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Where Inclusion Really Happens
What starts as a conversation between two long standing colleagues quickly opens into something deeper about identity, leadership, friendship, and what it really takes to create inclusive cultures.
Content Warning: This episode includes occasional strong language.
Joanne Lockwood, founder of SEE Change Happen and The Trans Inclusion Toolkit, reflects on building a business while navigating gender transition, and how that journey shaped her thinking far beyond one area of inclusion. Rather than staying in a single lane, Joanne talks about what it means to grow into broader EDI work, and why lived experience alone is not enough without reflection, learning, and strategy.
The conversation moves through personal stories, internalised ableism, friendship, advocacy, and the emotional load of constantly having to explain yourself. Joanne and Esi explore what it means to show up in the world when identity is always being read, questioned, or judged, and why safe spaces matter when the rest of the world can feel noisy and demanding.
Alongside the personal reflections, the episode turns to leadership. Joanne makes a strong case for investing in line managers and leaders, not only to understand inclusion in theory, but to develop emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, psychological safety, and the confidence to respond well to people as individuals. The thread running through the whole conversation is clear: inclusive workplaces are not built through policy alone, they are shaped in the everyday moments where people feel seen, supported, and understood.
This is for leaders, line managers, EDI professionals, and anyone trying to build working cultures where people do not have to fight to be recognised as fully human before they can thrive.
SIGNPOSTING AND RESOURCES
SEE Change Happen.
Joanne’s main consultancy, focused on helping organisations build more inclusive cultures and stronger leadership practice.
Link: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/
Joanne Lockwood.
Joanne’s personal website, with speaking, consultancy, and wider information about her work in inclusion and leadership.
Link: https://joannelockwood.co.uk/
The Trans Inclusion Toolkit.
A practical resource designed to help organisations approach trans inclusion with more confidence, clarity, and care.
Link: https://thetransinclusiontoolkit.co.uk/
Pam Burrows, People Booster
https://www.pamburrows.com/
Robbie Williams Quote: 'There's no point regretting things. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. Life's too short to worry about things I've said.’
FOLLOW US
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esihardy/
Newsletter - https://2dykvk.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2-mRmxbD6QkKL0_px3pDo4A
Celebrating Disability website - https://celebratingdisability.co.uk
Equality in the workplace blog
#CelebratingDisability #LeaderInterviews #TheEqualityEdit #InclusionInTheWorkplace
View all episodes
By Celebrating DisabilityWhat starts as a conversation between two long standing colleagues quickly opens into something deeper about identity, leadership, friendship, and what it really takes to create inclusive cultures.
Content Warning: This episode includes occasional strong language.
Joanne Lockwood, founder of SEE Change Happen and The Trans Inclusion Toolkit, reflects on building a business while navigating gender transition, and how that journey shaped her thinking far beyond one area of inclusion. Rather than staying in a single lane, Joanne talks about what it means to grow into broader EDI work, and why lived experience alone is not enough without reflection, learning, and strategy.
The conversation moves through personal stories, internalised ableism, friendship, advocacy, and the emotional load of constantly having to explain yourself. Joanne and Esi explore what it means to show up in the world when identity is always being read, questioned, or judged, and why safe spaces matter when the rest of the world can feel noisy and demanding.
Alongside the personal reflections, the episode turns to leadership. Joanne makes a strong case for investing in line managers and leaders, not only to understand inclusion in theory, but to develop emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, psychological safety, and the confidence to respond well to people as individuals. The thread running through the whole conversation is clear: inclusive workplaces are not built through policy alone, they are shaped in the everyday moments where people feel seen, supported, and understood.
This is for leaders, line managers, EDI professionals, and anyone trying to build working cultures where people do not have to fight to be recognised as fully human before they can thrive.
SIGNPOSTING AND RESOURCES
SEE Change Happen.
Joanne’s main consultancy, focused on helping organisations build more inclusive cultures and stronger leadership practice.
Link: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/
Joanne Lockwood.
Joanne’s personal website, with speaking, consultancy, and wider information about her work in inclusion and leadership.
Link: https://joannelockwood.co.uk/
The Trans Inclusion Toolkit.
A practical resource designed to help organisations approach trans inclusion with more confidence, clarity, and care.
Link: https://thetransinclusiontoolkit.co.uk/
Pam Burrows, People Booster
https://www.pamburrows.com/
Robbie Williams Quote: 'There's no point regretting things. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. Life's too short to worry about things I've said.’
FOLLOW US
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esihardy/
Newsletter - https://2dykvk.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2-mRmxbD6QkKL0_px3pDo4A
Celebrating Disability website - https://celebratingdisability.co.uk
Equality in the workplace blog
#CelebratingDisability #LeaderInterviews #TheEqualityEdit #InclusionInTheWorkplace