A refreshing conversation that breathes new life into discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ericka Jones—yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and veteran DEI strategist—offers a unique perspective that bridges corporate strategy with mindful practice.

From the heartland of Nebraska to the hustle of New York City, Ericka shares how different geographical chapters of her life cultivated the leadership qualities that define her work today. Each city taught her something essential: the neighborly openness of Lincoln, the fierce community bonds of Chicago, the transformative power of solitude in St. Louis, and the gritty resilience of New York. These experiences collectively inform her approach to creating inclusive spaces both in corporate environments and yoga studios.

What makes this conversation especially powerful is Ericka's ability to connect ancient yoga principles with modern inclusion strategies. She thoughtfully explains how concepts like Ahimsa (non-harming) and Satya (truthfulness) provide ethical frameworks for approaching difficult conversations about diversity without weaponizing identity or shaming others. Her profound insight—that DEI work at its core is about creating more opportunities rather than taking anything away—cuts through the polarized rhetoric that often surrounds these topics.

Whether you're a yoga practitioner interested in making your practice more inclusive, a business leader navigating workplace culture, or simply someone seeking a more balanced perspective on diversity work, this conversation offers practical wisdom and plenty of reasons for hope. As Ericka puts it, even in times of extreme polarization, "light makers are galvanizing behind the scenes" to create meaningful change.

Connect with Ericka: 

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

And learn more about the Confetti Project here. 

In this episode, we sit down with Meeja Kinsey, Manager of Player Health Insights and Research for Major League Soccer (MLS). Meeja shares her journey from certified athletic trainer to data analytics expert, discusses her advocacy work for Asian Pacific Americans in sports, and offers insights into how data is transforming player health management in professional soccer. As the founder of National Asian Pacific Americans in Sports Day and co-chair of Asians in MLS, Meeja brings a unique perspective on representation and inclusion in the sports industry.

Outside of her professional work, Meeja creates content under "Return to Jeong™" to raise awareness about cultural heritage, medical history, sports, and community issues affecting the Korean diaspora.

Connect with Meeja

• www.instagram.com/nicetomeeja
• www.instagram.com/returntojeong
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/meejarichards/ 

A dialogue between two friends - one an atheist (me) and the other a minister (Mary), exploring the universal imperative of caring for one another, and what that looks like in politically divisive times.

Despite the differences in our belief systems, we share a profound agreement on the importance of human empathy, mutual support, and compassion as a foundational human value. We talk about maintaining human connection across ideological divides, and explore what genuine care looks like in practice - beyond theoretical or philosophical positions. 

The takeaway? Compassion is not dependent on shared religious beliefs, and ethical care of each other as humans transcends idelogical and religious differences. 

My challenge to listeners is to consider : 

• How can we practice empathy with those who hold fundamentally different worldviews?
• What does meaningful community care look like in challenging times?
• How do personal beliefs inform our approach to supporting others?

About my Guest

Mary Nelson is a Transitional Conference Minister with the Missouri Mid-South Conference with the United Church of Christ. Her primary work is with congregations in transition and crisis and providing leadership resources. She works with clergy of the Region in offering counsel, support and advice as well as pastoral care.

Raised in Plymouth UCC in Des Moines, Iowa, Mary Nelson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA; and then her Masters of Divinity at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor for six years of the Malletts Bay Congregational Church UCC in Colchester, Vermont, she has served as a leader in the UCC 2030 Clergy Network National Planning Team. In 2009, she received a UCC Presidential Fellowship, recognizing new clergy of exceptional promise for national leadership.

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Stacey Tank, CEO of Bespoke Beauty Brands and 20+ year Fortune 500 veteran, to explore how purpose-driven leadership can transform businesses and communities. Stacey shares insights from her remarkable career spanning HEINEKEN, The Home Depot, and General Electric, revealing how connecting work to deeper meaning creates both business success and positive social impact.

We talk about how Stacey has consistently integrated social impact initiatives into corporate strategy, and why purpose-driven businesses outperform their competitors. We dive into her leadership philosophy, and passion for creating workplaces where employees can connect their work to deeper meaning, and how clear purpose enables better decision-making. 

Connect with Stacey and Bespoke Beauty Brands- 

• X (Twitter)
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Jason Wu Beauty
• Kim Chi Chic

In today's episode, we journey into the world of modern witchcraft with Stephanie Pixi Morris, a practitioner dedicated to reclaiming the ancient wisdom of witchcraft as a healing, nature-based practice. Pixi is a High Priestess, Reiki Master, Kundalini Yoga Instructor, and lifelong student of magick and esoteric wisdom. With a Master’s in Education and over a decade of teaching experience, she now blends her passion for learning with her work as a Holistic Virtual Assistant and spiritual mentor.  

In our conversation, Pixi shares her personal awakening to this path, including how she first felt the call of the natural world as a child, before she had words to describe it. She cast her first spell at age 14, and has since embraced the term "witch" despite its loaded history, recognizing it as her authentic spiritual identity.

Originally from Massachusetts, Pixi now lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband, step-sons, witchy son, and their black cat and dog. She believes in the power of divine connection and collective magick, sharing ancient wisdom with those ready to embody their inner healer and Priestess.

She's also a writer, with a brilliant, approachable, and engaging writing style. Link to her Substack is below! 

Throughout the conversation, Pixi's joy and authenticity shines through as she offers listeners a fresh perspective on an ancient tradition that continues to evolve and heal in modern times.

Learn more about Pixi's work via her websites, linked below, or learn about her origin story here. 

• Thegoodwitchchs.com 
• Holisticvirtualassistant.com
• Official Witch of CHS Instagram 
• Stardust for Writers Instagram 
• Pixi's Substack 

In this episode, we welcome Denise Ibsen Cole, a passionate advocate for women's health and hereditary cancer awareness. After discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation—putting her at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers—Denise transformed her personal health journey into a mission to educate and empower others. As a board member of the Hereditary Cancer Foundation, a Policy Advocate volunteer for Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered (FORCE), and founder of the 26.2 Step Mini Marathon, Denise shares her inspiring story of turning genetic risk into lifesaving advocacy.

Denise Ibsen Cole is a remarkable health advocate who chose proactive preventative surgeries at Nebraska Medicine after learning about her BRCA1 positive status. Since then, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about hereditary cancer risks through presentations, interviews, and legislative testimony. Her work spans multiple organizations focused on hereditary cancer awareness and education.

Resources Mentioned:

• Hereditary Cancer Foundation
• Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
• Bright Pink
• Nebraska LB338 (addressing genetic discrimination in life insurance)

Connect with Denise

• LinkedIn
• 26.2 Step Mini Marathon Facebook
• 26.2 Step Mini Marathon Instagram

If you're concerned about your genetic risk for cancer or have a family history of cancer, consider talking to your healthcare provider about genetic testing options. For more information about hereditary cancer support and resources, visit the organizations mentioned in this episode.

Show Notes

In this episode, I chat with Therese Gopaul-Robinson, creator of Security Stacking™ and veteran healthcare leader with 20 years of experience. Therese shares powerful insights on conquering imposter syndrome and building authentic confidence, whether you're a leader or just want to build your confidence muscle a bit more.  

Guest Bio: For 20 years in healthcare leadership, Therese Gopaul-Robinson watched brilliant leaders second-guess themselves, avoid tough conversations, and let great ideas collect dust. She realized self-doubt wasn't just frustrating—it was hurting businesses. Determined to change that, she created Security Stacking™, a blueprint to help leaders ditch imposter syndrome, make bold decisions, and actually speak up in meetings (without rehearsing in their heads 10 times first). Now, she helps professionals turn insecurity into confidence, so they can lead with impact—and maybe even enjoy it!

Episode Highlights:

• The Universality of Imposter Syndrome: Therese breaks down why feeling like a fraud or outsider is so common, even among accomplished professionals.
• Embracing Discomfort: Why it's completely normal to feel intimidated, nervous, and scared when trying something new—and why your next move matters more than these feelings.
• Building Recovery Muscles: Therese's practical approach to identifying personal imposter syndrome triggers and developing faster recovery techniques.
• The Power of Community: How to strategically "borrow" confidence from others who believe in you while building a supportive network that reinforces your value and capabilities.
• Security Stacking™ in Action: Real-world examples of how Therese's methodology has transformed hesitant professionals into confident leaders.

Find Therese on LinkedIn and Instagram 

Visit her website to learn more! 

Ever wonder what a witch, an environmental activist, a healthcare advocate, and a business maverick have in common? They're all part of my inner circle, and they're all coming to my microphone.

In Season One of The Luminous Project, I'm bringing you intimate conversations with the extraordinary women who've shaped my world. These aren't celebrity interviews or polished TED talks—they're honest exchanges about the beautiful reality of carving your own path.

These are women whose stories will challenge you, move you, and maybe even give you permission to see your own life differently.

Subscribe now and join our conversation—because when women share their truths, we all find our light.