Stories from the Field

Show Summary

In this episode of "Stories from the Field," we sit down with Bernard Coleman to explore the vital roles individuals and organizations play in today's polarized world. We delve into the responsibilities of each individual during election cycles, emphasizing the importance of advocacy. Bernard shares insights on cultivating a creative imagination to envision peace, especially now during times like the Palestine-Israel conflict.

We also discuss the reaction of corporations and universities to diverse opinions and the critical role of leaders in managing these challenges. Bernard sheds light on the upcoming leadership transition from Boomers to Zoomers, highlighting the urgent need for current leaders to understand and engage with the values-driven, DEI-focused younger workforce. Join us for an insightful conversation on navigating the complexities of advocacy, leadership, and inclusivity in the modern world.

Learning Highlights from this Episode:

• Bernard discusses the responsibility of each individual in advocating for harmony and peaceful solutions.

• Highlighted the need for responsible participation in political and social discourse.

• What it means for organizational leaders in navigating these challenges and fostering inclusive environments.

• Discussed the area where leaders need to upskill, including understanding DEI, fostering flexible work environments, and aligning organizational values with those of the younger workforce.

Episode website w/ resources, guest bio & full transcript: https://fireflyinclusion.com/the-long-arc-of-change-building-resilience-in-a-time-of-crisis-podcast/ 

Firefly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

Firefly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Show Summary

In this episode of Stories from the Field, we welcome Beth Wiesendanger who shares her unique perspective as a first-generation individual growing up with the ADA laws in the 90s. She discussed the misconceptions around what disability looks like and how it's important to advocate for the disabled community. She also speaks on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and how they bring a unique perspective and skillset to the workplace and ways to encourage employers to be open-minded and create a culture of inclusivity and accessibility. We hope you can tune in to learn more about Beth’s journey and advocacy for disability rights and accessibility which is grounded in her personal experiences and her belief that everyone deserves equal opportunities and access.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Growing up in the 90s and what that looked like for someone with a disability.

• How disability looks like from a physical, technological, and societal perspective.

• What it means to be an ally to the disabled community.

Episode website w/ resources, guest bio & full transcript: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/debunking-the-myth-of-the-vital-few

Firefly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

Firefly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Show Summary

In this episode of Stories from the Field, we sit down with Isaiah Deporto-Plick, a seasoned angel investor and entrepreneur who shares his insights on investment capital, funding for underrepresented groups in tech, and his experience as a co-founder for Fuerza Ventures. We also hear his breakdown of the recent SVB failure and the implications it has for the startup ecosystem. Throughout the episode he dives into the importance of providing funding opportunities for people of color and other marginalized communities in the tech industry and highlights some of the challenges they face in securing funding. Isahiah also shares his own journey as an angel investor and provides advice for founders looking to learn and grow in this industry.

Learning Highlights from this Episode:

• His breakdown on SVB and what it means for the future

• Advice for leaders looking to get funding for their businesses

• Different ways to navigate the investment space for BIPOC, women, and LGTBQ+ founders

Episode website w/ resources, guest bio & full transcript: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/svb-and-the-impact-of-future-vc-funding-for-women-people-of-color-and-lgbtq-founders

Firefly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

Firefly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Show Summary

In this episode of Stories from the Field, Oana Amaria and Jason Rebello sit down with Coach Gessie Thompson, a Nutritionist who founded her own wellness company called The Detox Now. Throughout the episode they discuss self-care, the trauma of racism, and ways to heal and loving yourself. Thompson shares her story about her own 15-year journey with fibroids and struggles with infertility, that eventually led her to finding healing, creating TheDetoxNow.com, and becoming a mother to Nia.

Learning Highlights from this Episode:

• Her journey with fibroids and infertility
• Living a life free of toxic thoughts, people, habits and foods
• Learning how to choose yourself and recognizing your self-worth
• Ways to advocate for ourselves both in the medical space and the world

Episode website w/ resources, guest bio & full transcript: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/learning-to-be-radical-about-self-care-with-coach-gessie-thompson

Firefly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

Firefly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

In this episode of Stories from the Field, Felicia Scott and Oana Amaria chat with Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang, an actor, writer, storyteller, and global citizen of Chinese-Spanish-Irish-French-German-English descent. As a budding actor in Hollywood, she noticed stories like hers weren’t being told on stage or in film. In this episode we chat about what it’s like to help immigrants, multiracial people, third culture kids, and women of color break this cycle both in Hollywood and in their own lives.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The journey from essayist to filmmaker
• The importance of creating a safe space for sharing, listening, and feedback
• Finding your own stories of bravery and failure to become an ally

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/your-story-matters-a-conversation-with-elizabeth-liang-podcast

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

What is code-switching, and what are its pros and cons? On this episode of Stories from the Field, author, podcaster, facilitator, polymath, and third culture kid Tayo Rockson shares how code-switching showed up in his own life as the son of a diplomat, and how he learned to achieve a balance between acclimation and authenticity. We also discuss how leaders can help those outside the dominant culture feel seen and heard, and why it’s time for all of us to get comfortable with being vulnerable.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

· How code-switching both benefits and hurts outsiders

· Why perfectionism is hurting leaders and how to model vulnerability

· How DEI practitioners can stay focused on their purpose

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/breaking-down-code-switching-embracing-your-authentic-vulnerable-self-with-tayo-rockson

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Inclusive marketing champion and Adweek Executive Mentee Argelia Martinez joins us to dig deep into some of the statistics, challenges, and opportunities for emerging BIPOC leaders. Argelia shares her own stories as a Latina leader and advice for other emerging leaders, their organizations, and DEI champions who truly want to engage this critical talent pool on their own terms.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How Argelia’s experience as an Adweek Executive Mentee supported her and other underrepresented marketers during a time of chaos.
• The pressures many women – and especially Latinas – face when choosing between work and family
• Why marketing and advertising agencies need to re-think their metrics
• What organizations can do to ensure that women can stay in the workfroce

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/elevating-bipoc-leadership-values-at-work-with-argelia-martinez-of-hauswirthco

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Since the onset of the pandemic, the interest in mental health and self-care have both increased exponentially. Along with this, a gradual shift toward applying a more intersectional lens to these practices has emerged, especially after the concerns of BIPOC have long been left out of these spaces.

That’s why we’re thrilled to sit down with licensed psychologist Dr. Han Ren – one of the field’s leading experts in anti-oppressive and liberation psychological practices. In this conversation, we discuss a whole range of topics, from her perspective on accepted norms in Western psychology to the very important reasons why she joined TikTok!

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Why we need to re-evaluate Western psychology to serve the needs of BIPOC individuals.
• The differences between equality, equity, and liberation.
• How DEI practitioners can preserve and protect their energy for this work.
• Why it's necessary for white people to lead other white people in this work.

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/creating-anti-oppressive-liberated-psychology-practices-dr-han-ren

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/