Nothing Without Us

In this episode, Angie Browne discusses the importance of relational humility and humanity during crises, using the Capitol Hill insurrection on January 6, 2021, as a case study. Browne emphasises the need to approach news stories with detachment and empathy, explores various key events of the insurrection, and introduces concepts from her book 'Re-Enchanted.' She also shares insights from public defender Heather Shana's experiences with January 6 defendants to advocate for understanding and education over judgment. Angie encourages listeners to practice relational humility in their interactions, stressing the importance of recognising humanity even in extreme circumstances.

Angie Browne reflects on the challenges and accomplishments in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) during 2025. She highlights the importance Being Luminary's consistent commitment to equity work, even when attendance at community calls is low and the DEI market cools. Angie discusses her move towards making the Excellence in Equity award more accessible and meaningful, the deepening of partnerships with committed organisations, and the reduction in business expenses to focus on core values. She also emphasises the need for a supportive community among DEI practitioners, particularly women of color, and plans to co-construct a guild for mutual nourishment and shared practice in 2026. Despite a smaller client base, the depth and clarity of Being Luminary's work has increased, setting the stage for a promising year ahead.

In this episode Angie Browne reflects on the social and political climate of 2025. She discusses the challenges and setbacks facing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts amid ongoing global conflicts, political shifts, and public apathy. Angie criticizes the DEI industry's focus on softer language like 'belonging' over substantive equity work, and emphasizes the need for new leadership approaches. She highlights the importance of narrative and relational intelligence in navigating complex social issues and how institutions can better support marginalized communities. Throughout, Angie shares her thoughts on maintaining integrity and dignity in social justice work, urging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful discourse.

In these last few episodes of the year, Angie  shares her insights and experiences from 2025. She reflects on the past year, discussing the challenges faced in equity work, the personal and professional changes she underwent, and the shift in public interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. Angie narrates her journey towards developing deeper, more sustainable practices, including a focus on spiritual intelligence, redemptive practice, and the shift from impact to influence. She also discusses the evolution of her upcoming book 'Re Enchanted' and its focus on deeper aspects of equity work. Despite facing a difficult year, Angie provides an optimistic outlook for 2026 and leaves listeners with a practice to embrace the discomfort of unanswered complex questions.

In this episode Angie discusses the concept of joy as a form of relational literacy, emphasisng its importance in equity work. She elaborates on shifting from emotional intelligence to relational literacy, critiquing traditional frameworks and proposing a deeper, more somatic and interrelational approach. Angie breaks down four anchors of relational literacy: somatic awareness, emotional presence, positionality, and interrelational humility, providing actionable micro-practices for each. She stresses the ongoing practice of right relationship, maintaining dignity, and recognising the value of differing perspectives. 

In this episode, Angie Browne discusses the importance of aesthetic literacy as a means of bringing joy and humanity back into institutional spaces. Angie shares her personal journey of enhancing spaces throughout her career in education, emphasizing the role of aesthetics in fostering dignity and equity. She contrasts two school building projects to illustrate how design decisions can impact the psychological and emotional well-being of occupants. The episode also explores the political nature of aesthetic choices and how social movements use aesthetic interventions to resist systemic oppression. Angie invites listeners to reflect on spaces in their own lives that evoke feelings of dignity and joy.

This week Angie explores the concept of joy as a form of resistance and praxis rather than mere performance or escapism. She delves into the role of joy in social justice work, emphasizing its importance as a political and communal tool. She discusses 'joy as praxis,' advocating for the deliberate recognition and integration of joy in daily life and leadership. The episode highlights how joy can disrupt dehumanising systems and serve as a powerful agent of change, calling on listeners to practice and share moments of joy as a means of collective resistance and humanity.

In  this second episode, Angie Browne and Dr Claire Stewart-Hall discuss the aftermath and responses to a race hate crime Angie experienced.

Angie shares her motivation for creating social media videos to document her feelings and the incident. She contrasts the differing responses from LinkedIn and Instagram users, noting the lack of engagement on LinkedIn versus the outpouring of care on Instagram. They also delve into the institutional challenges of recognizing and addressing racism, highlighting the problematic nature of excuses made for perpetrators. They emphasise the importance of documenting and speaking out about racism to acknowledge its horrors and drive societal and institutional change. 

In this week's episode, Angie Browne discusses her recent traumatic experience of a race hate crime. Joined by Dr. Claire Stewart-Hall, a race researcher and friend, Angie explores the broader impact of such personal and institutional racism on Black women's lives.

Angie describes receiving hundreds of aggressive, racist messages through her business website, perpetrated by an individual she briefly dated 17 years ago. She shares her frustration with the complex, ineffective process of reporting a hate crime to the Metropolitan Police and other organisations. As a Black woman and a professional in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Angie reflects on the emotional and administrative toll of the incident, the lack of institutional support, and the systemic racism embedded in these responses. 

In this episode, Angie is in conversation with Sue Mulholland, Deputy Head Teacher for enrichment at the British International School of Ho Chi Minh City. They delve into Sue's journey from an art teacher to a leader in education, her experiences in different schools, and her work in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Sue shares her upbringing in Belfast, the impact of the Troubles, and her evolution in the teaching profession, emphasizing the role of creativity and art in fostering equity. They also discuss the importance of sustained EDI efforts in education and Sue's plans for advancing EDI initiatives at her school.