Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
Melissa Pitotti
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Top 10 Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations 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 Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
46. Reimagining institutions with Mary Ann Clements
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
08/02/24 • 47 min
How can we create sustainable change within humanitarian and development organizations?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Mary Ann Clements, a pivotal figure in the history of this podcast and Co-CEO at an organisation working on disability justice, ADD International. Mary Ann shares her journey from initiating Healing Solidarity to re-imagining an INGO to become a participatory grant maker. You’ll hear about the importance of embodying change, the challenges of reimagining institutions, and the role of power dynamics in achieving sustainable transformation. Stay tuned until the end for Mary Ann’s insights on creating environments that support well-being and resilience.
Today’s Guest
Mary Ann Clements is co-CEO at ADD International and the initiator of Healing Solidarity. With extensive experience in social justice and humanitarian work, Mary Ann is committed to fostering well-being and systemic change in the sector.
Website: maryannclements.com
Social Media: LinkedIn
You’ll Learn
- What embodying change means and how it influences organizational culture
- The importance of well-being and resilience in creating sustainable change
- How Healing Solidarity started and evolved over time
- The challenges and benefits of collaborative leadership
- Insights into the participatory grant-making process at ADD International
Resources Mentioned
- Mary Ann Clements’ website: maryannclements.com
- ADD International: add.org.uk
- Healing Solidarity YouTube Channel
- "We can’t hashtag our way to change" by Mary Ann Clements in Alliance Magazine
- "Power does not shift easily" by Fredrick Ouko and Mary Ann Clements in Alliance Magazine
- The Working Well report on the CHS Alliance website
- Embodying Change podcasts featuring Mary Ann Clements as host:
- Episode 5 with Dr. Peter Mills
- Episode 6 with Imogen Wall
- Episode 7 with Lana Baqaeen
- Episode 8 with Gemma Houldey
- The CHS Alliance Global Gathering 2021 - Living our values: Care, culture and power in aid - on YouTube
Quotes
- “Embodying change means showing up with vulnerability and leaning into difficult conversations.” – Mary Ann Clements
- “Creating a supportive work environment requires us to recognize our power dynamics and work towards more inclusive and caring practices.” – Mary Ann Clements
Call to Action
- Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
- Visit maryannclements.com to learn more about Mary Ann’s work and sign up for her newsletter.
- Engage with Healing Solidarity’s archived content on YouTube for more insights into creating systemic change.
43. Redefining “resilience” with Gemma Houldey
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
07/12/24 • 67 min
Do you ever wonder how vulnerability and power dynamics shape your work in the humanitarian sector? Are you curious about how funding practices can better support well-being?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Gemma Houldey, author of The Vulnerable Humanitarian. Gemma shares her journey from human rights advocacy to becoming a thought leader regarding humanitarian well-being. You’ll hear about the importance of showing up with vulnerability, understanding power dynamics, and how feminist funders are pioneering new approaches to support long-term organizational well-being.
If you're passionate about creating a more supportive and sustainable humanitarian sector, this episode is a must-listen.
Today’s Guest
Gemma Houldey is a researcher, facilitator and space-holder for more caring and inclusive working cultures in the aid sector. Her book “The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector,” draws on her own story and the accounts of over a hundred national and international aid workers she interviewed. The book explores the systemic causes of burnout in aid work, and provides guideposts for managers and staff to cultivate and embody collective resilience and care in the workplace. Her most recent research investigates the role of grantmakers in funding more sustainable, resilient human rights movements. Gemma works with individuals and organisations to support them to ‘walk the talk’ on principles of anti-oppression, by integrating decolonial approaches to wellbeing into everyday work routines and practices that deepen a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Website: gemmahouldey.com
Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram
You’ll Learn
- What embodying change means in the context of vulnerability and power dynamics
- How personal and organizational well-being are interconnected
- The impact of funding practices on the well-being of humanitarian workers
- The role of feminist funders in promoting sustainable well-being initiatives
- Practical steps for creating supportive work environments
Resources Mentioned
- Gemma Houldey’s Website: gemmahouldey.com
- The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Available on Routledge and other bookselling websites
- Newsletter Sign-Up: Available on Gemma’s website for updates and resources, including a free chapter of her book and 25% discount code to buy it.
Quotes
- “Embodying change means showing up with vulnerability and leaning into difficult conversations.” – Gemma Houldey
- “We need to decolonize well-being and allow partners to define what it means for them.” – Gemma Houldey
Call to Action
- Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
- Visit gemmahouldey.com to learn more about Gemma’s work and sign up for her newsletter.
- Join Gemma’s upcoming book circle to embody change through shared learning and practice on wellbeing and resilience in a supportive community.
40. Menopause with Scotti McClaren
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
06/26/24 • 28 min
Humanitarian women are exposed to chronic stress, which can impact their experience of peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.
In this episode of Embodying Change Scotti McLaren shares her experience and insight as it relates to this under-explored and yet powerful time of a woman’s life – before, during and after actual “M day.”
What are the symptoms and what can we do about them?
Scotti practices functional medicine and personalized nutrition, specializing in menopause and mental health. Following a career in audit and humanitarian aid (MSF), and eventual burnout, her process of recovery led to a profound shift towards the healing power of nutrition. Now, Scotti champions a gentle revolution in resilience and vitality, for herself and others. Her clinical practice is dedicated to investigating, identifying and addressing the root drivers of health – both illness and wellness - to help women reach their best health in midlife and beyond.
Check out Scotti’s website here: https://www.investigative-health.ch/
Thank you to Ziada Abeid for editing the show!
If you’re a humanitarian woman working internationally and you’d like to meet other women like you, request to join the free Humanitarian Women’s Collaborative on Mighty Networks here: https://the-humanitarian-women-s-collaborative.mn.co/admin/landing-page.
41. "If it's itchy, uncomfortable, messy, and hurts..." with Sarah Diedro Jordão
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
07/05/24 • 40 min
This conversation with Sarah Diedro Jordão provides a deep and heartfelt exploration of what it means to embody change and foster love in the quest for a more equitable society.
“Going through a painful process can very much be part of embodying change. If it's itchy, uncomfortable, messy, and hurts, change is probably on the other side of that. So there’s hope."
-Sarah Diedro Jordão
Sarah Diedro Jordão is a multi-passionate & versatile consultant. She works as a communications strategist, DEIB consultant, facilitator and podcast host. The driving interests foundational to her work are intersectional social justice, Black feminism, as well as collective dreaming. Among other things she served as an Intersectionality expert for the North-South Center of the Council of Europe, a moderator for the World Forum for Democracy and a podcast host for the European Greens.
Sarah has also been facilitating a drop-in space for BIPOC professionals in the international NGO and aid sector for the last 2 years through Healing Solidarity. Anyone interested in joining can email her at [email protected].
Learn more about Sarah Diedro Jordão on
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahdiedro and
- Her website: https://sarahdiedrojordao.com/
Check out bell hooks’ book, "all about love: new visions," for further reading on the role of love in social justice.
Thank you to Ziada Abeid for editing the show!
If you’re a humanitarian woman working internationally and you’d like to meet other women like you, request to join the free Humanitarian Women’s Collaborative on Mighty Networks here: https://the-humanitarian-women-s-collaborative.mn.co/admin/landing-page.
42. We are feminist leaders with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
07/09/24 • 46 min
Episode 42: We Are Feminist Leaders with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook
Do you ever feel conflicted by traditional leadership models that don’t align with your values? Are you curious about how feminist principles can transform the way we approach leadership, especially in the humanitarian sector?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti sits down with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook, founders of We Are Feminist Leaders. Leila and Natalie share their journey from feeling disillusioned by patriarchal and colonial leadership structures to creating a transformative program that empowers leaders to bring about genuine change. You’ll hear about the practical applications of feminist leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the power of community and continuous learning.
If you're passionate about making a difference and leading with your values, this episode will inspire you and provide actionable insights into embodying change in your own life and work.
Today’s Guests
Leila Billing and Natalie Brook
Leila Billing and Natalie Brook are the visionary founders of We Are Feminist Leaders, an organization dedicated to fostering feminist leadership in humanitarian and development sectors. Through their 12-week online program and new membership learning network, they empower leaders to challenge traditional power structures, embrace intersectionality, and cultivate caring, inclusive work environments. Leila and Natalie draw inspiration from feminist movements around the world, particularly from the Global Majority, and aim to decentralize Western-centric leadership models. You can check out their bios here.
Website: wearefeministleaders.com
Social Media: Instagram and LinkedIn
You’ll learn:
- What it means to embody change in the humanitarian sector
- The importance of self-awareness and transformation in feminist leadership
- How patriarchal and colonial dynamics affect traditional leadership models
- Practical applications of feminist leadership in various contexts
- The power of community and continuous learning in driving change
- Real-life examples of participants applying feminist leadership principles
Resources Mentioned
- We Are Feminist Leaders Website: wearefeministleaders.com
- Course information and registration: HERE
- Newsletter Sign-Up: Available on their website for regular updates and resources HERE
- Social Media: Follow We Are Feminist Leaders on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Quotes
- “For me, embodying change means thinking through how we want to show up in this moment, whether we’re humanitarians or not.” – Leila Billing
- “Feminist leadership starts with the self and requires a long-term commitment to developing self-awareness and the willingness to learn and unlearn.” – Natalie Brook
Call to Action
- Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
- Visit wearefeministleaders.com to learn more about Leila and Natalie’s work and to sign up for their upcoming 12-week course starting in September and newsletter.
31. Mental health at work with Dr. Aiysha Malik
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
02/17/23 • 34 min
In this episode Melissa speaks with Dr. Aiysha Malik, a mental health specialist at the World Health Organization working for a world that supports, improves, and does not harm mental health. They discuss the WHO guidelines on mental health and work and accompanying WHO-ILO policy brief. What do the guidelines say and what can you do with them?
Check out the WHO guidelines on mental health at work here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052
And the WHO-ILO mental health at work policy brief here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057944
***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***
Please leave a review by scrolling down the show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.”
44. Rolling up our sleeves with Pauline Chetcuti
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
07/19/24 • 29 min
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the complexities and challenges of humanitarian work? Are you looking for signs of hope that, together, we can transform the sector?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Pauline Chetcuti, the newly elected president of VOICE. Pauline shares her journey from international law to humanitarian advocacy, discussing the importance of saying no, the power of collective action, and the challenges of decolonizing and transforming humanitarian work.
Today’s guest
Pauline Chetcuti is the newly elected president of VOICE, the largest European humanitarian NGO network. With a background in international law and extensive experience in the humanitarian sector, Pauline is committed to advocating for effective, principled humanitarian aid and elevating local voices in global conversations.
Website: voiceeu.org
Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn
You’ll learn
- What embodying change means in the context of humanitarian work
- The importance of setting boundaries and saying no
- How local voices can drive systemic change in the humanitarian sector
- The challenges of decolonizing and transforming humanitarian practices
- The role of VOICE in advocating for effective humanitarian aid
Resources mentioned
- VOICE Website: voiceeu.org
- Pledge for Change: pledgeforchange.org
- Charter for Change: charter4change.org
- Humanitarian and Climate Charter: ifrc.org/climate-charter
Quotes
- “Embodying change is positively, proactively embracing change with openness and a willingness to be challenged and to learn every day.” – Pauline Chetcuti
- “Our local colleagues are the biggest motivation for change because, for them, it's their communities that transform.” – Pauline Chetcuti
Call to Action
- Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
- Visit voiceeu.org to learn more about the VOICE network and how you can get involved.
- Connect with Pauline on Twitter and LinkedIn for more insights and updates.
10. Brendan McDonald from Uncomfortable Revolution
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
11/06/20 • 42 min
In this episode, Melissa talks with Brendan McDonald, co-founder and COO of Uncomfortable Revolution. They explore lessons learned from a big push to get the issue of aid worker well-being on the agenda in the run-up to the World Humanitarian Summit.
To learn more about Brendan’s work, you can find him:
· on Twitter at @7piliers
· Uncomfortable Revolution at https://www.urevolution.com/
· his 2015 article in the Guardian at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/31/aid-workers-casualties-mental-health
· The petition discussed at: https://bit.ly/3oW1hJi
· Uncomfortable Revolution’s mental health video series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClJ70hiDjK1HWCvGgu-re5Q
Other resources
· WhatsApp’s Global Suicide Hotline Resources page is here: https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/global-suicide-hotline-resources/?lang=en
· CHS Guidance notes on non-disclosure agreements is here: https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/resource/non-disclosure-agreements-guidance-note/
37. Get in the "growth zone" with Cindy Rocha
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
05/16/24 • 53 min
Join host Melissa Pitotti as she welcomes change advocate Cindy Rocha for a morning conversation filled with insights on embracing vulnerability and stepping out of comfort zones for transformative personal and professional growth.
Highlights:
1. Defining Embodying Change: Cindy explains how real change involves putting oneself in the 'growth zone' — a space beyond comfort that necessitates learning, unlearning, and relearning.
2. Navigating Change and Discomfort: Discussing the discomfort that accompanies change, Cindy illustrates how adapting to new situations is crucial for development and progress.
3. Impact of Technological Evolution: They delve into the accelerated pace of technological advancements and its effects on society and individual adaptability.
4. Transformation through AIESEC: Cindy shares her transformative journey with AIESEC, highlighting the organization's role in fostering international understanding and leadership skills.
5. Applying Lean and Six Sigma in Humanitarian Efforts: The conversation turns to how Lean and Six Sigma methodologies can streamline operations and improve efficiency in humanitarian contexts.
6. The Critical Role of Mental Health: Cindy and Melissa discuss the importance of acknowledging and supporting mental health in the workplace to ensure a healthy, productive workforce.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how they can push beyond their comfort zones and embrace change both personally and professionally.
Follow Cindy on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and gain more insights into making impactful changes. linkedin.com/in/cindyrocha
Cindy Rocha has spent the last 15 years creating bridges between different sectors and managing programs to create positive change. This all started while she was a college student in Sinaloa, her home state in northern Mexico, and joined AIESEC, an international student association present in 100 countries. Founded after the 2nd World War with the mission of "peace and fulfillment of humankind's potential," AIESEC is a youth-led organization that facilitates international understanding through exchanges and leadership development programs. While those opportunities are readily available for students in the Global North, that was not the case in Cindy's local context. She worked for AIESEC at the national, regional and global level, joining AIESEC International, a multicultural team leading a network of more than 60,000 volunteers worldwide. In her final AIESEC position, Cindy was appointed Director for the Africa region, and became the first woman in that role in 60 years of organizational history. After AIESEC, Cindy has held a variety of jobs in the social impact field: She worked in corporate responsibility and process improvement for a multinational company, then as a UNDP consultant to engage the private sector in projects around the Sustainable Development Goals in Mexico, transitioned to the nonprofit sector in a disaster response organization, and currently focuses on mobilizing philanthropy to strengthen the ability of communities to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur.
Tune in next time for more inspiring stories and practical advice on the Embodying Change Podcast!
55. The NGO Staff Wellbeing Network
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations
12/19/24 • 47 min
In this episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti is joined by Jody Gunn-Russell and Camille Lemouchoux, two trailblazers in humanitarian staff well-being. Together, they recount the inspiring story of the NGO Staff Wellbeing Network, from its inception to its evolution into a vibrant community of practice. The conversation dives into the challenges of fostering well-being in the humanitarian sector, the systemic changes needed, and the collective efforts required to support staff across diverse cultural and organizational contexts.
Guest bios:
- Jody Gunn-Russell: Founder of the NGO Staff Wellbeing Network, Jody has over a decade of experience in humanitarian HR. She now works in the care sector, exploring innovative approaches to staff well-being while raising her young family.
- Camille Lemouchoux: A professional coach and trainer with over 25 years in the humanitarian sector, Camille specializes in leadership development and well-being. She is spearheading efforts to create a Francophone version of the NGO Staff Wellbeing Network.
Key takeaways:
1. The importance of peer support: Sharing practices and resources helps alleviate the loneliness felt by many in the humanitarian field.
2. System change is necessary: Organizational cultures need to prioritize staff well-being as a core value, not an afterthought.
3. Inclusion and diversity: Future efforts should focus on engaging local NGOs and creating multilingual, culturally sensitive spaces
4. Wellbeing as a leadership responsibility: Leaders can adopt a coaching mindset, focusing on asking the right questions rather than having all the answers.
5. Advocacy with donors: Advocating for donor funding to include well-being costs can make well-being initiatives more sustainable.
Resources to explore:
The NGO Staff Well-being Network for professionals who care to share resources, ideas and strategies to improve NGO staff wellbeing meets quarterly online. Fill out this form to express interest in joining.
The Graduate Course in Humanitarian Leadership and Crisis Leadership Program by the Center for Humanitarian Leadership
Other episodes of the Embodying Change podcast
- Episode 53. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with with Torrey Peace on Spotify
- Episode 27. Everyone needs a safe space to flourish with Oge Chukwudozie on Spotify
- Episode 22. The data tells a story with Dr. Liza Jachens on Spotify
The Perspective Coaching Collective - tailored leadership and well-being training and coaching solutions for humanitarian organizations: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectif-perspectives-coaching/
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FAQ
How many episodes does Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations have?
Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations currently has 55 episodes available.
What topics does Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations cover?
The podcast is about Non-Profit, Health & Fitness, Compassion, Care, Mental Health, Development, Humanitarian, Podcasts, Business and Wellbeing.
What is the most popular episode on Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations?
The episode title '43. Redefining “resilience” with Gemma Houldey' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations?
The average episode length on Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations is 43 minutes.
How often are episodes of Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations released?
Episodes of Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations are typically released every 20 days.
When was the first episode of Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations?
The first episode of Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations was released on Apr 22, 2020.
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