Compassionate Cultures

In this straight-talking episode, we’re joined by Kevin J Brazant, practitioner-academic, creator of Disrupt the Discourse Co-Creation Framework™ and founder of Lounge Akademics. With roots in grassroots activism and a growing academic portfolio, Kevin brings a rare and necessary perspective on race, exclusion, and justice in the UK universities. Drawing from both lived experience and scholarly research, Kevin challenges commonly accepted terms like “hard to reach” and offers an unflinching critique of the systems that fail racially marginalised communities. He speaks about the importance of co-creating solutions with those most impacted, the need for trauma-informed education, and how institutions can move from tokenism to true transformation. Whether you’re a policy-maker, educator, academic or advocate for social change, Kevin’s reflections will leave you contemplating about how to creatively embed equity and compassion into your practice. Streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.

What does it take to build a world where careers aren’t determined by background or privilege? In this energising episode of Compassionate Cultures, host Rebbecca Hemmings speaks with James Adeleke, founder and CEO of Generation Success. From being awarded the Freedom of the City of London to leading thousands of structured mentorships, James shares his deeply personal journey and the values that have shaped his mission to create a more equal society. Together, they discuss the power of mentorship, the meaning of true belonging in the workplace, and why social mobility must be treated as a business priority. James’s belief that “fear is normal, but silence is harmful” cuts to the core of what compassionate leadership requires: presence, not perfection. His practical wisdom and compelling metaphors offer a fresh, heartfelt perspective on what it means to lead with cultural humility and unlock potential in overlooked talent. This is an essential listen for any leader or HR professional ready to take meaningful action and open the doors that too many still find closed.

In this episode of the Compassionate Cultures Podcast, Rebbecca reflects on the powerful words and presence of historian David Olusoga. From uncovering the hidden histories behind everyday British staples like tea and fish and chips, to challenging how we frame national identity, David invites us to look more honestly at the stories we tell ourselves. He reminds us that history isn’t about guilt, it’s about truth, and that we cannot build a more compassionate society without first acknowledging what has been erased, distorted, or conveniently forgotten. We explore themes of cultural appropriation, historical sanitisation, and resilience in the face of public hostility. You’ll hear about Jamaican boxer Hezikiah Moscow, the erasure of African soldiers from World War II narratives, and how language like "West Indian merchant" masks the legacies of enslavement. Rebbecca also reflects on what it means to be calm in the face of injustice and why excellence, not anger, can be a radical tool for change. This is a heartfelt episode about truth-telling, hope, and the power of compassionate storytelling.

In this episode of Compassionate Cultures, Rebbecca unpacks some of the most persistent myths surrounding sexual harassment. From the damaging belief that false reports are common, to the idea that sexual harassment only affects young women, Rebbecca sets the record straight with facts, compassion, and a call to action. She also highlights real-world cases – including the headlines around Luis Rubiales and Harrods, to show how widespread the issue remains and how much work is still needed to challenge the culture that enables it. But this episode isn’t just about naming problems; it’s about empowering listeners to be part of the solution. Rebbecca explains how harassment isn’t always overt or ‘romantic’, and how misgendering or inappropriate ‘banter’ can cross the line into legal wrongdoing. By debunking these myths, she offers a powerful reminder that preventing harassment begins with understanding the power dynamics at play and refusing to allow ignorance to set the tone. Whether you're a team leader, HR manager, or simply someone who cares about making your workplace safer, this is a must-listen episode. Stay tuned until the end for practical tips and a reminder that real change starts with compassion, knowledge and courage.

Some individuals face a heightened risk of sexual harassment due to the intersecting aspects of their identity. In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of race and gender, highlighting how stereotypes rooted in both can create environments ripe for harm. What might appear to be casual remarks or ‘harmless’ assumptions can, in reality, be deeply damaging and part of a broader pattern of harassment. Join us as we unpack these dynamics and discuss what needs to change to create spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

In this episode Strawberry Words Trainers Sipho, Rebbecca and Naomi, discuss their experience of delivering cultural humility training. Cultural Humility is a framework that offers a compassionate way through learning about systemic discrimination and racism. We absolutely love it and think all organisations should adopt this learning. Tune in to hear why. 

In this two-part special recorded during my visit to the Health and Wellbeing at Work Show at the NEC in Birmingham (11–12 March), I set out to gather the most urgent questions and insights relating to equity, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. In part two, I continue to share key learnings and reflections drawn from the event, exploring how organisations can begin their DEI journeys in meaningful ways, unpacking the distinction between the Rooney Rule and Positive Action, and highlighting important conversations around men’s health networks and menopause in the workplace. Whether you're just beginning your DEI work or looking to deepen your understanding, I hope these reflections offer food for thought and practical direction.

During my visit to the Health and Wellbeing at Work Show (held at the NEC, Birmingham on 11th-12th March), my job was to collate the most pressing EDI-related questions and to learn. In this episode and the next, I share my thoughts and learning on: how companies can start on their EDI journeys, The difference between the Rooney Rule and Positive Action, Men’s Health Networks and Menopause in the Workplace.

Welcome back to Compassionate Cultures for an exciting Season 2! We've been hard at work behind the scenes, growing, learning, and expanding our impact. In this episode, we take you inside our latest projects, share key insights from our journey, and reveal what's in store for the season ahead. If you're passionate about creating inclusive, compassionate spaces, you won’t want to miss this!

The new season is about to launch on Friday 7th March! After that, you can catch it every Wednesday for the next 10-15 weeks