Checkbox Other with Nikki Innocent

The holiday season usually comes with a mixture of emotions and experiences, add that to closing out the year and there's often even more to juggle. In our culture that centers productivity and achievement, this a great time to give yourself permission to release the death grip the illusion of control and hustle culture has on you and create space for judgment-free reflection, releasing and reframing for the new year to come. Easing up on the to-do lists, the jam packed schedules and trying to make the "perfect" holiday happen, offers you the gift of being open and available for the awe of the present moment while also granting you the restorative experience of rest and a reset.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

Ever gone shopping and no matter what you choose, nothing fits? For so many women who have a large chest but a small frame, this is all too familiar. We know when systems, structures and options aren't available for you, it impacts your sense of belonging and value. In today's episode, the founder of PerfectDD, a fuller bust sustainable clothing company, Alice Kim joins to talk about creating a business to serve a gap in the fashion market that is much larger than initially expecting while also offering a bit of fashion therapy in allowing so many women to release the weight of body shame. Alice and Nikki also discuss the unique dynamics of being an entrepreneur as a single woman of color and navigating the intersection of sexism, racism, ageism and much more.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

Hustle culture, urgency, FOMO are all a given for so many of us these days, but what if you had the chance to opt-out? What would your relationship to time be if you would wave a magic wand and start anew? In this episode, Nikki discusses the process of acknowledging, learning and/or unlearning the time patterns we are taught either in our families of origin, our communities, our schools that separate us from our own intuitive relationship to time. Coming out of the past few years of time distortion, she shares some of the books, concepts, resources and experiences that have helped her in operating within a more aligned pace and intuitive timeline.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

When you think of the phrase "Be a man", do you think about showing your emotions, asking for help, being vulnerable, or making deep connections? Probably not, but what if we adjusted our belief of what the "man box" should include? In today's episode, Devan Sandiford, visionary storyteller from the Gates Foundation and The Moth, joins Nikki to talk about the true transformative power of vulnerable storytelling, the imperative for men to be able to live as full emotional beings and how healing work has an intergenerational impact to process trauma and encourage love, joy and liberation. This one is a must listen!

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

There's a generational shift that's been happening for years as Boomers hit retirement age, Gen Xers are in positions of seniority and the Millennial generation is now the largest demographic in the population and workplace. However, the expectations of the passing of the torch aren't matching reality. And if Boomer retirement is indeed happening, the power isn't being passed to the next generation in the same ways it has been in the past. Why? Well there are many factors. This episode dives into some of the generational characteristics and identity-based dynamics that are important to understand as Gen X and Millennials step into more senior leadership positions. The future of positions of power and leadership both in the workplace and beyond will depend on our ability to create space for the nuance of these power and identity shifts.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

Imagine if we could completely reinvent the education system. What would it look like? Well in today's episode, Dr. Adrian K. Haugabrook joins us to talk about a new approach to education that puts the learner at the center and creates systems and structures that are focused on that individual's success. Dr. Haugabrook talks about his viral TED Talk that offers a three step process to reimagining the next frontier of education and how we as individuals have the opportunity to reclaim our relationship to time, success, value and achievement to thrive in their educational experience. What would it look like if your lived experience could be seen as credentials for job opportunities? What if you could get your degree in half the traditional time because you already have the knowledge you need to succeed? How might technology be an equalizer and a tool for democratizing education? All of these questions and more are covered in this episode!

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

Layoffs are happening left and right lately and yet when it happens to you, it can feel so disorienting, upsetting and isolating. While for most it is an abrupt and disrespectful experience as many leaders are fumbling significantly in their delivery and communication, this episode is a space to create clarity and talk about the many emotions, realities and struggles that you navigate when you lose your job in a layoff cycle — and the opportunities on the other side!

If you are feeling lost or looking for support, we've got you covered. You are not alone in this.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

"Use your privilege" is something we hear a lot, especially lately, but often we aren't given concrete examples of what that looks like. Today's episode with Mercado Global co-founder Ruth Alvarez-DeGolia is a deep dive into what it looks like to own your privilege and activate it as a platform for those who have often been marginalized or cast in the shadows. Ruth changed her life and career plans after spending time with indigenous women in the rural Guatemalan highlands who were rebuilding after a civil war. Her organization provides education, tools, and access to international markets so these artisans can build their own businesses and invest in their own communities – with the goal of eradicating poverty. The empowerment goes both ways, Ruth discusses how the resilience, innovation and wisdom of her partners in Guatemala have transformed the organization in the face of the pandemic and beyond.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

If you feel powerless in the job search process, this episode is for you. Whether you are in the resume building, application, interview or offer phase of the process, there's so much indecision and pressure to do everything "just right." But what if there's no such thing? In this episode, Nikki discusses the importance of being in the driver's seat in taking the next step in your career path, understanding the impact of the pressure of the traditional company-first, transactional, urgency-driven model of hiring and the value of cultivating trust and confidence in yourself as you determine where you want to go next and how you want to show up in your work life.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast

What does learning mean to you? Do you have a practice for unlearning too? Today's episode is a special one because we're sharing a conversation that Nikki had with OwnTrail founder Kt McBratney about the value or the purpose of having a practice of continual learning and unlearning to navigate an ever-changing world with authenticity. Originally a video livestream, this conversation dives into giving yourself permission to evolve, be wrong and ask questions; to understanding how different people are impacted by the traditional approach to "learning" in our society and offers guidance on how to align with the most resonate ways to learn and unlearn while also stretching you outside of your comfort zone.

What's something you learned or unlearned lately that has changed your perspective around you?

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast