Belinda O’Connor has achromatopsia, an eyesight condition which affects her ability to see colours and have clear vision. Growing up she faced challenges accessing education and the workplace as a person with a disability, and she never thought she would be able to drive.

When Belinda discovered bioptic driving, a method for people with low vision to drive, a whole new world opened up for her. Through research and consultations with experts in Australia, she went through a series of assessments, driving lessons, and tests to obtain her license, and has been driving now for seven years.

Belinda and Lisa discussed Belinda's experience with using a bioptic device for driving and the importance of exploring options for people with different types of vision impairments to be able to drive safely.

Belinda is now known for her advocacy work for the formalization of bioptic driving in Australia, including the supply and demand side of the ecosystem, the role of various professionals, and the 2016 review of the Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines.

As we go to air, Belinda is on an overseas trip to investigate success factors and barriers for low vision and bioptic driving in Canada, USA, and the Netherlands, and to understand the unique circumstances of each jurisdiction.

As part of her Churchill Fellowship she will bring this knowledge back to Australia to improve and normalise low vision and biotic driving.

Want to know more? Join the  Bioptic Drivers Australia Facebook group

Check out this blog on bioptic driving

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

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Get ready to be inspired as we sit down with the immensely talented Michelle Rogers. This creative powerhouse, hailing from Gippsland, Victoria, has not let her chronic illness and disability stifle her passion for fashion.

As a successful model and photographer, Michelle is shattering stereotypes, advocating for diversity, and pushing for the inclusion of more body sizes, ages, and disabilities in the fashion industry.

Check out her instagram page.

Join us as we:

• Delve into Michelle's daily battles with complex chronic illness. 
• Learn about the monumental effort it takes her to perform tasks many of us take for granted, and 
• How she manages the unpredictability of her condition. 

Michelle's tenacity is evident as she discusses the logistics of preparing for major events, like fashion shows, all while dealing with everyday life challenges. 

We wrap up our conversation with a thorough discussion on the significance of understanding both visible and invisible disabilities. 

Learn from Michelle's personal experience of the emotional toll of having to prove a disability and the importance of shifting policies from requiring proof to understanding individual needs. 

This episode serves as a testament to Michelle's resilience and a call to action for increased inclusivity and representation. Tune in as her story unfolds.

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Charlotte Faul comes to disability inclusion work from her own experiences with chronic pain. 

In this episode Charlotte and Lisa discuss the challenges of creating an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities, particularly those with invisible disabilities like Charlotte's. 

Listen in to learn about ways to improve disability inclusion in the workplace including:

·      The importance of flexible working arrangements and inclusive leadership

·      Prioritising individual needs rather than creating a catalogue of accommodations.

·      Starting with education and normalizing conversations about disability

·      Collecting self-Identification data, and 

·      Focusing on inclusive leadership coaching.

Get in touch with Charlotte at Purple Consulting Group.

The woman we spoke about during this episode is Stella Young.

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Juliet Short is an Auckland based lawyer ,and mother of two girls. 

Her eldest daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of three, which is very young. Most children are diagnosed between ages seven and eleven.

In conversation with Lisa Mulligan, Juliet discussed:

• Her daughter's experience with type 1 diabetes
• The challenges of managing insulin and blood sugars in such a young child
• The importance of technology and education in making it easier to manage type 1 diabetes, and
• The need for inclusivity and understanding from others in caring for those with invisible disabilities. 

Juliet talked about some books by Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor. You can find more information about Sonia and her books here.

Useful links
Diabetes New Zealand
Beyond Type 1
For anyone who might be interested in running the Auckland Marathon to raise funds for the Starship Foundation - Starship - Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon 2023 

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

What's more important in Diversity & Inclusion work? Is it strategy? Or execution?

This episode is the recording of a live Zoom debate on 15 June 2023,with 4 amazing Diversity & Inclusion leaders , a live audience and moderated by Lisa Mulligan, from The Culture Ministry.

The Diversity & Inclusion leaders are:

• Florence Sai Wing Chan
• Chris Chen
• Emery Fung
• Tina Arcilla

What was the outcome? Listen in and learn :)

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Have you ever thought about the distinct differences between strategy and execution work in Diversity & Inclusion?

Have you wondered which is more important? Or maybe which is harder?

In this solo episode our host Lisa Mulligan from The Culture Ministry talks about why are both important but challenges us to think about where we spend too much energy and time, and where we really need to focus to be successful in Diversity & Inclusion work.

Join our Zoom debate on Thursday June 15 2023 here

Join the waitlist 6 Weeks to Get Started in Diversity & Inclusion here. There are special offers for those who join the course on the waitlist.

Enrolment opens on 26 July and course starts 19 July. Want your organisation to pay? contact [email protected] to issue an invoice

Here's more informaiton on 4 Disciplines of Execution

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Have you ever wondered why pronouns are important?

Do you know the difference between gender identify and sexuality?

Do you what questions are ok to ask a transgender person, and those that aren’t?

In conversation with Lisa Mulligan, Nate Shalev helps us understand the answers to these questions, as well as discussing their experience of being diagnosed with autism and how it has allowed them to better understand and advocate for their needs.

Nate shared their work on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social impact. They shared some of the a-ha moments they created with people in the workplace, particularly in LGBTQ inclusion, and how inclusion work helps everyone.

Download Nate's FREE trans language guide

Read Nate's Harvard Business Review article on how managers can support a team member who's transitioning

Get in contact with Nate at Revel Impact

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Dharshi Harindra is a corporate lawyer with a focus on media technology and data privacy, with a passion for using data to drive progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. 

In this episode Dharshi discussed her personal experiences of racism in the UK and Australia, particularly in the corporate workplace, as well as her recent move to Singapore. 

She talks about her journey towards focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion by taking a data-based approach,  and the obstacles organizations face in collecting and using demographic data, including privacy laws, compliance issues, and organizational culture.

We finish with how Dharshi’s work can help D&I leaders with a data driven Diversity & Inclusion strategy.

Check out Dharshi's podcast UNbiased  and work with Dharshi here.

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

As you will find out in this episode, Diann Wingert is a No-BS psychotherapist turned business strategist & coach for ambitious outliers. She helps women with busy brains transform their original ideas into profitable sort after businesses.

In conversation with Lisa Mulligan she talks about ADHD diagnosis in women and why many are diagnosed as adults. 

Specifically they talk about how women with ADHD are often very successful in their careers and organisations, but because they don’t quite fit, and their unique ideas aren’t recognised, they leave these organisations to start their own business. 

Then these women face new challenges in trying to build a successful business.

Listen and learn.

You can get in contact with Diann through LinkedIn, Instagram and on her website and listen to her podcast The Driven Woman

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

In March our podcast host Lisa Mulligan travelled to Palm Springs to be part of the Her Empire Builder members retreat. This was about having a diverse experience to learn and grow. 

In this episode she shares:

• Why she decided to participate and travel to Palm Springs
• The experience of the members retreat - what she loved and what was less useful (not much as you will find out)
• The 5 key takeaways and learnings

Here's the people she referenced in the podcast:

• Tina Tower and Her Empire Builder
• Dr Lucy Burns and Dr Mary Barson from Real Life Medicine
• Courtney Tarrant from The Ad Girls
• Christina Lenkowski from Publicity x Christina 
• Human Design with Krystal Woods
• Jen Bowers from Jen Be Brands

The Culture Ministry exists to create inclusive, accessible environments so that people and businesses can thrive.

Combining a big picture, balanced approach with real-world experience, we help organisations understand their diversity and inclusion shortcomings – and identify practical, measurable actions to move them forward.

Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.