The Way We Lead | An Inclusive Leadership Podcast

People are most effective when they can influence their immediate sphere. This week’s guests, Marie Bigham and Steve Frappier focus on removing barriers in a field they've dedicated their lives to over the last two decades: post-secondary education. In 2016, they were part of a small group that launched ACCEPT (Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today), a nonprofit organization that empowers college admissions professionals to center justice, equity, and anti-racism in their work and communities. This episode is chock-full of learnings on the hidden superpower of being multiracial, how to practice cultural humility, and how to build meaningful and active communities who advocate for equity and access.

For more, check out S1E5 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

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Are you hesitant to share your unique perspective in your field? You’re not alone. In this episode we sit down with Lola Adeyemo, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and founder of EQ Mindset and the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate.

Lola shares her remarkable journey from business analyst to confident consultant and thought leader in diversity and inclusion. Discover how she overcame initial doubts to deliver a compelling TEDx talk that received high acclaim from not just the audience but the TED organizers themselves. Learn about the pivotal moments and support systems that propelled her onto the TEDx stage, led to publishing her book, and founding a thriving community for immigrant professionals.

You'll gain valuable insights on:

• Embracing your unique perspective in storytelling and thought leadership
• Overcoming self-criticism and perfectionism
• Building supportive networks to boost your confidence
• Transforming personal experiences into impactful content

Lola reminds us that our individual stories are our greatest assets.

Whether you're an aspiring speaker, a professional aiming to boost your thought leadership, or someone with a story to tell, this episode will inspire you to find your flavor and share it with the world.

Don't miss this empowering conversation about authentic storytelling and the power of embracing what makes you unique.

Subscribe now to learn how to amplify your voice and make a lasting impact in your field!
Our Sponsor:
This episode is brought to you by the Amplify Your V.O.I.C.E. Podcast Accelerator program, delivered by co-host Gaby Acosta. This podcast launch program helps historically underrepresented leaders take actionable steps to take you from a brilliant concept to launching your first podcast season.
Resources Mentioned

• TEDx Talk: Belonging is not about fitting in.
• Book: Thriving in Intersectionality: Immigrants, Belonging, and Corporate America
• Podcast: Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast

Connect with Lola

• Nonprofits Leading Change Membership
• EQ Mindset
• Book Her as A Speaker
• LinkedIn

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What if everything we've been taught about expertise and leadership is wrong? Brand strategy veterans Elizabeth Talerman and Chelsea Carlson from The Nucleus Group challenge our obsession with expertise, revealing why being a "smart rookie" might be your greatest leadership asset. From their work with world-class brands to their own journey stepping into the spotlight, they make a compelling case for leading with questions instead of answers.

Through stories of punk rock radio days and kitchen table revolutions, discover why curiosity trumps certainty and how embracing wonder could be the antidote to our increasingly rigid business culture. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or questioning traditional thought leadership approaches, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on why not having all the answers might be your superpower.
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Want to become a thought leader? We want to interview you!

If you're interested in building up your personal brand, establishing a digital presence, or becoming a speaker, we want to interview you!
We’ll dig into your biggest challenges, fears, dreams and goals for your thought leadership journey and your answers will directly inform the curriculum for our upcoming thought leadership offerings. Reach out via our contact us page to let us know you’d like to volunteer.

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Liz:

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If we want to be inclusive leaders at work and in our communities, we also need to be allies and advocates for those who experience mental illness.
In this episode, we are joined by two guest experts and advocates who are using nontraditional means to raise mental health awareness. First, we hear from Dr. Jonathan Singer, Associate Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago and President of the American Association of Suicidology who leverages social media to make suicide and mental health research accessible. Next, we connect with Dior Vargas, a Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist who is working to make mental illness awareness more inclusive through a grassroots initiative called the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project.
Want more behind the scenes materials? Sign up for our newsletter on our website https://www.thewaywelead.com/.

Support the show

For episode notes, guest bios, and more juicy stuff visit our website!
Follow us on Social!
The Way We Lead

• Threads: @TheWayWeLead
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Gaby:

• Threads: @holagabyacosta
• IG: @holagabyacosta
• LinkedIn: Gabriela Acosta

Liz:

• IG: @newrealmcoaching
• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon

It’s so important for young people to have diverse role models in every field. This rings true to our most recent guest Charnelle “Cha” Quallis, who joins us to discuss diversifying the film industry, especially in the editor's room. While there is a recent proliferation of female editors in both fiction and non-fiction storytelling, the industry continues to lack representation from female editors of color. We talk about why we need more diverse decision-makers in the film industry, the importance of championing young talented editors of color, and we begin to tease apart some of the pervasive diversity challenges that continue to afflict Hollywood.

Support the show

For episode notes, guest bios, and more juicy stuff visit our website!
Follow us on Social!
The Way We Lead

• Threads: @TheWayWeLead
• IG: @TheWayWeLead

Gaby:

• Threads: @holagabyacosta
• IG: @holagabyacosta
• LinkedIn: Gabriela Acosta

Liz:

• IG: @newrealmcoaching
• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Solomon