Diversity Unplugged

You'll probably know that it is Pride month this month, however did you that Section 28, which started in 1988 and ended in 2000 prohibited schools and institutions from even discussing homosexuality? Or that there are some 212,000 same-sex families in the UK? Podcast host Naomi sits down with Amir Khan, a gay Pakistani man who grew up in the 80s to shed light on some of the challenges that LGBTQIA+ youth of colour have faced in Britain.

Amir is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who grew up in the 80s in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic and Section 28. His story is one of hope, from hiding his sexuality as a young British Asian within the traditional community, to being part of an enduring same-sex relationship through which he has become a father of two through surrogacy.

This episode contains TW for: Racism, Homophobia, Racial Slurs, Islamophobia

This podcast is produced by Diversifying.io - Keep up to date on how we're changing hearts and minds on Instagram: @diversifyingio or via our website: www.diversifying.io 

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You'll probably know that it is Asian Pacific Heritage month this month, however did you know that Asian owned businesses have been hit the hardest in the U.K? Or that fewer than 1 in 10 management jobs are held by British Asians. Podcast host Naomi sits down with Uzma Chaudhry a Diversity and Inclusion Manager  to shed light on some of the challenges that Asians face in Britain.

Uzma is a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, a bit of a free spirit but passionate about making meaningful change. She also studies Politics, Philosophy and Economics part time with the Open University. Listen and learn more about Asian stereotypes and how internalised anti-asian racism affects every day life and how you can support your Asian friends and family.

This podcast is produced by Diversifying.io - Keep up to date on how we're changing hearts and minds on Instagram: @diversifyingjobs or via our website: www.diversifying.io 

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You'll probably know that it is Ramadan this month, however did you know that there is more to Ramadan than just fasting? Or that Muslim women in the UK are three times more likely to be unemployed? Podcast host Naomi sits down with Bella Khaja, one of Singapore's leading social media experts  to shed light on some of the challenges that Muslim women face globally.

Bella is first and foremost a Social Media expert and discusses the challenges that she faces running Singapore's first all women led marketing consultancy. Listen and learn more about Islamic traditions, how they impact work life and how you can support your Muslim friends and family.

You can find Bella at her Marketing Consultancy buisness : https://www.nimble.sg/, on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bellakhaja/ and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellakhaja/

This podcast is produced by Diversifying.io - Keep up to date on how we're changing hearts and minds on Instagram: @diversifyingjobs or via our website: www.diversifying.io 

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It’s coming to the end of Women's History Month in the U.K. and we’re joined by 
Entrepreneur and Award-Winning Innovator Shana Gujral - talking about the barriers young entrepreneurs face, what she learned from her first failed business and why Diversity and Inclusion is so important to the future of business leaders.

For us here at Diversifying we wanted to highlight individuals and their stories to help showcase the lives of young female entrepreneurs in the U.K.  To find out more about our guest, read her bio here: Shana Gujral is an award winning entrepreneur, innovator and founder of Lila. Lila is on a mission to help one million people lead inclusively and be comfortable in their own skin. Website: https://www.thinklila.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanagujral/ 

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It’s LGBTQ+ History Month in the U.K. and we’re joined by Talent Partner,  LGBTQ+ rights Activist and lifelong gamer Lydia Price - talking the problems with the L word, the early days of the growing up LGBTQ+ in the U.K and her work with the LGBTQ+ Friends Community. 

For us here at Diversifying we wanted to highlight individuals and their stories from the to help showcase the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals here in the U.K.  To find out more about our guest, read her bio here: Lydia is originally from Brighton and now resides in Stockholm, Sweden. She studied Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London and is currently a Senior Talent Partner at Elements Talent Consultancy where she founded the LGBTQ+ Friends Community. As an LGBTQ+ activist, Lydia is involved in creating inclusive, representative and diverse organisations

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In this episode host, Naomi speaks with guests, Neil Millett, Samantha Braun and Henal Hann talk about how they're helping their children and how they're helping themselves. We asked them how they are coping with the challenges that the pandemic brings and trying to be a parent during this stressful time. Hear them speak openly and honestly about their experiences parenting during the pandemic and how workplace culture is changing. Neil and Henal share openly about their experiences with redundancy and loss of confidence. They give specific advice on what companies can do to help support working parents and caregivers. Samantha talks openly about her challenges as an expat living in Sweden and how the pandemic affects her as a neurodiverse parent. It's clear that being a parent is not easy at the best of times but the pandemic has brought new challenges to everyone.

About the guests, Neil Millett has over nine years’ experience working in online recruitment advertising. He specialises in helping connect hiring organisations with job-seeking talent through advertising, communications and data-led storytelling. Joining Diversifying and BAME Recruitment in 2021, Neil is driven to help companies who champion diversity & inclusion reach an audience seeking a purpose-led career. Outside of work Neil; crafts, designs, collects & consumes. 

Samantha Braun currently works as an international sales professional and has a background in EU law and in the fashion industry. She's a neurodiverse D&I advocate and a mum of two. Ways to get in touch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-braun-she-her-a6732380/

Henal is a leader in the world of Talent Acquisition. Recruiting people is her bread and butter and meeting people is her jam! Her family trio includes her husband Matt and their five year old little dude. Henal shares her experiences of winging it, juggling parenthood and working full time, how laughter is the best medicine and dancing in the kitchen (badly) to 80’s tunes gets her tail wagging! 

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In this episode host, Naomi speaks with guests, Joke Daems, Joanne Lockwood and Michael Cerasi about trans and non-binary allyship in the workplace. Hear them speak openly and honestly about their lived experiences and the changes in perception that need to happen to create inclusive workplaces. Joanne and Joke share specific advice on what companies can do to combat workplace discrimination and allow safe working environments where people can be their authentic selves. Michael talks about his role as an ally and gaining insights into the power that allies have to support and educate others. 

About the guests, Joke Daems has written an article about their non-binary gender identity for Queermunity magazine. They work as a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University (Belgium) and volunteers as a Translation & Editorial Manager for the International Quidditch Association. Ways to get in touch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokedaems/ or http://twitter.com/jokedaems Find out more about quidditch: https://www.iqasport.com/ (international) or https://quidditchuk.org/ (UK specific).

Michael Cerasi, The Rainbow Coach, is a Transformational Life Coach and co-creator of Queermunity Magazine. Ways to get in touch : https://therainbowcoach.com , https://queermunitymag.wixsite.com/blog, https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-cerasi-he-him-his-03791329/

Joanne Lockwood is an Inclusion & Belonging Specialist, founder and CEO of SEE Change Happen. Ways to get in touch: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolockwood/

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In this episode host Naomi speaks with BAME Recruitment’s CEO and founder Cynthia and Head of Talent Acquisition Andrew. We pick their brains on the tricks and tips, secrets and experiences that they have gained from their decades of experience in the recruitment industry. They speak about the influx of companies stepping up their commitments to D&I since the Black Lives Matter movement and sifting out the genuine efforts opposed to the tokenistic approaches. Cynthia and Andrew share specific instances of ‘smelling’ tokenism and organisations merely ‘ticking a box’. Gain insights into the traps of unconscious biases, the exclusive nature of some job descriptions, and much more best practice advice. Like Naomi, you may be tempted to say “preach!”.

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Happy Black History Month 2020 everyone! 

Eddie, Paula, Denise and Luke from Diversifying.io join host Naomi in this very frank and open episode on Black History Month and Black Lives Matter. 

We hear some of their personal stories their own racial identity and racial relations in the UK.  The team talk openly and honestly with each other about differences in experiences growing up and how white privilege has affected these differences. Engage with the team as they speak up about the events of Black Lives Matter within the UK. Listen to members be upfront about wishing to be a better ally and moments where they wish they spoke out. Get an insight into resources on Black History  and how you can and educate yourself on your own journey.  Turns out there's plenty you can still say, and many enriching, diverse discussions to be had.

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Eddie, Caroline and Enny from BAME Recruitment talent team join host Naomi in this very personal episode of You Can’t Say Anything Anymore! 

We hear some of their personal and professional history, and their experiences with working from home during the pandemic. The team talk openly and honestly about their struggles with adjusting to the new normal and the new office culture. Get an insight into ways in which you can support your team and clients during this difficult time. Laugh with the team as they talk about funny stories from working from home and what they think London will be like in a post-pandemic world. Turns out there's plenty you can still say, and many enriching, diverse discussions to be had.

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