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In this episode, Shawna Gann and Rachel Sadler engage with author Christopher "CJ" Gross, an expert in cultural transformation, to discuss the concepts in his book, What's Your Zip Code Story? Together the group discusses implications on personal and professional experiences. They explore how one's background and community can shape perceptions, opportunities, and biases in the workplace. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mentorship, understanding class migration, and the need for a supportive culture that fosters growth and inclusivity, including expanding your zip code story through meeting new people, going to different places, and trying new things. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the significance of being aware of biases and the necessity of creating psychological safety in mentorship relationships.

You can also watch the episode on YouTube.

Stuff mentioned in the episode that you should check out:

• The Financial Perks of Being Tall
• Stereotype Threat
• Half of U.S. states have passed the CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.

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In this episode, Shawna Gann introduces co-host Rachel Sadler, and together they explore the complexities of racial identity, particularly focusing on the experiences of biracial individuals. They discuss the fluidity of identity, the impact of family dynamics on self-identification, and the societal constructs surrounding race and gender. The conversation also gets into the privileges associated with racial ambiguity, the challenges faced in workplace settings, and the increasing recognition of multiracial identities in America. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of community and the need for critical discussions about identity and privilege.   

Rachel Sadler is an empowerment coach and founder of Rae of Light Coaching, specializing in helping women unlock their potential and navigate personal and professional challenges. With a strong background in DEI facilitation, anti-racism education, and cultural competency training, Rachel is dedicated to advancing social justice and equity.   

You can also watch the episode on YouTube!

Other stuff to check out:

• The Infuriating Journey From Pet To Threat: How Bias Undermines Black Women At Work
• The Persistence Of Pet To Threat
• The US will become ‘minority white’ in 2045, Census projects
• The Myth of a Majority-Minority America
• GOP Rep. Burchett calls Kamala Harris a "DEI hire"
• What Might It Mean When Critics Call Someone A DEI Hire?
• Vice President Kamala Harris Is Anything But a DEI Hire
• How Italians Became ‘White’
•  "[Trump] is the Avatar for their Grievance"

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.

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In this episode, Shawna Gann introduces the new season of the podcast with one of her two co-hosts, Kat Aragon. They discuss their cultural backgrounds, the importance of representation in the beauty industry, and the need for advocacy and allyship. Kat shares her experiences as a makeup artist and the challenges faced in ensuring diversity in beauty products. The conversation emphasizes the significance of taking action in allyship and the importance of creating spaces for underrepresented voices.

You can also watch the episode on YouTube!

Other stuff to check out:

• Vintage Bandaid Commercial
• Browndages 
• This Is the Worst Way to Make an Inclusive Foundation Shade
• This brand made a BLACK Foundation!?
• The 5 S's of Engagement: Navigating Your Path Through Allyship

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.

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Welcome back!

Join Dr. Shawna Gann and new co-hosts Kat Aragon and Rachel Sadler for Season 5 of Our True Colors, launching in September! 

This season, we will continue exploring the unique challenges of being racially ambiguous with personal stories and expert insights on identity, belonging, and diversity. Engage with us by texting your thoughts and stories through the link above, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe!

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.

Our True Colors is sponsored by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. You can find us at truecultureconsulting.com where you can also contact us to schedule a free consultation.

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Welcome to the community!

This introductory episode introduces listeners to the premise of Our True Colors. In this opening episode, I discuss terms and concepts surrounding issues of race. The links below are here for your reference and to learn more.

Want to be a guest? Click this link to send me your thoughts on how you could add to the convo as a guest on the show!

I encourage you to reach out to me and share your thoughts! What topics would you like to discuss? Do you have some feedback? Reach out with a direct text.

Link further exploration:

• Race as a Social Construct
• Human Genome Project
• Race, Ethnicity, and Culture with Jelly Beans
• Eugenics and Scientific Racism
• Biden Administration's Proposal for Updated Census Data Collection
• Honorary Whiteness - Eduardo Bonilla-Silva
• Colonialism
• Culture
• Being a 3rd Culture Kid
• Being a Third Culture Kid
• Intersectionality
• Blumenbach and "Caucasian"
• More on Blumenbach and the term "Caucasian"
• The Construction of Race and Racism

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe!

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.

Our True Colors is sponsored by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. You can find us at truecultureconsulting.com where you can also contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

Welcome to the community!

This introductory episode introduces listeners to the premise of Our True Colors. In this opening episode, I discuss terms and concepts surrounding issues of race. The links below are here for your reference and to learn more.

Want to be a guest? Click this link to send me your thoughts on how you could add to the convo as a guest on the show!

I encourage you to reach out to me and share your thoughts! What topics would you like to discuss? Do you have some feedback? Would you like to respond to an episode? Reach out with a direct text.

Link further exploration:

• Race as a Social Construct
• Human Genome Project
• Race, Ethnicity, and Culture with Jelly Beans
• Eugenics and Scientific Racism
• Biden Administration's Proposal for Updated Census Data Collection
• Honorary Whiteness - Eduardo Bonilla-Silva
• Colonialism
• Culture
• Being a Third Culture Kid
• Intersectionality
• Blumenbach and "Caucasian"
• More on Blumenbach and the term "Caucasian"
• The Construction of Race and Racism

Want to be a guest? Click this link to send me your thoughts on how you could add to the convo as a guest on the show!

Don't forget to subscribe!

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.

Our True Colors is sponsored by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. You can find us at truecultureconsulting.com where you can also contact us to schedule a free consultation.

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Join the cohosts and me as we reflect on this journey and enjoy the sampler platter we've prepared for you as we talk about the themes we explored, lessons learned, and incredible growth over the years during what we thought would be the last episode.

But it's not!

OTC is coming back for a 5th season, Fall 2024. Stay tuned!

About This Episode:

Part 1: The Mixed Tape with Jason

• Season 2: I'm Gumbo, Baby! 
• Season 2: What's in a Name? 

Part 2: The Mixed Tape with Shannon, Carmen, and Yolandie

• Season 4: Kickin it with Karlton Hoskins
• Season 1: Coming to Our Census
• Season 3: Good Vibes Family Reunion
• Season 3: Sticks and Stones
• Season 1: Growing Up Ambiguously Across the Generations
• Season 3: Unwrapping the Gift of Dialogue
• Season 3: A Mother's Love
• Season 1: Talking H & M: Race and Royalty

Other Stuff:

• Animated map shows the evolution of American accents
• NPR Code Switch: Talk American
• Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.

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This week I am joined  by Joquina M. Reed, my colleague and dear friend.
She is the founding steward of J Reed Consulting LLC. She is also the curator behind the Please Say Black podcast as well as the Divesting from Whiteness Podcast. Kina is deeply committed to global reparations for chattel enslavement and creating shared humanity.  

In this episode we explore new perspectives on belonging and how learning more about our identities can provide a welcome anchor to our personal narratives. 

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.

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Yay! Yolandie is back after taking a few months to be with her little one (if you listen carefully, you'll hear a little bit from her, too! 👶). In this episode, Yolandie (and sometimes Olivia) tells us about a play she is working on and the complexities of identity and stereotypes. This all made me very curious and, despite my congestion (sorry, y'all - guess I was keepin' it real), I had lots of questions for her about her experiences and the premise of the play.

References

• Meet Yolandie! Season 4 Cohost
• Will Smith in Emancipation
• Will Smith Has A Candid Answer After Getting Asked Why He Wanted To Make A Movie About Slavery
• Will Smith Explains Why He Avoided Making Movies About Slavery: 'I Wanted to Be a Superhero'
• SPECIAL EPISODE: The Little Mermaid of Color
• The racist backlash to The Little Mermaid and Lord of The Rings is exhausting and extremely predictable

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.

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Prepare to be inspired! On this episode of OTC, I am talking with Dija Henry. Together we discuss her work in film and how the work supports the empowerment of authenticity all the way from the people contributing to the film to those viewing it. We go on to discuss the nuances of having a multicultural family and the connections that younger generations are making cross-culturally – a notion that is good for all of us to practice, including one's sense of belonging, particularly when you are racially ambiguous. We also talked about art being central to our lives, and there's a little bit of 80's and 90's nostalgia sprinkled in, too!

Dija is a multi-award winning actress, filmmaker and CEO and founder of Blue House Entertainment, which is a social impact entertainment company dedicated to telling diverse stories that facilitate heart changing conversation to elevate our culture to a more equitable, inclusive and empathetic society. She also works to coach individuals who are working on their first film. In her free time, Dija likes to read, travel, watch movies with her family and have meaningful conversations with others. She's very grateful she has been able to take her family to two of their three countries of origin. India is next on the list!

References and Resources

• Belonging: A Culture of Place
• Dija on Instagram
• Check out The Blue House on Instagram, too!

If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!

Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!

Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content.