If you’re in search of a little fun on this journey, Erica and India have gotcha covered. There has been a lot of heaviness in the world lately. Your nervous system could probably use a break. 

To lighten the mood, Erica and India play a few rounds of Q & A with an assist from PodDecks. It’s your typical chat between two friends and colleagues - only recorded for posterity.

This discussion includes:

• Conversational icebreakers
• Deep thoughts and shallow inquiries
• A tangent on potato chips 
• Belly laughs
• Innuendo
• Personal *ahem* grooming revelations

Take a time out and laugh along. The work will be there when you return. 

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After the Episode

Laugh a little (or a lot), then join others on this journey. Apply to become a member of our community: pauseontheplay.com/community.

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

February is sustainability month at Pause On The Play! In advance of our deep dive into all things related to sustainability, Erica and India speak with Shannon Kenny, a business sustainability expert who’s approach provides a practical antidote to glossier influencer-based efforts.

In This Episode:

• What role equity can play in advancing eco-conscious products and policy
• How goods-based businesses and service-oriented companies can take the lead and thrive by modeling best practices and providing access
• How to reframe the 2 biggest perceived obstacles to sustainability: cost and convenience
• Examples of entry-level actions that support continuous, comprehensive change
• How to message your imperfect sustainability actions in your marketing
• Shifting culture by making more sustainable choices

Connect with Shannon Kenny

mamaeco.com

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Shannon Kenny is a Sustainable Business Consultant who helps eco-conscious businesses become more sustainable without sacrificing profit. Growing up on the Caribbean island of Trinidad instilled a deep sense of environmental responsibility within her, and in 2017, she turned that conviction into her career with the launch of Mama Eco, a business dedicated to helping eco-conscious people make better decisions for the environment. Shannon has spoken at sustainable events as well as been on panels with thought leaders in the environmental world. And has been featured in several publications, including USA Today, MarketWatch, mindbodygreen and Grateful. 

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Check out our full show notes for more at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep92.

After the Episode

Visit MamaEco for your copy of Shanon’s Six Simple Steps To Make Your Service Business More Sustainable. 

Join Shannon, Erica, and India for an exclusive workshop on sustainability, in support of our theme of the month for February, when you join the Pause On The Play Community. 

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

A new year ushers in fresh opportunities to replace tired either/or thinking with a resounding both, and! Erica breaks down the what, why, and how of self vs community efforts and offers a more comprehensive, holistic approach for advancing your anti-racism practice.

Discussion includes:

• Applying concepts of self and collective to diversity, equity, and inclusion work
• Concurrent roads to lasting change
• Decentering our actions
• Recognizing DEI work as an ongoing effort
• Asking questions in a way that acknowledges our experiences or bias 

Visit our full show notes for more at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep91.

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Imperfect allies don’t have to deprogram alone. It’s beyond time to get to work for the collective, to create the change we ALL want to be a part of.

Both, and your allyship! Join the Pause On The Play community and do the work with us!

Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

The United States holds a dubious distinction as one of the top three worst countries in the world with regards to human trafficking. In support of January’s designation as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Erica and India are joined by Brittany Dunn, chief operating officer of Safe House Project. 

Armed with uncomfortable data, the trio explores misconceptions and hidden realities that keep human traffickers operating at large -- often in plain sight. Brittany also provides actionable steps we can take to spot, report, and prevent human trafficking in our own communities.

Safe House Project offers OnWatch™ Training, a free online program that teaches allies how to recognize the signs of sex trafficking.

Connect with Safe House Project

Safe House Project

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

Brittany Dunn has the honor of helping lead Safe House Project as the Chief Operations Officer. Prior to Safe House Project, Brittany Dunn spent 10 years in International Business Development at CareerBuilder.com working around the world. Brittany Dunn has a B.A. in Economics and English from Wellesley College. She has her MBA, and graduated top of her class from Thunderbird School of Global Management. She is a military spouse, mother of two, continual learner, world traveler, and protector of the vulnerable.

Check out our full show notes for more at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep90.

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Now, it’s your turn. Anyone interested in joining us “on watch” can complete the modules at your own pace by checking out OnWatch™ Training. 

Pause On The Play Community members can participate in the group training on Monday, January 18 at 12:00PM ET.

Not already a member? Apply here: http://www.pauseontheplay.com/community

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

We need to talk. After watching this full insurgency on the national capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, we didn't want to just leave that there and not acknowledge it. When these kinds of things go down, there can be so many questions that come up for people and we wish that we had some clear answers for you.

It is impossible to talk about what's happening now without looking at the history of how we got here... So let's talk.

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For more support and a safe space to have these conversations, join us in the Pause On The Play community. Apply at pauseontheplay.com/community. 

In the marathon that is allyship, disability awareness can feel like miles added on mid-race. But there’s no finish line for allies - only growth. Anti-ableism expert Jennifer Sarrett, PhD., joins Erica and India in challenging the conventions that keep disability advocacy on the outskirts of DEI discussion and provides helpful tools for advancing the cause.

The discussion includes:

• Definitions of common terms
• A look at the disabled community
• Practicing vs perfecting allyship
• Ally vs co-conspirator

Connect with Jennifer

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Jennifer Sarrett has 12 years experience in higher education teaching and training about concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is bringing this expertise to the private sector. In addition to focusing on the foundational concepts behind discrimination, privilege, and inequity, she and her subject area experts also specialize in specific areas of DE&I, such as disability and anti-ableism. www.disruptiveinclusion.com

Check out our full show notes for more at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep88.

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Ready to deep dive into accessibility? Join the community conversation. Apply to pauseontheplay.com/community. Learn to do differently and expand your impact.

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

As December winds down, we’re getting dangerously close to being bombarded with new year’s resolutions. But rather than speeding into 2021 looking only to the future, Erica and India are here to help you reflect on your 2020 evolution.

They each share their top leadership and allyship lessons from the year and provide recommendations for witnessing your own growth and ensuring you’re leading with your values in the coming year.

Check out the show notes at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep87

 Want to be supported in doing the damn thing by other business owners looking to see you succeed? Now is the time to join Pause on the Play: The Community. Visit https://www.pauseontheplay.com/community to join today!  

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

When you know your values it’s easier to see how you align with others. It’s easier to see the value in their programs and services. And it makes recommending them a natural and obvious decision.

And when you do so, the money will flow - both to you and within groups of people whose values align with your own. Whether you have a list of 40 or 400, you can benefit from strategic partnerships like affiliate programs. 

In this live POTP Community recording, Erica and India are joined by Laura Sprinkle to talk about:

• How partnerships have the potential to redistribute wealth,
• Getting over the discomfort of making the ask, and
• Increasing your capacity to receive.

Check out the show notes at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep86

 Want to be supported in doing the damn thing by other business owners looking to see you succeed? Now is the time to join Pause on the Play: The Community. Visit https://www.pauseontheplay.com/community to join today!  

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Maybe it’s human nature to want answers to your questions. But maybe, just maybe, it’s a product of white supremacy. 

On this episode, Erica shares the most common questions that motivate individuals to engage in DEI work and why they often find themselves asking more questions than getting the answers they came for. Though racism and bigotry can feel all-consuming, Erica leaves listeners with tips on how small business owners can effect change much bigger than themselves.

 Check out the show notes at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep85

 Want to be supported in doing the damn thing by other business owners looking to see you succeed? Now is the time to join Pause on the Play: The Community. Visit https://www.pauseontheplay.com/community to join today!  

 Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

When we think about investing in our businesses, we typically consider what we’ll get out of it when doing so. Will our audience grow? Will our revenue increase? Will we meet our goals faster?

These returns on investment aren’t wrong to have as a motivator, but they do look different for DEI work.

On this episode, Erica and India discuss:

• The reason a traditional ROI measurement is ineffective for DEI work,
• Why you have to be willing to engage on a personal level even when the business is funding it, and
• What surprising results their clients have seen when committing to this work.

 Check out the show notes at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/potp/ep84 Want to be supported in doing the damn thing by other business owners looking to see you succeed? Now is the time to join Pause on the Play: The Community. Visit https://www.pauseontheplay.com/community to join today!   Be sure to rate + review the podcast!