In this episode of the She+ Geeks Out podcast, we welcome guest Huriyyah Muhammad, a writer, director, and producer, to discuss her journey in the film industry, the role of lifting up others in creative work, and her latest project 'Chocolate with Sprinkles'. Huriyyah also shares insights on breaking into directing, the impact of representation in Hollywood, and co-founding the Black TV and Film Collective. Before the interview, Felicia and Rachel discuss the importance of setting workplace boundaries and acknowledging how challenging it can be to maintain professional and personal well-being. 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to She Geeks Out Podcast

00:26 Discussing Workplace Boundaries

01:59 Navigating Authenticity and Boundaries at Work

05:21 The Impact of Values in the Workplace

08:45 Introducing Huriyyah Muhammad

10:06 Huriyyah's Journey into Film

21:13 Chocolate with Sprinkles: A Personal Story

25:48 Exploring Magical Realism in Film

28:26 Introduction to the Black TV and Film Collective

30:09 Challenges and Growth of the Collective

31:40 Industry Shifts and Representation

34:49 Media Literacy and Misinformation

39:38 Directing Ramadan America

43:18 Breaking into Directing

50:23 Personal Reflections and Parenthood

56:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links:

• We Are Not Family Blog post
• 40% of Gen Zers, millennials say they would quit over political differences at work
• https://www.afi.com/news/tag/afi-dww/
• https://www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/
• DEI Is A Trillion Dollar Blind Spot. Sephora Gets It - You Should Too
• Chocolate With Sprinkles
• Huriyyah Muhammad Instagram

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 of the She+ Geeks Out podcast presented by Inclusion Geeks, we interview Sara Seligman, a writer, producer, and director whose work includes the film "Ramadan America" and the feature "Coyote Lake." Sara shares her journey from training as a ballet dancer in Mexico to becoming an actress in telenovelas to transitioning into directing and producing films. She discusses the challenges of breaking into the industry as a Latina and the complexities of different directing and producing roles in film and television. Sara also touches on the significance and controversies of the term 'Latinx,' and the importance of diverse representation in the media.

We also discuss our journey from "She Geeks Out" to "Inclusion Geeks," explaining how our name change better reflects our dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. Join us as we discuss our evolution from "Boston Girl Geek Dinners" to our current mission, highlighting our broader focus beyond gender to include race, ethnicity, social class, disability, and more.

Links we discussed:

• Ramadan America
• Coyote Lake
• Sara Seligman Instagram
• Inclusion Geeks
• Inclusion Geeks Instagram

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction and Podcast Rebranding

(00:53) The Evolution of Our Name

(03:40) Why 'Inclusion Geeks'?

(06:34) Celebrating Birthdays and Switching Topics

(08:13) Interview with Sarah Seligman

(09:37) Sarah's Villain Origin Story

(18:05) Moving to LA and Producing Films

(27:16) Role of a Line Producer

(28:46) Balancing Director and Producer Responsibilities

(32:55) Breaking into Directing

(33:42) Challenges in Different Directing Fields

(37:50) Commercials vs. Narrative Directing

(45:38) Leadership and Management in Film

(52:28) Representation and Identity in Film

(01:01:40) Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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 of the She+ Geeks Out podcast, we speak with guest Allison Byers, founder and CEO of Scroobious, about her journey into entrepreneurship.  Allison shares how she reclaimed her career after facing gender-based professional roadblocks and what it looks like to face the challenges of fundraising in the male-dominated venture capital industry. Allison discusses the concept behind Scroobious, which aims to make fundraising more accessible for underrepresented entrepreneurs by providing education, personalized feedback, and connections to angel investors. We dig into her involvement as a co-author of California Senate Bill 54, which mandates the collection of venture capital data, and her advocacy work with organizations like All Raise. 

Links We Mention:

Scroobious, SB54, All Raise, Olympics Blog Post

(00:06) Olympics, Paralympics, Inclusion, Workplace, Inspiration

(13:15) Building a Diverse and Sustainable Company

(25:05) Navigating Venture Capital and Angel Funding

(32:47) Intersection of Human Capital and AI

(42:38) Venture Capital, Diversity, & Mentorship

(51:11) Future Trends in Diversity & Entrepreneurship

(56:45) Empowering Women in Business

(01:03:40) Thanking Allison

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 of the She+ Geeks Out podcast, we discuss the latest news around SHRM's decision to remove the word "equity" from their DEI language. We’re then joined by Chief Economist at Revelio Labs, Lisa Simon, to discuss a data-driven look at the future of employer and employee trends. Tune in for a lively conversation about current events and the ever-evolving landscape of diversity initiatives and the future of work!

[00:00:56] Felicia and Rachel talk about SHRM's removal of "equity" in DEI.

[00:13:30] Interview with Lisa starts.

[00:17:30] Workforce intelligence at Rebellion Labs.

[00:23:31] Remote work trends post-COVID.

[00:26:27] Employee loyalty and trust.

[00:30:18] Challenges in employer-employee dynamics.

[00:35:54] Generative AI in the workforce.

[00:39:15] AI and Creative Tasks.

[00:45:25] Surprising new gender gap.

[00:49:44] Work activities taxonomy.

[00:51:45] Job titles are meaningless.

[01:00:18] Collecting cliff salt in Spain.

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 reflect on our journey from Boston Girl Geek Dinners to She Geeks Out, highlighting how the landscape has completely changed for supporting women in tech. We then talk with Lisa Hannum of Beehive PR about the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion within executive leadership through the pandemic, social crises, and beyond.

[00:00:19] Girls in tech non-profit closing.

[00:06:32] Sponsorship challenges in tech community.

[00:10:39] Evolution of diversity work.

[00:11:45] DEI work and crisis work.

[00:12:45] Interview with Lisa starts.

[00:15:12] An unexpected career change.

[00:20:10] The power of clarity.

[00:25:43] B Corp certification.

[00:28:55] Mind your own bobber.

[00:35:18] DEI work as organizational identity.

[00:39:10] Crisis communication and DEI work.

[00:43:33] Organizations and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

[00:46:44] Leadership challenges and expectations.

[00:50:09] Speaking Up in Difficult Situations.

[00:54:32] Return to work policies.

[01:00:53] Women in C-suite roles.

[01:03:18] Choices and marginalized communities.

[01:07:22] Where to find Beehive.

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.

On this episode of the SheGeeksOut podcast, we chat with Dr. Charmain Jackman, founder of InnoPsych, a mental health platform focusing on therapists of color. Dr. Jackman shares insights on challenges in mental health support for BIPOC communities, her journey with InnoPsych, and how emotional well-being practices can translate into the workplace. Tune in for an engaging discussion on promoting diversity and inclusion in mental health services.

[00:01:16] Interview with Dr. Charmain starts.

[00:06:29] Entrepreneurship journey and challenges.

[00:08:24] Overcoming obstacles in therapy.

[00:14:47] Finding the right therapist.

[00:18:04] Workplace well-being.

[00:20:24] National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness.

[00:26:59] Importance of cultural competency

[00:30:49] Lack of cultural competency in therapy.

[00:33:21] Accessibility in finding therapists.

[00:35:30] Decolonized approach to therapy.

[00:42:32] The role of AI in therapy.

[00:44:21] Privacy concerns in therapy industry.

[00:49:31] Self-care and prioritizing health.

[00:53:27] Stepping out of comfort zone.

[00:55:24] Stay updated on all things.

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 chat with Katrina Loutzenhiser, Director of Learning and Development at Oncology Nursing Society, about challenges in providing learning and development to a member organization, motivating people to engage in DEI work, and integrating DEI into the workplace. We also discuss our involvement with ONS as clients and share insights from our recent work together.

[00:00:50] Clients as podcast guests.

[00:04:25] Interview with Katrina starts.

[00:06:25] DEI Journey

[00:10:55] Tying bonuses to diversity training.

[00:13:50] Mandatory vs voluntary training.

[00:18:13] Engaging in lunchtime conversations.

[00:21:27] Impact of Five Minute Conversations.

[00:24:06] Importance of post-training work.

[00:28:44] Intersection of L&D and DEI.

[00:32:06] Knowledge checks.

[00:37:10] Future goals and aspirations.

[00:40:44] Meaningful job for women.

Links mentioned:

• Contact Katrina via email at [email protected]
• ONS website

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 week on the She Geeks Out podcast, we chat with Erica Becks, the Confidence Guru, a seasoned leadership and transformative mindset coach. Erica empowers women to break barriers and boost confidence using a personalized and evidence-based approach. With a Master's from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor's from Brown University, Erica's impactful coaching has been featured in major outlets like the Today Show and the Huffington Post. Tune in to gain insights from Erica's wisdom!
 

[00:02:36] Mexico's first woman president.

[00:05:26] Gender parity in Mexico.

[00:08:03] Supreme Court justices controversy.

[00:10:31] Interview with Erica starts.

[00:15:27] Entrepreneurial opportunity at social networking.

[00:19:36] Conquering fear of public speaking.

[00:23:25] The power of confidence.

[00:25:55] Trauma in the workplace.

[00:28:41] Therapeutic background in coaching.

[00:32:38] Internal barriers for women.

[00:38:58] Overcoming self-doubt and building confidence.

[00:39:44] Neuroplasticity in brain science.

[00:43:38] Cultivating Confidence Quickly.

[00:47:25] Meditation and its benefits.

[00:51:33] The power of positive self-talk.

[00:55:26] Positive self-talk app.

[00:58:29] Generational differences in parenting.

[01:02:28] Evolution of leadership mindset coaching.

[01:05:29] Manifesting with the Mindvalley app.

[01:09:07] Stay updated on all things.

Links mentioned:

• Self Talk Plus app
• Mind Valley app
• Follow Erica on LinkedIn

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 our latest episode, we speak with Bo Young Lee, President and Chief Impact Officer of AnitaB.org, discussing her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bo's experience at Uber and other major organizations highlights her impact in driving meaningful, positive change. Our conversation covers Bo's origin story, DEI backlash, supporting underrepresented people in the workplace, and insights on the tech industry. Don't miss out on the valuable resources available at www.sgolearning.com to learn more about mitigating bias in various settings.

[00:02:14] Women in tech spaces shutting down.

[00:06:50] The changing tech industry landscape.

[00:08:05] Interview with Bo starts.

[00:08:52] Origin story and resilience.

[00:11:51] Embracing cultural identity in leadership.

[00:16:33] Anita Borg's Impact and Evolution.

[00:19:29] Challenges at Grace Hopper.

[00:24:27] Scarcity mindset in tech companies.

[00:27:15] Ethical considerations in tech industry.

[00:32:36] Leadership and tech ethics.

[00:36:29] Evolution of DEI initiatives.

[00:37:11] Diversity and inclusion initiatives.

[00:41:16] Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

[00:47:20] Diversity and Perception.

[00:48:45] Diversity and Inclusion

[00:54:05] Organizations in DEI space landscape.

[00:57:43] Creating an alternative version of capitalism.

[00:58:59] Privacy and social media boundaries.

Links mentioned: 

• Blog post about events for women in tech
• Follow Bo Young Lee on LinkedIn

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 week on the She Geeks Out podcast, we chat with Marta Schaaf, Director of the Amnesty International Program on Climate, Economic, and Social Justice. We discuss her awe-inspiring background in advocacy work, her current work on climate change (both locally and globally), and the importance of corporate responsibility. Spoiler alert - corporations can make a heckuva lot more impact on climate action than we can by recycling or quitting plastic straws. Her passion for the work is clear, and we were moved. We bet you will be, too!

[00:02:28] Student demonstrations for divestment.

[00:07:07] Privilege and College Protests.

[00:10:55] Two-state solution debate.

[00:11:39] Toxicity in alumni groups.

[00:13:37] Interview with Marta starts.

[00:18:07] Climate justice.

[00:21:34] Fatal Fuels.

[00:25:55] Plastic straw movement and activism.

[00:29:30] Activism and climate change.

[00:31:03] Access to Power and Hope.

[00:36:11] Getting involved at a local level.

[00:41:26] Political engagement and activism

[00:43:22] Corporate Responsibilities and Regulations.

[00:49:01] Labor leader's impactful statement.

[00:50:33] Colonizing space is a distraction.

[00:54:46] Geeking out about national parks.

[00:57:41] Becoming an abortion activist.

Links mentioned:

• Amnesty International
• Climate Families NYC
• Follow Marta on LinkedIn

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.