The Diverse Minds Podcast

Welcome to the 193rd episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. This month’s theme is all about anxiety linked to the climate crisis. 

In today’s show

• About my TEDx talk [00:39]
• How anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face. [01.17]
• Some of the ways the climate crisis is affecting people's way of life. [01.56]
• The definition of the climate crisis. [02:27]
• How it's easier for small companies to take action. [06:49]

• Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face.
• A quarter of adults said they felt so anxious that it had stopped them from doing the things they wanted to do all the time.
• Most of us have experienced anxiety at some point in our lives.
• The climate crisis, chaos and justice are disproportionately affecting global majority communities and the global south.
• Working lives are becoming increasingly difficult as people's jobs expose them to significant health and safety risks.

• UN Climate Crisis A Race We can Win 
• Climate change and the workplace: What do global employers need to know?
• Majority of young people distressed about climate change, even during pandemic
• Responding to Climate Anxiety in the workplace
• WWF
• Listent to Episode # 189: Ensuring People’s Rights at Work
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 192nd episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. To finish this series, today we are talking about getting workplace adjustments for visual and hearing impairments right. To join me in doing this is Daniel Williams.

At the age of eight, Daniel was diagnosed with a visual impairment called retinitis pigmentosa. During his teenage years in mainstream education, he was confronted by his friends being able to do things he would never be able to, and he struggled with mental health issues while he was grieving his sight loss.

His turning point was starting at a college for young people with visual impairments, where he became aware that his peers were meeting similar challenges head-on. He was inspired to see others pursuing careers that he had thought were no longer open to him.

He then attended university to study rehabilitation work for people with visual impairment which equipped him with the professional knowledge to help others in similar situations.

In 2014, he decided to share his lived experience and professional knowledge by setting up his own business,Visualise Training and Consultancy Ltd, which specialises in ensuring accessibility, inclusion and equality for employee who live with visual impairment and/or hearing loss.

With workplace assessments, reasonable adjustments and awareness training for colleagues, employers can support employees with sight and hearing loss to retain their jobs and develop their careers.

For organisations that want to be fully accessible to both employees and the public, Daniel explains that they need to go beyond a tick-box exercise. They should contact a specialist and engage people that can give them appropriate advice, information and support, especially as the individual concerned may not know what they need.

Socially responsible employers can make changes that take minimal time and expense but make an enormous difference to someone with limited vision or hearing.

• About Daniel and what he's working on at the moment [02:38]
• Why his line of work is so difficult. [05.12]
• Some useful techniques to get managers on board and provide staff with the support that they need. [07:00]
• How people's workplace adjustments are not being fulfilled and the impact it has on their mental health and wellbeing. [09:29]
• His top three tips for looking after his mental health [17:46]

• Once you get the report, have a conversation with the employee, discuss what's been recommended, and try to just put it in place.
• I've met people who, because adjustments haven't been fulfilled, they've just gone to their doctor, and been signed off with depression and stress.
• One of the barriers for people is that some organizations have a ridiculous bureaucratic procurement policy.
• It's really important for organisations to engage specialist providers to do assessments, identify the need and implement the recommendations in a timely fashion.
• If you build your processes for the minority, it will generally work for the majority.

• Visit Daniel's website
• Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn.
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 07472 305 268
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

In this episode of the Diverse Minds podcast, I speak with Shaara Roman about how businesses should focus on creating a healthy workplace culture by aligning people, strategy, and culture to optimize organizational performance.

Shaara Roman is the founder and CEO of The Silverene Group, a culture consulting firm that aligns people, strategy, and culture to optimise organisational performance.

As an award-winning entrepreneur, board member, speaker, author, and experienced chief human resources officer, Shaara and her team consult with leaders to create healthy workplaces by helping them build inclusive workplace cultures, design effective organisations, and align their company values and people programs to achieve business goals.

Prior to founding The Silverene Group in 2016, Shaara held leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, including Fannie Mae and Visa, as well as CGI and the NRECA.

Born in India, schooled in Nigeria and England, and having lived in Greece before coming to the US, Shaara uses her global experience as the foundation for her distinctive expertise in crafting strategies to improve culture, workforce quality, and operations across a multitude of disciplines in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

She received an MBA from Georgetown University, where she is also an adjunct professor. Today, Shaara serves on several advisory and nonprofit boards.

• About Shaara and what she's working on at the moment [02:15]
• The importance of company culture. [06:00]
• Creating a conscious workplace culture. [10:33]
• Some challenges for women in business. [21:24]
• Her top three tips for looking after his mental health [23:54]

• I've always been a guest in someone else's country.
• If you can build human-centred organizations, where everybody can come and thrive, then you're going to achieve your financial goals.
• We have to shift how we think and how we approach our work.
• The conscious workplace is really about recognizing that people, purpose and profits don't have to be mutually exclusive.
• Everybody is contributing to the culture of the organization.

• Visit Shaara official sites: www.shaararoman.com & www.silverenegroup.com website
• Connect with Shaara on LinkedIn.
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 190th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. This month’s theme is Please- Don’t do it! This week, we're talking about improving gender diversity in finance in the finance sector with Lynn Marlor.

Lynne is a frequent global speaker, investor and thought leader in the blockchain, digital assets and NFT ecosystems. A traditional finance professional, Lynne embraced blockchain in 2018 by completing the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Program, Said Business School at Oxford University.

Lynne’s deep understanding and experience in traditional Capital Markets FX, Liquidity, Trading and Execution, Clearinghouses, Global Payments, Corporate Note programs and investment vehicles has given her insights into many channels.

She was most recently a Managing Director and Group Head of the Specialized Industry Segment within BNYMellon. Lynne was Senior Advisor to the EnterpriseWomen Program launched in 2019 at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University, UK. She is a Board member of Fintech Women, The Northshore YMC’A’s Corporate Board, the Boston Ballet and the Copernicus Institute.

Past President of the New England Association of Financial Professionals and a long-time Advisor to Knovva Academy. She is a non-Executive Director to Altemis Labs, UK and AlphaClinix a UK and Africa-based clinical trials startup.
Lynne currently advises corporations and financial institutions on navigating the digital asset space. While most of her work is in the financial sector she just led the team that launched an NFT collectable for a major manufacturer.

• About Lynne and what she's currently working on. [03:03]
• How she got into the world of finance. [05:08]
• Why the financial sector is still behind when it comes to women. [09:58]
• Advice for people who are struggling with mental health when facing workplace challenges. [21:40]
• Her top three tips for looking after her mental health. [31:29]

• I always had an interest in finance, numbers and running a business, but I didn't really want to run my own business.
• Many people who have assets can't get a bank account in the United States.
• I'm fascinated by blockchain technology and think it has the opportunity to change the world in some very big ways.
• There are some barriers that have to be taken down for women.
• I don't think women do a good job at networking in the financial world and supporting other women.

• Email Lynne at [email protected] or [email protected]
• Connect with Lynne on Twitter and LinkedIn
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 189th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. This month’s theme is Please- Don’t do it! and it’s all about systemic organisational messes that impact negatively on staff and their well-being. 

This week, I am speaking to Donna Patterson, a fellow TEDx speaker at TEDx London Women, yes a huge achievement. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

Donna is a mum to two young children and the Founder of Let’s Talk Work, an organisation which helps individuals ensure their rights at work are met. Donna’s story hit the headlines last year after she successfully won an employment tribunal claim against Morrisons; one of the largest supermarkets in the UK, where she worked as a Buyer.

In 2020, Donna experienced discrimination while pregnant, and again when she came back to work after maternity leave, which led to her initially lodging a complaint, and ultimately representing herself in an Employment Tribunal.

Now Donna combines her negotiation skills as a former Buyer for both Morrisons and Asda, with her experience of self-representation in court to help others navigate their workplace challenges and find ways to resolve workplace issues.

Not only does she demystify the self-employment tribunal process, but she also supports people to have difficult conversations at work to help find solutions and drive change in how employers treat working parents.

• About Irene and what she's working on at the moment [01:50]
• How to protect yourself from rejection. [07:27]
• The importance of understanding the equality act. [11:19]
• Advice for people who are struggling with mental health. [21:40]
• Her top three tips for looking after her mental health. [31:50]

• I try to be aware of how I'm feeling and take myself away from something when I feel that it is getting too much.
• I think the problem is that many organisations don't necessarily prioritise the people, they are so focused on metrics.
• There's a massive opportunity for employers to do better.
• Ultimately, the most important thing is that the person is taken care of and that they can get the closure that they need.
• I think it's really important to recognise people in your life who are understanding and will listen.

• Visit Donna's website
• Connect with Donna on Instagram and LinkedIn.
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 186th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It's the beginning of the month of April and this month’s theme is Please Don’t - Workplace Mistakes.

About my TEDx talk – The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health. [00:39]

Why I decided to make an episode on this topic. [01.14]

The top five inclusion of workplace mistakes [04.44]

Why relying solely on unconscious bias training is not a way to create inclusion, [07.46]

How making staff networks do the work that specialised teams should be doing is a mistake. [09.26]



People are looking for better working conditions and better opportunities, and if they can get it, they're not afraid of going for it.

One staff survey done every three years isn't going to cut it.

Pretending something hasn't happened when it has and everyone knows about it is wrong.

Hiding it away is a surefire way to lose respect, trust and goodwill.

If we think about inclusion and workplace mistake, we need to use data intelligently and wisely and share that.



Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health

Why does work feel so dysfunctional right now? A psychologist, labor expert and CEO weigh in

Do this one thing to build trust in your organisation

Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book: bit.ly/MHLMEBK21



Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 187th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It’s World Autism Acceptance Week and this year’s theme is all about colour. 

Thinking about Autism, acceptance, race and culture, this is a conversation which is only just emerging. So to talk about this more, I am joined by Reena Anand. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

A lawyer and former ombudsman specialising in consumer vulnerability and the Equality Act, Reena founded her consultancy after her son was diagnosed with autism and she realised how little representation and bespoke support there was for BAME parents in similar situations.

Her work focuses on recognising cultural biases and misconceptions which can impact BAME autistic children getting a diagnosis and accessing support. Reena writes about her parenting experience, lends her voice to discussions about the impact of health and social policy on BAME communities, delivers talks to organisations seeking to support their employees with autistic children, and workshops for parents and communities who want to support their members more inclusively.

Reena recently launched a podcast called Unpacking Autism which addresses the impact of culture on the life of autistic individuals and their families.

Reena is on the co-production board at Aubilities which helps organisations use autistic neurodivergence to increase value; a Trustee at the Race Equality Foundation, a national charity which promotes race equality in social support and public services; and Inclusion Governor and Chair of the Governing Body at her local primary school.

• About Reena and what she's working on at the moment [02:15]
• The way she has conversations about culture and parenthood with parents. [04.00]
• How she transitioned from being a full-time lawyer to what she does now [05.13]
• The biggest challenges parents of children with autism face with trying to access primary care. [11:45]
• Her top three tips for looking after her mental health [22:24]

• The biggest challenges for autistic people are not because of Autism, but the fact that society is not built for neurodivergent people.
• I don't think autism itself is good or bad. It's different.
• There's a lot of stigma around mental health.
• I began nurturing my own mental health very late in life.
• For me, being with nature is huge!

• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Reena on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book: bit.ly/MHLMEBK21

Welcome to the 186th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. In this episode, I talk about celebrating the International Day of Happiness.

• How International Day of Happiness came to be [00:53]
• About my TEDx talk – The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health. [01:15]
• The definition of happiness. [02.20]
• Some questions the office of National Statistics asks when it looks at happiness [02.43]
• Several words that are connected to happiness [03.30]
• What makes people happy. [04:21]

• Bhutan has long recognized the value of happiness as the foundation of an inclusive and equitable society.
• Happiness can have positive effects on health and lifespan
• We can create a happier and kinder world together by adopting simple daily practices.
• Our world is facing major challenges and supporting people's wellbeing should be our top priority,
• Happiness is about having our basic needs met

• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• UN International International Day of Happiness:
• International Day of Happiness
• Action for Happiness
• Dmitry’s TEDx
• 100 Happy Days
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book: bit.ly/MHLMEBK21

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

If you enjoyed it, why not leave a review? 

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.

Welcome to the 185th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It's International Women's Month. In this episode, I want to focus on this idea of confidence, the over-used term imposter syndrome and what I like to call the "frustration phenomenon". 

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

• About my TEDx talk – The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health. [01:20]
• What is confidence? [02:11]
• The meaning of self-esteem. [02:45]
• Why we need to consider systems when we talk about confidence [04.43]
• How women are still primary carers in the UK for older and younger dependents. [05:59].

• Confidence is about having trust in ourselves.
• Self-esteem is how we like and appreciate ourselves.
• When our self-esteem is high, we feel we can take on challenges. When it's low, it feels overwhelming.
• Confidence is so thing that we learn.
• We have to examine who the system favours

• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Article: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
• Listen to episode #82 Agency as a Female Solopreneur
• Check out episode #184 Round Up from Women in Tech SEO Fest
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book: bit.ly/MHLMEBK21

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

Welcome to the 184th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It's International Women's Month and this year's theme is "Embrace Equity in terms of International Women's Day."

If you enjoyed this episode, then consider subscribing on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you access your podcasts from.

• About my TEDx talk - The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health. [01:22]
• Statistics about the global use of the internet by women [02:12]
• Why it's essential for women to access and feel safe on the internet. [02:28]
• About the Women In Tech festival. [03:51]
• Why it's important to care about having more women in tech. [06:09]

• Our lives depend on strong technological integration.
• Globally, 37% of women do not use the internet.
• By 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to STEM areas, yet globally, women hold just 22% of positions.
• In order to bring women into technology, we need more creative solutions.
• It's actually heartbreaking and truly shocking how patriarchal systems have integrated well and truly into the digital space.

• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Closing the tech gender gap in 2022
• Top Three Reasons We Need More Women In Tech
• WTS Fest Speak
• Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-Book: bit.ly/MHLMEBK21

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC