The Diverse Minds Podcast

Welcome to the 302nd episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this episode, I'm exploring toxic workplace culture after attending a darkly comedic show about HR dysfunction.

From redundancies out of nowhere to poor management and increased bullying, traditional workplaces have become akin to the Wild West. Discover what truly defines toxic culture, why HR leaders often stay silent, and the radical preventative and investigative measures needed to create real change.

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

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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 coaching FAQs or learn more about how 1:1 coaching can support your wellbeing. 

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 301st episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! It's March and Women's History Month, and this year's UN theme is "Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls."

In this episode, I'm reviewing a completely different kind of book: The Alphabet of Happiness by female author Klaudia Mitura. Discover why cultivating joy and happiness isn't toxic positivity—it's essential fortification for making positive change in the world.

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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 coaching FAQs or learn more about how 1:1 coaching can support your wellbeing. 

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 300th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this milestone episode, I am discussing the eye-opening book Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn Williams.

As we enter Women’s History Month, I explore how the internal culture of big tech often contradicts the glossy public images of inclusion, and what this teaches us about building truly just workplaces.

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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 coaching FAQs or learn more about how 1:1 coaching can support your wellbeing. 

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 299th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this episode, I'm exploring how to manage your emotions at work amid relentless, painful news cycles.

• 00:57 - Why the news feels relentless and why work isn't a vacuum
• 02:05 - How overwhelm shows up: recognising stress signs and accessing helpful resources
• 03:56 - Why politics at work can feel psychologically unsafe, especially for underrepresented groups
• 05:16 - Practical steps for managing emotions when political discussions arise
• 09:56 - The importance of documentation, allies, and finding supportive spaces

• We live in an intense period.
• Talking about politics at work can feel psychologically dangerous, particularly for the global majority, disabled, LGBTQI+ and women employees.
• I wish we didn't have to manage our emotions. I wish we could be open. I wish we could get support. I wish it didn't have to be like this.
• The penalty for anyone from an underrepresented group speaking openly about political inequality can be labelled as troublemaking.
• It's not wrong to have the reactions; it's just that we don't necessarily want to react.

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• Check out episodes on Stress, Money and Mental Health
• Listen to my episode series on Politics in the Workplace
• Download my 10-Step Stress Resource
• Access the Podcast Episode Guide with clickable links
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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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 coaching FAQs or learn more about how 1:1 coaching can support your wellbeing. 

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 298th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this episode, I'm thrilled to take you on a tour of my brand-new website—a meaningful redesign that goes beyond aesthetics to reflect the colourful, inclusive heart of Diverse Minds. Discover the powerful accessibility features, curated resources, and exciting new offerings that will support you in creating mentally healthy and inclusive workplaces.

• About the new website and what it means for the Diverseminds business. [00:33]
• The evolution of the Diverseminds website and why it was time for a bold, colourful transformation. [00:57]
• Discover the game-changing accessibility tools powered by One Tap, including ADHD-friendly modes and visual impairment support. [03:00]
• A guided tour through the homepage, training pages, speaking page, and the juicy resources section you won't want to miss. [03:50]
• All my resources and downloads are now accessible in one place. [08:53]

• This isn't just a rebrand or a visual refresh, but a meaningful moment for business and me personally.
• The accessibility adjustments powered by One Tap include ADHD-friendly mode with a ribbon across the screen, and I found this really useful whether you have ADHD or not.
• If you feel you can't work with me yet or don't have the budget, the resources tab is the place for you.
• I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. It feels simpler, more fun, and much clearer and easier to use.
• The website wasn't supporting people in the way it could have. The materials, resources, and pieces of knowledge weren't curated in the best way possible for people to access them easily.

• Check out the new website.
• Visite the new downloads page
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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 coaching FAQs or learn more about how 1:1 coaching can support your wellbeing. 

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 297th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this episode, I reflect on my workplace wellbeing predictions for 2025—what happened and what didn't—before sharing my five predictions for 2026.

• Reflecting on 2025 workplace wellbeing predictions and why many didn't come to fruition. [00:33]
• Redundancy support, AI job displacement, and the disappointing removal of the right to switch off from UK employment legislation. [01:09]
• The lack of progress on workplace adjustments and disability inclusion, despite government initiatives like Work Well. [03:05]
• Managing political differences in the workplace and the ongoing crisis in financial well-being support for employees. [05:05]
• Five predictions for 2026 workplace wellbeing trends and what organisations should be preparing for. [07:47]

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• Disabled people in the UK continue to experience lower employment rates and a notable pay gap compared to their non-disabled peers.
• Psychological safety is the belief that you won't be punished or humiliated for speaking up in the workplace.
• AI therapy and counselling terrifies me quite a lot. It cannot diagnose mental illness and shouldn't replace human therapy.
• Human-to-human contact is still essential. Not everyone can or should work remotely and be tech-based.
• Middle managers reported feeling overwhelmed and underprepared, with a knock-on effect felt across teams.

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• Episode #120: Having Conversations About Workplace Adjustments
• Episode #192: Getting Workplace Adjustments Right with Daniel Williams
• Episode #253: Election Special: The Possibilities for EDI?
• Episode #254: Is it ok to Talk about Politics at Work?
• Episode #255: Shifting Workplace Politics
• Episode #245: What is Psychological Safety at Work?
• Episode #58: Neurodiversity, Race and Culture with Jannett Morgan
• Episode #79: Neurodivergent Support with Janette Beetham
• Episode #173: Neurodivergent Support in Education with Aquayemi Claude Garnett Akinsanya
• Episode #187: Autism, Race and Culture with Reena Anand
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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

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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. 

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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 296th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast, and welcome to 2026! In this reflective episode, I look back at 2025—a year guided by the word "nurture"—and share the personal and professional milestones that shaped my journey.

• Reflecting on the past year and setting the tone for 2026. [00:58]
• Personal and global challenges of 2025 and the importance of acknowledging suffering worldwide. [02:01]
• Podcast and professional highlights of 2025, including impressive stats and key achievements. [03:08]
• Monthly recap: A detailed walk-through of January to December 2025, covering training programs, coaching sessions, and significant projects. [03:56]
• Looking ahead to 2026, including the year of the fire horse and my chosen word for the year ahead. [10:02]

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• I don't believe that suffering builds character.
• The challenges I've experienced over the last four years have helped me to be more pragmatic and take things day by day.
• In the Chinese Zodiac framework, we will move into the year of the Fire Horse. This represents energy and movement forward.
• 2025 was much better and lighter than 2024 in many ways, however it is vital to acknowledge the severe problems around the globe.
• My word for 2026 is 'luck.' I also create a vision board to support my word, and it's displayed on the back of my office door, so I can look at it every day.

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• Episode #269: 2024 in Review
• Episode #226: 2023: The Year in Review
• Episode #174: 2022: The Year in Review
• Episode #122: Round-up of 2021: My Year of Gratitude
• Episode #70: What 2020 Taught Me
• Episode #17: 12 Business Lessons I Learned in 2019
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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

.stk-d762e95 {height:30px !important;}

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. 

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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 295th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked topic of carers in the workplace—specifically those caring for family members, friends, or neighbours with disabilities, long-term illnesses, or complex needs. While Disability History Month has officially ended, the conversation about supporting carers must continue year-round.

• Understanding the role of carers and defining what caring means in the workplace context. [01:29]
• The significant challenges faced by carers in the workplace, including health impacts and employment barriers. [02:42]
• The compelling business case for supporting carers, from improved productivity to reduced turnover costs. [03:55]
• Key statistics and research on carers, including recent findings from Carers UK's 2025 poll. [07:39]
• Practical recommendations for supporting carers, including flexible working, carers passports, and creating awareness. [13:12]

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• There are currently 5.8 million carers in the UK, and every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers.
• Carers hold families together.
• 600 people a day give up work to care for loved ones.
• Balancing care with work and then having a social life is incredibly difficult,
• The workplace plays a vital role in supporting carers.
• 40% of working carers said they needed more flexibility at work.

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• Carers UK
• Carers Week Report
• Carers Trust
• BITC Toolkit
• ACAS Guidance on Carers’ Leave
• Episode #294: Overview of The Lilac Review and Why it Matters
• Episode #134: Recognising the Needs of Carers with Anita Powell
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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

.stk-d762e95 {height:30px !important;}

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. 

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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 294th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. In celebration of UK Disability History Month, I explore the groundbreaking Lilac Review—an independent report examining the barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs in the UK and the concrete actions being taken to level the playing field.

I discuss why disability entrepreneurship matters for everyone, the shocking statistics about funding gaps and access barriers, and most importantly, the systemic changes now underway including the UK's first Disability Finance Code and flagship business incubator for disabled founders.

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

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• Celebrating UK Disability History Month and this year's theme: Disability, Life, and Death. [01:05]
• Introduction to the Lilac Review. [02:18]
• The current landscape: 25% of UK small business owners are disabled, yet face significant barriers to success. [03:08]
• Key barriers disabled entrepreneurs face include higher costs, limited funding, inaccessible support, and the constant burden of proof. [06:35]
• Some groundbreaking actions resulting from the Lilac Review. [11:12]

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• 25% of the UK's 5.5 million small to medium enterprise business owners are disabled or have a health condition.
• Disabled entrepreneurs account for 8.6% of the turnover of all UK businesses—yet could add another £230 billion to UK revenue with proper support.
• Disabled founders experience 30% lower employment rates and face £570 more in monthly costs than non-disabled entrepreneurs.
• 33% of disabled entrepreneurs start their business out of necessity, not choice.
• Disabled entrepreneurs have only a 0.1% share of voice in the public sphere despite being over 20% of the UK population.

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• UK Disability History Month website
• The Lilac Review report and Disability Finance Code
• Episode #224: Barriers for Disabled Entrepreneurs
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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

.stk-d762e95 {height:30px !important;}

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. 

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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 293rd episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. In this episode, I examine why slashing your DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) budget is a bad idea, particularly in light of the current political climate and corporate trends affecting both the US and UK.

I explore the ripple effects of major corporations rolling back their diversity commitments, the unique challenges facing UK businesses, and most importantly, what leaders and managers can do to maintain meaningful inclusion work even in constrained times.

• The importance of DEI budgets and why this topic matters now. [00:56]
• Changes in attitudes towards DEI and how it's perceived in recent years. [01:15]
• Current trends and challenges in DEI: from Trump's executive orders to UK corporate responses. [01:21]
• The impact on UK businesses and what employment experts are saying. [02:38]
• Practical tips for supporting DEI work with limited resources. [09:43]

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• 53% of UK employers continue to support DEI, with 22% actively strengthening initiatives despite US policy shifts.
• DEI cuts signal to underrepresented employees that their needs and experiences are not valid, eroding trust and psychological safety.
• Without clear DEI frameworks, managers struggle to show they've taken "all reasonable steps" to prevent discrimination under UK law.
• Gen Z and younger workers prioritise inclusive cultures, making DEI a deal-breaker for talent retention.
• "Diversity by Stealth" is emerging as organisations continue the work but change their language.

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• Startups Magazine article: Why DEI cuts aren’t just bad optics, they’re bad business
• Electronic Specifier article: DEI in the US: will it impact the UK?
• Farrer & Co legal firm article: The future of DEI: are UK companies withdrawing their DEI policies?
• Episode #238: Shake Up Your Women's Network
  Episode #119: Universal Design and Why It's So Important
  Episode #109: 8 ways to Create Culturally Inclusive Meetings
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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

.stk-d762e95 {height:30px !important;}

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. 

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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.