In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Kamala Avila-Salmon, founder of Kas Kas Productions and former Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate. Kamala shares her journey from growing up in Jamaica and New York to shaping Hollywood by championing diverse voices. She reflects on her work at Lionsgate, her fellowship with the Obama Foundation, and why inclusive storytelling is essential for reshaping culture. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, representation, and the power of story to change the world.

Episode References

Lionsgate – https://www.lionsgate.com

Obama Foundation – https://www.obama.org

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Damita Snow, DEIA leader and Director at the American Society of Civil Engineers. Damita shares her journey from graphic design to shaping global accessibility in scholarly publishing. As President-Elect of the Society for Scholarly Publishing, she discusses her work with the Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications and global initiatives like Research4Life. From reverse mentoring to making knowledge more accessible worldwide, this conversation is a lesson in inclusive leadership.

Episode References:

TEDx Omaha http://www.tedxomaha.com

American Society of Civil Engineers https://www.asce.org

Society for Scholarly Publishing https://www.sspnet.org

Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications https://www.c4disc.org

Research for Life https://www.research4life.org

ASCE Pathways to Inclusive Publishing Summit 2026 https://ascelibrary.org/publishing-summit-2026

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

What if one small act of kindness could change the course of someone’s life? In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Jeff Shafer, co-founder of CommonGood Capital and executive director of Promising People. Jeff shares his decades-long journey walking alongside incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, from mentoring in maximum-security prisons to launching virtual reality training programs that prepare men and women for meaningful work after release. This moving conversation reminds us that redemption is possible—and that investing in people pays the greatest dividends.

Episode References

TEDx Omaha – www.tedxomaha.com

CommonGood Capital – commongoodcapital.com

Promising People – promisingpeople.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

What does it take to build a business that transforms lives for decades? In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics Swim School in Miami. Miren shares how she turned an unexpected life pivot into a thriving business with five locations and 165 team members. From creating a leadership development culture and practicing open-book management to transitioning 100% of her company into employee ownership, Miren reveals how purpose-driven leadership can change communities. She also discusses her nonprofit, Ripples of Impact, which provides swim lessons, financial literacy, and environmental education for underserved youth. If you enjoy podcasts like How I Built This or We Can Do Hard Things, you’ll love this inspiring conversation about resilience, servant leadership, and living your legacy every day.

Episode References:

TEDx Omaha – https://www.tedxomaha.com

Ocaquatics Swim School – https://www.ocaquatic.com

Helen Fagan – https://www.helenfagan.com

Ripples of Impact – https://www.ripplesofimpact.org

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In this inspiring episode of Because People Matter, host Helen Fagan sits down with Rand Stagen, CEO and Founder of Stagen Leadership Academy, to explore the power of long-term leadership in a short-term world. Rand shares hard-earned insights on building “evergreen” companies, cultivating true executive teams, and the crucial distinction between training and development. Drawing on decades of experience, Rand reveals why sustainable leadership requires patience, vulnerability, and the courage to speak truth to power.

References:

• Stagen Leadership Academy – https://stagen.com
• Do More Good Conference – https://domoregood.com
• Helen Fagan – https://helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In this inspiring episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Jeff Shafer, CEO and Co-Founder of Common Good Capital, to explore how investments can serve both people and profit. From rural tea farms in Kenya to solar farms in Rwanda, Jeff shares how values-driven investing empowers local communities, drives economic sustainability, and restores dignity. This conversation redefines ROI as return on impact.

Resources: Common Good Capital | Fortis Green Renewables | Do More Good Movement | Helen Fagan

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

What does it mean to belong when you’ve lived across six countries before the age of 18? In this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan interviews intercultural trainer, author, and adult third culture kid (ATCK) Megan Norton Newbanks. Megan discusses her work on identity formation, the challenges and beauty of cross-cultural living, and her book Belonging Beyond Borders.

Hear how Letters Now Sent, her upcoming anthology, creates space for healing through storytelling.

Megan's Website

Belonging Beyond Borders - Beyond Borders Publishing

Letters Never Sent | Growing Up Among Worlds

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In this powerful episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Meaghan Walls, CEO of the Center for Disability Inclusion and founder of Assistology. Meaghan shares her journey from childhood exposure to the disability community to leading national conversations around inclusive design, workplace accessibility, and universal architecture. Learn how companies can move beyond compliance and create welcoming spaces that empower everyone to thrive.

💡 Resources: Center for Disability Inclusion | Girls on the Run

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

On this episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan interviews Laura Bowden, Vice President of People at Tessitura. Laura shares how Tessitura maintains a strong people-first culture while operating entirely remotely across the globe. From redefining leadership and feedback to offering unique benefits like "Live in the Culture" stipends, this episode explores how values-based leadership can unite teams—even across time zones. 

Learn more:

Tessitura: https://www.tessitura.com/

Helen's Website: helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

Dr. Christopher Deguire, faculty member at UT Southwestern Medical Center and LGBTQ Veteran Care Coordinator at the North Texas VA, shares his groundbreaking work in trauma care. His Deguire model examines why gender-diverse veterans develop PTSD three times faster than others, highlighting the impact of societal pressures on mental health and trauma. Dr. Deguire explains how VR exposure therapy rewires the brain, allowing veterans to process trauma in a controlled and safe environment. He also leverages VR technology to help medical workers understand and empathize with the challenges and aggressions faced by gender-diverse individuals.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorchris/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/school/utsw/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/va-north-texas-health-care-system/ 

Explore more:

helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!