DiversityNL Podcast

Stephanie welcomes special guest Maria Murphy, an expert in feminist theory, gender and sexuality studies, and media communications. Maria discusses her 12-year academic journey at the University of Pennsylvania and her challenges in advocating for inclusivity and diversity, particularly in onboarding trans employees. Back in Canada and working with Bloom Funding, Maria shares her experiences with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their efforts toward sustainability and inclusivity. The discussion delves into the importance of aligning workplace policies with employee well-being and social responsibility, highlighting strategies for meaningful engagement and the business case for diversity and inclusiveness.

In this episode, we talk with a businessperson, musician, and newly acclaimed author, Steve Randell. Steve shares his insights on living a fulfilling life despite experiencing unimaginable tragedy, including the loss of his son, Zach. Through years of therapy and personal growth, he learned that happiness and grief can coexist. Steve discusses the importance of resilience, the power of treatment, and finding meaning in difficult times. He also talks about his book and the impact it aims to have. Join us for this heartfelt and empowering conversation.

We are joined by Joanna Brown, a notable figure in the tech space and the founder of Rivet, a consulting firm. Joanna discusses her journey in tech, emphasizing the importance of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone for growth. She shares her experience navigating her career while blending her personal and professional identities, mainly focusing on her queer identity. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community, particularly the trans community, in the workplace and society. Joanna highlights the importance of representation and authenticity and her efforts to support tech companies in their growth phases. She also discusses her plans for Rivet, including developing a digital sales toolkit to assist early-stage companies. Listeners can reach out to Joanna via LinkedIn or the RivetGrowth.com website.

In this engaging episode, Gina Battye returns to share her journey into the field of psychological safety and workplace cultures. She recounts her early career experiences that influenced her to start the Psychological Safety Institute. Gina delves into the responsibilities of leaders, HR, and managers in fostering a psychologically safe environment and offers practical tips for creating inclusive and thriving workplaces. The conversation also touches upon the interplay between psychological safety and inclusion, providing valuable insights and actionable advice for leaders at all levels.

In this episode, Jacqueline Lee discusses the crucial role of immigration in Newfoundland, given the province's negative birth rate. She emphasizes the importance of improving immigration policies and support systems to help newcomers thrive. Jacqueline shares insights from various newcomers, highlighting the community's efforts and challenges in creating a welcoming environment. She discusses programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program and the significance of continuous, genuine engagement in building inclusive workplaces. The conversation touches on the importance of language, psychological safety, and the ongoing journey of learning and adapting to support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Kelly Ryan talks about her diverse background, from chef to holistic nutritionist, and how it led her to create Nerdy Nutrition. Ryan shares her insights on the interconnectedness of personal health, workplace wellness, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Discussion includes understanding the needs of employees, implementing practical wellness solutions in the workplace, and the benefits of a diverse and inclusive corporate culture. Tune in for tips on anti-inflammatory diets, stress management, and the significance of being an intentional and model leader.

Stephanie welcomes a special guest, Jeremy Bennett, back to the podcast to discuss techniques for calming the mind and improving one’s mindset. Sharing his journey with OCD, Jeremy delves into the brain’s inability to distinguish between actual events and thoughts and how this realization transformed his approach to life. He introduces the concept of the Reticular Activating System and emphasizes the importance of mindset and breaking the cycle of negative thoughts. Jeremy also shares his public speaking experiences and challenges in overcoming stage fright. You'll learn practical methods to manage stress and improve your mental well-being by tuning in. Don't miss out on this insightful and supportive conversation!

In this episode of DiversityNL Podcast, we are joined by Costanza Safatle, CEO of Newbornlander and former Dragon's Den participant. Cost anza shares her inspiring journey from immigration to entrepreneurship, shedding light on her personal and business definitions of success. She emphasizes the importance of time management, mentoring, and having a social impact, mainly through hiring and empowering women. Costanza discusses her vision for Newbornlander as a leading social enterprise in Canada and reflects on her experiences on national platforms like Dragon's Den and Canada Post. Tune in for insights on embracing challenges, believing in one's potential, and driving change as a leader committed to diversity and community growth.

This week, Stephanie talks with Joanna Brown to explore the concept of a growth mindset and its crucial role in entrepreneurship. Joanna shares her insights on resilience, navigating the tech industry, and the challenges of building a business. They discuss the importance of a supportive network and how mentors, allies, and authentic relationships contribute to professional and personal growth. The conversation also touches on the impact of diversity and inclusion in the business world, the importance of amplifying others' voices, and finding a balance between work and personal life. Joanna emphasizes the value of kindness, celebrating small wins, and the legacy we want to leave in our communities.

Host Stephanie welcomes special guest Maria Murphy, who shares her intriguing journey from academia to queer performance and voice processing. Maria, with a background in music and music history, delves into how voice can explore gender and sexuality, talking about her PhD research on performance artists like Laurie Anderson. The conversation covers the fascinating history of voice processing technologies, such as Auto-Tune, their military origins, and their artistic applications. Maria also touches on contemporary queer and trans activism, her unique performances, and the importance of community spaces. The episode concludes with Maria performing an original poem using voice transformation.