We're catching up with Chris Haigh, founder of True Change Associates, to discuss the dramatic shifts in DEI work over the past few years. From the surge of interest post-2020 to the current backlash, we explore what it means to do this work within a capitalist framework and whether it's even possible to create real change from within existing systems.

Chris shares Dr. Carmen Foster's powerful framework of the time-space continuum, a reminder that today's challenges are a blip in the larger arc toward justice. We discuss language shifts, the persistence of this work despite market pressures, and what the future might hold 10 years from now, including the role of AI in creating equitable workplaces.

This conversation is both a reality check and a beacon of hope for anyone navigating the complexity of DEI work in 2026.

0:00 - Intro and Felicia and Rachel chat about the state of the world
13:30 - Catching up with Chris: Where in the world & what's new
22:15 - DEI as an industry: Can it exist within capitalism?
32:40 - The 2020 surge and subsequent backlash
42:50 - Language shifts: From DEI to "culture" and "belonging"
48:20 - Islands of psychological safety: Doing the work where you can
55:10 - Companies still doing the work (quietly)
60:54 - The time-space continuum: Taking the long view
62:40 - Future of work: AI, humanity, and what's next
65:35 - How to connect with Chris & True Change Associates
66:48 - Wrap-up

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Anouska Bhattacharya, VP of Programs at YW Boston, for a conversation that somehow ties together the imperialist history of the gin and tonic, the absolute barbarism of mammograms, and the future of equity work in a post-DEI world.

Anouska shares her origin story as a "recovering academic" who traded the ivory tower for community organizing, and explains how her neurobiology background helps her understand why systems can, and must, be unlearned. We get into how DEI work is evolving (spoiler: call it civility, call it employee engagement, the work continues), what it means to find joy as fuel for sustainability, and why she's currently tap dancing in her Watertown basement while performing in a burlesque reimagining of the Nutcracker.

Plus: ice shipped from Massachusetts to India, dense breasts, and a love story between Pluto and its moon. You know, the usual. 😂

Chapters:

• [00:00] Intro & Workshop Promo: Reimagining the Future of Work Together
• [09:19] Meet Anouska: A Recovering Academic's Origin Story
• [14:07] Why History of Science? Drawing Lines Between Normal & Abnormal
• [17:30] The Three Pillars: Leadership, Community & Joy
• [21:13] How Felicia & Rachel First Met Anouska
• [22:01] The Imperialist History of the Gin & Tonic
• [28:06] Ice Ships from Massachusetts to India
• [33:36] The Mammogram Rant
• [38:37] Hard Pivot: The State of DEI Work
• [43:40] Renaming the Work: Civility, Employee Engagement & Beyond
• [49:52] Did Companies Ever Really Care? Risk Mitigation vs. Real Change
• [53:11] Finding Balance: Tap Dancing, Plants & Pluto's Love Story
• [56:22] The Slutcracker & the Radical Power of Art
• [60:35] Colonialism, Modesty & Reclaiming Our Bodies
• [61:14] Station Eleven: Survival Is Insufficient
• [64:05] Building Community in Hard Times
• [66:10] Where to Find Anouska & Slutcracker Performance Dates

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

The robots aren't in charge... yet!

In this episode of the She Geeks Out podcast, we chat with Rashmi Jolly, founder of Assideo Consulting, global innovation leader, and deeply thoughtful future-of-work nerd, to talk about what happens when AI collides with humanity, power, and culture.

Rashmi shares her wild journey from immigrant kid with “doctor or bust” expectations, to Wall Street, to entrepreneurship in women’s health and genetics, to roles at the Economist Intelligence Unit, Mastercard, and Bain’s innovation group, and now to life split between Dubai, Zurich, and her kids’ school in the U.S. 

Together, we explore:

• How AI is being treated like the new high-priced consultant, and what gets lost when leaders trust the tool more than their own people
• The quiet ways generative AI is eroding creativity, learning, and confidence, especially for younger workers who never got to solve problems without it
• The ethics red flags Rashmi is most worried about, from biased datasets in women’s health to opaque data collection and “empathetic” chatbots that are a little too good at keeping us hooked
• How different countries (including China, Singapore, and the UAE) are regulating tech, education, and kids’ screen time, and what the U.S. might learn from that, even with all the complexities and human rights concerns
• Why psychological safety is non-negotiable for real innovation, and how framing work as “serving another human” changes everything

Rashmi also shares hopeful stories about her kids and their peers, the emotional language they’re developing, and why she still believes the next generation can pull us out of this feverish tech dream and back into a more grounded, human way of working.

If you care about AI, inclusion, power, leadership, and what kind of world we’re handing to young people, this one will stick with you long after you hit pause.

Episode Chapters:

• (0:00:07) - Intro (Felicia and Rachel) Neuroscience of Trust in Workplace
• (0:10:16) - Navigating a Dynamic Work Landscape
• (0:16:45) - Reimagining Work in AI-Era
• (0:28:00) - Balancing Empathy in AI Development
• (0:41:33) - Building Psychological Safety for Innovation
• (0:54:19) - Ethical Concerns in AI Development
• (1:00:52) - Cultural Perspectives on Future Work

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

We’re joined by Christina Peoples, gerontologist, age enthusiast, and the brilliant mind behind GeroWhat?!® Christina is on a mission to make aging real, joyful, and something we all engage with, no matter how old we are. We love this for us!

Together, we explore:

• Why aging isn’t just about older adults, it’s about all of us
• How ageism intersects with race, gender, and power in the workplace
• What workplaces miss when they equate “fresh energy” with youth
• The value of intergenerational connection, curiosity, and empathy
• Why reframing aging as a privilege can change everything

We also share laughs over acid-wash jeans, hearing aids, and The Golden Girls, and unpack the “stereotypical baggage” we all carry when it comes to age. Whether you’re 25, 95, or somewhere in between, this conversation invites you to rethink how we grow older and how we can build workplaces (and lives!) that honor aging as a shared human journey.

Tune in and get inspired. Because aging is for everyone!

Chapters

(0:00:07) - Intro: Felicia and Rachel Talk About the Future of Work
We share a workshop envisioning a more inclusive and collaborative future workplace amid uncertainties like AI and climate change.

(0:12:29) - Passion for Aging and Gerontology
Interview with Christina! Discovering passion for aging, exploring life course, and early experiences with older adults in gerontology.

(0:27:17) - Intersectionality and Cultural Values in Aging
How age discrimination intersects with race and gender, influenced by cultural and generational values in the workplace.

(0:40:08) - Promoting Age-Inclusive Work Environments
Individuality in the workplace, ageism, intergenerational connections, reducing bias, and valuing curiosity and innovation.

(0:49:45) - Navigating Aging and Authenticity
Embracing identity and style as we age, challenging societal beauty standards, and valuing intergenerational relationships.

(0:59:50) - Aging With Intention and Empowerment
Aging brings shared experiences and challenges, including the use of orthotics and hearing aids, and the importance of intergenerational dialogue.

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

What does it mean to co-create a future that’s not rooted in fear, but in connection, expansion, and conscious choice? In part two of our conversation with intuitive guide Cindy Aaker, we move beyond surface-level spirituality and dive deep into the energetic shifts reshaping our world—from AI and algorithmic decision-making to collective awakening, planetary upheaval, and yes, off-planet visitors too. :D

We also unpack Felicia’s recent experience speaking at Startup Boston Week on the ethical dimensions of AI in hiring and performance, and explore how technology can either amplify fear or help us reconnect with each other, depending on how we choose to use it.

This episode blends the practical and the metaphysical, the personal and the planetary. It’s for anyone who feels like the world is in chaos and wants a reminder that something new is being born and we each have a part to play.

Expect big feels, wild truths, and a surprising amount of hope!

Listen to Part 1 of our conversation with Cindy here

Chapters:

(0:00:07) - Felicia and Rachel chat
Felicia shares her experience at Startup Boston Week and thoughts on AI at work.

(0:15:08) - Welcome Cindy! Navigating Fear in Aquarius Age
Cindy reflects on societal changes, confronting hidden issues and navigating fear with higher guidance.

(0:27:10) - Exploring Collective Fear and Shifting Timelines
Collective fear, cosmic phenomena, and timeline jumping are discussed in relation to current events and maintaining a positive energy level.

(0:34:10) - Navigating Future Visions and Cosmic Shifts
The Mandela Effect, timeline shifts, global inequality, astrological insights, heart-centered pursuits, and open-mindedness towards change.

(0:50:22) - Embracing Positive Possibilities and Energies
Negativity bias, mental framing, and positive thinking can transform our lives and lead to a fulfilling future.

(0:55:25) - Overcoming Fear, System Breakdown, Cosmic Shift
Resilience and awakening in the face of challenges, societal structures, generational impact, and preparing for transformative years ahead.

(1:08:57) - Reclaiming Power Through Stillness and Nature
Reclaiming personal and collective power in a world dominated by the 1% and fear, through meditation and connecting with nature.

(1:15:15) - The Power of Joy and Vibration
Prioritizing joy leads to personal fulfillment, positive influence, and effortless progress in a harmonious world.

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, we sit down with the visionary Doc Jana—author, mystic, former DEI consultant, and certified death doula—to explore what it really means to lead with heart in a world on fire.

We talk about embracing awkwardness, navigating spiritual awakenings, stepping away from performative professionalism, and time traveling into a more just and joyful 2035. Doc shares their journey from growing up as an army brat to founding Manifest Equity® and helping people imagine a radically better future, starting from within.

We also touch on:

• Burnout in DEI and the cost of being “the only one”
• The connection between birth, death, and leadership
• The fall of capitalism (yes, we go there)
• Why joy is a form of resistance
• How to anchor yourself when everything’s shifting

This one goes deep. And yes, there will be a part two! In the meantime, tune in, take a breath, and maybe even schedule some joy time.

Podcast Chapters

• (0:00:07) - Felicia and Rachel Intro
• (0:13:47) - Welcome Doc! Doc's Origin Story
• (0:26:07) - Navigating Time Travel and Spiritual Alignment
• (0:36:10) - Spiritual Responsibility and Cultivating Joy
• (0:46:53) - Awakening and Collective Transformation
• (0:50:52) - The Transformative Power Dynamics of DEI
• (0:54:39) - Navigating Spiritual Transition and Purpose

Links

• Doc Jana
• A Psychic Story Podcast Interview
• Manifest Equity®

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

This episode starts with a raw and necessary conversation between Felicia and Rachel about the current state of the world, from Gaza to media complicity to the breakdown of trust in institutions. Then we shift to our guest, the remarkable Gisselle Pardo, a licensed clinical social worker, public health professional, educator, and advocate.

We dig into what it really means to be a social worker right now. We consider what it means to hold space for grief, trauma, and hope in communities facing systemic harm, including the terrifying resurgence of ICE raids in NYC. Gisselle speaks candidly about the devaluation of care work, the cost of choosing this profession, and what it means to show up anyway. We explore institutional betrayal, collective burnout, and why small acts of resistance and humanity still matter.

It’s not all doom and gloom! We also explore reasonable hope, talk about dancing, being in community, and finding joy.

Chapters

(0:00:00) - Felicia and Rachel's Intro

(0:23:18) - Interview begins with Gisselle

(0:30:48) - Reimagining the Social Work Narrative

(0:37:12) - Role of Social Work in Communities

(0:40:33) - Impact of ICE Raids on Communities

(0:52:27) - Challenges in Social Work Advocacy

(0:58:52) - Navigating Crisis and Sustainable Hope

(1:06:20) - Cultivating Reasonable Hope in Social Work

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

This episode is a bit of a departure from our usual lineup, and we think it’s exactly what many of us are craving right now. We’re joined by intuitive guide and founder of Soul-Speak, Cindy Aaker, who shares her deeply personal spiritual journey, from waking visions and archangel encounters to discovering the Akashic Records and connecting with guides beyond this realm. Recorded in the midst of global uncertainty and collective exhaustion, this conversation is an offering of meaning, stillness, and hope. Whether you’re spiritual, skeptical, or somewhere in between, Cindy’s story invites us all to pause, reflect, and consider what might be possible when we tune in to something deeper.

We’re already planning part two! There's so much to cover and we barely scratched the surface. Stay tuned!

Chapters

(0:00:07) - Finding Hope in Uncharted Territories

(0:07:20) - Exploring Spiritual Paths and Beliefs

(0:16:15) - Exploring the Akashic Records

(0:20:42) - Awakening Through Spiritual Exploration

(0:29:01) - Connecting With Archangels and Spiritual Awakening

(0:36:36) - Exploring Personal Spiritual Connections

(0:46:19) - Birthing a New Way of Being

(0:52:46) - Visions of Supportive Symbols

(0:57:50) - Embracing Joy and Kindness Through Adversity

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Aparna Rae—educator, entrepreneur, writer, and disruptor—who brings clarity, honesty, and depth to our conversation about equity, data, and the future of work. We get into the real talk around corporate DEI, why so many initiatives fall flat, and how data can actually help drive meaningful change when used well (and not just to check a box). Aparna shares insights on how to survive this current moment—marked by authoritarian creep, economic anxiety, and corporate gaslighting—while still building dignity, safety, and care into the workplace.

We talk about Costco, AI, bullshit jobs, and how solidarity (not hustle) will get us through. Bring your notebook and maybe a stiff drink if that’s your thing—this one goes deep.

Chapters

0:00 – Welcome + Introducing Aparna Rae

1:22 – Aparna’s origin story: from archaeology to pedagogy

3:23 – The pedagogy of work and the role of data

7:40 – Pushback from clients and lessons from failed engagements

8:31 – What data-informed equity really means

12:15 – Do workshops matter? And the difference between tools and the work

14:15 – The current state of DEI: death, evolution, or reckoning?

17:27 – Acting with integrity in authoritarian times

20:58 – Who’s doing it well? Valuing labor and leadership alignment

23:23 – Costco, Patagonia, and building for sustainability

27:03 – The backlash to the Great Resignation

29:05 – Workplace culture as democracy’s front line

32:15 – AI, capitalism, and human value

39:25 – When DEI went wrong: Aparna’s viral Forbes piece

44:52 – Power dynamics, shame, and where we go from here

45:34 – Trends for 2025: solidarity, safety, and protecting trans lives

49:07 – Escaping hustle culture and dreaming of a different way

50:27 – What’s next for Aparna Rae

51:42 – Where to find her (spoiler: not TikTok)

53:34 – Wrap up + outro

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

In this powerful and important episode, we sit down with Mary Rose Mazzola—attorney, public policy powerhouse, and Chief External Affairs Officer at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts—to unpack what it means to fight for reproductive justice in an increasingly chaotic world. MaryRose shares how her personal experiences shaped her advocacy, the strategic decisions her team is making post-Dobbs, and the unique role Massachusetts plays as a safe haven and leader in this fight.

We also get real about burnout, power, the role of companies in this work, and the big existential questions many of us are asking right now: What is work? What is care? And how do we keep going when the wins feel scarce?

00:00 – Welcome & Gallup Workplace Report Hot Takes

07:45 – AI, Labor, and the Existential Work Crisis

14:30 – Introducing Mary Rose Mazzola

16:00 – Mary Rose’s Journey into Advocacy

18:30 – Reproductive Rights Strategy in a Post-Dobbs World

21:30 – The Power of Doing Your Work (and Not Everyone Else’s)

27:00 – The Reality of Access, Risk, and Abortion Bans

34:30 – What Employers Can Actually Do

39:00 – Inside State-Level Policy Change (and Why It Takes Forever)

42:00 – Coalition Work, Priorities, and Strategic Yes/No

45:00 – Centering LGBTQ+ and Racial Justice in Repro Work

50:00 – What You Can Do (Yes, You!)

54:00 – Holding On to Hope + Joy (Including Dogs and Babies!)

56:00 – Closeout

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.