The Perkins Platform

Human resources consultant with decades of experience creating and delivering workshops for supervisors on how to manage their employees, Robin Paggi joins me to share her insights on today's HR challenges for leadership managing Gen Z. In 2021, she co-authored the book Managing Generation Z: How to Recruit, Onboard, Develop, and Retain the Newest Generation in the Workplace as a guidebook for understanding and motivating the youngest generation in the workforce. Paggi is also a management and communications professor at California State University, Bakersfield, where, in addition to the subject matter, she teaches her students how to be good employees. Paggi has master's degrees in communication studies, interdisciplinary studies, and psychology, and is a life-long resident of California.

Tara Furiani isn't just a part of the people business; she defines it, revolutionizing HR and corporate culture with her unique blend of empathy, insight, and leadership. With a career that breaks the mold, Tara's expertise and influence are showcased in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, while her dedication to DEI shines through her work with NASA's DEI board. She’s redefining the standards of leadership and inclusion. As the driving force behind "Not the HR Lady," Tara tackles the industry's toughest challenges with wit and wisdom. Her book, "F*ck Your Office Snacks," along with her innovative initiatives like SAIL Leadership and Workcations, underline her commitment to transforming workplaces into environments where creativity, wellness, and productivity thrive. Tara's work is about inspiring a movement towards more humane, inclusive, and empowering professional ecosystems.

This is a compelling nutrition conversation with Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, as we explore the findings of the latest Gallup report on food satisfaction and mental wellbeing. In this discussion, we dove into the psychological and nutritional science behind how our diets impact emotional health, common misconceptions about "healthy eating," and the cultural influences that shape our food choices. Dr. Naidoo provides expert insights and practical strategies to help listeners make more informed, nourishing, and enjoyable dietary decisions. Don't miss this opportunity to rethink the connection between what we eat and how we feel!

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Co-Founder and CEO of AI for Education, Amanda Bickerstaff joins us for an exciting conversation sharing her work and insights on the use of AI in education. Amanda is a former high school biology teacher and EdTech executive with over 20 years of experience in the education sector. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI can offer. She is a frequent consultant, speaker, and writer on the topic of AI in education, leading workshops and professional learning across both K12 and Higher Ed. Amanda is committed to helping schools and teachers maximize their potential through the ethical and equitable adoption of AI.

This is a special panel episode of the Perkins Platform Podcast with Dr. Janice Gassam Asare and Sara Taylor in an important conversation on the latest on resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives currently underway across industries.  The discussion wraps up with practical strategies for leaders to support what's next in the fight for diversity, equity and inclusion.  A must-listen for leaders in all disciplines, HR managers and executives and consultants.

Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, is a leading racial equity expert with over a decade of experience as a professor and facilitator. A LinkedIn #1 Top Voice in Racial Equity, two-time TEDx speaker, and MIPAD Global Top 100 Under 40 honoree, she has authored three Amazon best-sellers and written over 400 articles for Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Insider, and Fast Company. Dr. Gassam Asare teaches on LinkedIn Learning and Udemy Business and is an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University. She has collaborated with major organizations like Google and Amazon and is recognized as a Top 30 Diversity & Inclusion Leader by LeadersHum and a Top 25 Workplace Expert by Gusto. She also engages her growing audience through a weekly LinkedIn Equity Newsletter.

Sara Taylor, founder of deepSEE Consulting, is a cultural competence expert, speaker, and best-selling author. Since 2002, she has helped organizations like Walmart and Coca-Cola improve inclusion and leadership. She previously directed Diversity and Inclusion for Ramsey County and developed leadership programs at the University of Minnesota. Sara authored Thinking at the Speed of Bias (2024) and Filter Shift (2017). She is active in HR and diversity organizations and holds a master’s in Diversity and Organizational Development. Sara divides her time between the Dominican Republic and Minneapolis with her husband, Miguel.

This is an engaging conversation with Lisa Bodell, a global expert in simplification, collaboration, and innovation. Lisa shares her insights on how organizations can transform by reimagining the way they work and driving innovation at every level. She shows how reducing complexity sparks creativity, boosts morale, and improves employee engagement and retention. Lisa is the author of Why Simple Wins and Kill the Company, and ranks among the "Top 50 Speakers Worldwide," known for inspiring audiences to challenge the status quo and focus on what matters most.

After earning her business degree from the University of Michigan, Lisa launched her career at Leo Burnett, later founding two businesses before focusing on simplification with FutureThink, a leading global source for innovation research and training.

Lisa’s insights have impacted top organizations like Google, SAP, and Citigroup. A frequent media contributor, she has appeared in Forbes, Fast Company, WIRED, and more. She’s also taught innovation at American and Fordham Universities and delivered a popular TED Talk on the subject. Lisa serves on multiple advisory boards, including the World Economic Forum and the U.S. National Security Agency.

This episode features and informative conversation with Expert Psychologist, Dr. Susan Birch as she shares her research and discusses her article in Cognition on "curse of knowledge." Susan has a Ph.D. from Yale University in Psychology with expertise in Cognitive Science, Social Cognition, and Human Ontogeny. She is a tenured professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada where she has directed a research lab and published in top-tier journals for over 20 years. Her overarching research goal is to understand how children and adults make inferences about how others think, and importantly, how those inferences impact learning, decision-making, and social-emotional health. The American Psychological Association awarded her with the 2004 Dissertation Award in Developmental Psychology. She also received an Early Career Scholar Award from the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, and several research awards from Canada’s Tri-Council Research Agencies. She has an immense love for learning which may explain her 3 additional Masters’ degrees: One in Science, another in Philosophy, and a third in Business specializing in Strategy, Business Communications, and Entrepreneurship. Dr. Birch is especially passionate about understanding biases in the way people think can be minimized to improve people’s psychological health.

Tune in to an exciting conversation with Leadership Expert and Author, James Morris as he shares his insights into a personal, spiritual reflection and how they intersect with personal development. James leads Westbury Consulting, LLC, where he provides executive coaching to senior healthcare leaders, offers spiritual mentorship to 30 entrepreneurial women (from the U.S., Canada, and St. Vincent) over the past two years, writes, and delivers keynote presentations. In 1999, James collaborated with Allan Church and Janine Waclawski at Merck to develop a leadership program for 3,500 global leaders, incorporating 360-degree feedback, leadership plans, and coaching. Warner Burke and Peter Cairo were key contacts. James also serves on the Board of Governors at the Center for Creative Leadership, where Bill Pasmore was affiliated. James’ forthcoming book will serve as a follow-up to his first work, Masterpiece. His third book will focus on aligning body, mind, and soul—a concept he has developed under the term Intuitive Agility. He emphasizes the importance of leaders focusing on the development of the soul and the whole self, as this will be increasingly critical in a world witnessing the rapid advancements of Artificial Intelligence. This work is not about religion, but about the power of relationship and leadership.

The creator and author of The Life Brief, a simple yet profound action-driving practice that helps people navigate life’s big decisions with clarity, creativity and courage, Bonnie Wan joins us to share her work. The Life Brief applies the art and science of brand strategy to how we live our lives. As a 30-year career Brand Strategist turned Life & Leadership Strategist, Bonnie not only helps some of the world’s most iconic companies innovate from a place of purpose, but also guides everyday people live with greater intention and imagination. She has been named Chief Strategy Officer of the Year and one of 100 Women to KNOW in America.