Authenticity, Belonging, Community

Laura Schellhardt is a Chicago based playwright and adapter. Her original works include Air Guitar High, Auctioning the Ainsleys, The Apothecary's Daughter, The K of D, Courting Vampires, and Shapeshifters, among many others. Adaptations include The Phantom Tollbooth, The Outfit, and Creole Folktales. She is also the author of Screenwriting for Dummies. She’s a two-time Jeff Award nominee and recipient of the AATE Distinguished Play Award, the New Play Frontier’s residency, the TCG National Playwriting Residency, the Jerome Fellowship, the New Play Award from ACT in Seattle, and a Dramatist Guild Playwriting Fellowship. She has participated in the SoHo Rep Writer/Director Lab, the Women Playwrights Festival at SRC, the Kennedy Center's New Voices/New Visions Festival, the Bonderman TYA Symposium, the Ojai New Play Conference, the Denver Center New Play Summit, the Bay Area Theatre Festival, and the O'Neill National Playwright's Festival, among others. She received her graduate degree from Brown University, under Paula Vogel. She’s a former Victory Gardens Resident Playwright and current member of Walkabout Playwrights Collective and she oversees the undergraduate play Schellhardt oversees the undergraduate playwriting program in the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University.  

Key Takeaways

• We all hold many identities and their salience changes with time and context

• Privilege can be an obstacle when you’re not aware of it but it can be a tool to empower others

• What you practice grows stronger, especially with how you talk to yourself and others

• What and how you give your attention is one of your most powerful tools 

• Effort > outcome and process > product

• There’s a difference between safety and comfort and it is important to learn and grow in discomfort

• Authenticity is a series of choices based on your values and intentions

• Take yourself seriously but hold yourself lightly

• Make connections not impressions

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How To Decolonize the Creative Classroom by Felicia Rose Chavez (book)

• Creative Acts for Curious People by Sarah Stein Greenberg (book)

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Shannon Watson is a communicator, strategist, thought leader, and civic thinker. Shannon has worked in policy public affairs roles for Majority in the Middle, Casper Corcoran, The Medical Alley Association, St. Paul Area Chamber, U.S. Bank, the Minnesota Senate and the National conference of State Legislatures. She has more than two decades of experience in electoral politics having worked on local and state-wide campaigns on both sides of the aisle in Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota. She holds a bachelor's degree in English, Theatre, and Psychology from Wichita State University and a master's degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She currently lives in Minneapolis with her dog, CJ. 

Key Takeaways

• Unfortunately people often focus on differences first, how can we challenge ourselves to look past differences to see similarities

• The more time and effort put into relationships makes people more comfortable with people who are different from them or with things they don’t understand

• There’s no all or nothing — every group is varied and has diversity within it

• Authenticity is about owning your successes and failures

Guest’s Media Recommendations: 

• The Newsroom (TV series)

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Michael Rohd is a theatre-maker, educator, process designer, writer and facilitator. His research and creative practice is focused on civic imagination. He has a 30+ year history of projects across sectors bringing cultural activity to the work of public engagement, community planning and cross-sector coalition building. In 1992 in Washington DC he co-founded Hope Is Vital, an arts & public health program that, over 8 years, helped start up theatre-based public engagement/HIV prevention coalitions in over 80 communities around the US. In 1999, he co-founded Sojourn Theatre and served as artistic director for 20 years, co creating and directing nearly 30 devised often site specific and participatory theatre works. In 2012, he co-founded Center for Performance and Civic Practice, a collective of nine artists/facilitators who  work with organizations and agencies around the country on community research, transformational process and system change. He is currently Civic Collaborations Director for One Nation One Project, a national arts/municipality/public health project & research cohort in partnership with National League of Cities; he is co-designer/co-facilitator for Art-Train, a virtual national technical assistance program in partnership with Springboard for the Arts.  He recently founded the Co-Lab for Civic Imagination at the University of Montana, and he is author of the book Theatre for Community, Conflict and Dialogue.

Key Takeaways

• Groups of people share something, whether that is space, time, values or goals

• What is the harm of entering a space with the intention of persuading others at all costs?

• Bringing people together might require different tactics depending on their goals. Reflect and dialogue with community members before jumping in

• Working with a co-facilitator makes for better processes and better outcomes

• When things are off, be mindful. Pause and be transparent about what might be going wrong

• We all need to build our capacity for listening

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• The Candy House by Jennifer Egan (book)

• Can’t Drink Salt Water by Kendra Mylnechuk Potter (play)

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Rhodes Perry is a bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and an internationally sought-after keynoter. He helps senior executives and people leaders build belonging at work by establishing psychological safety and trust. Nationally recognized as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) thought leader, he has over 20 years of leadership experience having worked at the White House, the Department of Justice, the City of New York and PFLAG National. Media Outlets like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press have featured his powerful work. Both of his books, Belonging at Work (2018) and Imagine Belonging (2022) debuted as #1 Amazon bestsellers and were published by Publish Your Purpose Press. He earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame, and a MPA from New York University. He currently serves on the National LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s Transgender Inclusion Task Force, and the Cascade AIDS Project’s Board of Directors.

Key Takeaways

• When people share their identities and experiences with you, receive them with care

• Standing up and advocating for yourself paves the way for others to do the same

• Be aware of who you intentionally including and also who you might accidentally be discluding

• Push yourself out of your comfort zone to engage with many communities and people who identify differently than you

• When you notice that you’re uncomfortable, note where its happening in your body, and remember that learning happens just past the edge of your comfort zone

• At work it's important for everyone to have the agency to show up as authentically as they choose

• Pay attention to who’s speaking, whose ideas are considered and whose aren’t

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Disclosure (Documentary)

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Catherine Altman Morgan is an award-winning career transition expert and business consultant who has been coaching clients and colleagues through job and life transitions for more than 20 years. She is the founder of Point A to Point B Transitions Inc. and the author of This Isn't Working! Evolving the Way We Work to Decrease Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.

Key Takeaways

• Be empathetic, use your experience and build trust

• Intentionally set up a safe space by providing guidelines like

• The details of what’s shared here stay here

• No meanness, shaming or blaming

• Its okay to get personal

• Go into new situations with no expectations

• Engage your curiosity

• Authenticity is integration of all parts of yourself

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Imagine Belonging by Rhodes Perry

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Joe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility. Joe is a student and practitioner of Radical Joy, a deep-rooted wellspring of well-being that he cultivates in community through writing, music, theater, and dance. Based in Minneapolis, he tours internationally to join schools, faith spaces, and nonprofits to practice envisioning and embodying a world of collective liberation and human flourishing. Joe holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts and also heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program.

Key Takeaways

• Radical joy is getting to the root, depth and fullness of joy which includes the wholeness of human emotions

• Art allows us to slow down and move at the pace of relationship

• Lead with questions, invitations and vulnerability

• The sooner we understand that race work is uncomfortable and that we’re going to mess up sometimes the sooner we can get to repair work

• Find your freedom practice: a daily ritual that will help you feel more healed, whole and alive

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (movie)

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Content warning: This episode discusses abuse and suicide. Please take care as you listen.

Shirley Buck is the author of the internationally best-selling book Sweet Freedom Whispered in My Ear. A dedicated mindset coach specializing in trauma and abuse recovery. Drawing from her own remarkable journey of overcoming years of severe abuse and trauma. In addition to her coaching expertise she is also an energy healer helping individuals find healing and empowerment. Her life’s mission is to inspire and guide others on their path to recovery, resilience and personal transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Mindset is everything — it can help you learn, find joy and overcome anxiety, depression or other struggles

• Learning how to change your thought process can change your life

• When you’re in survival mode, it's difficult to feel and process your emotions. Once you find safety you can process your experiences.

• Your identities and your past do not define your value

• Take an active role in creating your life by being vulnerable and actively creating your mindset

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks

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Andrew Horning is a former licensed private practice psychotherapist with a Masters degree in clinical work from the University of Michigan. He is trained in EMDR, Mediation and Dispute Resolution, Gottman Couples Counseling, and Brené Brown’s Daring Way. He also hosts a podcast on relationships and coached high school basketball. Drew published his book, Grappling: White Men’s Journey from Fragile to Agile, in May, 2021. He lives in Boulder, CO with his wife of over 20 years, Genny, and their two children.

Key Takeaways

• Place, where you grew up or where you live, can significantly shape your identity

• Show up open-hearted and curious to the experience of others

• Impact is more important to address than intent

• The world has been set up to maintain our comfort but it's important to sit with discomfort in order to grow

• Be fascinated by the people around you

• Maintain your practice of self-compassion through breath, meditation 

• Authenticity is all about making your words, actions, thoughts and feelings congruent with each other

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• There Are No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz (book)

• Come From Away (musical)

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Tim Wise is among the nation's most prominent anti-racist educators and authors.  He has spent the past 30 years lecturing on matters of racism and racial bias in all 50 states, on over 1,500 college campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to corporate, non-profit, and community groups throughout North America.

He is the author of eight books, including his highly acclaimed memoir, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and his latest essay collection, Dispatches from the Race War. He has contributed essays or chapters to 25 additional volumes, and his writings have appeared in dozens of popular magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals.

Wise is a frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR, and his speeches have been viewed over 30 million times on various social media platforms.

Wise has served as adjunct faculty at the Smith College School for Social Work and was the 2008 Oliver L. Brown Distinguished Visiting Scholar for Diversity Issues at Washburn University, in Topeka, Kansas. He has served on the advisory boards of the Fisk University Race Relations Institute, the African American Policy Forum, and the National League of Cities' Racial Equity and Leadership Team.

He graduated from Tulane University in 1990 and received anti-racism training from the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, both in New Orleans. And he is the host of the podcast Speak Out with Tim Wise. 

Key Takeaways

• Woke is being aware of ongoing systemic injustice and being concerned about altering it

• Racism is a systemic force and not about “good” or “bad” people

• Building a collaborative space requires constantly checking in with the things you don’t know — ask questions that make space for others’ perspectives

• Some of the most radical anti-racism work is listening and supporting the needs of Black people so they can organize and lead

• When you mess up, sit with the criticism, acknowledge your wrongdoing, apologize and keep moving forward

• Keep holding truth to power so you understand how and why racism works in America today, then you can reconcile with your community

• Authenticity is acknowledging that we are all people caught in a bad system: will you change the system or will the system change you?

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Any work by James Baldwin (books and essays)

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Season’s Greetings and Season Beginning to all listeners.

Season Beginnings refers to the start of the New Year and what will be the 6th season of the podcast.  I am also alluding to the slight change of brand…we will no longer call the show; Incognito the Podcast, but rather; Authenticity Belonging & Community, or ABC for short.  And for many of us, our childhoods were filled with learning our ABC’s.  These three words - more than anything else - truly define the focus of the show.  And thus, it is with a new season beginning that I offer you Season’s Greetings!

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Eric Grant is the managing partner and financial adviser with Polaris Wealth Management a firm that specializes in insurance, investments and financial advisory services for individuals and businesses. Eric has over 35 years of experience and knowledge in personal and business financial services and is a speaker and lecturer on matters related to personal and business financial planning. He also expresses himself as the host of a two-hour weekly national radio show “The Family Meeting” on WCPT and has been a contributor to various media outlets including Black Enterprise, The Wall Street Journal and WVON Radio. He’s a proud Howard University alumn with a bachelor of business administration degree in finance and insurance. And most importantly a husband and father. 

Key Takeaways

• What is normal? Why do we accept things the way they are? — the word why is powerful

• Collaboration comes from a high level of intellectual curiosity

• Avoiding conflict avoids opportunities for understanding

• In order to have good friends you have to be a good friend

• Authenticity requires indifference to what other people think

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson (book)

• “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson (book)

• “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” (book)

• “Twisted Melodies” by Kelvin Roston Jr. (play)

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John Noltner is an award winning photographer who is the founder and creator of A Peace of My Mind — a multimedia arts project, created by award-winning photographer John Noltner, that uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. Through exhibits, workshops, lectures, on-site studios, and distance learning, A Peace of My Mind leads transformative experiences that help a polarized world rediscover the common humanity that connects us. A gifted storyteller, Noltner has worked on four continents, gathering stories of human courage, grace, and resilience. He has produced projects for national magazines, Fortune 500 companies, and non-profit organizations. A Peace of My Mind reflects his belief that art and storytelling can help individuals, organizations and communities articulate their deepest values and encourage action toward building social capital and community connections.

Key Takeaways

• Find the beauty and wisdom in everyone and everywhere

• Reduce your filter and amplify the voices of others

• Leave space for serendipity — no matter how well we plan the world sometimes has other ideas

• When harms don’t get addressed they can never be healed

• You don’t have to have it all figured out right now just start moving

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• “Hard Times” by Studs Terkel (book)

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Chaazé P. Roberts, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who over the last 16 years studied, trained, and worked at The Family Institute, Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic at Northwestern University. Mr. Roberts currently still works as a clinical lecturer and supervisor at the Family Institute for the MSMFT program at Northwestern University. Recently, he embarked on a new venture starting his own private practice, CPR Counseling. Mr. Roberts works with families, couples, individuals, adolescents, as well as conducting group therapy. He has a particular passion for and commitment to working with adolescent’s issues and men’s issues, including emerging adult males dealing with the stresses of life transitions. Mr. Roberts has worked clinically with diverse individuals and various combinations of cross-cultural couples and international families – from USA, Poland, Mexico, Colombia, Israel, Ecuador, Jamaica, Venezuela, Nigeria, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Greece, India, Spain, Philippines, Zimbabwe, France, Suriname and Pakistan, to name a few. He has a particular interest working with people of the African American community of which he is from.  

Key Takeaways

• Venture into the unknown and create something from nothing

• Growth occurs when you step into discomfort

• Be open, be honest, be vulnerable so you can heal

• Drumming and music brings us together encourages engagement

• None but ourselves can free our minds

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley (song)

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Greg Moisio is a longtime Waukegan resident, a father of three daughters, a graduate of Waukegan East and a graduate of the University of Illinois Champaign. He holds a masters degree in education leadership from Aurora University. He is a retired educator from the Waukegan school district with 34 years of service as a football coach, a basketball coach, a baseball coach, and a powerlifting coach. He is on the board of directors of the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association and he is also a retired 3rd ward Alderman in the city of Waukegan for 20 years where he served as the judiciary committee chairman, as the public works committee chairman and the economic development committee chairman.

Key Takeaways

• Don’t get stuck in a loop of judging people

• Everyone comes with biases but if you slow down and talk to people you can overcome them

• Trust comes with time and listening

• Don’t flunk reality tests — don’t be hypocritical and meet same standards you set for others

Guest’s Recommendations:

• “Influencer” by Patterson et al (book)

• Powerlifting (sport) 

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Kevin Chan Bradley is the Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community for HUB International. Joining the organization in 2021, oversees the company’s overarching DEI strategy and provides coaching and consultation to ensure the execution of the strategy on all levels or the organization. Mr. Bradley is a seasoned Diversity & Inclusion practitioner with over 30 years in Human Resources. He has been a recruiter, business partner, EEO/AA Compliance leader and D&I leader. Bradley has worked in various industries including manufacturing, aerospace, fast food, and financial services. He is often asked to speak at events on the topic of diversity as a business driver and has received recognition for his work in advocating for diverse communities. He currently serves as Board Chair for Access Living, a nationally renowned disability advocacy organization. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Parents’ Alliance Employment Project an organization that finds gainful employment for individuals with disabilities and serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Philharmonic. He has been asked to serve on the Chicago advisory committee for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and is on the DEI Advisory Committee for his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Key Takeaways

• Allyship must be an action, don’t be a bystander — speak up

• Assess your environment and adjust your response accordingly

• Meet people where they are

• Diversity is about counting heads and diversity is about making heads count

• When discussing DEI at companies speak to their heads, hearts and wallets

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• “The Medici Effect: Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts, and Cultures” by Frans Johansson (book)

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Ed Thomson is the founder and CEO of Uptimize the leading neuro-inclusion training company whose mission is to help organizations embrace and leverage every type of thinker. Born and raised in London and educated at the University of Oxford, Ed founded Uptimize in 2016 recognizing the urgent need for greater understanding and appreciation of neurodiversity within the working world. His role with Uptimize has afforded him unique insights and connections with pioneers in the neurodiversity at work field across the world. And he is now a frequent speaker on the topic. He and Uptimize have been featured by outlets including LinkedIn, BBC, People Management magazine, HR.com and the Financial Times. Ed is the author of the recently released book titled A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work. 

Key Takeaways

• Combining a social mission and a business approach creates good outcomes

• Helping other people is the key to happiness

• Everyone processes information differently — everyone has a different brain

• Bring people back to the mission

• Processes, people and technology can be exclusive if not used intentionally

Ed’s Media Recommendations:

• “The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership” by Bill Walsh (book)

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Content warning: Please note this episode includes a brief discussion of gun violence at minute 16 and minute 19. Take care as you listen.

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Laura Coe. Laura was born in Chicago and found her calling in philosophy, which she studied at Brandeis as well as in graduate school at Tufts University. After realizing she didn’t want to pursue academia, she went on to become a healthcare tech entrepreneur. 

When Laura came across the Akashic Records — a way to systematically deepen the connection to your authentic voice — she found that the wisdom of the Records changed the trajectory of her work, and she used it to author The Nature of series and to found The Little Soul School. Her writing has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Inc., Through Catalog, The New York Observer, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• Own your identity, but know you’re not your labels

• Find a balance between authentic passion and success

• Sustained long-term happiness comes from a connection to self and something bigger than self

• We are all interconnected

• You are not your thoughts, your brain is just one tool at your disposal

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Laura’s Media Recommendations:

• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle (book)

• The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (book)

• Spiritual teacher Adyashanti (author)

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Billy Daniel, an episcopal priest and rector at Church of the Ascension in Knoxville Tennessee. Billy received his PhD in theology from the University of Nottingham, England and is the author of Inhabited by Grace and Christ the Liturgy. Billy has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in theology, ethics and the humanities and is the co-creator of Spiritus Knox, a center for spiritual practice and learning in Knoxville. He is currently working on a book of meditations and prayers on the matter of “Becoming,” as well as developing curriculum and retreat programs to help people develop skills and dispositions that enable them to thrive and flourish as humans in a world that is hungry for authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

• External identity markers can cause questions or open conversations

• Unifying people is a work in progress

• Name a need, then brainstorm and collaborate a solution

• Own your stuff

• Authenticity is being whole, with yourself, with your community, with your environment

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Billy’s Media Recommendations:

• Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness & the Essential Self by Kabir Helminski (book)

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Mark Wynn! Mark is a former police officer and consultant for the justice department. He served as an officer in Nashville for 21 years and worked to create the largest police domestic violence investigative unit in the United States. He trains professionals, from executives to officers to social workers and more, on how to address domestic violence in their work. Recently he was featured in the documentary “This Is Where I Learned Not to Sleep” about his life and his work.

Key Takeaways:

• The system needs to be reminded what civil rights are all about
• Things are getting better but you need to stay vigilant
• Smart people learn from their mistakes, intelligent people learn from others’ mistakes too
• Our world is filled with survivors and we need to start talking out loud about it
• Ask for help, move away from misery

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Henry Davis! Henry is a professional filmmaker, movement instructor, and the executive director of Love Bolt, a grassroots effort to spark organic friendships across racial and socio-economic barriers. In this conversation, Michael and Henry discuss the importance of learning about your community and its history, having curiosity for the stories and experiences of others, and getting comfortable stepping outside of your comfort zone in service of personal growth. Henry shares both his and Love Bolt’s mission to encourage people to connect over shared passions, interests, and character instead of proximity or shared background alone.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about your community and its history

• Ask yourself: How do I make every day a meaningful one?

• Step outside of yourself and ask questions of others

• Take every opportunity to connect over shared interests instead of proximity

• Get comfortable being uncomfortable - it’s where learning takes place

• Suppression leads to depression, and the opposite of depression is expression

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Henry’s Media Recommendations:

• Incognito by Michael Fosberg (play)

• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (book)

• Bryan Stevenson (author) 

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews David O’Donnell! David is a design strategist and researcher with over 25 years of experience in innovation consulting and the field of design thinking. He holds a Masters in Urban Planning and Public Policy, is a member of the Sonder Collective, an international cooperative of designers based in the US, the EU and several African countries, and runs a small strategy consulting business called Post Normal, which works on energy transition and public health projects for nonprofits and government agencies. In this episode, Michael and David discuss what it means for workplaces to have a culture that matches their core values, the importance of sustained time to build trust and community, and how to make people feel heard. David offers his insight that if you want to change something, you must take a tangible first step and be open to input.

Key Takeaways:

• Core values must match culture

• Sustained time is the root of connection and understanding 

• Get everyone involved in conversations about improving the workplace

• You don’t need a perfect plan to start making changes

• Move from a culture of EEMP (email, email, meeting, powerpoint) to one of creativity and collaboration

• Have fewer meetings and make them worth people’s time

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David’s Media Recommendations:

• The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow (book)

• An Immense World by Ed Yong (book)

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S4 Ep 8: Giving Gifts to Others | Dionna Griffin-Irons

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Dionna Griffin-Irons! Dionna is the longtime former Director of Diversity Talent, Inclusion, and Development for the world's largest comedy theater, The Second City. A multi-faceted producer, writer-alumni, and fierce advocate for DIB, she's used her twenty-year expertise in the industry to bring transformation and results to large corporations, not for profit organizations, colleges, universities, and small companies seeking to innovate, and build inclusive teams, and/or create progressive strategies in their new anti-racism mission values. In this episode, Michael and Dionna share what they’ve gained from their many years in the DEI space including the importance of unapologetically using your voice, giving gifts to those around you, and using awareness to cultivate compassion. Additionally, Dionna reminds us all that the first step towards feeling seen by others is to see yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• We’re all the same, only different

• Focus on building and proactively improving community

• First take care of self

• Give gifts to those around you

• Awareness cultivates compassion

• Expect the unexpected

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Dionna’s Media Recommendations:

• Toni Morrison (author)

• Roxane Gay (author)

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Audrey Francis! Audrey serves as the Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre, alongside Glenn Davis, where she has been an Ensemble member since 2017. She is an actor, director, educator, and coach, as well as the co-founder of Black Box Acting. In this interview, Michael and Audrey discuss the importance of embracing your imperfections, especially in positions of leadership, prioritizing shared values over outcomes, and facing challenges with a spirit of joy and curiosity. Audrey shares her incredible philosophy of what it means to trust the person that you are and how this trust will allow you to be fearless.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace your imperfections

• We’re building eulogies, not resumes - everyone needs to relax

• Face challenges with a spirit of curiosity, joy, and fearlessness

• Have conversations about shared values in your workplace - excellence is achieved by honoring these values, not disregarding them

• Take the time to learn people’s names, genuinely ask them how they are, and listen when they tell you

• Ask: do I trust myself?

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Audrey’s Media Recommendations:

• Physical 100 (Netflix)

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Ellie Krug! Ellie is a former civil lawyer and current national inclusivity trainer/speaker, author, radio host, and transgender rights activist based in Minnesota. In this conversation, Michael and Ellie discuss what it means to show up as you are, to practice compassion for yourself and others, and how the foundation of diversity and inclusion work is combatting the fear people have of “other.” Ellie shares the four commonalities of all people and how this can be used as a jumping off point for connection. 

Key Takeaways:

- Show up as yourself, whoever you are

- Practice gray area thinking - have compassion for others and yourself

- Ask yourself: am I trying my best under current circumstances? If yes, that has to be good enough

- Diversity and inclusion is about getting past the fear of other

- We all have four commonalities: everyone wants the children in their life to succeed, everyone wants to be free of physical/emotional violence, everyone wants twenty minutes of peace, everyone wants to love and be loved

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Ellie’s Media Recommendations:

- Machaela Cavanaugh, Nebraska State Senator

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Dr. Monica Cox! Dr. Cox is a change agent, disruptor, and trailblazer, as well as a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at The Ohio State University, the CEO of STEMinent, and an authenticity coach/DEI practitioner. In this episode, Michael and Dr. Cox discuss the burden of leadership, the need to speak up against the status quo, and the importance of continuing to move towards progress, even when no one follows you. Dr. Cox offers her take on what it means to be authentic and shares what she's learned from her many years of paving the way for those who come after her.

Key Takeaways:

- There may be costs to speaking up, but it is critical that we do it anyway

- The higher up you are, the more responsibility you have to do DEI work with your organization

- Move towards progress even if no one follows you

- Trust yourself and find accomplices

- Ask: how can I support you?

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Dr. Cox's Media Recommendations:

- The Hunger Games Series (films)

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Find Dr. Cox's work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Katie Remington! Katie is the Research Director for the Minnesota Justice Research Center where she leads MNJRC’s efforts to engage in participatory and collaborative community-led research on topics including the criminal legal system, youth development, and education. In this episode, Katie and Michael discuss the need to address your own limitations and biases in order to better understand others and the critical role that shared experiences play in forging connections between people of different identities. Katie shares her biggest takeaways from her many years of research, including the importance of valuing the contributions of others as much as, or even more than, your own.

Key Takeaways:

• Addressing our biases directly helps us better understand those around us

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions

• Shared experiences are the bridge between different identities – seek these out!

• Give people the space to talk about themselves

• Value the contributions of others

Katie’s Media Recommendations:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Juan Acosta! Juan is a mental health advocate, activist, and author, whose advocacy work began in his hometown of Woodland, California at age 13. Since then, Juan’s work has focused on underserved communities, specifically the LGBTQ+, Immigrant, and Latinx community, and has impacted not only communities in California, but across the country and world. In this episode, Michael and Juan discuss the importance of making change at a local level, always keeping in mind the “why” when doing work in your community, and prioritizing collaboration in the pursuit of positive change. Additionally, Juan shares the critical role that acting with intentionality and respect plays in creating a foundation for bringing people together.  

Key Takeaways:

- Start with change at the community level

- Remember why you are doing the work

- Collaboration is crucial - allowing everyone’s voice to be heard yields the best results

- Make spaces safe through actions, not words alone

- Show up as you are - have respect for everyone

Juan’s Media Recommendations:

- Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Dr. Thomas Insel (Book)

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Find Juan’s work

Welcome back to another season of INCOGNITO the podcast! In the first episode of Season 4, Michael offers his thoughts on the challenging political conflicts we are facing today, including book bans, censorship of Black history, policies threatening LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Michael shares his insight into navigating these divides, and reminds listeners to focus on making connections with others, instead of finding differences, in order to create a more inclusive society. 

Key Takeaways:

• We have more in common than not: focus on making connections with others, not finding differences

• Get involved – reach out to your representatives and push them towards positive change, or thank them for the work they’re doing!

• We all have different perspectives, but we can’t let that get the best of us: check yourself and keep an open mind

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp! Steven and Mildred are the founders and directors of UNIVERSES, a national Ensemble Theater Company of multi-disciplined writers and performers of color, who fuse theater, poetry, dance, jazz, hip hop, politics, down home blues and Spanish boleros to create moving, challenging and entertaining works for the stage. In this episode, Steven and Mildred talk to Michael about their experiences creating art with others and the importance of lifting every person’s voice in this pursuit, even if they cannot do it themselves.  Steven and Mildred share their philosophy of treating everyone in a rehearsal room how they want to be treated and how they were raised to treat others, and the essential truth that everyone always has something to bring to the table.

Key Takeaways

- Fight for your identity: it’s up to you how you identify, not others

- Treat people the way you want to be treated

- Everybody has something to bring to the table

- Everyone's voice deserves to be lifted

- Whether a person is in the audience or onstage, they are a part of the event

Steven & Mildred’s Media Recommendations:

- Use your technology to capture beautiful moments and your elders; save your memories

- Dive into your genealogy/family history

- Sidney (film) on Apple TV

- A Raisin in the Sun (film, 1961)

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Find Steven & Mildred’s work:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Larry Thompson! Larry is a lawyer, law professor, and former US Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush. In this episode, Michael and Larry discuss the necessity of teamwork, transparency, and a willingness to listen and speak honestly to the cultivation of an inclusive workplace. Larry shares his insight into the incredible benefit of diversity in work environments, both for the employees as well as the company as a whole, and the words he lives by from his mentor Judge Griffin Bell: “there is no limit as to what you can accomplish so long as you don’t care who gets the credit.”

Key Takeaways

- There is no “I” in team

- Be willing to listen

- Be honest

- Speak with candor

- Be transparent, don’t have a hidden agenda

- Make sure everyone is on the same page

Larry’s Media Recommendations:

- Georgy Girl (film, 1966)

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Find Larry’s work:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Trinity Villanueva! Trinity is an advocate on the intersections of justice, liberation, and creative and artistic spaces. An incredibly multi-talented person, Trinity now serves as a Managing Partner at TOSHA, an organization which partners with the creative industry to cultivate inclusive workplace cultures through mindful leadership practices. In this episode, Michael and Trinity discuss the importance of deciding your identity for yourself, meeting people where they are, and showing up to learn instead of to impress. And, Trinity shares her philosophy when it comes to creating workplaces in which everyone feels they have the opportunity to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t allow external forces decide who you are
• Meet people where they are
• Which voices are missing or have been ignored
• If you move by yourself you move quickly, but if you move together, you move farther
• Sit in discomfort
• Validation and ego can cloud our ability to learn

Trinity’s Media Recommendations:

• The Set Boundaries Workbook: Practical Exercises for Understanding Your Needs and Setting Healthy Limits (book) by Nedra Glover Tawwab
• Lighter: Letting Go of the Past, Connect with the Present and Expand the Future (book) by Yung Pueblo
• Heartstopper (TV) on Netflix

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Find Trinity’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Mary Amrita Arden! Mary holds a Master’s degree in public health, is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming coach, and, since 1991, has been a teacher and coach at the Hoffman Institute, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transformative adult education, spiritual growth, and the personal dimensions of leadership. In this episode, Michael and Mary discuss the need to be present, get out of your own way, and surrender to change. It is truly an exploration of what it means to live a fulfilled and connected life by prioritizing introspection and growth above all.

Key Takeaways:

• Be present
• Notice what needs to shift
• Get out of the way
• Surrender rather than resist
• Question your beliefs
• Our brains need to be trained…Praying and meditation are training

Mary’s Media Recommendations:

• The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief (book) by Francis Weller and Lichael Lerner

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Find Mary’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Cecilia B. Loving! Cecilia is the Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at PBS, where she is responsible for developing organizational strategy, providing ongoing advice and counsel, and cultivating future partnerships. With over 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney, Cecilia has held various DEI leadership roles for a wide variety of businesses and government agencies, including the New York Fire Department, New York City’s Commission on Human Rights, the Legal Aid Society, and more. In this episode, Michael and Cecilia discuss the essential building blocks of DEI work: finding common ground with those around you, deeply listening to what others have to say, and always taking time to breathe and practice mindfulness.

Key Takeaways:

• Be still, listen
• Deep listening
• Build common ground
• Move forward together
• Give to self and others
• Breathe

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Find Cecilia’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Toni Wynn! Toni is a museum content curator, DEI speaker, and poet who sees big and small to craft inspired opportunities for engaging and learning. In this episode, Michael and Toni discuss the importance of living in kindness, celebrating the arts, and having compassion towards both ourselves and others, and Toni shares her philosophy of being a kindness cheerleader for those around her.

Key Takeaways:

• Live in Kindness
• Check in with people
• Ask questions
• Bring warmth to a space
• Care for yourself the way you would care for a loved one
• Arts are important

Toni’s Media Recommendations:

• Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (play) by August Wilson

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Find Toni’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Ronnie Malley! Ronnie is a multi-instrumentalist musician, theatrical performer, producer, and educator, who has collaborated with artists internationally, composed and consulted for many cultural music projects in film and theater, appeared as a guest artist on several works, and is executive director of Intercultural Music Production in Chicago. In this episode, Michael and Ronnie discuss the incredible universality of music, the importance of exploring cultures beyond your own, and using the arts as a means of connection. Ronnie shares stories from his experiences bringing music across the country and world, and his conclusion that Metallica can indeed bring us all together.

Key Takeaways:

• Be a person of good conscious
• You can see your identity as an obstacle or a way in
• Learn someone else’s language
• Go beyond the surface
• Use the arts to connect

Ronnie’s Media Recommendations:

• The Alchemist (book) by Paulo Coelho
• The Prophet (book) by Kahlil Gibran
• The Mysticism of Sound and Music (book) by Hazrat Inayat Khan
• The Ornament of the World (book) by Maria Rosa Menocal
• The Outliers (book) by Malcolm Gladwell

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Find Ronnie’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Alderman Debra Silverstein! Alderman Silverstein has been the representative of Chicago’s 50th Ward since 2011, working tirelessly to make her neighborhood a better place for the many residents who call it home through both groundbreaking projects and everyday actions. In this episode, Michael and Alderman Silverstein discuss the importance of reaching out to others, opening yourself up to engagement with those in your community, and treating people with the respect and recognition that they deserve. Additionally, Alderman Silverstein shares her strategies for connecting a community by recognizing its diversity as its greatest strength above all.

Key Takeaways:

• Listen, but hear as well
• Be down to earth, honest, truthful
• Don’t wait for folks to come to you
• Provide information, have an open door, treat people with respect, and collaborate

Alderman Silverstein’s Media Recommendations:

• Schitt’s Creek (TV) on Netflix

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Find Alderman Silverstein’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Angela Ford! Angela is the founder and executive director of The Obsidian Collection Archives, an organization that works to preserve Black historical journalism through digital archiving in hopes of making the historic and factual accounts of Black life in the United States accessible to the public and, in doing so, illuminating Black culture for the world to better see and understand. In this episode, Michael and Angela discuss the importance of being direct and deliberate, exposing oneself everyday to cultures outside of your own, and establishing trust with any community you wish to work with. Angela shares her belief that the majority of people do want to help and be a part of the solution, and discusses the incredible power that comes from harnessing this collective desire for good.

Key Takeaways:

• Be direct, be deliberate
• Deliberately follow people from other cultures, make it normal
• Establish and build trust
• People really do want to help AND want to be a part of the solution
• Never apologize for being yourself

Angela’s Media Recommendations:

• The Spook Who Sat by the Door (book) by Sam Greenlee
• The Spook Who Sat by the Door (film) directed by Ivan Dixon

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Find Angela’s work

Welcome back to another season of INCOGNITO the podcast! In the first episode of Season 3, I not only tell the story of how this podcast came to be, but also reflect on the many fantastic tools and practices towards creating a more diverse and inclusive society that guests have shared with me and INCOGNITO listeners throughout the first two seasons. I offer my pitch for why people should listen to INCOGNITO, and discuss the ways in which this podcast can offer valuable strategies and insight to listeners from all walks of life.

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone has a role to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive society
• We have so much to learn from those who are doing the important work of diversity and inclusion in their workplaces and communities as a part of their leadership
• Find the strategies and techniques that resonate with you and allow them to inform how you engage with others

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We have reached the end of season 2 of INCOGNITO the podcast! Thank you to everyone who has listened, left reviews, and shared with others; we have been so excited to see the response to the podcast so far, and hope to keep bringing you helpful insight and tools towards creating a more inclusive society next season. For the final episode of our second season, I reflect on the many incredible contributions this season’s guests have made in the exploration of identity and authenticity, and share my own thoughts and reflections about what it means to understand one’s own identity and the unique journeys we must all go on to reach this point.

Key Takeaways:

• We are either open to the journey of identity and welcome the discoveries or we are closed to it and make it much more difficult
• “The goal of the hero’s journey is yourself. Finding yourself.”
• Each of us come to understand our identities differently; we may share things with others but everyone arrives at their own unique identity in their own way
• The journey of identity is continuous and fluid; the question is how do we share this with people around us, especially in regard to the workplace?
• The more we feel included in our workplace, the more fulfilling a job is and the better people perform
• Set necessary boundaries with others
• People bringing their whole selves to work, particularly in a diverse workplace, is beneficial at every level
• Ask questions!

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INCOGNITO the podcast will return after the New Year with more exciting episodes, so please subscribe and be on the lookout! Here are 5 things you can do in the meantime:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Bessie Alcantara! Bessie is the executive director of Alternatives Inc, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that inspires young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. In this episode, Michael and Bessie discuss the importance of accountability and transparency in a workplace, inviting ownership of work and mission, and the incredible clarity that understanding the values of yourself and others can bring. Bessie shares the necessity for living in a way that is true to your values, whatever those may be, and how self-awareness around these values leads to authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

• How do you define yourself?
• Restorative Justice promotes healing for all
• Treat people as human, as people
• BUILD relationships
• Ask for accountability without creating harm
• Offer honesty, be direct and invite ownership
• Listen, respond and follow-through
• Look for shared values

Bessie’s Media Recommendations:

• The Woman King (movie)

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Find Bessie’s work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Josie Whittlesey! Josie is the executive director of Drama Club Inc, a nonprofit organization that cares for youth, particularly those who are incarcerated and court-involved, by creating space for them to thrive, using improv as their guide. Through the use of play, storytelling, and role playing, Drama Club’s programs help young people to develop prosocial bonds, executive functioning skills, empathy, and imagination. In this conversation, Josie and Michael talk about the importance of play as a means of creating safe spaces, the necessity for consistency and persistence when it comes to this kind of work, and the reason that one of the best tools we have towards creating a more inclusive and just society is proximity.

Key Takeaways:

• PLAY…is the best way to build trust
• Storytelling
• In America, white people don’t have to think about being “the other”
• Show up consistently (be reliable)
• Be persistent (low and slow)
• Act without ulterior motives (wanting power or to be liked)
• Proximity is everything

Josie’s Media Recommendations:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Andre Watson! Andre is the Assistant Director for National Security under Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security. In this interview, Michael and Andre discuss the nuances of navigating Andre’s various identities both in and outside of the workplace, what it means to foster strong relationships in the workplace based on mutual respect and curiosity, and the importance of aligning opportunities with individual passions wherever possible. Andre and Michael discuss what it means to be called to leadership and the truth proven time and again that we have more in common than not.

Key Takeaways:

• Never ask someone to do something you haven’t done or wouldn’t be willing to do
• Leverage opportunities as a means of improving connections
• We have more in common than not
• Learning about someone’s passions and experiences makes us better leaders
• Building strong relationships is crucial to leadership
• Align opportunities with passion (where possible) to increase the likelihood of success
• The character of a person must match the calling of leadership
• Four tips: 1) patience 2) open mind 3) willingness to listen 4) seek support

Andre’s Media Recommendations:

• True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George and Peter Eagle Sims (Book)
• Leadership Promises for Everyday by John C. Maxwell (Book)

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Dr. Kimberly Narain! Dr. Narain completed her residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Following fellowships at Harvard Medical School and UCLA, Dr. Narain served as a Specialty Training Advanced Research Fellow in the Department of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research at UCLA, where she later earned a Ph.D. in Health Services from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and is now an Assistant Professor In-Residence at the UCLA School of Medicine. In this conversation, Michael and Dr. Narain discuss the importance of creating work environments in which everyone can contribute, seeing yourself as in relationships of mutual benefit with others as opposed to in competition with them, and looking for the win-win in every situation. Dr. Narain shares what inspired her to write her new book, The Cycle of a Dream: A Kid’s Introduction to Structural Racism in America, and the many benefits of seeking out different perspectives and untold stories at all ages.

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone has something to contribute when under the right circumstances
• Practice humility; think of others first
• Don’t be wedded to the strategy, be wedded to the goal
• Stop seeing yourself in competition with others, remove hierarchy
• Ask: What’s missing, can I help?
• Appreciate people’s time
• Lead with self-reflection instead of blame
• Look for the win-win: setting aside oneself to serve others will ultimately benefit everyone
• Seek out different perspectives, look for untold stories
• Start small

Dr. Narain’s Media Recommendations:

• The Ezra Klein Show, “We Build Civilizations on Status. But We Barely Understand It.” (Podcast)

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Find Dr. Narain’s work

• Dr. Narain’s book: The Cycle of a Dream: A Kid’s Introduction to Structural Racism in America

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On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah. Representative Mah made history in 2016 when she became the first Asian American elected to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. She is a former college professor with a Ph.D. in modern American history and teaching experience in history, ethnic studies, and Asian American studies. Throughout Representative Mah’s time in public service, she has worked with advocacy groups on a variety of issues such as immigrant rights, workers rights, voting rights, language access, and health care. In this interview, Michael and Representative Mah discuss her journey to becoming a state representative and the barriers she faced in getting elected, what it means to truly listen to and champion the voices of the community you serve, and the importance of reaching down to pull others up alongside you every step of the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Be present and listen
• Step outside your privilege
• Reach down to pull others up
• Invite people to have space to contribute
• Magnify people’s voices

Representative Mah's Media Recommendations:

• Panchinko by Min Jin Lee

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Find Representative Mah's work

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Jamie Price, the Executive Director of the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute (SSPI) and author of the new book, Spiritualizing Politics without Politicizing Religion: The Example of Sargent Shriver. In addition to his work with SSPI, Jamie holds several academic posts, including research professor and Founding Director of the Insight Conflict Resolution program in the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, and affiliate professor in the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies at the University of Malta. In this interview, Michael and Jamie discuss the deep place from which one must approach public service, the importance of seeking to understand how someone is using their mind as opposed to trying to change it, and the simple truth that we all as people have much more in common than not. Jamie shares what his study of and work with Sargent Shriver and the SSPI have taught him not only about conflict resolution and leadership, but also the need for spiritual realism and self-transcendence in today’s divisive political climate.

Key Takeaways:

• We are here because we are connected
• Nurture spontaneous interest in being compassionate and serving one another
• Encounter people on their own terms
• Ask: What do you need? How can I help?
• Spirit pulls us toward what is good and true
• How do you pay attention to that deep place?
• Reject the notion that we have to be polarized

Jeff’s Media Recommendations:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Randy Ryan! Since leaving the military, Randy has been working with underserved communities as a means of continuing his service to the nation as a civilian. Randy led the Teaching Gardens program for the American Heart Association, growing it to include over 500 schools nationally, and now serves as the Manager of the California Initiative for the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), whose mission it is to mobilize military veterans to feed America. In this conversation, Randy and Michael discuss the power of healing others to heal oneself, the necessity of serving your community in a meaningful way, and the importance of exposing yourself to new ideas and cultures. Randy shares his insight as to what it means to be an engaged citizen and leader, and the deep connection he has found between authenticity and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• There is no better way to heal than to to heal others
• Do MORE than vote…serve your community!
• Get outside of your community and expose yourself to other ideas and cultures
• Build trust
• Authenticity is growth

Randy’s Media Recommendations:

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews E. Patrick Johnson! E. Patrick is the Dean of the School of Communication and Annenberg University Professor at Northwestern University, as well as a prolific performer, scholar, and author, and a 2020 inductee into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, Michael and E. Patrick discuss the necessity of expressing grace towards others and leading with integrity, particularly when it comes to uniting people across a variety of identities. E. Patrick shares his technique of radical listening and holding space for others to fill as a means of seeing people in their entirety and moving closer towards understanding them.

Key Takeaways:

• Express grace
• Race is a fiction, racism is not
• Try not to think about how identity might be an obstacle and instead focus on task at hand
• Lead with integrity
• Ask
• Practice radical listening and listening with compassion
• Everybody has a story to tell, but they don’t always get a chance to tell it
• Hold the space
• Bring your full self to every context
• Recognize the value of people who serve others

E. Patrick’s Media Recommendations:

• A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson currently running on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre (musical): https://strangeloopmusical.com/

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Find E. Patrick’s work

On the first episode of Season 2, Michael talks with Emmy-winning actor and meditation teacher Jeff Kober. Michael and Jeff discuss what it means to bring your whole self to every space, how to treat yourself and others with kindness and compassion, and the importance of recognizing our universal connection of love by fighting for the good instead of against the bad. In this interview, Jeff shares stories and observations from his own life that have led him to key insights about what it means to live and work alongside people who you may disagree with, but nevertheless respect and value as fellow human beings.

Key Takeaways:

• Look to give rather than to get
• Keep your side of the street clean
• Your opinions are the least interesting thing about you
• Everyone is doing their very best at every moment
• If I attack someone, the only thing they can do is defend
• I am something other than my thoughts and feelings
• How do we fight from a loving place?

Jeff’s Media Recommendations: