A More Beautiful Way with Bethaney Wilkinson

If you're hoping to linger with the bigger questions of personal and collective healing, this conversation is for you. Host, Bethaney Wilkinson, interviews Nina Simons about the role self-cultivation and personal healing plays in the work of addressing the many crises we're facing as a species. Nina Simons is co-founder of Bioneers and serves as its Chief Relationship Strategist. She is a social entrepreneur who is passionate about the power of women to transform the world, reaching racial and gender justice, indigeneity and rekindling a sacred relationship to nature, while co-creating a just transition that’s regenerative, loving and peaceful. She speaks internationally and co-facilitates transformative leadership offerings that integrate Relational Mindfulness, Restoring the Deep Feminine and The Work That Reconnects. Nina co-edited Moonrise: The Power of Women Leading from the Heart, and recently wrote the award-winning book Nature, Culture & the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership. She was named a recipient of the Goi Peace Award in recognition of her pioneering work through Bioneers to promote nature-inspired innovations for restoring (reciprocal relationships among) the Earth and our human community. You can access our conversation transcript here. Learn more about A More Beautiful Way at www.amorebeautifulway.co --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

What might it look like to find a more beautiful way to navigate the racial harm and disconnection of our time? What might it look like to find the healing pathways within our own family lineages and in the places we come from? What roles do repair and forgiveness play in cultivating a new world? In today's conversation, we are joined by author, activist and storyteller Lisa Sharon Harper. Through the lens of her most recent book, "Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World and How to Repair It All," Lisa walks through how learning our family histories, and setting those histories within the context of the broader history of one's nation, opens up healing pathways to repair the harms of racial hierarchy in our world. ABOUT LISA Lisa Sharon Harper (LSMA, Columbia University; MFA, University of Southern California) is the founder of Freedom Road, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap. A sought-after speaker, trainer, and consultant with more than 100,000 social media followers, Harper has written several books, including the critically acclaimed The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right. Her work has been featured in the New Yorker, Relevant, Essence, HuffPost, The National Civic Review, and CNN, and she has appeared on PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, TV One, Fox News, NPR, and Al Jazeera America. Harper previously served as chief church engagement officer at Sojourners, where she mobilized the church to engage campaigns on immigration reform and racial justice. She has researched her family origins for three decades and presented on her ancestors achievements at the African American Civil War Museum. Harper lives in the same Philadelphia neighborhood where three generations of her ancestors lived. LINKS: Learn more about Freedom Road. Learn more about Lisa Sharon Harper. Purchase the book, Fortune. Learn more about A More Beautiful Way. Follow AMBW on Instagram. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In today’s episode of A More Beautiful Way, you get to hear from an AMBW Community Voice: Jordyn Robinson. Jordyn takes us on a journey into three powerful questions, giving voice to what it’s looking like for her to embody ~a more beautiful way~ in this season of her life. You can learn more about A More Beautiful Way at www.amorebeautifulway.co and by following our work @amorebeautifulway. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this soul-filling conversation, Leah and I discuss the importance of learning to be one another’s story-keepers. We talk about working with art and floral design to help a community remember and heal from the tragic Greenwood Massacre (also known as the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.) We reflect on how working with plants and created-things sustains us. And Leah shares a gracious invitation for us to partner with her and The Wild Mother to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women.  Leah Palmer (she/her) is an 8th generation Afro-Indigenous artist and anti-racism educator located in Oklahoma City. With her two sisters, she is a founder of The Wild Mother, a floral design studio based in the Arts District of Oklahoma city, on Kickapoo, Osage, Wichita and Comanche lands, which should be returned back to these sovereign nations.  In her work as Storyteller at The Wild Mother, Leah spearheads projects that marry art and activism, while engaging with fellow artists to help them discover a unique position in a world that requires art as medicine to educate, reflect truth, and issue healing for broken communities.  She draws inspiration from Black and Brown women and femme voices, such as bell hooks, Toni Morrison, Zora Neal Hurston, Phillis Wheatley, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Louise Erdrich, Leslie Marmon Silko, and others whose wisdom and life experiences act both as guidance and a mirror.   She is grateful to stand on and continue the work of her ancestors, E.W. Perry, Peter and Martha Holloway, Gladys Perry, Flordia Palmer, C.L. Stove, Sonny Hawkeye, Marthann, James and Elnora Boykin, and so many others whose lives taught her the ways of healing forwards and backwards through storytelling, truth telling, singing, advocacy, home cooking, and communal love.  Leah’s recent work includes a floral installation called SendFlowersToGreenwood, which paid homage to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre; she is the production manager of Juneteenth on the East (2021-present); she is a founder and educator of Lay of the Land, an antiracism workshop for creative small businesses; she is a founder and facilitator of The Conversation Workshops, an antiracism workshop that teaches how to navigate interpersonal racism; she created the main logo for the Justice for Julius campaign and remains an advocate for abolition movements.   Leah received a Bachelors of Arts in English from Oklahoma Baptist University (2013) and a Master of Arts in English from Oklahoma State University (2015). About the Wild Mother Creative Studio: The Wild Mother Creative Studio is a studio florist owned by Afro-Indigenous sisters, Lauren Palmer and Leah Palmer, in the heart of Arts district, Downtown, OKC. Their love and honor of culture, storytelling, and their affinity for natural elements and color theory lend themselves to “Floral Stories” produced by the sisters. It’s an added bonus that they get to work alongside their younger sister, Callie, around the studio. TWM offerings include full service wedding and event floral, curbside carryout floral for large-scale events, and holiday floral offering. Enroll in Lay of the Land, a DEI Course for Creative Entrepreneurs https://www.thewildmother.com/workshops Learn More and Contribute to the Send Flowers To MMIW Campaign https://www.thewildmother.com/sendflowersto Follow and Learn from The Conversations Workshop https://www.conversationworkshopsok.com Subscribe to A More Beautiful Way on Substack https://www.amorebeautifulway.co/ Time Stamps: 0:00 Introduction  6:52 Who is Leah Palmer? 9:23 The Wild Mother Origin  16:59 Sending Flowers to Greenwood  34:16 Send Flowers To Project  Episode Notes: For the episode transcript, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In today’s episode, Bethaney Wilkinson continues her interview with Margaret Reynolds as they discuss Bethaney’s transitions within her work including how The Diversity Gap has moved into A More Beautiful Way.  Time Stamps: 0:00 Introduction  10:09 The Diversity Gap is Born 19:52 Summer 2020 and The Diversity Gap Transitions  43:06 What is A More Beautiful Way? 59:44 How to Get Involved with A More Beautiful Way  Episode Notes: For more information and to register for the Contemplative Writing Circle and/or Seasonal Examen, click here. For the episode transcript, click here.  A More Beautiful Way is an exploration of what it takes to slow down, create sacred space, and bring healing hearts, minds & bodies to the work of social change.  To learn more and read along, go to https://www.amorebeautifulway.co/.  To keep up with us, you can follow us on Instagram: @amorebeautifulway --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In today’s episode, Bethaney Wilkinson is interviewed by her dear friend, Margaret Reynolds. They discuss Bethaney’s story from childhood through college years and how these seasons impact her work. Time stamps: 0:00 Welcome and Introduction  13:05 Family of Origin  28:04: Faith Origin 39:45 Bethaney’s College Journey and First Flight  55:35 Episode Summary  Episode Notes: For more information and to register for the Contemplative Writing Circle and/or Seasonal Examen, click here. For the episode transcript, click here.  A More Beautiful Way is an exploration of what it takes to slow down, create sacred space, and bring healing hearts, minds & bodies to the work of social change.  To learn more and read along, go to https://www.amorebeautifulway.co/.  To keep up with us, you can follow us on Instagram: @amorebeautifulway --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode, Host Bethaney Wilkinson chats with her friend, Kayla Stagnaro, who appeared on the very first episode of the show. They discuss their favorite episodes, learnings from the time spent podcasting, and plans for the continued work of The Diversity Gap.  About The Diversity Gap: The Diversity Gap is a coaching and facilitation practice for racial conscious leaders and team. Learn more and find DEI support at www.thediversitygap.com or @thediversitygap on Instagram and LinkedIn. Shownotes: Podcast Archive: https://www.thediversitygap.com/podcast Growth Collective: https://www.thediversitygap.com/growth-collective --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode of The Diversity Gap Podcast, Bethaney sits down with Faitth Brooks, author of her newly released book, “The Anti-Racism Journal: Questions and Practices to Move Beyond Performative Allyship.” Highlights: Grappling with activism being “trendy” Mindfulness and slowing down enough to know what’s really going on when racial triggers arise Mindfulness for Black folks who are navigating a racialized society Creating peaceful places for Black women to rest and thrive The need for DEI leaders to revamp how we talk about our work and checking-in to make sure our policies are creating the changes we want to see About Faitth Brooks: Faitth Brooks is a writer, speaker, activist, and podcaster. She earned her Master’s degree in social work and a certificate in women’s entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Faitth is a social worker and advocate for those in need. She lives in Hyattsville, Maryland. Buy The Anti-Racism Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/1645675742/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_CTRA73R92D6PVCVCX8WR_0 The Diversity Gap is for everyday people who want to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneybree @thediversitygap Website - www.thediversitygap.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode, Host Bethaney Wilkinson interviews Sean Watkins, the Director of Training and Strategy at Be The Bridge, a faith-based nonprofit that exists to empower people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation. In this conversation, they process the tragic anti-black, racist incident in Buffalo, NY. They also discuss the rich and emergent diversity present in Black identity, the importance of history, and of the ongoing tensions between progress and hopeless peace. About Sean: Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Sean came to the University of Texas at Austin for his education but found Jesus and a lifelong passion for ethnical and cultural diversity. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies and History, a Masters of Divinity, and is a PhD student in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. He is the Director of Training and Strategy at Be the Bridge, a faith-based nonprofit that exists to empower people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation. When he’s not reading and speaking, he is an avid superhero and science fiction fan and enjoys working out, watching movies, hanging out with friends, and martial arts as he holds a first-degree Black Sash in Tai Chi. For more information, check out his blog: www.smwatkins.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @seanisfearless. About The Diversity Gap: The Diversity Gap is a coaching and facilitation practice for racial conscious leaders and team. Learn more and find DEI support at www.thediversitygap.com or @thediversitygap on Instagram and LinkedIn. Shownotes: Be the Bridge https://bethebridge.com Access the Show Transcript: https://www.thediversitygap.com/podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode, Bethaney sits downs with the Cohosts of the Pantsuit Politics Show, Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland. In this conversation, they talk about racial identity, the treatment of race in mainstream news and media, leading others from a place of courage and care, as well as the collective work it takes to sustain nuance in today’s social climate. Sarah and Beth are the hosts of Pantsuit Politics Show where they bring a different approach to the news. They are also authors of the newly released book, “Now What: How to move forward when we’re divided (about basically everything.” Episode Transcript Available Here: www.thediversitygap.com/podcast About the Diversity Gap: The Diversity Gap is for everyday people who want to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com/book Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneybree @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com, www.thediversitygap.com Submit a listener question of your own by visiting thediversitygap.com/podcast Listen to Pantsuit Politics Show - https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com Buy “Now What: How to move forward when we’re divided about basically everything” https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/books The Poem “Say Yes” by Andrea Gibson - Here.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this conversation, Bethaney Wilkinson talks to attorney, author, and guide, Katharine Manning about what it takes to create a trauma informed workspace. Katharine shares a 5-point method to equip leaders with the skills they need to listen well when their employees and team members express difficult experiences and circumstances at work. In this winding and thoughtful conversation, Bethaney and Katharine get to the heart of creating a workplace culture where all people feel valued in their humanity.  As a Senior Attorney Advisor with the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, for fifteen years Katharine guided the Justice Department through its response to victims in cases ranging from terrorism to large-scale financial fraud to child exploitation. She now uses her expertise to help organizations prepare for and respond to the challenges they face involving employees and clients who may be in trauma. Insight: Trauma is showing up in your workplace regardless of your readiness to receive it.  Action: Begin taking steps to become a trauma informed organization by providing culturally specific resources.   Episode Transcript Available Here: www.thediversitygap.com/podcast About the Diversity Gap: The Diversity Gap is for everyday people who want to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneybree @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com, www.thediversitygap.com Links from the Show: Submit a listener question of your own by visiting thediversitygap.com/podcast Learn more about OfColor: Disruptive Discourse by visiting www.ofcolor.com/disruptive-discourse Learn more about Katharine Manning: www.katharinemanning.com/ You can order Katharine's book here: www.katharinemanning.com/my-book/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

For today’s conversation, Bethaney has a conversation with thought leader, artist, public theologian, and cultural anthropologist David Bailey. He is the founder and CEO of Arrabon, an organization that equips communities to pursue healing and reconciliation in a racially divided world. For the past 5 years, Arrabon has successfully partnered with organizations across the country, providing guidance, education and the tools to build more empathetic, reconciled communities. Insight: Everyone interprets life through their cultural location.   Action: Increase your cultural intelligence by engaging in healthy cross cultural collaboration.  Episode Transcript Available Here: www.thediversitygap.com/podcast About the Diversity Gap: The Diversity Gap is for everyday people who want to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneybree @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com, www.thediversitygap.com Links from the Show: Submit a listener question of your own by visiting thediversitygap.com/podcast Learn more and apply to The Growth Collective thediversitygap.com/growth-collective Arrabon: www.arrabon.com/ Account David referenced: www.instagram.com/davidmbailey/ Urban Doxology: www.urbandoxology.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

For today’s conversation, Bethaney kicks off season four with a conversation on race-conscious leadership. Afterwards, you get to learn from Noemí Jimenez. Noemí has corporate communications, strategy, branding, and market research experience across the non-profit, corporate and social impact sectors. She manages ESG issues across equity, inclusion and diversity in the workplace and representative communications across sectors. Based in Austin, Texas, Noemí works with executive teams to understand the strategic implications of inclusion and sustainability and develop approaches to drive business value. Insight: Your lived experience is invaluable. Action: Learn to articulate your lived experience through story. About the Diversity Gap: The Diversity Gap is for everyday people who want to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneybree @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com, www.thediversitygap.com Links from the Show: Submit a listener question of your own by visiting thediversitygap.com/podcast QB Consulting: https://www.consultqb.com/ QB Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qbadvisory/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 9: Bonus Episode: A Conversation w/ Aiko Bethea For today’s conversation, you get to learn from Aiko Bethea. Aiko is a leader, builder, and the founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting. RARE Coaching & Consulting works with leaders and organizations to remove internal and external barriers to inclusion, and allowing them to understand each other as people, colleagues, and teams in more collective ways.  In addition to her work at RARE Coaching & Consulting, Aiko is Sr. Director of the Daring Way™ and the Dare to Lead™ global facilitator communities of Brené Brown Education and Research Group. She is also a Senior Director at Frontline Solutions, a black-owned consulting firm.  Insight: Assess your values, and discover how you will implement them in your life.  Action: Set and live into your value-based boundaries.   Episode Transcript Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show  Website: https://www.rarecoaching.net/ Instagram: @rare_coach --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 8: New Leaders, New Futures - Embodied and Authentic Leadership w/ Tracey Gee Insight: No one is asking you to be perfect. We are asking you to get uncomfortable, be creative, take some risks, and show up with consistency. Action: You have to do your work. My conversation partner for this episode is Tracey Gee, who is a certified coach and facilitator. She is trained in the Gallup StrengthsFinder, Cultural Intelligence, and the Enneagram. She is also a member of the International Coaching Federation, so she knows her stuff and is committed to helping people amplify their authentic leadership genius. She has over 20 years of non-profit leadership experience and brings such relevant and incisive leadership acumen to the table. I hope you enjoy learning from Tracey as much as I did. Episode Transcript Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show Website: https://traceygee.me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traceygee.me/ Account Tracey Referenced: @asiansformentalhealth --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 7: Lead with Courage - w/ Sandra Maria Van Opstal Insight: People don’t just want a job; people want to belong. Action: Your intentionality and vulnerability as the leader set the tone for how much belonging is possible. Your willingness to own your journey of growth and change paves the way for others working in your organization. Now for today’s conversation, you get to learn from the brilliant Sandra Maria Van Opstal. I have known Sandra for many years and am always inspired by how her activism and leadership are firmly rooted in the context of her neighborhood and the relationships she’s cultivating there. Sandra is an author, pastor, speaker, and social entrepreneur who leads an organization called Chasing Justice. The mission of Chasing Justice to rebuild a just world. It is a faith-inspired movement led by a diverse array of people of color. And the organization works to elevate stories and pathways for justice practitioners and advocates. So after you hear from Sandra in this conversation, definitely check out the show notes to tap into all that this team is doing to inspire folks to get involved in addressing the most pressing issues we’re facing as a global community. Episode Transcript Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show Website:http://www.sandravanopstal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandravanopstal/ Chasing Justice: https://chasingjustice.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

You are invited to The Diversity Gap Workshop, a day-long experience designed to help you create the culture you say you want!  Your level of racial self awareness sets the tone for how much, or how little, racial equity is possible in your organization or community. When you unravel the cultural narratives informing who you are and how you lead,  you will become a more effective leader. The growth you experience will positively impact your community and workplace for years to come. The Diversity Gap Workshop is not about sharing more information. This workshop is about transformation. In this one-day event, you will be prepared to pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion with integrity and authenticity. Learn more and register at www.thediversitygap.com/workshop. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 6: Diversify Your Life - The Heartwork and Homework of Justice w/ Dani Coke Insight: Your ability to cultivate a diverse personal life is directly tied to your ability to lead a diverse team Action: Resist racism and pursue diversity in every area of your life. For today’s conversation I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the one and the only Danielle Coke. You may know her as Oh Happy Dani on Instagram. Dani is an illustrator and advocate whose artwork  and words are all about helping good people become better neighbors. She has been featured on the Today Show, in Forbes, on NBC, BuzzFeed, Alive News, and on USA Today. What I love so much about Dani is that she is able to take complex ideas and even painful experiences and translate them into meaningful creations that as she says, “Speak to the heart of the matter.” She is just so down-to-earth, full of wisdom and joy. And in this conversation, she shares generously about what it looks like to do the heartwork and homework of antiracism in our everyday lives. Episode Transcripts Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show Website: https://ohhappydani.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ohhappydani/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 5: Embrace Cultural Change - Psychological Safety and Belonging w/ Liz Fosslien Insight: You have to adopt new and more liberating values, and behaviors, if you want diverse groups of people to flourish as they follow you. Action: You have to practice liberation and you must embody a new way of thinking and leading. To add texture to this insight, I sat down with Liz Fosselien, an illustrator and the co-author of the Wall Street Journal best-seller No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work. Liz is an expert on how to make work better. As the Head of Content at Humu, she helps teams and leaders develop the skills and habits that allow them to unlock their full potential. She regularly leads interactive, scientifically-backed workshops about how to build resilience, how to help remote workers avoid burnout, and how to effectively harness emotion as a leader. Her work has been featured by TED, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, The Economist, and NPR. In our conversation, we talk about Liz’s professional journey as well as what it takes to create psychological safety within your organizational culture. Check it out! Episode Transcript Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizandmollie/ Website: https://www.lizandmollie.com Book: https://www.lizandmollie.com/book --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 4: Choose Your Framework - The Equity Imperative w/ Ale Trevino and Deshawn Adams Insight: There are many frameworks for pursuing organizational culture and diversity, and each has different objectives. Action: Choose your framework and know why. The conversation I’m sharing with you today is with my friends Deshawn Adams and Ale Trevino. Deshawn is a human capital consultant for Deloitte and he and I connected many years ago through a racial justice education program we were co-leading at our church. And Ale is an MBA Candidate at Kellogg School of Management, but prior to being a grad student was also at Deloitte working as a consultant and strategist. I got to know Ale through an organization we both love called Plywood People. I had Deshawn and Ale on the podcast because last year, they were on the team at Deloitte that created a report called The Equity Imperative. This report, which is linked in the show notes, is full of world-class research and business insights for leaders who want to do more than talk a good game about DEI. I was so grateful to be able to talk Ale and Deshawn about the equity imperative and about what racial equity requires of us in this day and age. Quick note, while Deshawn and Ale created this report at Deloitte, the opinions they express in our conversation belong to Deshawn and Ale alone, and do not reflect an official perspective of Deloitte as a company. Episode Transcript is available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show Notes The Equity Imperative Report - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/the-equity-imperative.html Closing the Racial Inequity Gap by Citigroup - https://ir.citi.com/NvIUklHPilz14Hwd3oxqZBLMn1_XPqo5FrxsZD0x6hhil84ZxaxEuJUWmak51UHvYk75VKeHCMI%3D --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 3: Motivation Matters - Interrogating White Racial Identity and Practicing Antiracism w/ Jenny Potter Insight: Your motivation for diversifying your team matters. Action: If your motivation is to honor people's dignity, keep going. If your motivation is to appear relevant, stop now.  Jenny Booth Potter is a woman who has dedicated her life to practicing antiracism and to supporting the work of Black women activists. Jenny is thoughtful and brings so much clarity and conviction to her antiracism work. In this conversation, we dive into what it’s been like for her as a white woman to go on a journey of show up to the work of racial justice with consistency and authenticity. I am grateful for Jenny’s voice and leadership, and I know you will be too. Episode Transcript is Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennybpotter/ Website: http://jennyboothpotter.com TNQ Show: https://www.tnqshow.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter Two: Impact Over Intentions Insight: The impact of your organizational culture on people of color is more important than your good intentions for diversity. Action: Prioritize hearing, believing, and following the leadership of people of color. Follow the lead of those most impacted by the problem. Terence is a speaker, an activist, an author and thought leader on systemic poverty. He’s known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to issues surrounding homelessness and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, TVONE, Creative Mornings, USA Today, NBC, AJC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, Upworthy, and have been viewed by millions of people worldwide. In 2013, Terence founded the non-profit “Love Beyond Walls” and has helped hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty to rebuild their lives. In 2019, Terence launched the Dignity Museum, the first shipping container museum in the U.S. specifically dedicated telling the stories of people who’ve experienced homelessness. Terence has written six books, and his new book, “When We Stand: The Power Of Seeking Justice Together,” released in May. He also holds four degrees and is working towards his Ph.D. at Union Institute & University in Public Policy & Social Change. So clearly, Terence is someone who has so much to teach us. But what I loved most about this conversation was how Terence pulled from his personal story and lived experiences to illuminate the nuances of living in a racialized society. This is a stellar conversation. Enjoy! Access episode transcript here. The Diversity Gap exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Episode Links Website: http://terencelester.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imterencelester/ Love Beyond Walls: http://www.lovebeyondwalls.org Racial Identity Development for BIPOC: https://catholicvolunteernetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Ladder-of-Empowerment-for-POC.pdf Racial Identity Development for White folks:https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/files/webfm-uploads/documents/diversity/LifeLongJourney.pdf --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Chapter 1: Racism is the Problem - What Equity and Justice Require of Us w/ Tamice Spencer Insight: Your team’s lack of “racial diversity” is not the root of the problem. Racism and white supremacy are the root problems. Action: Adjust your perspectives and strategies accordingly. My conversation partner for this episode is Tamice Spencer. Tamice graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a double major Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Advertising. At age 20 she felt the call to vocational ministry quite strongly and hasn’t looked back. She has worked with hundreds of young adults and has a passion for learning, speaking, songwriting, and teaching. Tamice is the Founder of Sub:Culture Incorporated a non profit that seeks to eradicate barriers for black college students. Sub: Culture Incorporated was created with students on the margins in mind and a longing to see them centered, and holistically cared for while on campus. Tamice  is also co-founder of the Kingdom Collaborative, an Atlanta based collective of HBCU ministry practitioners. For six years she served on full-time staff with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the last two years on staff as the Associate Area Director of HBCU Planting & Strategy for the Southeast Region. Episode Transcript Available Here About The Diversity Gap The Diversity Gap Academy exists to help leaders pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change. You can order the book, The Diversity Gap, at www.thediversitygap.com. Bethaney Wilkinson is the Host and Executive Producer. Final Production is by Live Grace Productions. Thank you to our guests and patrons who make this podcast possible! Instagram - @bethaneywilkinson @thediversitygap Website - www.bethaneywilkinson.com Links from the Episode Website: https://www.tamicenamae.org Book: https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Faith-Reflections-Politics-Christianity/dp/1735833703/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=keeping+the+faith&qid=1627310140&sr=8-5 Sub:Culture Incorporated: https://www.subcultureinc.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this season finale, Bethaney shares a few thoughts on recent incidents of anti-Asian racist violence. She talks about what it looks like to stand in solidarity with communities unlike your own, and encourages us all to lean into the hard realities of the society we live in. Be sure to check out the show notes to find and follow AAPI voices that may be new to you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode, Bethaney unpacks the basic theoretical assumptions of Critical Race Theory (CRT), why they matter, and how they help us build toward increased diversity in our workplaces and communities. If you've heard the term but have no real sense of what it means, you're not alone. This episode is for you! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Hey hey! In this episode of The Diversity Gap Academy we are unpacking the differences between stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and the four dimensions of racism. Listen in to get a refresher on how these practices are at work in your life and leadership. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode, Bethaney unpacks a tool you can use to interrogate your race-related stories in every day life. She shares 6-7 questions you can use to reflect on race-related memories and experiences, and drives the point home by working through one of her own race-related narratives in real-time. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this lesson, Bethaney unpacks four aspects of race and invites us to increase the nuance and curiosity we bring to how we identify ourselves and others. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

The *way* we pursue change is just as important as the *why.* In this episode, Bethaney reviews and closes out the culture series. You'll get a recap of every lesson in the series, as well as some perspectives on how to slow down enough to evaluate *how* you're pursuing change. The tools we use to pursue cultural change are important! Listen in to hear why. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode of The Diversity Gap Academy, we unpack how making villains of others limits our ability to embody the changes we are seeking the most. In this episode, our organizational change work gets personal. Listen in and answer four powerful questions to help you put today's lesson at work in your everyday life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this special release, in anticipation of Black History Month, Bethaney shares a reading from Howard Thurman's "Deep is the Hunger." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

We continue our culture series as we dive into villain narratives and the "problem" woman of color in the workplace. Popularized by research done by the Centre for Community Organizations in Montreal, this episode unpacks a common experience women of color navigate in majority white-led organizations. This topic is important for any of us who aspire to create more diverse organizational cultures. Check it out! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Are your values "normal" or are they tied to your personal culture and preferences? In this lesson, we talk about organizational values and employee performance evaluations. Are your standards for "good performance" tied to your personal opinions about how people "should be"? Or are they tied to actual work products and outcomes? Listen in as Bethaney shares some personal stories and perspectives on this topic. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode of The Diversity Gap Academy, we continue in our culture series, unpacking the tensions of organizational origin stories and what it takes to challenge them well. Listen in to learn more about the importance of understanding your organization's hero narratives and how they help or hurt your diversity efforts. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode of The Diversity Gap Academy, we take a break from our series on organizational culture to discuss racial color blindness. When the world is anxious and as racial tensions rise, racial color blindness can seem like the way to go. In this episode, we explore: what is racial color blindness? How is it showing up these days? How do we resist it? And why? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode of The Diversity Gap Academy, we unpack the five inputs of organizational culture. By the end of this episode, you'll have the tools to sit down and identify the named and unnamed aspects of your organizational culture. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

In this episode of The Diversity Gap Academy, we kick-off a series on organizational culture, with a focus on the importance of the right conditions for cultural change. We also talk about The Culture Cycle, a simple and inspiring framework on how to leverage the power of ideas to change an institution. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message

Welcome to The Diversity Gap Academy, where good intentions meet true cultural change. In this inaugural episode, Founder of The Diversity Gap Project and Podcast, Bethaney Wilkinson, shares the mission and vision of The Diversity Gap Academy and invites you to get involved! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bethaney-wilkinson/message