Authenticity, Belonging, Community

Authenticity, Belonging, Community

By Michael FosbergSociety & Culture
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Authenticity, Belonging, Community episodes

  • S2 Ep 10: The Lifelong Journey of Identity

    We have reached the end of season 2 of INCOGNITO the podcast! Thank you to everyone who has listened, left reviews, and shared with others; we have been so excited to see the response to the podcast so far, and hope to keep bringing you helpful insight and tools towards creating a more inclusive society next season. For the final episode of our second season, I reflect on the many incredible contributions this season’s guests have made in the exploration of identity and authenticity, and share my own thoughts and reflections about what it means to understand one’s own identity and the unique journeys we must all go on to reach this point.

    Key Takeaways:

    • We are either open to the journey of identity and welcome the discoveries or we are closed to it and make it much more difficult
    • “The goal of the hero’s journey is yourself. Finding yourself.”
    • Each of us come to understand our identities differently; we may share things with others but everyone arrives at their own unique identity in their own way
    • The journey of identity is continuous and fluid; the question is how do we share this with people around us, especially in regard to the workplace?
    • The more we feel included in our workplace, the more fulfilling a job is and the better people perform
    • Set necessary boundaries with others
    • People bringing their whole selves to work, particularly in a diverse workplace, is beneficial at every level
    • Ask questions!

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      INCOGNITO the podcast will return after the New Year with more exciting episodes, so please subscribe and be on the lookout! Here are 5 things you can do in the meantime:

      • Buy a book! Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self Discovery and Nobody Wants To Talk About It are available for purchase at incognitotheplay.com/publications or on Amazon. Those who purchase a book from our website will receive a signed copy.
      • Share the podcast with 5 friends! Ask those friends to share with 5 of their friends. Our audience growth relies on your help.
      • Become a sponsor! Do you have a company or work for a company who may be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to discuss a sponsorship deal.
      • Share your suggestions! Do you know someone who would be a great guest on our show? Is there a topic you would like us to discuss? Let us know at [email protected]
      • Follow us on Instagram! Keep up with our work and updates about the podcast by following us @incognitotheplay

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        Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

        Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

        Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

        22 min
      • S2 Ep 9: Being True to Your Values | Bessie Alcantara

        On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Bessie Alcantara! Bessie is the executive director of Alternatives Inc, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that inspires young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. In this episode, Michael and Bessie discuss the importance of accountability and transparency in a workplace, inviting ownership of work and mission, and the incredible clarity that understanding the values of yourself and others can bring. Bessie shares the necessity for living in a way that is true to your values, whatever those may be, and how self-awareness around these values leads to authenticity.

        Key Takeaways:

        • How do you define yourself?
        • Restorative Justice promotes healing for all
        • Treat people as human, as people
        • BUILD relationships
        • Ask for accountability without creating harm
        • Offer honesty, be direct and invite ownership
        • Listen, respond and follow-through
        • Look for shared values

          • Bessie’s Media Recommendations:

          • The Woman King (movie)

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            Find Bessie’s work

            • Alternatives website: https://alternativesyouth.org/

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              For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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              Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

              Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

              Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

              44 min
            • S2 Ep 8: The Power of Proximity | Josie Whittlesey

              On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Josie Whittlesey! Josie is the executive director of Drama Club Inc, a nonprofit organization that cares for youth, particularly those who are incarcerated and court-involved, by creating space for them to thrive, using improv as their guide. Through the use of play, storytelling, and role playing, Drama Club’s programs help young people to develop prosocial bonds, executive functioning skills, empathy, and imagination. In this conversation, Josie and Michael talk about the importance of play as a means of creating safe spaces, the necessity for consistency and persistence when it comes to this kind of work, and the reason that one of the best tools we have towards creating a more inclusive and just society is proximity.

              Key Takeaways:

              • PLAY…is the best way to build trust
              • Storytelling
              • In America, white people don’t have to think about being “the other”
              • Show up consistently (be reliable)
              • Be persistent (low and slow)
              • Act without ulterior motives (wanting power or to be liked)
              • Proximity is everything

                • Josie’s Media Recommendations:

                • A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson currently running on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre (musical)

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                  Find Josie’s work

                  • Drama club website: https://www.dramaclub.org/

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                    For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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                    Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                    Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                    Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                    40 min
                  • S2 Ep 7: Leading by Serving | Andre Watson

                    On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Andre Watson! Andre is the Assistant Director for National Security under Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security. In this interview, Michael and Andre discuss the nuances of navigating Andre’s various identities both in and outside of the workplace, what it means to foster strong relationships in the workplace based on mutual respect and curiosity, and the importance of aligning opportunities with individual passions wherever possible. Andre and Michael discuss what it means to be called to leadership and the truth proven time and again that we have more in common than not.

                    Key Takeaways:

                    • Never ask someone to do something you haven’t done or wouldn’t be willing to do
                    • Leverage opportunities as a means of improving connections
                    • We have more in common than not
                    • Learning about someone’s passions and experiences makes us better leaders
                    • Building strong relationships is crucial to leadership
                    • Align opportunities with passion (where possible) to increase the likelihood of success
                    • The character of a person must match the calling of leadership
                    • Four tips: 1) patience 2) open mind 3) willingness to listen 4) seek support

                      • Andre’s Media Recommendations:

                      • True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George and Peter Eagle Sims (Book)
                      • Leadership Promises for Everyday by John C. Maxwell (Book)

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                        For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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                        Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                        Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                        Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                        38 min
                      • S2 Ep 6: Everyone Has Something to Contribute | Kimberly Narain

                        On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Dr. Kimberly Narain! Dr. Narain completed her residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Following fellowships at Harvard Medical School and UCLA, Dr. Narain served as a Specialty Training Advanced Research Fellow in the Department of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research at UCLA, where she later earned a Ph.D. in Health Services from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and is now an Assistant Professor In-Residence at the UCLA School of Medicine. In this conversation, Michael and Dr. Narain discuss the importance of creating work environments in which everyone can contribute, seeing yourself as in relationships of mutual benefit with others as opposed to in competition with them, and looking for the win-win in every situation. Dr. Narain shares what inspired her to write her new book, The Cycle of a Dream: A Kid’s Introduction to Structural Racism in America, and the many benefits of seeking out different perspectives and untold stories at all ages.

                        Key Takeaways:

                        • Everyone has something to contribute when under the right circumstances
                        • Practice humility; think of others first
                        • Don’t be wedded to the strategy, be wedded to the goal
                        • Stop seeing yourself in competition with others, remove hierarchy
                        • Ask: What’s missing, can I help?
                        • Appreciate people’s time
                        • Lead with self-reflection instead of blame
                        • Look for the win-win: setting aside oneself to serve others will ultimately benefit everyone
                        • Seek out different perspectives, look for untold stories
                        • Start small

                          • Dr. Narain’s Media Recommendations:

                          • The Ezra Klein Show, “We Build Civilizations on Status. But We Barely Understand It.” (Podcast)

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                            Find Dr. Narain’s work

                            • Dr. Narain’s book: The Cycle of a Dream: A Kid’s Introduction to Structural Racism in America

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                              For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

                              __

                              Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                              Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                              Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                              34 min
                            • S2 Ep 5: Stepping Outside Your Privilege | Theresa Mah

                              On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah. Representative Mah made history in 2016 when she became the first Asian American elected to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. She is a former college professor with a Ph.D. in modern American history and teaching experience in history, ethnic studies, and Asian American studies. Throughout Representative Mah’s time in public service, she has worked with advocacy groups on a variety of issues such as immigrant rights, workers rights, voting rights, language access, and health care. In this interview, Michael and Representative Mah discuss her journey to becoming a state representative and the barriers she faced in getting elected, what it means to truly listen to and champion the voices of the community you serve, and the importance of reaching down to pull others up alongside you every step of the way.

                              Key Takeaways:

                              • Be present and listen
                              • Step outside your privilege
                              • Reach down to pull others up
                              • Invite people to have space to contribute
                              • Magnify people’s voices

                                • Representative Mah's Media Recommendations:

                                • Panchinko by Min Jin Lee

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                                  Find Representative Mah's work

                                  • www.reptheresamah.com

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                                    For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

                                    __

                                    Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                                    Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                                    Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                                    37 min
                                  • S2 Ep 4: Shifting Your Consciousness | Jamie Price

                                    On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Jamie Price, the Executive Director of the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute (SSPI) and author of the new book, Spiritualizing Politics without Politicizing Religion: The Example of Sargent Shriver. In addition to his work with SSPI, Jamie holds several academic posts, including research professor and Founding Director of the Insight Conflict Resolution program in the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, and affiliate professor in the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies at the University of Malta. In this interview, Michael and Jamie discuss the deep place from which one must approach public service, the importance of seeking to understand how someone is using their mind as opposed to trying to change it, and the simple truth that we all as people have much more in common than not. Jamie shares what his study of and work with Sargent Shriver and the SSPI have taught him not only about conflict resolution and leadership, but also the need for spiritual realism and self-transcendence in today’s divisive political climate.

                                    Key Takeaways:

                                    • We are here because we are connected
                                    • Nurture spontaneous interest in being compassionate and serving one another
                                    • Encounter people on their own terms
                                    • Ask: What do you need? How can I help?
                                    • Spirit pulls us toward what is good and true
                                    • How do you pay attention to that deep place?
                                    • Reject the notion that we have to be polarized

                                      • Jeff’s Media Recommendations:

                                      • Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (Audiobook)
                                      • Rectify (TV Series)

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                                        Find Jamie’s work

                                        • Jamie’s Book: Spiritualizing Politics without Politicizing Religion: The Example of Sargent Shriver
                                        • Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

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                                          For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

                                          __

                                          Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                                          Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                                          Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                                          44 min
                                        • S2 Ep 3: Serve Your Community | Randy Ryan

                                          On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Randy Ryan! Since leaving the military, Randy has been working with underserved communities as a means of continuing his service to the nation as a civilian. Randy led the Teaching Gardens program for the American Heart Association, growing it to include over 500 schools nationally, and now serves as the Manager of the California Initiative for the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), whose mission it is to mobilize military veterans to feed America. In this conversation, Randy and Michael discuss the power of healing others to heal oneself, the necessity of serving your community in a meaningful way, and the importance of exposing yourself to new ideas and cultures. Randy shares his insight as to what it means to be an engaged citizen and leader, and the deep connection he has found between authenticity and personal growth.

                                          Key Takeaways:

                                          • There is no better way to heal than to to heal others
                                          • Do MORE than vote…serve your community!
                                          • Get outside of your community and expose yourself to other ideas and cultures
                                          • Build trust
                                          • Authenticity is growth

                                            • Randy’s Media Recommendations:

                                            • Everybody Pays by Maurice Possley and Rick Kogan

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                                              Incognito the podcast is now on Instagram! Follow us @incognitotheplay

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                                              Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                                              Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                                              Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                                              37 min
                                            • S2 Ep 2: Radical Listening | E. Patrick Johnson

                                              On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews E. Patrick Johnson! E. Patrick is the Dean of the School of Communication and Annenberg University Professor at Northwestern University, as well as a prolific performer, scholar, and author, and a 2020 inductee into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, Michael and E. Patrick discuss the necessity of expressing grace towards others and leading with integrity, particularly when it comes to uniting people across a variety of identities. E. Patrick shares his technique of radical listening and holding space for others to fill as a means of seeing people in their entirety and moving closer towards understanding them.

                                              Key Takeaways:

                                              • Express grace
                                              • Race is a fiction, racism is not
                                              • Try not to think about how identity might be an obstacle and instead focus on task at hand
                                              • Lead with integrity
                                              • Ask
                                              • Practice radical listening and listening with compassion
                                              • Everybody has a story to tell, but they don’t always get a chance to tell it
                                              • Hold the space
                                              • Bring your full self to every context
                                              • Recognize the value of people who serve others

                                                • E. Patrick’s Media Recommendations:

                                                • A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson currently running on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre (musical): https://strangeloopmusical.com/

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                                                  Find E. Patrick’s work

                                                  • E. Patrick’s Website: https://epatrickjohnson.com
                                                  • E. Patrick’s Published Works: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=e.+patrick+johnson&crid=ZAG9II36I263&sprefix=E.+Patrick%2Caps%2C100&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_10

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                                                    Incognito the podcast is now on Instagram! Follow us @incognitotheplay

                                                    __

                                                    Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                                                    Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                                                    Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                                                    31 min
                                                  • S2 Ep 1: Cleaning Up Your Side of the Street | Jeff Kober

                                                    On the first episode of Season 2, Michael talks with Emmy-winning actor and meditation teacher Jeff Kober. Michael and Jeff discuss what it means to bring your whole self to every space, how to treat yourself and others with kindness and compassion, and the importance of recognizing our universal connection of love by fighting for the good instead of against the bad. In this interview, Jeff shares stories and observations from his own life that have led him to key insights about what it means to live and work alongside people who you may disagree with, but nevertheless respect and value as fellow human beings.

                                                    Key Takeaways:

                                                    • Look to give rather than to get
                                                    • Keep your side of the street clean
                                                    • Your opinions are the least interesting thing about you
                                                    • Everyone is doing their very best at every moment
                                                    • If I attack someone, the only thing they can do is defend
                                                    • I am something other than my thoughts and feelings
                                                    • How do we fight from a loving place?

                                                      • Jeff’s Media Recommendations:

                                                      • Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi’s Autobiography by Sri M (Book)
                                                      • Both Sides Now sung by Joni Mitchell & Brandi Carlile (Video)

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                                                        Find Jeff’s work

                                                        • Jeff’s Website: www.jeff-kober.com
                                                        • Jeff’s Book: Embracing Bliss: 108 Daily Meditations
                                                        • Jeff’s Podcast: Embracing Bliss with Jeff Kober

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                                                          EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: Incognito the podcast is now on Instagram! Follow us @incognitotheplay

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                                                          Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

                                                          Editing and co-production of this podcast by Nina Kissinger.

                                                          Email [email protected] with questions or comments about the show!

                                                          50 min

                                                        About Authenticity, Belonging, Community

                                                        From the publisher's feed

                                                        Authenticity, Belonging, Community, hosted by author, activist, and thought-leader Michael Fosberg, seeks to forge connections and uncover commonalities through meaningful conversations about…