Changing Lenses: Diversify Your Perspectives

It’s the final episode for Season Two! It’s been an incredible year since the Changing Lenses podcast first launched, and with the support of amazing listeners like YOU, we’ve become a community of JEDI Visionaries with over 2,500 podcast listens so far!

We’ll be taking a break before Season Three, and in this episode I share three key ways you can stay engaged and active in Changing your Lens.

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Any burning topics you’d like to see an alternate lens on? JEDI issues you’ve been wondering about? Email me at [email protected], contact me through my website, or send me a DM (audio or text) on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook (links below).

Lastly, I'm SO GRATEFUL for your support in keeping Changing Lenses accessible to as many people as possible! Your reviews, referrals and financial contributions amplify Justice, Equity, Decolonization and Inclusion across the globe. To make a contribution, please go to my website and Support the Podcast.

You can contact me and find JEDI resources at:
https://www.changinglenses.ca/
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
or
Book a Free Exploratory Call

Full transcript available here.

Anti-Racism. Black Lives Matter. Allyship and Solidarity between equity-seeking groups.

We’ve touched a bit on these with Changing Lenses podcast guests over the last year, but haven’t dived as deeply into these topics as my friend and fellow podcaster Nura Yunus has. She created the Know Nonsense Podcast to educate listeners about the experiences and systems of racism that exist in Canada and across the world, and the ways in which they show up for people of colour every single day.

Nura is a Black Muslim woman, born and raised in Canada to parents who immigrated from Eritrea. The Know Nonsense Podcast is Nura’s passion project which she does on 100% volunteer basis, while she’s working full time in international development.

So today, I’m excited to share (with Nura’s permission) a slightly shorter version of our episode called “Talking Allyship and Solidarity”, which originally aired on the Know Nonsense podcast on October 29, 2021.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Identity in relatedness, not accomplishments
• The self-sacrifices required in allyship
• Examples of solidarity (and division) in DEI and workplaces today
• Racism within our own families
• Power brokers vs. allies (credit: Mary-Frances Winters)
• White supremacy culture, vs. white culture supremacy

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Full transcript available here.

About Nura Yunus:

Nura Yunus (she/her) is a Black Muslim woman born and raised in Toronto, the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Nura currently works in international development and before this worked with various grassroots and non-profit organizations in program design and delivery, community development and workshop facilitation. Her passion for anti-Black racism has recently led to the creation of the Know Nonsense Anti-Racism podcast, a resource for learning about racial injustice from a Canadian perspective. When she isn’t working on the podcast you can find her reading works by authors of colour, watching documentaries, or hiking one of Toronto’s many beautiful parks.

Follow the Know Nonsense Podcast on:
LinkTree
Instagram
Email - [email protected]  

References and resources in this episode:
Original Know Nonsense episode release: on Spotify.

1. Where Do I Begin? Reading Plan
2. Rachel Cargle – The Great Unlearn
3. Guide to Allyship
4. Tema Okun – White Supremacy Culture

You may be aware of ways to accommodate physical and mental disabilities. But what about episodic disabilities?

If you don’t know what an episodic disability is, you’re not alone. Once you hear Melissa Egan describe it, you’ll probably realize that you, or someone you know, has one. 

Melissa is the National Lead of Episodic Disabilities at Realize, a Canadian charity that fosters positive change for people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities. She helps companies create work environments that are accessible and inclusive.

Please join us in Changing Lenses to see through the eyes of people with episodic disabilities, and how we can support and accommodate their needs.

• Practical ways to make your workplace inclusive and accessible for people with diverse abilities while centering the person.
• The difference between medical and social models of disability, and why one is more inclusive than the other.
• Why insurance disability plans are inadequate to accommodate employees with episodic disabilities.
• How employers can build a culture of accommodation (that doesn’t cost a ton of money).
• How employees can talk to their employer about accommodating their episodic disability.

 Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

 Full transcript available here.

About Melissa Egan:

Melissa is the National Lead, Episodic Disabilities at Realize. She has worked in the field of health and HIV for over 15 years as an educator and facilitator, developing and delivering trainings to diverse audiences across Canada. Melissa brings a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility to her work, and she has worked extensively with marginalized, LGBTQ, and Indigenous people. Melissa holds a BA and BEd from Simon Fraser University in BC and is currently pursuing an MEd at OISE - University of Toronto.

Find Melissa and other resources on Realize’s website:  https://www.realizecanada.org/en/

https://www.realizecanada.org/en/our-work/episodic-disabilities/

http://www.episodicdisabilities.ca/

https://www.odenetwork.com/

https://supportedemployment.ca/

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/hiring-persons-disabilities.html

If we see poverty as the result of financial illiteracy, irresponsibility or a lack of self-control, then the blame falls on the person living in poverty, and the answer is to find a job, spend less, and get financial training.

Financial literacy education is definitely important, and these programs have their benefits. But knowledge alone does not develop capability and behaviour change, any more than knowing you should exercise leads to going to the gym.

So why do the majority of financial interventions fail? To understand that, we’re Changing Lenses to see through the eyes of people experiencing financial vulnerability. Dr. Emily Heath, a senior researcher and behavioural neuroscientist, explains the cognitive biases and psychology behind financial decision-making. As we learn about the barriers to healthy financial behaviour, we also learn how racism, discrimination and other forms of oppression exacerbate the problem.

• The cognitive biases that derail our best intentions for saving money
• Why low-income kids do worse in the “marshmallow test”
• How poverty is a tax on decision-making
• The effect of traumatic events like racism and domestic violence on financial capability
• What neuroscience tells us will actually help people facing financial vulnerability

[Please pardon the poor audio quality due to internet recording.]

Full transcript available here.

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Dr. Emily Heath is a senior researcher, consultant and behaviour change specialist with a PhD in behavioural neuroscience from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre. Emily has been the architect of award-winning financial capability programs, which she has developed for both youth and adults. She is the author of the international report, “How do we really build financial capability? 10 Principles for financial interventions”. 

Emily is currently a Senior Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Services with EY Australia, and sits on the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) Schools and Money Working Group.

You can find Emily on LinkedIn.

Article on Professor Sendhil Mullainathan’s research: https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2015/05/the-science-of-scarcity

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/06/marshmallow-test/561779/

https://www.financialcapability.gov.au/files/how-to-really-build-financial-capability.pdf

http://www.shlomobenartzi.com/save-more-tomorrow

We’re single, but we’re not alone. The population of singles are growing in North America – but we’re still a minority group. And like any minority group, we face discrimination and marginalization purely because we don’t have the power of the majority – even more so for single women.

If you’re wondering how that could be, you’re probably married. 😊 And your single friends and family need you to hear this episode.

Because singlehood isn’t a waiting room for marriage. It’s become an increasingly long-term lifestyle for people in their 30’s, 40’s and older. But our workplaces, businesses, even taxes, still centre the nuclear family as the “norm”.

So in this episode, we’re changing our lens to see through the eyes of two long-term single women – me, and my best friend Jaime. We go outside our comfort zones to (hopefully) de-stigmatize an issue that can still cause women to question their self-worth.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How capitalist economies disadvantage single people
• How parents and couples get prioritized at work
• Why getting married isn’t the solution
• A new worldview on the modern family

Full transcript available here.

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Jaime Ho is a CPA, CA who’s not your stereotypical accountant. She’s a creative artist, rock climber and baker, whose amazing cakes have been featured on the Food Network. Most importantly, she’s Rosie’s best friend, and zookeeper of two dogs and a cat.

Unfair Tax System for Canadian Single Seniors

https://singleseniorstax.wixsite.com/home/updates 

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6017270

Financial costs of being single:

https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/01/the-high-price-of-being-single-in-america/267043/

https://www.wealthenhancement.com/blog/cost-of-being-single

Canadian Demographic Statistics:

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2019001/article/00003-eng.htm

https://www.statista.com/statistics/446168/canada-single-population-by-age-group/

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=01&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Canada&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Visible%20minority&TABID=1

Carissa Begonia is a Filipina-American who left a safe corporate job to start her own business.  Until I met her, the only examples I had of entrepreneurs or people following their passions were completely unrelatable for me. Because they were almost all white folks who didn’t have the same immigrant, survival-based, play-it-safe mentality that defined my world.

With Carissa, I’d finally found someone who faced similar cultural barriers and self-doubts, whose story I resonated with, who was believable and relatable because we had similar backgrounds. Today, she is a sought-after speaker, coach and DEI consultant who’s been recognized by TIME Magazine (among others) for her impact, e.g. co-founding AARISE.

To me, Carissa is a role model for breaking what I call the “model minority bamboo mold”. In this episode of Changing Lenses, she shares with us how she did it, and how she’s supporting BIPOC folks today to follow their dreams too.

Contact me and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Full transcript here.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Being a daughter of Filipino immigrants turned entrepreneur
• Why we need more BIPOC coaches
• Carissa’s first racist experience – at Disney World
• Finding self-liberation by going against the grain
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion next steps: beyond unconscious bias training
• Advice for young racialized women today

 
About Carissa Begonia:

Carissa is a first generation Filipina-American daughter of immigrants. After nearly 15 years as a successful intrapreneur and head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Zappos, Carissa decided to follow her own light and seek out sparks in others. She is a leadership and business coach specializing in helping BIPOC leaders and entrepreneurs pursue meaningful careers, build their own values-driven businesses, and design a life of purpose. 

Whether it’s dancing on the beach, hiking with friends, or supporting schoolchildren in the Philippines through her non-profit, Green Mango International, Carissa continues to value the connectedness and inner peace found in simply doing good. She also co-founded AARISE ( Asian American Racialized Identity and Social Empowerment) for AAPIs, a program and community focused on justice and liberation for all.

Find Carissa on:

AARISE (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/aarisecommunity/

Conscious Exchange: https://www.consciousxchange.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carissabegonia/

Many employers are asking where to find and hire “diverse talent”. What they SHOULD be asking is how their recruitment process might discriminate against these candidates once they apply.

In this episode, Safiyah Husein, a lawyer and Senior Policy Analyst at the John Howard Society, shines a light on the hidden dangers behind a widely accepted hiring procedure: the police (or criminal) background check.

This episode is for you if:

• You think police checks make your workplace safer
• Your employer has done a police check on you but you don’t know what it said
• You believe police checks only uncover findings on convicted criminals

Spoiler alert: research shows that police checks don’t do what you probably think they do.

Listen to the full episode to find out what they really do!

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Full transcript available here.

About Safiyah Husein:

Safiyah Husein is a Senior Policy Analyst at the John Howard Society of Ontario (JHSO). She does research and policy development, supports its public education activities, and liaises with local offices and community partners on reform initiatives. Safiyah holds a BSc in Psychology from York University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law.

JHSO actively advocated for reforms to police record checks, to protect public safety and human rights, leading to the Police Record Check Reform Act. JHSO conducts workshops and webinars to educate stakeholders about legal rights and responsibilities under the Act, and promote evidence-based best practices around police record checks and employment. 

Safiyah worked on projects related to police record check policy, and leads public education activities for legal professionals, employers and individuals navigating the job market with justice involvement.

Find Safiyah on:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email: [email protected]

References and resources in this episode:
Police Record Hub Website
John Howard Society Ontario Website
YouTube

If you’re wondering what you can do in bringing reconciliation and decolonization to Canada – this episode is for you.

 First, we learn what colonization actually looks like. Jessica Dumas of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation shares personal stories about her family, life experiences, and tragic interaction with police that demonstrate just how effective colonization is. The goal of residential schools was to “kill the Indian in the child”, and it worked.

The good news is, we can help undo some of residential school’s legacies. As Jessica learned about the true history of her people, she discovered her Indigenous identity, and began a career in restorative justice. Today, she is a sought-after speaker, coach and emcee, and even introduced Michelle Obama at an event! 

Jessica believes that continuous education is key non-indigenous allies to support truth and reconciliation. So as you listen to Jessica’s story, what are you learning, and what steps will you take towards restorative justice today?

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/
Facebook Group Community

In this episode, we talk about:

• What a land acknowledgment means to Jessica
• Living without cultural identity or sense of purpose
• The first time she realized she was different
• Choosing between being Indigenous or sending your child to residential school
• The family tragedy that started her on the path to restorative justice
• Finally finding her place in community
• Discrimination against her lack of university degree
• Meeting Michelle Obama!
• Encouragement for young Indigenous women
• Education is the key to decolonization

Full transcript here.

 
About Jessica Dumas:

Jessica is the President of Jessica Dumas Coaching and Training. She is a professional certified coach who specializes in speaker coaching and business coaching, helping individuals speak with clarity and confidence. She is an energetic and motivated professional who quickly gains the trust of her audience with her warm, engaging personality and professional style.

Widely recognized for her contributions, Jessica is a recipient of the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer award from the Nellie McClung Foundation, a finalist for the Future Leaders of Manitoba and a finalist in the CBC’s Top 40 Manitoban’s under 40 for 2015. 

Jessica’s volunteer work also earns wide respect in Manitoba. She has served as Chairperson of the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and the first Indigenous Female Chairperson of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce (2019-2020) and continues to sit on numerous committees and boards at the executive level. She is a powerful role model and advocate for social justice, leading others to overcome challenges by developing personal strengths, vision and self-confidence.

Find Jessica on:
https://www.jessicadumas.com/
Jessica's TEDx Talk
Instagram: @jessicadumas01
LinkedIn
Facebook: jessicadumascoaching

“I started learning about residential schools. I started learning about generational trauma and that's when I realized like, okay, there's nothing wrong with us. I'm not broken. There's things that happened that caused us to be living this way. And once I realized that there was nothing wrong with me and with my people, that's when I really started to regain a lot of strength and courage."

This special episode is released on National Indigenous Peoples' Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

So today's episode features Jill Featherstone, a wonderful Indigenous mother, grandmother, university professor, and author of the book, “The Tale of Tiger Lily”. In fact, Jill is so good, she was continuously accused of plagiarism as a student.

From Jill’s story, you’ll see why decolonization is needed in our universities and schools. How can education based in brick buildings and academic papers truly value teachings from oral traditions and land-based skills?

I could say more, but I’d rather let her speak for herself.  Before we hear from Jill, please be aware that we speak openly about racist events and discrimination that may be painful and distressing to you. If you are a survivor of residential schools or related trauma, and need help – please call the Indian Residential Schools 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. 

Contact me and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

In this episode, we talk about:

• Treaty status and living on reserve - rights controlled by colonization
• Youthful rebellion as a response to continuous racist attacks
• Regaining her identity and culture that was lost
• Racism from university professors - fighting for her education like fighting a war
• Racism against Jill's little girl
• Strength and courage to pursue her dream of writing
• Helping Indigenous youth today to be proud of who they are
• Lateral violence: a direct effect of residential schools and intergenerational trauma
• Jill's book, The Tale of Tiger Lily, A Novel
• Opportunity for students and teachers to get a free author's talk from Jill!

Full transcript here.

About Jill Featherstone:
Jill is a mother of 5 and step-mom to 3. She is a wife, a grandmother, an instructor at University College of the North in Northern Manitoba, and an author.  Her novel for young adults, “The Tale of Tiger Lily”, is inspired by the character created by J.M. Barrie’s play “Peter Pan”. Jill takes us into the mind of the young Tiger Lily as she comes of age, blending cultural resonance with a classic tale.

Jill is also the founder of Featherstone Support Services, providing motivational workshops for Indigenous youth and young adults. To date she has helped hundreds of Indigenous youth and young adults find the motivation, courage and confidence to go back to school and enter into the workforce.

References and resources in this episode:

https://www.jillfeatherstone.com/ 

Tale of Tiger Lily for Teachers

Featherstone Support Services

Instagram: @_Jill_Featherstone

 Facebook: 

Lots of companies have been asking, “What’s the business case for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI)?”

Thomas Benjoe turns that around and asks us to think about how JEDI benefits our community and economy, not just ourselves. Thomas is a member of Muscowpetung First Nation, Chair of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, and President and CEO of FHQ developments, a business partnership owned by the 11 member First Nation communities of File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC).

In this episode, Thomas shares successful business strategies that show how you can be equitable and profitable. He explains how counter-cultural concepts like paying higher wages gets reinvested in the economy which benefits our community and ourselves.

As you listen to Thomas, you’ll learn how an Indigenous worldview is not only relevant to business, it’s necessary.

For more JEDI resources or to contact me, head over to my website:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/ 

In this episode, we talk about:

• Land acknowledgements: First Nations’ territories extend beyond political borders
• The unique Indigenous business program at First Nations University Canada
• Indigenous worldview on money and business 
• Balancing business and profit with equity and inclusion
• Their “secret sauce”: what differentiates their business model
• A broader view of ROI (return on investment)
• FHQ’s 3 divisions: investments & partnerships, economic development and Tokata HR Solutions – all staffed by First Nations
• Increasing Indigenous representation: more than token diversity
• How future business leaders can make a lasting impact
• JEDI allyship includes economic allyship

Full transcript available here.

About Thomas Benjoe:
Thomas is the current President and CEO an a founding board member of FHQ Developments. He is a former Commercial Banker from RBC that served the Aboriginal Market throughout Saskatchewan, and played a critical role in in the creation of the FNUniv Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Camp.

A graduate of Business Administration from the First Nations University of Canada, Thomas is strongly committed to Aboriginal business development, wealth generation and First Nation equity ownership in key economic sectors.

Thomas serves on a number of committees and boards, including Chair of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

References and resources in this episode:

FHQ Website: https://www.fhqdev.com/
Instagram: @tombenjoe
Twitter: @tombenjoe
LinkedIn: Thomas Benjoe

First Nations University of Canada:  https://www.fnuniv.ca/

Globe and Mail Article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-magazine/article-breaking-barriers-for-thomas-benjoe-building-indigenous-wealth-is-a/