational cultures for all.
...2024-11-0454 min
Why Care?46. Generative AI and Alleviating Inequity with Tarek KamilIn this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Tarek Kamil, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Cerkl. Tarek shares his fascinating journey, from leaving a stable career in software engineering to launching multiple tech ventures aimed at making the world a better place. They dive deep into how AI is transforming workplace communication, the importance of personalised experiences for employees, and the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech. Tarek also emphasises the value of taking risks, minimising regret, and embracing discomfort to drive personal and professional growth.
Highlights:
Tarek’s En...2024-10-1451 min
Why Care?45. Normalising the conversation with Sarah MulindwaIn this episode of Why Care? host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Sarah Mulindwa, who has uniquely combined her background in nursing with her passion for fashion, to become an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sarah shares her journey from the healthcare sector to the fashion industry, highlighting the challenges and rewards of such a significant career transition. She also discusses her work in sexual health education and the importance of representation and diversity in both fashion and healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for leaders wanting to find out what more they can do to make sexual health...2024-09-3054 min
Why Care?44. Midlife Reinvention with Rosie NixonIn this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo welcomes Rosie Nixon, former Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! Magazine and author of three novels - The Stylist, Amber Green Takes Manhattan and Just Between Friends - plus the Be Kind book, all about showing different types of kindness.
Rosie shares her journey from the glamorous world of magazines to facing burnout and ultimately finding a new path focused on empowering midlife women. They discuss her innovative Reinvention Retreats, the importance of taking a pause, and how to redefine success in midlife. Rosie also opens up about the pressures of maint...2024-09-0250 min
Why Care?43. Indivisible with Denise Hamilton
In this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo welcomes Denise Hamilton, a leading DEI practitioner and author of Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences Into a Stronger Future. Denise shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a sought-after DEI consultant, emphasising the importance of practical application and the human side of diversity, equity, and inclusion work. They discuss her innovative approach to DEI, the necessity of evolving language and practices, and how to navigate the discomfort that comes with challenging long-held beliefs. Denise also delves into her impactful charity initiative, Good Givers, which redefines how we think...2024-07-151h 05
Why Care?42. Make It Last with Dr. Sandra UptonIn this episode of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo welcomes Dr. Sandra Upton, an esteemed DEI expert and author of Make It Last. They dive deep into Sandra's journey, from academia to consulting, and explore her eight-step DEI Propel framework designed to create sustainable and impactful DEI strategies within organisations. Sandra shares her insights on overcoming resistance, building effective DEI governance, and ensuring long-term success through practical application and continuous learning.
Highlights:
Sandra’s Journey: Dr. Sandra Upton shares her extensive background in academia and consulting, detailing over 25 years of experience in DE...2024-06-2454 min
Why Care?41. The Power of Prose with Tegan SummerWelcome to the Season 5 premiere of the Why Care? podcast! In this episode, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down with the incredibly talented Tegan Summer, a distinguished writer, producer, and lyricist whose work has graced Broadway and the West End. Get ready for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about the transformative power of theatre and the importance of diversity and representation in the arts.
Highlights:
Tegan's Journey: From his roots in the East End of London to becoming a prominent figure in the theatrical world, Tegan shares his unique path and the experiences...2024-06-0454 min
Breaking Barriers PodcastWhy inclusive leadership is so hardRachel Schofield is joined by Nadia Nagamootoo, where they discuss why inclusive leadership is so hard.
2024-05-3033 min
Why Care?Special Episode: Beyond Discomfort - The Launch with Nadia NagamootooThis is a unique Why Care? episode - a live fireside chat where I am the one being interviewed! The interviewer is my dear friend, Darin de Klerk, as we discuss all things Beyond Discomfort at my Book Launch event, which took place on 21st March 2024. During our intimate conversation, we tackle the challenges of leadership development and the significance of valuing diverse perspectives. I share some insights into the soul of my new book, my personal journey growing up as a minority in the UK, navigating power dynamics, cross-cultural partnerships, and experiences with identity. We also cover more...2024-05-0855 min
All Inclusive with Natasha RaineyWhy Do We Struggle with Inclusive Leadership?In this podcast episode, Natasha speaks with Nadia Nagamootoo, renowned Founder & CEO of Avenir Consulting, celebrated author, and host of the "Why Care?" podcast. Nadia is also an accredited coach who was honored as the HR Most Influential Thinker 2023 and HR Champion of the Year 2023.
Together, they delve into Nadia’s latest book, "Beyond Discomfort: Why Inclusive Leadership Is So Hard," discussing the intricate challenges that come with inclusive leadership. This episode explores the dynamics of power and risk in leadership and shares actionable strategies for navigating discomfort to create more inclusive environments.
🔗 Connect...2024-05-0836 min
Why Care?Special Episode: Unique with Dame Kelly Holmes
In the second special celebrity episode of Why Care? I am joined by the multi-talented, Double Olympic Champion, Dame Kelly Holmes. We dive deeper into her journey of self-discovery, personal experiences, and traumas, which she explores in her powerful memoir Unique. Kelly shares her emotional backstory in which she concealed her true identity and sexuality from the public and lived in fear for most of her life. We discuss the discriminatory military laws and systemic mistreatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in the British army, as well as the mental health impact. As a world-class athlete, Kelly opens up a...2024-04-1544 min
Why Care?Special Episode: Being Your Best Self with Dr. RanjIn this special celebrity episode of Why Care? I am joined by the truly inspiring, Dr. Ranj, to delve deeper into what drives him, his passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and his perspective on how to break society’s confines of masculinity. Dr. Ranj shares many personal life experiences as we discuss his cultural upbringing, mindset, sexuality, identity, and journey to being authentically 100% who he is. We also explore his adventurous career, his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, promotion of diverse and inclusive education, and one of his many books aimed at boys: How to Be a Bo...2024-03-0457 min
Why Care?40. The Brave Leader with David McQueenIn Episode 40 of Why Care? I am joined by the brilliant and highly entertaining David McQueen to delve deeper into his brand-new book, The Brave Leader. David shares some life experiences, powerful insights and we touch on subjects such as the importance of followership, his BRAVE framework for good leadership, and how to take a systems approach to inclusive leadership.
David’s dedication to DEI is apparent through his years of experience as an executive coach, international keynote speaker, and facilitator. David co-founded professional development company Q Squared Ltd. He also hosts The BRAVE Leader podcast and dub...2024-02-1348 min
The Secret ResumeEpisode 22 - Nadia Nagamootoo - ’The Smallest of Cogs Can Make a Big Difference’My guest this week is Nadia Nagamootoo - the founder and CEO of Avenir.
Nadia and I discuss how her experience of rejecting and then embracing her Mauritian heritage, combined with the complexities of the conversations about inclusion that she has had in her DEI workshops, led to her write her book 'Beyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard (and what you can do about it)'.
Nadia is a Chartered Psychologist, MBA and accredited coach with 20 years’ experience in the field of systemic culture change, leadership development and organisational strategy. She has worked globally to provoke powerful Diversity, Equit...2024-02-081h 05The Secret ResumeEpisode 22 - Nadia Nagamootoo - ’The Smallest of Cogs Can Make a Big Difference’My guest this week is Nadia Nagamootoo - the founder and CEO of Avenir.
Nadia and I discuss how her experience of rejecting and then embracing her Mauritian heritage, combined with the complexities of the conversations about inclusion that she has had in her DEI workshops, led to her write her book 'Beyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard (and what you can do about it)'.
Nadia is a Chartered Psychologist, MBA and accredited coach with 20 years’ experience in the field of systemic culture change, leadership development and organisational strategy. She has worked globally to provoke powerful Diversity, Equit...2024-02-081h 05
Why Care?39. Say More About That with Amber Cabral“I encourage people in my books to please lean into your privileges, they give you a chance to show up as an ally, take advantage of all of them and I do but I simultaneously also understand the implications of what not having that access looks like. And even though I can't fix all of that, I also have a bit of responsibility to be a part of the solution.”
In Episode 39 of Why Care?, I am joined by Amber Cabral to delve into her second book, Say More About That. We cover topics including how to use...2024-01-1549 min
Why Care?38. Equality Vs Equity with Jenny Garrett“The reframing that I do around that is that meritocracy
is a myth, the fact that everyone wants to get a job on their merit. Sadly, we know that lots of people get jobs because of who they know not necessarily what they know. They get opportunities and extra opportunities because of who they are...”
In Episode 38 of Why Care?, I am joined by Jenny Garrett, Founder of Jenny Garrett Global to discuss her book, Equality Vs Equity. We discuss colourism, racial discrimination and power, and how we can assimilate our differences and create a society where we ar...2023-12-0443 min
Why Care?37. Untapped Leadership with Jenny Vazquez-Newsum(Leadership theories are being developed by white men and researched on those from white backgrounds). “I think the biggest risk is how subtly permeated this exists within our definitions of leadership, of the leadership that we value and trust…"
In Episode 37 of Why Care?, I speak to Jenny Vazquez-Newsum, Founder and CEO of Untapped Leadership. We discuss her book, Untapped Leadership, and we explore the concepts of contextual agility, stealth-clean up and the zone of untapped leadership. We also touch on topics such as the race penalty, imposter syndrome, and how we can redefine and...2023-11-0747 min
Why Care?36. Demanding More with Sheree Atcheson“The other problem that we have is that people disregard the nuances of, in this case, women. And one of my Forbes pieces that I wrote, which is called Women are not a Monolith, and we must stop treating them as such..."
In Episode 36, Sheree Atcheson, Global DEI Senior Executive at Valtech, joins me to speak about her book, Demanding More. We explore the concept of white saviourism and white feminism, and how we can all benefit from DEI.
Sheree’s DEI career has spanned for over a decade, as a consultant, keyn...2023-10-1051 min
GLOBAL CONVERSATIONS || SEASON 2Episode 1: Inclusive Leadership with Jenny Vazquez-Newsum and Nadia NagamootooThere are various styles used by leaders - inclusive, transformation, servant, adaptive, etc. Many leadership styles are fluid and can be utilized based on their respective situations. So what is an inclusive leadership style? Is it any different in a global context? What makes a great inclusive leader working as an equity practitioner? My guests Nadia Nagamootoo and Jenny Vazquez-Newsum discuss this topic and a whole lot more.2023-09-2052 min
Why Care?35. Conscious Inclusion with Catherine Garrod"So quite often I find all that DEI activities and initiatives is operating without a plan. People don't know what they're aiming for, right? They may have read something on LinkedIn, or they experience something in their previous organisation, or they've read an article somewhere and they go, we should do this. And it kind of ends up being this big shopping list of activity that people are trying to navigate through and find..."
In Episode 35, I speak to Catherine Garrod, Founder of Compelling Culture, to discuss the underlying concepts in her book, Conscious Inclusion, the difference...2023-09-1346 min
Why Care?34. Growing the Elephant with Chris Altizer and Gloria Johnson-Cusack“And so, what we try to lift up in this book is ways for people to shift their mindsets from having that fixed mindset of thinking this is the way it is, it's the way it's always going to be, people won't grow, people won't change, it’s how it’s been for centuries, so maybe there's a way for us to ask these tough questions. For them to believe with optimism and competence and historical fact that people can learn and grow with the right tools. And then with that mindset, go further and say, if we have better...2023-07-2650 min
Why Care?33. Reconstructing Inclusion with Amri JohnsonIn Episode 33, I am joined by Amri Johnson, CEO and Founder of Inclusion Wins, to discuss the dangers of being led only by emotion and not reason, the dangers of being led by passion and not skill, and what DEI practitioners and organisations need to do to sustain DEI efforts.
Amri’s DEI journey has spanned over two
decades and is based on his experiences as a social capitalist, epidemiologist, entrepreneur, consultant, inclusion strategist, podcaster, and author of Reconstructing Inclusion. It was his experience in management that steered him towards inclusive leadership, organisational development, and organisational effectiveness. Th...2023-07-0447 min
Why Care?32. Belonging with Sue Unerman“I think this is a question for the world of work overall, which is challenge versus consensus. I think it is something you have to acknowledge as a leader which is that you might have three points of view in the room. If you go for consensus, you might be getting half good of all three of them. How do you get the very best? because if you’ve got those three opinions, everybody’s worked quite hard to build their case, what you need is for everyone to understand that the competition is outside the company, not within the co...2023-06-1344 min
Seize the DayInclusive Leadership with Nadia NagamootooNadia Nagamootoo OnlineWebsite: https://www.avenirconsultingservices.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-nagamootoo-she-her-98436613/Podcast, The Coaching Inn: https://www.avenirconsultingservices.com/why-care-podcast-with-nadia-nagamootooInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadianagamootoo/ Natalie Miller-Snell OnlineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmscoaching/Facebook: Dare to Be You!Free Download: Self-Belief and Confidence GuideWebsite: https://nmscoaching.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-miller-snell/Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/nmscoachingFinding Your Purpose Programme: https://nmsc...2023-06-0139 min
Why Care?31. How to be An Inclusive Leader? with Jennifer Brown“I want to challenge the comfortable in all of us and in myself. I want to invite us to walk that path together because the comfortable amongst us is needed in the change equation so desperately for change to be sustainable, to be at scale, to be accelerated, to address the real pain and inequities in our society.”
In Episode 31, I am joined by Jennifer Brown, Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), to discuss the challenges of being an inclusive leader, how to overcome these challenges, and what inclusive leadership means.
Jennifer’s DEI jo...2023-05-2351 min
The Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to EvolveE260: The Enduring Power of Winning Deep: WTC Takeover Episode with Nadia Nagamootoo, Dr. Pippa Grange, and Errol AmerasekeraThis special takeover episode of the Will to Change features a conversation with Nadia Nagamootoo, Founder and CEO of Avenir, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy, Dr. Pippa Grange, a highly sought-after sports psychologist and culture coach. and Errol Amerasekera, Director of Bluestone Edge, an organization providing consultancy in culture, ethics, performance psychology, and leadership. You'll hear about the idea of winning shallow vs. winning deep and why checking the box when it comes to DEI doesn't lead to transformational change. Discover some of the biggest struggles that leaders face when measuring progress around diversity, equity, and inclusion and why DEI wor...2023-03-1757 min
Why Care?30. Fixing the Broken Rung for Multicultural Women with Bonnie St. John‘With multicultural women, we see that most of the time they are like, I will be just like everyone else, I will be talented and work hard and my work will speak for myself. It’s not easy for these women to deal with these issues. Being intentional about getting the assistance you need, setting your goals and moving up .. How do you use your difference as an asset and leverage it as an advantage for your company?’
In Episode 30, I am joined by Bonnie St. John, CEO of Blue Circle Leadership Institute, to discuss the specific barrier...2023-02-2842 min
Why Care?29. DEI Mythbusters with Paolo Gaudiano“Let’s not focus on just the number of representations, let’s focus on creating an environment where everyone has an equal chance to succeed, the numbers will then work themselves out. We would truly have the best people in the best positions instead of advantaged privileged white men who might have advanced in their career because of privilege they didn’t even see, and that leads to the disparities that we see.”
In Episode 29, I am joined by Paolo Gaudiano, Co-Founder and President at Aleria Research Corporation, and Chief Scientist at Aleria, to debunk the myths commonly as...2023-02-0245 min
Why Care?28: DEI and the Art of Localisation with Claire Brody“There’s no pressure on you to be global - there’s pressure on you to think about who is around your table. To think about who you’re bringing in to start a strategy.”
In Episode 28, I am joined by Claire Brody, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Warner Bros. Discovery, to discuss the art of localisation. Claire shares valuable learning and insight on how to develop a DEI strategy that can be adapted at a local level, addressing proximity bias and the importance of perspective-taking.
Claire’s DEI journey is filled wi...2022-12-1335 min
Why Care?27. The Inner Work of Inclusive Leadership with Rose CartolariThe Inner Work of Inclusive Leadership
“We need to be able to be so attuned to what’s going out around you. And the only way to do that in a stable way is by being rooted in the way you are. In really understanding…OK, is this me? This constant evaluating.”
In Episode 27, I am joined by Rose Cartolari, Founder and Director of RC Consulting, which specialises in Leadership Advisory and Executive Coaching, to discuss the inner work of inclusive leadership, primarily focusing on the importance of self-reflection and flexibility as a leader, and the diss...2022-11-2138 min
Why Care?26. Silencing the Echo Chambers with Sámi Ben-Ali“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not”
In Episode 26 I am joined by Sámi Ben-Ali, Vice President of Inclusion & Diversity at Wood, to discuss the importance of silencing the echo chambers, recognising that lived experience fuels individual perspectives, and how times of global crisis often put the focus on individual survival over the needs of the group.
Sámi’s interest in DEI started earlier in life than many of my guests. He grew up in a small town in the Northwest of England in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith household with his White Irish Catholic Scouse m...2022-10-1043 min
Why Care?25. The Power of Truth with Devi Virdi“When it comes to creating that inclusive culture, frankly you’re either leading the way or getting in the way – because neutral doesn’t exist”
In Episode 25 I am joined by Devi Virdi, Group Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Centrica, to discuss how cultural intelligence is key to inclusive leadership, the importance of collecting employee data, and ‘the power of truth’.
Devi’s DEI journey is one flavoured by many different cultures, and journey is definitely an appropriate word. Devi has worked for most of her career in the travel and hospitality sector, working across various sectors...2022-09-2638 min
Why Care?24. DEI: Creating a Holistic Narrative with Geoffrey Williams“Everyone has their personal passion points, and [DEI] conversation[s are] often looked at from a personal viewpoint. So it’s not really looked at as a business driver or a business conversation, it’s looked at as ‘I care about gender’, ‘I care about race’, ‘I care about disability because my child has a disability’ and you have to encourage the leaders to go outside the scope of their personal passion”
In Episode 24 I am joined by Geoffrey Williams, Vice President / Global Head Diversity Equity & Inclusion at Burberry, to discuss empowering the next generation of worker...2022-09-0743 min
Why Care?23. Meritocracy or Mirrortocracy? with Kristen Anderson“When you start defining diversity in a broader sense, usually you will find a lot of people who are passionate about one element. Maybe they have experienced exclusion because they are a certain age, or have a certain number of years at the company, and they don’t feel like they’re taken seriously or listened too. Getting people engaged in one element is important, and that’s where the wave starts coming and the train leaves the station and can’t go back.”
In Episode 23 I am joined by Kristen Anderson, Vice Chair of European...2022-08-0343 min
Why Care?22. Count, Share, Change with Nina Goswami“Often if some organisations or people feel that something is a ‘tick box’- it fails. We see that time and time again. So if you can, through passion and collaboration, create momentum, then that’s what’s gonna keep things going.”
In Episode 22 I am joined by Nina Goswami, Creative Diversity Lead for the BBC, to discuss the importance of inclusive storytelling, representation in the media, and the BBC's impactful 50:50 Equality Project.
Nina’s journey is one many journalists will be inspired by, climbing the ladder from reporter, to producer, to editor and then to her current...2022-07-0838 min
Why Care?21. Self-Reflection as a Superpower with Pat Phelan“I asked the team – Where should I go? What should I read? What should I look at? I had conversations with my own team members around certain areas that genuinely I didn’t quite understand…..I would have been the first person in the world to say ‘I do not see colour, I do not see gender’…..and it’s the most cliched, most inaccurate thing someone in my position could ever say”
In the first episode of Season 3, I am joined by Pat Phelan, Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless. As well as being our Season 3 premiere, this episode is a...2022-06-1541 min
Why Care?Special Episode: Leading Outside the Cookie Cutter with Elvin Nagamootoo“There was definitely a level of expectation that you felt, I use the word pressure because that’s exactly what it felt like at the time. Some people thrive upon that and go forward, I rebelled – I did the exact opposite. My rebellious bit was to go ‘I don’t want to pursue academia anymore, I want to go and work, I want my own financial independence’ and not to choose the cookie cutter path.”
In this very special bonus episode of the ‘Why Care?’ podcast, I am joined by Elvin Nagamootoo, Head of Product at Shell E...2022-05-1135 min
Why Care?20. Shifting Mindsets with Shawna Ferguson“2020, the year that changed everything in all of our lives around the globe. Whether it was the global health crisis and pandemic of COVID, or looking at everyone working under quarantine, or looking at some of the social-racial unrest that has happened around the globe. We started to go from diversity, to diversity and inclusion, to that year - we started talking about belonging, intersectionality and equity.”
In Episode 20 and the Season 2 finale of ‘Why Care?’, I am joined by a phenomenal leader, Shawna Ferguson, Senior Managing Director & Director of Global DEI at Wellington Manageme...2022-02-2346 min
Why Care?19. DEI From The Inside with Pauline Miller“[Working in the DEI field] I learnt lots of things and things we should always remember – One: we don’t know everything. One: We can’t resolve everything on our own...But most importantly, I learnt about myself.”
In Episode 19 of the ‘Why Care?’ podcast, I am joined by Pauline Miller, Chief Equity Officer, EMEA for dentsu, where Pauline is responsible for shaping and leading its DEI strategy and execution. We discuss the challenges of being an internal DEI practitioner, how to engage the C-suite and board of organisations, and the importance of celebrating the short-term wins.
Pauline s...2022-01-2741 min
Why Care?18. Everyday Experiences with Emma Codd“You would assume that because someone is in a virtual workplace that [non-inclusive behaviours] wouldn’t happen. Well forget it. Over 50% of the women that we spoke to said yes: in the past year they had experienced non-inclusive behaviours, and that was worse for women of colour and worse for LGBTQ+ women.”
In Episode 18 of the ‘Why Care?’ podcast, I am joined by Emma Codd, Global Inclusion Leader at Deloitte, to discuss organisational culture change policies, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on women in the workplace, the stigma around mental health at work, and the importance of inclusi...2021-12-1739 min
Why Care?17. Reclaiming Identity with Rukasana Bhaijee“When [Muslim] women want to enter the workplace in places like the UK for instance, they may end up facing a triple penalty. The penalty of being a Muslim, the penalty of being potentially from a different racial background and also being a woman. It’s almost instead of facing the glass ceiling, you’re facing a triple glazed or a concrete ceiling which is almost impossible to penetrate.”
In Episode 17 of the ‘Why Care?’ podcast, I am joined by Rukasana Bhaijee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, EMEA Technology at Google, to discuss being a Muslim Woman in various i...2021-11-1041 min
Why Care?16. Active Allyship with Marc McKenna-Coles“Active allyship should end up meaning that whatever an active ally was trying to achieve becomes normal. That it’s normal to see people from various ethnic backgrounds, from various sexual orientations, genders, disabilities, family situations, etc. in positions of authority or seniority in organisations.”
In Episode 16 of the ‘Why Care?’ podcast, I am joined by Marc McKenna-Coles, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Strategy Lead at Spotify, to discuss employee networks, collecting diversity data, and active allyship.
Marc has a BA in Theatre and spent around a decade working with Disney in their stor...2021-10-2141 min
Why Care?15. The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Stereotyping with Sheri Crosby Wheeler“I was looking for something to aspire to, but I also knew – I don’t know why – it can’t be the situation where I can’t ascend to those things. What I see around me is not the true picture of the world. That’s what I just started to tell myself. Maybe there’s people here who think that’s the case, but I don’t believe it and I’m gonna set out to prove that’s not the case; that there are people like me who do things like own businesses, or they’re doctors, or lawyers or teachers eve...2021-09-2343 min
Why Care?14. D&I as a Positive Business Strategy with Charlotte Cox and Caroline Nankinga“I am thoroughly delighted – and feel sad almost when I have a big cheer inside – when on the screen pops up a senior female executive from another organisation. I get a bit giddy. That just shows we’ve come a long way, but how far we’ve got to come.” - Charlotte
In a first for Why Care?, I am joined by two guests Charlotte Cox, President EMEA Pentland Brands and Pentland’s D&I Manager, Caroline Nankinga. Pentland Brands specialises in sportswear, with a number of well-known active sports brands underneath it including Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, Mitre, Kickers...2021-09-0140 min
Why Care?13. Living A People Culture with Marta Pajón-Fustes“If you’re going through a recruitment process, instead of that idea of ‘how will this person fit into the company?’, it’s the question of ‘what will this person bring?’ How could they add into the culture of Innocent and into the way we do things?”
In this episode I am joined by Marta Pajón-Fustes, Head of Technical and Inclusion & Diversity at innocent drinks, to discuss Marta’s personal experience as a Spanish native living in the UK, and innocent’s innovative approach to Inclusion & Diversity.
We open the conversation by discussing Marta’s journey growing up in...2021-08-1044 min
Why Care?12. Making Global DEI Locally Relevant with Christian Hug“Discussions are not just about the [employee] population who we have, it’s about their network, their families members, their friends. … It’s not just about the demographics we replicate, it’s about everybody else, because we are all diverse ultimately.”
In this episode I talk with Christian Hug, the Vice President of LifeWorks & Inclusion at Discovery, the company behind the popular television channels: Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Science Channel and TLC. Christian reflects with me on the journey that lead him to his role, including the passion for travel and diversity passed down to him from his parents...2021-07-2139 min
Why Care?11. LGBTQ+ Liberation Reimagined with Bendita Cynthia Malakia“There is broadening acceptance in society, which means some of these identities that have been more at the margins have had the opportunity to appear and flourish. It doesn’t mean they haven’t been there - they’ve always been there. It’s just becoming more visible to those outside of the community”.
In this episode I talk with Bendita Cynthia Malakia, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Hogan Lovells, an international law firm, as she reflects on her accomplished career as a female, black lawyer who identifies as queer.
Bendita discusses her view that th...2021-06-2845 min
Why Care?10. Creating Equity with Andrew Fairbairn“To ignore reality for as long as people have is a cultural illness, quite frankly – a delusion”
In this episode Nadia talks to Andrew Fairbairn, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London, a Charity set up engage young people from low socio-economic backgrounds and create opportunities for them that would otherwise have been unlikely for them to attain due to societal inequity.
Andrew discusses the intersectionality between ethnicity and socio-economic status which can doubly disadvantage these young people, resulting in a lack of access to professional career paths and low self-w...2021-03-1138 min
Why Care?9. Neurodiversity and Mental Health with Sean Betts“The world is set up for neurotypical people and when someone who is neurodiverse tries to fit into that neurotypical world, that can create a lot of stresses and strains on them mentally, that then manifest themselves in kind of broader mental health issues. That is not to say that everyone who is neurodiverse has a mental health challenge as well, but there is a very strong correlation between the two.”
In this episode Nadia talks to Sean Betts, Managing Director at Annalect, the data, technology and analytics company within the Omnicom Media Group, who looks back at a...2021-02-0339 min
Lockdown DadsLooking back at 2020 with James and IanA look back at 26 episodes of Lockdown Dads - the good, the bad and the ugly as we ponder the "annus horribilis" that was 2020. We talk guests and the tips that inspired us and the tips that shocked us, it's all here as we discuss what 2021 has instore for dads and their families and how as a show we can continue to bring you interesting and informative content onward into season 3 of a project we wanted to kill off. Too much lockdown...!(Recorded pre-Tier 4 / Christmas cancellation)Contents1:30 This week - Webinars...2020-12-1834 min
Lockdown DadsNadia Nagamootoo - Coach, Consultant and PsychologistNadia Nagamootoo, founder & CEO of Avenir Consulting Services, speaker, chartered psychologist, coach and expectant mum joins Lockdown Dads to talk about her path to "complete inclusion" and how her own experiences of shared parental leave and equal parenting led to seeking greater understanding of the organisational limits to men's access to flexible working and extended leave.We discuss the challenges and disappointments of men's lack of access to maternity services in 2020 and reflect on whether Covid is a moment in time or a fundamental culture shift for working dads. Plus strong tips on what steps men can...2020-11-2433 min
Why Care?8. Diversity & Inclusion as a Source of Energy with Eric Pliner“And then there is the opportunity to flip it on it’s head. Rather than seeing it as a burden or another thing to manage, inclusive leadership and driving a successful D&I agenda actually has the potential to be a huge source of energy.”
In this episode I talk to Eric Pliner, CEO of YSC Consulting, a global leadership consulting firm, which has partnered with nearly 20% of the Global Fortune 500 to help leaders achieve their future business strategies. He has written many insightful articles on leadership development and diversity and inclusion for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fortun...2020-11-1141 min
Why Care?7. Mental Health & Surviving Sundays with Emma Mainoo“You are far more likely to work with somebody that is experiencing suicidal thoughts than with somebody that is about to have a heart attack”
In this episode I have a powerful and inspiring conversation with Emma Mainoo, Partner and Head of Mental Health at Utopia, the culture-change consultancy I collaborate with, which works with businesses to create more purposeful, more inclusive, and more entrepreneurial cultures. She is the creator of the platform Surviving Sundays, a Mental Health First Aid Course instructor and a remarkable keynote speaker on mental health.
Emma shares with us her pers...2020-10-2039 min
Why Care?6. The Barriers to Equal Parenting with Dr. Laura Radcliffe“Most work-family policies and the whole way work is set up is still based on a really outdated model of what a family is.”
In this episode I talk to Dr Laura Radcliffe, Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the University of Liverpool and author of many research papers on the topic of parenting and work-life balance. Together we published the Business in the Community Equal Lives: Parenthood and Caring in the Workplace Report in 2018, where we shed light on the barriers men face to get more involved in their caring roles.
We discuss what fund...2020-09-2944 min
Why Care?5. Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Leaders with Christina Brooks“The puzzle is solved when all sides are equal, and it takes time and patience.”
In this episode I talk to Christina Brooks, an exceptional talent acquisition expert with 15 years industry experience and Co-founder of executive search firm Ruebik, a name that represents an analogy of D&I and the famous cube game. Remarkably, her firm is the only executive search company to offer a one-year onboarding service and coaching programme to support the transition of a candidate with a diverse background. They have also developed a unique internal digital platform for talent pipelining.
Together we e...2020-09-0439 min
Why Care?4. Visible Fathering with Yash Puri“People would say ‘oh I heard you’re going on a long holiday?’ and I’m like, ‘No, no, no I’m not going on a long holiday!’ And that’s what people think it is - 3 months of fun! It’s not fun – it’s amazing, but it’s challenging”
Yash Puri has been working in the financial sector for 20 years and was one of the under 2% of entitled fathers, who decided to take 3 months of shared parental leave with his second child. He was featured in the widely shared BBC article “Millennial men demand better parental leave” and has since...2020-08-0438 min
Why Care?3. The Job Sharing Solution with Sophie Smallwood“As a manager, this type of work arrangement is phenomenal, because I can give the flexibility and then I can get the coverage and help meet my quota.”
In this episode, Sophie Smallwood, Co-founder of Roleshare talks to me about her first maternity leave experience where she took a full year but was actually feeling ready to come back before that if there would have been the option of 3 days. She tells me about her experience of overcoming the challenges to come back to a fast-paced organisational environment of a digital global player (Facebook) - a challenge face...2020-07-1638 min
Why Care?2. Walking the Talk with Rob Baker“Men often say to me: “So what can I do?” and the first thing I say to them is: listen.”
In this episode, I have the privilege of talking all things inclusion to Rob Baker. He is a thought leader on diversity & inclusion and on engaging men to support gender equality: at work, at home and in all aspects of life. In recognition of his achievements in supporting women in the workplace, he was named an Agent of Change 2019 by Management Today. He’s just completed an incredible 42-year career at Mercer, with his final role being Leader of...2020-06-2237 min
Why Care?1. Parenting From Work with Brian Ballantyne“If all men and women could let men be more gentle, vulnerable and caring, that would be useful”.
What better way to kick-off my podcast series than talk to the articulate and inspirational Inclusion & Diversity thought leader, Brian Ballantyne. Brian is a Senior Program Manager for Inclusion & Diversity at Amazon, father of two and author of the book, Confessions of a Working Father. In this episode, Brian and I discuss the challenges of working from home and parenting from work or PFW, as Brian calls it – a concept that has come into its own following the Covid-19 lockdo...2020-05-0543 min
Love to WorkThe only way you can love work is if you're loving your lifeIn today's episode, we're talking to Nadia Nagamootoo. Nadia is a Chartered Business Psychologist, and she is the founder of two businesses - Avenir Consulting, and Inclusive Schools CIC.
She's very thoughtful and shares deep insights and practical tips about how she's created a career that she loves. She doesn't see a distinction between life and work; loving work means loving life and vice versa. She's adamant that anyone can create a career they love with some careful self-reflection.
I hope you enjoy the show!
If you'd like to keep up to date w...2020-02-1722 min