Checkbox Other with Nikki Innocent

We are excited to share the audio recording of Checkbox Other host Nikki Innocent's 2019 TEDxBU talk "Break the Rules in Life, Then Re-write Your Own". Since the beginning of her life, Nikki has always been one to push the boundaries, and to not always abide by the rules of society. In her talk she discusses how this has helped her in all facets of her life, and shares with the audience the rules that she has set for herself. One of the reasons we chose to share the recording of this TEDx talk today is because we have launched our first ever digital workshop, "Rewriting the Rules"! This 90-minute session is based on our signature in-person workshop AND inspired by Nikki's 2019 TEDxBU talk. Visit www.nikkiinnocent.com/rtr to learn more! As a member of this Checkbox Other family, we are offering a discount code for you and to share with your friends. Use code CBO10 to get $10 off when you sign up for the workshop. We hope to see you in an upcoming session! Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/tedxbu

Women's leadership experts, Keisha Shields and Nikki Innocent, discuss the importance of owning your own legacy. Keisha shares experiences of having her identity defined by the perceptions and actions of others. She grew up being told that she was " too much" and began to caution herself before speaking, then she did the work of breaking free of that conditioning to live fully as her most authentic self. Her confidence is infectious. Keisha talks about her experience of being the youngest, the only female and the first Black executive at the "boy's club" that was her last employer. Nikki & Keisha discuss the realities of Keisha's partner being incarcerated, both in the obstacle of physical distance and in navigating socialized stereotypes. This conversation also touches on all things money -- Keisha explains how the appropriate allocation of resources leads to intergenerational legacy. And last, but most certainly not least, if you are someone that is interested in gender equity in the workplace, you'll enjoy these two women's leadership experts deep dive into the systemic & conditioned dynamics that hold women back from leading and how we can overcome them. Keisha Shields is a personal & business adviser to women leaders and is known for giving her clients huge "aha's" moments. Keisha uses her business savvy and intuitive presence & awareness to help clients claim their space as more highly visible leaders, to find and own their voices publicly, say what they think without fear, and integrate their personal successes and stories profitably into their work. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/keishashields

This week's episode is an encore episode to honor our first guest on this podcast, Megan Baker. Last month, Megan Baker left this world in the physical sense after her journey with cancer came to an end. Earlier this year, she and Nikki had talked about her coming back on the podcast to share more about her cancer journey. Unfortunately they didn't have a chance to do that, so we felt the next best option was to lift up her story, in her words, in this episode and encourage each of you to join us in celebrating her amazing life on this planet. Nikki kicks off the episode talking about grief and urges each listener to grant themselves the grace and permission to grieve in their own way, in their own time especially as we find ourselves in a collective time of loss and grief during this pandemic. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/meganbaker-encore

To honor Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, we're releasing an encore episode of "I Am Not My Socialization" a conversation with social justice expert, educator and all-around game changer, Dr. Tee Williams. As many in the US and in the global community make a larger commitment to shine a light on racial injustice and to "do the work" individually, this discussion from last summer between Nikki and Dr. Tee is a wonderful resource. Dr. Tee Williams has over 20 years of experience helping people learn about the complexities of diversity & inclusion, organizational leadership and personal development. This episode of Checkbox Other covers topics from social justice work & burnout, to the oppression experienced by both dominant & targeted identity groups, to toxic masculinity, to challenging your internalized oppression, to the magical invitation of being "called in," to critical liberation theory, to a deep dive on tone policing. This is an episode where you're going to want a pen and paper nearby to take notes and soak in all that Dr. Tee's teachings have to offer you. Even if you had the chance to hear the episode last year when it first launched, we encourage you to take another listen through the lens of today's current events. Class is now in session! Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/encoredrtee

In Checkbox Other's first solo episode, host Nikki Innocent discusses the vital moment that America finds itself in following the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Nikki reflects on the public outcry, the rally for whiteness to be acknowledged and the systems of oppression in our society to be called out, brought into the light and ultimately dismantled. She encourages listeners to DO THE WORK and actively unpack their own internalized oppression while at the same time holding themselves accountable and working towards an ideological shift to use white privilege to stop the pervasive harm being inflicted on black lives. Nikki invites listeners who are white to sign up to actively work on unpacking their whiteness and dismantle their oppressive conditioning. This episode comes with a free guide for listeners to use as a companion resource as they listen when you sign up here: www.nikkiinnocent.com/dismantleoppression. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/dismantleoppression

Christie Lindor is a momprenuer, author, speaker, and Founder of Tessi Consulting, a business & HR consulting firm focused on helping leaders create and sustain high performing, diverse, and inclusive workplace cultures -- particularly in times of disruptive change. A former technologist turned workplace expert, Christie helps leaders solve workplace issues in areas of digital transformation, creating & optimizing a virtual workforce, organizational change, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strategic talent development. In this episode, Christie & Nikki discuss turning a side hustle into a startup business, being an introverted leader, Christie's unconventional path to politics, being a new mom and launching a new business, the power of a timeless viral blog, the importance of being present in the midst of the pandemic, living a life beyond your childhood dreams and embracing your other to activate your superpower. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/christielindor

Rica Elysée is the CEO of BeautyLynk and #AtTheTable. Prior to her life as an entrepreneur, Rica was a successful community organizer, marketer, and fundraising exec who founded an influential beauty and makeup meetup community for women of color in Boston. She was also helping take care of a disabled family member and noticed how confident hair appointments made this family member feel – but it was hard to find an accessible salon experience. She also noticed that most women in her beauty group faced similar problems – late or canceled appointments and long waits for beauty services, etc. In response, Rica founded her startup, BeautyLynk that brings the beauty salon into women's homes and transforms the beauty industry with technology. While navigating the solo founder journey, she found herself looking to be in community with other female founders. As a result, she co-founded #AtTheTable, a curated dinner experience for female founders to build connections, resources and friends. In this episode, Rica & Nikki discuss the the journey from meetup to startup, the importance of the natural hair movement, the complicated experience of being a solo female founder, creating an accessible and inclusive company using data to meet the evolving needs of her clients and team member, the importance of saying "no," her unique management techniques in using music to get to another level of understanding with her team and the power of twerking! Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/ricaelysee

Jessica Minhas is a human rights and mental health advocate, journalist, public speaker, and the Founder and CEO of I'll Go First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and supporting mental health and trauma recovery care in underserved and vulnerable communities around the world using storytelling and mobile technology. In this episode, Jess & Nikki discuss the journey of racial discovery as two racially ambiguous women, the power of therapy and mental health care, the generational impact of alcoholism & addiction, navigating loss & grief, living life with a chronic illness, embracing the life-changing power of sharing your story and her upcoming book and app supporting trauma survivors. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/jessicaminhas

In this episode, Melissa Rowe & Nikki discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the education system, college accessibility, student loan debt, the power of young people and the importance of them sharing their stories. They also talk about Melissa's calling as a writer, her experience navigating layoffs, challenging the status quo, pivoting her business offering based on the needs of the market and the source of energy in her business. Melissa A. Rowe, is founder of Capture Greatness! – Scholarship & College Coaching. A Philadelphia native, she found her passion for writing early on, leading her to hold writing workshops nationally and abroad, serve as director of Temple Writing Academy, and pen the College Connect Blog for The Philadelphia Public School Notebook. Recently, Melissa was recognized, by WHYY, as an American Graduate Champion for her work with students from under-resourced schools. Through Capture Greatness, Melissa has helped students earn more than $3.5Million in scholarship money, including four Gates Millennium Scholarship recipients. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/melissarowe

Molly Beck is the CEO of the all-in-one podcast creation and hosting platform Messy.fm and author of business advice book REACH OUT that chronicled how she built her podcast company via networking strategy. In this episode, Molly & Nikki discuss Molly's entrepreneurial journey, the importance of having someone believe in you in the face of feeling like you don't belong, and the experience of navigating the VC landscape while pregnant. Molly generously talks about creating a business focused on making podcasting accessible to all and amplifying unheard voices. Show notes: https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/mollybeck