Engaging Gray

In this episode of Engaging Gray, we talk with Tova Jones, a wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur about how she and her husband have cultivated a pace of perseverance together. We get really practical about how to do it, why it's important, and talk about what it takes to do this well. We talk about how knowing your priorities and sticking to those is an essential part of saying yes to the right things, and no to the wrong things. Join us on this week's episode of Engaging Gray!

Resources: 

In this episode of Engaging Gray, we talk with Dr. Sandra Upton about how Cultural Intelligence can be a valuable tool and part of your antiracist journey. Whether it's as on your individual journey or your organizational journey, Cultural Intelligence can be a key part of growing in your capacity to effectively engage across differences. Take a listen as Dr. Upton and I explore the nuances, the benefits, and the essential steps individuals and organizations can take in their antiracist journeys. 

In this episode, we talk with Shirley Hoogstra, President of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, about bridge building. 2020 has been no stranger to dissent, tension, and unprecedented change. 2020 has left many of us feeling isolated and now more than ever it is hard to see the full humanity in those around us. Bridge building is essential, especially now. In this episode, we discuss the elements of bridge building, what stands in our way, and how we can make the first step. 

- Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

- Compassion and Conviction 

- Just Mercy

- Equal Justice Initiative 

In this episode, I talk with Emotional Intelligence Expert Shannon Cohen about how we can cultivate new skills to cope and even flourish in such a time as this. Shannon shares wisdom and practical experience for how we can see cliffs as launch pads. As Shannon says, "This is not a bootstrap moment, no one has bootstraps. This is a collective village moment." Join us in building a village and skills for this moment.

Shannon's website

How to connect with Shannon on social media: @shannonmcohen

Rockstar Women's Virtual Brunch

The political climate is tense right now. Jer Swigart joins us from Oregon to talk with us about what his current context has revealed about white supremacy and white liberalism. He describes this context, what it looks like, and how it keeps us divided. We discuss what the root of this may be, and how we can overcome it build bridges. No matter where you stand on the issues we are currently facing you I encourage you to tune in for a challenging conversation!

Resources: 

We are bombarded with messages every day. Sometimes it can be hard to tell fact from fiction, and this can cause friction between ourselves and others. Michelle joins us to talk about journalism, about how she does it, and how we can get better at navigating through all of the noise. Tune in for some great insights!

Resources:

1. Candor Media: www.candormedia.org

2. Instagram Michelle Reporter: www.instagram.com/mjokischpolo

3. Facebook WGVU Public Media: https://www.facebook.com/mutuallyinclusive

3. Instagram Candor Media: www.instagram.com/candor_mi

4. Facebook Candor Media: https://www.facebook.com/candormi

5. Grand Rapids Mutual Aid Network: https://www.facebook.com/GRAMutAid/

One of the grayest spaces is found in relationships. It can feel even more unclear when we are building those relationships with people who are very different than ourselves. Shavon has worked for years with individuals and companies on how to navigate these spaces and how to make sure that these relationships are sustainable. Shavon talks with us about how understanding ourselves is critical to effective diversity, equity, and inclusion work, what happens when we don't, and how we can take tangible steps forward!

Things mentioned in the podcast:

- Inclusive Performance Strategies

- Intercultural Development Inventory

- Cultural Intelligence 

*For more resources visit our website at: grayspacecollaborative.com

Abbey Johnston, Co-Owner of AG Collaborative joins us for a discussion on why knowing ourselves is key to leadership. We talk about the barriers we face when starting this journey of self-discovery, tools to help us continue, and the impact it has on our teams and ourselves when we invest in this work. 

Things mentioned in this podcast: 

- AG Collaborative

- Strengths Finder

- Coaching

*If you would like more resources of help investing in your strengths or leadership contact us at: grayspacecollaborative.com

Sometimes we set goals but because we haven't done the work yet of getting to know ourselves, we end up running into barriers that prevent us from reaching them. Sam Jones, Founder of the Wisdom Center joins us to discuss how,  working on our own goals, or working on our personal lives, requires us to know where we're starting from. Sam gives some practical advice, encouragement, and tools for beginning the journey of self-discovery. 

Some things mentioned in the Podcast:

- The Wisdom Center

- Meyers-Briggs

- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

- Becoming by Michelle Obama 

*For more resources connect with us at our website: grayspacecollaborative.com

We're starting where we often do, with ourselves. In this episode, we talk about why understanding and accepting ourselves is key to engaging gray spaces. How knowing your starting point for any self-improvement or transformation is essential for lasting and impactful change. We scratch the surface of this idea because in the next three episodes we will dive more deeply. 

Somethings referenced in the podcast:

- The Gift of Knowing Yourself  

- The Enneagram 

- Brené Brown 

- Richard Rohr

*For more resources email contact us through our website: grayspacecollaborative.com