Hearth2Heart

Have you ever felt isolated or as the “only” in the room? Do you long for a sense of connection and acceptance in professional spaces where you are underrepresented? In this episode, Gayathri sits down with Kathy Nelson, an accomplished engineer and advocate, to explore what it means to build community in STEM spaces. Kathy reflects on her personal journey, sharing the challenges she’s faced and the triumphs that have shaped her mission to foster connection through her podcast, Ordinarily Extraordinary. Together, they discuss the power of community and strategies to create environments where women can thrive as their authentic selves.

Whether you find yourself as the only or you're working to build more inclusive spaces, this episode offers insights, hope, and inspiration.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Kathy’s Consulting Services - https://www.knutilitytelecomconsulting.com/services

Ordinarily Extraordinary Podcast - https://ordinarily-extraordinary.com/

Email: [email protected]

Kathy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-kale-nelson/

Gayathri on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-shukla/

https://campfirekinship.com/

One of the biggest fears about allyship is the worry of saying or doing the wrong thing. Many people want to show up and support others but hesitate, unsure how to act without causing harm or misunderstanding.

In this episode, Gayathri speaks with Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley, a mechanical engineer, Vanier Scholar and EDI specialist, who breaks down three practical, research-backed strategies to overcome these fears and foster real inclusion. Drawing on insights from her PhD project, "Activating Allies," Jocelyn shares how to confidently step into the role of an ally and create psychologically safe workplaces for everyone.

Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership in today’s world.

Links mentioned in episode:

https://www.jocelynpeltierhuntley.ca/

https://www.prairiecatalyst.ca/active-allies-course

Jocelyn's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-peltier-huntley/

Gayathri's LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-shukla

https://campfirekinship.com/

Is it possible to lead with empathy while still holding your team accountable for achieving shared goals? In this episode of Heart to Heart, host Gayathri dives deep with Erin, leader, coach, and author, to tackle the common fear that empathy weakens accountability.

Erin shares her journey from engineering to becoming a champion for empathetic leadership, revealing how understanding emotions—both personal and within teams—can foster a sense of belonging, especially with those from underrepresented backgrounds. Through real-life stories and practical insights, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how leaders can build trust, leverage diverse perspectives, and turn emotional intelligence into a powerful force for team success.

Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership in today’s world.

Links mentioned in episode:

www.erinthorp.ca

Podcast – Tactical Empathy - https://www.erinthorp.ca/podcast/

Book – Inside Out Empathy - https://www.amazon.ca/Inside-Out-Empathy-underestimated-superpower/dp/1775146308

Erin’s LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/erin-thorp-speaker

www.campfirekinship.com

Gayathri’s LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/gayathri-shukla www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship

"Last month, I attended my first 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat. Many asked how it went, and I am opening my heart to share candidly in this episode."

"As an entrepreneur and EDIB (equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging) practitioner, I embarked on this journey hoping to deepen my practice of concepts like embracing discomfort, unlearning, and journey over destination. From the struggle of sitting in silence to the embracing of self-awareness and equanimity, this experience is reshaping how I view life and work."

In this solo episode, join Gayathri as she reflects on this deeply transformative journey and shares the lessons she has learned.

Links mentioned in episode:

www.dhamma.org

www.campfirekinship.com/resources/blogs/vipassana

www.instagram.com/campfire_kinship

" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/company/campfire-kinship

"I feel a sense of belonging when I am connected, time passes without notice, and I truly connect with the person I am with."

In this episode of Hearth 2 Heart, Monica, an engineer with over 20 years of experience and founder of Infinity Growth, shares her journey of overcoming gender bias. Host Gayathri and Monica discuss the importance of self-care, effective communication, and setting boundaries, offering valuable insights for leaders on creating inclusive workplaces.

Tune in to be inspired by Monica's story of self-belief, perseverance and leading with empathy.

Resources mentioned in episode:

Materials Business podcast

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-hernandez

campfirekinship.com

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions on trauma and gender-based violence which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

"We don't just bring our intergenerational cycles of trauma but also intergenerational cycles of wisdom." – Dr. Meghna Bhat

In this episode, Dr. Meghna Bhat, a renowned gender and social justice consultant and storyteller, explores the delicate balance of trauma-informed storytelling within the gender-based violence prevention field. Gayathri and Meghna delve into the practical aspects of creating safe, inclusive spaces for storytelling. Listeners will gain insights into the power of storytelling to foster connection, community, and healing, all while navigating the ethical considerations essential to maintaining the dignity and agency of survivors.

Resources mentioned in episode:

gulabistories.com

meghnabhat.com

linkedin.com/in/meghnabhat

instagram.com/gulabi_stories

campfirekinship.com

Land Acknowledgements are a crucial part of reconciliation, recognizing historical and ongoing relationships with Indigenous peoples. However, these acknowledgements can easily become scripted and lose their impact.

In this episode, Gayathri and her guest, A Lot of Poetry, a Nigerian-South African Poet now based in Mohkinstis, explore how poetry can cultivate genuine understanding and respect. Crafting a poem might seem daunting, but it can help us navigate the complex emotions and histories that come with reflecting on the place we may now call home.

Tune into this episode to discover ALotOfPoetry's insights on infusing personal and emotional depth into your Land Acknowledgments, transforming them from scripted formalities into powerful, heartfelt recognitions. Plus, don't miss her reading her own poem and Land Acknowledgement for Treaty 7.

Links mentioned in the episode:

www.alotofpoetry.com

campfirekinship.com

www.instagram.com/alot.of.poetry/

In this part-2 of a two-part episode, we delve deep with Dr. Roselle Gonzales as she draws from her impactful work in inclusion and reconciliation, and insights from her poignant book, "The Ordinary Turned Precious."

We explore how vulnerability not only allows us to show up as our true selves but also plays a crucial role in creating spaces of belonging.

Yet, embracing vulnerability raises important questions about the balance between openness and psychological safety. How can vulnerability act as a bridge to stronger, more meaningful community bonds without leaving us feeling exposed? In this episode, Gayathri and Roselle share invaluable insights into the complexities of sharing our stories.

Links mentioned in the episode:

rmgonsalves.com/

campfirekinship.com

cjsw.com/program/hearth2heart/

amazon.com/dp/1738091104?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_7EYCZJ69P6DJGMERYVYG

In this episode, we delve deep with Dr. Roselle Gonzales as she draws from her impactful work in inclusion and reconciliation, and insights from her poignant book, "The Ordinary Turned Precious."

We explore how vulnerability not only allows us to show up as our true selves but also plays a crucial role in creating spaces of belonging.

Yet, embracing vulnerability raises important questions about the balance between openness and psychological safety. How can vulnerability act as a bridge to stronger, more meaningful community bonds without leaving us feeling exposed? In this episode, Gayathri and Roselle share invaluable insights into the complexities of sharing our stories.

Links mentioned in the episode:

rmgonsalves.com/

campfirekinship.com

cjsw.com/program/hearth2heart/

amazon.com/dp/1738091104?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_7EYCZJ69P6DJGMERYVYG

In this final episode of Season 1, host Gayathri and Elena share some lessons they have learned from working together on the Landed project, and their hopes for the future.

Elena Esina is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary where she manages an initiative called Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence. Elena holds a master’s in social work and a bachelor’s in financial management. For the last 10 years, Elena has been managing multiple large-scale research projects while conducting research on the prevention of domestic violence. She also leads Immigrant Women Work-Integrated Learning Hub that provides work experience placements for internationally trained women from all over the world in the academic setting.

In addition, Elena is a co-founder of Shift to Learn, an online learning platform that aims to stop violence before it starts. She is a recent recipient of the 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal in recognition of her leadership in supporting immigrant communities.

campfirekinship.com

IG: @campfire_kinship