Broken Office Chair
Alternatives
Welcome to Broken Office Chair, a new podcast produced by Alternatives. Broken Office Chair is hosted by Alternatives’ Executive Director, Bessie Alcantara, a Chicago native and a first-generation Salvadoran-Mexican American passionate about dismantling systemic racism. In each episode, Bessie will be joined by her friends and colleagues, who are ready to talk frankly about important topics such as issues in the nonprofit sector, racial equity, and DEI in practice.
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Top 10 Broken Office Chair Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Broken Office Chair episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Broken Office Chair for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Broken Office Chair episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
What’s the Problem With Philanthropy?
Broken Office Chair
04/28/23 • 76 min
In this episode, Hilesh Patel sits down with host Bessie Alcantara to discuss the Philanthropy sector, the nonprofit industrial complex, organizational DEI work, and creating a more equitable work culture.
Cocktails And Complicity (S2 E10)
Broken Office Chair
12/05/23 • 82 min
This special episode of Broken Office Chair was recorded in front of a live audience at Alternatives' Cocktails and Complicity event.
In this episode, host Besie Alcantara is joined by Leslé Honoré and Ayoka Samuels to discuss everything from racist standards of professionalism to unfair expectations placed upon women of color in leadership.
Dr. Rebekah Levin
Broken Office Chair
03/15/24 • 40 min
In this episode, Bessie sits down with Dr. Rebekah Levin to discuss her experience as an American Jew advocating for Palestinian Liberation. Rebekah shares stories from her experiences in Palestine and her own path of deconstructing her beliefs and identity.
Anti-Blackness in the Latinx Community
Broken Office Chair
05/12/23 • 33 min
In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie Alcantara and Diana Castaneda share their experiences with anti-Blackness in the Latinx community. They cover everything from why they choose to say Latinx instead of Hispanic to their understanding and solutions to anti-Blackness in the latinx community.
Are you Voting? Girl, I Guess!
Broken Office Chair
03/11/24 • 39 min
In this episode, Bessie is joined by Stephanie Skora and Raeghn Draper to talk about the upcoming local elections in Chicago. They cover topics ranging from our right to vote or not vote as we see fit, voting based on personal values, single-issue voting, the importance of local elections, and so much more!
Stephanie Skora is a writer, educator, speaker, organizer, and non-profiteer based in Chicago, Illinois. She lives as a Stone Top hard femme trans Lesbian and working-class anti-Zionist Ashkenazi Jew, and mobilizes her identities to work in solidarity with Palestinians, to queer Jewish spaces, and to fight for justice and liberation for all trans people. Stephanie is the Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Brave Space Alliance, serves as Board Treasurer for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, and is the author and editor of the "Girl, I Guess" Progressive Voter Guide. When not working or organizing, Stephanie can be found enjoying the pleasures of life for a Virgo: food, love, and being right.
Raeghn Draper is a Chicago storyteller, digital strategist, and organizer. They craft compelling copy that brings brands to life through powerful language. They are passionate about advocating for hospitality workers and challenging toxic cultures in the industry. With 12+ years of experience, they draw inspiration from diverse perspectives and utilize the world around them to bring dreams to life through words.
To check out the Girl I Guess voter guide, visit: www.stephanieskora.com/voter-guide
**Please Note: As a 501c3 organization, we do not endorse or support any political candidates or parties. The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Alternatives. We aim to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and encourage critical thinking and informed discourse.
Vu Le
Broken Office Chair
09/29/23 • 44 min
In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie sits down with Vu Le, writer of the blog NonprofitAF.com to talk about funding ethics, progressive vs conservative funders, zodic signs in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and much more.
Vu Le (“voo lay”) writes the blog NonprofitAF.com. He is the former executive director of RVC, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by supporting leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities. Vu is a founding board member of Community-Centric Fundraising, a movement that aims to ground fundraising practices in racial equity and social justice. Vu was born in Vietnam. He and his family came to the US when Vu was eight. He spent several years in Seattle, attending elementary and middle school, before moving to Memphis, Tennessee for high school and St. Louis for college and graduate school. He has a BA in Psychology and a Master in Social work. He is a vegan, a father of two kids (ages eight and five), and a staunch defender of the Oxford Comma.
Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives
Xavier Ramey (Part 1)
Broken Office Chair
09/15/23 • 51 min
In this episode, Bessie sits down with Xavier Ramey, CEO of Justice Informed, to discuss DEI backlash, hypercapitalism, anti-racism, pay equity, and so much more.
Xavier Ramey is the Founder and CEO of Justice Informed, a Chicago-based consultancy. He collaborates with a wide range of organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and institutions. Xavier's expertise lies in shaping inclusive workplaces, improving services, and addressing legal and reputational challenges. Notable clients include Ingredion, Emerson, Northwestern University, and more.
Xavier is a global keynote speaker, activist, and sought-after lecturer on racial justice and social impact. He hails from Chicago's west side and has held leadership roles at the University of Chicago, United Way, and other organizations. He's also a founding member of The #LetUsBreathe Collective and serves on various boards.
Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives
Breaking Barriers: Senator Robert Peters on Collaboration, Change, and Open Dialogue
Broken Office Chair
09/30/24 • 42 min
In this powerful episode of The Broken Chair Podcast, we sit down with Illinois State Senator Robert Peters to discuss the key elements of political change—collaboration, organization, and the importance of open dialogue. Senator Peters shares his insights on how building coalitions and staying flexible in your approach can lead to meaningful change, even in the most challenging political landscapes. We explore how movements are built through collective action, why no one should say "no" to themselves before trying, and how keeping the door open for conversation can break down barriers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you thinking about the power of teamwork and the critical role of communication in creating a better future.
What it Means to be a Woman of Color in Leadership
Broken Office Chair
04/14/23 • 36 min
In this episode, our host Bessie Alcantara sits down with Ayoka Knoell Mota Samuels to discuss their journeys of rising the ranks in nonprofits and the challenges that they faced as women of color in nonprofit leadership.
*Listener Note: This episode contains explicit language that may not be appropriate for all listeners. Viewer discretion is advised.
Resources:
https://www.belgraviacentre.com/blog/hair-and-the-culture-of-the-ancient-maya
https://tulanehullabaloo.com/51652/intersections/business-professionalism-is-racist/
The Cost of Being Poor
Broken Office Chair
05/05/23 • 36 min
In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie Alcantara and Lesle Honore chat about the cost of being poor, how their lived experiences influence their careers, and how society dehumanizes people facing poverty.
*Disclaimer: In this episode, Bessie and Leslé chat about their experiences facing poverty and how those experiences shaped their perceptions of what it’s like to fall below the poverty line. Since the recording of the podcast, we have learned that the use of the word “poor” further marginalizes and places blame on individuals. At Alternatives, we recognize poverty as a systemic issue and not the fault of any individual and want this opportunity to reflect our learning and how we are consistently working to be better.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Broken Office Chair have?
Broken Office Chair currently has 21 episodes available.
What topics does Broken Office Chair cover?
The podcast is about Business, Podcasts and Non-Profit.
What is the most popular episode on Broken Office Chair?
The episode title 'Are you Voting? Girl, I Guess!' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Broken Office Chair?
The average episode length on Broken Office Chair is 48 minutes.
How often are episodes of Broken Office Chair released?
Episodes of Broken Office Chair are typically released every 6 days, 15 hours.
When was the first episode of Broken Office Chair?
The first episode of Broken Office Chair was released on Apr 10, 2023.
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